Since that day, the chair opposite Alaric’s had remained empty. Lucia was avoiding him.
Alaric sat in his dorm room, turning a sealed vial of water in his hand. The paper wrapping, the key to the "Repulsion Circle", was glued tight.
My success is exciting, Alaric thought, placing the vial into his lockbox next to nine others. But I cannot sell this.
The technology was too simple to steal. If he sold a single vial, any curious mage could peel off the paper, copy the geometry of the folded circle, and replicate it within an hour. He would lose his monopoly instantly. There was no financial benefit in giving away his research.
I have dozens of times more mana than the average mage, he calculated. The smart move is to produce standard potions using the traditional method. I can just out-produce everyone else. I just need a supplier for magical grass to extract the base juice.
He closed the lockbox. For now, the "Repulsion Vials" would remain a secret, strictly for personal use and for his close alies.
He pulled out his notebook. He was already working on the next problem.
Automation.
Using his own mana to fill potions was efficient for now, but it required his active presence. He wanted to create a Magic Circle that could suck mana from the atmosphere and pump it into the liquid automatically.
He scribbled a diagram, then crossed it out with a heavy sigh.
The problem is pressure.
When binding mana to liquid, the energy had to be charged and pushed all at once to fuse with the liquid with binding magic circle. Atmospheric mana was vast, but dilute, like a mist. He couldn't gather enough pressure from the air to create that singular "burst" needed for the binding ritual to bind enough mana in the potion. The potion just ended up being slightly energized water.
It’s a problem, Alaric mused. I need to think of something else. But that is a problem for later.
He checked his internal clock. He could regenerate his full mana reserves roughly 48 times a day due to his rapid regeneration via absorbing atmospheric mana. But between classes, sleep, Hargan’s drills, and maintaining his cover, he only had enough free time to cycle it 6 times for potion making.
Still, six high-grade sealed potions were a solid start.
He looked at the empty desk where he usually studied. The silence in the library had been deafening lately.
Lucia’s POV
The carriage rattled as it moved south, leaving the capital far behind.
Lucia looked out the window at the passing countryside, but she saw none of it. She felt hollow.
The Church found out.
Someone had seen her with Alaric….too close, too often. The report had gone straight to the High Priest, and then to the Pope. The message she received had been brief and terrifying.
"He might corrupt you."
She hadn't been able to say goodbye. She hadn't been able to explain why she suddenly vanished. She just... left.
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The Church had even reported her behavior to her father. Though the Duke hadn't spoken to her about it yet, the summons was immediate. "Return to the Thorne Duchy capital immediately."
Hours later, the carriage rolled through the heavy iron gates of the Thorne Estate.
Lucia walked through the familiar, grand hallways until she reached the heavy oak door of the solar. She knocked.
"Father, may I come in?"
"Yes."
Duke Thorne was seated at his desk, signing a stack of official documents. He was a man of immense presence, broad-shouldered, with the same silver hair as Lucia, though his was cropped short and military-style.
When he saw her, his stern expression melted. He stood up, crossed the room in three long strides, and kissed her gently on the forehead.
"Welcome home, Lucia."
She relaxed into his presence. Despite his terrifying reputation as the Shield of the South, he was a doting father.
"How have you been?" he asked, leading her to a chair. "What have you been up to?"
They spoke for a while about her studies, her health, and the capital. Then, the Duke leaned back, his eyes sharpening.
"Now... tell me about the boy. Alaric."
Lucia froze.
"I already know about him," the Duke said calmly. "I rule the southernmost point of this subcontinent. We are the closest region to the Southern Demon Continent. I am always looking for talented individuals to protect this country. I have kept an eye on him from the start."
He tapped his desk. "It seems even Duke Larethin gave it a shot. He tried to recruit the boy as a ward?"
Lucia’s eyes widened. "Larethin? He... he tried to recruit Alaric?"
"And failed, apparently," Duke Thorne mused. "So, tell me. What do you think of him?"
Lucia clasped her hands in her lap. "He is... very talented. And friendly. We talk about magic spells in the library. He treats me like a normal person, Father. He’s brilliant."
The Duke raised an eyebrow. "You are sure he doesn't have any ulterior motive? To get close to the future Saintess?"
"No!" Lucia defended him quickly. "He basically ignored me for the first month. I was the one who talked to him first."
Duke Thorne looked confused. He studied his daughter’s face, the desperation in her voice, the flush in her cheeks.
"Hey, Lucia," he said slowly, testing the waters. "You know that boy is a commoner... and you are a Saintess, right?"
Lucia immediately understood the implication. Her face turned a violent shade of red. She waved her hands frantically.
"No! No, Father, it's not like that! We are just... research partners!"
Her reaction was so intense, so flustered, that Thorne’s suspicion deepened. He frowned. This was worse than he thought.
"Regardless," the Duke said, his voice turning firm. "I will keep an eye on him and decide for myself if he is safe or not. Until then... do not associate with him."
Lucia’s shoulders slumped. The hollow feeling returned to her chest.
"Yes, Father," she whispered, a look of profound sadness crossing her face.
Two Days Later, Royal Knight Academy
The morning assembly was buzzing with energy. Instructor Hargan stood on the podium, looking more excited than usual.
"Listen up!" Hargan bellowed. "The Annual War Game is about to begin."
A ripple of excitement went through the class.
"For those who don't know," Hargan continued, "this is an event that happens annually. Different groups team up to simulate a large-scale conflict. The goal is to give you practical experience in strategy, logistics, and fighting in real wartime scenarios."
"Usually, the Magic Academy joins us. This year is no different. We will divide the First Year cohort into four large armies. We will mix you, Section A to Section D, Knights with Mages. You need to learn how to work with unknown soldiers."
Alaric listened A mock war remembering the war he experienced himself as a kid, he thought
No one can prepare for that.
"Any questions?" Hargan asked. Silence. "Good. Now for the location."
Hargan grinned.
"This year's event will be hosted in the Thorne Territory."
Alaric’s head snapped up.
Thorne Territory?
"The Duke has graciously opened his private training grounds, the Borderlands near the seas, for our use," Hargan announced. "The War Game will be held two weeks from now."
The class erupted in chatter. The Thorne Territory was legendary, the militarized zone near the Demon Continent.
Alaric stood still amidst the noise.
He felt a strange, twisting knot form in his stomach. It wasn't fear, exactly. It was an instinct.
Going to the land of the Duke who guarded the Demon Continent?
Something is going to go wrong, Alaric thought, the bad feeling settling deep in his gut.
? AUTHOR'S NOTE ?
Dear Beloved Readers,
GRATITUDE to each and every one of you for taking the time to read my humble work. Your presence on this journey means more to me than words could ever express.
?? YOUR VOICE MATTERS ??
REVIEW my novel and share your thoughts
COMMENT on chapters with your honest critiques
GROW as a writer with your feedback
REACH OUT if you encounter any problems or have concerns
precious gift that helps me improve and create a better story for you. Don't hesitate to point out any issues — your honesty is invaluable to me.
Thank You Once Again
Please stay with me on this journey until the very end ?
The Author