Now that Gluttony had consumed the bulk of the artifacts, Theo’s next task was to study. While it was enough to accumulate magic power to reach the 4th Circle, that didn’t mean one would automatically become a skilled 4th Circle magician. Theo needed to know how to cast 4th Circle magic efficiently and quickly, which would only come with study. Since he only had a few days, he had to select useful 4th Circle spells and study them well.
Vince, who still had plenty of time remaining until the annual magic contest, also joined in. As a highly experienced war magician, he could give Theo a detailed accounting of the strategies often used by magicians of the Blue Tower.
Two hours of studying passed without much ado.
“Ah…!”
Suddenly, Theo’s magic power started to boil. It was the same phenomenon as when Gluttony had consumed Roaring Flames. Magic power flowed from his left palm and through Theo’s body, drawing a faint circle outside the three circles already in Theo’s body.
4th Circle…!
The shape had been formed, but Theo needed more magic power to fill it up and consolidate himself. However, it was still an accomplishment compared to the days when he had dreamed of reaching the 3rd Circle. Theodore calmed the magic power scattered across his body and opened his eyes when the outline of the 4th Circle was completed.
Vince recognized the tell-tale signs of leaking magic power and congratulated him heartily, “Congratulations. Now that you’ve taken another step along the path, I hope that you will continue walking forward with the same diligence you have now.”
“Yes, Professor,” Theo replied in a trembling voice.
The 4th Circle was just the beginning of a magician’s path. A mere handful of 4th Circle magicians would ever reach the 5th Circle. Some would blame their talent, while others simply fell to despair when they were brought up short by the wall of the 5th Circle.
Even the greatest magicians on the continent were stymied by the wall of the 7th Circle. Only the Red Tower Master and the Blue Master had crossed the barrier into the 8th Circle. The 9th Circle was the stuff of legends, and was considered the unexplored apex of humanity.
In the truest sense, Theodore had just stepped into a desert filled with the bones of countless pilgrims. Theo looked at the three Precious ranked artifacts remaining on the bed. They were similar in price and performance to the one hundred and forty-four gold West Wind’s Protection.
[+7 Hawk’s Skull (Armor)]
[This steel and adamantium helmet is truly artistic and shaped like a hawk. The blacksmith, who created this helmet for a magician, was inspired by a real hawk and added the Insight spell to its design.
* The rating of this helmet is Precious. 𝘦𝘯.𝘰𝘳𝘨
* When consumed, a considerable amount of magic power will be absorbed.
* When consumed, the digestion time will be one hour and thirty two minutes.
* When consumed, the Capture magic formula will be acquired.
* When worn, the spell Hawkeye will be available.]
[+8 Night Prowler’s Mirage (Shoes)]
[These luxurious leather shoes have magic circles with mithril thread embroidered into them. They were the reason the thief Orwell managed to stay ahead of the law for so long. Guards were consistently fooled by the illusions Orwell left behind, and the secret was only exposed after Orwell was killed at an underground casino. The wearer of these shoes can create a lifelike illusion of themselves.
* The rating of these shoes is Precious.
* When consumed, a considerable amount of magic power will be absorbed.
* When consumed, the digestion time will be one hour and forty one minutes.
* When consumed, the formula for Illusion Track will be acquired.
* When worn, the spell Illusion Track will be available.]
Hawk’s Skull had been worn by a famous mercenary captain, and Night Prowler’s Mirage was the symbol of the legendary thief Orwell. They were too expensive and rare to be used as artifacts to gain magic power. If their craftsmen were here, they might be tempted to break Theodore’s neck.
Vince saw Theo’s reticence and said, “Don’t hesitate.”
Theo looked up. “Huh?”
Vince held his gaze. “Use whatever means you have to fully prepare. Once you’ve made up your mind, don’t hesitate. I will take on all the costs, so you don’t have to be sorry.”
“… I understand.” The last of Theo’s hesitation faded away.
