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“I hope the rest of you keep this in mind as well. If anyone lays a hand on my research assistant, I will not stand idly by.”

With a graceful toss of her luxuriant golden locks, Aris advanced confidently, capturing everyone’s astonishment.

Her composed and exquisite demeanor held such prominence that none found the courage to dissent, yielding respectfully to her passage.

Walking in her wake, Lennok absently scratched his cheek.

In a realm governed by meticulous transactions and the ebb and flow of mutual gain, Lennok harbored unwavering confidence in his capacity to navigate human connections with greater purity than most.

Managing losses, repaying debts, and securing compensation were all tasks within his easy grasp.

Yet, how did one navigate acts of kindness unbound by expectation and trust that lacked pledges?

When one side reaped unreciprocated benefits while the other remained indifferent, how sustainable was this peculiar rapport?

Should he one day be called upon to answer for this juncture, how might Lennok respond?

It was an enigma impossible to unravel.

However, he was certain of one thing: he must undoubtedly reciprocate the trust Aris had vested in him.

Before passing Baila, Lennok murmured softly into her ear.

“There aren’t many ways to treat the disruption of magic.”

“….What did you just say?”

“Purple bruises appearing below the neck, and mana pooling at the back of the head, rendering it immobile. The left socket swells with congestion, and the nails harden abnormally, making them hard to cut. A subtly unbalanced gait… aren’t these all signs that the imbalance of mana is affecting physical functions?”

Lennok had never fathomed employing the insights derived from delving into theory alongside Aris in this manner.

In actuality, he had merely observed the mana currents within Baila’s form and extrapolated the accompanying bodily aberrations. Yet, from her viewpoint, Lennok likely appeared astoundingly perceptive.

For the interim, bound to Aris’s service as a research assistant, Lennok intended to remain fixated on theory and its interconnected facets.

This should, to some extent, constrain Baila from speaking out and perhaps even reverse her association with Aris.

Baila, her countenance hardening, trailed Lennok’s swift departure with her gaze.

Would she lower her pride and seek Lennok’s counsel?

Or would she cease her provocations altogether?

To wield over the esteemed researcher a debt tied to her well-being seemed a worthwhile gain.

Either path was, for Lennok, a judicious choice.

The demonstration zone awaited, its proximity palpable.

“This is…”

“The chosen location to demonstrate the battlefield control technique. Is there anything you find bothersome?”

“No.”

In response to Aris’s inquiry, Lennok muttered his assent, but his attention swiftly gravitated toward Archiwood.

Evidently, Archiwood shared similar ruminations on the site, their gazes locking in perfect accord.

It seemed only natural that a minute fracture appeared in the veneer of Archiwood’s smile, hitherto impeccably maintained.

Witnessing Archiwood rapidly avert his gaze while beads of nervous sweat formed, a smile involuntarily crept onto Lennok’s lips.

What an unusual coincidence.

This very forest, handpicked as the demonstration ground for the conference, was precisely where Lennok had incapacitated Archiwood the prior day.

Perhaps it was chosen due to the presence of withered trees, ensuring that altering the terrain wouldn’t pose issues. Furthermore, it seemed an apt location to evaluate the potency of mana techniques.

Perhaps it wasn’t so peculiar that traces of the blood he had expelled might still linger here somewhere.

[Let’s get straight to the demonstration of the spellcraft. I know you’re all busy, so let’s focus on verifying just one thing.]

The young man in a robe, standing at the front of the group, raised his hand, and his clear voice resonated in the distance.

[We discussed the concept of field control spellcraft all night, which is about occupying a specific space and amplifying the power of the spell. But regardless of the theory, what’s important is how much the spell can be amplified.]

[Unless we test this multiple times to assess its utility, there will be no progress. So let’s not waste any more time and get started.]

Following the young man’s statement, his aides swiftly appeared behind him, bearing assorted instruments and manipulating something on the ground.

From a distance, it resembled the establishment of a magical formation using certain apparatuses, likely for replication…

“It doesn’t seem very efficient.”

If this development aimed to bolster the campaign against the autonomous region, it seemed fundamentally misguided.

When juxtaposed with the resounding efficiency of the domains employed by Lennok or Craig, this environmental spell formation came across as cumbersome. Especially on the dynamically shifting battlefield, how could it be viably deployed?

A meticulously orchestrated battlefield.

