Chapter 6. Successor of the Sword (3)
A boy was approaching from the other side of the training ground.
His age was probably similar to Enoch's.
‘I feel like I’ve seen that face somewhere.’
Enoch watched him carefully and suddenly realized.
‘Ah… Dionil Elsyde?’
Come to think of it, there was such an extra.
Step, step.
Three other mages were accompanying him.
Enoch watched them closely and narrowed his eyes.
I didn't recognize any of them, but I could quickly guess who they were.
‘It seems they’re the follower families who follow Dionil.’
One of the main settings of the original game.
The 「Follower Family」 system.
Magic power is strength and social status in the Magic Empire Atlas.
However, only a small number of mages in the Empire reach the high ranks.
Realistically, the majority of the Empire's citizens were only 20th to 15th-rank mages.
Therefore, low-ranking mages needed a teacher to help them achieve their own magical achievements, and powerful mages to back them up.
The concept that emerged in this background was the 「Follower Family」 system.
It was a custom in the Empire, where those who wanted to receive magical teachings formed a hierarchical relationship with the teacher's family. It was a tradition in the Empire, where the identity of a mage group was formed.
‘The game had a similar system.’
Follower families appeared as a kind of ‘party’ in the game.
And the main content was that the protagonist recruited follower families according to his needs. It was a method of forming a combination suitable for the battles that occurred in each story and mission and accompanying them.
It was all up to the player to choose which progress route to choose, which place to go to, which character's favorability to raise to bring them into the protagonist's follower family, and how much to grow them.
Of course, the protagonist's specs were also important, but <Magic Empire Atlas> also had a huge emphasis on these ‘collection-type RPG’ and ‘nurturing’ elements.
“We greet Lord Enoch.”
Near Dionil's side.
Several of the follower families stepped forward and gave a formal greeting. But some of them had a subtle sneer on their faces.
Enoch tilted his head slightly.
‘Even though Enoch is scheduled to be disowned, he’s still a direct descendant.’
Even so, their impolite attitude showed what Enoch's position was within the family.
Enoch looked around at them once.
Perhaps there were more follower families under Dionil that hadn't come here. That was only natural for a direct descendant of the Elsyde family.
‘…Except for me, of course.’
A bitter smile formed inside Enoch.
In the original story, Enoch was unable to have even one follower family in any of the routes where the story progressed.
In fact, that was natural.
Would there be anyone stupid enough to bet on a non-mage recognized as incompetent by the Imperial society?
‘It may be impossible right now, but I’ll have to create follower families later.’
To prepare for the events that would occur in the original story in five years, it was not enough for Enoch to become stronger alone.
It was essential to bring talented people from various fields of magic into his follower family.
‘Of course, I know who to recruit.’
It was not a difficult task for Enoch, who knew almost all the characters in the game, to list up the follower families.
Of course, actually bringing them under my control was another matter, but if I solved the problems that were in front of me one by one, it would be possible enough…….
“Enoch. What confidence do you have to be walking around outside?”
……Ah, were they still here?
Dionil, perhaps feeling that he had been inadvertently ignored while he was lost in thought, slowly walked over and stopped in front of Enoch.
Looking at him again like this, his appearance in the game faintly flashed through his mind.
Dionil Elsyde.
He was a character who appeared from the beginning of the story in the game, but due to his ambiguous skill set and performance, he was rarely used.
Above all, the reason why he was not preferred in parties was….
“Surely you haven’t manifested magic in the meantime. Did you come to capture the scenery you won’t be able to see again because you’ll be disowned soon?”
It was because he was terribly annoying when he spoke.
No joke, this was also related to the <Magic Empire Atlas> system.
There was a favorability system between characters that could be organized into combat.
Due to this influence, if the favorability between characters was low and close to 「hostile」 when forming a party. Penalties were imposed on forming the same party.
That's why Dionil, who acted without manners in the original story, was a difficult character to put in a party and use regardless of his performance.
He would upset the party members at every opportunity, lowering the overall power of the party.
“This is a public training ground. It is an important facility that is visited by the children of Elsyde and its follower families, as well as students from the Imperial Academia.”
He spat out, coming closer to him.
“It’s not a place where an incompetent non-mage like you can come and go as you please. Enoch.”
Already, some gazes and murmurs were felt from the audience seats in the training ground.
-Look over there. Black hair… could that person be the shame of the family….
-It's my first time seeing him too. I heard he just stays locked up in his room. What brings him here….
-Hush, be quiet. He’ll hear you.
Enoch briefly checked the attention focused on him and faced Dionil.
‘What a bunch of useless trash who are picking a fight.’
How should I respond to effectively get out of this situation?
But at Dionil’s next words, Enoch decided not to just put up with this situation and back down.