Vince was right in that he should use every means at his disposal. Both Theo and Vince felt that consuming Precious artifacts would have more effects than just increasing magic power. Roaring Flames had unlocked two abilities in addition to pure magic power.
According to the Pupil Tournament’s regulations, artifacts were forbidden, but there were no rules around grimoires. Therefore, Theo was fairly confident in using the grimoire in battle. In any case, he didn’t think anyone would notice. There was no real way to detect its existence unless Theo revealed the tongue in his palm.
As a veteran of numerous battlefields, Vince held an open disdain for so-called honorable battles, and was perfectly comfortable with using any means and methods to win. Theo, who had inherited Alfred Bellontes’ memories, held the same view.
“Gluttony.”
Theo held his left hand over the three artifacts.
“Eat.”
Gluttony’s tongue fell out and wrapped around the gauntlets, helmet, and shoes. Five hundred gold, around the value of a mansion in Manavil, disappeared into the stomach of the ravenous grimoire.
***
Theo spent the next few days going over practical magic applications with Vince. Theo had gained a fraction of Alfred’s experience, but it paled next to Vince’s own battlefield experience. Vince created a specialized lesson plan by going through his memories and picking out the most pertinent information.
“The biggest advantage of the water magic attribute is its versatility. Offense, defense, suppression… The water attribute is proficient in handling situations that call for all of these actions. A skilled water attribute magician would be an annoying opponent.”
Theo realized that there was no attribute that existed in so many different forms. Clouds in the sky were technically made of the same thing as the river running through a valley. Variance in temperature can create steam or ice. Water’s freedom to transition between solid, liquid, and gas phases was its greatest strength.
Theo frowned. “Are you saying water attribute magicians don’t have weaknesses?”
Vince shook his head. “Fire can attack more fiercely, earth can defend more efficiently, and wind is always faster. The water attribute’s greatest limitation is that it has no specialization.”
A light went off in Theo’s head. “… It’s average in every respect.”
He could work with that. His defense magic had been greatly bolstered by his contract with Mitra, which allowed him to block 4th Circle magic with ease. He could then use the ability he gained from Roaring Flames to break through Sylvia’s defense.
As Theo calculated various strategies, Vince spoke, “This is just my guess but… you should avoid close combat with Sylvia unless you have no choice.”
Theo glanced at him, puzzled. “Close combat?”
Vince nodded solemnly. “Do you remember the crude wooden staff the Blue Tower Master was carrying?”
“Of course, that staff was really big.” Theo would not forget the Blue Tower Master. If Blundell hadn’t been dressed like a magician, Theo would have mistaken him for a staff-wielding warrior.
Vince grumbled, “It isn’t a staff.”
Theo was lost. “… Huh?”
Vince shook his head with a sigh. “It’s just a stick.”
“……”
“That old geezer went and learned eastern stick fighting as a hobby. Except he reached the rank of master.”
Theo paled as Vince added, “He’s broken the heads of a few knights with it.”
Theo remembered that Sylvia had a similar staff. He would rather be hit by a Fireball than a staff wielded by a pretty girl.
Vince finished, “So, I’d advise not closing the distance. If possible.”
“… I understand.”
The two took a break before they continued their discussion. Fortunately, Vince was a good mentor, and Theo was an excellent disciple. Vince explained the weaknesses of the Blue Tower Magicians, which quickly fused with Alfred’s experience in Theo’s head.
***
As the end of the Pupil Tournament approached, Vince rented out a practice room for a final test. If Theo’s abilities weren’t up to par, Vince would oppose the match with Sylvia. He didn’t want Theo to be ridiculed in front of everyone. Vince didn’t specialize in water magic, but he was still a Superior of the Red Tower. He was far stronger than an Average of the Blue Tower.
When the test concluded, Theo, flat on the ground of the practice room, panted as he looked up at Vince. “So Professor, did I pass?”
Vince smiled. “I’ll give you a perfect score.”