Growing Fame and Accruals

"This is the magic circle that's all the rage?"

"Yes. It's a replica, but the spells used are the same."

The head of the Department of Magic, Verial Castro, took a piece of paper from his residence on probation.

She injected mana into it, and a flower formed, followed by an illusionary spell around it.

"An unusual idea, this, of all things. You did a great job of expressing 'contradiction' with a simple spell."

The colorful illusionary magic of the double magic circle meant nothing to Veriel.

His sense of aesthetics was different from everyone else's, and he couldn't relate to what was beautiful or pretty in the first place, so all he could see was a flower withering away.

"I never realized you were such a student, I'm more and more surprised."

"No, she's been talking a lot lately, but she seems to be excelling in the crafting department."

The professor from the School of Magic across from him spoke, and Beryl smiled.

"Adrias Cromwell. Funny. Oh, and by the way, it's because of him that I'm on probation here. What an amazing coincidence."

"Did he, did he, you wretch!"

"No, I didn't say 'because of' that student, I said 'because of' him. I'm very happy right now."

"Ah, I see, the position of Head of the Department of Magic is a demanding one, and I'm sure you've had a rough time of it, so I hope you'll take this opportunity to rest up and get back to work."

"There's nothing hard about being Head of the Department of Magic, all I have to worry about are the few people in the graduating class who have asked me to tutor them, and even then, I can turn them down if I don't want to."

The professor's mouth dropped open in embarrassment as his words continued to disagree with her thoughts.

Whether he did or not, Beryl remained unperturbed and continued to watch the flowers bloom on the magic circle.

"The more I look at it, the more I admire it, so why don't I teach you?"

"You mean the student Adrias himself?"

"No, Principal Deos was just scolding me about why I turned down all the tutoring requests this year, but that's just as well, because I can teach Adrias."

"Ha, but Adrias is only a fourth grader."

"It's only a year difference, so what, why, are you going to stop me?"

"Oh, no, not in that sense...."

"Just kidding. Anyway, thanks for taking the time to tell me about it today. Now if you'll excuse me."

"Yes? Yes. I'll be right back."

After the professor left, Verial was left alone, slowly tearing apart the spell circle.

She couldn't help but laugh, wondering what was so funny.

"Ouch. That's a good one."

Holding up the paper with the grimoire on it, Berial manifested an unknown magic.

It worked, but nothing seemed to change.

But she knew.

The flowers in his hands, while outwardly intact, had already withered and died.

"One of the greatest 'contradictions,' agelessness. And you're the first to realize it, how wonderful."

These ideas come together to create powerful and great magic.

Those great magics are called original magic, which means that not only contradiction, but also understanding and purity are inherent in original magic.

Once a mage has created his or her own original magic, the title of "Warlock" is bestowed upon them, along with countless other honors.

"Adrias Cromwell. Will you be the one to help me grow? I'm very curious."

Muttering to himself, Berial burned the paper in his hand with pure magic power.

* * *

My surroundings were noisy these days due to the magic circle I created.

It seems that the double magic circle I thought I had hidden well was discovered, but it was revealed in a place where people were gathered.

Thanks to this, the illusionary magic created by my magic circle was revealed in front of a large number of people, and as a result, the Faculty of Magic is currently experiencing a magic circle boom.

'Even I thought it was an unusual idea. It's an advanced trick to put a magic circle into a plant created with a magic circle, and the illusion magic circle is a pretty high-level spell.''

I didn't see it myself, but Vivian and Lucia were there, as well as Diane, to who I gave the magic circle to as a gift, so I don't understand what was going on.

Even if Lucia is the only one who might be wondering, why was Vivian there?

And on the grounds of the School of Magic.

"Oh well. It worked, so whatever.

In truth, the double wand I had hidden was in honor of my father.

The fairy flower garden where he left behind his original sin.

As a result, when I designed the magic circle, I naturally thought of him first when I created the flowers.

By the way, today is the last day of the exchange.

I've gotten to know Keshurn quickly thanks to the magic circle lecture, and I've accomplished what I set out to do.

My only regret is that I didn't lay down enough grace that would later become a stumbling block for Keshun.

"He's been quiet since the first day, so it was hard to mess with him.

It wasn't good for his image to needlessly persecute an opponent who wasn't doing anything.

If I had known this would happen, I should have tied the knot a little more securely in the duel.

At the time, I felt it was enough, and I couldn't help it.

'A prince will be a prince, no matter what.

I made the mistake of assuming that with Grace's personality, she could always grab the pod afterward.

I guess Keshurn will have to fend for himself in the end.

Now that all the lectures are over, I'm heading to the banquet hall, the last stop on the schedule.

As if on cue, the first and last days of the exchange were capped off with a banquet.

I felt like it was a bit of a waste of time, but I knew it would be my last chance to see Keschurn, so I was happy to take it.

I headed to the train station to go to the administration building and was greeted by some familiar faces.

"Diane and Vivian? Diane, that is, but why is Vivian here?

Did they have some business with the Ministry of Magic?

Regardless, I walked up to them and said hello.

"Diane. Vivian. Are you going to the administration building?"

