Chapter 42: Catalysts

"It should be possible, right? Editing things on a microscopic level, I mean." Magnus asked while floating in space, a few feet above the ground. It had been two days since he agreed to join Luden's faction as Cain. At the moment, he was in his dreamland, on the moon's surface, as usual.

Magnus had once asked Basker why they always returned to this place when he entered his dreamland. Apparently, it was simply because his mind found it comfortable. He could change it with a thought if he really wanted to, but he decided he liked it this way.

Lying just below him, of course, was Basker, who responded to his question.

"It should be possible. As long as you can visualize something accurately, it shouldn't matter how big or small it is; it should still be source code and, therefore, editable. However, whether or not it's possible to edit it doesn't seem to be the issue."

Magnus sighed knowingly as Basker made his point.

"Yeah, I know. I'm still trying to figure that part out." Magnus had spent a lot of time back at the Major General's Villa studying the complexities of the human body, and he continued his research here with Celia's help. However, no matter how much he learned, it wouldn't make a difference if he couldn't view the inner workings of his body himself.

This was the issue he was discussing with Basker.

Celia was great and all, but she didn't know about the Command Console, and Magnus had no intention of telling her about it anytime soon. As a result, many of his nights in the dreamland were spent in discussions with Basker.

"Well, worst-case scenario, we'll have to spend some time trying to figure out how to make our own microscope from scratch. That aside, how much information have I managed to compile about alternate worlds?" Magnus asked. Basker lifted his head, seemingly scanning through Magnus's memories, before replying.

[Most of what you've learned about alternate worlds seems theoretical. However, the concept of alternate spaces—dimensions woven into the world through magical phenomena—is quite prevalent. Actually, the library you visited and the rooms you used with Professor Lazitha during her lectures might be perfect examples of such places.]

Magnus floated gently back to the ground, letting out a groan as he aimlessly wandered.

"Well, that's definitely interesting, but not what I'm looking for." He rubbed his chin, pondering another approach.

"I know there's spatial magic here, so there must be something like temporal magic too. Maybe that's worth looking into? But even if it is, I can't even alter my own cells, let alone mess with something as complex as space and time."

Just the thought made him sigh deeply, closing his eyes. Back in the real world, his actual body began to stir, slowly opening its eyes to gaze at the ceiling.

Maybe I should ask Professor Eredim for help? He's got loads of experience; maybe he'll have some ideas I haven't thought of.

Shaking off his thoughts, Magnus got dressed and headed out, swinging by the cafeteria to grab breakfast before making his way to class. He arrived a bit later than usual, finding that almost everyone, including Luden, had already settled in. Over the past two days, Luden had stuck to his word and treated him no differently, maintaining their usual relationship. To anyone else, they simply seemed like friends.

Magnus took his seat just as the class began. Professor Eredim started off by revisiting the concepts of mana and its properties, most of which they had already covered, so Magnus only half-listened, just enough to embed the information in his memory.

Meanwhile, he continued to mull over various ideas, seeking a solution to the dilemma he'd discussed with Basker. That was until something Eredim said suddenly grabbed his attention.

"Many mysterious phenomena in our world are actually the effects of mana interacting with the environment. When mana accumulates naturally, it can lead to some pretty obvious changes. Take mana beasts, for instance," Eredim said, pointing with his pointer to a diagram he sketched on the board.

It depicted a generic creature, showing how animals could morph after a mutation caused by intense mana exposure. The diagram highlighted that changes in size and appearance were common, and Eredim specifically pointed to a part of the sketch showing how animals of the same species could transform into entirely different mana beasts.

"Mana beasts are creatures that have gained magical properties, somewhat like how mages obtain their mana cores, but on a more basic level. But there are also subtler effects of mana, like imbuing a material object with the capacity to hold mana, again, similar to a mage's mana core, though with more limitations."

This explanation caught Magnus's attention, pulling him back into focus as Eredim pointed to another diagram. This one illustrated a cluster of crystals glowing softly.

"Mana can alter many types of rocks and crystals. For example, quartz is common, and while it doesn't hold much mana, it typically gains the ability to emit light, making it what we call luminous crystals," Eredim continued, gesturing towards the classroom ceiling. Embedded at various points were glowing orbs of light. On closer inspection, they were actually round crystals.

"I'm sure many of you have seen these crystals around the academy and even in the city, serving as a more reliable light source than flames. Whether it's luminous crystals or a type of metal buried deep in the earth, as long as it can store mana, we have a general name for it. Does anyone know what that name is?" Eredim asked, scanning the class as several students, including Luden, eagerly raised their hands.

Asking the class, multiple students raised their hands, including Luden, whom Eredim ended up picking out.

"When objects gain the ability to hold mana, they're called mana catalysts," Luden explained, earning a nod of approval from Eredim.

"Right. Now, what do you call a mana catalyst that's been engraved with runes to mimic a spell's effects?" Eredim asked. Luden replied without hesitation.

"Usually, they're called spell catalysts, but that's a bit of an oversimplification," Luden explained, pausing to take a deep breath before continuing.

