Leo had a puzzled expression on his face, as if he were pondering Peter''s words. After a few seconds, he collected his thoughts. "Why is the captain personally involved in patrols?"
Peter’s face showed uncertainty as well. “I don’t have much information either, but it seems there’s been a high-ranking infiltration in the city. As a result, all captains are required to personally patrol their assigned areas. And on Wednesday, it’s your turn to accompany the captain,” Peter explained, shedding some light on the situation.
“It’s Sunday today, right?” Leo asked.
“Yes,”
Leo’s brow furrowed, his expression tightening as he sank into deep thought.
‘Three days from now. I need to learn as much as I can; I don’t want to be a burden to Captain Edmund.’
He then looked back at Peter. “What about my own patrol on that day?”
Peter shrugged slightly, his expression thoughtful. "The police will handle it, and with the city''s top five paladins on duty, I doubt anyone would dare commit a crime," Peter reassured Leo, expressing confidence in their capabilities.
Leo nodded. "Understood, then I''ll head to the library," Leo affirmed, stowing his belongings in the closet before making his way to the library. As he entered, he found Samuel already there, glaring at him with disapproval.
“You are late.”
“I’m sorry, I was talking with Mr. Peter,” Leo replied as he quickly took his seat in the middle of the crystals.
Samuel’s eyes remained stern. “You need to increase your control over your mana as fast as you can. Now, start.”
Leo closed his eyes and concentrated. Until now, he could only stay linked to his mana for twenty centimeters, but in order to finish this exercise, he needed to expand the distance to one meter. After an hour of training, Leo discovers that when the link to his mana reaches twenty centimeters, he simply does not have enough mana in the thread to maintain the connection. So this time, he decided to alter his imagination. Instead of a thread, he pictured a hand made of mana, which he used to catch the departing mana. To his amazement, his guess was correct. He was able to light the crystal from both 30 cm and 40 cm away. When Samuel noticed this, he leaped up.
"Well done! keep it up."
Leo pushed himself to extend his reach further, but as the hand of mana expanded beyond 40 centimeters, its size became unwieldy, and his control faltered. The glow of the active crystal flickered weakly before fading completely. He opened his eyes, his breathing uneven and cold sweat trickled down his forehead.
"How did you manage to reach 40 centimeters so quickly?" Samuel inquired, his tone skeptical.
"I simply altered my visualization from a thread to a hand," Leo explained.
"Do you believe you can extend the distance further today?"
"It''s possible, but I''m interested in experimenting with something different," Leo replied, his curiosity piqued.
Leo murmured this and closed his eyes. Samuel was staring at him with curiosity. After around thirty seconds, the crystal at a distance of ten cm turned on. Samuel was staring at the crystal when another one 15 cm away on Leo''s back lit up. Samuel examined the first crystal. It was still on. He discovers what Leo was doing. Instead of turning one crystal at a time, Leo attempted to turn all of them simultaneously. After activating the third crystal on his left, Leo began to struggle with himself. It looked like imagining three hands of mana and controlling them was his limit right now. This exercise continued throughout the day, and by the end of class, he had increased the number of active crystals to four.
Samuel glanced at his watch and, with a subtle nod, rose to his feet, signaling the end of their session.
"You’ve done good work today. You seem well-prepared for your class," he stated, his voice carrying a tone of quiet confidence.
Leo’s expression softened into one of appreciation, his eyes gleaming slightly. "I''m thankful for the opportunity, Mr. Samuel."
"Your growth is fast, and I must admit, my curiosity pushes me to encourage this progress," Samuel admitted, though his tone remained steady and emotionless.
"Go enjoy your lunch; your next class starts in an hour," Samuel reminded him, gesturing towards the door.
With a nod and a light grin, Leo exited the room and headed to the kitchen. Upon entering, he was greeted by the savory aroma of food cooking. Frank stood by the stove, expertly flipping eggs in a pan. As Leo approached, Frank glanced over his shoulder, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Hey, Leo, fancy some eggs?".
"I appreciate it, but I can make them myself," Leo replied, a hint of independence lacing his voice.
Frank chuckled softly, flipping the eggs with ease. "Don''t be a stranger; take a seat and let me know your pick."
Leo hesitated for a moment, then obliged, settling into a chair. "Two would be great, thanks," he said, his voice carrying a faint trace of shyness.
"Two eggs, coming right up," Frank responded with a warm smile, clearly pleased as he prepared the plate.
