Chapter 403 - 337: Is This a Power a Human Can Control? (Part 2)

Chapter 403: Chapter 337: Is This a Power a Human Can Control? (Part 2)

The small hill was obliterated, and the ground was scorched beyond recognition by the fiery rain from the Magma Pillar.

Add to that the rubble and debris pulled in by the Gravity Singularity...

The scene before him was a complete mess.

’Even though this is the outskirts... the environmental damage is a bit much.’

’I feel a little bad about this.’

After some thought, Zelir raised his hand and cast Vine Entanglement.

With a sound of churning earth, dozens of thick, emerald-green vines burst from the ground.

They intertwined across the ground, blanketing the area in a fresh layer of vibrant green.

At least, it looked vibrant.

’As for the hill... whatever. What’s blown up is blown up.’

’There...’

Zelir nodded slightly. ’That’ll do!’

...

「In a small grove in the distance.」

Two guards wearing standard-issue Sengu Town Leather Armor and pointed iron helms peeked out from behind a large tree.

"Captain, Captain, look!"

The younger of the two guards pointed at the figure of the Black Robed Mage until he vanished from sight.

"Looks like that Mage is gone."

"Yes, I see that."

The captain let out a sigh of relief, but his relaxed expression immediately turned grim again.

"But... isn’t he heading toward Sengu Town?"

"Oh, right..."

The young guard’s face fell. "He’s not going to experiment with Magic inside the town, is he?!"

These two were part of Sengu Town’s outskirts patrol. They had thought today would be another uneventful day, just like any other.

At most, they’d have to chase off some wild wolves or something.

But they never expected the massive explosion moments ago. They had watched with their own eyes as the ten-meter-tall hill was blasted to smithereens.

When the two of them, covered in dust and dirt, picked themselves up and crept closer to investigate, they discovered what appeared to be a Mage testing out his Magic.

When they saw the thick pillar of fire shoot into the sky again, like a volcanic eruption, both of them were stunned.

’Is this really a Power that humans can control?’

They had only heard that Mages were powerful, but they never imagined it would be this terrifying!

After much deliberation, the captain, with a look of solemn duty on his face, quickened his pace and chased after the retreating figure of the Black Robed Mage.

’No matter what, I can’t just watch him enter the town!’

’At the very least, I have to find out what he’s up to!’

Zelir’s ears twitched. He caught the sound of hurried footsteps on the wind.

This was different from before. He could clearly feel that his senses had become much sharper.

He turned his head for a brief glance, his gaze sweeping over them.

An invisible pressure descended, and the two guards immediately slowed their pace, their hearts tightening.

"H-Honored Mage, sir!"

The captain stopped in his tracks and immediately bowed. "Excuse me, are you heading to Sengu Town?"

’Judging by their Leather Armor, they seem to be from the Security Team.’

Zelir lowered his guard, and his expression softened into a gentle smile.

"Yes, I’m an Adventurer from out of town, currently staying in Sengu Town."

Zelir cooperatively presented his Adventurer’s Badge and Mage Badge.

"I see, so you are the honored Mage Zelir."

The captain nodded repeatedly after inspecting them. "My apologies, I didn’t realize who you were."

As Zelir’s wariness faded, the pressure weighing on the two guards’ hearts also vanished.

They even began to find Zelir rather amiable and approachable.

"Did my Magic experiment just now cause trouble for you?" Zelir asked.

"Not at all. Out here in the countryside... as long as no one gets hurt, it’s fine."

The captain chose his words carefully. "It’s just that, if possible, we’d ask that you go a little farther out..."

"Understood, I’ll keep that in mind," Zelir said with a nod.

"Also... honored Mage Zelir, there’s something I feel I must tell you."

The captain’s tone was extremely cautious, almost pleading.

"Please, try not to cast that kind of Magic inside the town. The consequences would be disastrous."

As a member of the Security Team, his duty was to maintain the town’s safety and stability.

