Chapter 607

“It looks like everyone had a productive day.”

Celia, who had arrived earliest at the gathering spot and was awaiting her team members, spoke softly as she watched them walk back.

Hearing her comment, Avad, who was resting on a nearby seat, offered a subtle grin.

“And things seem to be going a bit more smoothly than yesterday. It appears the struggles we went through paid off, wouldn’t you agree?”

Because Gerdinger’s knights and Ruwallin’s mages shared a similar standing, they could easily form close ties if given an opportunity to connect.

Celia and Avad, who had initially doubted how well this would work, found themselves taken aback.

“Did things improve between those two as well?”

At Celia’s inquiry, Avad’s expression darkened slightly.

Niel and Marchel.

Celia and Avad were most anxious about the very two individuals they relied on the most.

“The ones who still haven’t shown up are Chelsea and Leo. And what about Senior Marchel and Niel?”

Just as Avad expressed his confusion, four figures came into view in the distance.

“You took your time.”

Celia narrowed her gaze as she focused on Leo, who had stopped right before her.

“My apologies. A situation popped up earlier today, so my mind was elsewhere.”

“What sort of situation?”

Leo stole a glance backward.

In that direction, Niel and Marchel stood with their gazes directed away from one another.

“They shared the same quarters last night. A bit of an event took place during that time.”

“Huh? Did those two get into another massive argument?”

“They smoothed things over, so there is no need to worry. They will get along fine moving forward.”

“If that is the case, it is a relief, though…”

Celia observed the pair, between whom an icy breeze seemed to be blowing violently.

“It feels even more distant than yesterday, doesn’t it?”

Celia tilted her head in confusion.

Leo cast a brief look toward the two.

‘Young Master Leo. Please ensure that what transpired today remains an absolute secret from Young Lady Celia.’

‘How am I supposed to keep something like that hidden?’

‘What occurred today was simply an error caused by drink. Therefore…!’

‘For a mere error, the two of you must have possessed incredible compatibility to pull that off.’

‘Young Master!’

Bringing back his talk with Niel, Leo chuckled to himself.

‘Well, even if they claimed to despise one another to the point of death, they ultimately could not sever their lingering attachments. So, it will be just as rapid for them to grow close once more.’

Leo, resolving to shield Niel and Marchel’s circumstances for the time being, spoke up,

“It seems everyone is accounted for. Shall we make our way?”

Right ahead of them, Retin’s government structure came into view.

Positioned behind it, an imposing palace stood tall.

The royal residence of the historic Tungkun Kingdom.

Many decades in the past.

When it fell to ruins due to Tartaros’s assault, the entryways of Tungkun’s royal residence were likewise tightly shut.

“It is under a seal.”

Avad, who had moved up to Leo’s side, spoke in a low murmur as he gazed up at Tungkun’s royal residence.

“Judging by the energy binding the palace, it is unmistakably the energy of a spirit.”

“Yet they incorporated a magic spell formula within the method of employing that power. I have read about it in texts previously, but witnessing it firsthand is truly remarkable.”

Chelsea spoke up, building upon Avad’s observations.

Listening to the two offer their thoughts, Leo remarked,

“It truly is remarkable.”

Celia, who was taking in the conversation of the three, tilted her head.

“If we are talking about merging spirit magic with magic spell formulas, isn’t that precisely Wareden’s expertise? Is it actually that astonishing?”

“That Wareden fellow merely employs it in a basic manner. This, however, is an extraordinary talent, you know.”

“Pardon?”

“Even a Spirit Mage, a dual-class practitioner who handles both magic and spirits, cannot channel magic solely through the energy of spirits.”

“Do not mana and spiritual power naturally share the fundamental traits of mana?”

“That is correct. Mana that has been elevated into magical power and mana that has vibrated into spiritual power. Both forces, unlike the refined aura kept within the physical form, maintain the traits of mana. Therefore, at first glance, one might assume they are comparable forces, but elevation and vibration possess entirely distinct wavelengths.”

“So, a spirit brought forth by spirit magic, being vibrated and brought forth by the practitioner’s spiritual power, implies that a magic spell formula cannot be triggered using the brought-forth spirit’s energy? Because the wavelengths do not match?”

“Precisely.”

“Then what is the deal with Wareden?”

