"Hot air rises upward."
As soon as Heros finished speaking, three flames detached from the tips of his fingers and began slowly drifting upward.
Sss...
Digori flinched at the sight. Near-perfect mana control. Projecting one's mana outward—that was magic. And directing that manifested mystery with one's own will—that was mana control. Naturally, the latter was overwhelmingly harder.
Magic already cast sought to follow the mage's initial intent. If you thought to light a flame on your fingertip and used Ignition, the fire would try to stay right there. Yet Heros had overcome the spell's desire to remain in place and successfully moved it at his command.
Swoosh.
While Digori was still stunned, the three flames floating in the air suddenly flickered out. Just as abruptly as they'd appeared. And then Heros spoke.
"As it cools in the process, the moisture in the air condenses. When countless water droplets gather..."
With that, Heros laid his left arm flat horizontally, then slowly raised it to face level.
"...they form clouds. And when those droplets in the clouds merge and grow too large to stay put..."
Right after. Plip. Plip, plip. Tiny droplets began forming one by one on Heros's palm, soon merging into larger ones. Before long, they started falling downward. It was like rain pouring down. His left hand had become a cloud, sprinkling water.
He's chaining spells again. There was no way a single Moisture spell could produce that much water, so he must have cast it repeatedly. Digori was dumbfounded. To pull off something so difficult so effortlessly. It made him question the path he'd walked all these years.
"Ooh!"
Regardless of Digori's turmoil, Neville Baron and his family let out exclamations of awe. Their eyes sparkled as they enjoyed the performance.
"And when the rain falls..."
With his left hand still raining, Heros brought his right arm beneath it. Left hand at his face, right at his chest. In that position, he cast Tree Bark on the fingertips of his right hand.
"...plants grow."
As he said it, Heros swept his right arm to the left. Raindrops falling from his left palm cascaded over his right fingertips, onto the back of his hand, wrist, forearm, and elbow. And in those dampened spots, Tree Bark sprouted.
Thud!
Digori nearly shot up from his seat without thinking but barely caught himself by gripping under the table. The table shook, but no one noticed. They were too entranced by Heros's show.
[Dual Casting: The ability to activate and maintain two spells simultaneously.]
A pinnacle of magic that scarcely anyone could achieve. Even Digori himself could only attempt it with a few familiar spells of his own.
"And that's it."
The mysteries from Moisture and Tree Bark faded away. Only then did Heros lower his hands. Whereupon, everyone sprang to their feet, applauding.
"Incredible! How on earth did you do that?!"
Neville Baron was ecstatic. The baroness and his sons reacted similarly. His disciple was receiving praise. As his master, Digori should have been pleased, but the emotion stirring in him was far from joy.
He's frightening. Heros had always shown talent beyond imagination. So Digori had acknowledged his brilliance. But today, he'd realized that conclusion was wrong. What his disciple had just done was too miraculous to simply call genius.
Not content with knowing meteorological phenomena even an experienced mage like him didn't, he'd performed advanced magical feats most mages couldn't replicate. It was all beyond comprehension.
[Evaluation: Peerless.]
That word fit better than genius.
Still, he's my disciple. It would be utterly pathetic for a master to envy his pupil's talent. I'll teach Heros with utmost sincerity and, through him, fulfill my own long-cherished wish. Digori resolved to be a proper master to Heros. If his own mistakes led the boy astray, he could become a calamity threatening the world.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The cheering Neville Baron and his family. Seeing them filled him with pride. Truth be told, he wasn't sure if his explanation was scientifically accurate. It was just something he'd learned in school as a kid. His memory wasn't perfect, so it might be wrong. But that didn't matter.
It was fun. That's what counts. The key was that his explanation had captivated them, and his magic display looked cool. He'd successfully imprinted the image of a "mage who explains nature's principles through magic" in Neville Baron and his family's minds. He was thoroughly satisfied.
