The Book Eating Magician - chapter-26

Mana-vil Capital #1 (End of Book 1)

The raid on the first night was really fierce, but the damage was less
than expected.

Hundreds of the hobgoblins had been turned into charcoal due to Vince’s
flames, while Theodore’s appropriate actions had taken care of the
ambush in the rear. His merit was especially big since the chief had died.

After that raid, nothing had occurred. Was it because they repelled the
hobgoblins who ruled the whole area?

Thanks to their weapons being soaked in the blood of the hobgoblins,
monsters such as goblins, kobolds, and direwolves didn’t dare charge
toward the procession. There were a few trolls who attempted an attack,
but they were soon butchered by the bloodthirsty mercenaries.

‘Speaking of which, can’t a troll’s blood be used as a raw
ingredient for potions? It’s no wonder they fought harder against the
trolls than the hobgoblins.’

There was no need for Vince and Theodore to interfere. No, the
mercenaries were likely to be angry if the magicians interfered. Fire was
most effective in killing a troll, but the raw blood couldn’t be
obtained.

There would be many complaints if they went and burned the trolls with a
Fireball.

Therefore, Theo was staring out the window when he saw someone on a horse
approach their carriage. The horse had a glossy brown mane, and there was
only one person in the procession who would ride such a horse. It was
Gordon, the general manager of this procession.

He approached without hesitation and praised the two people, “This
time, I really survived thanks to the two of you! If the professor
hadn’t accompanied me, I would’ve suffered enormous damage. At least
half the procession would’ve been wiped out! The professors of Bergen
Academy really have great skills.”

“Thank you.”

“And your disciple as well.”

Gordon bowed his head to Theo as well as Vince.

The leader of such a large procession was bowing to a 3rd Circle
magician, but it was appropriate treatment after Theo’s actions. Theo
had killed a hobgoblin chief!

The one who led the attack had been the chief of the Surprising River
village.

Depending on the size of the group, the strength of the hobgoblin chief
was at least a C rank. It meant they were tough opponents for 4th Circle
magicians. If Theo hadn’t stopped the chief, the rear of the procession
would’ve been destroyed.

However, a 3rd Circle magician had defeated a hobgoblin chief in a
one-on-one match…?

If it hadn’t been for the mercenaries saying the same thing, Gordon
wouldn’t have believed it. Still, Gordon’s mind was fairly flexible
as he was an excellent merchant. He was convinced about Theodore’s
value, despite not truly understanding.

“I can’t repay this favor with just my mouth, so I’ve personally
prepared something to repay you. My conscience will be more comfortable
if you both receive it.”

“Hrmm, if you say so…”

“Ah, you will accept it?”

Vince nodded, and Gordon took out a box he had placed on his saddle.

The metal box had chains and a lock wrapped around it, making the item
seem quite valuable. Gordon took out a key from his pocket and unlocked
it. After the chains were released, the box opened its mouth with a
rumbling sound.

Inside it was a crystal shining strangely. It was a ball which
occasionally changed colours, turning from blue to red.

When Theo saw it, he couldn’t help asking doubtfully, “This…?”

There were many encyclopedias in the library about magic stones, but this
was the first time he had seen such a strange ball. However, Gordon
didn’t give a satisfactory answer.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t know. It is something that the Magic
Society has been searching for these days, but since the quantity is too
low, this company could only obtain a few. I am hoping that it will be
helpful to both of you.”

“Can we take such a precious thing?” Vince said as he looked at it
closely.

At the positive reply, Gordon nodded with a bright expression. If he
could form a relationship with a magician by using this unknown crystal,
it would be a few times more profitable than selling it.

“Of course! If you weren’t here, I might have lost everything. This
is under my sole discretion.”

“Then… I really appreciate it.”

“Hahaha! Now my mind can feel at ease! Ah, would you like to return
with us after the magic contest is over? I’ll provide a better carriage
than the one you currently have.”

“Well, okay.”

After exchanging a few more courtesies, Gordon returned to the front of
the procession with a brighter look than before.

From his standpoint, he had been able to prevent the hobgoblins’ attack
without much damage. He had also been able to form a relationship with a
strong magician. With these, his evaluation within the company would
increase greatly. Therefore, Gordon rode off in a good mood.

However, Vince made a noise of derision as he picked up the crystal.
“This is why ignorance is truly scary. That merchant didn’t know what
he was carrying.”

“Professor, do you know what this is?”

“…I’ve seen it a few times in the north. Technically speaking, this
isn’t a crystal. Sometimes plants that absorb the blood of monsters
will make berries filled with magic power. This one, the Magic Society
calls it, ‘Monster Berry.’” Vince explained as he placed the
crystal back in the box and locked it with the key he received from
Gordon. Then he placed it in his space pocket with swift movements.

“Monster Berries tempt nearby monsters with its fragrance and will
strengthen the monster who eats it. The hobgoblins on the first night
probably came for this.”

No matter how hard it was to climb the Nadun Mountain Ranges, such a
large group of monsters wouldn’t be living on the outskirts. The
monsters were well aware of the damage they would suffer if they neared
human territory. The hobgoblins were more cunning than other monsters, so
they wouldn’t have been unaware of this fact.

The reason why the hobgoblins had carried out such an unreasonable attack
was now revealed.

Vince touched his chin and muttered in an interested tone, “I remember
it as an object which use was unknown… Maybe a use for it might have
been discovered recently.”

“Discovered?”

“The gifts that I will give you may increase by one.”

‘Gifts?’ Theo stared at him with a puzzled expression.

At that moment, someone shouted from outside the carriage, “It is the
capital! I see Mana-vil Capital!”

Theo might be a magician, but in the end, he was a boy from the country.
He soon forgot to ask about the gift and looked out the window. Every
person in the Meltor Kingdom dreamed of living in Mana-vil Capital. It
was said to be a heavenly city where white spires pierced the sky.

Theodore Miller had grown up surrounded by the rice fields of the Miller
Barony, so he had dreamed about the big city many times as a child.
Finally, the moment came when his expectations were rewarded.

“Wow…” Theodore had no choice but to let out a cry of admiration
when he saw Mana-vil.

There was still a while until the procession reached Mana-vil, but the
towering spires could be seen in the distance. The city surrounded by
white walls truly seemed like a heavenly city. Carriages were flying over
it like part of a fairy tale landscape.

This was the capital of the Meltor Kingdom, Mana-vil…

The place which people called the home of magic. Even the empire with the
strongest national power didn’t have such a city. There were myths
which said the dwarves and elves had help to build the city in the past.
The city was a symbol of the extreme architecture which couldn’t be
reproduced by the skills and manpower of modern humanity.

As Vince sat beside Theo, who was filled with admiration, he looked at
the capital he had returned to after a long time.

‘It is still stunning.’

Vince hated the politics and had removed himself to Bergen Academy, but
he couldn’t help pay tribute to the city as a magician. He then pulled
out a robe from his space pocket and put it on. It was a luxurious robe
made of an impressive red colour. Vince didn’t know how many years it
had been since he last wore this.

The robe symbolized that he was Vince Haidel of the Red Magic Tower.

He muttered as if he was talking to himself, “As soon as we pass
through the gates, I will take you to the Magic Society.”

The magic contest drew a huge crowd to Mana-vil. Vince remembered the
scene from a few years ago, which was why he had started moving a few
days earlier. If he procrastinated, one day of work could turn into 10
days.

It would also become annoying if the Red Magic Tower knew about
Theodore’s existence.

‘I have to avoid them as much as possible.’

The Red Magic Tower didn’t focus on development as a magician but on
fostering magicians specialized in combat. From their point of view,
Theodore would be a rising star.