Genius Prismatic Mage Chapter 45

#045. Where evil gathers (2)

“I don’t understand what you’re saying. Shouldn’t you fight and win to win in that situation?”

The old man smiled.

He said that there is no need to force yourself to understand it, and that there will come a time when you will understand it naturally as time goes by.

After that, the conversation about gray mana continued a little more.

“Anyway, it seems like you can develop this magic in your own way. Even mana with the same elemental combination can become completely different types of magic depending on who uses it.”

Ray could agree with that.

I was already thinking in my head about how I could use the gray mana in battle.

Or making a replacement weapon when your knife breaks.

Or, you could send a sharp piece of rock flying in the wind.

‘You could also make rocks pop up on the ground to trip your opponent.’

As much as I believe that offense is the best defense, these are the kinds of thoughts that immediately come to mind.

One downside is that the current ring mana ratio doesn’t allow for a lot of gray to be created.

The gray mana in the air was also difficult to handle, making it difficult to draw in large quantities or mix colors in a short period of time.

I don’t know about later though.

At least for now.

Still, it will be possible to make and utilize small tools and structures.

The old man continued to explain the characteristics and main uses of each element contained in Ray’s ring.

“Those who handle the strengthening elements mainly use methods to enhance their physical abilities and engage in close combat.”

The strengthening element was the element that took up a large portion of red mana.

“Regeneration elements can heal wounds. If you have the wizard’s ability, you can speed up the recovery from any kind of injury.”

“… … .”

“And the blocking element is the element mainly used to form a barrier.”

The elements of regeneration and blocking took up a large portion of white mana.

“First of all, the currently popular usage for the two elements is as follows. And for the weakened elements… .”

The old man took a moment to catch his breath and continued speaking.

“… It is one of the rare elements that can be handled. In fact, I have never seen a wizard who specializes in using weakening elements. It is said to have the opposite properties of strengthening elements, but I do not know anything about this, so I cannot say for sure.”

In the case of strengthening magic and healing magic, the old man could demonstrate.

Because there were small amounts of strengthening and regeneration elements in the circle of the elderly.

Of course, these are the types of magic that Ray has already discovered on his own.

However, seeing the explanation of the theory and the demonstration that goes with it definitely helped me a lot in understanding magic.

However, in the case of weakening elements, there were not even trace amounts in the circle of the elderly.

“Are you saying that I have to figure out how to use the weakening elements myself?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

Ray didn’t feel particularly sorry about those words.

Weakening element.

A pink mana associated with sadness.

Because I figured there would be no need to bother trying to figure out how to use it myself.

“Does the ratio of elements contained in a circle change?”

“Usually, the ratio of elements that flowed into the circle when it was built remains the same….”

The old man’s words trailed off.

It was because he knew that the boy in front of him was not an ordinary being.

‘It already contains all the elements that exist in the first circle. Although there is a difference in the ratio, it is as if the mana in the atmosphere has been transferred as it is.’

It was theoretically impossible.

Basically, there was a compatibility between elements.

While there are some types of elements that can coexist and merge, there are also some that cause repulsion simply by existing.

Generate a strong repulsive force.

Or cause a strong explosion.

Because of this, it was absolutely impossible for ‘all’ elements to be located together in a narrow space like a circle.

But it was possible.

Because the evidence is right before your eyes.

A criminal cannot measure a genius.

I couldn’t give a definitive answer easily because I thought I might not know.

The ratio of elements contained in the circle follows the original definition.

While the old man was lost in thought.

Ray felt regretful.

‘… I wish there was a way to reduce the ratio of pink mana.’

Then, the empty space in the ring will naturally be filled with mana of a different color.

Mana of a color that could not be used immediately was virtually no different from scrap metal.

When you’re so lost in thought.

A shallow breathing sound was heard from ahead.

When I raised my head, I could see the old man sleeping.

Ray checked his watch and picked up the notebook and pen that were on the desk.

At the very bottom of the already densely written record sheet, I wrote down the time I checked a little while ago along with today’s date.

“… 1 hour 56 minutes 42 seconds.”

After finishing writing, Ray put his notebook and pen back in their place.

As a favor to Veronica, I’ve been taking notes for the past few days while taking one-on-one lessons.

