Chapter 31 - War on the Horizon
Ever since Jae’s training had plateaued at the level of the human limit―that is, Mana Manipulation Level 8―Aphyllanthes decided to give him a bit of a break.
Needless to say, he put in immeasurable effort, endeavouring for a long time to be able to control the magic energy that existed outside the boundary of his own body, but it simply was not happening.
In order to just begin the training, Mana Manipulation Level 10 was required, but it was not even possible to level up beyond Level 8 without moving on to the next stage.
To level up Mana Manipulation and begin the ‘real training’, Jae needed Mana Manipulation to already be at Level 10, creating a sort of paradoxical dilemma.
He had originally hoped that thanks in part due to his status as an Otherworlder, as well as his Race being classified as Undead, he would be able to break through the mould, but alas, he found himself nonetheless limited by his still-human body.
“Then, we will have to settle for Level 9,” Aphyllanthes declared.
“I thought I was stuck at Level 8.”
“Humans are restricted with Level 8 Mana Manipulation as their zenith. However, you are not ‘human’ by technicality, correct?”
“Oh. I guess so. But why does it matter if it's technical or not?”
“You see, until the limit is achieved, raising the level of skills such as Mana Manipulation is rather effortless, and particularly if one is aware of the methods to speed up that process. You have successfully reached the hard limit of humanity when it comes to manipulating mana, but that does not mean you are on the same level as one who has arrived at the same level naturally.”
“I think I understand. Basically, I took a shortcut to level up the skill, but I still need to practise with it in order to use it at maximum efficiency, right?”
It’s like having the capacity but not the ability. To make the most out of my maximised capacity, I need to train my ability.
Jae understood the gist of it well enough, but there was still a lot surrounding the subject that he didn’t know, and he was well aware of it.
“Level 9 Mana Manipulation is the limit of magically-attuned creatures such as Elves and Demons, and it will be much easier to reach the transcended stage from there,“ Aphyllanthes continued.
“Wait, ‘transcended’? Don’t you think it’s a bit early for something like that?”
“Hm...? Jae, do not get me wrong. I apologise, but you do not have even a speck of the talent required to reach the true transcendental stage of magic. Frankly, the thought is laughable.”
“Oh... Well, you didn’t have to put it like that.”
“It is the truth. However, as I have previously explained, what I will teach you is how to command magic like a dragon―that alone is enough to be considered transcendental when compared to the likes of mortal magic.”
What Aphyllanthes said could be considered a dream, and Jae couldn’t wait for it. The only unfortunate thing was that, even to just begin getting started with learning a dragon's magic, he had to first meet the prerequisite condition of reaching Level 10 Mana Manipulation.
And, as things stood, even that was a faraway goal. So, in a fashion like taking one step at a time, he would go for Level 9 first instead of trying to rush things.
That’s right. I have time. There’s nothing urgent waiting for me in that god-forsaken place anyway, so I can take as long as I need.
It was at this moment that Jae finally realised why Aphyllanthes stated an estimation of three years.
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I'm not sure how much time has passed since I entered the Pride Dungeon, but it's been a while.
Aphy taught me a lot of things during this time, but I’m still learning something new every day as we travel towards the centre of the Dungeon, where the rift is located.
I learnt a little about the ways humans categorise magic for when I return, and it turned out to be quite simple; magic is divided into seven tiers, and depending on what is the highest tier of magic one can cast using only mana as a resource, a mage will be classified as the corresponding tier.
Each tier of magic is sometimes also assigned a star depending on the nation which simplifies the system and shows the difference in status―at least, that’s what I heard.
The tiers, in ascending order from weakest to strongest, are as follows:
★ | First-tier―Elementary.
★★ | Second-tier―Apprentice.
★★★ | Third-tier―Advanced.
★★★★ | Fourth-tier―Saint.
★★★★★ | Fifth-tier―Natura.
★★★★★★ | Sixth-tier―Emperor.
