Dragon-Devouring Mage Chapter 8

Episode 8

EPISODE.04

Woe!

I can feel magical power spreading throughout my entire body. Is it because the magic stone was larger?

I felt a greater amount of mana swirling around every corner of my body than I had when I first consumed it.

‘now!’

Without stopping, Russell put a few more magic stones into his mouth.

At the same time, a green window appeared before my eyes.

[mission]

Achieve Circle 2.

Complete the 2nd circle using the large amount of magic stones you have acquired.

[compensation]

Increased understanding of currently owned properties.

Normally, I would have read the mission details and rewards carefully.

However, Russell, who had just consumed a large amount of magic stones, had no time for that.

Mana was spreading throughout the body. Now was the time to control this mana and turn it into a circle.

‘Slowly, like putting reins on a galloping horse.’

It was a car that consumed more than ten magic stones at once.

If it were in the past, the Mana Rod might not have been able to withstand this much mana and would have exploded.

But, it was different now.

‘Because over the past time, I have been training the Mana Lord with Overlord.’

In addition, the muscles created through the Wizard Body even reduce the burden on the mana rod.

“Whoo-.”

With a long sigh.

Russell sat down on the spot.

After taking a comfortable position for both mind and body, I started the circle work.

Drives the magical power that enters the whole body and directs it to the heart, then rotates the heart’s mana.

Then, a clear circle of Circle 1 appeared.

‘Don’t make hasty decisions, take your time…’

On top of that, Russell added his newly acquired magic power.

Russell spun them around, feeling new magic power slowly beginning to attach to the top of the first circle.

A circle, the magic power inside it and the magic power rotating outside it slowly begin to resonate.

Following the trajectory of the rotation, another circle began to appear.

Just a faint line.

But that was only the case at first.

The external mana settled stably on the first circle, and as the speed of rotation gradually increased, the traces of the circle also became increasingly clear.

Second circle.

‘I’ve already made it once. So, keeping the memories of that time alive-.’

More reliably than possible.

What Russell felt while creating another circle was that the mana received through the magic stone was much more pure than expected.

‘It feels like mana in its natural state, completely unprocessed… … .’

He had never once contained such pure mana in his body.

Therefore, I became more curious about the effect of creating a circle with such pure mana.

I closed my eyes and continued the circle work for a few hours.

“Seup. after. Seup. after.”

As his breathing gradually began to stabilize, the mana flowing out of Russell’s body began to subside little by little.

As the 2nd circle became more and more complete, the magic power that could not be stored was gradually stabilizing.

And finally.

“Whoa.”

Russell let out a long breath.

I opened my eyes in a room where all traces of magic had completely disappeared.

That moment.

A sharp light passes through the corners of Russell’s eyes.

Amber-colored eye light leaked out, revealing long, vertically slit pupils.

The day before, these were the same eyes that Koma had shivered just from encountering them.

[You have completed the mission. Compensation will be paid.]

[Understanding of fire properties… … .]

[About the properties of water… … .]

.

Then a green window appeared, and alarms sounded one after another.

‘How much time has passed?’

Judging by the fact that the sky outside the window has completely darkened, it seems like it has completely become night.

Russell got up from his seat and checked his sweaty clothes.

And then I walked towards the window.

Crash.

I opened the window, ventilated the room, and felt a cool breeze.

Hwaak-.

A wind full of the scent of chestnuts blows in an instant.

Russell’s eyes, which had been emitting an amber glow, soon returned to their original state.

“hmm.”

The wind was a little warmer than before, so it seemed like the start of the new semester was approaching.

‘Based on the moon’s position, roughly three hours have passed?’

2nd Circle, around winter vacation before going to 4th grade.

‘It’s several years faster than my previous life.’

In his previous life, he repeatedly repeated grades and was unable to achieve the second circle until he was expelled.

‘Where should I try it?’

Since I had just achieved Circle 2, I wanted to try out the magic of that circle.

‘First of all, Fire Arrow.’

Unlike Fire, which simply creates and throws a fist-sized fireball, it was a magic that created clearly shaped arrows of flame.

As the circle increases, not only the form but also many things about the magic change.

‘The bullet speed, power, and penetration power cannot be compared to fire.’

As such, the Arrow series was not an easy type of magic even within the 2nd circle.

If you have just achieved Circle 2, this is a magic that will take several minutes to create.

But, roar!

As soon as I think of the formula and chant, the magical energy stirs and an arrow of flame appears.

“her-!”

The speed was so fast that even Russell, who demonstrated the magic, was surprised.

Moreover, the amount of magical power needed to materialize the Fire Arrow was much less than imagined.

‘If it’s like this… … .’

If you put in a little more effort, you can easily use it in real life.

Perhaps, even more pure magical power than in my previous life… … .

