LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 156
Inside the black castle, as I arrived in Trevel, I gazed around in a stupor, my mouth agape.
The level of advancement in this world did not stray far from the medieval level of ancient Earth. While there existed forces like mana and divine power, it was convenient to generally think of it this way.
The lower realm was similar as well. While there might be slight differences in living standards, most advancements were roughly on par.
However, this place was different. By my standards, antique-designed cars were cruising down the roads, and from the towering smokestacks, black smoke spewed forth endlessly.
The attire of the people was also markedly different from other places. There were variations in colors and sizes, yet everyone wore clothes of similar design. I knew. It was possible because those were not hand-made garments but factory-produced ones.
Moreover, magic overflowed in this place called Trevel. Massive lights made of mana stones and mana engraved on streets felt like an endless flow of mana.
The moment I discovered magic, my eyes burned with excitement. I began rapidly calculating the power of magic, the principles behind its activation, and the source that was invoking the magic.
Once my understanding of magic wrapped up, my gaze naturally moved along the flow of mana. Right after that, I couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.
This was the expansion of a magical heartbeat. Just as I had paved the path for mana to flow within me while researching the heartbeat, a network of mana passages spanned across the entire city.
It was overly efficient. The designed mana passages evidently aimed to prevent mana from leaking out while supplying it more swiftly throughout the city.
As I gazed around in a daze, I shook my head. It wasn’t too late to admire it later. Think about priorities, Seris. I slapped my cheeks and jumped into the alleyways of the city.
*
“Fernando!”
“Cough, cough…!”
Fernando, who had been deeply asleep, shot up at the sudden shout, bracing himself for the pain that was sure to come.
Bam-!
“You punk! Sleeping on the job during work hours?”
“Ugh…”
It was the anticipated pain. Fernando gritted his teeth to endure the throb coming from his shins.
His team leader and the rank 8 wizard, Zephyr, sighed as he glared at Fernando. It was irritating that someone so unreliable was part of his team, and even more so that he had to work with him today.
“Uh, what brings you here?”
“What do you mean, what brings me here? Is my presence a problem?”
“Ah, that’s not it…”
Still an infuriating guy. Zephyr pulled the mana stone ring he had brought out and answered.
“It’s patrol.”
“Why are we patrolling all of a sudden?”
“What? Don’t want to go?”
“Ah, no… Just… was there an unauthorized magic user or something?”
“I don’t know, I didn’t get any details. They just said to grab anyone suspicious without asking questions, so be prepared.”
“Uh, yes…”
Fernando nodded at Zephyr’s words and slipped the mana stone ring on his finger. At that moment, he felt a massive presence connecting with him.
Such a gratifying sensation. It felt as if he was transcending the very existence of humanity itself. Fernando smiled as he trailed behind Zephyr.
Fernando and Zephyr began their patrol, centered around their work area. In reality, it was less about patrolling and more about lazily wandering around while occasionally grabbing street food.
I don’t know how long it had been. As Fernando could no longer bear the boredom and yawned lazily, they suddenly faced a crowd blocking their path.
“What the…?”
“Maybe there’s a street performance or something?”
“A performance…? Unauthorized performances are illegal.”
Zephyr frowned as he pushed forward through the crowd. As far as he knew, there were no street performances scheduled for today.
“Excuse me, move aside. Official wizard here.”
After shoving through the throng, what Zephyr faced was not a bunch of lawbreakers doing a street performance.
What first entered his vision were shards of broken glass and scattered clothing. And atop it lay a man with a bloodied face, collapsed.
“What the…?”
“What kind of fight happened here?”
In response to Fernando’s question, Zephyr furrowed his brow, arms crossed. The absence of an alarm meant this was a simple brawl, not magic. They couldn’t interfere in such cases as registered wizards only managed matters related to magic.
“Looks like the owner of a clothing store. Must’ve had a fight with a customer, right? His face is wrecked; he probably said something insulting to the customer.”
Once prompted, it sounded plausible. Zephyr nodded at Fernando’s line of thought.
“That’s a reasonable story.”
“Wow… What did he say to get hurt this badly? He even lost some teeth. But looks like the customer paid for the clothes. He’s holding a bunch of gold coins.”
“Gold coins…?”
“Yep. Looks like something I’ve never seen before…”
Zephyr closely examined the man who appeared to be the shop owner. Just as Fernando had said, he was clutching unfamiliar-looking gold coins. Eager for confirmation, Zephyr pulled a small monocle from his pocket to survey the area.
