202. A lesson in spells

Although Kai was fulfilling his duties as lord well and pushing himself toward the fourth circle, there was one more position and a responsibility that followed with it—one that he could only oversee once a week. Being the Tower Master of the Sorcerer’s Tower. Thanks to the efforts of Earth Mages, the tower had been built. He admitted that the pace was impressive and the Mages had done a great job that now, there were even discussions of plans for expansion. Of course, it would be after they gain more members, and according to Claire’s reports, that moment wasn’t far off. After the fief war, he had taken a rare day off to construct a device—the mana organ sensor. Using Aethum and a series of carefully arranged seals, the device was made to move a controlled strand of mana through a person’s body, determining whether they possessed the necessary organs to become a Mage. seaʀᴄh thё ηovelFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The concept wasn’t new to him—by his time, such devices were common—but the version he had built was a simple one, limited to merely confirming the presence of mana organs rather than assessing their quality or potential. That level of testing would come later, once the identified Mages and Enforcers reached Veralt. He had plans for a broader search, particularly within the Sylvan enclave, but such a large-scale effort would take time. The apprentices in the tower were still learning how to construct these machines, after all. Fortunately, progress was being made. Klan and Cansor, his acting assistants within the tower, had reported that the apprentices would soon be capable of producing a few dozen sensors. Still, despite these advancements, he couldn’t shake a small sense of guilt. The Mages who had chosen to stay in Veralt had done so to refine their understanding of mana, eager to learn better techniques and spells. While he had provided them with some, he knew that a proper lesson was overdue. Not just out of obligation—but because he had plans. Dead mana. Spells from the future, designed specifically to combat fiends. It was time to teach them all of these. Because every piece of information and lesson handed out to them would be handy when the situation calls. He knew one day, he’d had to face a dead mana dragon and the urge to prepare the Mages only grew. That morning, he had Klan inform everyone about the lesson, making it open to all—even the novice Mages they had discovered in the villages around Veralt. It should be a strong turnout, he knew, but when he arrived at the largest auditorium in the tower, he was still surprised. Every seat was filled. And he could hear how they were whispering among themselves, all clustered together. He gave a brief glance over the crowd, quickly picking out familiar faces. He immediately noticed a blonde-head with green eyes, positioned right between Klan and Cansor. Rhea. He gave a subtle nod to the trio and walked to the platform. A wave of movement spread as he moved, everyone rising in respect and greeting. He locked eyes with as many Mages as he could and nodded, acknowledging their presence. “Sit,” he instructed and let them get settled. Soon, he used [Amplify], a voice modification spell. “I know some of you are seeing me for the first time, being new members of the tower. And while many here have witnessed my spells and prowess in action during the beast wave and fief war, this will be the first time I deliver a lecture. At least, here. “Without wasting any time, let’s begin. The topic for today is something that some of you may already be aware of—dead mana and the ways to combat it. How many of you know what dead mana is?” He asked, looking at the serious faces of the crowd. A few hands immediately shot up. He gave a slight nod. “For a basic explanation—dead mana is simply mana that has lost its original properties of life. As its name suggests, it has become dead. “But that doesn’t mean it can’t be used. In fact, dead mana is a highly corrupt force—far stronger than regular mana. However, unlike normal mana, absorbing dead mana can corrupt your body, transforming you into a mana weaver.” A few people shifted uneasily at the mention of mana weavers. Kai wasn’t surprised. “I know many of you believe that mana weavers are merely cursed men—hunted and executed by the church. But the truth is, they are people whose bodies have been altered by dead mana, twisted into something monstrous. There are purification spells that can heal them, depending on how far the corruption has spread. But let me be clear—dead mana is not something you should ever touch directly. It is a force of destruction, and equally, one of persistence. Once it takes root, purging it is no simple task. “As Mages, it is inevitable that you will one day cross paths with mana weavers or necromancers who wield dead mana.” Kai took a step forward and extended his hands, pointing at a few Mages who sat in the front. “So now, the real question is—how do you defend against it?” A few people nodded at his words, and Kai could tell their minds were working to find an answer. Some looked at their friends, but no one spoke up. He simply raised his hand, and with a controlled surge of mana, a spell structure materialised in the air before him. It wasn’t a real spell—just a visual construct, one put together with pure mana for demonstration. The lines and patterns blinked in the air, drawn with such speed and accuracy that the entire auditorium fell silent. Some even gasped, and soon the silence was followed with whispers. The Mages instinctively tried to analyze the structure before them. “This,” he said and looked at the structure himself. “Is a second-circle fire spell called [War Flame].” “Look at it closely.” He enlarged the spell structure and let the Mages study it carefully before bringing it back to its original size. “Can anyone explain what patterns it contains?” Several hands shot up. Kai pointed at Mages one after another. “It has patterns for manipulating