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Chapter: 292

A book explaining the basics of magic written and presented by Encia. The “Basic Theory of Magic by Cientia” caused a huge shock in the mage society of Procyon.

For mages who have used one magic they were born with in various forms, the theory of magic manifesting in different ways according to will turned their common sense upside down.

Some mages could not let go of the book despite their opposition to its content, while others began to carefully verify what was written.

“Procyon is in chaos.”

“Well, that’s understandable.”

Encia was enjoying a leisurely tea time with Cecil. It was a very calm moment for the one who had turned Procyon upside down, but what could be done?

The books, printed en masse on wooden boards, were all sold out, and there were even rumors that some mages were copying it to share and read among themselves.

Having raised a disciple named Cecil and organizing the results into a book, Encia no longer felt any need to do anything else.

“Those who cannot accept the content of this book will fall away, while those who do will rise to even greater heights. Now I can fully understand the exam Tia mentioned for mages.”

“That would mean it’s an exam like a filtration process for mages?”

“Yep. That’s right.”

What’s the point of only using the single magic predetermined at birth? What’s the value in taking a disciple with similar magic and teaching them to create various forms?

There would be no meaning at all.

All mages in Procyon will once collapse and lose their forms, then reassemble as new mages.

Those who only use the single magic they were born with will disappear, and only true mages will remain.

That must be what Tia wishes for.

“Now that the book is finished… I’d like to reduce my external activities and just rest for a while.”

“Excuse me? Rest? With the book drawing so much attention, you could earn a lot just by going to places looking for you and giving a little talk!”

“I made plenty of money before I wrote the book. I already have enough to last a lifetime.”

Throwing rain where it doesn’t rain is a task that can earn a substantial amount of money. It is now widely known that paying a weather mage is more reliable than building a large altar for a rain ritual.

If you list the richest mages in Procyon, Encia’s name would definitely be among them.

“But so many people are hoping for your advice, Master!”

“Too bothersome.”

“What?!”

“I think I can understand Tia’s feelings now. It’s just bothersome. Everything is bothersome.”

Perhaps because she had finished a long-cherished goal, Encia started feeling utterly lazy about everything.

She had always been somewhat lazy, but after completing her book, it intensified.

“So, I’ll leave the follow-up to you, Cecil. Unless it’s something too big for you to handle… I don’t want to get involved.”

Seeing Encia speak in such a fatigued voice, Cecil looked worried.

“But… will other mages just leave you alone?”

“Leave me alone…”

“Even now, many mages don’t fully understand the book and might come to argue with you?”

“If they’re too foolish to come and argue with me without understanding the book, I can easily drive them away with your level.”

“With my level?”

Encia nodded while looking at Cecil.

From Encia’s perspective, Cecil was quite a competent mage.

Perhaps only elder-level mages would be able to challenge Cecil’s magical prowess.

“How could someone like that…?”

“You’re stronger than you think.”

But Cecil lacked confidence in her abilities. Despite observing other people’s magic, she couldn’t believe in herself.

The cause for that… probably linked back to her origins.

A girl who wasn’t a mage born from slave stock.

She was trapped in the memory of being a girl with nothing but a frail and withered body.

Even though she had grown into a fine mage under Encia’s teaching, such thoughts hadn’t changed.

Seeing her disciple in such a state, Encia let out a small sigh.

“Honestly, I think that unless you’re up against a mage with elder-level power, you won’t have to worry.”

“B-but… I have extremely limited magical power.”

“Magical power isn’t everything, you know. While others create tiny flames with their power, you can conjure flames larger than a person.”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

“The magic you can draw from the nature around you is incomparable to what other mages can do. Someday, others may reach the same level as us, but not just yet.”

Saying that, Encia gently ruffled Cecil’s hair.

“So, be confident. You are stronger than you think.”

“Yes!”

Seeing Cecil draw out a bit of courage to respond, Encia smiled softly.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Mages.

Those who mold magical power with their will to create diverse phenomena.

Their existence has been confirmed since the distant past, when Procyon was referred to by the name Babel.

They were originally capable of using magic instinctively, but didn’t understand the principles behind it, stemming from their inability to grasp the nature of magical power.

Mages who believed primitive elemental conversion was all magic are now labeled as magic users, implying they are foolish beings who use magic without exploring it.

The era dominated by such magic users has ended, thanks to a single mage.

The name of that mage who used a radically different form of magic compared to the mages of that time is Encia.

She was an immensely reputable mage, known for her powerful magic that controlled the weather, but more importantly, she built the fundamental theory for all magic herself.

Because of her existence, primitive magic faced a massive transformation.

…

The foundational theory of magic she completed imparted new knowledge to many mages, yet very few of them could fully understand and accept the theory.

Most mages began applying her theory to establish a magic doctrine optimized for themselves.

This led to the formation of various factions that act according to their respective goals.

Ironically, Encia, who wrote the book, didn’t establish her own faction but only accepted one disciple.

Her name was Cecilia Marigold.

She would later become known as the grand mage and the founder of the Great Library, having sworn to gather all the knowledge of the world.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

I can feel my deeply sleeping consciousness gradually waking up.

How much time has passed? I told Encia that I would awaken after several decades, but I’m a bit concerned since the minimum I set was several decades.

I lifted my heavy eyelids with a weight like a thousand pounds and slowly looked around.

The room looked almost the same as before I slept. It was one of the chambers in the Divine Hall that I was using as my bedroom.

Well, even though it’s a bedroom, it only has a bed in it, making for a rather dreary sight. Anyway.

I pulled out the watch from my pocket to check how many years had passed.

The numbers on the watch indicated that 14 years had passed, which was much quicker than I had anticipated for my sleeping time.

Hmm. I thought I would sleep for around 30 years… but I woke up earlier than expected.

Well, that’s not too bad. I’m feeling somewhat more awake now. I feel like I could start moving soon.

Thus, I carelessly felt around for the LD I had left by the pillow.

There should be various tasks to do, but first, let’s check on Encia.

How has Encia been doing? Did she carry out what I asked?

With such questions in mind, I gazed at the scene shown on the flipped-over LD.

“Hmm. This isn’t bad at all.”

There lay Encia, lounging between piles of books on a cushy bed, clad in comfortable clothing, engrossed in reading.

Uh, what the heck is going on here? What on earth happened while I was asleep?

No, more importantly, what about the homework I assigned? I told her to compile the knowledge I shared into a book! Did she do it properly?! From the looks of Encia now, she seems like a full hikikomori!

Suppressing the rising anxiety, I called out to Encia.

“Cia?”

 

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