Chapter 204: Eldrin’s Lesson I

The next day...

As twilight faded and the last blush of sunlight dipped below the horizon, they found a secluded clearing nestled within the forest’s embrace.

The trees stood silently, their leaves rustling softly in the evening breeze.

With practiced ease, they set up camp beneath the slowly darkening sky, the scent of pine and earth mingling in the cool, crisp air.

Killian and Pandora still remained sleeping at the back of the carriage with no signs of waking up anytime soon.

Rowan set up the bonfire and placed the log stools he had brought in the back of the carriage around it.

He then bade farewell to Regis, Aurelia, and Eldrin, making his way back in the driver’s seat of the carriage before taking out some sandwiches while staying alert in his surroundings.

Just like the night before, the three of them shared a simple meal, their quiet conversations weaving through the crackling of the fire.

Once the dishes were cleared and the stars had claimed the sky, the two children settled in front of the old mage, their eyes alight with curiosity.

Tonight, he would teach both of them magic.

Eldrin observed Aurelia’s excited expression and Regis’s annoyed gaze.

The disparity between the two made him feel like chuckling.

However, he could not shake the feeling that something was off as he looked at them.

’I feel like the way Aurelia treated Regis changed...’

As someone who had experienced the vicissitudes of life, it was easy for him to tell that the former liked the latter.

After all, it was obvious in her behavior, mannerisms, way of speaking, and others.

’Just what happened yesterday?’

Seeing that Eldrin was only looking at them, Regis spoke, "Don’t tell me that you won’t teach me anything again, old man?"

He still felt annoyed at him for suddenly leaving last night without even giving him as much as a piece of advice.

"Ehem, let’s start..."

The old mage cleared his throat and placed what he was thinking in the back of his mind.

After a moment of pause, he spoke, "I have a task for Aurelia first."

"Y-Yes?" Aurelia stuttered in surprise, but regained her composure in the next second.

Eldrin caressed his beard, "Circulate your mana and make a mana barrier."

"Okay."

Aurelia focused as she raised the wooden staff lent to her by the old mage.

After a minute, a circular mana barrier formed around her, enclosing her within.

"Alright." Eldrin nodded, "Now, control it and make it smaller."

Following his instructions, she gradually shrank the mana barrier until it took on an oval shape around her.

It took her nearly five minutes to complete the task.

However, she was surprised by the old mage’s next words, "Make it smaller."

"Eh?" Aurelia could not help but look at him in confusion.

Eldrin did not address her confusion as he gave further instructions.

"Make it smaller, then use it to outline your whole body, including your clothes and hair."

"The mana barrier must be the shape of your shadow, outlining your whole being perfectly."

"However, be careful not to touch your skin as it may cause mana contamination."

"Do it in every way you can. Find solutions for yourself."

Aurelia gritted her teeth and began doing as he said.

Sweat drenched her face and back as her concentration reached its limit.

Afterwards, Eldrin looked at Regis and smiled, "Now, to begin our lesson..."

"Finally."

The young boy could not help but express his dissatisfaction.

The old mage chuckled, "Now, now. Don’t be so frustrated. Let me ask you: what magic spell do you want?"

"Something that will help me fight."

"Such a straightforward answer. But before that, let me ask you another question: how did you start learning magic spells?"

"By myself. Although Killian hired some mages before, it was only for Pandora since I wanted to focus on aura at the time..."

"What made you change your mind?"

The old mage’s question made Regis ponder for a moment, "Well, I’m not really sure. I just thought that it was a pity. I meant, I have all these energies, why should I focus on one if I can use them all? Wouldn’t it be a waste?"

His words made Eldrin widen his eyes, "I guess you’re quite cocky too, huh? Well, it’s not really strange considering your capabilities, but..."

"But what?" Regis’s eye twitched at his words.

Eldrin cleared his throat, "What do you think of your talent?"

"Above average at the very least."

"Really? What about your comprehensive talent?"

"Above average."

