episode_0298

Episode 299

These were Carmel’s words:

“For an ordinary magician, creating magic is almost impossible. Even I have never created a new spell. Moreover, if it is a great magic that can recreate one’s personality…”

Does this mean that Aela overestimated my magical talent? Of course, that is a possibility.

I asked Carmel if she would be okay with the personality of her biological mother, Aila, disappearing.

“I don’t think there’s anything we can do. That person has already gone too far to coexist with us… but it is still better than completely dying.”

Next I went to see Juliana. This is what she said:

“The creation of magic… it won’t be an easy task. Those who were able to do this were all geniuses and entered the history of magic. But wouldn’t it be possible if you were a princess? Because you have a natural learning ability.”

“Thank you. Hmm… I guess I’ll have to think about it some more.”

“By the way, princess, have you already consulted with Monaz?”

“Monaz? No, not yet…”

“He will probably be able to give you the most helpful advice on this matter. Blue-Eyed Monaz was famous for creating nearly a thousand magic spells before being recommended to the royal family.”

“Really?”

“Yes, among the mages of this era, he is the one most appropriately called a genius. Oh, of course… since something like that has happened, I understand why you don’t want to get close to me.”

It seems to me that Monaz was regretting what she had done. He would be willing to help me now.

“I understand. Thank you, Juliana.”

Juliana smiled and saw me off as I left.

* * *

From that day on, Monaz was almost always in her room. When I knocked on his room and entered, Monaz greeted me with black eyes under her eyes.

“Ah, princess… welcome…”

“There is something I would like to discuss with you, Monaz.”

Monaz looked anxious for no apparent reason. He must be worried that I have come to accuse him of his mistakes again.

I sat down and explained why I had come. As I listened to the story, Monaz gradually returned to the face I knew.

“I see. Creating new magic is certainly not easy. The essence of magic is a mystery. The creation of magic is the process of refining what you don’t know into a standardized form without knowing it.”

“I’ve already heard a lot that it’s difficult. What I wonder is whether I have any chance of doing it.”

“If it is within the realm of possibility… of course it is possible. It is the mystery of mana that, with the help of chance, even a completely beginner magician can create new magic.”

“But I heard that you created close to a thousand magic swords. Can’t you pass on the secret?”

Monaz narrowed her eyebrows at my question. It seemed like he was trying to somehow squeeze out a concept that was difficult to express in words.

“For example, something like this. Let’s say a common invention is farming. If you nurture the soil and apply appropriate fertilizers, you will get the results you want. However, the creation of magic is more like fishing. No matter how likely a place is to have fish, you don’t know whether you’ll get the results you want there until you cast the net. I have no talent for literary arts, so this is a crude analogy.”

It’s a metaphor that you may or may not know. In the end, I think this means that there is no specific methodology.

“I’m not sure… but if there’s a chance, I’d like to try it.”

“Good. Did you say that the princess is currently unable to use magic? Then, let me demonstrate.”

Monaz created space by pushing the books and unknown materials piled on the desk to one side. Then he put his hands on it and widened the distance between his palms.

Mana can be seen flowing from both his hands. Mana created a small circle and rotated slowly.

“This is one of the basic operations called the Well of Mana. An individual’s mana is connected to the inner self of the individual, but is also connected to the magical layer of the world itself. So to speak, digging a hole that leads there.”

The amount of mana that flowed from Monaz’s hand gradually increased. However, the size of the mana fountain itself did not increase that much. Rather, the hole that led to somewhere other than the desk seemed to be getting deeper and deeper.

“It requires a larger amount of mana than expected. I wonder if this amount is possible for me…”

“It is known that the creation of magic has the highest chance of success when the magician draws on all the mana he or she has. Since it’s just a pilot right now, I’m planning to only put in an appropriate amount. Now that I think about it, the princess’s case… is quite a special case, so I’m not sure what will happen.”

My body and Princess Sera’s body cannot produce mana. In order to use magic, you have to borrow someone else’s mana and go through a grimoire.

If the fountain of mana connects the user’s inner world with the mana of the world, then even if there is confusion, there is too much confusion.