Master should be pleased with this, right? With that hopeful thought, he glanced at his master. And found him sitting there, eyes wide in shock. His face clearly stunned.
Wait, what if Master is shocked? Seeing his master shocked at him shocked Heros right back. He couldn't fathom why. Weren't all three spells he'd used in the performance ones Master already knew? He had no clue what part had surprised him.
"Could you perhaps show us another spell?"
At that moment, Neville Baron asked slyly. His face brimming with anticipation. It was tricky.
[Status - Mana: 0/40 (Depleted)]
How should I handle this? As he pondered, a good idea struck.
"Of course."
He answered Neville Baron briskly, then raised both index fingers to point at his own face.
"This smooth skin. It's the effect of magic, too."
A brief silence fell. Then Neville Baron burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! Indeed! It really does look that flawless—you could believe it's magic!"
It is magic, though. He smiled, thinking that. Fortunately, his joke landed well. Master, I've livened up the mood. Now you have to seal the deal! He trusted in Neville Baron's generosity.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
As the meal wrapped up and conversation flowed, finally, his master spoke.
"Baron, I wander the Empire teaching my disciple, but alas, our travel funds have run dry of late. Thus, I require your support."
In short, give us money. Yet despite their beggar-like position, his master's demeanor was utterly dignified. As if it were only natural. Fortunately, Neville Baron's response was positive.
"Understood. Thanks to your disciple today, I've had a proper spectacle. How could I refuse that much?"
"My thanks. As we continue our journey, I'll spread word far and wide of Neville Baron's generosity."
Neville Baron and his master concluded their warm exchange. Just as the gathering seemed to end, the baroness whispered in the baron's ear. His expression turned grave.
"Urgh..."
Neville Baron groaned briefly. Then he addressed his master.
"Digori of Live Burial. I have a question for you. Recently, people have gone missing from one of the villages under my rule. It's still ongoing, and over ten have vanished already. The village chief claims it's a mage's doing, but frankly, I'm at a loss. I'd like your esteemed opinion on this matter."
"Since you call it missing rather than fled, I take it the circumstances confirm they didn't run away."
His master had suspected flight first. But Neville Baron shook his head.
"Yes. Their belongings were left intact. Just the people gone. I sent soldiers to investigate directly, but none found anything suspicious."
"It could be a mage, as the village chief says, but we can't be certain."
His master fell silent. Neville Baron said with a pained face.
"Isn't there any way? At this rate, the whole village might vanish."
"Hmmm..."
His master was prompting for terms. If I help you, what will you give me? Neville Baron caught on and brought up compensation.
"Ah! There's a grimoire in my storehouse. Solve this, and I'll give it to you! I don't know what magic it holds, but my grandfather took it from an evil mage he slew."
"Hoh."
For the first time, his master showed a positive reaction. A grimoire once used by an evil mage? Any mage would salivate.
"Very well. Since you've asked so earnestly, Baron, I'll take a look at the village."
"Thank you! Truly! I'll assign soldiers to escort you."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
After the meal, they returned to their lodgings. Heros headed to his master's room. They were set to depart for the village tomorrow, so he wanted to discuss it.
"Master, do you really think it's a mage?"
"I don't know. We'll see when we get there."
As the conversation lulled, Heros raised another question.
"But what magic do you think is in the grimoire Neville Baron promised?"
"Don't get your hopes up. It's probably not anything impressive. There is no emanating mystery felt anywhere in this building."
Meaning the grimoire's mystery was faint, or no such effect existed at all.
"Then why agree to the baron's request?"
"It might contain useful magic. This was a choice for you, Heros. You have talent in many fields of magic. Collecting diverse grimoires benefits you."
"Master..."
Thinking of him even in that moment. It was touching. He met his master's usual impassive gaze.
"Now go sleep."
"Yes."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
They set out with two soldiers assigned by the Baron. Two days later, they arrived. The village they reached was beyond quiet—positively eerie. No one would call it normal.
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