"Uh, Adrias. You're just in time."

Diane's face lit up, and then she pointed at Vivian.

When I turned to look at Vivian at that gesture, she looked away and stiffened, as if she'd been caught doing something wrong.

What happened?

"Well, I came out to catch the train and Vivian was there, and I was getting frustrated because there's no reason for her to be here, and no matter how much I pestered her, she wouldn't tell me why."

"Yeah. Did she?"

I must have blurted it out.

When she calls Vivian by her first name, it seems like she has a new friend.

I've been a little worried about Deirdre because she's only been close to her advantage, but now I can put my worries to rest.

"I think she's been waiting for you no matter how I look at it, I thought something was wrong when she asked for the magic circle you gave her the other day, is there something between you two?"

"Dee, Diane Alben!"

Aside from Vivian suddenly shouting, what the hell?

Me and Vivian have a relationship?

'I mean, do we share a deep bond? Or a lifesaver?

The experience of being separated was one that I would never want to relive again in my life.

I survived the attack that followed, thanks to Vivian.

By the way, why was she there when the circle was activated?

Why did she want to take my circle if she wasn't even a wizard?

I put my questions aside and started to answer.

"Vivian was in my group at last year's midterm, and we got to know each other a lot when we killed a warlock together."

"Did we?"

I shot him a suspicious look.

There's nothing more I can tell you. Turn around.

When he couldn't get any more out of me, he glared at me again, this time at Vivian.

Her face turned a deep shade of red.

"You're angry.

Hey. This is Vivian Velocan.

You never know when she's going to flip out and swing her sword.

However, as expected, Vivian only blushed, but she didn't say anything as she squirmed.

"Vivian. You've grown so much. You've learned to be patient.

It's all thanks to me.

Diane. You owe me your life.

With these thoughts, the three of us boarded the train together.

It wasn't long before we arrived at the administration building and entered the building where the banquet had previously been held, where most of the students had already gathered.

I immediately looked for the blue-haired Keschurn.

I was a little sad to realize that this was the last time I would see her for at least a few years, but I was grateful for the connection.

'Keshurn is only a sophomore, so he'll be at the Academy for a few more years. Still, I'm glad we were able to make a connection before I graduate.

As I approached Keshurn, he greeted me.

"Ah, Brother Adrias."

"You were here first."

"I thought today would be my last, so I came as soon as the schedule was over."

I was so proud to see the hard work they had put in, even in their names.

Before we parted ways, I was about to enjoy a banquet with him to honor him for the last time, when Keschern suddenly said.

"Your name is Vivian Velocan, I assume, and I'm sorry I didn't get to spend more time with the Knights, but I see you're always with your brother Adrias, and you must be very close?"

Keshurn's words made me glance to the side to see Vivian standing next to me.

Honestly, I hadn't even noticed. Almost as good at hiding as Nickel's fluidization!

She nodded nonchalantly and sipped from the glass in her hand.

When the hell had she brought that with her?

"Vivian and I go way back."

"Oh? Is that so? I always thought you two made a good pair."

"What?"

What a ridiculous misunderstanding.

I looked at Vivian to see if she was offended.

And just as I suspected, her face was red with anger at Keschurn's words.

"Well, Keshun. Quickly apologize to Vivian. You shouldn't suddenly say something rude to a lady."

Apologize quickly if you don't want to die.

"Haha, yes. I was rude, I apologize."

Apparently, Keshun took my words as a joke.

You could really get yourself killed.

But once again, Vivian's patience paid off.

She accepted Keshurn's apology with a small shake of her head, which seemed to me to be the end of her patience, barely moving.

'Looks like I'm saving a few lives today.

'Diane and Keshurn.

You guys owe me, okay?

With that, I sealed Vivian's outburst and resumed my conversation, only to realize that Grace was nowhere to be seen in the ballroom.

"Come to think of it, Prince Grace isn't here."

"Oh, His Highness Grace said he had an errand and would join us later."

"Really?"

I don't see any room to squeeze him in at the last minute.

I'm a little disappointed, but I can't help it.

Maybe he's already been demoralized since that day, just the way I wanted him to be.

I don't know if I'll be able to revitalize him when I get back, but I hope I've at least given him a little breathing room.

It was at this moment that I thought, ....

"Here I am!"

Someone suddenly burst into the ballroom and shouted.

All of us who were enjoying the banquet suddenly focused on him, wondering what was going on.

"Your Grace?"

His sudden appearance is an appearance, but the vial of potion in his hand is strangely familiar.

"No way...?

He can't be, can he? No, it can't.

There's still time for Kyler's potion to leak, right?

"Adrias Cromwell, I'm going to kill you right here!"

"Why would he do that?"

"Your Highness must be under a lot of stress. I can't believe he would do something like that to a nobleman from another country."

As everyone watched in confusion, Grace began to sip the potion.

"I have to stop her.

I leaped forward and drew my sword.

I tried to block it with a sword blast, but it was too late.

Kaaaah!

Grace, who had lightly blocked my sword wind, looked at me with black eyes that had the whites wiped out.

"Is that all you got, Adrias Cromwell?"

An intense mana aura began to swirl around Grace.