Reincarnated as a Rock

Magic, how do we create it? Nay, make it manifest itself? There are many ways, such as having skills that replace the orthodox methods completely, but we do usually use a circuitry, a system of paths for the Mana to go through, to create phenomena, as for how we create those:

Via the usage of a physical circuit created with various magical metals and alloys, connected with Mana stones. These are good for creating automotive machinery, for example a must for machines that create barriers. 

Creating a Mana path with the help of geometrical diagrams painted with Mana imbued ink. The preferred way the magicians and adventurers go, for magic. It's consistent and could help you do magic that you don't have much affinity with.

 

Creating a Mana path through Mana manipulation without physical assistance. A more advanced way of creating a nature manipulating phenomena than the prior. Usally the usage of a high level skill is needed to do magic this way, but offers great flexibility.  

⟨The Book for Magicka, Melrin Midraem⟩

⟨Alp's POV⟩

Alp: ‹I don't need the help of my employer in this one!›

Elizabeth:   "Sir Alp, is there a problem? You've been staring at me for a while now."

Alp:"Eh? No, apologies. Your beauty stunned me for a while there, milady." 

 «@$$&*:+/#($-…»

‹What the hell is going on?! Why can I suddenly not read her mind? Shit, is it something related to the Athena's blessing and protection on her?!? Is she subconsciously activating a skill, or worse consciously??

I better get the situation under my control soon, otherwise this may get really messy.›

   

"Is that right? When are you planning to read my status?"

 

"Ah, yes. Just give me a few minutes, in the meantime please suit yourself."

‹She is getting suspicous too. That 30 INT(intelligence points) is no joke, she is really smart even though she is young and naïve. 

I will buy myself a little time to scan for a weak point in the shield. Hmm, it seems they have focused the power of the Shield to restricting teleportation. This will make my job harder but I am not one of the most famous Academic Mages in The Empire for nothing! I may not be one of the strongest but I don't need to be! 

I shall inhibit this Shield by cracking its Mana circuitry. I've researched this method for years now. I have even acquired Mana Sense that heightens the person's sensitivity to the Mana. Thanks to that I can create a mental map of mana's path. By obstructing its paths via injecting my Mana, I can change the phenomenon that is happening!

Legend has it that one of the Founders had such intricate control that she would be able to do what I am doing in mere seconds without a sweat. But the technique has been lost, or so they say. I personally think that she was just that talented and the technique had nothing much to do with her abilities. Even if it did, in this age almost no one, including me would be able to use it.›

‹Shit, I need the location of the core to focus my Mana to, as to weaken the barrier. Perhaps she knows? If she tells what I have asked about to others, it will be bad but I am in the middle of kidnapping her so, no problems HAH!›

 

"Mrs. Elizabeth, have you ever seen a colorful magic ball in the mansion. That makes you feel tingly when you are near it? "

   "Yes I have, is that necessary for the ritual?"

"Yes but knowing its location is enough for a Mage such as me, so where is that magical ball located in the mansion?"

«#+@&$_-&...»

 

  "I see, it's in a room that's next to mine. Which is at the upper story, in the room that's between the stairs and my room, a little to the south sector."

‹Hmm... Yes, I have found it. Finally, in just a minute or two, I'll be fulfilling the contract I have made with my employer. After all this time... Then there'll only be left the process of removing the Noble's Sign from her. Finally—›

---

Elizabeth's POV

«I don't trust him. Something's off with his composure. He is not even of royal birth but he is staring at the daughter of the Duke for minutes straight, when face to face. Though I won't voice it just yet, he may really be Appraising my status.»

«?!!? Why am I feeling weird. My heart is beating fast out of nowhere. I feel tension in my muscles, I feel a desire to stay away from him.»

 

Elizabeth: "Mr. Alp, I don't feel so good.⟨no worries, she won't turn to dust, probably.⟩"

   "Can we do this later on."

Alp: "None can do milady~"

 

Elizabeth: "Alp, what is the meaning of this?"

Alp: "You'll learn it soon enough when we are out of this place."

Elizabeth: "?!!?"

 

---

⟨What is this⟩

⟨What the fuck just happened. Why am I in a mansion? Where is my 'body’? We were just Appraising a girl... Guys are you there?⟩

⟨No response... Who are these people? Is this guy a predator? They are even in this world? Both of them are well dressed though, kind of reminds me of the stereotypical medieval dresses of nobles back home. Hmm, the place is very well decorated as well. Are these guys rich?⟩

⟨Yep, I don't think I am back home, at least not in my country. I can't recognize any words and sounds that are least bit familiar to me. So either I am still somewhere on my second planet or some isolated place in Earth. But how can I see, furthermore where the hell is my body located if that's the case?? Back home, there is no magic to turn people into rocks and let them still see and live, well, as far as I am aware of. And here I am, without even an apparent body...⟩

⟨Staring straight at her for minutes... Yep, either this is some sort of weird tradition or something, or he really is a predator; or perhaps their tradition supports the predators! I should warn the kid, but how?⟩

⟨They started talking again. Oh, if I am still in my second planet, I should be able to use my skills! ⟩

⟨Damn, I can't even use my status. And the guy started maniacally laughing, I hope this doesn't go the way I think it may...⟩

⟨Well, shit. I think I know what that smug look on the guy and the girl's terrified expression means...⟩