Enhancement

Inside the luxurious carriage, there was a scent of sweet rooibos tea, as if the sunset was melting into it. Hegel, who was savoring the aroma by holding the cup of rooibos tea, noticed a communication device blinking.

"Luna Pendragon."

Having identified the caller, Hegel slowly put down the cup and answered the call.

"Long time no see, Luna."

―Hey! Long time no see!

An energetic voice that seemed to be missing a screw came through the communicator.

For a moment, Hegel distanced the communicator from his ear and mouth as he replied.

"Did you contact me because you found out what I asked about?"

―Yep! I'm here where you said, and there are traces.

"So, the one who killed Kyle is?"

―Adrias Cromwell!

Adrias Cromwell?

Unexpectedly, at the appearance of an entirely unfamiliar name, Hegel paused in his speech.

But Luna continued speaking, unaware of Hegel's complex emotions.

―Surprised, huh? I was surprised too! Haha!

Luna's words continued, bursting into laughter with such delight.

―Hegel hasn't seen Adrias, right? I've seen him! Envious? Envious?

"Adrias Cromwell... Can you tell me about him? Who was he?"

As Hegel asked, a thoughtful pause was heard in a muffled voice, followed by Luna's voice again.

―An interesting friend?

"Ohh, thanks."

Heigel hadn't initially expected any significant answer. Just knowing who killed Kyler was enough for him.

―But how did Adrias kill Kyle? Now that I think about it, Kyle is quite strong too, right?

Luna Pendragon's ability was to see souls.

It was a mysterious power that had brought about Luna Pendragon's current existence as an innate trait.

Because Luna could see Kyle's soul through that ability, Hegel had made the request.

"Kyle isn't weak. It's not easy to say he lost to just an Academy student."

Hegel knew that Adrias dealt with the undead, but he didn't hold his abilities in high regard.

As of now, they hadn't heard news of Adrias conquering Modras Tower's 30th floor, so they couldn't gauge his level.

"Thanks for fulfilling the request. You promised to send it soon."

-Yeah. But what are you going to do about Adrias?

"It's not a huge regret, but a warning should be given."

―Can I play with him?

"You?"

Surprisingly, Hegel thought it wasn't a bad idea.

Luna's combat ability varied, but at her strongest, she had even obliterated a group that included an Aura Master.

―Not allowed?

"It's okay. Instead, can you tell me how it goes?"

―Got it!

With that, the connection ended.

Hegel had discovered an unexpected obstacle, but he wasn't particularly concerned.

Compared to worrying about such trivial matters, more significant issues were at hand. As long as Luna intervened directly, there shouldn't be major problems.

'Or is it the opposite? Is the problem getting bigger?'

Luna Pendragon.

She was a woman with a similar level of infamy as Salem Edidia, known as a demon, and a bounty that even Hegel couldn't predict.

As he attempted to tidy up one thing, he thought that an even bigger event might unfold, but he quickly dismissed the idea from his mind.

'I don't know.'

Whether Luna would create a big mess and put herself in danger or emerge from that danger, it was all up to her.

Under the pretext of a gathering, she could temporarily join forces or offer small assistance, but that was the extent of it.

'Adrias Cromwell...'

He gel sipped the cold tea in his cup and slowly wiped his mouth.

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[You have created 'Source of Magic'.]

Time flew by, and the vacation was approaching.

During this time, I diligently increased my abilities and observed the playable characters.

'They are working hard even without me checking on them.'

Of course, according to my standards, they hadn't made significant progress, but they were making efforts in their own ways.

After creating Lucia's potion, I started researching elixirs for myself, and the results happened to come out now.

[Source of Magic]

[Upon consumption, randomly acquire talents related to magic.]

It could be considered an Easter egg combination.

Once consumed, the effects wouldn't be duplicated. This combination was also learned through playing as Lucia.

'Lucia's treatment should be finished by now.'

But before that, I should drink this.

I was about to drink the freshly made 'Source of Magic' when I paused.

Come to think of it, this is classified as an item too?

'Can it be enhanced?'

I immediately checked, and there was a note saying that enhancement was possible.

'This could change things.'

This elixir could only be consumed once.

Even if I made and drank it again, it wouldn't grant any more talents.

'Since I'm going to consume it, I should do it properly.'

I had saved up money since last year.

I had saved it without any particular purpose.

If money was an issue, I could easily acquire gold through the Everlast Merchant Guild.

'This is a chance to see how effective enhancement is.'

The cost for Galakshurur's 1st enhancement was a staggering 24 million will.

However, the 'Source of Magic' only required 15g of gold, which was 1.5 million will.

Of course, 1.5 million will wasn't a small amount, but compared to Galakshurur's expensive enhancement cost, it felt relatively inexpensive.

Since all the lectures were already over, I immediately placed the Source of Magic inside my pocket and left.

The destination was the capital, Rodren.

It was Everlast Summit in Rodren.

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"I have three 1kg gold ingots for you."

I received the gold bars brought by the manager of Everlast Summit.

Although it cost a whopping 300 million will, the amount was so unreal that it didn't feel significant, rather it felt inconspicuous.

"And this one, our Summit Master personally prepared..."

Another gold ingot was added.

At the unexpected gift, I extended my hand.

"This is too much."

"Our Summit Master insisted on giving it to our benefactor, and I hope you understand that I'm in a position to give it since I received a message that it must be given to you."

