Chapter 21 (1/2)
Chapter 21
The mountain range called Bercht was situated in the northern part of the continent, a place that didn’t belong to any empire or kingdom. Its altitude was 3,500 meters, and a population of about 1,000 people resided among the peaks. It also served as the home of a group of wizards called the Elders.
Bercht was the collective body of the magic schools spread throughout the continent and the institution that determined the schools’ actions. They followed the Isle of Wizard’s Wealth ritual that they adapted, but the summit rarely happened, perhaps only once every few decades.
“…The summit…”
It was a day in April when the Elders felt the need for a summit.
“It must be held at once!”
The wizards swiftly gathered at the Elders’ Hall, located at the top of the mountain range shrouded by endless darkness.
“A devil appeared in the Mountain of Darkness. We must not forget that magic was initially formed as an occult art to punish the devil.”
Even though they avoided becoming involved with the secular world, they were forced to make a strict exception to deal with the threat that now loomed over them.
“Has the directive been written?”
“We had to go to great lengths for the Shinjin, but the attendance of the Twelve Families has been ascertained.”
The Twelve families, which included the Eliade, Yukline, Bran, Beorad, Riwaynde, and its newest member, the Shinjin, known for their achievements over the past decade, were summoned as per tradition. Being allowed to attend the Bercht conference itself was a great honor for any family. Hence, no one dared refuse the summons.
“The Eliade and Yukline families have fiercely fought each other in the past.”
Bercht’s decision-maker, Dzekdan, expressed his concern.
“That happened ages ago. They’ve already reached some sort of agreement.”
“It’s merely superficial.”
Dzekdan sighed deeply.
“That’s only natural, considering the power their households have. However, Glitheon has become more dangerous.”
“No, the currents of his rage have calmed down.”
Eliade’s Glitheon was once an uncontrollable flame. The blazes of his ambition seemed like they had the primal need to burn eternally. Dzekdan still hadn’t forgotten how Glitheon behaved, not wanting to let go of his deep-seated delusion.
“Does he not have a child who’s better than him? She didn’t inherit her father’s bottomless ambition, and she most certainly wouldn’t do anything that would put her in harm’s way.”
That was also true. His ember, seemed ready to devour the world. He then was granted a scion that was a far more brilliant spark than himself. If Glitheon was fire, then Sylvia was the sun.
“You know what to do. On another note, the Shinjin mages have been asking about the vipers of the Isle of Wizard’s Wealth.”
The twelve Elders bowed down to Dzekdan’s word.
“Yes. Once the Isle has picked out eight families, I will send you a message.”
Upon the rise of such a day, Bercht’s will was transmitted to the Empire’s tower and the mage families. At the same time, all high-level wizards across the continents would begin their journey to Bercht. As a precaution, their messages always included one warning.
[A fair reminder: Bercht cannot be held liable for the wizards’ safety. Its law is nothing but magic. Hence, death amid the mountain ranges will be naturally considered magical.]
The reason behind the need for it would soon be revealed.
***
About ten days later, my prized items flooded Routen. As Ganesha advised, I bought two premium quality magical vaults and kept them in separate locations: one in the main building and another in an entirely different building. I also called Professor Relin of the University Tower and the wizards of the Security Department to renew the mansion’s defenses.
With my home once again prepared against invasion, no possession of mine should be at risk for theft now.
“The ones I can personally use…”
Of the many items, I had two artifacts that didn’t go immediately into the vault. Both of them were relics, so any wizard would want to have them.
——— [Ruperin’s Ring] ———
◆Rating: Relic
◆Description: An equipment created by one of the very few master craftsmen of their generation, Ruperin. He has infused his blood, sweat, and tears into it.
◆Category: Equipment ⊃ Artifact ⊃ Accessory
◆Effects:
– Regulates blood circulation to smoothen blood flow.
– Increases mana recovery speed.
– Slightly amplifies magical powers.
—————
A ring that helps blood circulation and mana restoration.
——— [Ancient Relic Necklace] ———
◆Rating: Relic
◆Description: Relic Necklace inscribed with ancient runes
◆Category: Equipment ⊃ Artifact ⊃ Accessory
◆Effect:
– Store up to [300] mana.
—————
A necklace designed for storing mana, comparable to a power bank. After absorbing [300] mana from my body, it could be used as a portable mana source. It was only 300, but mana volume was an extremely important stat in this game. There weren’t many items like this either. Because of the limitations of my magical power, I was forced to rely on my [Iron Man] skill. I couldn’t even dream of becoming a knight.
From here on out, I decided to start using the two accessories as part of my equipment. Based on their [Aesthetic Sense] alone, they looked immensely luxurious. However, the most important item I bought was…
I sighed as I looked at the item in question. It was the mysterious metal with a white and blue glow. It looked unattractive because it hadn’t been refined yet, but the Snowflake Obsidian’s existence itself was no different from magic.
“It’s not moving.”
It cost no less than 40 million Elnes, but no matter how much I used Psychokinesis on it, it wouldn’t budge. It wasn’t because it hadn’t been refined yet, that it was too big, or even that I lacked magic. The problem was that the spell in it was resisting my magic. In its current condition, even after it had been refined, smelted, and forged, I still wouldn’t be able to control it even if I spent my entire life trying to.
“What should I do…?”
The Snowflake Obsidian was an item too expensive to just serve as a display or decoration, but I couldn’t think of a way to awaken it. As I stared at it deep in thought, I suddenly remembered a line from one of the books in the library.
“Swords need to be tamed, which is why knights must first swing their swords before they can use their fullest potential. This process is called communion.”
Communion. I had never learned how to use a sword as I was a wizard. However, if taming the sword meant understanding the sword itself, then…
I gazed into the sword with my [Understanding] and even placed my hands on it just in case my eyes wouldn’t be enough. Both heat and cold coursed through me. Those two qualities could never coexist in a practical sense, yet they tickled my palms together.
But what I wanted wasn’t its contradictory quality, atomic structure, or its value. What I desired was an essential and metaphysical understanding of it, far more important than any of those combined. I needed insights that transcended rationality from my trance of communion…
“…!”
I felt a searing pain pass through my eyes as if electricity pierced through them.
Ziiiiing—
The Snowflake Obsidian scorched my hand, but I continued staring into it as I clutched one of my eyes. I didn’t find any changes. However, I felt it with my body. When I checked it with my [Vision], I felt even more assured.
[Understanding: 0.1%]
[Mana: 1,357 / 3,357 (+300)]
0.1% after consuming two thousand mana. Considering the daily amount of mana available to me, which was more than ten thousand, and my recovery speed, it would take at least a year to fully understand this metal. It might be easier to use upon reaching 40% or 50% understanding, but steel would be the best until then.
Did my routine just gain one more task? I deposited the Snowflake Obsidian into the vault with a bitter smile. Then, I wore Ruperin’s Ring and the Ancient Relic Necklace, immediately noticing a notable change.
“Hmm?”
The aura and color of the accessories that were touching my body changed completely to a vintage style.
—— [Aesthetic Sense] ——
◆Rating: Unique
◆Description:
-Genius sense in classifying appearance.
-Has the potential to be well-versed in all artistic knowledge and responds to high-quality artworks.
———
Was that change the effects of [Aesthetic Sense]’s second description? I thought it was an attribute that was so useless that only [Prodigy] could beat its worthlessness. It wasn’t practical, but it wasn’t bad to have either.