“Live like a non-mage, you outdated non-mage. Quietly, in your room, like you’ve been doing so far.”
Those fly-like guys are endless once they get confident.
It was better to cut them off here.
Enoch replied indifferently.
“The guy who was beaten by that outdated non-mage has a big mouth.”
“What…?”
As if he didn’t expect Enoch to talk back, an expression of anger and embarrassment mixed on Dionil’s face for a moment.
A look as if how dare you mention that incident.
In fact, this was related to an incident that Dionil had with Enoch in the past.
「When Dionil was a child and first awakened his magic, there was a public duel between the two direct descendants, Enoch and Dionil.」
「Dionil, who was still an immature mage at the time, was easily suppressed by Enoch in front of all the audience.」
「At the time, Enoch, who could not use magic, only exercised unilateral physical power, but it still remains a painful dark history for Dionil.」
Newbies may not even be aware of the existence of the extra Enoch, but this guy was a seasoned player.
I had memorized even these episodes.
‘I might as well use this guy for a bit.’
No matter how much I gained a sense of being able to see mana in the inner world, it was uncertain how well I could use it properly in actual combat.
I needed some actual combat experience anyway.
The timing of his appearance was perfect.
‘I need to understand myself at least once.’
Above all, there was no way I could continue to tolerate such a loser barking at me forever.
If I started to be looked down on like this once or twice, he might pick a fight with me over all sorts of things in the future.
I had to fix his habits on this occasion.
“Why? You were beaten by me in the past.”
“You. Are you crazy….”
“If you’re upset, let’s fight again. Are you scared because you remember the old days?”
At his provocation, Dionil started to protest as if he had a lot of complaints about the past incident.
“In the first place, that was a magic duel. At that time, you broke the rules and….”
“Yeah, you loser.”
“You!”
Immediately, the sound of Dionil's pride being scratched came out of his mouth.
Of course, I didn't remember it and didn't care. I just needed to scratch his insides.
He clearly remembered one of the characteristics listed on Dionil Elsyde’s character sheet.
「He has a strong sense of pride and cannot tolerate insults.」
“A guy who doesn’t know his place…! Good. I’ll make it so you can’t come out of your room ever again.”
In the end, he couldn't stand it and shouted loudly.
The reason why Dionil was so angry was obvious.
It was probably because he wanted to avenge the duel he had lost to the ‘non-mage’ he kept saying.
Unlike then, Dionil had achieved some magical achievements now.
But at that moment.
“Please wait a moment, Lord Dionil.”
Behind Dionil, who was furious and about to raise his staff, a man stepped forward to stop him.
A young man who looked about six years older than Enoch.
Dionil looked back at him and said as if surprised.
“Achellon?”
Achellon…!
If it’s Achellon…?
‘I’ve never seen him before.’
The name of a mage that I had never heard in the original story. Even Enoch, who was a seasoned player, was hearing the name for the first time.
In other words, he was just a nobody who didn't need to be paid attention to.
But whether he knew what I was thinking or not. He continued with a confident expression.
“Why use a cow-slaughtering knife to catch a chicken? There’s no need for Lord Dionil to handle this personally, I’ll take care of this matter.”
Dionil glared at him for a moment, then nodded as if he had a point.
“…Well, I don’t need to deal with him either. It’s a waste to deal with just one non-mage. Then Achellon, will you give him a lesson on my behalf?”
“As you wish.”
Dionil patted him on the shoulder a few times and said.
“I’m sorry to ask you to do such trivial work. I’m sure you didn’t hone your skills to do such things.”
While the person in question didn't say anything, Enoch just smiled as he watched the two of them take turns talking to each other.
Well, whatever the case, it didn't matter.
I didn't know what Achellon was, but I could roughly guess his level.
“…Then Lord Enoch, I will guide you to Lord Dionil’s personal training ground. Dueling is already in progress here. Is that alright with you?”
Enoch nodded indifferently.
In fact, he didn’t want to show others his sword skills as much as possible.
But to even go to a hidden personal training ground.
There was nothing more he could ask for now.
***
The personal training facility that he arrived at following Achellon was more luxurious than he had expected.
Stylish furniture, and various training magic tools neatly displayed on a glittering display case.
Expensive artifacts and various training supplies neatly hung on one wall caught his eye.
“This is Lord Dionil’s personal training ground.”
Achellon spread his arms as if introducing the facility.
“Where did Dionil go?”
“Haha, Lord Dionil has a schedule at the public training ground. He is not in a situation where he can easily leave his seat.”
Achellon looked at Enoch for a moment and lightly waved the short staff he was holding in the air. The magic stone crafted on the end briefly shone.
“Please tell me when you’re ready.”