Giving away 100 million will felt burdensome.

But was I in a position to refuse such a thing now?

After a brief contemplation, I accepted it.

"Thank you. Please convey my gratitude for the gift."

"Understood. If you have any future transactions, I'll do my best to assist. Please take care."

After bidding farewell to the manager and stepping outside, I walked towards the train station, feeling the weight of the substantial bag.

Four 1kg gold ingots.

A total of 400 million will. It was an enormous amount, enough to buy a small house on the outskirts of Rodren. Of course, considering I earned around 50 million will from the patent alone, it wasn't a significant burden, but still, knowing that I would soon use this for enhancement, my heart ached.

'My hard-earned money.'

Excluding the money I sent to Amy so far, it wasn't an exaggeration to say that I had invested my entire fortune.

I immediately returned to the academy and entered my private research lab.

"Sigh, shall we begin?"

When I bought the gold bars, I didn't feel any excitement, but now that I was about to use them for enhancement, my heart raced. Placing the gold bars next to the Source of Magic, I used the enhancement attribute.

[Would you like to enhance 'Source of Magic'?]

"Uh."

[15g of gold will be consumed.]

[Enhancement successful!]

"Phew."

Next to the Source of Magic, a '+1' was added.

Since I had purchased the gold bars with the intention to use them all, I continued attempting enhancements without stopping.

[16g of gold will be consumed.]

[Enhancement successful!]

[17g of gold will be consumed.]

[Enhancement successful!]

...

[22g of gold will be consumed.]

[Enhancement failed!]

"My money!"

For the first time, a failure occurred.

A loss of a whopping 2.2 million will.

But come to think of it, my luck had been good so far.

In Nickel's case, during his 2nd enhancement attempt, he failed and immediately stopped.

Yeah, let's think positively.

I wouldn't stop before using up all the gold bars anyway.

[22g of gold will be consumed.]

[Enhancement failed!]

[22g of gold will be consumed.]

[Enhancement successful!]

...

With an attempt to not consciously think about success or failure as much as possible, I finally succeeded in enhancing the Source of Magic to +10.

[Source of Magic +10]

[Upon consumption, randomly acquire talents related to magic.]

[+10 bonus - Quality of acquired talents is improved.]

"Oh?"

Upon achieving +10, I noticed a message I hadn't seen before when examining the Source of Magic. And as I looked at that message, I began to sense the looming danger of enhancement.

"Isn't there a bit of a gambling aspect to this? Could I become addicted?"

At this rate, I could lose my entire fortune and end up penniless.

Although I hadn't even used half of the 1kg gold bars, as I calculated that each enhancement attempt cost over 2 million will, it made me dizzy. But on the other hand, as the enhanced number increased, I felt a strange catharsis.

"I can earn the money back. Let's think of it as buying time with gold."

Effortlessly hypnotizing myself, I continued with the enhancements.

Given that the Source of Magic fell into the low-cost category for enhancements, I had to keep going until I knew where the end of enhancement was.

Seeing the increasing cost of enhancements with each success or failure, I mechanically used the enhancements.

[34g of gold will be consumed.]

[Enhancement failed!]

Before I knew it, I was standing on the threshold of +20.

And before I knew it, I had used up two 1kg gold bars and was almost done with the third.

"Please, please work just this once."

Unknowingly, I found myself on my knees, holding my hands together and fervently praying to the Source of Magic. Without realizing it, I had become addicted to enhancements.

[Would you like to enhance 'Source of Magic'?]

"Please work!"

[34g of gold will be consumed.]

[Enhancement successful!]

+20.

After numerous attempts, I managed to overcome the wall and reach +20.

"Hahaha! I did it! I did it! This is the triumph of humanity, damn it!"

I hit the ceiling of my lab once, then came down and couldn't contain my excitement, letting out a shout. But as my emotions gradually settled down, I couldn't help but seriously contemplate.

'Enhancement. It's a frightening ability. I can't believe it's making me this excited.'

I swallowed my dry saliva.

Is this fear of enhancement, or perhaps the anticipation for what the +20 enhancement of the Source of Magic might bring?

I slowly opened the status window of the Source of Magic.

[Source of Magic +20]

[Upon consumption, randomly acquire talents related to magic.]

[+10 bonus - Quality of acquired talents is improved.]

[+20 bonus - An extraordinary magical presence is detected.]

[Enhancement not possible]

'Is this the end?'

Amidst that rant, did you say this is the end?

Is this the explanation that this is the end?

I almost slammed my hand down in that instant.

'No, let's stay calm. You're too excited right now. Breathe.'

I made an effort to take deep breaths and calm my emotions.

It was actually good to discover another weakness of mine this time.

That seeing my money, like my blood, vanish, was a vulnerability.

'The +20 effect won't be ordinary. Alright, then.'

I had spent nearly 300 million will, so it couldn't be ordinary.

I confirmed that +20 enhancement was the limit.

But as I had spent nearly 300 million will to max out the Source of Magic, it might be difficult to earn that much money with just my current funds.

'No. There are other ways to earn money. Let's not give up so easily.'

For now, I had achieved the initial goal. It was finally time to consume the Source of Magic.

Due to the enhancement feature, I had created something much greater than my original plan, so I was curious about its abilities.

'300 million will. I'll enjoy this.'

I mourned my money that I still couldn't let go of and swallowed the Source of Magic.