air to create flames.” “Looks like there’s a stabilization pattern for high-temperature ignition.” “It’s likely using a compression effect to intensify the heat.” Kai listened to each response, but in the end, he shook his head. “Think harder.” The room fell into a short rest and he let them; he let them sit with the challenge for a moment before continuing. “This spell was specifically designed to combat dead mana.” He gave a hint, but the crown still didn't seem to have a clue. Half of the Mages were visibly confused, the front row of the auditorium had full-on frowns on their faces as they tried to reassess what they were seeing. Then, finally, Cansor spoke up. “I think…” Multiple pairs of eyes turned towards him. “At the edge of the structure, there’s a summoning pattern,” he said slowly, his eyes narrowing in concentration. “It’s a bit different from what I have seen before, but it’s close enough.” Kai’s lips curled into a small smile. “Cansor is right.” For a moment, he considered the young man. Initially, he had been hesitant to take him as an assistant. With Jacks positioned in the Archine Tower as a spy, he didn't have anyone else that he felt would be good for the position and in the end, he had simply chosen him because he had some background as an assistant for some alchemist back in Archine Tower. But Cansor had turned out to be intelligent and dependable. Someone who had simply lacked the opportunity to rise in a place like the Archine Tower. Here, he was proving his worth. He turned back to the spell. “Yes, this is a summoning circle,” he confirmed. “In a normal fire spell, you manipulate the atmosphere to create flames. But that’s not enough against dead mana. It overpowers most second-circle fire spells with ease.” He raised his hand again, and this time, mana surged outward, solidifying into reality. The air around him rippled, and in an instant, flames—bright white—burst to life in his palm. A collective gasp echoed through the hall. “But this spell doesn’t create fire,” Kai continued, watching as the flames danced along his fingers, untouched by the natural elements of this world. “It  it. This fire comes directly from the fire elemental realm—a place where flames are known for their purifying abilities.” He lifted his palm, letting the white flames flicker for all to see. “They might not be able to purge dead mana completely,” he admitted, “but they can contend with it.” His hand shifted, and the white flames in his palm flickered, swirling and twisting with unnatural grace. Slowly, he extended his fingers, and the flames followed his command, snaking across the room. They danced through the air, tracing patterns that formed shapes—spirals, circles, and even a few abstract figures. His apprentices gaped in awe, eyes wide, mouths slightly agape as they tried to follow the movements of the elemental fire. “Normally,” he began, “you need years of practice before you can manipulate it to this degree. You need to have a fine control over how much flame you're summoning.” He made a sweeping gesture, and the flames responded instantly, shifting from a swirling mass into a more controlled stream of fire that he bent into a perfect loop in the air. It hovered, the light dancing against the walls as if the flames themselves were alive. “And you need to leave the small portal open to summon more, should you need it. But at the same time, you must wield it as easily as your normal flames.” The room was silent save for the soft crackle of the fire. Kai's apprentices exchanged glances, some looking bewildered, others envious of the ease with which he manipulated the flames. Rhea, sitting near the front, raised her hand. Kai gestured to her to speak. "Master, how do we do that?" “Practice.” He let the fire dissipate, the shapes vanishing into air. “To master this, you need to study the summoning patterns. At least the basic ones. But the most important part is practice. Never try this outside of a training room with emergency enchantments designed to contain any potential disasters.” A few Mages shifted uneasily at that, their eyes narrowing in concern. Kai saw the grimace on their faces and laughed softly. "If you try this outside and lose control, it’ll burn the entire building down. And if that happens, you’ll all have to rebuild it again.” There was a collective wince, a shared understanding of the consequences that made the lesson all the more real. Since they’d helped the building to be at the state where it was now, he understood that they knew the pain and effort it took to create it. Most of them were pampered in the Archine Tower, even if they had been at the bottom and construction wasn't one of the things they ever had to do before. “Fire-aspected spells are an excellent way to deal with dead mana creatures, but don’t think that other elements are far behind.” He clutched his hands behind him as he studied the men and women. “For example, there’s a third-circle water spell. It’s used primarily for purifying dead mana and healing people who haven’t been too far corrupted. Unlike the first and second-circle purification spells, these work instantly.” He began pacing slowly, the mood in the room shifting as they hung on every word. “But,” he continued, “if you truly want to go on the offensive against dead mana creatures, I believe there’s nothing better than a third-circle spell called [Black Lightning].” A few apprentices looked confused, but Kai could see the curiosity in others’ eyes. "It’s a spell that will drain all your mana reserves. It’s brutal, but it’s a lethal strike. A single blow that could save your life in the heat of battle. At least for those with a lightning affinity." The apprentices shifted in their seats. Kai gave them a moment before his voice lightened again. “I’ll teach the spell structure to you when you're ready, but don’t rush it. The basics come first, and you need to understand what you’re wielding before you start calling on powers like that.” For the next half an hour, Kai moved