The flow of mana flowing from Monaz’s hand was cut off. His mana fountain, which had been spinning vigorously, was gradually flowing slowly. Monaz placed her hands lightly on it and closed her eyes.

“Now it’s time to catch it. All you have to do is deeply recognize the efficacy or wish to be embodied as a spell. If your mana responds to it, you will create a new magic power. The more specific it is about how it works and the results of its implementation, the higher the success rate.”

After speaking, Monaz seemed to be deeply concentrating. Everything was quiet. There was only a deep blue fountain of mana flowing quietly.

Eventually he opened his eyes. The fountain of mana under my palm slowly dispersed and disappeared.

“You failed. Well, as I said, it’s not easy at all.”

“If you don’t mind, may I ask what kind of magic you were trying to create?”

Monaz looked a bit embarrassed. But he soon nodded and answered.

“It was a magic to repay one’s mistakes. However, it must be said that there is little chance of success with such an abstract idea.”

I feel deep and bitter regret. After letting out a long sigh, he confessed his feelings.

“Princess, I respected that person… no, I respected that person. These are the words of Adrian Eldritch, the first court magician. I devoured all of his remaining traces. I also learned all of his remaining spells. I was filled with pride because I was able to continue his legacy. But, but…!”

“Calm down, Monaz.”

“…I’m sorry. I already recognize that it was my fault that I can’t blame anyone else for. In order to atone for my sins, I plan to be of further help to the princess and the kingdom.”

I only briefly regained my composure when talking about magic, but it seems I was in this state the whole time I was locked away.

“As the strongest mage in the kingdom, I expect you to continue to be active with unwavering loyalty. This advice was especially helpful. Well, if you want, I can cast a spell to make you feel better, how about that?”

You cannot use magic now, but you can use it if you receive mana from Carmel. Bastika. It is a magic that reduces stress and mental fatigue.

But Monaz immediately shook her head.

“Thank you so much, princess. But I don’t want to relieve myself of this guilt and debt. I have to bear it… it’s my mistake.”

“…I understand. But please be careful about your health. Because the Kingdom of Lustier still needs you.”

“Yes, I understand. Thank you…”

I left his room, hoping to make him feel a little better. And then went straight to the palace kitchen.

I can feel everyone in the kitchen being startled by the princess’s arrival. I’m a little sorry. I asked a nearby cook to make me a drink to help me sleep.

“I understand. I will prepare tea with herbal ingredients. If you’re thinking of taking a nap, can I deliver it to the princess’s room?”

“No, please send it to the court magician’s room, not me. All you have to do is tell them that it is the princess’s reward.”

“Ah, yes. All right. Then, I will send it to the court magician as soon as it is ready.”

Monaz looked like she hadn’t slept at all since that day. After a good night’s sleep, you will feel a little better.

But suddenly this question occurred to me.

What was Monaz doing at her desk without even sleeping?

* * *

To use even basic magic, I must be in contact with Carmel.

Moreover, Aela herself must take on the role of interfering with the brain through the grimoire.

Is it really possible to create a magic spell with such complicated conditions?

It will never be easy. But it’s definitely worth a try. Just having Aila turn from an enemy to a complete ally is a huge harvest.

I reached deep into the forest with Aila and Carmel.

It is not far from Changgwan and is very sparsely populated.

When I got there, I removed the covering from Eila’s mouth and eyes. Aila suddenly faced the sunlight and frowned as if her eyes were dazzled.

“…From now on, we will begin work on creating magic. Get ready, Aila.”

“I hate it, I hate it…”

Aila shook her head vigorously, like a child throwing a tantrum. However, the effect of the absolute obedience spell cannot be countered. He quietly handed me his hand.

“…Mom…”

Carmel also put her hand on my back. I can feel the magical energy flowing into me.

I stretched out the hand opposite to the one I was holding with Aila. Aila also made the same move. And mana began to flow from Aela and me, forming a fountain of mana.

Compared to Monaz’s pure blue mana, it was an overwhelmingly black fountain of dark color, as if it continued to the bottom of the abyss.