Alon, though unsure of exactly how she did it, successfully subjugated Basiliora with Heinkel’s questionable help. He then received magical instruction from Heinkel.

It was five days. Although it might seem a long or short time, it proved to be immensely beneficial for Alon.

Heinkel wasn’t handling words or sentences, but her magical knowledge matured Alon’s magical abilities from a newly advanced fourth tier to a fully seasoned fourth-tier level.

Moreover, thanks to the issue of magic’s cost-effectiveness, Alon was now able to use magic that he hadn’t even thought of using before because he had learned a slightly more efficient way to utilize mana at this point.

Of course, Alon wasn’t a genius who could apply what he learned perfectly right away, and it took some time to properly implement it. However, even the minor teaching greatly reduced the consumption rate compared to the original magic, which was a significant gain.

Most importantly, the biggest help he received was this.

“Huh-”

It was right in front of him.

Woong-

Alon saw the magic manifested before his eyes. Or more precisely, it was a visualization of the arrangement of mana.

Like the DNA of genes, the mana was arranged in a spiral pattern forming a pentagram.

Though it wasn’t perfect yet, it was undoubtedly what he had wanted, and he smiled deeply within himself. This was precisely why he sought magical instruction from Heinkel and its result.

‘I didn’t expect to be able to implement it this quickly.’

The array broke down into tiny pieces the moment he lost focus. Still, Alon exhaled a satisfied breath. What he had created was one of the ‘traits’ that magicians could use in Psychedelia.

A trait (特性). In the game, when magicians reach the fourth tier, they can obtain unique traits for their magic using knowledge from the labyrinths, though these traits are limited to about ten in the game.

Nevertheless, Alon had managed to implement this ‘trait’ without even visiting a labyrinth. It wasn’t because he was special. In fact, anyone who knew how to incorporate the overall shape, order, and position of mana into magic could use it. Of course, unless someone discovered the trait by entering the labyrinth themselves, Alon would be the only user of this undiscovered trait.

……The labyrinth that gives the trait hadn’t even appeared at this point. It had only emerged due to a fracture after one of the sins descended.

‘With a little more practice, I might be able to handle it perfectly.’

Soon, thinking of a unique trait that would be very helpful to his current self, he became satisfied. Then.

“Marquis.”

Alon turned his attention to the voice of Evan.

“What’s the matter?”

“No, the conference is nearly over, I was wondering what you’re planning to do.”

“Hmm- How many days are left?”

“About three days, I think?” Evan replied.

Alon pondered for a moment.

……………He had heard that he could stay for about a week even after the conference ended, but it seemed pointless to receive instruction now.

Heinkel’s teachings had indeed been an incredible gift to Alon. However, Alon could no longer receive instruction from Heinkel. Or rather, it would be correct to say that it would be pointless to try as the physical limitations, known as the Mana Hole, began to make Heinkel’s teachings seem like merely good-looking unripe persimmons.

So……he had gotten what he could, and now it might be time to try to increase his mana a bit more. Just as Alon was thinking of an artifact that might be near the central tower to slightly increase his mana.

“Ah, by the way, Marquis. There’s a commotion outside.”

Evan suddenly changed the subject.

“A commotion outside? What happened?”

“Well, not exactly an event, but just a lot of ‘stuff’ happening.”

“……So what’s the event?” Evan dragged out his words before continuing.

“Recently, in the entire Allied Kingdom, mountains have suddenly started splitting open, or natural massacres are occurring in the territories of the Marquisdom.”

“……In the mountains or the Marquisdom’s territories?”

“Yes, there have already been over eight incidents within a week. Particularly, Mount Temax near the Kingdom of Rosario has become a barren wasteland.”

“The reason?”

“The reason is still unclear. That’s just the rumor going around.”

“Is there any commonality among the places where these incidents occurred?”

“From what I’ve heard, the locations are sporadic.”

A quiet sense of crisis was felt. Meanwhile, doubts arose. If it were the appearance of an Outer God, it wouldn’t burst sporadically in multiple places, Alon thought, tilting his head. But that was only for a moment.

‘Still, I should probably look into it first.’

After delegating some tasks to Evan with the intention of moving himself, “It seems I’ll have to go out soon.”

He decided it was time to leave the magic conference. That night, as always, Alon was alone, practicing magic after receiving his instruction. Heinkel, watching him, had a strange expression. Initially, she had detested just his presence, but lately, Heinkel had grown quite interested in him. Partly because he followed her teachings well, but more so because the magic he used was very peculiar.

Alon was using ‘primitive magic’ that had nearly become extinct even in Heinkel’s era. Even more, its use was so natural that it naturally aroused curiosity. No, to be precise, it was curiosity about the ‘magic’ he used.

‘I wish I could ask him to teach me once.’

Unfortunately, the ‘master and disciple’ relationship had not been established between her and Alon. Given her personality, asking Alon to teach her something now would be a bit difficult.

However, Heinkel’s magical curiosity easily overcame her personality. Being a magician known as the ‘Cup of the Origins,’ her curiosity was immense. In fact, she had mentioned something about ‘Phrases’ to Alon a few days ago.

As soon as the word ‘Phrase’ slipped out, she had shut her mouth, and the conversation hadn’t progressed.

It couldn’t be helped. It was because of the entity behind Alon. Whenever she tried to discuss something related to ‘Phrases,’ she immediately looked up and couldn’t ask about it. While teaching him magic, Heinkel had already figured out to some extent the eyes that Alon and others shouldn’t be aware of.