★★★★★★★ | Seventh-tier―God.
Supposedly, the highest level of magic known to humans is sixth-tier magic, and the seventh-tier exists more as a fantasy myth than a tangible goal for magicians to strive for. Tier six also has different names depending on the human nation, too, such as ‘Royal’, ‘Zenith’, or ‘Archmage’.
“Mm, waow. Gulp.”
Swallowing a roasted piece of whelp meat harvested from a wandering young dragon that we had encountered and tried to eat us, I relished in the gourmet juices that erupted in my mouth and asked. “So, how powerful is Emperor magic? And what tier are dragons generally at?”
My Cooking skill had finally levelled up to 2 after I could cook something that wasn’t a goblin, and it made the already-delicious dragon meat even more delectable.
“Gulp. Dragons are not limited by socially constructed tiers established by humans. As for the sixth tier... It’s powerful enough to lay waste to an entire country, I suppose.”
“Oh, wow. It’s incredible how something like that is possible. If it’s a whole country, isn’t it way more powerful than a nuclear bomb?”
For some reason, Aphy was also eating the whelp meat I heated up, but maybe cannibalism was normal for dragons? She didn’t say much about it other than the fact it tasted better than when she ate it raw.
Anyway, I found learning about magic to be intriguing.
I wasn’t sure if it was because Aphy is such a good teacher or because of the subject itself, but even if I expected the content to be something boring―like an in-depth explanation of how magical energy produced naturally by the surrounding environment is absorbed and processed by our bodies as we breathe, as well as how that process varies for different creatures and species―I nevertheless found it enthralling, and I kept wanting to learn more.
When I asked to be taught how to cast magic instead of just theory, Aphy seemed to sigh and tell me that such was the goal of trying to achieve Level 10 Mana Manipulation.
Of course, even I knew that much, but I wanted to start slinging spells now, just for fun. I honestly didn’t see the problem with it, but Aphy refused, stating, “You can waste all the time in the world memorising crude magic circles and reciting them in your mind all you like when you leave this place, but until then, you are my student, and you listen to me.”
I didn’t realise that I would have to learn magic circles to cast magic using the human method; it began to feel like school all over again, so I quickly gave it up without much regret.
Thus, in the end, I wasn’t even able to use the Earth Magic skill I had acquired.
However, because I had the best magic tutor in the world, I was still able to learn about all kinds of different things.
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“Jae, tell me. How many unique classifications of magic do you know? We are talking purely in terms of your knowledge.”
“Um. Do you mean, like, elements?”
“Magic is universally categorised into many different subsets, and elemental magic is only one such category; what I want to know is how many different magic types can you name?”
“Hm, then... Well, I’m not sure what kinds of magic exist in this world, but I already know we have elemental magic―so earth, fire, wind and water... and maybe light and dark magic as well? Oh, right, I know holy magic is a thing...”
Chris’ Status had those three mentioned on it way back when, right?
“Then, I wouldn’t be surprised if there were also ice and lightning magic, and probably more powerful ones like gravity, space, time... Arcane and summoning magic usually exist in these kinds of worlds, too... And maybe life and death magic? Or healing and curses, or something like that...“
Normally, I’d expect things like healing, light, and holy magic to all be one and the same, just as with curses, death, and dark magic, but I can never know for sure.
“Of course, illusion magic is a pretty basic guess. I don’t know how enchanting works here, but that’s also magic-related. You mentioned spirits, so maybe there’s spirit magic?”
And finally.
“You also used some kind of transformation magic to turn into a human, so obviously that’s a thing... Uhh... Is that good? I don’t know if I can come up with any more right now.”
“Excellent. That was better than I had expected. There were a few brilliant guesses as well as some misjudgments, but overall you answered well.”
Praised by Aphy, I felt like I did a good job even though I had no idea why she brought the subject up in the first place. Fortunately, she was quick to explain.
