41 Rain King
Far from the school was a floating majestic castle. In its imposing presence was a small city, with bustling people. It was close to the capital but similar to its own independent city. In it were various noble abodes, and the merchants were on the rich side. Selling only the most expensive luxury items, in fancy stores. The best word to describe this place was between wealth and status.
Inside the floating castle, in the throne room was the Headmaster and Dante. They were kneeling in respect to a man on the throne, he had a mundane aura, and a crown on his head. He looked as though he was nothing short of a commoner, but the black armored guards near him said otherwise.
As well as the black-robed mage, that reeked of blood and as his imposing presence created the suppression of a mountain's majesty. The man was focusing on a something on a piece of paper. His face in contemplation as Dante, and the headmaster quietly attended to him.
"Dante are you responsible for this work?" the man said in an even but hypnotizing voice
Dante slowly raised his head and stone-faced he spoke to the man.
"I am indeed responsible your majesty, I gave my disciple a copy and he left in the library. But this isn't complete yet, I just had Brian learn a bit" He said shamelessly
"Very good, I will fund you in the pursuit of this plan. But my only concern is that the spell circle is similar to Grand Mage Remmie's."
The king said in an examining tone, as he watched Dante for any suspicious behavior.
"I exchanged some information for Grand Mage Remmie's spellcraft. But it was my own private information regarding the Dread ruins." He said with a sigh
"The Dread Ruins..." said the king as he massaged his temples in sadness
"That ruin has taken too much, especially from you Dante. I haven't seen you in quite a while, how have you been?" the king said with concern
"I have gotten better your majesty, after the ruin. I never felt comfortable coming into your presence, and proclaiming my failure. But I am recovering, and learning for the good of the kingdom." Dante said with a bowed head
"Thank you, Remmie, do take care of my daughter. She is very feisty, and I know you couldn't take her as your disciple. But just keep watch over her." the king asked
"Though she is not my disciple, she has my favor. As I have gained yours in my time of need." Dante said assuredly
"Good, you are dismissed, you will receive your research grant soon." the king said kindly
Dante stood up when the king stopped speaking. He quietly left the room leaving the headmaster and the king to speak to each other.
"Has anything suspicious turned up." The king said to the headmaster
"Nothing odd, it's very likely that Dante is responsible. But I still feel concerned about his involvement with Remmie, your majesty." The headmaster replied
"That is no problem mages convene often, and aren't persuaded by nationalities. Only if he accepts heretical power, or joins the nobility of other countries has he betrayed us. But what of the boy, you told me of? What about his involvement in this matter?" The king said dismissively
"It was purely circumstantial, his talent has only been proven better and better with time." The headmaster quickly replied
"Good, keep an eye on him; when he is of sufficient level. I will make sure to make him a permanent part of the kingdom." The king said alleviating the headmaster's concerns.
"How will you do that, your majesty?" The headmaster asked with a titled head.
"By building bonds with the royal family." The king said with a dastardly chuckle.
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When Dante left he returned to his abode and slammed his hand against the wall in anger.
"How can he speak like he wasn't responsible? He sent me there with that exploratory group, why else would I be like this?" He roared
He threw a few things around, the room as they slammed around and shattered. Making the room like a junkyard with random piles of trash everywhere. Brian walked in and watched this happen until Dante calmed himself and just sat down. Then Brian came closer to Dante and comforted him.
"You know we must stay calm, revenge should be your last thought," Brian said as he patted Dante on the shoulder
"I understand, thank you," Dante said as he stood up and cleaned the room with one swish of his hand
"What of Lucas, you gave him the equipment correct?" Dante asked
"Indeed, he asked for it and I bought it for him," Brian said quickly
"It all points to Lucas, so is he responsible? Is this a plan of Joshua's?" Dante asked
"Most likely, we are unwitting accomplices in part of the plan. As long as we don't do anything rash, this will probably slide." Brian replied
"Then Lucas' position in this plan is much more important than we imagined," Dante said in a solemn tone
"What about Grand Mage Remmie, he knows of Joshua right?" Brian said in a questioning tone
"Yes, he does he is a part of the Kirin plan. Lucas used some info from Remmie, so maybe they are related." Dante said
"But how would they be related?" Brian asked
"Rather than them being related, what if the plans coincide?" Dante said in fear
"But one is about creating a super soldier, and the other is about the treasury," Brian said in a disbelieving tone.
"Who told us it was about the treasury? A demon of the underworld....since when have Lodite's demons known to be trustworthy?" Dante said in a persuasive tone.
"True...." Brian reluctantly said
"The signs are all there, this scheme is more than just the treasury. It's just a question of how well we can conceal ourselves when the scheme comes to fruition." Dante said with concern.
"Then we need to finish the technique. You need a strong ice energy, to neutralize the fire, and removed the death Qi. I haven't reached that level yet." Brian quickly responded
"I trust you will finish it, your talent is even higher than my previous one," Dante said
"So what should we do about Lucas?" Brian asked
"Nothing but help him as he asks, we took the danger for him now. But luckily this danger is profitable, just quietly slip him some sword marks." Dante said
"Understood," Brian said affirmatively
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As things unfolded I proceeded with my training regime, I used the sun saffrons and blood aura to boost my power. Slowly I developed my foundation and also researched spellcraft.
It was an arcane art, that was built on a mathematical foundation and magic. Spell circles are the art of manipulating magic power without a magician. Though they could never beat a magician, they could be used for large-scale magic, or to simplify the steps of a spell.
Restriction magic is about using deduction to find heaven's path. Restrictions are heavenly laws and by comprehending the heavens, one comprehends how to restrict it. But restriction magic only applies to beings without consciousness.
I spent my time researching the math of spell circles and restrictions, the design of them, and all the supplementary knowledge I could find on floor 1 and 2. I only found some of the math, and design which left me with conjecture and incomplete models.
'Drrak isn't my processing of this too easy?' I asked I had a suspicion about myself, learning the math was too easy. Although I had always been clever, I wasn't a born genius. Yet I could innate understanding all physical structures so easily.
'That's the processing power of a mage and the frightening body of a knight, combined with the superior analytical abilities of magic eyes. It created a unique combination in you, that gives you an intuitive understanding of physical structures. As you progress that will increase to higher levels.' Drrak said
'My only competitors would be people of a higher level. Prophets, and certain elves of immense magical power.' I said confidently
'Yes beyond that very few beings can even surpass your mind.' Drrak said
'hmm....' I couldn't help but become lost in thought.
Over time I find myself more and more different from before. At this point, I am nothing short of unrecognizable from my previous self. Saying I died in that desert isn't wrong, but the person who came back to life wasn't me. Especially considering the fact that I am the host of the Lord of Shadows...
I put my existential crises in the back of my head as I focused on my status. My points have risen another 6 full points after a full round of training. I had reached level 4 and Drrak analysis of the power of true qi was proceeding well.
By my projections, he should be done when I reach level 5 or so. So I quickly went back to my training, as I embraced the aura of the winged serpent's blood. My spell circle quickly operated absorbing the strong blood energy. Then channeling it throughout my body, granting me stronger vitality.
