Became the Patron of Villains Novel MTL - Chapter 277

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C277. Something is off. (2)

A few weeks had passed since they heard Kylus’s story.

“Hmm, I think it’s more or less sorted out now.”

“I see, I suppose this is the limit.”

As a result of organizing the Primordial Mage’s magic together with Penia, although it wasn’t perfect, they managed to structure it to some extent.

“That’s right. Still, I think achieving this so quickly, in less than two months, was quite good. Well, partly thanks to Mr. Sparrow’s help.”

When Penia spoke while looking at the red gem in Alon’s hand, Sparrow let out a smug voice.

[I am glad to have been of help.]

Alon thought as he watched Sparrow shrug.

Even though they called it “organizing,” to be cold about it…

The only thing Alon and Penia had done in those weeks was compile the Phrases (어구) and Seals that could be used with the Primordial Mage’s magic.

Someone might think: “Did they really take that long just for that?”

But the reason Penia said they finished quickly… was simple:

The quantity.

“Sparrow.”

[What is it?]

“This… are these really the basic Phrases that every Mage has to learn?”

[Yes. We could say they are the most fundamental.]

Alon closed his mouth and looked at the organized book.

A book so thick it would put any university textbook to shame.

…That was the reason Penia said she had organized it quickly.

“Wow, even so, I didn’t imagine there were this many.”

Penia opened the Phrases she had collected again and was surprised once more.

But Sparrow immediately added:

[This isn’t even a lot.]

“……Really?”

[Of course. In fact, most Mages (True Mages) learn all these basic Phrases.]

“Just out of curiosity… after learning all these Phrases, are they actually used?”

Sparrow answered without hesitation:

[Of course.]

“……All of these?”

[Well, maybe not some. In the end, when a Mage inherits their Imprint (mental image transmission), they end up mainly using certain Phrases.]

“Then, wouldn’t it be unnecessary to learn them all?”

[What kind of nonsense is that?]

“……It isn’t?”

At Alon’s counter-question, Sparrow sighed deeply.

[As I believe I told you before… a Mage is, first and foremost, a researcher, and furthermore inherits an honorable obligation from the predecessor who transmitted the Imprint to them.]

“An obligation?”

[Yes. To further develop the Imprint. That is the obligation and honor that falls upon all Mages who inherit it. And for that, fundamental knowledge of Magic is indispensable.]

Sparrow continued:

[As I said before, the basis of Magic is divided into four: first are the Phrases. When you memorize all the Phrases, you move on to the Seals. When you memorize all the Seals, you move on to the Principles. When you finish the Principles, you enter the territory of Materialization.]

“And does the Formula come after?”

[No, strictly speaking, the Formula or Technique is both the first and the last thing. All Mages, the moment they receive their Imprint, also receive the Formula. Of course, even if they inherit it, using it takes a very long time.]

Even rising to a higher grade through the Imprint, there were many Mages who never managed to use a Formula.

[In any case, the point is this: knowledge is an essential component for the Imprint to grow.]

“Then, in my case, how am I supposed to grow?”

[You?]

“Yes. I can use the Formula, but I have no Phrases or Principles.”

[Then you will have to create your own Principles.]

“…Even though I already have a Formula, is that still necessary?”

Sparrow answered instantly:

[Of course. I think you are confusing something. The Formula is… no, if I say it like that, you’ll have trouble understanding. Wait a moment.]

Sparrow reflected like a teacher thinking about how to explain a lesson to his student, until he finally exclaimed as if it had come to him.

[Simply put: the Formula is a sort of ‘awakened’ state.]

“Awakened state?”

[Yes. For example, your Lightning God Form originally has certain effects. But when you use it under the Formula… its effect changes completely.]

“……It changes completely?”

[Yes. I would like to show you, but I don’t have a body right now… However, if you ask Kylus, you will probably feel the difference clearly. Although his Formula is different, but well—]

Sparrow cleared his throat.

[Even if you can use a Formula, that isn’t the end. It is barely the starting point. You have obtained the base to develop your Imprint and reach the ‘Final’. Although before reaching the Final, you will first have to reach the stage of ‘Materialization’ or ‘Manifestation’, however you want to call it.]

“Materialization?”

[It is not something you should worry about right now.]

Alon nodded.

Regardless of how he was going to develop his magic, he already understood why he had to study Magic.

While they were listening, Penia suddenly intervened:

“By the way… a doubt came to mind. May I ask?”

[What is it?]

“You said that the Formula is the stepping stone to reach the ‘Final’. What exactly is that Final?”

It was a question born of pure curiosity.

Sparrow remained silent for a few seconds and then said:

[About the ‘final’, unfortunately, I cannot explain it in detail either. Because I heard that the only one who has reached that ‘final’ that all mages hold as a utopia is the Primordial Mage.]

“I see.”

[But everyone knows it. In fact, there isn’t a Mage who doesn’t know about the Final. Because reaching the Final is everyone’s goal.]

