Chapter 129

Episode 129

Jericho would come rushing here, proudly presenting the deciphered secret ledger.

So, my task was simple.

To stay secluded in the mansion.

Indeed, nobles from all walks of life came to the mansion seeking an audience with me. It was a constant stream of carriages, one leaving as two arrived.

But I refused to meet anyone, using my illness as an excuse.

Even Grand Duke Hylix and Oracle sent messengers requesting a meeting, but I declined.

I wavered slightly when Rosalyn sent a letter saying she had something urgent to discuss, but I managed to resist.

‘There’s no need to meet anyone and listen to their rambling now that the code has been deciphered.’

When I had received news of Jericho’s success, I had made a decision.

‘I’m going to arrest Hylix.’

This decision stemmed from the complex power dynamics within House Kalisto.

First, Duke Kalisto was paying more attention to Lady Lucia than to lord Hylix. It was unclear who he would choose as his successor.

And I had accidentally learned that Duchess Guinevere was supporting Prince Romero.

This opportunity wouldn’t come again.

‘I have to find evidence that Hylix is plotting something. Those greedy people must have left some traces.’

Of course, they wouldn’t have been foolish enough to write down their plans.

My goal was simply to corner Hylix.

If I could force him to reflect on his actions, even for a short time, the power structure would shift significantly.

‘But I can’t waste time. I need to practice magic.’

I had been diligently practicing magic whenever I had the time. The “Enclave” spell, which I had learned from Jericho using the “Magic Mimicry” skill, allowed me to train in secret.

‘So far, the spells I’ve mastered to level ten are Energy Bolt, Ice Bolt, and Fire Bolt, right?’

Jericho had told me that my magic circuits were specialized in elemental magic. So, even though I had learned the Tulu family’s magic, I hadn’t practiced it.

My current goal was to master all the basic elemental spells I had learned to level ten.

‘The remaining ones are Wind Cutter and Earth Jail.’

I had already trained both spells to level eight, so I was close to mastering them.

I summoned a butler.

“Prepare a barrel of water immediately. I’m going to seclude myself for a few days to practice magic. No one, except for Jericho, is allowed to enter my room. Understood?”

“As you command. But should I prepare meals for you?”

“No, just bring the water.”

The butler soon returned with a large barrel filled with water. I locked the door and sat down in a lotus position.

But there was one thing I had to do first.

The “Ring of Mana,” said to have been used by the ancient Archmage Stormbringer.

It was an equipment that amplified magical power and mana, making it essential for repetitive training.

I took off the ring from my left hand and put it on my middle finger. I did the same with the identical ring on my right hand.

*Whirr!*

The rings resonated with each other, and my magical power surged. The mana core embedded in my heart started spinning rapidly.

I felt like an Archmage.

『Enclave.』

A protective barrier enveloped me. It seemed like the spell’s level had increased because the range was much wider than before.

And it wasn’t just the range.

The amount of magical damage it could absorb had also increased significantly. It wouldn’t break even if I used a level ten Bolt spell.

With the added effect of the “Ring of Mana,” I had nothing to worry about.

‘Let’s start with Wind Cutter.’

I immediately channeled my magical power and cast the spell.

The surrounding air was drawn into my hand, forming sharp blades shaped like boomerangs.

There were eight blades in total.

Other Bolt spells only increased in number, but this spell increased both in size and number.

*Whoosh!*

The wind blades flew towards the enclave and collided with the barrier. Naturally, the barrier remained intact.

Since I didn’t need to feel the sensation of the spell, I repeatedly cast “Wind Cutter” using the Instant Cast skill, without incantations.

*Whoosh! Boom!*

*Whoosh! Thud!*

My magic training progressed smoothly.

When my mana was depleted and I felt tired, I took a break, drank some water, and meditated.

I had acquired the “Mana Regeneration” skill when I had first awakened my mana. So, my mana recovered quickly. I had also realized that meditation doubled the recovery speed.

But human greed was endless.

I was planning to raid the Lucius Club soon and acquire items that could further enhance my mana regeneration.

*Whoosh! Boom!*

*Whoosh! Thud!*

When I got bored, I cast “Earth Jail,” a continuous spell.

It was more of a crowd control spell than an attack spell.

When cast, vines with sharp thorns would sprout from the ground, binding the opponent’s feet or body.

If they tried to escape, they could get cut by the thorns.

*Crack! Thud!*

*Crack! Thud!*

At lower levels, the vines would just appear and disappear. But now, at level eight, they exploded, releasing toxins.

Of course, I had cast another layer of “Enclave” around me, so I was unharmed.

Three days passed.

I had mastered “Wind Cutter” to level ten. I could now create ten wind blades simultaneously.

The only one left was “Earth Jail.”

I spent another full day after reaching level nine with “Earth Jail.” The barrel of water was empty. I could probably last another day without water, but there was no need to push myself.

‘I’ll rest after using up this mana. I need to check on the situation outside.’

I resumed my magic training.