“There is one key category of magic that you didn’t seem to identify, however, and that is ‘kin magic’.”
Hearing a phrase completely unfamiliar to me, it was honestly difficult to feel disappointed by the fact I missed it.
“Kin magic is commonly categorised as magic that cannot be replicated by just anyone, whether the caster is a human, elf, or otherwise. It can be magic unique to a certain species of creature, or in rare cases, a magic that only one magician can successfully cast.”
In the case of it being unique to a certain species of creature, a simple example of kin magic would be a Siren―a type of sea-dwelling monster that uses unique magic to imitate the voice of a beckoning maiden to lure unsuspecting seafarers into its trap.
As for the latter, there would be occasional cases where a magician would spend the entirety of his life dedicated to one specific spell or school of magic, perhaps attempting to create an original spell, and as a result, they would be the only ones aware and able to cast it.
The description sounded interesting, and I thought it probably would’ve been something with little knowledge or research about by humans considering their lack of magical development compared to other humanoids.
Aphy corrected what I said about ‘transformation magic’ and mentioned that whenever a creature is transformed using magic, unless it utilises a specific school or category of magic, it will come under kin magic.
The spell she used to turn from dragon to human, Polymorph, would thus be identified as kin magic.
“Gulp. Hm? Ah, damn. That was the last piece... Hey, didn’t you say dragons require nothing more than magic energy to sustain themselves? Why do you eat so much? Ow!”
“Are you questioning a dragon’s eating habits? Watch your tongue.”
“Ahhh... Tsk. Sorry.”
“You seem to be getting a little too comfortable recently. Come, we shall depart. Additionally...”
“What is it?”
“Practise with Mana Manipulation as we walk.”
“Hey, what? I can’t do that, it’s exhausting.”
“You are defying me?"
“...I never said that.”
“Good.”
“......”
Every day I thought to myself, ‘maybe now things are finally looking up’.
But it was also important to realise that I had to cherish these relaxing, relatively trouble-free days while I had the chance. Because, in the back of my mind, I knew.
They wouldn’t last forever.
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Meanwhile, in the Seronian Royal Palace, the crown prince’s Office.
“Yo. You’re the prince, right?”
“!? You are... Disciple of the Great Sage...? You are trespassing on royal ground. What do you think you are doing?”
All of a sudden, Ryan stood at the entrance of the office, its door wide open behind him. The eyes of the prince, Dexter Platavau Daenyl de Seronia, widened.
I didn’t hear so much as a sound...
“Sayin’ ello. Haven’t officially met since you returned, right? Anyway, I heard somethin’ about a war, is that true?”
“...Leave my office this instant, hero.”
“Eyyy~ Come onnn~ I’m the best hero you guys got, right? Screw Chris, I ain’t like that pussy. You can tell me all about it.”
“I’ve heard plenty a rumour of your antics, Ryan. There will be no shenanigans from you here, so I recommend you leave now. Although I am a noble who is not often seen on the battlefield, it does not mean I don’t possess the capabilities to remove you with force.”
Ryan stared at the crown prince, who narrowed his gaze as if to intimidate. With Great Sage’s Eyes, he knew more than anyone else how the prince would demolish him in a matter of seconds if he so pleased.
But what he came here for was never a fight.
“Hm. Well, ain’t that troublesome. I’m willin’ to put my life on the line in a war as a proud hero of this country, and yet here you are threatenin’ me. I only want to cooperate, is all. ‘Course, I know you could slice me in half in the blink of an eye, but does it matter? It ain’t like we’re enemies here.”
Perhaps Ryan’s convincing managed to persuade the prince to cool down, as he could quickly be seen shifting his attitude.
“Just tell me swiftly. Why are you here?”
“Answer my question.”
“...As you’ve somehow heard, negotiations with the Empire broke down. The emperor was a more crazed bastard than I thought. War is inevitable. Now, answer me.”
