A Regular Day (Now With A Dungeon)

 As expected, Catlin was put in dungeon patrol. She, along with two other 1st Circle Mage, with several guards, will ensure the monsters were cut down and will not escape the dungeon. 

 'Well, the dungeon finally deserving of its name.' Ardent thought when he heard Catlin's duty. He find it ironic that the dungeon is called that and could not keep the monsters inside for some reason, letting them out easily when they manage to navigate its inside.

 'Maybe that's the reason for the dungeon to appear in this world. So they can find some wardens for themselves.' the idea was funny to him, though he doubt anyone else would share his humor.

 "Still, it's now my duty to guard the village, huh?" Ardent muttered to himself.

Normally, such job will be given to the oldest Mage left in the village. However, his strength and capability was enough to win the rest of the Mages. Not to mention, many, including the village other two 2nd Circle Mages, believe he can become a 3rd Circle Mage. 

 'Well, they will be in a surprise for when I show my true power.' Ardent thought. 

 'Still, they can look more worried.' he was in slight disbelief in how both Alfon and Cross did not felt like it was out of norm to leave the defense of the village to a teen like him. Sure, he is as strong, if not stronger than them, in their opinion, but still. To let a teen to take charge of the village's defense. It's a recipe for disaster if not for him being an adult in a child body.

 'Time to do my job, then.'

-x-

 As the strongest Mage, and subsequently, the strongest warrior of the village, Ardent patrol the village border on his own. 

 While 1st Circle Mage will need some backups so they can have time to cast their spells, 2nd Circle Mage is faster in that regard, not to mention they are more versatile due to they having spells in their disposal.

 When a Mage reach the next Circle, it will expend the Magic Circle of the different Magic they have. This allow them to have two extra spells of the previous grade.

 For example, a 2nd Circle Mage will have one Grade 2 spell, and three Grade 1 spells. And the number will rise with each attribute they have. It did not stop there thought.

When a 2nd Circle Mage become a 3rd Circle Mage, they will have one Grade 3 spell, 3 Grade 2 spells, and nine Grade 1 spells! And it will continue to rise. So, for every increase of Magic Circle, each Grade of spells will be multiplied by three.

 So, for 10th Circle Mage, it theoretically possible to have spells of Grade 1 being in 10 of thousands. Of course, Ardent don't think there is that many spells of Grade 1 of any attribute so it should not be that many. Though, variants of different Grade 1 spells might allow the number to reach that high.

 'Then again, with spells they possess having increased, its no surprise why with each Circle increase, Mages is considered even more powerful.'

 Ardent could feel it when he become a 2nd Circle Mage. Not only the spells in his disposal increase, he can also shaped it slightly. Of course, even a 1st Circle Mage can do minor things like rising Earth or creating a fire depending on their attributes. 

 However, they could not do so indefinitely. Depending on their Mana, 1st Circle Mage can either create a rampart or a small bump on the ground.

 The same did not hold true for 2nd Circle Mage. Their Mana Reserve grew, plus with the same amount of Mana it took for a 1st Circle Mage to create a bump, a 2nd Circle Mage can create a rampart. If that was enough to explain the difference between each Circle, nothing can.

 Ardent pushed the thought he had for the moment. He still need to do his job.

-x-

 The first place he checked is the dungeon. While Cruom City will try to get hold of the dungeon, Slurom Village could still get a taste of the pie. Namely by offering their manpower along with helping in the transport. Plus building an outpost or expending the village so they could have immigrants from the city who will become miner. The possibility is endless and make Ardent looked forward for the future. 

 But for the present, he need to make sure that nothing could go wrong.

 As he entered 100 meters from the dungeon, a guard appeared, stopping when they see it was him.

 "Mage Ardent! Why are you here, sir?" the guard asked.

 "I'm here to make sure that everything goes smoothly." he replied.

 The guard nodded before leading him to the dungeon. Around the dungeon, Ardent see several tents, with some sleeping bags prepped. There also small construction of huts and potentially and outpost, to guard the dungeon of any intruder.

 He also see a single Mage guarding the dungeon entrance. The man bowed to him when he was in sight.

 "At ease." he ordered, feeling like a military officer with how they obeyed his command.

 "Are the others in the dungeon, and for what reason?" Ardent asked. While he did not forbid entering the dungeon, he thought the group will focus more on building the defenses of the area around the entrance.

 "Mage Catlin and Mage Foru decided to explore first, and maybe get some more Mana Crystal before the ownership of the dungeon landed in the hand of Cruom City." The sole Mage answered.

 Ardent could not find anything wrong with such decision. There is only benefit, with Catlin and Foru getting more experienced in real-life combat, and getting more Mana Crystal for the village.

 "In that case, continue." Ardent could give some advice, but he don't believe he have to, with the guarding Mage being older and more experienced than him. Besides, he has more work to do.