2 Kindling (Preparations)
On the continent of Axelot, magic is usually casted through mana circles.
The more mana circles you apply for a spell, the greater its output.
A magician's success can be garnered through the number of circles that he is able to create at once.
Creating multiple circles for a single spell is considered a great feat, as it requires a tremendous amount of concentration to split and draw the circles separately.
Regulus' mother, Valentina, is a mage. To be more specific, she is a 7-circles mage. One of the strongest mages in the Vessila Empire.
Valentina was considered to be a genius to many. Having an affinity to all 5 elemental attributes, and achieving 5 circles at the mere age of 21. She also advanced to her 7th circle not long after, achieving it just after turning 29.
Regulus' father, Trigno, was a knight. A knight with fire and earth attributes, to which he combined in order to form his signature magma magic.
Trigno had great potential as a mage, but as a knight, he can take his already-impressive talent and potential to even greater heights.
Being the only 9th circle mage in the Custos family, as well as the strongest knight in the Empire, he was regarded by many as the greatest of the Custos, just after their ancestor.
Valentina and Trigno's offspring should've had great potential. He should've been the greatest of his generation.
But, fate played a cruel joke on his family.
It was as if fate decided his parents already had too much luck in their lives, and to balance it out, fate cut off Regulus' latent abilities.
But that didn't matter.
Fate is made by your own hands. Fate can be changed.
Regulus used the herb that was gathered by his ancestor.
He made full use of his natural advantage; his family.
That is why he will become the strongest.
...
"Haaaaa..."
It has already been 2 months since the day of his awakening.
Right now, Regulus was standing shirtless in a private training room, panting in exhaustion.
'I did it...'
Today was the day that Regulus conjured 3 mana circles, signifying his growth and advancement into a 3 circles mage.
Regulus smiled in happiness, as he tested his newfound power once more.
Regulus channeled his magic, and in his mind, he drew 3 mana circles; all of which were detailed to the finest degree.
After completing his mental image, he brought it into reality through his magic, the circles burning with a crimson hue as it released a fireball that devastated the area in front of him.
He then frowned, 'I'll need to switch to another room...'
The combination of his 3 circles was too great for the room to handle, and the results clearly showed itself.
Regulus called for a servant to notify his parents about the change, and asked for another to bring him a towel as well as fresh clothes.
As he waited for his change, he contemplated the events of the last two months.
His awakening bore unfortunate results, but that was quickly fixed as he consumed the Herb of No Limits (the name that he created for it), and he advanced through the first and second circles in a rush, only taking 3 weeks for the first circle, and using a month for the second.
He was confident that he'd be one of the strongest first years in Berzet Academy. After all, first years were only expected to have just awakened their magic.
Of course, noble children would have it better with the resources that they have access to. Most of them should either be a 2 circles mage, or near their advancement into one.
His thoughts were interrupted as a servant brought him fresh clothes and a towel, leaving him to wipe his sweat and change in private.
After finishing, he headed out of the private room, heading for the Vault once again.
This time, he came here with a different purpose. Gathering magical herbs and stones that would give him a boost in strength.
Although in hindsight, it would be a good idea for him to do this everyday, but he decided to refrain from doing so, as it would stunt his growth if he did it too frequently.
He created a schedule of doing it twice a month, every two weeks.
Perhaps, he would get a weapon this time as well. It was about time he gets one for the Academy.
He walked through the halls of the castle, heading for the Vault.
When he arrived at the gates, he pressed his ring against the lion, granting him access to the inside.
...
He walked through the doors of the Vault, the environment around him immediately changing.
He headed for the [Enhancements] section, as he has always done for the past two months.
When he entered, he headed for the herb section once again, this time, beginning his search for a beneficial herb.
He scoured through the greenhouse, looking at the nametags that indicated the effects as well.
Nothing caught his attention, and he left the area fairly quickly.
Next, heading for the [Minerals] area, he did a similar thing in the greenhouse; Scouring through the stones until something catches his eyes.
Predictably, something did.
[Ignis' Core]
[The core of a fire dragon. Used to enhance/grant fire affinity.]
[Caution! Do not consume directly!]
[Instructions}
[Forging: Shatter the crystal, and incorporate it into the smelting and/or shaping process.]
