Everything Ripens (1)
Thinking about it, it really had been days without a moment's rest. Starting with that endless looping class quest that dragged on forever.
Defeat the giant evil, and a demon king pops out. Defeat the demon king, and a devil worshiper appears. Defeat that, and...
'In the end, I ended up racing all the way to the upper demon king, Gamigin.'
You can't reveal your hand in front of the enemy. All while pouring water from the wells I've dug into this bottomless jar.
But it seems the realm doesn't tolerate holes anymore.
Clink—
"The morning tea is not bad either."
9 a.m. Normally, this would be when I'd be deep in chief mage duties at the Mage Tower. Let's see, right about now, I'd be mercilessly stamping rejections on Bensy William's tower exit application, wouldn't I?
Chirp chirp—
The sound of birdsong from the branches. But here I was, in the Yusra Kingdom's office, gazing out the window while tilting my teacup.
My submitted leave request—no, vacation application—had gone through without a hitch.
Frankly, when was the last time I'd had proper rest like this?
I hadn't shown it, but if I had...
It wouldn't have been just a day. I could've whined for a whole week straight. I'd really been pushed to the brink!
No, toward the end, without the [Blessing of the First World Tree], I might've keeled over from overwork in reality.
Not even satisfied with reality. Ever since acquiring the Demon Eye Telescope, I'd had to rack my brain over the state of the Arcana Continent too.
But would this mouth of mine ever allow for complaints like that?
"Soon, I shall return to you all."
Don't say it so cool, Grandfell. This isn't the time to strike a pose.
Even now, the circle's ring was tightening around my heart.
I recalled Yugweed's words.
—"Forming a circle, no less. It's an achievement that makes even I feel ashamed, Chief Lee Hoyeol. At this rate, I won't even qualify to receive elder treatment from you?"
She'd said it with that gentle smile, but loaded with barbs—Yugweed. Mages are scary as hell...!
Still, Yugweed had explained circles in earnest.
—"Simply put, a circle is like the reins on a horse. If you grip the ring and shake it wildly, the mana will rampage like a frenzied steed."
A mage who has formed a circle overwhelms one who hasn't. In numerical terms, the difference in spell power before and after is at least tenfold.
—"But like reins, controlling a circle requires delicate mastery. As you know, Chief, it's formed in the heart."
Yes. To wield a circle, you need the skill to match.
Maybe it's faster to feel it with the body than words.
I slowly drew up my mana.
Floosh—
A mana orb, light, floating in the air. Skipping the familiar exploration and interference for this overused basic spell, I closely examined the light's glow...
As expected, no change in output.
Twinge—
Of course, no squeezing sensation in my heart yet either.
Transcendent: Effect sealed due to unmet conditions.
From that message, the circle had formed but wasn't activating.
In that sense, should I be grateful the title's effect was sealed? I hadn't even built the capacity or vessel yet.
If I'd grabbed and shaken the circle's ring right away...
What was standing faint? I'd have stood rigid and crossed to the afterlife from a heart attack.
—"Above all, the Tower Master will be delighted. She often lamented the lack of a mage to share her insights with."
From Yugweed's words, I realized even the Mage Tower—the strongest force on the Arcana Continent—had only one mage with a circle: the Tower Master.
That's when it hit me. I'd skipped the entire intermediate process in the most absurd way...!
So qi deviation made sense too. My mana was barely at a skilled mage's level on a good day. Slapping a circle onto it was like adding a ring to weak reins—it became a heavy shackle instead.
Twinge—
"It rampages without cease."
But would this damn pride ever easily admit its own shortcomings?
Poof—
The mana orb soon scattered into the air. I spoke nonchalantly.
"It's been ages since I tamed such a wild stallion."
...So the circle's a wild horse now? Using metaphors too, Grandfell?
There's a limit to shamelessness, seriously!
Shocked as I was, part of me felt relieved. If I were purely Lee Hoyeol?
I'd be wallowing in despair over some incurable disease by now.
But thanks to our lofty Grandfell...
I was preparing early.
"That savagery, I shall personally subdue."
Twinge—
Qi deviation. The transcendent power nestled in my heart. My struggle to make the circle mine!
*
Scritch.
Marcelo's office. The desk was piled with books and letters.
Marcelo realized anew. He'd been too frail to notice before.
A soft chuckle escaped him.