Enoch listened with one ear and picked up a staff of a suitable length from the display case.
Enoch waved it lightly a few times in the air.
Watching him, Achellon sneered inwardly.
‘He actually followed me obediently to a place where no one was watching. Are non-mages all this stupid?’
Whoosh─
Achellon slowly raised his mana. The magic circle he constructed rose up and rotated in the air.
The fact that a duel was already in progress at the public training ground was just an excuse.
It would be bad to show everyone that he, a follower family, was beating up Enoch, who was still a direct descendant, so he came to this personal training ground.
‘If I turn this defective product into a cripple, Lord Dionil will be pleased.’
The incompetent Enoch, who hadn't even manifested magic, was no match for him.
Achellon knew his level well.
His magic had just reached the 15th rank.
But here, the 15th rank was not a high rank to be proud of. In a Main House where the Empire's elites gathered, most mages were over the basic 13th rank.
Of course, there aren't many mages who grow beyond the 15th rank compared to the overall proportion of the Empire.
However, compared to the talented people here, and considering his age, it was too late of a growth.
Achellon knew better than anyone that his talent was just mediocre.
‘So a guy like me has to find a slightly different way to survive.’
The role of a follower family is not just about doing clean work.
He decided to live as a shadow behind Dionil.
He would collect dirty work and secrets that shouldn't be revealed one by one, enter his heart, and act like a tongue in his mouth. He would become an indispensable existence for him.
He would live as a member of a follower family who moved in the shadows only for him.
Achellon wore a twisted smile.
‘So… I’m sorry, but you’re just a sacrifice.’
Hwaaaak!
In an instant, a powerful mana arrow was formed from his completed magic circle.
As Achellon extended his hand, the arrow constructed of translucent mana quickly cut through the air and flew towards Enoch in response to his will.
Whizz─!
Enoch twisted his body once to avoid it.
But perhaps because he hadn't completely avoided it, a little blood was seeping from Enoch's waist.
Seeing that, a sadistic smile formed on Achellon's lips.
‘His movements are unexpected?’
He was quite agile for a non-mage.
But he was still just a non-mage.
Achellon stretched out his hand and rebuilt the magic circle.
‘Let’s see how far you can avoid it, even though you’re just a non-mage.’
Dozens of mana arrows that had grazed Enoch's waist just now were fired at Enoch. His body was gradually turning red with scratches.
Achellon smiled as if it were natural.
Even if only one of those arrows hit him properly, it would be fatal to Enoch, who didn't have any basic defensive magic.
‘I should put effort into breaking one of his arms and legs. So that it can’t be treated even later….’
Achellon gathered mana again.
If he succeeded in this, he would be able to receive special attention even among Dionil's various follower families. It was an excellent opportunity.
If he could gain the trust of Dionil, a direct descendant of the Main House?
If Dionil were to receive the right of succession in the future, he could even aim for the position of executive officer to assist this huge Elsyde family.
Just like the current Executive Officer Grantel.
A non-mage like Enoch was just a stepping stone for that….
‘……?’
That should have been the case.
‘What is it?’
At some point, Dionil's expression gradually distorted.
10 minutes.
15 minutes.
30 minutes…….
Time was passing much longer than Achellon had expected.
The number of magic spells he had sent to Enoch so far was close to three digits.
‘……What the hell is going on?’
Something was seriously wrong.
With his mana gradually dropping, he glared at Enoch with a pale complexion.
‘How… is he dodging all of them without getting hit even once?’
On the other hand, Enoch's breathing was still steady as he dodged another arrow that flew in.
Well, it was natural for Enoch.
He was watching all the flow of mana that he was moving with his naked eyes.
***
Enoch moved calmly.
‘It’s easier than I thought?’
The Sense of Mana.
Through the flow of mana visible to the eye, I could easily grasp where he was aiming with his magic.
Not to mention those honest, straight-line projectile magic.
At first, the dodging was awkward and a few shots grazed my body and it was dangerous, but now I was avoiding all attacks without difficulty.
I could feel myself gradually adapting to his body.
“Kuh!”
With mana depletion approaching, Achellon, perhaps feeling rushed, now began to fire magic randomly without even aiming.
Of course, dodging was still not difficult at all. Besides, I had also learned something new by dodging the magic appropriately.
‘Enoch’s physical abilities were this good.’
Dynamic visual acuity.
Agility and stamina.
Even his mental strength was unbelievably good.
Even if I could roughly read the trajectory of the attack, I had to exert considerable concentration to read the opponent's mana through the Sense of Mana.
Even so, unlike Achellon, who was already panting, Enoch was still fine both mentally and physically.
‘At this point, I can roughly know my current state.’