If some other Middle Level Professional were to go on a rampage, they might kill a couple of people at most before being apprehended by the town’s law enforcement.

But if a Mage were to act on a whim...

It wouldn’t be as simple as just a couple of deaths.

If that Magma Pillar from earlier were cast inside the town, the resulting fire would likely burn down half of Sengu Town.

Such was the terrifying Power of Magic.

"Of course. I’ll be careful," Zelir nodded.

Hearing this response, the two guards finally breathed a sigh of relief.

’This honored Mage is really easy to talk to. It seems he won’t be a problem.’

After bowing once more, they left to continue their patrol elsewhere.

By the time Zelir returned to Sengu Town, the sky was already growing dark.

Giant, ancient trees cast shadows of varying depths along both sides of the street.

A warm, orange glow lit up from within many of the treehouses.

Townspeople returning home and Adventurers finished with their day’s exploration walked in twos and threes toward the taverns and inns.

Zelir was in high spirits after his advancement.

As he walked, he shed some of his usual calm and reserved demeanor, replaced by the confident, bold air unique to the young.

All the way back to the Heart of the Emerald Residence, many passersby cast glances his way.

Some even found themselves subconsciously turning back for another look after they passed him.

’That young man’s looks and bearing... are really striking.’

Pushing open the main door, he was greeted by an enticing aroma wafting through the hall.

"Yo, you’re back!" Gray’s voice was the first to ring out.

"Ah..." Zelir was a little surprised.

Around a circular table in the hall, every member of the squad was actually present—a rare sight indeed.

Marcus, Gray, Valles, and Hill were all gathered around it.

"We wanted to celebrate with you! You ran off so fast this morning, we didn’t even have a chance to stop you."

Gray came over with a grin and slung an arm around Zelir’s shoulders. "So? Did you advance?"

As he spoke, Gray squeezed Zelir’s shoulder through his clothes.

"Feels like you’ve bulked up quite a bit... Are you a Middle Level Mage now?"

"I am," Zelir said with a smile.

"Not bad, not bad. You’ve finally caught up to me!" Gray nodded in satisfaction.

"You’re honestly the most thick-skinned person I’ve ever met..."

Valles sighed. "Is his ’Middle Level’ even the same concept as your ’Middle Level’?"

"Hey, at least we’re all Middle Level Professionals now, by name."

Gray laughed it off with a wave of his hand. "No need to make distinctions of rank."

Marcus looked quite happy as well.

Ever since he had formed his Adventurer Squad, he’d never imagined having a Middle Level Mage as a teammate.

Forget being a teammate; before meeting Zelir, Marcus had barely even encountered a handful of Mages in his life!

The rich aroma in the hall came from the table, which was laden with all sorts of beef delicacies.

There were thick-cut steaks, seared crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, drizzled with black pepper sauce.

A large pot of beef stew was still simmering and steaming, alongside a platter of dried beef strips cured with hot spices.

It was clearly an all-beef feast that Marcus and the others had specially ordered, knowing Zelir’s love for beef.

"Come on, don’t just stand there!"

Gray shoved a large, full mug of ale into Zelir’s hands.

"A toast to our teammate Zelir on his successful advancement! And to our future adventures, may they be even more successful! Cheers!"

"Cheers—!"

"Cheers!!"

With the crisp clinking of mugs, everyone tilted their heads back and drained their drinks in one go!

...

「The second-level ruins.」

「Deep within.」

This was the rearmost area of the Ancient Castle. The clusters of buildings had almost completely vanished, and the environment had changed.

It was surrounded by towering trees whose canopies blotted out the sun, shrouding the region in dim light.

The terrain had also become increasingly rugged, with gnarled tree roots coiling over the surface, forming natural obstacles.

Dense shrubs grew throughout the forest, making the path even more difficult to traverse.

In this dense forest, an Adventurer Squad was trekking with difficulty.

It was a team of only three, a rather minimalist configuration.

One Warrior, one Ranger, and one Assassin—that was the entire team.