"I'd indebted myself without realizing."
What are mages like? They crave to explore anything new, like truth itself. It's natural they'd be curious about rifts and the adventurers' world.
Tower exit applications alone were plentiful.
"As Your Excellency said, all by procedure..."
Strictly reviewing them for proper purpose. Time flew by approving them.
Marcelo tilted his head.
At this rate...
"...truly, every day must have felt short for you."
Unlike him, managing only the Mage Tower, Hoyeol handled Yusra Kingdom, Frost, even this adventurers' world.
The weight on his shoulders was beyond imagining.
"A wise decision at this crucial time."
With the circle formed now. You'd need time to adapt too.
No better moment. The demon king struggle back to zero. Even upper demon king Gamigin cast into hell.
Demons quiet on the continent.
Not like the misjudged demon king castle rift. The Demon Eye Telescope confirmed it.
He'd witnessed demons' utterly broken morale.
"I'll do my utmost to fill your absence."
Marcelo murmured, his quill scratching.
"Senior Mage Bensy William needs to step up more."
『Rejected』.
*
The world was at peace. Thanks to heroes clearing twelve rifts without a single casualty.
Hero tales from every rift weren't surprising.
The biggest buzz was the Arcana natives' exploits. Proving overwhelming might before countless players and cameras.
"Kuhahaha!"
Golden Calf Tavern. That unwelcome laugh rang out.
Rackid cracked his second keg since midday.
"Endgame... Don't know exactly what it means, but king means good, right? This damn world's finally recognizing Rackid-sama's true worth!"
The defeat to Elcidoir still stung...
But our employer said he'd handle that. No need to worry.
Better to savor the moment.
"Alright, let's see what they're yapping about."
Rackid jabbed the remote with a thick finger.
Beep—
The screen flickered to life.
"Next up, my axe slaughtering demons."
But...
No matter how long he waited, chugging kegs, Rackid never appeared.
Just endless chatter about one guy all day.
Employer, Lee Hoyeol!
"Ahem."
Thinking of the help from Elcidoir's time...
His remaining conscience pricked at resenting Hoyeol.
But swallowing it felt unfair too. In the end, he just downed more booze.
Bang!
"What's with all the talk? Why yap about him all day?!"
Rackid couldn't fathom it, but players huddled in the tavern could.
Hoyeol had been transparent since debuting.
"Paparazzi tailed him bad sometimes, right?"
Paparazzi? Infamous player info hounds had stalked him.
"No one's perfect. It's a concept for sure. Vowed to expose it. Thought it'd make bank."
All gave up soon, tongues wagging.
Pure hamster wheel. Mage Tower, rifts, Mage Tower, Yusra Kingdom... No deviations.
Did he even have human urges? His routine was suspiciously regimented.
Myth Guild Master Baek Isul's approaches sealed it.
"Ten straight rejections? After that humiliation, paparazzi ditched him."
Yet he'd cleared countless rifts.
Now he sets down his burden for rest. Natural all eyes on his first vacation.
"Player forums are exploding! Guessing some massive quest...!!"
...
With free time came more internet surfing.
Against pride? No way.
"Even in haste, one cannot neglect aesthetics."
Doesn't this transcend pride into rationalization?
Doubt flickered, but no resisting that pride.
More than that.
'Why so interested in my vacation?'
Announced via Marcelo at the roundtable. Expected players to spread it.
Prepared somewhat, but exceeded expectations.
Overwhelmingly burdensome attention.
What, what misunderstanding? I'd achieved more than a world quest success.
But so what? Can't even digest the reward properly!
It's like closed-door training, nothing grand.
"Such impoverished imagination."
...Impoverished is your conscience, Grandfell.
Please, no more words that come back to bite.
Especially now, it's extra embarrassing.
I desperately shifted my gaze, hoping.
The reason for my embarrassment was right before my eyes.
First day of leave. Not a world or main quest site.
Yusra Kingdom. Precisely, standing rigid in the kingdom annex's vegetable garden.
Unwavering posture. Precise arm angle. Sprinkling the garden with utmost formality.
I declared imposingly.
"Taming has many methods."
Yes. Only those who've struggled know.
How many wells have I dug? Can't waste them—gotta try everything.
『Elixir Herb Cultivation Method』.
Qi deviation. If elixir herbs can't overcome it...
What about spirit herbs grown from them?