The old man’s awake time decreased by 3 minutes and 36 seconds compared to yesterday.

Ray laid the old man down on the bed, just as Veronica had done, and covered him with the blanket up to his chest.

Then he returned to his seat and gazed blankly at the old man who was in a peaceful sleep.

Except for the occasional rise and fall of her chest, she is as motionless as a dead person.

I’ll just sleep like this and wake up tomorrow morning.

But your waking hours will gradually decrease until you eventually fall into eternal sleep.

‘I’ll be dead soon.’

Death from insomnia may not seem much different from natural death at first glance, but it is not accepted as something to be taken for granted.

In the first place, natural history itself was a very rare occurrence in the lower sectors.

Or get stabbed to death.

Get sick and die.

Or get crushed to death in a mine.

Starve to death. Freeze to death.

At first glance, the world seemed fair in that time was a resource given to everyone.

But the reality was not like that.

The lower sector residents were not permitted to consume all of those resources.

‘I don’t think it’s ever happened.’

In sector 50, I’ve never seen anyone die after living their full lifespan.

Ray left the room quietly.

I went down to the first floor and headed to Veronica, who was organizing her books.

“What about grandfather?”

“You fell asleep.”

“I see.”

“It’s 1 hour, 56 minutes, and 42 seconds.”

“It’s less than yesterday.”

Veronica’s face turned somber.

The bowl contained white mana, which meant worry, but unlike last time, it did not have a beautiful appearance.

‘Does it only become sun-shaped when you’re worried about me?’

A beautiful little white sun.

I felt like I had to worry Veronica if I saw it again.

I sat at the table with Veronica, thinking that I should try it out when I got the chance.

What I did there was help Veronica build a ring.

“I think the speed at which mana rotates should be faster.”

“like this?”

“No, faster.”

“To this extent?

In fact, rather than helping, he only gave advice or expressed his feelings from the side.

“Faster. Like I’m doing now.”

“I can’t go that fast.”

“why?”

“That’s it….”

“Why are you so busy?”

“… … .”

“I don’t understand why this can’t be done.”

There were even some instances where it was irritating.

Veronica briefly considered hitting the back of Ray’s head with the corner of the book.

But I knew that he wasn’t teasing me, but asking out of genuine curiosity, so I relaxed my grip on the book.

‘She’s a really weird kid.’

Really. Really. Really.

It was really very strange.

“I don’t think I’m of much help. I think it would be better to spend this time reviewing my writing or reading a book.”

“No! Don’t go! Look at me from the side!”

Still, Veronica didn’t want Ray to leave.

She was a girl who ran a bookstore almost alone, with no one to lean on.

The mere fact that I had peers by my side gave me a considerable sense of stability and satisfaction.

After we finished trying to make a circle, we went straight to class.

“Do you understand this part?”

“Yeah. You can skip.”

Progress continued without any obstruction.

After a class that lasted 2-3 hours, four people, including Yulpin and Malta, gathered together to have lunch.

Dalgrak. Dalgrak.

The two little children’s wary eyes turned bright as if they had heard the rumors on the street.

“I heard a rumor on the street that you’re the boss. Is that true?”

“Sister. Leilani. You shouldn’t call me by my name like that. You should call me Hunter.”

As expected from an age when manliness and strength are highly valued, he expressed endless admiration for Ray.

“My sister is so overprotective of us. She always says things that are dangerous. I think she thinks we’re crybabies like her.”

“But if you tell her she’s pretty, she won’t come to her senses. Try using it when you fight later.”

“That’s right. Women.”

Boom! Boom!

“Whoaaah! I’m going to tell Grandpa!”

“Huh! My sister hit me!”

He was even chased up the stairs by Veronica.

And after a few minutes, he came down with a normal face and said.

“What do you think about my older sister?”

“You’re not my boyfriend, are you? Until I get dirt in my eyes….”

Kwaaaaang! Kwaaaaang!

“Whoaah!”

“Huhhh!”

Anyway, when the meal was over, Ray always handed Veronica a bill.

“What money?”

“Meal expenses.

“… … .”

Veronica had no desire to take money from Ray.

But I knew that even if we argued, in the end, we would get what we wanted.

This was because he had already figured out Ray’s tendency to never back down from what he thought was right.

