Chapter 385: You Should Raise Your Circle Too (2)
To raise one’s circle.
Honestly, Alfoi had long since given up on that.
He was just living his days busily. Though he had a bit more leeway now that he was assigned to monitoring the mages, he was still stuck lending a hand when things get hectic.
So, when would he have the time to study and gather mana?
In the first place, he was practically a lifelong slave at this point. It wasn’t something he’d escape while alive.
Now, all he wanted was a cold drink after work and a soft bed to sleep in. Occasionally, blowing off some steam by throwing his weight around was just a bonus.
And now, someone was suggesting he raise his circle?
Alfoi glanced around cautiously and asked, “Are you… giving me the Dragon Heart?”
It was smaller than a fingernail, but the immense mana contained within it was undeniable. If he absorbed that, he could definitely reach the 4th Circle.
Ghislain nodded without hesitation.
“Of course. It’s yours.”
“Why…?”
The Dragon Heart was a treasure among treasures. For a mage, it was beyond priceless.
In terms of contributing to the territory’s strength, Alfoi knew he wasn’t that important. His practical experience had increased, sure, but as a mere 3rd Circle mage, his capabilities had clear limits.
Ever since he met Ghislain, Alfoi had always been on the receiving end, so this time, his first instinct was naturally to doubt.
Noticing Alfoi’s distrustful expression, Ghislain clicked his tongue.
‘This guy’s turned into a ball of suspicion. All thanks to Claude.’
While some of it was his own fault, Ghislain decided to blame Claude entirely. In truth, Claude bore most of the responsibility anyway.
That said, Alfoi had proven his worth. He’d played a significant role in capturing Queen Grex and had shown commendable skill in the recent confrontation with the Scarlet Tower.
Alfoi had definitely changed since arriving here. Once an arrogant heir of the mage tower, he was now an indispensable servant of the estate.
Others might not notice, but Ghislain genuinely valued this change in him.
“You’ve been through a lot, so think of this as a gift. No need to be scared.”
“R-really?”
“Of course. I’m giving it to you for sure. Everyone here is a witness.”
At that, Belinda clapped with an indifferent expression, while Vanessa genuinely congratulated him.
“That’s wonderful, Sir Alfoi! Absorbing that shard will definitely raise your rank!”
“Y-yeah, I guess?”
Alfoi’s heartbeat began to quicken.
The Dragon Heart was the ultimate treasure for mages. Compared to it, runestones were mere pebbles.
Hearing he’d be given such a treasure made him happy… but his timid personality posed a problem.
‘Can I really absorb that?’
If mishandled, it could cause his body to explode. Treasures like that could only be claimed by those worthy of them.
Especially in the Crimson Flame Tower, where the mage tower master Hubert had spread timidity like a plague.
From the tower master to the elders, none of them would even train without a runestone. Naturally, their disciples had adopted the same mindset.
“If it’s dangerous, just don’t do it.” That had become the Crimson Flame Tower’s new motto.
‘Hah… I don’t think I can do it…’
He wanted it, but he was scared it might kill him. Alfoi fretted like a dog needing to relieve itself but unable to decide where to go.
Seeing this, Ghislain smirked.
“What’s the problem? Scared your body might explode?”
“N-no… I’m not scared! It’s just…”
“Just what?”
“It’s just that it might be… a bit dangerous.”
“Oh? The ‘Man Who Defeated a God’ is afraid of a piece of the Dragon Heart?”
“I’m not afraid! I’m just being cautious!”
“Then I’ll give it to someone else.”
“You can’t just change your mind like that!”
“Then what do you want me to do?”
“…”
As Alfoi hesitated, Vanessa clenched her fist encouragingly by his side.
“Sir Alfoi, you can absolutely do it! I’ll stay right by your side and watch over you!”
Belinda and Kaor chimed in as well.
“If you’re hesitant, I’ll just take it for myself.”
“No, no! I’ll take it! Why give it to someone who doesn’t even want it?!”
Even the other knights watching the scene clamored to claim it. Alfoi, unwilling to give up something so valuable even at the cost of some danger couldn’t stand the thought of someone else benefiting from it.
“Enough! Everyone shut up! I’ll take it!”
“If it’s being given to me, I’d be a fool not to take It.”
Alfoi steeled his resolve and reached out his hand.
‘Yeah! I even defeated a god’s power, so why wouldn’t I be able to handle a dragon shard? After all, it’s just a glorified lizard compared to a god, right?’