“And what is it?”

Alon also felt curious.

Sparrow waited a moment and answered:

[Becoming a God.]

“…A God?”

[Yes.]

The answer left Alon confused.

“Why would that be the goal? As far as I know, gods—”

[I know. The mental image of all mages begins from the birth of a god. But the god I speak of here is not just any god.]

“Then, which one?”

[A complete god.]

“Complete?”

[Yes. All Mages research with that objective. Although, as I said, no one knows exactly what it means to be a ‘Complete God’ or ‘Perfect God’. The little I have heard is that—]

After meditating, Sparrow concluded:

[They say it is the same as “the one who ascends”.]

“……Sounds like nonsense.”

[What does that mean?]

“There is something like that.”

“Hmm… It sounds very profound.”

Penia murmured thoughtfully.

And Alon, looking at the thick book, said:

“In any case, it doesn’t change the fact that I have to learn all this.”

[Of course.]

…Thus, Alon reaffirmed his determination.

After taking a few days off…

He remembered that the agreed date with Magrina was approaching, so he started preparing to depart.

“Are you setting off already?”

“Yes.”

When Evan had just entered the office, Penia asked:

“Ah, this time you were going to the East, right?”

“Yes. Although first I have to see if it’s possible to get there.”

“Can I accompany you?”

“I was going to tell you to come with me.”

He didn’t want to stop his training with Kylus.

Penia smiled mischievously and approached.

“As expected, the Marquis needs me.”

“You help me with many things, after all.”

“In that case… could you give me one more artifact for research?”

So that was her purpose…

Alon nodded and Penia disappeared screaming like a dolphin.

“Anyway, get ready.”

“Understood. By the way, don’t you plan to pass through Laksas? Last time you said you had to talk to Radan to take a ship.”

“That is true but… now that I think about it, Laksas is a bit far from the East.”

“Well, yes.”

Evan placed a package on the desk.

“This?”

“A gift. Baron Christo sent it.”

“Baron Christo?”

“He is a noble affiliated with Kalpa.”

Alon looked at the gift for a while, then directed his gaze to a corner of the office.

A place where there shouldn’t be anything… but it was full of gifts.

[Kyu—]

[Zzz—]

On top of the piles of gifts, sleeping peacefully under the sunlight, were Blackie and Basiliora.

Alon called Evan:

“Evan.”

“Yes?”

“Aren’t too many gifts arriving lately?”

“I had noticed it too.”

“……Is it some special date?”

“The birthday… no, that’s still a while away.”

No matter how much he thought, he couldn’t remember any important date.

Besides—

If it were a special date, there would be letters, but none have arrived…

Only gifts arrived, without any explanation.

Strange.

“Well, I’ll find out. I haven’t gone to the information guild lately.”

“…Isn’t it weird to ask something like that to the guild?”

“Yes, but… I’ll have to find out somewhere.”

The next day, with the decision made.

He departed towards Greynifr*.

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Hidan had used his head, something very rare.

What did that mean?

Simple: since the rumors began to circulate, he had gone weeks without going to see Yutia, and instead was gathering information.

Of course, almost all the information he gathered was useless.

And he knew it himself.

But he did it anyway because he was afraid.

Because he couldn’t imagine what reaction Yutia would have when she heard the rumor directly from his mouth.

He preferred for her to find out from others.

However, unfortunately for him…

“…She has been away for a long time.”

“She had some matters.”

Yutia, who seemed to have been busy for the last two months, knew nothing of the rumor.

So Hidan had to tell it himself.

And then—

“…They say that the Great Moon will become the consort of the elves…”

“Hmm…”

In the instant Hidan swallowed saliva to continue…

“I see.”

Yutia’s reaction was surprisingly calm.

“So that rumor was circulating.”

Hidan nodded awkwardly.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Well, being just a rumor, I don’t think it’s worth worrying about.”

Yutia maintained her usual smile.

Hidan let out a sigh of relief and reproached himself mentally.

Right, as if the Red Moon would let herself be perturbed by such a stupid rumor.

His heart calmed down immediately.

It seemed ridiculous to him to have been afraid for so long.

He smiled without realizing it.

And while Yutia sipped water from a silver goblet and picked up a quill to write—

Crack

—…did he see that?

“Oh… the quill bent. The paper too—”

Yutia observed the sunken tip of the quill with apparent pity.

She took another quill and another paper from the desk and started to write—

CRACK—!

…She couldn’t.

“The quill is… a bit weak.”

Yutia murmured softly.

In that instant Hidan understood two things.

The first: Yutia’s voice didn’t have the slightest tonal variation.

And the second:

The silver goblet she had lifted a moment ago…

It was completely deformed, so much so that it could no longer be used as a cup.

And upon understanding it—

“Wow… I wonder who could have started that rumor.”

“I truly wonder…”

Yutia’s voice, cold as ice, filled the room.

And Hidan squeezed his eyes shut.