The Facade of the Sixth Circle
With each page he read, his field of vision gradually widened. It wasn't just the sensation of his circles growing—it felt like his power as a mage itself was expanding. Perhaps because he'd already stepped into the realm of Star Manifestation once, his body naturally absorbed and internalized what was written in the books.
"…This should be enough on the realm of Star Manifestation for now."
Since it was a realm no one in human history had ever reached, the materials were predictably scarce. At best, there were ancient tomes left behind by Belhalm before his death and records from a few black mages who had attempted forced transcendence.
'Well… it's not entirely useless.'
He hadn't immediately become an 8th Circle mage, but his knowledge had increased. For a mage, knowledge was an indispensable element, right alongside mana.
"That said, there's even less on the Seal of Original Sin."
Given the absurd way he'd obtained it, he'd half-expected this. The only book that even touched on related facts was one volume: Sol Leon's Secretary.
'…A kind of authority that subjugates demons and elevates oneself to become a demon.'
An absolute power that only a god or equivalent being could wield. The fragment of lightning he possessed was also a portion of some god's authority. If the Seal of Original Sin was one type of power granted solely to gods…
"Is that really it? I can't feel much difference…"
Still, it wasn't entirely implausible. It absorbed demons and used them as nourishment to grow him. In the past, when demons rampaged freely, it must have been even more cheat-like in performance.
"Fifteen minutes are up."
He was deep into the books when a familiar voice echoed through the archive.
"Lilia. Time to go."
"Yeah. I've read all the ones that seemed important, so this should be fine."
It was a shame to stop, but this was more than enough already. Joshua probably thought he wouldn't even finish a single book here.
"I see… Did you make any gains in the deep archive?"
The moment they stepped out, Joshua's first question was this.
He could have just said he only looked around, but…
'Here, I can add plausibility to beating Felix.'
Time to explain how a 5th Circle could defeat a 6th—and why they needed to invest more in him than in Felix.
"I've reached the 6th Circle."
"………What?"
Joshua, uncharacteristically, asked again in a voice full of disbelief.
Yeah, that was the normal reaction. In just half a year, he'd essentially become a 6th Circle mage.
"…Can you prove it?"
"Of course."
Smiling, he drew six circles in his palm. Deploying six spells simultaneously was the perfect proof of the 6th Circle. Even Joshua couldn't deny it.
"…There's an Eastern saying for that."
"An Eastern saying?"
"Great talents mature late."
"Thank you."
Who'd have thought he'd ever get high praise from Joshua?
"…Very well. You'll need time to stabilize your circle, then. Rest fully for two weeks."
"Understood."
"Even by our family's standards, this is unprecedented."
Joshua turned away with an uncharacteristically satisfied smile.
Two weeks from now, it would be almost time to return to the academy. In other words, Joshua was telling him to relax and do as he pleased until then. Unlike the past, when he'd been seen as trash or a failure, this meant Joshua now recognized him as useful and valuable.
"But every time I see you, Master, one thought keeps crossing my mind."
"What is it?"
"It's just my imagination that you're more demonic than I am, right?"
"…What do you mean by that?"
No, wasn't he pretty good-natured? He couldn't recall committing any particular evils.
"Your face, too. You've got every woman wrapped around your finger."
"…When did I ever do that?"
This was genuinely unfair. He hadn't done anything with this face. He'd barely survived several near-death crises lately—where would he have found the time?
"And you're really good at lying, Master."
"…Can't argue with that."
To be fair, claiming he'd grown to the 6th Circle was a lie, too. Forget 6th—he'd fully stabilized the 7th Circle.
'But revealing everything would be foolish.'
Mages always hid a few cards up their sleeves. Publicly announcing he was 7th Circle now would bring no benefits. If they found out he'd reached 7th in half a year, Joshua might even dissect him out of curiosity. Even he thought his growth was beyond common sense.
'Still, coming back home was the right call.'
He'd debated skipping it, but the gains were huge: the 7th Circle, plus tons of useful info from the deep archive.
"But this isn't a very welcome development."
After Joshua left first and he followed, several unwelcome presences made themselves felt.
"Brother, isn't this crossing the line, even for you?"
Sighing deeply, he casually asked Felix, who was hiding behind a tree in the distance, watching the situation.
It hadn't even been a full day since Joshua said he'd handle it himself… He hadn't expected Felix to move this fast, before Joshua could act.
"You have to pull weeds when they first sprout."
Felix looked a bit tense compared to last time, but a smile played on his lips.
"Master, those two on either side look pretty skilled."
"I know."
The knights flanking him were the Two Wings guarding Angela: Nile and Telly. True elites worthy of the Vergilius name. Who'd have thought they'd bring such high-caliber manpower just for him? Should he be flattered?
"Starting something this reckless won't end well—especially at the main house."
"It's fine. No outsiders can see here anyway."
The path between the main house and archive was secluded. With the tombs of past family heads and the archive's location hidden, this connecting road was shielded from prying eyes—anti-scrying magic, soundproofing spells, the works.
'…He's acting like someone with nothing to lose.'
Did Felix know getting caught by Joshua meant the end? Tension and a hint of madness gleamed in his eyes.
"Even dealing with brother and sister is enough hassle without wasting time on trash like you."
No sooner had Felix spoken than Nile and Telly drew their swords and advanced slowly. Pure, mechanical loyalty to their lord—no emotion in sight.
"Youngest young master. Our apologies."
With a perfunctory word, they raised their swords in unison. Treating him with some courtesy, it seemed—they intended to kill him in one strike.
"Who said I'd die that easily?"
Just as their blades neared him.
Clanggggggg!
An invisible barrier between their blades and him blocked the attack.
"…No matter how you struggle, nothing changes."
Knowing dragging it out was pointless, perhaps? This time, they infused their strikes with aura.
"As if."
Too bad—attacks like that couldn't pierce his barrier. Once. Twice. Thrice. Their swords slashed sharply at him, but never touched.
After ten minutes of standing there, watching and enduring, the one to end it finally arrived—without him lifting a finger.
"Felix."
"………Ah, Father!?"
"I can't bear to watch any longer."
"Y-You were watching…!?"
"Do you think there's anything in this family I can't see?"
In Vergilius, the frozen holy land of magic, nowhere escaped Joshua's gaze—especially not within the family.
"Indeed, Dante. Lately, you've only exceeded expectations."
"Thank you."
That was why he'd held back on purpose. Counterattacking flashy would have left traces of his true power. Better to just wait for Joshua.
"Felix. Foolish. Such rash actions bring you nothing good."
"…S-Sorry."
"And Nile, Telly."
At Joshua's voice—his single word—they knelt in unison.
"…Yes, family head."
"I am disappointed in you."
"…Our apologies."
"Are you my knights, or Angela's?"
"We are the Vergilius kni—"
"That's enough."
With those words, Nile and Telly's heads exploded simultaneously. A clean burst, leaving no trace—as if nothing had happened. The two knights who'd swung their swords moments ago vanished just like that.
"Youngest, go back and rest."
"Understood."
He bowed his head and turned toward the mansion.
"And Felix."
"………Yes."
"Follow me. As family head and father, I have much to say to you."