"There are items crafted from mana catalysts and etched with runes; however, these are known as magical artifices, not spell catalysts. The key difference is that magical artifices can be used repeatedly and have various passive and active abilities, whereas spell catalysts are more temporary and typically perform just one active spell."

Eredim listened silently until Luden finished his detailed explanation, then clapped his hands, pleased.

"Excellent, Luden, exactly right." Upon hearing Eredim's praise, a few students who weren't fond of Luden rolled their eyes.

"Tch, no surprise there—he's from the Rilhawk Family. They practically have a monoply on all the catalysts in the region," one student muttered, annoyed.

"Yeah, it's not that impressive," another whispered.

So that's what Luden meant when he said he had his family's runic smith make him the mask. I was wondering why he had something like that on hand and gave it away so casually. It also explains the weird ring he has on his finger. More importantly, it looks like that piece of paper Zeth used to teleport away from me was also a spell catalyst. I wonder…

Ignoring the murmurs, Eredim maintained his composure and addressed the class again.

"Any questions about what we've discussed?" he asked, prompting Magnus to raise his hand eagerly.

"Professor, are there limits to the types of spells that can be inscribed on a spell catalyst?" Magnus asked. Eredim shook his head.

"Theoretically, no. As long as the mana catalyst has sufficient mana and the rune smith is skilled enough, any spell can be embedded into a spell catalyst. However, while there's no restriction on the spell type, the spell's execution might be limited by the catalyst's design. For instance, many rune smiths embed safety features into spell catalysts since there's typically no direct way to control the activated spell, which can lead to mishaps. Yet, there are specially crafted spell catalysts that provide some level of control, often used by knights and even some mages."

As Eredim expanded on his answer, Magnus's mind started to buzz with ideas.

Zeth might not have been a mage, but he managed to use something I'm pretty sure was a spell catalyst. That means I should be able to use one too. It's kind of odd he had one, though, considering how tight the Batis Kingdom keeps control over magic. Spell catalysts could put magic in the hands of ordinary people, which I bet the Royal Court wouldn't be too thrilled about. But hey, that's good news for me. I might just be able to use magic to fix my problem.

"Any other questions, Magnus?" Eredim's voice pulled Magnus back to reality.

Magnus shook his head.

"No, thank you for the explanation, Professor."

Eredim nodded, then turned to the rest of the class to see if there were any more questions. No one raised a hand; most students were already familiar with the basics.

"Alright then, let's move on." With a new goal in mind, Magnus remained quiet for the rest of his classes with Eredim and Lazitha.

As soon as his day ended, Magnus headed back to his dorm room. He was momentarily surprised to find Celia absent until he remembered what she'd told him.

Oh, right, she said she'd be tied up with work for a few days.

Entering his room, Magnus glanced at his desk. The stack of books had thinned; he and Celia had made quick work of them over the past couple of days. But Magnus wasn't interested in the books today. His eyes were drawn to the mask sitting in the corner of the desk.

"I didn't think I'd need this so soon, but life is full of surprises," he muttered, reaching for the mask.

Just then, Basker's voice chimed in. [Master, it's probably wiser to put on the mask after you leave your room. If anyone sees you, they might connect your two identities.]

Oh, good catch, Basker.

Heeding the advice, Magnus used his Sigilbrand to open the door and stepped into the hallway. He casually checked his surroundings, then walked down the hall and turned the corner. Once he was sure the coast was clear, he slipped on the mask and continued out, his attire unchanged except for the mask concealing his hair and a few distinctive features.

Students were allowed to dress as they wished on dorm grounds, after all.

Now, to find Luden. He usually heads to the library right after classes.

As he left the dorm building, Magnus received a few curious glances due to his mask, but in a place as eclectic as Takerth Academy, nobody paid him much mind beyond that. He made a beeline for the library, where he pushed open the doors to reveal the grand, book-filled expanse bustling with students.

The library was undoubtedly one of the academy's crowning jewels.

Sadly, Magnus couldn't comfortably admire it, since the thought of Eveline always sent shivers down his spine. He climbed the broad staircase to the third floor, which, unlike the floors above and below, offered numerous cozy reading nooks favored by students seeking quiet.

Unlike the second and fourth floors, the third floor of the library had a lot more designated reading spots, so a lot of students who liked to read in peace would be here.

It wasn't long before Magnus spotted the distinctive dark blue hair of his target, immersed in a book at a secluded table. As Magnus approached, Luden lifted his gaze, a slow grin spreading across his face as he closed his book with care and set it aside.

"Well, that was faster than I expected," Luden remarked as Magnus sat down opposite him.

"Honestly, I said the same thing to myself, but I didn't really have a choice," Magnus replied with a sigh.

"You would be surprised at how many people have asked me for help saying that exact same thing. So, what do you need, Cain? Although I think I might already guess," Luden said, a hint of mischief in his voice as he clasped his hands together.

"Of course you do, so I won't beat around the bush. I need a spell catalyst, one that's etched with sensory magic to allow me to see the structure of living things down to the microscale, at least," Magnus stated directly. Luden's expression remained thoughtful as he leaned back, considering the request. After a pause, he refocused on Magnus.

