Chapter 18: This is a Genius

Chapter 18: Chapter 18: This is a Genius

The loud boom from the western suburbs of Print Town reached Eagle Claw Manor on the north side of town.

Baron Uer was still on his way back from offering his condolences for Houlder. After receiving a report, the manor’s butler immediately sought out Young Master Cyril, who was in the back garden conducting "important research."

In a corner of the garden, Cyril and Dugan were squatting by an enclosure for breeding fireflies.

A few fireflies, their tails flickering with a faint green light, danced inside a specially made gauze cage.

For the past few days, the two had spent all their time together studying various bugs. Dugan was great in every respect, except he was a bit stingy; he couldn’t bear to use his own bugs and always wanted to find ready-made specimens for their tests.

Cyril was holding a magnifying glass, intently observing a larva on a leaf. Beside him, Dugan was rapidly jotting something down in a small notebook.

This was a larva they had selected not long ago and were now raising.

"Young Master Cyril," the butler said, striding over, his voice laced with urgency. "The loud boom from earlier has been confirmed. It came from the western suburbs! It was a huge disturbance! Over there... they say a giant stone pillar over ten meters tall appeared out of nowhere!"

"The western suburbs?" Cyril shot his head up, a flash of worry crossing his face.

’Doesn’t Hesia live near the woodland in the western suburbs?’

"A stone pillar? Was anyone hurt?"

"We haven’t received any reports of casualties yet," the butler replied hastily. "But a large crowd of townspeople has gathered, and the scene is a bit chaotic with everyone talking at once."

Cyril immediately stood up, brushing the dirt from his knees. "I have to go see!"

The butler looked troubled. "Young Master," he cautioned, "the Baron is already on his way back. If he returns to find you weren’t training at the manor, but instead ran off to gawk at the commotion... I’m afraid..."

Cyril froze.

His father’s stern face seemed to materialize before his eyes.

’I’ve been skipping training for days to help Dugan with his insect communication tests... If Father comes back and finds out I not only skipped training but also ran off to see some weird pillar...’

"But..." Cyril hesitated. "If Father comes back and asks about this, and I don’t know anything, won’t he be even angrier? Won’t he think I’m useless?"

He was caught in a dilemma—if he went, he might get scolded; if he stayed, he also might get scolded.

’It seemed his fate was to be reprimanded either way.’

Just then, Dugan closed his notebook. "Cyril, let’s go check it out. We might find something interesting."

Cyril’s eyes lit up.

’That’s right! With Dugan the Mage here, he can surely figure out what’s up with that stone pillar. I won’t just be able to learn what’s happening, I’ll have an explanation ready for Father.’

"Great! Mr. Dugan, I’ll be counting on you!" Cyril answered at once.

....

The clearing in the western suburbs was now buzzing with the roar of a crowd. Torchlight illuminated the massive stone pillar, making the area as bright as day.

When Cyril arrived with Dugan and a few Guards, he was greeted by a frenzied scene: a mob of townspeople brandished shovels and hoes, frantically digging around the base of the stone pillar! Dirt flew through the air as their shouts shook the heavens!

"Dig! Dig harder! There’s gotta be treasure down there!"

"That’s right! With a pillar this huge stuck here, there’s no way there isn’t treasure underneath!"

"Move it! Don’t get in the way of me striking it rich!"

Cyril stepped forward and called out, "Everyone, be quiet! I am Cyril Eagle Claw! What’s happened here? Please stop digging."

The crowd quieted for a moment, but when they saw it was only Young Master Cyril and not Baron Uer himself, a few of the most enthusiastic diggers craned their necks and started shouting.

"Young Master Cyril! We found this treasure first! Not even the Lord can just take it from us!"

"Yeah! He can’t take it! Finders keepers!"

"This is a treasure of Print Town!"

Cyril looked at the townspeople, their minds clouded by "treasure," and didn’t know whether to laugh or be angry.

He explained patiently, "We don’t know where this pillar came from. Digging recklessly could be dangerous. Please, everyone step back and let Dugan, the Mage, take a look."

"A Mage?" A stir went through the crowd, and all eyes turned in unison to the Dwarf standing beside Cyril.

"Master Mage?" A burly man with a shovel eyed Dugan suspiciously. "Him? This shorty? Young Master Cyril, don’t let this dwarf fool you! There’s definitely treasure under this pillar! C’mon, boys, ignore ’em! Keep digging!"

Just as the men were about to swing their shovels again, Dugan shook his head slightly.

He held out his hand and muttered a few obscure syllables.

BZZZ—

A hum filled the air.

The Wind Cicada appeared again.

WHOOSH—!

A fierce, swirling gust of wind erupted from in front of Dugan!

"Agh!"

"My god!"

The townspeople at the very front cried out as they staggered backward. Their shovels fell to the ground with a CLANG, and they landed right on their behinds in the mud.

The other onlookers were also sent stumbling and swaying by the blast.

The area fell silent in an instant.

Dugan recalled the Wind Cicada and nodded at Cyril.

’Amazing,’ Cyril thought, inwardly impressed. He quickly signaled for the Guards to maintain order and have the townspeople fall back.

Only then did Dugan walk up to the massive stone pillar and place his palm against it.

He closed his eyes, carefully sensing the residual Elemental Fluctuation in the air.

"Hmm..." After a moment, he opened his eyes. A flicker of understanding appeared, only to be immediately replaced by deeper confusion.

"What is it, Dugan? Is... is this the result of magic?"

"Without a doubt," Dugan nodded, his tone certain. "It’s the fluctuation of Earth Magic, and it’s extremely pure."

Cyril was utterly shocked. "Earth Magic? A single spell can cause such a massive disturbance? No wonder everyone wants to be a Mage... It’s a shame I..."

Dugan quickly held up a hand, cutting off his self-pity. "Cyril, don’t misunderstand. The spell itself is actually quite basic."

"Basic?" Cyril was stunned. He pointed at the massive stone pillar, which was over ten meters tall. "Basic Magic? How... how is that possible?"

"It’s the [Earth Spike Technique]," Dugan explained, a peculiar expression on his face. "It’s an Entry Level Earth Element attack spell. It’s normally used to jut out from the ground and impale an enemy, but its power is average—usually, it can only pierce a thigh."

Cyril grew even more confused. "Then... then what about this...?"

"That’s the strangest part!" Dugan pointed at the pillar, his voice filled with amazement. "A normal Earth Spike Technique produces an Earth Spike that’s considered impressive if it’s even half a meter high!

Even a high-level Mage casting this spell to maximize its power could only manage a spike two or three meters tall, and the Magic Power cost would be terribly inefficient! They have far more effective options, like the [Rock Spear]."

He circled the pillar, clicking his tongue in amazement. "One that’s over ten meters tall... is simply unheard of."

"Then how was this done?"