Chapter 85
Chapter 85
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: Myriad Phenomena Dragon
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The magic of the Infinite Archive School originates from the Mana Circle. All other spells are woven around the foundational magic I first created. Mana, ignited through absorption and circulation, courses through the body, harboring myriad mysteries. This is magic born from me. Even if the Mana Circle's concealment function is active, there's no way I wouldn't detect it.
'Far more than I thought...'
Using Gentle Wind, I patrolled the vast open fields. Yet I couldn't sense the aura of the Mana Circles within my disciples. That meant the physical distance separating us was far greater than I'd imagined.
Which way should I go? In this wide-open expanse, it wasn't an easy choice. It would be a disaster if I crossed paths with my disciples and missed them.
After briefly surveying this world, my worries about my disciples had only grown.
'Most monsters here harbor mana...'
The monsters' unfamiliar forms didn't surprise me much. What did was the mana they carried. Though it varied by individual, most had mana within them. Physical enhancement was standard, and some could even manifest minor spells.
Familiar monster shapes only heightened the astonishment. A pack of kobolds charging across the fields appeared, much like those from my original world. Intelligent creatures, they formed packs and specialized roles there too. The same held here.
Behind the kobolds wielding crude bows and swords trailed figures draped in tattered black rags, moving slowly. They handled mysteries and performed rituals. Their magical attainment was low, their spells weak, but the fact they had a structured system was remarkable.
'I need to be careful.'
This was a world where even inferior monsters wielded mana. If kobolds could enhance their bodies and handle mysteries, however faintly, what about stronger, more intelligent beasts? It was beyond imagining.
While cautiously flying for some time like this, traces of civilization appeared in the distant horizon where the broad fields met the sky. Ruined house foundations encircled by stone walls.
Though now seemingly abandoned, with only collapsed buildings remaining, these were unmistakable signs of civilization.
I descended swiftly onto the foundations. The first thing I noticed was the damaged runes etched in places around the site.
Were these the ancestors of dwarves who crossed into this world through mysterious passages? There was still too little I knew.
'It's been abandoned for quite some time...'
The timber used in the buildings had long rotted away. Only moss- and grass-covered stones hinted at their former shape. After scouting the surroundings, I soon left the site. There was little to gain.
Opposite the direction I'd come from, beyond the circular foundations, stretched an endless forest. The terrain gradually rose. At its edge, a mountain piercing the clouds stood tall against the sky.
The decision didn't take long. My disciples weren't in the open fields. I had to move elsewhere. With quick steps, I headed toward the forest.
The forest was a world apart from the wide-open fields. It wasn't just the scenery. The monsters' auras and the mana flowing through nature shifted dramatically—subtle, yet oppressively heavy. The creatures dwelling here carried that same energy.
The mysteries within them adapted to the ambient mana. Gentle Wind's detection range caught several dangerous-looking monsters. To move stealthily, I needed Blink.
A series of short flashes, and my small form darted deep into the forest.
Paaaat—!
Even while Blinking, I didn't stop scanning my surroundings. Sharp claw marks on trees and the ground stood out. Following the trail, I found several felled trees. The footprints atop them felt oddly familiar.
'Found them.'
Small footprints—one like an adult man's. And beast-like paw prints. These had to be from Olbern's Wolf Queen. No doubt. Traces of my missing disciples. A sigh of relief escaped me, but worry swelled too. The footprints weren't just theirs.
The wide paw prints, complete with faint talons, were striking. Multiple monster tracks trailed in the direction my disciples had fled. They were being pursued.
The moment I kicked off the ground, light flickered, shortening the long forest path in an instant.
At some point, the footprints grew closer together. A metallic tang of blood wafted in. Along the trail appeared corpses of unfamiliar monsters.
'Wolves?'
Not ordinary wolves by size alone. Scales covered their bodies instead of fur. Examining the reverse-jointed legs revealed sharp claws and outstretched talons between them.
A battle had occurred. The monsters had been slain with sharp blades and heavy blows. The footprints along the path changed too. No longer pursued, but now down from three to two.
Something had happened to Simo. Had he fallen to a monster? Urgency colored my inspection of the traces. Mana stirred violently in response to my emotions, triggering consecutive Blinks.
Rapid spellcasting overloaded the Mana Circle. Scorching heat devoured my heart. I ignored it. Circulating Frost Breath, I cloaked my body in cold. The heart's heat didn't truly cool. A mere stopgap, fooling the senses. With pain dulled by the chill, breathing eased.
As the long forest path gave way to emerging mountainside, upon entering a certain point, I simultaneously sensed two familiar auras. Gentle Wind's broad detection field shuddered, turning turbulent.
Northwest. Beneath a towering cliff. Leaping onto a massive tree, I spotted the entrance to a small cave at its base. Woven grass served as a door, stone pillars lined the mouth.
Runes hid their traces, basic defenses set. Landing hurriedly before it, a sharp aura emanated from within.
"Durel."
My calm utterance of his name drew a response from the cave. Rustling sounds followed as the grass door slid aside.
Emerging were Durel and Olbern.
"Master!"
"Master!"
Their faces lit up the instant they saw me. They rushed over, stopping before me, panting. Emotions churned, words tangling.
"Where's Simo?"
"Ah! He's..."
I knew where. I was asking his condition. Durel answered, carefully stepping forward to guide me.
"Sleeping inside. He overused blood magic and has temporary anemia..."
"He's not injured?"
"Yes."
Foolish boy. With Durel's confirmation and seeing Simo unharmed, tension melted from my body. Familiar auras all around filled my heart. All had learned magic born from me, entering the same school, becoming family.
They trusted only me, looked only to me. The weight of responsibility was immense.
"I'm glad you're all safe."
Sitting, I slowly looked over the three. Not a scratch on them. Then it hit me—I hadn't yet taught Olbern the Mana Circle. I'd planned to finish investigating Rem Drain and teach him leisurely that evening, but those plans had crumbled.
"Olbern."
"Yes!"
"I'm going to teach you the Infinite Archive School's core magic, the Mana Circle, right now."
"R-right now?"
It was abrupt. But the timing felt right. If Simo were fine, I'd have prepared to return to our original world without hesitation. Passages between worlds are unsafe. Crossing in poor condition could spell disaster.
Thus, I'd stay until Simo recovered.
'Time to tie it all together.'
I planned to compile Mana Circle, Arcana, and Blink's Erkamon into a book. Mana density here was extreme—perfect for magical training.
'Such magic exists?'
Endless wonder. Olbern closed his eyes, feeling the ring settle in his heart. He recited the Erkamon from his small master's lips. Structured for easy entry. It didn't interfere with existing magical frameworks. So subtle, it blended seamlessly.
Augmenting the inner world. Supporting the mysteries any mage held. Irresistible to all.
Infinite Archive.
All the world's magic gathered in one place.
Olbern trembled, envisioning a distant future. Immense euphoria made his heart pound wildly.