"Tell me, Magnus, how expensive do you think the most basic spell catalyst costs?" he asked suddenly, catching Magnus slightly off guard. Magnus paused, reflecting on the question.

How much does a spell catalyst cost? I have no clue. It gives even normal people the ability to use magic, which is the very reason mages are treated as treasures, so it can't be cheap.

As Magnus tried to think up an answer, his thoughts were cut short by Luden simply saying the answer.

"A hundred golden marks. That's how much a single basic spell catalyst costs, and even then, money alone isn't enough. You need special connections to even get in contact with those who sell them. And even then, the sellers and buyers need permission from one of the Ten Great Magic Academies if they aren't knights or mages."

Hearing the figure Luden mentioned, Magnus's mind went blank. He quickly figured that a hundred golden marks equaled five hundred thousand dollars, just for a basic spell catalyst. His hopes plummeted instantly. He had decided to ask about a spell catalyst rather than a magical artifice because he worried the latter may be too expensive, but even still, the price went beyond his wildest expectations.

"I see, so it's not possibl-" Before Magnus could finish, Luden interrupted him.

"Of course, such a price is nothing to me, and as an heir to the Rilhawk Family, I could have one made practically for free." Luden's words gave Magnus emotional whiplash as he looked at him, puzzled.

"So are you saying you can get me what I want?" he asked, to which Luden nodded.

"Of course, you help me and my faction reach the top of Takerth Academy, and in return, I give you my assistance. That was our agreement, one I made because I truly believe you can help me. The fact I didn't have you sign a contract should make it clear how much faith I'm putting in you."

Magnus frowned, digesting Luden's words. They had agreed to help each other, but so far, neither had asked much from the other. Now, with Magnus's significant request, it seemed he'd have to reciprocate soon.

"So you want me to do something for you first, right?" Magnus asked, trying to understand the deal fully. Luden's reply, however, revealed that Magnus was only partly right in his assumption.

"Make no mistake, I'll get you the spell catalyst you need before you even have to lift a finger; otherwise, what would be the point of our deal? But that aside, I've come across two candidates to join our faction; in fact, they're in our class. But, before they join, I plan to test their capabilities in a couple of days." Luden let his words hang in the air as he fixed his gaze on the dark eye sockets of Magnus's mask. It only took a moment for Magnus to catch on to Luden's implication, and he sighed.

"I understand, okay. I'll help you 'test' your candidates." Magnus knew he had given Luden the response he hoped for as he saw Luden's grin widen.

"Perfect, but there's no hurry—just let me know when you have some time. As for the spell catalyst, there are quite a few that meet your requirements." Magnus felt a wave of relief at this news.

"That's great, but when can you deliver it?" When he asked that question, Luden looked at him strangely.

"Didn't you hear what I said before? I'll get the spell catalyst before you even lift a finger; of course, that includes you getting out of that chair."

Luden raised his hand to reveal an emerald ring, identical to one Magnus had noticed before.

The ring emitted a soft glow, and above Luden's hand, the outline of an object formed from light began to solidify. As its form revealed itself, Magnus saw that it was a card, the same size as the ones you would see at a poker game. However, unlike those cards, this one was intricately carved with runes on both sides, including a distinct circular rune at the center resembling a crosshair.

"Here you go," Luden said casually as he grabbed the card and tossed it across the table to Magnus. Though Magnus caught it smoothly, he couldn't hide his astonishment. He had braced for a wait, yet here it was, exactly what he needed, delivered effortlessly.

"There's no need to be shocked," Luden said as he casually twisted the ring on his finger back and forth.

"This ring is a piece of magical artifice. As long as a member of the Rilhawk bloodline wears it, they can access the Rilhawk Family's personal vault anytime, as long as I'm in Arlcliff City, of course. It uses a special kind of transference magic. It's not as quick as teleportation, but it's way more mana-efficient." Magnus couldn't help but be taken aback by his words.

Wait, so he basically carries a treasury of catalysts and magical artifices on him at all times? Damn, that's some next-level mage family shit. If he had blonde hair and red eyes, you could mistake him for a certain heroic spirit.

After mulling over the ring for a moment, Magnus shifted his focus to the card Luden had handed him.

"So this is the spell catalyst?" He muttered more to himself than anyone else, but Luden answered anyway.

"Yes, just place a drop of blood on it, then set it on the object you want the sensory magic to probe. It can be used ten times, and each session lasts about two hours, so use it wisely." Luden stood up after his explanation while picking up his book from the table.

Luden stood up after explaining how to use the spell catalyst, grabbing the book he was reading from the table as he did so.

"Now then, I have some business to attend to outside the academy before curfew, so I'll be taking my leave. I hope to hear from you soon, Cain." With those parting words, Luden turned and walked away. Magnus stayed seated, fidgeting with the spell catalyst in his hand, deep in thought about the entire encounter they just had.

Luden… He can read me like a book, though it doesn't feel like he's being malicious, at least not yet. Still, it feels strange; I don't remember seeing any splash art of him, despite seeing some of Seraline. No matter how I look at it, he definitely seems like the kind of person who would turn out to be an antagonist who'd go up against the main character of the story.