“Wareden re-elevates the spiritual power that has already vibrated.”

“Is that not highly perilous?”

True to her reputation as a top-tier scholar, Celia rapidly understood just how technically volatile Wareden’s talent was based on Leo’s straightforward clarification.

“Which is exactly why Wareden is so remarkable.”

The basis of an unusual talent is the capacity to wake mana.

Depending on the practitioner’s essence, mana separates into aura, magical power, and spiritual power.

On occasion, there are individuals who can wake mana into alternative variations, and that represents a dual class.

Nevertheless, shaping an already awakened talent to resemble an entirely separate variation is a completely different challenge.

It is a talent that, if mismanaged, could trigger a mana outbreak.

Celia once more found herself amazed by Wareden’s talent, which he had been employing as though it were second nature since his arrival at the academy.

“Is it a talent that you are incapable of performing as well?”

“I can manage it. And it is not unique to me. Those who possess the capacity to elevate spiritual power to align with magic spell formulas are uncommon, but they certainly exist. It is simply that the effectiveness does not match Wareden’s.”

It is a talent that only Wareden can realize to this degree.

Even Lysianas, whom Leo recognized as the most formidable summoner and one of the ultimate mages, would find it challenging to replicate Wareden’s spirit magic.

‘Truly, he is an exceptional existence who established a pact with a Great Spirit during his second year.’

Leo’s pact with the three great mythical beasts might dim its luster, but unlike Leo, who underwent rebirth, Wareden established a pact with a Great Spirit entirely through his own capabilities.

‘If nothing else, had I not been present, the most powerful individual in our academy within the same year would undoubtedly have been Wareden.’

“So? I recognize that triggering magic spell formulas using the energy of spirits is a difficult task. Then what precisely is the nature of that sealing magic bound to the fortress?”

“That represents an instance where a spirit itself utilized a magic spell formula.”

“What?”

Celia displayed a look of astonishment.

“The Great Spirit of Fire, the Spirit of Purity, is renowned among summoners and mages as a spirit capable of practicing magic. Well, because it has not manifested in the world for such an extended period, those who lack an interest in this domain remain largely unaware of it.”

“An entity as grand as a Great Spirit practiced magic?”

“Correct.”

“For what reason?”

“How could I possibly know? That is precisely why it remains so intriguing.”

Spirits are fundamentally forces of nature.

Their sole focus lies in keeping the world in equilibrium.

Meanwhile, magic is a methodology that alters the natural order.

Consequently, spirits are naturally quite indifferent toward magic.

Most importantly, magic is a force developed by the land-dwelling heritages to mimic the capabilities of spirits.

Across vast eras, magic has progressed past merely mimicking the capabilities of spirits.

Yet its core remains unaltered.

Because of this, the majority of what magic can accomplish, spirits can achieve as well.

Hence, spirits possess no rationale to acquire knowledge of magic.

Thus, it is astonishing that an entity as grand as a Great Spirit took up the study of magic.

“Regardless, it persists as a lively subject of contention within the magical scholarly community. Whether spirits might also hold a capacity for magic.”

“They attempted testing, but the vast majority resulted in failure.”

“Hmm. A capacity for magic within spirits. That strikes me as fascinating.”

As Avad, Chelsea, and Leo conversed solely on magical scholarly subjects, Celia, who was looking on, caught hold of Leo’s arm and tugged him closer to her.

“What is the matter?”

“You are a direct bloodline member of Gerdinger. This way, the proportions are balanced.”

Celia murmured, perhaps sensing herself left apart by the magical discourse she could not contribute to.

Leo offered a quiet laugh at her behavior.

Observing them, Chelsea remarked,

“In any case, due to that magic, the Spirit of Purity was at one time celebrated as the most powerful Great Spirit. Tartaros even launched an assault on its domain, right here, Istara the Spirit of Purity’s domain, on two occasions because of that fact.”

Following the initial conflict, Tungkun was established, and following the second, Tungkun collapsed.

Taking in Chelsea’s explanation, Celia noted,

“Once the most powerful spirit, is that so. The Great Spirit currently recognized as the most powerful is the Great Spirit of Water, correct?”

“Yes, that is accurate. Undine, the Spirit of the Deep Sea.”