Unless it were an arena where adversaries earnestly exchanged barrages of mana, its effectiveness appeared questionable.

Or perhaps the assembled wizards held an alternative perspective.

As Lennok ruminated, the demonstration unfolded.

The assistants of the young man, evidently his apprentices, configured the spell formation, entered it, and drew in mana.

Wooong!!

Each, tethered to their respective spirits and magical implements, extended their mana toward the lifeless forest.

An unfamiliar scene to Lennok, yet likely how conventional wizards channeled their mana.

The trio of flame torrents that erupted from their palms coursed through the spell formation’s domain.

Kwaaaang!!

The flames erupted, engulfing the desiccated trees in a grand conflagration.

The might of the magic was striking, yet more impressive was the amplification quotient.

Sufficient to wholly reverse Lennok’s skepticism.

Adjacent wizards wore expressions of astonishment, their murmurs suffusing the air.

[Did you see that? It’s even better than expected! We will continue the demonstration!]

Amidst the exuberant proclamation of the youth, Aris turned her head.

“This is odd.”

“What do you mean?”

“The amplification rate exceeds what was proposed at the conference yesterday. If it’s this good, the organizers would have mentioned it…”

Her brow creased as she scanned her surroundings.

“I think someone’s up to something.”

Rather than answering, Lennok directed his gaze toward the jubilant countenance of the youth before him.

Perhaps the dividends of the demonstration yielded such immense benefits that his visage radiated joy.

If he had tampered with the demonstration results, wouldn’t he be more guarded in his expression?

Presently, the young man appeared genuinely overwhelmed by the unforeseen triumph.

Observing intently, Lennok discerned the locale where the wizards infused mana, and realization dawned.

“….Ah.”

The coordinates where the wizards established the field control spell formation coincided with the terrain Lennok had permeated with his domain the prior day.

Given the nature of the field that asserted dominance over space as a whole, the employed mana was inevitably etched deeply into the vicinity. It so happened that the ritual circle had been sited precisely there.

Even in this moment, the vestiges of the mana he had left behind lingered beneath their feet.

“Haah…….”

Heaving a sigh, he dissipated all residual mana.

Whooosh….

“What, what happened?”

“Did the mana suddenly….?”

The flames that had been blazing fiercely just a moment ago abruptly extinguished.

Bewildered wizards waved their hands frantically, but the same level of amplification didn’t manifest again.

[Hold on a moment, please. There seems to be a slight hitch in the demonstration, but it will be resolved shortly.]

The young man stated, quickly dismissing his acolytes. However, even after 10 minutes had elapsed, there was no sign of improvement.

The youth’s visage twisted into a miserable expression. For all the elation generated by the unforeseen triumph, the frustration and despair were equally palpable.

[This can’t be…. it was working just a moment ago….]

Aris observed them quietly for a beat before turning on her heel.

“Evan, let’s go. This is a waste of time.”

“Understood.”

[Wa-wait, please!]

The young man made a desperate attempt to detain the departing wizards, but the fact that the conference’s primary objective had vaporized was evident to all.

Lennok scanned the scene and felt satisfied that his actions seemed to have gone unnoticed.

In the realm of mana manipulation, Lennok’s skill had surpassed conventional comprehension, morphing into something altogether distinct.

Except for Archiwood, who trailed behind him, his expression resembling that of someone who had glimpsed a monster.

The initial relaxed smile Archiwood wore upon disembarking from the train had vanished, replaced by a nervous gaze directed at Lennok’s pallid countenance.

While Archiwood might not have deduced that Lennok had manipulated the mana, he wasn’t so naive as to not recognize Lennok’s potential involvement in the incident.

Rather than engaging in dialogue, Lennok simply locked eyes with him, bestowing a faint smile.

“…!!”

Archiwood flinched, promptly averting his gaze.

Lennok likely possessed an inkling of the kind of wizard he was, and why he was capable of such an act. However, Archiwood remained oblivious to these facets.

He could only shiver with apprehension, opting to hold his tongue.

And that was precisely what Lennok aimed to achieve.

***

The conference concluded abruptly, scattering the wizards who had convened from diverse locales.

Lennok boarded a new train departing from the aged station near the fortress, sharing the compartment with Aris.

“It really was a waste of time.”Aris remarked with a soft sigh.