Oh my─

He said with a sigh.

“I’ll save it for now. If you need it later, just tell me. I’ll return it to you.”

I felt sorry for Ray who was so thorough in his calculations, but at the same time, I felt a competitive spirit.

‘You’re not that close to me yet, are you?’

Just keep your distance, like that, like that.

The girl’s eyes, looking at the boy, burned with a flame as red as her hair.

One day, I will make the word friend come out of your mouth first.

Daughter─

After dinner, the bookstore opened.

There weren’t any customers on the first and second days, but from the third day onwards, rumors spread that the store was open for business again, and regular customers started coming in one by one.

“Welcome!”

“Mr. Belpo! Long time no see!”

Veronica and her two younger siblings greeted customers as usual and gradually carried out the bookstore work that had piled up.

“What is this? What is this place…?”

Occasionally, vagrants would wander into the bookstore, but they would all make eye contact with Ray, who was reading a book at the table, and slowly retreat.

It was a kind of wild instinct.

The ability to sense danger possessed by those who live day to day on the streets.

“Come on, let’s go out.”

“Yeah, yeah. That’s right.”

No matter how young and small the animal may seem, the instinctive warning that the opponent is a predator cannot be ignored.

Ray would read books while standing guard like a watchman, and when the bookstore closed in the evening, he would head to the hotel.

“Here! Here! This is your share of the hotel income settled today. I calculated it exactly as written in the contract. This is the settlement table.”

“Okay. I checked.”

Philip handed me a bag of money on a daily basis.

After that I met Cedric.

“What happened today was, first of all, Melbourne and Heidel on 20th Street… .”

After receiving reports of unusual events occurring within the group, he took them out to an open space and taught them fighting techniques.

After all the work was done, it was usually late at night.

The boy walked past piles of scrap metal that glistened in the dim moonlight.

I fell asleep under a blanket in the driver’s seat of a scratched-up vehicle deep in a garbage dump.

Until my consciousness just sank below the surface, I constantly checked my future plans in my head.

*

Sector 49. North dump.

1:58 p.m., a hazy sun rises.

Two boys stood in front of an abandoned factory, which was nothing but a skeleton.

“It’ll be okay… right?”

A boy spoke with a face that could not hide its impatience.

“Don’t worry. Just do your job as I tell you to do.”

The other boy said calmly.

Time continues to flow.

At exactly 2 o’clock in the afternoon.

Self-sacrifice.

The two boys turned their heads at the sound of footsteps.

From a distance away from the dump, a man in a coat was approaching at a fast pace.

‘It’s okay, Cedric! Just do as Ray tells you.’

Cedric took a deep breath.

I unconsciously continued to touch my finger, and there was the ring that Ray had taken back.

Unlike before, Cedric was no longer affected by the ring.

This was because Ray, with the help of the old man, had removed the strengthening and exploitation magic that had been attached to the ring.

“The spell that’s been cast isn’t very sophisticated. A lot of mana was used, but the technique isn’t delicate. It’s like someone with a short temper used only brute force to hammer it.”

At the old man’s gesture, red and black mana rose like smoke from the ring.

The two manas fluttered around like insects trying to avoid being caught, and then suddenly disintegrated into manas of various colors and scattered into the air.

It was quite a surprising sight for Ray.

Until now, I’ve only thought about combining colors, but I’ve never thought about separating colors.

Ray, who had come out of his thoughts, slowly pulled his lips away from Cedric, who was looking anxious.

“Cedric, it’s okay. This isn’t the first time you’ve met that guy. Act natural. Do what you’ve always done. If you do well, I’ll give you the next reward.”

compensation.

At that one word, Cedric’s stiff face relaxed, and the anxiety contained in the bowl quickly dissipated.

Cedric nodded with a grave expression.

“I’ll do my best. When I get back today, I’ll definitely teach you the next technique.”

Cedric was now in a state of complete acceptance and recognition.

“Certainly… while I was wearing the ring, I felt like I wasn’t myself. No matter how much I slept, I was tired, I got angry over trivial things, and my mind seemed to be getting stranger and stranger.”

His great strength was due to the magic that was placed on the ring.

“Thank you. In a way, you saved me.”

At the same time, the fact that my mind was being eaten away.

