Alon, though unsure exactly how she’d done it, successfully subjugated Basiliora with Heinkel’s questionable help. He then received magical instruction from Heinkel.

It was five days. Although that might seem like a long or short time, it proved immensely beneficial for Alon.

Heinkel wasn’t dealing with mere words or sentences; her magical knowledge elevated Alon’s abilities from those of a newly advanced fourth-tier mage to the level of a fully seasoned fourth-tier.

Moreover, thanks to improvements in the cost-effectiveness of his magic, Alon was now able to use spells he’d never even considered using before, having learned a slightly more efficient way to utilize mana. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Of course, Alon wasn’t a genius who could perfectly apply what he learned right away, so it took time to properly implement it. However, even her minor guidance greatly reduced the consumption rate compared to his original magic, which was a significant gain.

Most importantly, the greatest help he received was this—

“Huh—”

It was right in front of him.

Woong-

Alon saw the magic manifest before his eyes—or more precisely, he saw the visualization of the mana’s arrangement.

Like the DNA of genes, the mana was arranged in a spiral pattern forming a pentagram.

Though it wasn’t perfect yet, it was undoubtedly what he’d wanted, and he smiled deeply to himself. This was precisely why he had sought magical instruction from Heinkel, and this was the result.

I didn’t expect to be able to implement it this quickly.

The array broke down into tiny pieces the moment he lost focus. Still, Alon exhaled a satisfied breath. What he had created was one of the “traits” that magicians could use in Psychedelia.

A trait (特性). In the game, when magicians reach the fourth tier, they can obtain unique traits for their magic using knowledge from the labyrinths, though these traits are limited to about ten in the game.

Nevertheless, Alon had managed to implement this “trait” without even visiting a labyrinth. It wasn’t because he was special. In fact, anyone who knew how to incorporate the overall shape, order, and position of mana into magic could use it. Of course, unless someone discovered the trait by entering the labyrinth themselves, Alon would be the only user of this undiscovered trait.

...The labyrinth that grants this trait hadn’t even appeared at this point. It only emerged later, due to a fracture after one of the sins descended.

With a little more practice, I might be able to handle it perfectly.

Soon, thinking of this unique trait that would be very helpful to his current self, he felt satisfied. Then—

“Marquis.”

Alon turned his attention toward Evan’s voice.

“What’s the matter?”

“No, the conference is nearly over. I was wondering what you’re planning to do.”

“Hmm—how many days are left?”

“About three days, I think?” Evan replied.

Alon pondered for a moment.

.........He’d heard that he could stay for about a week even after the conference ended, but it seemed pointless to continue receiving instruction now.

Heinkel’s teachings had indeed been an incredible gift to Alon. However, Alon could no longer receive instruction from Heinkel. Or rather, it would be more accurate to say that it would be pointless, as the physical limitation known as the Mana Hole was starting to make Heinkel’s teachings feel like nothing more than good-looking but unripe persimmons.

So... he had taken what he could, and now it might be time to try increasing his mana a bit more. Just as Alon was thinking of an artifact that might be near the central tower which could slightly increase his mana—

“Ah, by the way, Marquis. There’s a commotion outside,” Evan suddenly changed the subject.

“A commotion outside? What happened?”

“Well, it’s not exactly a single event, but just a lot of ‘stuff’ happening.”

“...So what’s the event?” Alon pressed, and Evan dragged out his words before continuing.

“Recently, throughout the entire Allied Kingdom, mountains have suddenly started splitting open, or natural massacres are occurring in the territories of the Marquisdom.”

“...In the mountains or the Marquisdom’s territories?”

“Yes, there have already been over eight incidents within a week. In particular, Mount Temax near the Kingdom of Rosario has become a barren wasteland.”

“The reason?”

“The reason is still unclear. That’s just the rumor going around.”

“Is there any commonality among the places where these incidents occurred?”

“From what I’ve heard, the locations are sporadic.”

A quiet sense of crisis set in. At the same time, doubts arose. If this were the appearance of an Outer God, it wouldn’t occur sporadically in multiple places, Alon thought, tilting his head. But that was only for a moment.

Still, I should probably look into it first.

After delegating some tasks to Evan with the intention of going himself, he said, “It seems I’ll have to go out soon.”

He decided it was time to leave the magic conference. That night, as always, Alon was alone, practicing magic after receiving his instruction. Heinkel, watching him, had a strange expression. Initially, she had detested even his presence, but lately, Heinkel had grown quite interested in him. Partly because he followed her teachings well, but more so because the magic he used was very peculiar.

Alon was using “primitive magic” that had nearly become extinct even in Heinkel’s era. Even more, he used it so naturally that it inevitably aroused curiosity. No, to be precise, it was curiosity about the “magic” he used.

I wish I could ask him to teach me just once.

Unfortunately, the “master and disciple” relationship had not been established between her and Alon. Given her personality, asking Alon to teach her something now would be a bit difficult.

However, Heinkel’s magical curiosity easily overcame her personality. Being a magician known as the “Cup of the Origins,” her curiosity was immense. In fact, she had mentioned something about “Phrases” to Alon a few days ago.

As soon as the word “Phrase” slipped out, she had shut her mouth, and the conversation hadn’t progressed.

It couldn’t be helped. It was because of the entity behind Alon. Whenever she tried to discuss something related to “Phrases,” she immediately looked up and couldn’t bring herself to ask about it. While teaching him magic, Heinkel had already figured out, to some extent, the eyes that Alon and the others shouldn’t be aware of.