“I had hoped that the Blarend Magic Tower would lead, but as expected, the domain is inadequate to replace it. Theoretical discussions are sufficient, but if the level of wizards executing it cannot be standardized, there is no practicality.”

Lennok didn’t overlook the instant Aris mentioned the domain herself.

“The domain, you mean….”

“Oh, haven’t you studied that yet?”

In response to Lennok’s natural inquiry, Aris briefly elucidated the concept of a Domain.

Reserved for magic practitioners at or above Level 6, only a select few exceptionally gifted individuals were authorized to create an environmental ritual circle.

It’s an optimized notion for spellcasters, not only enhancing the potency of commonly employed mana but also enabling the utilization of higher-level spells.

“Rather than explaining it in words, it would be quicker to show you,”Aris declared, extending her pale hand into the empty air.

Lennok experienced a jolt at the familiar sensation of mana and studied her intently.

This peculiar sensation, capable of altering spatial attributes entirely.

Could it be that Aris too had comprehended and mastered the domain?

Whiiiiiing…!!

A distinct shade of black-blue mana congregated within her palm, swiftly birthing a fist-sized black sphere that levitated.

Wooooooooo…!!

At first glance, it might appear to be a mere aggregation of mana, but Lennok recognized that it was the outcome of an extraordinary reduction and materialization of the domain. Instinctively, he moistened his lips.

‘Impressive…’

Casting a domain on a moving train already defied Lennok’s conventional understanding. Yet, it wasn’t solely about extending it to encompass himself; it involved condensing it to the size of a fist.

How much aptitude and intuition were requisite for this seemingly straightforward sphere of the field?

Craig’s endeavor to fabricate an artificial domain using every possible means came to mind. His struggles underscored his inability to grasp even the rudiments of the domain.

Aris Richellen also emerged as a wizard deserving of the label “genius” within her domain.

“If you can project your own imagination into this created field, you can create unique abilities beyond simple magic.”

Lennok mused, “Projection of imagination…”

“I haven’t been able to do that yet.”

“If the ability of the domain is determined in this way, there may be cases where it does not match the true nature.”

Aris’s eyes widened at Lennok’s insights.

“That’s right. You catch on quickly. That’s why some high-ranking wizards can activate domains but don’t use them in battle.”

Could it be necessary to achieve a state of tranquility—however human it may sound—to generate abilities suited for battle?

It was a complex dialogue.

‘I should try using this when I get back.’

The domain application Aris had just demonstrated struck Lennok as worth attempting.

Especially the technique of condensing the domain to a localized space and concentrating the amplification potency of magic appeared potentially beneficial in sporadic combat scenarios.

As Lennok immersed himself in contemplation, Aris, who had gently clenched her fist to dispel the domain, reclined in her seat and exhaled.

“I worked hard to get inspiration to go up, but… there wasn’t much harvest.”

If Aris expressed it thus, the answer was evident.

Beyond her research at the university, she sought opportunities to forge ahead.

‘The level of projecting imagination into the domain…?’

For Lennok, who had just grasped how to manipulate the fluctuations in mana’s attributes and wield the domain, this remained an ambiguous narrative.

However, it was an element not to be disregarded.

Beyond the elemental matter of survival, Lennok’s personal magic needed to take precedence in order to fathom the fundamental rationale behind this world’s existence.

Aris, who had been gazing at Lennok immersed in his musings, shifted her gaze away.

“Thanks for accompanying me on this anyway. I never thought I’d ask you like this.”

“It’s okay. People’s affairs don’t always go as planned.”

“As planned… That’s right.”

Aris directed her attention toward the window.

“I can’t do what I want to do. I guess you can’t do everything alone.”

…

The visage mirrored in the dim window seemed to have adopted a tinge of bitterness.

Even a prodigy like her, who had ascended to the echelons of high-ranking wizardry at a tender age, must have her own quandaries.

A tale consonant with that talent and background wouldn’t be out of place at all.

Yet, rather than elucidating her worries, Lennok silently tracked her gaze without uttering a word.

Her summons of Lennok didn’t necessarily entail seeking answers or solace.

At times, silence bore more significance, and Lennok was well aware of this truth.

In the tranquil ambiance, only the faint echo of the train’s rumbling reverberated.

Davi, who had slumbered in his arms, stirred noiselessly.

The brief two-day trip was drawing to a close.

(To be Continued)

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