Chapter 164
Chapter 164
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 164
Chapter Title: A Question of Identity
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“I told you, but you didn't listen. Now you see, don't you? That those of us with ordinary standards can never fathom the potential of a true prodigy.”
“…”
Despite Magda's chiding, Werner couldn't close his gaping mouth.
He hadn't reacted this strongly to any of Loan's accomplishments until now.
That's how shocked he was.
The fact that Loan had performed a Schwerin-style enchantment in a single attempt was something that far surpassed his common sense.
He finally managed to speak.
“That was no ordinary mana stone. It was a top-grade specimen with a purity approaching one hundred percent.”
“So that's why. It was small, but it felt incredibly heavy. And though it wasn't a living thing, I could sense a considerable will from it.”
“For a mana stone of that caliber to react, one must perfectly understand the essence of the object to be enchanted. The level of synchronization between the two connected entities must converge to a perfect match, and for the final manifestation, the fortitude of one's will must be beyond imagination. That…”
Werner suddenly suppressed his excitement with superhuman effort.
He had been about to say, ‘That's why I was planning to take my time and perform the enchantment for him when the time was right,’ but he stopped himself, realizing it would only diminish his own standing.
“…But to do it so simply?”
“No, it wasn't simple. Nor was it easy.”
Loan continued, gently stroking the necklace's pendant with his fingertip.
“First of all, understanding the essence of the object, as you mentioned, was a difficult concept I'd never encountered before.”
In enchanting, the most crucial thing is to understand the ‘essence’ of the object you wish to enchant.
“I pondered it. What is the essence that an object possesses? The concept I understood was something unique that distinguishes one thing from another. Something primordial and unchanging that is never lost…”
Loan continued, his voice slightly excited.
Seeing Werner, who had given him such a great gift, now watching his lips with unveiled curiosity, suddenly made him feel a sense of familiarity.
“Well, things like that. I don't think the common understanding others have is much different. But the Tower Master of Manifestation said that wasn't it.”
“Right. I said that wasn't it.”
“You said it wasn't so fundamental. You also said it wasn't common sense, nor was it simple or textbook.”
“Yes. I did.”
Werner had called it a ‘subjective essence.’ In other words.
When the object to be enchanted possesses—
When the diverse, multiple, and complex impression—one that cannot be expressed in a single line of text—becomes a mental image and is engraved in the caster's mind—and if the powerful will to perceive two different things, the mana stone and the object, as one, acts at the opportune moment—only then is the unique magic known as Schwerin-style enchantment manifested.
Unlike directly seeing and manipulating mana, this concept didn't come easily to Loan either.
“It was a rather abstract and unfamiliar concept to hear and understand. Still, I think it was fortunate that the object I chose for the enchantment was my necklace.”
“Meaning it's an object you're that familiar with.”
“Yes.”
He'd modified it himself, and it had become familiar to both his body and mind by acting as a trigger when he manifested the [Arc of the Void].
But above all, the reason the necklace was so meaningful to Loan was that the symbol engraved on the pendant was identical to the brooch on Sheville's scabbard.
A symbol related to an ancient elven family.
Loan believed it was something special that determined the necklace's essence.
He thought that understanding how it had affected him would be a crucial point in understanding the necklace.
“As I contemplated the necklace, I came to think that an object's essence wasn't about the will, utility, or value with which it was made.”
“Then what is it?”
“It wasn't about its origin, nor was it about its unchanging characteristics. I thought it might be closer to the special reason that makes an object what it is.”
“Hmm…”
“Perhaps it's closer to the meaning formed through the mutual influence between the caster and the object. As that thought occurred to me, the impression I had of the necklace began to take shape.”
The necklace was like a ‘ring of memory,’ connecting his past self with his present self.
It was like a painting capturing the days of his life on a single, vast canvas.
It was like a medium that summoned memories as if in a flash.
“And at a certain moment, I felt all those impressions coalesce into a single ‘emotion’ that filled my mind.”
Thus, Loan realized the essence of the necklace and was finally ready.
“And in such a short time…”
“I was so focused, I'm not sure about the time. But the part about synchronizing the mana stone with my will was also quite difficult.”
In truth, this answer was rather modest.
Giving form to a mental image was something Loan was familiar with.
Compared to constructing a circle in his heart from the mana circulating in his body, it was a relatively easy task.
Unaware of these circumstances, Werner quickly shook his head.
“But you still did it. That luminescence is undeniable proof.”
“Yes. It was a very fascinating experience.”
When the mana stone shattered and the object began to glow, everyone knew that a unique property had been bestowed upon the necklace.
It was astonishing that he had grasped enchanting in such a short time, but they were also curious about what properties he had bestowed upon the necklace.
But they couldn't just ask outright. The owner had no obligation to reveal its effects.
However, the sight of Loan gently stroking the necklace with his eyes closed was quite pleasant to behold.
He seemed to be savoring the enchanted magic, and indeed he was.
‘It's definitely different.’
The first change was that, just as Loan had hoped, its power to draw in mana had been enhanced. In addition, the amount of mana it drew from nature had significantly increased.
He didn't understand this by reading about it. Nor had anyone told him.
