The hobgoblin raid had been fierce, but the convoy had not suffered much damage. Vince had incinerated hundreds of hobgoblins who attacked the front, while Theodore had successfully neutralized the ambush in the rear. He had even taken down a hobgoblin chief.
However, after that initial raid, they were relatively unmolested for the remainder of their journey. The hobgoblin blood that remained on their blades kept other monsters like kobolds, goblins, and direwolves away from the convoy. A few foolhardy trolls attempted an attack, but they were quickly slain by the bloodthirsty mercenaries.
Speaking of which, isn’t troll blood an ingredient for potions? It’s no wonder they fought harder against the trolls than the hobgoblins.
There was no need for Vince and Theodore to interfere. In fact, the mercenaries probably preferred it if they didn’t. While fire was effective against trolls, it would also ruin the blood. There would be many complaints if they went and burned the trolls with a Fireball.
Theo was staring out the window when he saw someone on a horse approach their carriage. He quickly recognized Gordon, the convoy’s manager, since he was the only one who rode a horse with such a glossy brown mane.
Gordon was effusive with his appreciation and praise as he bowed to Vince. “It was only thanks to you both that I managed to survive this time! If the professor hadn’t accompanied me, I would’ve suffered enormous damage. At least half the convoy would’ve been wiped out! The professors of Bergen Academy really have great skills.”
Vince replied, “Thank you.”
“And your disciple as well.”
Gordon bowed to Theo as well. It was unusual for the leader of such a large convoy to bow to a 3rd Circle magician, but Theo’s contribution had truly been unusual. He had managed to kill a hobgoblin chief! If Theo hadn’t stopped the chief, the rear of the convoy would’ve been annihilated.
The chief who led the attack had been the chief of the Surprising River village. The hobgoblin chief had been at least C rank, which were normally tough opponents for 4th Circle magicians. However, a 3rd Circle magician had defeated a hobgoblin chief in single combat. If the mercenaries hadn’t sworn it was true, Gordon wouldn’t have believed it. But Gordon was a merchant through and through, and he was convinced of Theodore’s value, even though he didn’t really understand magic.
“I can’t repay this favor with just my mouth, so I’ve personally prepared something to repay you. My conscience will be more comfortable if you both receive it.”
Vince didn’t hesitate. “Hrmm, if you say so…”
“Ah, you will accept it?”
Vince nodded, and Gordon reached into a saddlebag. He took out a box that was wrapped in chains and secured with a lock. Gordon fished out a key from his pocket and unlocked it. The box’s lid creaked as Gordon slowly opened it to reveal a glowing crystal sphere nestled inside. It occasionally changed colors from blue to red and back again.
When Theo saw it, he couldn’t help asking doubtfully, “This is…?”
There were many encyclopedias in the library about magic stones, but this was the first time he had seen such a strange sphere. However, Gordon didn’t have an answer.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t know what this is. The Magic Society has been searching for these recently, but they’re exceedingly rare, so our company could only obtain a few to sell. I’m hoping this will be helpful to both of you.”
“Can we take such a precious thing?” Vince said as he examined it closely.
Gordon nodded enthusiastically. If he could form a relationship with a magician with an unknown crystal, that was far more valuable than selling it.
“Of course! If you weren’t here, I might have lost everything. This item falls under my sole discretion.”
Vince nodded. “Then… I really appreciate it.”
“Hahaha! Now my mind can feel at ease! Ah, would you like to return with us after the Annual Magic Contest is over? I can provide a better carriage than the one you currently have.”
Vince acquiesced, “Well, okay.”
After exchanging a few more courtesies, Gordon returned to the convoy’s head with a bright smile. He had been able to minimize the damage from the hobgoblins’ attack, and form a relationship with a strong magician. These two accomplishments would boost his evaluation and reputation in the company, so he was in a great mood.
However, Vince snorted derisively as he turned the crystal over in his hand. “This is why ignorance is truly scary. That merchant didn’t know what he was carrying.”
“Professor, do you know what this is?”
“… I’ve seen it a few times in the north. Technically speaking, this isn’t a crystal. Sometimes plants that absorb the blood of monsters will produce berries that are filled with magic power. The Magic Society calls this particular variant a Monster Berry.” Vince explained as he swiftly placed the crystal back in the box and locked it with the key he received from Gordon before stowing it in his dimension pocket.
“Monster Berries tempt nearby monsters with its fragrance and will strengthen the monster who eats it. The hobgoblins probably came for this.”
No matter how hard it was to climb the Nadun Mountain Ranges, it was unusual for such a large group of monsters to be living on the outskirts. Monsters were well aware of the dangers of living near human territory, and as cunning as hobgoblins were, there was no way they were blind to the danger. However, a Monster Berry was more than worth carrying out such an unreasonable raid.
Vince stroked his chin as he muttered, “As far as I remember, it didn’t have a use. Perhaps one has been discovered recently.”
“Discovered?”
“In that case, the gifts I will give you may increase by one.”
Gifts?
Theo stared at him with a puzzled expression.
At that moment, someone shouted from outside the carriage, “It’s the capital! I see Manavil!”
Theo might be a magician, but in the end, he was a boy from the countryside. He forgot about the gift as he strained to look out the window. Everyone in Meltor Kingdom dreamed of living in Manavil as soon as they heard stories of the heavenly city where white spires pierced the sky. 𝗼𝐯𝐞𝐥．𝐜𝐨𝗺
Theodore Miller had grown up surrounded by the rice fields of the Miller Barony, so he had dreamed about the big city many times. Finally, it was the moment that his expectations would come to life.
“Wow…” Theodore had no choice but to let out a cry of admiration when he saw Manavil.
The convoy still had to cover a lot more ground to reach Manavil, but the towering spires were clearly visible in the distance. The city lived up to its heavenly image as its white walls glistened in the sunlight. Theo could vaguely make out carriages flying over it like part of a fairy tale landscape.
This was the capital of the Meltor Kingdom, Manavil. Magicians knew it as the home of magic. Even the strongest empire in the land didn’t have such a city. The city stood as a symbol of architectural skill that was lost to history and couldn’t be replicated by modern means. There were even stories that it was built with the help of dwarves and elves.
As Vince sat beside Theo, who was filled with admiration, he gazed at the capital he had returned to after a long time.
It’s still stunning.
Vince had hated the politics of the capital to the point where he’d packed up and gone to Bergen Academy, but he couldn’t help but pay tribute to the city as a magician. He pulled a luxurious, crimson robe out of his dimension pocket and put it on. As he felt the weight of the robe settle on his shoulders, Vince couldn’t remember the last time he had worn it. The robe symbolized that he was Vince Haidel of the Red Magic Tower.
He almost seemed to be talking to himself as he muttered, “As soon as we pass through the gates, I will take you to the Magic Society.”
Vince remembered that the Annual Magic Contest always drew a huge crowd to Manavil, which was why he had decided to arrive earlier. If he procrastinated, one day of work could turn into ten. It would also become annoying if the Red Magic Tower discovered Theodore’s existence.
I have to avoid them as much as possible.
The Red Magic Tower didn’t focus on a magician’s development, but rather their ability as a war magician. From their point of view, Theodore would be a rising star.