Chapter 109
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 109
Chapter Title: The Name of Mana (5)
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A fierce wave of intense light crackled and flashed, unleashing an outpouring of ancient, dense mana.
The form of the Separation Barrier, manifested through Visible Mana, was utterly unlike any kingdom-style magic I had seen before.
I had anticipated it, but even to me, who hadn't opened this spell in ages, it felt strangely unfamiliar.
Unlike kingdom-style magic, which was expressed through letters, runes, symbols, and numbers, the imperial-style magic of the Separation Barrier appeared as countless red threads irregularly intertwined.
The threads writhed as if alive, constantly shifting in shape and position with every moment.
That was the form of the will to manifest the magic.
"Young Master Liberic."
Agnes called out to me in a flustered voice.
The mana from the mana source was shaking unsteadily.
The mana forming the Separation Barrier was overwhelmingly more abundant and powerful than kingdom-style magic—and far more unstable.
"Please, Agnes."
It was something I had somewhat expected.
Agnes nodded calmly and clasped her hands together. Light emanated from her body, and the mana source's power swirled around her at the center.
Time was short.
I created a thread of mana glowing blue at my fingertips, then began weaving it together, one strand at a time, with the Separation Barrier and the mana source.
Moving the blue thread, I seized the red strands one by one and connected them to the walls and ceiling.
The golden kingdom-style incantations I had engraved on the walls shifted to blue, firmly grasping the Separation Barrier.
"Young Master Liberic, it's shaking even more now."
Agnes, who had been stabilizing the barrier, sounded panicked.
I was pouring all my concentration into intertwining the two magics.
"Just a bit longer..."
The characters filling the space with golden light turned blue one by one.
Whiiir...
A sharp sound like howling winds from outside assaulted my ears. It was the roar of surging mana.
Agnes gathered more strength to hold it at bay.
"It's done."
The moment the space brimmed with blue incantations, I dispersed the mana threads and returned the Separation Barrier to the sealing orb fragment.
The air was sharply pulled toward the fragment... then everything settled back to normal.
"Are you alright, Agnes?"
Agnes, hovering in the air with her hands clasped and her body glowing, slowly descended to the floor.
"Yes, I'm fine."
"Good. You did great."
I shifted the space from the room of glowing blue incantations back to Prion's garden.
The sealing orb fragments reverted to ordinary pebbles, quietly hiding among the river stones.
"You really wove the two magics together."
Agnes said in wonder, gazing at me.
"Yeah, that's right."
I took a deep breath of the garden's fresh air and plopped down into a chair at the table.
Tension from uncertainty—whether it would work, if it was even a good idea—had left beads of sweat on my forehead.
"I'm glad you were here to help. It could've been dangerous if I'd tried it alone."
"I'm happy I could help. But to me... it was magic I couldn't comprehend."
Agnes pulled out the chair across from me and sat down.
"Yeah, I suppose so."
Was it truly beyond understanding after all? Claus had struggled with imperial-style magic for the same reason.
"It's to sustain the Separation Barrier using the mana source. Without touching its core, I wove the outer layers with the mana source... and keep supplying mana to it."
"To repair changes over time, right?"
"Exactly. And it'll keep the sealing orb fragments from leaving the Mirror Barrier. It won't affect the mana source, so just manage it well."
"Understood," Agnes nodded.
This was the best I could do.
If Agnes could understand the Separation Barrier, she might manage the sealing orb fragments more efficiently, but since that's impossible, weaving them myself was the next best thing.
All that's left is to pray she keeps the mana source stable and maintains it well...
"You're heading to Kirk Volcano, right?"
Miles suddenly asked from across the table.
"Yes..."
I looked up from the letter I was writing to send to Prion and met his gaze.
Come to think of it, there was something I wanted to ask.
"Have you ever been to other sealing sites, Mr. Miles? Like Kirk Volcano?"
"I've been to some, but not Kirk Volcano. Sealing sites move if the mana source dissipates or destabilizes, so the ones I visited have probably relocated by now."
"I see..."
I'd heard the same from Claus and the Silver Guard Knights.
Some mana sources were small or unstable, so sealing sites occasionally relocated.
Moreover, information on sealing site locations was classified even within the Silver Moon Knight Order, not easily shared.
"I can guarantee you, this is the best posting in the Silver Moon Knights. The most comfortable and safe place. The others... whew."
Miles clicked his tongue and shook his head.
"I've heard the other places are much more dangerous."
"Spot on. So take care of yourself. Once you see the others, you'll realize how good you had it here."
"Maybe you're right."
I gave a wry smile in response.
Miles stared at me with an uncharacteristically serious look, then let out a small sigh.
"I get it, but that old man Claus is going too far. No matter how skilled you are, you're too young for something this dangerous."
"...Are you worried about me?"