Alon was unaware of the presence of the eyes behind him. Or rather, it would have been strange if he had noticed.

After all, that entity was invisible to anyone who had not opened their eyes, and one would need enlightenment and strength similar to hers to even glimpse what was hidden behind the scenes.

And most importantly, the eyes themselves seemed to avoid being recognized by Alon when utilizing magic. Despite being a spirit, Heinkel felt the hairs on her body stand on end. For some reason, the ‘eyes’ that refused Alon’s recognition showed a clear reaction to Phrases, if not entirely.

Of course, it couldn’t be definitively concluded that it was avoiding them, but her survival instincts violently warned her. Don’t just casually bring up that topic.

“……I think I’ll leave for today.”

[Oh, alright. See you tomorrow.]

“Yes, thank you as always.”

She knew it wasn’t particularly beneficial to touch on that subject. Yet her curiosity stimulated her wildly day by day.

‘Isn’t there a good way?’

After Alon left, she soon came up with an idea.

‘Now that I think about it, the eyes don’t react when he recites the Phrase……………. If I don’t ask directly, and he offers to teach first, maybe I could listen?’

She was aware of the low likelihood of that scenario actually happening. But by now, her brain had been overtaken by curiosity.

‘How can I start the conversation first?’

She began to ponder.

Suddenly, “You damn old coot!!! I know you’re hiding here, come out!!!”

A loud shout echoed throughout the library, furrowing brows.

‘Who dares so recklessly……?’

[……Hmm?]

However, shortly after, she recognized the owner of the voice. Penia Crysinne. For Heinkel, who wandered around the central tower whenever she felt bored, Penia was a well-known figure among the magicians, her name frequently mentioned. Moreover, there had recently been rumors involving her and Marquis Palatio…

[Hmm? Wait?]

It seems like a path is opening up. Penia, if Penia truly had that kind of relationship with Marquis Palatio…

A small plan began to form in her mind.

***

Penia Crysinne was in a very angry state. That was because she originally had no intention of attending this magic conference. It was only recently that the magical supplies had started arriving properly, allowing her to resume the experiments that had been on hold.

But the reason she came to the central tower was exactly because of…

“Damn old coot-!!!!!!!!”

A rumor started by the blue tower’s master.

‘Wow- I didn’t know you’d already finished greeting.’

‘So the vice-master of the tower is getting married, you really can’t predict life.’

Penia gritted her teeth as she recalled the professors who barged in during her magical experiments and spouted such words. And the source of those rumors was none other than Celaime Mikardo, who usually shirked his duties onto her and wandered around carelessly without a care in the world. She couldn’t just stand by. She had to punish that old coot immediately.

Penia rushed to the conference and, finding him already hidden, she scoured every corner of the building, eventually arriving at the library. And here.

[Who is there?]

“………!?”

She encountered a spectral girl. Or more precisely, “The Cup of the Origins, Heinkel…?”

The Cup of the Origins, Heinkel.

[Hoo~ It’s curious that you know my name.]

At the affirming voice, Penia was so startled that she froze, forgetting her original purpose.

Penia had long been aware of one of the rumors related to the central tower’s library, about ‘The Cup of the Origins, Heinkel.’ The content was simple: if you visited the library at night, Heinkel would appear and impart magical knowledge. However, hardly any magician believed it, as it made no sense for Heinkel, who should have died hundreds of years ago, to suddenly appear in the library. Nevertheless, Penia had once visited the library at night after hearing the rumor.

Because her childhood dream was to become a great magician like Heinkel, it was natural for Penia to recognize Heinkel immediately. She had seen countless portraits of Heinkel in statues and books.

“State your name,” a figure akin to an idol from her childhood, Heinkel, prompted, and Penia, staring blankly, startled, replied, “Pe, Penia Crysinne…!” Her heart fluttered at meeting someone she had long admired.

However, [Penia Crysinne………… Ah, so you’re the one rumored to have that kind of relationship with Marquis Palatio?]

“Wh…?”

Hearing strange words from the mouth of her idol, she could not help but furrow her brow involuntarily. Her tolerance had grown incredibly low due to being constantly troubled by rumors over the past few months.

“That’s a huge misunderstanding,” she reflexively attempted to clarify.

[There is one condition I have for you. If you agree, I will personally teach you magic.]

“What?”

She fell silent at the continuing proposal.

[Exactly as I said. I have a favor related to Marquis Palatio. If you are as close to the Marquis as the rumors suggest, it shouldn’t be too difficult. What do you say?]

Despite the oddity of the statement, “You mean, teach me magic?”

[Yes.]

“From the Cup of the Origins?”

[I don’t repeat myself.]

She could not object.

Memories flashed through her mind, all painfully linked to Marquis Palatio. From memories of creating potions for him to being dragged away by pirates while traveling with him. Days filled with stress from rumors involving the Marquis scrolled through her mind one by one.

Honestly, Penia wanted to completely clear up the rumors related to Marquis Palatio. Her feelings remained the same even now. No matter the chance to be mentored in magic by the Cup of the Origins itself, Penia’s stress had long since surpassed its limits.

Therefore, instead of voicing what Penia really thought, [Perhaps, was there some mistake in the spreading of these rumors?]

She just curled the corners of her mouth into an awkward smile. The stress that had gnawed at her very being, tormenting her to the point of pulling her hair out for months, still could not overpower her magical curiosity.