The magic he was shooting was the projectile attack magic that boasted the highest speed among the 15th-rank magic in the game.
If so, it would be possible to avoid other 15th-rank magic head-on without difficulty.
The 15th rank wasn't that strong in the original story where mages with monstrous skills were rampant, but they were definitely excellent mages compared to the general category.
Enoch smiled faintly.
He was starting to feel more and more confident that he could survive in this irrational world filled with mages.
‘Shall we finish it soon?’
At the same time as his judgment. Enoch immediately kicked the floor of the training ground hard. The wind from the rapid acceleration brushed against his cheek.
Achellon, who was getting closer and closer. He could see him raising his staff in astonishment.
The mana he squeezed out was deployed in a magic circle that emitted light in the air. But Enoch had already figured out his next action.
Flash!
15th rank [Shapeshifting: Warhammer]
Magic that forms a giant battle hammer with mana and plunges it down in front.
It was a general magic that even the 15th rank could use, but it was a useful skill not only in the early stages but also in the mid-stages because it was highly utilized in close combat.
‘As expected.’
A faint smile spread on Enoch's lips as he looked at the magic circle.
I've been playing Atlas more than once or twice. The magic that a mage of that level would use in close combat was obvious.
It was an attack that he couldn't help but know.
In fact, all he could do was reveal his bottom line from beginning to end and pour out magic.
Whack!
Achellon's staff shone dazzlingly and the magic circle rotated. In an instant, a giant battle hammer constructed with mana appeared in the air.
An overwhelming size that could crush a person in one blow.
Following the movement of the staff that he swung wildly, a huge hammer fell in front of Enoch's eyes.
But…….
‘Slow.’
Achellon's hammer was so slow that it couldn't be compared to the sword that the Sword Saint wielded in Enoch's inner world.
To the point where I could turn my body and avoid it without difficulty even while running forward.
Swoosh
Enoch rotated his body to the left as it was.
Then, a huge hammer plunged down into the spot where he had been just now, shattering the floor into pieces.
But Enoch, who had dodged it with concise movements, had already approached right in front of Achellon.
“H-Heok……!”
At that moment, Achellon's eyes were filled with bewilderment as he was unable to cast the next spell.
Enoch accurately struck his shoulder with the staff he was holding.
Crack!
Along with a pleasant feeling of hitting something, a dull sensation was transmitted to his fingertips as if his shoulder bone had been broken.
Achellon screamed disgracefully and staggered before rolling his body like a pill bug on the floor.
“Kuaaaack!”
Achellon grabbed his limp shoulder and shouted, groaning in pain.
“That movement just now…… have you been playing with me all this time?”
“Why?”
Enoch spat out, looking down at him coldly.
“Is that not allowed?”
Achellon spat a long stream of dirt on the floor and muttered as if he was still angry.
“What tricks did you use? There’s no way you could avoid my magic so easily without magic….”
Achellon, who was watching Enoch approaching closer and closer while lying down, suddenly shouted to himself with a shocked face as if he had realized something.
“Could it be… the 9th rank [Acceleration]?”
Clench.
Achellon clenched his teeth tightly.
He couldn’t believe it, but there was no other explanation.
It was absolutely impossible to avoid all the magic like that with just his bare body.
Then, could it be that Enoch had been hiding the fact that he was a mage for some reason?
With skills of at least the 9th rank?
Achellon looked up at Enoch with a face of extreme confusion and mumbled blankly.
“…What rank of magic can you use?”
Enoch raised his staff and answered roughly.
“Well? I can use amnesia magic.”
Hearing those words, Achellon seriously asked back with a face full of shock.
“A-Amnesia, so you’re really above the 10th rank? How can you use such high-level magic…!”
“Like this.”
Enoch grabbed the staff he was holding again and slammed it into the back of Achellon's head as it was.
Pow!
Amnesia magic (physical).
Enoch threw the magic tool he was holding at Achellon, who had collapsed on the floor with his head buried in the floor after losing consciousness.
“Magic is easy.”
As he turned his back on Achellon, who was foaming at the mouth and collapsing, he was about to leave the training ground.
A very familiar line of mana came into his eyes.
‘This is?’
Enoch stopped and paused.
─A cyan-colored mana.
Unlike the public training ground or the corridors of the fortress where many people came and went, I wouldn't have discovered it if I hadn't come to the quiet personal training ground.
It was that thin of a mana line.
And the moment I saw it.
Enoch instinctively felt it.
‘I have to follow it.’
Enoch's body was shouting that he had to follow it. So surely that his eardrums would be torn if it were a shout.
‘Come to think of it, did Enoch in the original story also have mana of the same color as that?’
As if possessed by something.
Enoch slowly moved towards the cyan-colored mana that was connected beyond the corridor.