"Of course, you little genius."
Miles grinned mischievously.
"When I was your age, exploring Prion's back alleys with my buddies was the height of adventure. Even if being a mage depends on innate talent and age doesn't matter..."
"Master Claus is desperate too."
"Yeah, desperate..."
Miles trailed off, lost in thought.
"When Master Claus set up the Mirror Barrier here, were you with him, Mr. Miles?"
Miles had been here a long time, so he might have assisted.
"Yeah. I never imagined I'd witness a Mirror Convergence Space Barrier firsthand. Honestly, I was blown away. Personality aside, that skill..."
"That's why they call him a sage."
I smiled as I replied. Miles hummed thoughtfully.
"Not sure if he told you, but that old coot hates the word 'sage.' He says call him an old fart like me or something."
"...Master Claus said that?"
It was surprising. I'd never heard him say that while staying in Prion.
Though I'd never called him 'Sage' either...
"Yep. He was sick of it."
Miles recounted a story he'd heard over drinks with Claus.
"When the Demon Emperor was sealed, Ron Klaus was about your age.
His master, Ragot Althur, passed from old age and wounds shortly after. Everything the great archmage left behind fell to Klaus."
Miles spoke as if channeling Claus's voice.
"People called him a hero, a sage, and he had to live up to it.
He barely contributed to sealing the Demon Emperor—just followed his master to the Demon Emperor's ruined palace by chance. Next thing he knew, he was a hero and sage."
After that, Klaus could never escape people's expectations.
In the end, he became a true sage.
"I couldn't live like that. Being called a sage isn't all that great."
"Everyone expects Master to find a solution. Me becoming the barrier master was one of those solutions."
This wasn't foresight, prophecy, or part of some grand plan.
It was just a desperate, singular choice.
"Well, then you have to believe. Safe travels—I have a feeling you'll need the luck."
Miles flashed a grin and wished me well. I was grateful for it.
"I hope so. You won't give me more reason to worry about things here, right?"
"Ah, of course. Agnes and I will handle it, so don't worry."
"That's exactly what worries me..."
Miles dodged with an awkward chuckle, deepening my needless concerns.
Time passed, and the morning of our departure from Elgrace arrived.
Too excited to sleep much, I rose early, rummaging through my bag to reorganize everything.
After breakfast, I returned to my room and changed into travel clothes.
Sturdy leather travel gear, with pouches and small bags at my waist, topped with a loose-fitting robe.
The robe was deep navy with gold leaf motifs—a gift from my parents.
It even regulated body temperature against heat and cold.
And I still had the knot-solving key.
As Claus said, leaving it at a sealing site might be riskier. Plus, I might need it later.
I double-checked important items like the key and the chronium pouch.
Finished preparing, I glanced in the mirror one last time and surveyed the neatly tidied room.
It was just a short stay, but it felt oddly familiar now. I'd have to get used to leaving places for a while.
I left the room without looking back.
I'd already said goodbyes to Miles and Agnes the night before.
Miles asked me to take care of Fren; for Agnes, I needed her to grasp that we wouldn't meet for a while—the concept of 'parting.'
She said she understood, but hadn't grasped the sadness yet. Miles promised to teach her well, so I'd trust that.
Exchanging farewells with the branch knights and servants, I descended to the first-floor entrance.
Wedin was talking with the holy mages from the clinic—people who'd helped when I was recovering there.
Leaving the building with Wedin, Ash was waiting at the door.
He rarely showed himself in crowds, but today, our departure day, he was out.
Ash stretched lightly and fell in step behind me.
Shuren emerged with the coachman, leading four horses.
We'd ride to Kophet, the small village at the foot of the Quint Mountains.
All four horses were docile and healthy. I chose the black one and loaded my gear onto it.
Wedin struggled to secure his bag, so Shuren helped—his movements clean and practiced from experience.
"All set?"
The Silver Guard Knight's voice rang out.
Turning, I saw him in black travel clothes, stepping out of the building.
Sir Jenard, the Royal Knight Commander, was with him. I hadn't expected Jenard here.
Probably seeing us off and discussing matters with the Silver Guard Knight—something about Kaela's escape, perhaps.
We bowed politely in greeting, and Sir Jenard nodded with a smile.
"Crossing the Quint Mountains, eh? Safe travels, and may you reach your goal without incident."
"Thank you, Sir Jenard."
The Silver Guard Knight loaded and secured his gear, then looked to Jenard before mounting.
"Let me know if there's progress. Prius will do everything we can."
"Will do, Silver Guard Knight."
They shook hands firmly.
"Then let's head out."
The Silver Guard Knight mounted up.
Shuren, Wedin, and I followed suit, while Ash shook out his fur, ready to run.
We waved to the well-wishers and spurred our horses out of the Elgrace branch.