“Well, ain’t that shitty? Anyway, I’m honestly only here ‘cause I heard about it. The way I was thinkin’, you guys prolly expected a war from the beginnin’ and that’s why you summoned us. Since we were gonna be forced to fight anyway, I’d rather fight and be involved in the logistical side than not, y’know?”
The crown prince could understand the logic behind Ryan’s words, but there was no way he would just take what he said to be the truth. Even if he hadn’t heard from all the palace maids and knights about some of the deeds he committed, just by taking one look at Ryan’s face it was plain as day what kind of man he was.
Nonetheless, appearances still had to be maintained, and even if Ryan was trying to sneak his way into something, he could still be used.
“Alright. Then, would you be willing to cooperate? If it’s too much, I offer you compensation.”
“Shit, rewards? Yeah, that’s fine by m―Oh. Hey hey, whatcha think you’re doin’, huh?”
Suddenly, Ryan jerked his head towards the wall. It was impossible to see because the only light in the room came from the door and the lamp on the crown prince’s desk, but there was most certainly something there. Following his gaze, the prince frowned, thinking the hero had gone insane.
Just as he opened his mouth, however, a shadow moved, forming the shape of a person.
“!! Another hero...”
“Fancy seein’ you here. You a stalker or what?”
“......”
Glancing between the two, Amy sighed. More disappointed in herself than anyone else, she regretted coming here today. Originally, she had only planned to keep an eye on what the crown prince was getting up to since his return, but she never expected Ryan to show up.
After they made a deal the other day, she hoped to never see his face again unless he arrived holding a relic in his arms, but alas, things turned out like this...
“Disaster...”
“Wazzat? Couldn’t hear ya.”
“......”
Eventually, the frozen stiff, awkward atmosphere was thawed by the crown prince who wanted to jump right into business.
“I take it you did not plan this together. Are you here for the same reason?”
“...Yes.”
Now that she had gotten caught, she thought there was no escape. With Ryan getting involved and messing everything up, there was no possibility for her to secretly monitor what was going on, so she had no choice but to become a cooperator for the sake of information.
“Alright. I shall not waste any time, and I will not repeat myself, so listen closely.”
There were three core points about the impending war that they had to keep in mind.
First, Seronia will undoubtedly be the defender, whilst the Empire will move as the attacker. The Empire has always acted that way regarding war, and this time will be no different. Seronia will have to prepare accordingly.
Second, the estimated time before the war will officially begin is in about 6-8 months, but it could also be anywhere between now and a year; because the Empire has the upper hand, they could initiate at any time and they would always be at a comfortable advantage.
Thirdly, and perhaps most important of all.
“You will not have been taught it by the tutors since it is classified information, but there exists one prime winning factor when it comes to achieving victory in a war in this world.”
“......”
“Primary winnin’ factor? The fuck’s that?”
“It is something so unfathomably destructive that it is forbidden, but knowing the current emperor, he would use that weapon without any hesitation once our resistance gets too out of hand.”
The one thing that determines the victor of war in this world more than anything else.
“...Zenith-grade magic.”
Ryan and Amy have, in fact, both heard of Zenith magic thanks to their defiant tutor telling them about certain things in secret, but of course, they wouldn’t tell the prince that.
In any case, the Empire only possessed one Zenith-grade magic that the rest of the world knew of; nonetheless, with the risk of having magic so incomparably devastating as Zenith-grade cast against them, the prince thought that perhaps it would be best to surrender.
If they did, then in that case, at least the civilians would survive.
Not knowing what to do, what action to take, the crown prince clutched his throbbing head and recalled his father.
His father, the king of Seronia, and the only man in the nation who possessed something with the potential to stop the Empire and maybe even win the war.
“......”
Dexter de Seronia knew the key to victory lay behind that sealed door in the central palace, but no one, even himself as the crown prince, was permitted access to it by the king.
However, if it’s now...
In a situation like this, just maybe, he could be convinced.
And if not, Seronia was doomed.