However, just as he had suspected, there was no trace of mana flowing around the man. If someone had used magic, bluish mana would have been swirling nearby.
“Tsk…”
Zephyr clicked his tongue and turned away. While the man’s expression seemed a bit serious, ultimately, it wasn’t their concern.
“Let’s move.”
“Huh? You’re leaving this guy here?”
“It’s not our business.”
“Uh… okay.”
Just as the two were leaving the street, Zephyr and Fernando turned their heads almost in unison towards a single point.
Blonde hair that seemed sweet as honey flowed softly in the wind. It was as if the girl noticed their gaze, matching their eyes with her beautiful, greenish sparkling ones.
It felt as if the surrounding air had cooled simply from her smile. Zephyr felt time freeze as he found himself staring into the charming smile of the unknown girl.
Fernando felt similarly. Grasping his pounding heart, he exhaled roughly.
At that moment, the girl began to approach lightly. Clad in simple black pants and a pristine white shirt, she appeared incredibly noble despite the ordinary attire. The large backpack slung over her back looked out of place but did not overshadow her beauty.
“Are you gentlemen wizards?”
The girl’s voice was as beautiful as her appearance. The smooth tone that flowed into Zephyr’s ears melted his expression.
“Uh, huh? Yes, that’s right.”
“W-we’re registered wizards!”
The response came a beat too late. Zephyr and Fernando barely managed to collect their dazed minds and replied to the girl.
“Wow! Great! I have so many questions! Do you have time?”
Fernando glanced at Zephyr, gauging his reaction. Seeing as their shift wasn’t over yet, they didn’t have the luxury to chat. However, Zephyr nodded without hesitation.
“Time… we have.”
“Really? Then…”
Zephyr and Fernando relocated to a nearby café with the unknown girl. Naturally, the two footed the bill for the teas.
*
“Goodbye!”
I waved at the two departing wizards. Certified wizards of the lower realm weren’t any different. The two men, enchanted by my appearance, answered all my questions kindly. It was amusing when they subtly tried to one-up each other mid-conversation. I had to stifle my laughter.
As I stepped into the alley, I donned the mana stone ring I had briefly fiddled with earlier. At that moment, a strange sensation began to spread from the ring-wearing finger throughout my body.
It felt as if I was forcibly connected with something carrying a giant presence.
This wasn’t just a simple illusion. Right now, I truly was connected to something. It was a colossal entity devoid of self, the source of mana responsible for the magic of this city, Trevel.
It felt like something lost had returned. A deep smile crept upon my face as I drew upon the mana within my body.
Whoooosh-!
The mana that burst forth began to alter the properties of the air. Though the starlight mana had emerged from my body, it still retained its mystery.
The mana hadn’t recognized the existence known as Seris. It merely recognized the source of mana located at the center of Trevel, connected through the ring.
This was a sort of loophole. A method created by the lessened presence of humans in the lower realm to use magic.
I indulged in the omnipotent feeling that had returned and silently laughed. Countless spells I had only thought about, unable to use, filled my mind. I wrapped the wind I conjured around me and leapt into the sky.
WHOOSH-!
The towering structures shrank in an instant. As I poured forth even more wind, a sudden sound echoed.
Crack-! Clang-!
A worrying noise emanated from the ring I was wearing, and in an instant, cracks spread and it shattered.
“Ah…”
The connection with the massive presence severed. At that moment, the wind wrapping around me dissipated instantly.
Even as I fell, I glared at the broken ring. At the moment I heightened the mana output, the ring couldn’t withstand it and shattered.
The words that the two wizards, whose names I couldn’t even remember, had said came to mind. The rings received by wizards varied depending on their rank. It seemed I would need a higher-grade mana stone ring to withstand my mana.
I took out the Ice Dragon Sword I had hidden in my bag and climbed atop it. The sword carrying me began to swiftly fly deeper into Trevel.
*
Rank 8 registered wizard of Trevel, Zephyr realized that his ring had vanished while tidying up his belongings to leave after returning.
“Oh no…!”
“What’s wrong?”
Without answering Fernando’s query, Zephyr dashed out quickly. His face turned pale as he thought.
The received ring had gone missing. If this fact spread, it would undoubtedly lead to more than just a simple disciplinary action. No one could find out.
Racing through the night streets, Zephyr recalled the coffee shop where he had spoken with the beautiful girl.