Chapter 3 – No Exceptions
#1
The Montemer family estate was a microcosm of the law-of-the-jungle world outside. If you had skill, you rose; if not, you sank. Age and hierarchy only earned respect before adulthood. Even then, it was often disregarded subtly.
I was treated like a total invisible man. Probably right after this evaluation, come to think of it.
This evaluation was a crucial turning point. After it, they summoned him just once more before adulthood, then shipped him out of the family. They'd likely written him off at age ten. That neglect became the reason he was expelled.
"Mm, Rachel's cooking is the best, as always. It really hits the spot."
Maybe it was his child's body, but the food went down easy. Stamina was national power—or personal power, in his case—and for a kid to build it, he had no choice but to eat well, sleep soundly, and train hard. This life, he'd establish a basic routine for disciplined living.
Whew, all done eating... Guess I'll pull an all-nighter tonight.
He'd laid the foundations, but he still lacked a weapon to strike back immediately. A body that couldn't even cast the basic 1st Circle spells everyone else used. While others trained, Lawrence had to pour his time into crafting.
"Most start accumulating mana in their Mana Road at age two..."
Eight years. Against peers the same age, that gap loomed large. Bridging it would take a long road.
He scoured every corner of the warehouse for a second medium. In a box of materials tucked in one corner, he found something suitable.
This would be his second artifact. After a light stretch, Lawrence extracted the spell right away.
Extracting magic circle.
Engrave the magic circle into the medium.
Scratch, scratch—Lawrence's fingers danced gracefully. Far easier than his first artifact.
This is fun.
A faint smile played on his lips as he worked. And just like that, his second artifact was complete.
An artifact granting ten casts of the spell, one every ten seconds. Lawrence recalled his past life.
Guess I should make one more as backup insurance.
Plenty of time left. Zap—!
He implanted the artifact immediately. Text floated across his retina.
Displaying artifact status.
10/10 – Fire Arrow
"So that's how it works."
"It's minor now, but later you can craft semi-permanent artifacts."
"Can't recharge them?"
"Remove the implant, then re-engrave the magic circle. Acquire suitable manifestation materials and extracts."
"Recharge that way, got it. Understood."
Higher-quality mediums increased capacity; better extracts boosted power and quantity. Simple, yet endlessly demanding effort.
And growth to boot. Lawrence smirked.
At ten years old, casting this without incantation...? Even the patriarch will be shocked.
The day to repay past humiliations drew near.
#2
Around the same time, at the Montemer Main House.
A mansion too vast to traverse on foot. At its heart stood a man in a blue cloak.
8th Circle realm. Transcendent grand mage. Patriarch of the great house. Edward Montemer, said to master all aspects of mana.
Prostrated before him was one man.
"Shall I bring that child as well?"
"Yes."
His lips barely moved, yet mana stirred. Having united with nature itself, kneeling was the only way to withstand the storm. He could control it, but saw no need.
The man, witnessing that terrifying power yet still speaking, said, "The young master has no Mana Road. No need to spill blood needlessly..."
"Since when have there been exceptions?"
"......"
Rumble—.
The patriarch's voice echoed through the chamber. The man, daring to object before that fearsome might, clamped his mouth shut.
The Montemer law stemmed from Edward himself. Obedience was natural for all retainers.
"As you command."
"......"
"Then I take my leave."
The patriarch's chin twitched slightly. The prostrated man rose hastily, shut the door, and departed.
Edward turned his gaze to the window.
Regrettable.
When had thinking of her last hurt his heart? Now even those emotions had faded; he scarcely recalled when or what she and his son looked like.
One fact remained: the boy called Lawrence had no Mana Road.
Perhaps... a sliver of change?
Blue moonlight filtered through the window. The lengthening shadow deepened his thoughts. Long absent images of his son and the dead woman surfaced. Like the growing shadow, his musings stretched—then he rose.
This evaluation would seal Lawrence's fate. He hoped for a good outcome. The great house needed no defects.
Meanwhile, the man who'd met the patriarch privately steadied his queasy stomach while meeting another.
"Whew, facing the patriarch always churns my guts."
"How'd it go?"
"Bring the youngest young master."
"Why bother with such futility..."
Who knew? The man gave up pondering. The patriarch's will was Montemer's will. Public humiliation or testing faint possibility—he'd just obey. To arrive by morning, haste was needed. The annex lay at the city's edge.
"We must hurry to avoid irking him. If you're worried, warn the other young masters firmly."
"Mm, indeed."
The interlocutor scurried off. The man spurred his horse toward the outskirts. A woman watching from a window scowled.
"What idiocy... No, maybe it's for the best. Chance to erase him for good."
A chilling laugh echoed faintly against the pane. Her reflected eyes gleamed eerie green.
#3
Next morning, guests arrived at the remote annex.
"The patriarch's order: fetch the young master."
"Already prepared."
"Let's go."
Lawrence, waiting in the parlor, headed for the door. The man's eyes flickered at his poised demeanor.
"I'll escort you. Manage the annex properly."
"Understood. Um... Young master, be careful."
"Don't worry. Let's eat something tasty when I return."
Lawrence flashed a bright smile at the concerned Rachel. She wanted to follow but couldn't, forcing a wry laugh. If only Madam were alive...
"No time."
"Right."
Aboard the carriage, Lawrence and the man. The man naturally probed Lawrence's state.
Not a speck of mana. As expected.
No surprise. Innate traits couldn't change.
Conversely, Lawrence was astonished.
So this is mana.
Vivid blue auras, rippling at the user's will—that was mana's essence. Invisible in daily life, now conscious awareness revealed it. Strangely, none clung to him.
Hard for normals to sense, but a skilled mage like him can.
They accumulated it via the Mana Road. Lawrence had gained the ability to visualize mages' spells. Seeing beat hearing.
Having glimpsed mana, he turned to the cityscape. Diverse people and things; faint mana on some, none on others. Even normals held traces.
No wonder the family treated me like a cripple.
Non-mages had faint mana, yet he, direct heir of renowned Montemer, had none? He understood their view—slightly. Not that he accepted it.
As he gazed blankly out the window, lost in thought, the man's voice came.
"Young master."
"Yes?"
"Not afraid?"
"Hm..."
"If you are, prostrate flat."
Lawrence nodded absently. The man was etched in memory.
5th Circle mage: Nikolai.
He'd occasionally check on young Lawrence's survival. Magic instructor, patriarch's herald, Green Tower executive. Gentle and kind, one who'd pitied him.
I remember.
He'd brought food and materials sometimes. A warm soul. Recalling this, Lawrence smiled faintly.
"Not really afraid."
"Truly? But to me..."
"It'll be fine. Probably."
They'd investigate. Learning he cast without a Mana Road? They wouldn't sit idle. How would Patriarch Edward view him? What measures?
"We've arrived. Step down."
"It's been a while. This place too."
"......"
What ten-year-old spoke so maturely? Nikolai eyed him suspiciously.
Mindset shift, or deep reflection...?
People showed ease in two cases: deeming it easy, or resignation. Lawrence seemed to find the situation trivial. Lacking reality, or...?
Thus pondering, the carriage reached the Main House. Majestic mansion. Lawrence murmured softly at the sight.
"So this is what it looked like."
Absorbing the grand vista, he dismounted and walked. The gate opened silently despite haste—impeccable maintenance amazed him. The small young master gazed at the distant twin towers and central mansion, thinking.
He wanted his name to echo through this mansion, this family, this world. No longer scorned, but the master reveling and ruling freely. Desire welled up.
Create miracles with your fingertips.
Flawed young master without a Mana Road. Time for that flaw to show a miracle.