This changed ‘personality’ was simply conveyed to his mind, as if the necklace had sent him a mental message.
But the second effect couldn't be confirmed right now.
That when he encountered those related to the symbol, he would feel some kind of change.
That very vague feeling was etched into Loan's mind on its own.
‘If that's the case…’
Certain fundamental questions arose as he imagined the situation.
Slowly opening his eyes, Loan asked Werner a question.
“By the way, while I was thinking about the essence of an object, a question came to mind.”
“Oh? Go on.”
“Is it possible to enchant a target that isn't an object? That is, a human being, not an inanimate thing?”
“What… That's impossible…”
Werner trailed off, furrowing his brow.
Loan softened the mood with a smile.
“Yes, I suppose so. It must be nearly impossible for one person to understand and realize the essence of another.”
“Exactly. But why do you ask…? Were you perhaps considering bestowing magical properties on a human?”
“No. While mulling over the topic of 'essence' that you gave me, Tower Master, the thought 'Who am I?' suddenly came to me. One thought led to another, and that's where I ended up. Please don't mind me.”
“No. I can't help but mind. That's a rather high-level…”
“He said not to mind.”
Magda suddenly interjected.
Did she sense Werner was about to launch into a long speech? Or did she feel the ensuing topic would be sensitive?
Her tone was very firm.
“I understand that everyone, being mages, is curious about the mystery Loan has shown us. I am too. But this isn't the time to linger here. If our business in the shipping yard is done, let's go. I think my skin is getting worse because of the air.”
With that, she spun around and gestured for Loan to follow with a nod.
“…I'm sorry for taking up your time when you're all so busy.”
As Loan followed Magda, offering a smile to Werner and the others one by one, everyone else hesitantly started walking as well.
Werner didn't mind the sudden turn of events, nor the loss of initiative.
He was preoccupied, pondering the new topic Loan had thrown at him.
Walking through the tunnel, the tall Magda glanced back and gently tapped Loan's shoulder.
A moment later, her thoughts reached him.
-You've done well in so many ways. Everything you've shown here in Schwerin has made me proud. And to think you've even learned to use mental messages, it makes you feel even closer.
-Thanks to you, Commander, I was able to experience so much. Thank you.
-I should be thanking you. Schwerin's cooperation was essential in our confrontation with Grave, and you were the one who brought about this all-out war with Brien.
-It just sort of happened…
-Your merits for that will be sorted out once we return to the Union, but more importantly, I couldn't help but think about what you said earlier.
-What was that?
-You said, 'Who am I?' I mean your thoughts on that.
Loan suddenly stopped walking and looked up at Magda.
In her eyes, which gazed at him with great affection, Loan felt an emotion like the essence of his necklace: ‘longing.’
And so.
He wanted to tell her.
No. For the sake of his own wishes, and for his future plans, he needed to confide in her.
Besides, it seemed she already knew a great deal about something.
-If I were to describe the essence I found in this necklace in a single word, it would be 'longing.'
-Is that so.
-I don't know when or how this necklace's pendant was made, or who owned it. I simply received it as a reward from the Union's treasury, but the reason I chose this one from among so many items was because of the symbol on it.
-So you know about that symbol.
-Not well. Only that it's the symbol of an ancient elven family. That the family is related to the royal family of Grafton. And that long ago, when I was brought to the shelter in my nanny's arms, she had this brooch with the same symbol. So I can only guess that perhaps my past is connected to the royal family.
Even as speculation, it was a story with significant repercussions.
It was a good thing they were speaking through mental messages.
Magda continued her thoughts.
-Indeed, even when I try to piece together the puzzle with what I've heard, something seems off.
As she mulled over Loan's words, it felt less like coincidence and more like inevitability, a strange sense that some destiny was guiding the situation.
Then, she suddenly tilted her head and looked at Loan.
-This year. Loan, how old are you?
-Fifteen… I joined right after graduating.
-Ah…
After that, Magda didn't send any more thoughts for a long time.
Thud, thud—amidst the echoing footsteps of the group walking through the tunnel.
Loan reached out to Magda's mind again.
-When we return to the Union, I'm thinking of asking to accompany Tower Master Werner on his trip to Grafton. I believe it might be an opportunity to explore my own essence.
-You're going to Grafton?
-Yes. If the Governor-General and the Commanders permit it.
-Is there a reason you must go at this particular time?
Magda's mental message was laced with worry.
-Somehow, I feel that knowing my past might be helpful in relation to the future I must face.
-Hmm… I suppose the order and providence of the world can't escape causality in the end.
After a brief pause, she gently stroked Loan's head.
-Let's talk about it again when we get back. If you still feel the same way then, I'll voice my opinion to the Governor-General.
-Thank you. First, we return to the Union. And before that, dealing with the enemies waiting outside this place should be the priority.
-You're certain there are enemies outside.
-It's something I learned from the Faith Division. In cases like this, the ones who carried out the operation wouldn't just set traps inside. They've likely set up a double trap. Seeing the bodies outside, they'll be well-prepared.
Finally, as they neared the end of the tunnel.
Loan confirmed for himself that his thoughts were correct.
The entrance had been destroyed, and earth and sand had poured in, completely blocking the exit.
It was no different from being intentionally buried alive.