Chapter 64
Chapter 64
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: Peculiar Dracain
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The downpour that had raged until late into the previous dawn had finally ceased. Early morning sunlight poured over the chilled sand plain. The sight that greeted my eyes upon waking was utterly bizarre.
The first things I noticed were my two disciples, holding even their breaths. Durel and Simo both gazed at me with eyes brimming with respect. Simo's look went beyond mere respect into outright awe, and the moment our eyes met, tears welled up as his emotions overflowed.
"You're awake."
"S-Sniff... You're awake, Master."
Their reactions told me everything. Simo had successfully formed his mana circle. Peering through Arcana confirmed it—a small ring spun slowly near his heart.
"It's small..."
I frowned as I spoke. The mana circle rotated steadily, maintaining its minimal function. But it was tiny, spinning slowly, absorbing scant natural mana as a result.
'His blood is the problem...'
The mana circle itself was fine. The issue lay in the blood coursing through his veins—it was siphoning off the mana meant for the circle.
"Simo."
"Yes!"
At my casual call, Simo snapped to attention like a raw recruit. He looked ready to drop dead on command if I asked. After a moment's hesitation, I rubbed my forehead and continued.
"Your mana circle is small. Can't you stop supplying it with mana from your blood?"
"Uh... I can, but if I don't consciously maintain it, the blood just takes it back right away. It doesn't make much difference..."
"So it's not dangerous?"
"On the contrary, it's ideal for me. The realm of blood magic depends on how much mana my blood holds. As long as the mana circle persists, my blood magic will keep advancing."
Meaning he grew stronger just by breathing. Not quickly, of course. But as a long-lived Dracain, who knew what he'd achieve in decades?
"Good for you, but a small mana circle will hinder other spells."
"That's..."
"Adding more circles might solve it. I can't fix your bloodline issue—that's for you to figure out."
Passing on the Infinite Archive's spells was the best I could do. The rest depended on Simo's effort.
"I'll do my best!"
Next was Durel. His clear gaze pierced my conscience.
'How do I break this to him...'
I'd rushed him without even preparing the Erkamon for his second mana circle. Handing it over now felt like losing face as a master.
"Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something you want to say...?"
"No... nothing."
"Understood. I'll prepare breakfast then."
Durel rose and began readying the meal with Simo. It was simple: small bread, water, and a few strips of dried meat.
The whole process, from prep to eating, took about ten minutes. In that short time, I wrestled with my dilemma—how to naturally pass Durel the Erkamon for his second mana circle.
After chewing and swallowing a piece of meat, I cautiously spoke up.
"Durel."
"Yes?"
"You seem to have no trouble shaping the form of your second mana circle."
"Yes... But I still can't stabilize it. It's my own shortcomings."
As expected, he blamed himself—self-loathing even. I quickly added,
"No. You're not lacking. You're just missing one key thing."
"Key thing...?"
"The Erkamon for the second mana circle."
"Erkamon... Erkamon? There's a separate Erkamon for the second mana circle?"
Stunned, Durel shot to his feet. The bread slipped from his hand unnoticed in his shock.
"I waited for the right moment. With the circle forming at the heart, I had to be cautious. Now that you've perfected its shape, it's time for the Erkamon."
"Master...!"
He dropped to his knees without a second thought—bad for his growing joints, but he didn't care. Looking up with teary eyes, he set his face in grim determination.
"I'm ready."
'Thank goodness...'
Thankfully, Durel didn't doubt me. I'd worried he'd ask if I'd simply forgotten, but no such thing happened.
I steadied my breath and slowly began.
"This is the Erkamon for the second circle. The law it embodies is concealment—a blade to deceive foes and strike their blind spots." "Light slumbers in shadow, truth buried in silence. Ceasing to be seen, breath scatters into the void, presence lighter than leaves. Thus, my traces vanish even from the wind; unless I reveal myself, the world cannot fathom me."
⟨ Erkamon of Concealment ⟩
Durel was sharp—no need to repeat the Erkamon twice. He murmured it softly a few times, then sat comfortably and closed his eyes.
Through the mystic sight of Arcana, I watched everything unfolding in his body. Natural mana gathered, forming a second ring near his heart. As the special law inscribed upon it, the mana leaking from his body vanished in an instant.
The second mana circle was complete.
A glance sideways showed Simo trying for his own second circle. Effort in vain—his attempt dissolved into his blood before taking shape.
'No helping it until he solves that blood issue.'
Durel opened his eyes and stood, staring at his hands. Ever sensitive to mana, he'd already sensed the change.
"How does it feel?"
"Strange... The mana leaking out has completely stopped. Available mana has increased substantially... and various applications... Perhaps infusing spells with concealment..."
His steady stream of answers trailed into mutters. As if struck by inspiration, his eyes flashed open. He pulled a cloak from his bag and draped it over his shoulders.
Flutter—
A witch-thread cloak, perpetually fluttering—hence my ban on wearing it. Now, perhaps, the ban could be lifted.
Inspecting himself in the cloak, Durel bowed deeply to me.
"Thank you, Master. I'll strive straight for the third mana circle!"
"Don't rush. Slowly... but surely. Got it?"
"Yes!"
Turning away, I sighed where they couldn't see. I couldn't tell that eager boy I hadn't even made the Erkamon for the third circle yet.
'Gotta craft Arcana's Erkamon too... Good thing I prepped Blink. Teach that first... buy some time...'
At least with Durel, I wanted to remain the perfect master in his memory.
Though I'd gone without sleep the previous day, lingering here held no appeal. The rain had stopped just in time. Better a village inn's soft bed than this hard, cold ground.
"Let's head out."
Durel and Simo packed up and followed.
The desert felt cool despite the morning, thanks to last night's torrent.
"Master! Airboard's ready!"
"Ah. Okay."
As I surveyed the view from the hilltop, they dragged over the large airboard. That's when I spotted it—a small boat drifting along a rainwater stream.
"A boat...?"
"No one aboard, it seems."
As Durel said, no occupant was visible. I kicked off the ground at once.
Whoosh—!
Riding Gentle Wind, I soared smoothly and landed lightly on the boat. I tapped the hull with my foot, shook the sail by hand. Sturdy and light—plenty big for three.
With Gentle Wind, we could cross the desert like this.
"Durel! Simo!"
Calling the dumbfounded pair snapped them into action. They raced over and clambered aboard.
My heart's circle spun wildly, unleashing a fierce gust.
Rooooar—!
Gentle Wind unleashed fully. The wind tautened the sail, and the boat shot forward along the stream at blazing speed.