Seeing Alfoi’s determined expression, Ghislain laughed as he handed over the shard.
‘Well… he should be able to handle this much, right?’
Considering Alfoi’s past feats, it seemed likely he had the grit and determination needed. After all, hadn’t he triumphed during the battle against the Scarlet Tower?
Ghislain also believed Alfoi had likely gained sufficient insight.
Insight was a personal journey. Even if two people experienced the same events and reached the same level, their values, thought processes, and convictions would differ.
Alfoi had undergone many experiences here. Surely, he’d carved his own path by now.
Indeed, Alfoi, resolute in his decision, immediately sat down and began absorbing the mana from the shard.
Rumble!
‘Ugh!’
As an unimaginable amount of mana flowed into him, Alfoi gritted his teeth.
It was hard to believe so much power could be contained in just a fragment! It was truly deserving of the name Dragon Heart.
‘I’ll endure this!’
Hadn’t he faced subtle disdain and condescension for not advancing during the Scarlet Tower confrontation? Petty as he was, Alfoi hadn’t forgotten those slights.
‘I’ll leap to the 4th Circle in one go!’
Rumble!
The mana kept pouring in. It was far beyond what a mere 3rd Circle mage could normally endure. However, Alfoi’s mana control had improved to an extraordinary degree.
He skillfully guided the incoming mana, storing it in his heart.
Those watching couldn’t help but be surprised. Alfoi’s face was peaceful as he absorbed the mana.
‘Is that… Alfoi?’
‘Peaceful? Alfoi? Those words don’t belong together.’
‘Can he really absorb all of that by himself?’
Amidst their astonished murmurs, Alfoi continued to absorb the mana.
‘Haha… I was scared for nothing. This isn’t so bad!’
The mana he’d already taken in was far greater than what he’d accumulated over his entire life. Yet, it seemed he’d absorbed barely half of it.
‘Haha… Now it’s time to form the new ring… Why isn’t this ending?’
His heart began to strain. His body, as it absorbed the mana, felt as if it were being torn apart.
‘N-no more…’
He couldn’t take in any more. But the process didn’t stop. He wanted to let go, but his hand wouldn’t budge, as if glued in place.
‘W-what?’
Alfoi’s face twisted in pain. Suddenly, a wave of searing agony washed over his entire body.
The sheer magnitude of the mana he was absorbing was overwhelming his body, which was only barely holding on.
The real problem was Alfoi’s mental fortitude. Despite his recent accomplishments, he had rarely endured real physical pain while drawing mana.
And truthfully, he wasn’t a man who handled pain well.
‘Ugh… It hurts! I can’t do this! I’m going to die!’
As his resolve wavered, his control over the mana slipped. The mana began rampaging within his body.
Unrestrained, it sent a torrent of pain surging through him like nothing he had ever experienced.
“AAARGH! I CAN’T DO THIS!”
Alfoi screamed and leapt to his feet. But the shard wouldn’t detach it had fused with him, becoming a direct mana conduit.
By standing, Alfoi made things worse. His lack of control now caused the mana to threaten to explode his body entirely.
As his body swelled ominously, Alfoi screamed again.
“AAARGH! SOMEBODY SAVE ME!”
“Tch.”
Ghislain immediately clamped a hand over Alfoi’s mouth and pressed his palm to Alfoi’s back.
“I’ll guide the mana, so hang on! If you don’t, you will die! Stop whining and hold still!”
“Mmmph! Mmph!”
Alfoi, on the brink of passing out, just wanted the pain to end.
Ghislain gritted his teeth and channeled his strength to subdue the raging mana in Alfoi’s body.
Even a shard of a Dragon Heart was formidable. Its mana writhed furiously, resisting Ghislain’s control.
“Vanessa! I’ll manage the mana direct the rest into Alfoi’s heart!”
“Understood!”
Without a moment’s rest, Vanessa placed her hands near Alfoi’s heart.
Ghislain tightly restrained the rampant mana, carefully releasing it in small increments. Vanessa then deftly guided the released mana into Alfoi’s heart.
Watching this, Belinda clicked her tongue.
“He’s such a handful.”
“Grrrrrr…”
Alfoi had completely lost his senses, unable to comprehend what was happening. He had simply let his mind go blank.