Elsie, who had been tracking Chelsea and Celia’s dialogue, chimed in,

-It appears the current Great Spirit of Water possesses a highly modest character? For a Great Spirit to adopt the identical title as a lesser spirit.

The Spirit of the Deep Sea was well-known for adopting the identical title as a lesser spirit of water.

Factoring in that Great Spirits are typically filled with immense self-importance, it was a highly abnormal state of affairs.

-That is merely because she is a deceptive individual.

Larael, who held a connection with the Spirit of the Deep Sea, stated with an icy tone.

-Hmm. Let us review. The presently remaining Great Spirits consist of Istara of Purity, the Great Spirit of Fire. Sileton of Gale, the Great Spirit of Wind. Titaum of Indestructibility, the Great Spirit of Earth. Undine of the Deep Sea, the Great Spirit of Water. Ignit of the Abyss, the Great Spirit of Darkness. And Miss Larael, correct?

-Indeed. Istara possesses a dreadful disposition, and Sileton lacks proper manners. Undine is a deceptive individual, and Ignit is underhanded. As for Titaum, well. He is relatively durable, but he represents the youngest Great Spirit, so we must observe how he develops over time.

-Are your assessments of your fellow Great Spirits not a bit overly severe?

As Elsie offered an uncomfortable grin, Larael responded,

-Because it is simply the reality. They are far too insignificant for Lady Elsie to even afford them any consideration.

Larael held a profound regard for the grand nature of Elsie, who functioned essentially as an ancient predecessor.

-Ignit was quite an agreeable spirit, nevertheless.

Elsie beamed softly, bringing back memories of Ignit, a direct successor she had encountered in the past.

In truth, during their initial encounter, Ignit held a distaste for mortals.

However, after engaging in discourse with Elsie, he chose to remain in Rumern and went looking for a contract holder.

Taking in Elsie’s commentary, Larael gazed upon her with deep respect.

-Ah, as anticipated of Lady Elsie. To offer such a charitable assessment even to that shadow-dwelling spirit.

-You even show understanding toward a spirit with an environment as volatile as your own. When you reflect upon it, are you not the individual who embodies being dreadful in disposition, lacking manners, deceptive, and underhanded all at once?

Larael began to restrict Kirian, who was actively seeking conflict.

Leo observed the summoned entities, perceptible only to his eyes, and plunged into serious thought.

-What is occupying your mind so deeply?

‘I intend to establish pacts with all of the Great Spirits moving forward.’

To fully utilize Lysianas’s capabilities, pacts with Great Spirits were essential.

‘Yet I am uncertain if it is wise to add further entities to this space.’

Even at present, the summoned entities are so boisterous they cause a throbbing in his head.

If he introduced additional ones, he questioned whether he could manage them.

-If that is your concern, hand the matter over to me. I shall guide them appropriately.

Elsie offered a brilliant smile.

Gazing at Elsie, Leo adopted an unusual look.

-What is it?

‘No. You did not even secure a single follower spirit five millennia ago.’

Elsie, emerging from a fading realm, had never commanded a follower spirit.

‘Observing you, of all individuals, claim you will bring in Great Spirits at this stage, it is a pleasant sight.’

-Oh, please. How could I possibly bring in fellow Great Spirits as followers?

Elsie chuckled as though the notion were preposterous.

Following that, she directed her attention toward Larael and Kirian, who were creating a disturbance, and commanded,

-Larael. I require refreshment.

-I shall collect morning condensation immediately!

Larael vanished into a flash of radiance.

-Hee hee hee hee! My gratitude. My gratitude.

-Cease provoking Larael. You are invariably discovered.

Elsie smoothed the hair of Kirian, who was pressed against her side, shedding tears.

-The idea of me managing Great Spirits. That is simply preposterous.

Observing Elsie dismiss the idea with a shake of her head, Leo pondered,

‘Have not Larael and Ignit already shown deference to Elsie as though she were an elevated spirit?’

Larael likewise fell into line behind Elsie.

Elsie already demonstrated the capacity to guide the Great Spirits of Light and Darkness as though they were extensions of herself.

‘Furthermore, she is likewise directing the three great mythical beasts.’

There would likely exist no comparable spirit within the annals of time.

‘Well, with Elsie present, perhaps there will not be much of an issue?’

Among Leo’s committed partners, the clear most commanding presence was Elsie.