Lady Luck was still with me. A change finally occurred in the “Earth Jail” spell I cast with my last bit of mana.

*Crack! Crack! Crack!*

Thick vines sprouted from the ground, just like before. But this time, a red flower I had never seen before bloomed at the tip of each vine.

The beautiful flowers started blinking. The blinking speed increased as time passed.

*Beep—*

It emitted an ominous sound, then exploded violently.

Even though it was a basic spell, it seemed like it could be useful in combat. I could bind a group of monsters with the vines and then finish them off with the explosion.

Just then, the system message I had been waiting for appeared in my mind.

“— You have mastered all basic elemental magic.”

“— Your ‘Mana Detection’ ability has been enhanced.”

“— Your ‘Mana Regeneration’ ability has been enhanced.”

“— Your ‘Magic Circuits’ ability has been enhanced.”

“— You feel a stronger connection to nature.”

A stronger connection to nature?

It was great that my abilities had been enhanced, but it seemed like something else was about to happen.

I focused my mind.

“— You have acquired the ‘Fireball’ ability.”

“— You have acquired the ‘Ice Spear’ ability.”

“— You have acquired the ‘Wind Blade’ ability.”

“— You have acquired the ‘Diamond Missile’ ability.”

“— You have acquired the ‘Energy Ball’ ability.”

Intermediate-level magic spells of each element had been unlocked.

‘It’s a shame Jericho isn’t here. I’ll have to test them later.’

Jericho’s “Enclave” was much more powerful than mine. I didn’t want to accidentally destroy the mansion by testing my magic inside his enclave.

As I was lying in bed, resting, I heard a cautious knock on the door.

“My lord, Sir Jericho is here.”

“Let him in.”

Jericho entered the room and hesitated. He sniffed the air and looked around.

“What were you doing? I sense traces of magical energy.”

“Try it.”

“Try what?”

I extended my hand towards Jericho and cast “Fireball.”

*Whoosh!*

A large fireball flew towards him in a low arc. Jericho, startled, instinctively cast “Enclave.”

*Rumble!*

Jericho’s barrier trembled.

Unlike “Fire Bolt,” which targeted a single enemy, “Fireball” seemed to deal area damage.

“Hey! Can’t you warn me before you shoot magic? You scared me!”

“It’s weaker than I thought.”

“Excuse me? …Huh? What?”

Jericho finally realized the source of his unease.

“Wait a minute. Did you just cast Fireball?”

“Yes. I learned it while you were sleeping. I need to practice more. The area damage is nice, but it’s not enough.”

“…”

Jericho felt a sense of despair. Was the genius in front of him a reincarnated Archmage?

But a part of him was relieved.

He had made a bet with me before and had been punished with having to buy me drinks and snacks for life. He would have been doomed if he had made another bet.

“Sigh, at this rate, I might have to learn magic from you, my lord.”

“Don’t be so dramatic. You have your family’s secret magic.”

“You’ve already learned all of it!”

“Strangely, I can’t seem to master it. I think there’s a limit for those who aren’t from the Tulu family.”

“That magic was only meant to be used by members of the Tulu family…”

I changed the subject, sensing that Jericho was about to fall into a pit of despair.

“I received your message. You brought the deciphered version of the secret ledger, right?”

Jericho took out a thick book from his bag.

“I was attacked three times on my way here. If it weren’t for Knight Selendis, I’d be dead by now.”

“Where’s Selendis?”

“She’s outside, inspecting the guards. This mansion isn’t safe anymore.”

I opened the book. It was neatly written in legible handwriting.

I didn’t need to read much.

The beginning of the secret ledger stated:

“— When the eclipse ends, the sun rises again. For the new sun that will illuminate Kalisto!”

Below it were the names of the contributors and the amounts they had donated. I saw Baron Roman’s name, as well as Rosalyn’s.

I flipped through the pages and saw that it wasn’t a one-time donation. They had consistently contributed a certain amount every time.

“They’ve collected quite a lot.”

“I found the location where the donations were gathered. There was a separate stash of gold coins in the Alpheon Castle treasury. The amount matched the ledger perfectly.”

“Good work.”

There were also records of their meetings. Hylix’s words were written in a lively manner, as if they were the words of a historical figure.

He had worked hard for this. We had enough evidence now.

“Why are you smiling like that? It’s giving me a bad feeling.”

“What do you think I’m going to do?”

“I assume you’ll report to the Lady and act according to her orders… but that’s not the expression you’re making. Sigh, I hate that I can read you so well.”

I handed the deciphered ledger to Jericho and grabbed my weapons.

“Summon the investigators immediately. We’re arresting Lord Hylix.”

“What? W-Wait a minute! You’re sending investigators to the Duke’s castle? To arrest Lord Hylix?”

“Is there a problem?”

“On what charges?”

“Conspiracy to commit treason.”

Jericho’s jaw dropped.

“If you’re just going to stand there gaping, you might as well stay here and guard the mansion.”

“I-I’m coming with you!”

Thirty investigators soon gathered. We rode towards the Kalisto main castle.