‘I guess it’s thanks to my understanding of intermediate fire properties.’

Although it’s just a review, I guess it’s because I’ve been reading magic books consistently in the student library.

Over the past twenty days, Russell’s understanding of magic by attribute has increased considerably.

Among them, the understanding of fire attribute magic, which was the highest, was already exceeding 13%.

‘I should try other magic as well.’

While Russell was ignoring it, he also quickly tried out magic based on other elementals.

Finally, the deadline that Hubert had mentioned passed, and the day of the scheduled exam arrived.

* * *

“The method will be for me to ask a question and you to answer.”

I thought it was just about solving ordinary problems because it was a test. I never thought it was a Q&A format.

It was a little unexpected, but there was no need to panic.

‘Nothing will change anyway.’

It’s just that the paper has changed into the form of words.

The fact that Hubert posed a problem and solved it himself remained unchanged.

“When you are ready, we will begin.”

“yes. “You may begin.”

“So, the first question is…” … .”

The first question was about a complex understanding of the subjects taught at the academy.

The question of whether it is possible to reach a higher theory by combining subjects that are separated one by one.

“That part… … .”

The answer came out without any hesitation.

“Then next is the second time.”

Since you answered the first question easily, you can increase the difficulty level a little more for the second question.

“third… … .”

The difficulty level of the questions that started like that began to rise like a steep slope following Russell’s outspoken answers.

And finally, when I asked the last question.

“Of the four structures that implement magic, which is the most important?”

Hubert realized his mistake.

‘Oh no, I made a mistake.’

You asked a question about something you yourself realized only after you got older.

I was a little surprised and excited, but no matter how I thought about it, it was an excessive question.

But Russell’s response had already begun.

‘Magic, a method of using mana to create phenomena in the world.’

Wizards often divide this process of occurrence into four stages.

Understanding, imagery, construction, manifestation.

‘It’s a way to understand a phenomenon, draw an image, construct a formula, and manifest it in the world.’

Among them, what is the most important?

“-I think it might be a mental image.”

An answer with a hint of hesitation, as if you were a little unsure. Even so, since he answered, Hubert was curious about the reason.

“What made you think that?”

“Understanding phenomena and building formulas can be learned through effort and learning. However, constructing a mental image is impossible without free thinking.”

“Let me give you an example.”

“Arrow and bolt-type magic are basically things made to imitate arrows.”

Therefore, the intuitive nature of the name alone reminds us of the shape of an arrow.

Here, association was the concept of imagery or image.

“Then, on the other hand, if you unfold this image in a way other than an arrow, it will be possible to develop magic in a form other than an arrow.”

It is the differentiation of magic that derives completely different forms of magic from one magic formula.

“And if there are no limits to this imagery. “Isn’t it possible to recreate phenomena that don’t exist in the world through magic?”

A sunny, shaded area.

Things like hot burning ice are like that.

It started with understanding the world, but it has the power to distort the laws of the world.

That is the essence of magic.

In that respect, Russell’s answer just got closer to the essence of magic than you could imagine.

Because he realized that fact, he was able to rise to the 5th circle and the level of a mage.

However, a young man who is not yet twenty understands the importance of imagery, even if only partially.

“… … .”

Only after remaining silent for a long time in response to an answer that left me speechless.

“… … “That’s amazing.”

Hubert was finally able to be honest about his feelings.

“At your level, it really won’t be easy to get books to read from the student library. I accept what you said. “Russell.”

“then… … ?”

As Russell looked at him expectantly, Hubert opened his drawer.

A piece of paper that seemed to have been prepared in advance was held out in front of him.

“I prepared this just in case, but I never thought I would actually hand it over. “It was completely unexpected.”

As soon as the pass was handed over, an alarm sound was heard and a green window appeared.

[Mission completed. Compensation will be paid.]

Inside the opposite hand where the pass was handed over, the presence of two new magic stones is felt.

How effective is the low-level magic stone compared to the lowest-level one?

I wanted to experiment right away.

It was then.

A look of regret flashed through Professor Hubert’s eyes as he handed me the pass.

‘I can’t believe that such a talented child might not be able to live a proper life as a wizard because of the Mana Road problem.’

For a moment, a small question mark appeared in his eyes as he carefully scanned Russell’s whole body.

‘hmm?’

Somehow it felt like Russell’s magical power had increased a little.

Obviously, the level wasn’t that different when we met in a make-up class 15 days ago, but did something happen in those 15 days?

‘No. ‘Did I feel wrong?’

Although it only felt like that for a moment.

Professor Hubert did not feel wrong.

In fact, it was also true that Russell achieved the second circle.

Nevertheless, there are two reasons why Professor Hubert did not notice the change.

The first was that Russell was not rotating the two circles right now, and the second was because of the differentiation of the circles Russell created.