Beside Samuel, Peter, and Captain Edmund, with whom he was more connected, Leo was more relaxed near Frank and Liamond. Within minutes, Frank arrived bearing two plates. He set down one with a pair of eggs before Leo and kept the other one with five eggs, for himself.
“Thank you, Mr. Frank,” Leo expressed his gratitude.
“Your welcome, and I must say, as a Paladin who trains rigorously every day, you should consume more to sustain your energy,” Frank advised.
Leo glanced at the quintet of eggs on Frank’s plate.
“I do eat more, just not in one serving, This way I have energy all day” Leo replied while putting a peace of egg inside his mouth.Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
“Well, I can’t say I understand the method, but if it suits you, then it’s all good,” Frank conceded with a shrug.
Within minutes, Leo had finished his meal. Rising from his seat, he washed his plate, aware there was ample time before his class commenced. He then settled onto the sofa, the soft cushions embracing him. From his pocket, he retrieved the blue gem Peter had entrusted to him, placing it gently on the table. With a deep breath, Leo closed his eyes, allowing his focus to narrow to the stone before him. As the seconds ticked by, the gem activated, emitting a warmth that cascaded over Leo, leaving him awash with disbelief.
‘Is it possible to feel its power simply by linking my mana?’ Leo pondered, intrigued by the gem’s unexpected response.
Across the kitchen, Frank finished rinsing his plate and placed it neatly on the dish rack before joining Leo.
“You seem mesmerized. What’s caught your attention?” Frank asked, noticing the wonder on Leo’s face.
Leo blinked, his expression returning to its usual calm as Frank’s words pulled him from his thoughts.
“It’s this gem," Leo began, a hint of awe in his voice. "I can feel its presence without even touching it.”
Frank gave a knowing nod. “Naturally. The mana bound to you is an extension of who you are,” he replied casually, as if the phenomenon were entirely ordinary.
Intrigued by the revelation, Leo shifted the crystal further away, focusing intently. The distance posed a challenge, demanding greater concentration to awaken the gem’s power.
Time lapsed, and eventually, Leo’s eyes fluttered open, meeting Frank’s steady gaze.
“Mr. Frank, what would happen if we both touched this crystal with our mana? Who would it respond to and who would reap its benefits?” Leo inquired, his voice laced with curiosity.
Frank’s lips curled into a knowing smile.
“That is a good question. Rather than tell, let me show you,” Frank suggested, his eyes twinkling with mischief. He placed a second crystal on the table, its facets catching the light.
“Give it a try. Attempt to awaken this crystal, and I shall do the same.”
Leo gave a determined nod, closing his eyes and envisioning his mana wrapping around the crystal.
Moments passed, and the crystal responded, glowing softly, but Leo didn’t feel the surge of energy he had anticipated. Instead, there was only a strange sense of something else present. His eyes snapped open, searching for an explanation in Frank’s calm, knowing expression.
“I can’t feel the crystal,” He admitted, his brow furrowing in confusion.
Frank’s smile never wavered, a flicker of amusement in his eyes.
“Any guesses as to why?” Frank gently asked.
“Is it because the stronger mana wins?” Leo guessed, his mind racing for clarity.
“You’re close,” Frank said with an approving nod, then clarified. “Think of our manas like territories. The one with greater strength and control takes over. Right now, I sensed your mana, but before it could fully claim the crystal, I surrounded it with mine. Now, let’s repeat the process—this time with your own crystal.”
Puzzled by the rationale but willing to learn, Leo acquiesced with a nod and refocused his energies. This time, patience rewarded him; the crystal stirred to life, and a comforting warmth radiated through him.
“Why am I able to sense this crystal?” Leo queried, his eyes opening with curiosity.
“It’s simple. This crystal resonates with your mana, responding solely to you. That’s the essence of enchantment,” Frank explained, his voice tinged with excitement.
Content with the newfound knowledge, Leo glanced at his watch, noting the time. His class was drawing near. He rose, offering Frank a respectful nod.
“My thanks, Frank. Your help has been really valuable,” Leo expressed with sincere appreciation.
“Always happy to assist. If there is anything I can do to help you, let me know.” Frank replied, his smile as warm as before.
With a grateful nod, Leo departed from the kitchen, making his way to the grandeur of the main hall.