Alon was unaware of the presence of the eyes behind him—or rather, it would have been strange if he had noticed.

After all, that entity was invisible to anyone who had not opened their eyes, and one would need enlightenment and strength similar to hers to even glimpse what was hidden behind the scenes.

And most importantly, the eyes themselves seemed to avoid being recognized by Alon when he utilized magic. Despite being a spirit, Heinkel felt the hairs on her body stand on end. For some reason, the “eyes” that refused Alon’s recognition showed a clear reaction to Phrases, if not a complete one.

Of course, she couldn’t definitively conclude that it was avoiding them, but her survival instincts violently warned her: Don’t just casually bring up that topic.

“...I think I’ll leave for today.”

[Oh, alright. See you tomorrow.]

“Yes, thank you as always.”

She knew it wouldn’t be particularly beneficial to touch on that subject. Yet her curiosity was being wildly stoked, day by day.

Isn’t there a good way?

After Alon left, she soon came up with an idea.

Now that I think about it, the eyes don’t react when he recites the Phrase................ If I don’t ask directly, and he offers to teach first, maybe I could listen?

She was well aware of how low the likelihood of that scenario actually was. But by now, her brain had been completely overtaken by curiosity.

How can I start the conversation first?

She began to ponder.

Suddenly—

“You damn old coot!!! I know you’re hiding here, come out!!!”

A loud shout echoed throughout the library, making her furrow her brow.

Who dares be so reckless...?

[...Hmm?]

However, shortly afterward, she recognized the owner of the voice. Penia Crysinne. For Heinkel, who wandered around the central tower whenever she felt bored, Penia was a well-known figure among the magicians, her name frequently mentioned. Moreover, there had recently been rumors involving her and Marquis Palatio...

Hmm? Wait?

It seemed like a path was opening up. Penia—if Penia truly had that kind of relationship with Marquis Palatio...

A small plan began to form in her mind.

*****

Penia Crysinne was in a very angry state. That was because she had originally had no intention of attending this magic conference. It was only recently that the magical supplies had started arriving properly, allowing her to resume the experiments that had been on hold.

But the reason she came to the central tower was exactly because of—

“Damn old coot-!!!!!!!!”

A rumor started by the Blue Tower’s master.

Wow— I didn’t know you’d already finished greeting.

So the vice-master of the tower is getting married, you really can’t predict life.

Penia ground her teeth as she recalled the professors who barged in during her magical experiments and spouted such lines. And the source of those rumors was none other than Celaime Mikardo, who usually shoved his duties onto her and wandered around carelessly without a thought in the world. She couldn’t just stand by. She had to punish that old coot immediately.

Penia rushed to the conference and, finding him already hidden, scoured every corner of the building, eventually arriving at the library. And there—

[Who is there?]

“.........!?”

She encountered a spectral girl. Or, more precisely—

“The Cup of the Origins, Heinkel...?”

The Cup of the Origins, Heinkel.

[Hoo~ It’s curious that you know my name.]

At the confirming voice, Penia was so startled she froze, forgetting her original purpose.

Penia had long been aware of one of the rumors associated with the central tower’s library, about “the Cup of the Origins, Heinkel.” The content was simple: if you visited the library at night, Heinkel would appear and impart magical knowledge. However, hardly any magician believed it, as it made no sense for Heinkel, who should have died hundreds of years ago, to suddenly appear in the library. Nevertheless, Penia had once visited the library at night after hearing the rumor.

Because her childhood dream had been to become a great magician like Heinkel, it was only natural that Penia recognized Heinkel immediately. She had seen countless portraits of Heinkel in statues and books.

“State your name,” said the figure akin to an idol from her childhood. Prompted by Heinkel, Penia, who had been staring blankly, startled and replied,

“Pe, Penia Crysinne...!”

Her heart fluttered at meeting someone she had admired for so long.

However—

[Penia Crysinne............ Ah, so you’re the one rumored to have that kind of relationship with Marquis Palatio?]

“Wh...?”

Hearing such strange words from the mouth of her idol, she couldn’t help but furrow her brow. Her tolerance had grown incredibly low after being constantly troubled by rumors over the past few months.

“That’s a huge misunderstanding,” she reflexively tried to clarify.

[There is one condition I have for you. If you agree, I will personally ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ teach you magic.]

“What?”

She fell silent at the unexpected proposal.

[Exactly as I said. I have a favor related to Marquis Palatio. If you are as close to the Marquis as the rumors suggest, it shouldn’t be too difficult. What do you say?]

Despite how odd that sounded—

“You mean, teach me magic?”

[Yes.]

“From the Cup of the Origins?”

[I don’t repeat myself.]

She couldn’t refuse.

Memories flashed through her mind, all painfully tied to Marquis Palatio—from the memories of creating potions for him to being dragged off by pirates while traveling with him. Days of stress, filled with rumors involving the Marquis, scrolled through her mind one by one.

Honestly, Penia wanted to completely clear up the rumors relating to Marquis Palatio. Her feelings were the same even now. No matter that this was a chance to be mentored in magic by the Cup of the Origins herself, Penia’s stress had long since surpassed its limits.

Therefore, instead of voicing what she really thought—

[Perhaps there was some mistake in the spreading of these rumors?]

—she only curled the corners of her mouth into an awkward smile. The stress that had gnawed at her very being, tormenting her to the point of nearly pulling her hair out for months, still could not overpower her magical curiosity.