"Oho? Do you even know what that means?"

Before Regis could reply, Eldrin continued speaking, "Talent comes in many forms; talent in mana means that one will be able to control mana more effectively. "

"However, talent may also come in the form of intelligence, comprehension, and whatnot."

"For now, I need to test you. After all, you’re not like Pandora, who can just perfectly copy anything she sees."

Regis felt a little challenged, "Bring it on, old man."

Hearing his words, Eldrin’s brow twitched, "For your first task, you just need to do what the little lass is doing."

"Alright."

Regis closed his eyes and began concentrating.

He utilized his mana in the most efficient way possible with zero wasteful consumption.

All 35 meters of his magic field were utilized to their full potential.

Before long, a translucent circular blue barrier manifested and enclosed him from within.

Then, it trembled before gradually shrinking.

The mana barrier continued to shrink until it began to outline Regis’s full body, including his clothes and every strand of his hair.

He then opened his eyes and asked Eldrin with a smirk, "What now?"

"Hm, this much is expected. Just maintain that for a few minutes."

However, the old mage’s nonchalant reply was very different from the thoughts in his mind.

’Impossible!’

’Utterly impossible!!’

’Pandora was able to utilize around 90% of her magic field, which puts her at the level of the elves.’

’Even they most talented and the purest of their bloodlines, might achieve 100% at the highest.’

’But this monster... utilized more than 100% of his magic field!!’

This placed Regis on the same level as that of dragons, the most noble and powerful race in the world.

Though Eldrin did not even dare think of it.

’A normal master magician can have their magic field extended up to 25 meters, with every minor breakthrough adding a meter to its range.’

’This means that a master magician at the Peak Stage of Four Star Realm should only be able to use, at most, 30 meters of their magic field...’

Eldrin shook his head, ’No, let’s think of a few more challenging training for this monster. I can’t let him get a big head.’

’Though I’m quite relieved that the little lass is too focused on controlling her mana to be aware of her surroundings.’

He did not know how it would affect her mindset if she were to witness someone effortlessly achieve what she had been working so hard for in the past few minutes.

When Eldrin looked at Regis again, he became filled with shock as he saw the young boy performing push ups with the mana barrier outlining his body.

"H-Hey— Ehem. What are you doing?"

Regis looked at him and smiled, "I’m just figuring out the benefits of this strange application of mana barrier."

"Oh? And what did you discover?’

"A few things, actually. It helps with stealth since it’s easier to blend in with the surrounding mana. Though beasts that specialize in aura might sense me..."

Regis continued speaking, the old mage’s shock increasing even more.

’To think that he would figure all that without any hints...’

Eldrin could not help but smirk.

Noticing his strange expression, Regis asked, "What? Is it not enough?"

"No, it’s more than enough."

The old mage raised both of his hands, "I admit defeat. You’re indeed talented. I’ll teach you seriously starting now."

Eldrin was one of the most prominent figures of the Bakurad Fortress.

Naturally, many apprentice mages were requesting his tutelage, but they were all filled with pride and arrogance.

Though it was not really a flaw, he just personally hated it.

That was the reason why he decided to test Regis’s character first.

However, it was the first time he found himself at a loss for how to humble the ego of an arrogant genius.

After all, the boy standing before him was just that gifted.

His talent bordered on the unreal.

But to his surprise, Regis only smiled, "Well, I’ll also be serious from now on."

"Hm?"

Eldrin could not help but tilt his head at the boy’s words.

His lips twitched, ’Was this brat messing with me?’

Staring at Regis’s calm face, he gritted his teeth.

’He totally is!’

Eldrin could not believe it as a smile crept up his face, ’Haaa...’

"Alright."

The old mage looked at the boy before him and asked, "First, tell me the magic spells you know."

Regis obediently followed as he began saying the magic spells in his arsenal.

Eldrin listened attentively before speaking about the basics of magic.

The long night was alive with their voices, echoing through the quiet forest as they delved deep into the rich and wondrous study of magic.