fluidly from one spell form to the next, demonstrating a variety of elemental aspects and spell structures. Though he couldn’t summon allthe elements, he knew most of the spell structures. Because in his era, it was standard for all Mages to be compulsively educated in the fundamentals of elemental manipulation and combat, so his knowledge in this field was vast, due to years of rigorous study and countless battles. The way he moved, the way the spells responded to his commands—it was a result of something he had long since perfected. To their credit, none of the Mages seemed to be taking it lightly. The air was thick with questions. “How do you refine the spell structure to make it so precise?” one Mage asked, eyes glued to the spirals of ice Kai had conjured. Another asked about the biology of dead mana creatures, their curiosity piqued by the practical applications of the lesson. A few others wanted to know about mana refining, about how to manipulate the forces of the world with the same effortless control Kai exhibited. He answered each one, feeling a sense of satisfaction in knowing that they were taking his lessons seriously. He knew that these Mages were his best bet in the fight against dead mana. The Enforcers had grown stronger, many now at the second-grade power level, but they were no match for the corrupting power of dead mana. They were built for physical strength, for close combat, and though their power was formidable, their bodies made them more susceptible to the deadly effects of corruption. They would not be able to take the frontlines against dead mana creatures, not without the right kind of magic to protect them. He was already designing armor, refining weapons, and developing countermeasures, but in the end, it was the Mages who would be the key to winning any future battles. The Sorcerer’s Tower was his focus now. He had plans to elevate it, to make it the head institution of magic not just in his kingdom but in the world. He could already see the potential of his students—these Mages would shape the future of magic, and he would be the one to guide them. And this was just the first step. As the lecture continued, he lost himself in the rhythm of teaching, answering questions and demonstrating complex techniques. It wasn’t until the light from the window shifted that he realized how much time had passed. The sun had begun its descent, painting the sky in shades of orange and gold. Kai looked up at the room of eager faces, realizing it was time to end. He gave a small smile and said, "I hope this lecture was informative for all of you, but I think I need to end it here." His voice carried a note of finality, though his tone remained warm. "If I have time, I might do more of these. There’s still much to cover, and I’m happy to answer more of your questions. If you have any major ones, feel free to write them down and send them to my office." The Mages, eager for more knowledge, raised their hands in unison, their voices blending together, "Tower Master Arzan, one last question!" “Please, I have one doubt!” And more voices followed that Kai couldn’t tell which belonged to who. He wanted to answer at least some of it when the heavy door to the auditorium creaked open. All eyes shifted to Bord who entered. His eyes were locked onto Kai as he crossed the hall. "Lord Arzan," Bord whispered, "there’s an envoy waiting for you." Kai furrowed his brow, the sense of urgency in Bord’s tone quickly catching his attention. "Is it really that important to find me in the middle of my lecture?" he asked. "Knight Killian was talking to him," Bord explained. "I don’t know what it’s about, but ten minutes into their discussion, he sent me to get you. I think it’s important." Kai’s eyebrows raised at the mention of Killian. He knew better than to interrupt Kai during a lecture. "Who’s the envoy from?" Kai asked the next best question. "Viscount Redmont," Bord replied. Viscount Redmont. The only noble in the territory who hadn’t moved against him during the war, and the one who had even sent a letter congratulating him for the victory. Kai remembered the information on the Viscount well—he was the one who defended Fortress Aegis, which sat at the border of the kingdom. To have an envoy from him, especially now, raised more questions than answers. A flash of concern passed through Kai’s mind, quickly replaced by suspicion. Had there been an invasion? He doubted it—Vardenfall was nearly in ruins due to the plague. But then, as his mind turned over the possibilities, it hit him. "Lead the way," Kai commanded, wanting to know for sure if what he was thinking was true or not. Then, he turned toward the Mages still waiting eagerly, their hands still raised, and added, "Send me your questions. I’ll be going now. All of you are required to learn at least a few of the spells I talked about today—nothing beyond the second circle for now." With that, he swiftly followed Bord out of the Sorcerer's Tower. Once outside, he didn’t waste time with the carriage. Instead, he leapt into the air, his mana propelling him upwards as he soared toward the estate. Bord, trailing behind, watched him disappear into the distance as he flew toward his destination. Arriving at the estate, Kai landed smoothly on the ground, the quiet hum of mana still resonating in his body as he moved quickly toward the building. He reached the stairs without hesitation, his footsteps echoing through the stone halls as he reached the third floor. The meeting room awaited, and as soon as he entered, Kai's eyes locked onto the envoy—a balding man who immediately stood and bowed deeply upon his arrival. "What’s going on?" The envoy remained silent, deferring to Killian, who stood nearby. "The plague. It seems to be moving upon us. As we speak, it’s breaching the border." A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon. Annual subscription is now on too. Read 15 chapters ahead HERE. Join the discord server HERE. 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