Leo lingered in the hall, the minutes stretching on until the main doors swung open to reveal Lavi Han. Approaching with deference, Leo greeted him warmly.
“Mr. Han, it’s great to see you again,” Leo said, his voice filled with respect.
“Mantine, your progress is impressive. I never expected to be mentoring you—quite the surprise,” Lavi remarked.
Previously, Lavi had been a man of few words, his demeanor stern. Leo had braced himself for a teacher of rigid ways, but the ease of their reunion eased his worries.
“I didn’t expect you to be in the field of illusion,” Leo added.
Lavi stroked his chin thoughtfully. “Is that so? What field did you think I was in?” he asked, raising an eyebrow with interest.
“Considering your role as an investigator, I figured you might be one of the paladins the church allows into the shadow field,” Leo replied, considering his words carefully.
Lavi nodded, a look of approval crossing his face. “You’re quite perceptive. Let’s head to the library; I can explain things better there,” he suggested.
With a hand on Leo’s shoulder, Lavi guided him toward the library.
“Shadow magic does have its merits for investigation, true. However, illusions offer a superior edge, serving as tools for both interrogation and deception,” he explained. From his tone, Leo could sense the weight of Lavi''s experience behind the words.
As Lavi’s words filled the air, they crossed the threshold into the library. Samuel was ensconced behind his desk.
“Samuel, nice to see you again,” Lavi greeted.
Samuel glanced up, his gaze tinged with an unmistakable coldness.
“Lavi Han, gracing our humble library with your presence again?” he queried, a note of irony in his voice.
Lavi’s response came with an easy smile.
“Indeed, though the church’s main quarter houses a grander archive,” he quipped.
Samuel offered a noncommittal “Naturally,” before diving back into his work.
Leo, brimming with silent inquiries, exchanged a look with Lavi, who perceived the unspoken questions.
“I’ll tell you later” Lavi assured him as they settled at a nearby table.
“In the span of two weeks, you must master at least one illusion spell and grasp the foundational principles. I recommend two particular books to aid your study,” Lavi instructed, setting the stage for Leo’s education.
Lavi unfurled his hand, revealing a flame that danced in his palm without burning his skin.
“Illusion, in essence, is the art of manipulating perception. It’s not limited to mere visual trickery; it extends to altering the senses of taste, scent, hearing, and touch,” he explained.
With a swift motion, Lavi clasped Leo’s hand.
“Open your palm” he instructed.
Leo complied, and as he did, a small iron orb materialized within his grasp.
“Go on, feel it,” urged Lavi.
Leo’s fingertip met the orb, which felt indistinguishable from genuine iron.
“It seems real to the touch, yet it’s nothing but an illusion. I possess the skill to convince your mind that this orb is scalding, capable of searing flesh,” Lavi declared.
As if to punctuate his point, the orb dissipated into thin air.
“Illusions manifest in two distinct forms. The first directly invades the mind, commandeering the senses. This method is effective against those of lesser strength, but beyond rank B, its efficacy wanes, you can only use it for trickery. The second form materializes illusions tangibly within the world, visible to all. This type retains its utility indefinitely but demands a mana expenditure tenfold greater than its counterpart.”
As Lavi spoke, a glass of water materialized, from which he sipped sparingly before it too disappeared. Leo, driven by curiosity, couldn’t help but inquire.
“What was that?”
Lavi smiled.
“Samuel doesn’t like people bringing food or water here, so I hide it with an illusion spell.”
Leo’s eyes sparkled with intrigue.
“So, this is an example of the second type of illusion you mentioned?” he asked eagerly.
“Exactly,” Lavi confirmed, nodding with confidence. “While I haven’t quite reached rank B, manipulating a small object like this is within my capabilities.”
“We’ll begin our journey into illusions with those that deceive the eye. To explore this realm, magic circles are essential,” Lavi explained, his voice steady and commanding.
Leo’s mind raced, recalling the intricate designs and vibrant energies of the circles he had encountered before.
“Magic circles? Are they like the ones used in Enchantment?” he asked, curiosity lighting up his features.
“Indeed, they share similarities. However, each field has its own unique magic circles, tailored to its specific purpose,” Lavi replied, his gaze piercing as if assessing Leo’s understanding. “Our first lesson will be to unravel the mysteries of these arcane symbols.”
Lavi then offered a strange smile, one that hinted at the challenges ahead. “Get yourself ready; this one is not as easy as the things you''ve learned until now.”