Thanks to Ghislain and Vanessa, however, the mana of the Dragon Heart began to gradually accumulate within Alfoi’s body.
It took a full half-day of focused effort before the mana stabilized and settled firmly inside him.
“Phew…”
As Ghislain lifted his hand away, Alfoi collapsed to the ground with a thud. Now, all they needed to do was wait. Once the stabilized mana formed a core, the process would be complete.
If no awakening occurred, it would merely result in an increase in mana.
Everyone gathered around Alfoi, looking down at him.
After a while, Alfoi finally opened his eyes and asked, “Am I… alive?”
Ghislain, resting some distance away, answered, “Yes.”
“What about the Dragon Heart?”
“It’s fully absorbed.”
“Hehehe…”
Though he hadn’t done much, Alfoi grinned smugly. Despite a few embarrassing moments during the process, he had successfully absorbed it.
Even under the disdainful gazes of others, Alfoi was thrilled as he checked his core.
“Heheh… I’m a 4th-circle mage now. One, two, three… huh?”
As Alfoi inspected his heart’s core, his expression turned blank. Ghislain looked at him curiously and asked, “What is it?”
“The core…”
“Don’t tell me you didn’t reach the 4th circle? Did you just end up with more mana?”
If that were the case, it would mean the Dragon Heart fragment had been wasted. Ghislain frowned slightly, and the surrounding people erupted.
“I knew it!”
“Of course, someone like Alfoi couldn’t pull it off!”
“What a waste of the Dragon Heart!”
Vanessa also showed a look of pity. But Alfoi, still dazed, mumbled, “There are five.”
“…Wow.”
Everyone, including Ghislain, was stunned.
Alfoi had surpassed expectations and reached the 5th circle.
“Wow, who would’ve thought he’d reach the 5th circle.”
“Are you kidding me? Alfoi’s a 5th-circle mage?”
“I’m telling you, he’s ecstatic right now. Ugh, if only I had consumed a Dragon Heart fragment, I could’ve advanced further too.”
The mages of the estate gathered with gloomy expressions, talking about Alfoi.
Normally, Vanessa’s achievement of becoming a 7th-circle mage would have been the talk of the region, but Alfoi’s extraordinary leap by two circles stole the spotlight.
Alfoi was already arrogant and insufferable. Now that he had advanced to this level, the mages couldn’t help but worry about how much more difficult he would become to deal with.
“Hey, hey, hey! What are you all doing, slacking off?”
Sure enough, before the mages could even finish their complaints, Alfoi appeared wearing an orange armband. His entourage, marked by blue armbands, followed behind him.
Alfoi scolded the lounging mages harshly. “Are you all disobeying the ‘5th-circle mage who defeated the gods’? Break time’s over! Move it!”
“Yes, yes…”
Among mages, circle rank was everything. Other than Vanessa, no one in the estate outranked Alfoi now.
A 5th-circle mage was considered an elder-level figure in a magic tower or a dedicated mage for an entire estate. No one dared to challenge him.
“Ah, so this is what being a 5th-circle mage feels like. Has anyone in the kingdom’s history reached the 5th circle at my age?”
Even Hubert, the Tower Master, hadn’t accomplished this. Alfoi’s arrogance grew even more unbearable.
As he basked in his newfound power, a sharp voice interrupted him from behind.
“Alfoi! What are you doing here instead of studying?”
“V-Vanessa?”
“You don’t even know 4th-circle magic yet! You need to start learning immediately!”
“…I hate studying.”
Since coming to Fenris, Alfoi had avoided studying altogether. Beyond 3rd-circle spells, he knew nothing.
What good was his advancement if he couldn’t cast spells appropriate for his rank?
As a result, Ghislain gave Vanessa a direct order.
“Ensure Alfoi masters 5th-circle magic as quickly as possible.”
Vanessa, naturally diligent by nature, was relentless when tasked with this mission. There was no way she would tolerate Alfoi slacking off.
Alfoi couldn’t even enjoy his newfound status before being dragged to the research lab by Vanessa.
Hearing of this, Ghislain clicked his tongue in disapproval.
While Alfoi needed to master spells befitting his rank, having two high-ranking mages emerge in the estate before the impending war was undoubtedly a boon.
At that moment, Galbarik approached Ghislain with more good news.
“Lord! This time, I’ve crafted it to the exact specifications! Please, give it a try!”
The goblin-like, gaunt man spoke with eyes shining brightly.