Of course, Russell himself was completely unaware of exactly how this differentiation came about and what kind of differentiation it had.

“Rather… … .”

Professor Hubert, who was sweeping Russell’s entire body once more, looked lightly at his shoulders and legs and asked.

“Are you even exercising? “It seems like your body has changed a little.”

“ah. “You noticed.”

Russell spoke slyly in response to his words.

“I had heard that a healthy mind resides in a healthy body, so I took the time to start exercising. “I felt like I could concentrate better after really sweating.”

“Hoo.”

Professor Hubert thoughtfully rubbed his chin.

Now that I think about it, it’s not just the body that has changed.

‘The eyes are starting to look like guns.’

Is it because my physical strength has increased?

“I’m sure I’ve heard that before. Although it was mainly said by knights… … “I’m at an age where I need to take care of my health, so I don’t think it would be a bad idea to try exercising too.”

“Professor, I’m still waiting for you to correct me, but I think it’s a good idea to try some exercise.”

“Thank you for at least saying that. I wonder if I’ve been holding on to a busy person for too long. “You can leave now.”

Professor Hubert added:

“Ah, I understand your desire to go to the first floor bookshelf right away, but I recommend not going today.”

“yes?”

Russell asked back.

“I heard that today is the day to reorganize the inside of the library. “If you go, you won’t be able to get in.”

It was the day before the new semester started.

* * *

There is nothing particularly special about the first day of semester.

No, in fact, it was more relaxed than when this semester started.

That’s because, other than the school opening ceremony, there were no events worth mentioning.

I guess.

‘I guess it’s to ease the travel fatigue of students returning from far away.’

Some people returned to the academy a few days before the semester started, but others did not.

Thanks to this, even though it was relatively early, I was able to go to the professor’s library.

Sigh-.

As I opened the large door and entered, the unique smell of old books piled high hit me.

‘It’s awesome!’

At the same time, countless books caught my eye.

‘This is only the first floor.’

How many more books will there be on the second and third floors?

“Hmm?”

At that time, the librarian managing the library reacted.

He looked up from being buried in a book and made eye contact with Russell, who was standing at the entrance.

“It looks like you’re still a student. I understand the love for books, but students are not qualified to come here yet… … .”

As he spoke, Russell handed him the pass he had received from Professor Hubert.

Soon, after checking Professor Hubert’s seal on the pass, he looked at Russell with slightly surprised eyes and said,

“Huh. What an amazing guy. It means that I passed the test of that strict Professor Hubert… … .”

Professor Hubert was quite a famous figure even within the academy.

He has amazing skills that allowed him to reach the 5th circle in his late 30s, and is said to have the potential to reach the 6th circle before he reaches his 50s.

A mage with quite outstanding talent (meaning a mage of 5th circle or higher).

It is not unreasonable for the librarian to look at Russell with admiration.

“Can I come in now?”

“Of course. However, it must be located only on the first floor. “I would like to give permission, but unfortunately, you do not have permission to enter the library on the second floor.”

“yes.”

Russell greeted politely and headed towards the bookshelves.

Even though there are books in the professor’s library, not all of them are valuable.

Among them, not only did the theory have a high level of difficulty, but there were also quite a few that were available on the market.

‘If possible, exclude the things I read in my past life… … .’

There are two books that were selected in that way.

One of them would be read here today, and the other would be checked out to read in class tomorrow.

After finishing sorting the books, Russell’s mission appears again.

[mission]

There was no need to check what kind of mission it was.

‘It must be a mission that increases speed reading speed and accuracy.’

So shall we get started?

Russell rolled up his sleeves and started reading and quickly became immersed in the content of the book.

Although there was a clear goal of reviving the family and avenging his father, Russell himself did not dislike magic.

Was it because of that?

The anticipation of living a much better life as a wizard made me feel happy about accumulating new knowledge.

‘They are all things that become my fertilizer.’

Fertilizer to live a life as a wizard.

How long had I been concentrating on the book like that?

“Yes?”

Someone’s strange voice was heard from a little distance away.

Nevertheless, Russell, who was concentrating on his book, did not hear the sound, and the owner of the voice smiled.

He approached Russell with eyes that discovered something strange and opened his mouth as if to listen.

“It’s only on the first floor, but there are students in the professor’s library. “This is truly amazing.”

“ah-.”

Russell, whose concentration was broken by the sound, turned his head.

“uh?”

But what?

No one was standing where the voice came from.

Instead, from behind Russell’s back.

I heard that voice earlier.

“It’s this way. “It’s a child.”

“omg-!”

Russell, who was startled by a voice coming from behind him out of nowhere, dropped the book in his hand, forgetting that it was a library, and let out a scream.

A middle-aged lady with her white hair neatly braided back was looking at Russell with happy eyes.

wizard who swallowed a dragon