[Consumption]
[Ingredients: A durable, heat-resistant container. 3L of magic-infused water. A fire suppressant (Aquatic vines, A fire mage, etc...).]
[Prepare a container unsusceptible to heat filled with 3L of magic-infused water. Next, grind the crystal into powder (you may use a part of the fire suppressant here), before mixing it with the water. Afterwards, wait until the mixture starts bubbling, and apply the other part of the fire suppressant. Stir the mixture into it turns a bright red color, then it's safe for consumption.]
The preparation was fairly simple, in Regulus' opinion. It shouldn't take too long, perhaps an hour or two, for the consumption process.
As for the forging process, the one that Regulus was more interested in, it was even simpler.
Regulus doubted that he needed to enhance his fire affinity any further, so he decided to go with the forging process.
'Time to find a durable ore...'
Regulus stayed in the [Minerals] area, this time with a different purpose.
He was to find a durable ore, one that could handle the powers of a fire dragon. One that could handle his power.
It shouldn't be too hard, should it?
...
Turns out, it wasn't.
There were many ores that the Regulus family had gathered, and no one bothered to use any of them. It was almost as if Regulus was the first one to use the ore in a forging process.
Regulus searched for an ore that was; 1. Durable 2. Durable. 3. Channeled mana easily.
The first two conditions weren't very hard to find, as a majority of the ores in the [Minerals] section was already durable.
The hard part about this was; to be durable, most of them had strong magic resistance. Magic resistant that clashed against mana channeling.
Regulus was now more invested in finding one that had all three (two) of the traits that he looked for.
He refused to settle for any less.
...
A few hours later, he finally found the ore. The ore that he desperately searched for throughout the last hours.
It was a nameless rock, colored black with beautiful white veins that created an appealing contrast in color.
Regulus effortlessly lifted the rock, credits due to his excessive physical training over the last two months.
He hadn't decided his career yet, but he would soon have to.
A mage, or a knight?
Regulus put the question at the back of his mind as he searched for the Custos' blacksmith.
"You.", Regulus addressed a servant. "Where is Vulcan?"
The servant had a look of surprised as Regulus mentioned the name of their blacksmith, before nodding in understanding as he gazed at the rock (and crystal) that Regulus was carrying.
"He is in his room, Your Highness."
Regulus nodded and thanked the servant as he moved on, heading for a new destination this time.
After a few minutes of walking, he stood in front of a room, the door decorated with the emblem of a hammer and the Custos insignia above it.
Regulus knocked on the door and said, "It's me, Regulus."
He heard the scattering of objects before someone replied, "What brings you here, Your Highness?"
"I have something that I'd like you to make for me."
More clattering of objects.
The door then opened, as a dwarf half of Regulus' size stepped out.
"Let us head to the forge before continuing the discussion, my lord."
"Alright."
...
Once they arrived at the forge, Regulus and Vulcan sat down on a table as Vulcan brought out empty blueprint papers.
"What is it that you'd like me to make for you?"
Regulus then presented the rock and crystal that he was carrying.
"Make a sword with these.", Regulus said before he presented the forging instructions for [Ignis' Core.]
"You'd like to make a sword with a fire attribute?"
"Indeed."
Vulcan nodded, "That is doable. Do you have any specific preferences?"
Regulus pondered for a moment before replying, "I'd prefer a greatsword."
Vulcan noted his words down, before asking, "Do you have any ideas in mind for decorations?"
Regulus rose an eyebrow, not expecting that question.
Vulcan elaborated, "Due to the fact that it is your first weapon, it will become your symbol of power. It would need to be recognizable."
"Ah. Then, I'd prefer for the hilt to be red and gold colored. You can decide the rest of the decorations, I'm fine with that. Oh, and add the Custos insignia as well."
"I see. Then I will get to it.", Vulcan jotted down Regulus' preferences before starting his drawing on a blueprint.
"When will it be done?"
"I do not know, but I will be done within a month, before the start of Berzet Academy's entrance exam."
"Okay, thank you."
Regulus left the forge with a smile, having commissioned one of the best blacksmiths in the Empire, no, continent to do his bidding.
'Now...', Regulus checked the time, 'Time for the lessons.'
It was time for his lessons with his tutor.
