Chapter 19: My Room is Dangerous, Be Sure to Find the Culprit

Chapter 19: Chapter 19: My Room is Dangerous, Be Sure to Find the Culprit

Dugan’s eyes glittered with amazement. "There’s only one explanation... This isn’t a technique at all, but pure talent!"

This Caster’s affinity for the Earth Element has reached a terrifying level!

When he performed the Earth Spike Technique, he didn’t just pour in his own Magic Power; he also induced a resonance with the vast Earth Element in the surrounding land.

He elevated an originally trivial spell to a level that could be called "art"!

He paused, then summarized in an absolutely certain tone, "This is no ordinary Mage! This is a genius Elemental Mage! The kind of existence destined to leave a legendary name on the path of the elements!"

"A genius..." Cyril muttered to himself, his heart a turmoil of mixed emotions.

There was shock, disbelief, and even more so, envy and dejection.

He thought about himself—how, with Dugan’s help, he’d done so many communication tests and tried so many different insects, yet could never truly establish that "unique link." The threshold to becoming a Mage felt like an insurmountable chasm.

And yet this mysterious genius Mage could take the most basic, entry-level spell and pull off such an earth-shattering stunt.

The gap was too vast.

Still, at least they’d figured out the cause.

When his father returned and asked, he could at least give a clear answer—a passing genius Mage did it.

That was far better than knowing nothing at all.

Having figured this out, Cyril’s mood lightened considerably.

The butler at his side said, "Young Master Cyril, the matter is clear now. Shall we head back?"

Cyril replied, "You accompany Mr. Dugan back to the manor to rest first. I’m going to check on a friend. I’ll be back later."

Dugan nodded absentmindedly, his gaze still glued to the stone pillar as if he were admiring a peerless work of art. He only left reluctantly after the butler gently prompted him.

Watching them walk into the distance, Cyril turned and headed toward the lone little cabin not far away.

...

Just as the cabin door was knocked on, Hesia’s consciousness was sinking into the ball of light in his mind.

[Name: Hesia Atmesia]

[Race: Human]

[Level: 8]

[Profession: None]

[Physique: 10]

[Power: 6]

[Agility: 7]

[Wisdom: 11]

[Will: 10]

[Charm: 16]

[Skills: Earth Spike Technique Lv.1 (1/10)]

[Status:

Salamakis’s Contract: Your Bloodline Power will be extracted in 15 days.

Mola’s Blessing: You have received the blessing of a Rock Vein Speaker, Physique permanently +4. This buff ignores any curses or debuffs.]

[Equipped Traits: Earth Affinity, Refined Gold Gastrointestinal Tract]

[Available Traits: Territory Odor Mark, Blushing Trait, Mosquito Swarm Leader]

The change brought by the increase in his Wisdom Attribute was significant.

The Light Technique, which he’d previously found obscure and difficult to understand, was now gradually starting to make sense in his mind.

He was just calculating when the crowd outside might disperse so he could continue practicing the Light Technique when a series of urgent knocks at the door interrupted his thoughts.

Opening the door, he saw two Guards from the Eagle Claw Clan standing at the entrance.

In just a short while, this was already the third time his small cabin had been "visited."

"Hesia," the lead Guard said in a serious tone, "that pillar is the product of magic.

"Tell the truth, did you or did you not see any suspicious people? Especially anyone wearing a Mage Robe or who looked out of the ordinary?"

’Hesia’s heart skipped a beat. They’ve already determined what it is so quickly?’

’If these visits keep up, I’ll slip up sooner or later.’

His voice carried a trace of lingering fear. "How could it be magic?!"

He then spun around abruptly, pointed to the massive stone pillar in the distance, and raised his voice. "It was right near my cabin... causing such a huge commotion. What if it had been a little closer and pierced my house? My... my whole family... uh, me and my dog would have been done for! This is too dangerous!"

He grabbed the Guard’s arm. "Officer, my cabin is in danger! Please, you must find the culprit as soon as possible! Even a lord Mage can’t just go around casting magic so recklessly!"

The Guard was taken aback by his sudden outburst. Looking at his face, which screamed "small, pitiful, and helpless," and then at the shabby little cabin, he couldn’t help but feel that the young man was indeed unlucky to have his house nearly get "caught in the crossfire."

"Alright, alright," the Guard said, pulling his arm back, his tone softening a little. "This is just a routine inquiry. Since you didn’t see anyone suspicious..."

Just then, the Guard noticed footsteps behind him and turned to look.

"Young Master Cyril?"

Cyril walked over quickly. "Leave this to me. You two go and investigate somewhere else."

"Yes, Young Master Cyril!" The two Guards immediately saluted and left.

Watching the Guards walk away, Cyril turned to Hesia and asked with concern, "Hesia, are you alright? Mage Dugan said that pillar was caused by a spell called the Earth Spike Technique!"

Hesia’s heart tightened again, but his face maintained a look of someone still shaken. "I’m fine. I had just fallen asleep when that huge noise woke me up. I thought the sky was falling."

As he spoke, he secretly observed Cyril’s reaction.

Cyril frowned, looking around at the dark Woodland and the noisy crowd in the distance. "Mage Dugan said the Caster is likely an extremely rare, genius Earth Mage! Someone with an unbelievable affinity for the Earth Element! Why would someone like that... come to our Print? And cast such a massive spell here?"

He had a feeling that the mysterious "genius Mage" might still be lurking nearby, which made him a little uneasy.

After thinking for a moment, he suggested, "Hesia, it’s too unsafe here. How about... you come stay at the manor for a while? It would be a good chance to introduce you to Mr. Dugan—he’s a real Mage! We’ve been studying fireflies recently..."

He suddenly remembered Dugan mentioning that he had asked Hesia for directions and quickly added, "Oh, right! You must have met him! He said he asked you for directions!"

Hesia also remembered the Dwarf who had asked for directions. "Oh, so that was Mr. Dugan. Yes, a few days ago he asked me for directions to the manor to find you. He was very generous. I never thought he was also a revered Mage. It’s truly admirable."

’Generous?’

Cyril’s expression instantly became extremely odd, as if he had just heard something straight out of a fairy tale.

’An image immediately surfaced in his mind: Dugan’s prospecting hat, washed until it was faded, and how he’d stubbornly refused to use his own insects for the test, preferring to wait and cultivate new ones on the spot...’

Cyril began to seriously doubt whether his Wisdom Points were truly at 10.

One of them was praising the stingy Dugan for being generous, while the other complimented the casually dressed Hesia on his taste.

He shook his head, casting aside these chaotic thoughts.

Right now, his friend’s safety was the most important thing.

"Hesia," Cyril’s tone grew serious, "since that genius Mage appeared near your house, for safety’s sake...

"It’s also the perfect opportunity to have Mr. Dugan test your aptitude for magic."