Afterwards, he learned fighting skills from Ray, and deep down in his heart, he developed gratitude and loyalty.

Cedric had quite an impressive absorption capacity, and by using the joint techniques he had learned from Ray, he was able to easily subdue a much larger opponent in a duel after only two days of training.

“This… works? I just won…?”

Cedric looked dumbfounded as he watched his opponent, whose body was stuck between his limbs, unable to move.

“Ah …

The scream of the other person piercing my ears clearly brought me back to reality.

I trembled with the thrill that came like a tidal wave, and for a moment I was unable to do anything because of the overwhelming emotion.

At the end, tears welled up in my eyes.

“I won.”

The sparring was over, and Ray and I were left alone in the empty space, still dazed and reeling from the afterglow.

“I still don’t know how I won. I’m obviously weak. I’m small and bulky, and without the ring I’m definitely nothing.”

Ray looked blankly at Cedric and answered.

“It’s advantageous to be big and strong. However, fighting isn’t just about strength. And you were able to win because you’ve been training your body consistently up until now. When it comes to joint attacks, it’s important to be able to withstand your opponent’s struggles even after you’ve applied them.”

Cedric felt strange.

Without realizing it, his face became increasingly sad and sobs flowed out of his mouth.

Then, eventually, it all came crashing down, and I sat down and started crying like a baby.

“Thank you. Ugh.”

Because it seems to tell me that the efforts I’ve made so far were not in vain.

“Ugh, really, ugh, thank you.”

It felt like he was patting me on the back with a warm hand, telling me that I had gone through a lot, so I couldn’t hold back my tears.

「… … .」

Of course, Ray didn’t understand Cedric’s appearance like that.

I was just stating the facts.

What on earth are you so thankful for?

What else is so sad?

The boy simply watched the emotions rushing into the other person’s bowl with emotionless eyes.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Ray whispered, not taking his eyes off the man who was getting closer.

“When someone sees me and asks who I am.”

“He explains that he is a child who recently joined the group and became the unit leader.”

“If the opponent suddenly attacks me.”

“Run to the hotel immediately and carry out the tasks given in order.”

Cedric’s answer was quick.

In fact, Cedric had no idea why the man had given him the ring, nor what picture Ray was drawing on his head.

But one thing was clear.

First of all, it was his duty to follow Ray’s instructions to the best of his ability.

‘That way I can repay Ray even a little.’

I must repay the favor.

That was an undeniable fact.

Cedric took a deep breath and stepped forward, looking at the man who was approaching him.

Knock knock knock.

After moving quickly, he stopped in his seat, bowed deeply, and shouted in a booming voice.

“Long time no see, teacher!”

In the lowered field of vision, I could see the shoes of a man standing right in front of me.

Although the shoes themselves were made of high-quality leather, they were full of rips, scratches, and discoloration, reminiscent of those worn by vagrants.

Why did I only notice this now?

If you were an executive of a really large organization, you wouldn’t wear such old shoes, even for the sake of dignity.

There were also visible signs of burns, and the pants were in a condition that was not even close to being clean.

… as I broke free from the ring’s magic, things that had been invisible began to become visible.

“Enough with the greetings. Show me your face, Cedric.”

A man’s voice mixed with grunts was heard from above.

Cedric straightened his bent back and raised his head to meet her gaze.

“It’s really nice to see you becoming more and more confident. A person who is confident in themselves shows it in their attitude and atmosphere.”

The man’s eyes emitted a strange light.

The corners of his mouth were turned up all the way to his ears.

It was a face he had clearly seen many times, but Cedric felt an eerieness he had never felt before.

“It’s all thanks to you, teacher, who cured my illness.”

“Yes, yes. Of course it’s all thanks to me. Is the group you’re leading growing well?”

“Yes. There are more people than last time─”

“Just a minute. Before that.”

The man turned his head away, trailing off.

The place my eyes landed on was a barren land filled with only the remains of a building.

“I think I need to explain this first. Am I in the wrong place? Huh?”

“Ah, that too, please explain─”

“No, no, no. Before that.”

The man’s head suddenly turned away.

The sparkling gaze was fixed squarely on Ray.

“Who is that guy?”

The boy and the man’s gaze met exactly.