Chapter 193: On the Way to the Library (1)

“We’re almost there.”

“Seems so,” said Mikhail, his expression tense as he watched the rapidly passing scenery.

Taking the Sand Serpent would’ve been faster, but its massive flying form would’ve attracted too much attention. Also, with the empire already watching them closely, using the major teleportation Magic Circles scattered across the continent was out of the question.

The only option was a carriage, and everyone had been at a loss on how to save some time. However, Karyl proposed an unexpected alternative.

“The Fonein River cuts across the continent. If we can’t use the skies, we’ll follow the river.”

Everyone turned to look at Suan, but Karyl had already come up with an even faster travel method than the mana battleship, at least along the Fonein.

“Grruuu...”

The turbulent waters of the Fonein seemed to calm down at the sight of the Water King’s sharp fangs, which emerged as Karyl lightly patted the creature on the head.

“My Lord, what is the Antihum Great Library like?” Mikhail asked, pulling his robe tighter against the swift wind. “I’ve heard of it before, but I’ve never ventured into the north.”

Although Mikhail had reached the status of a 4th Class sorcerer, he had only been properly learning magic for less than two years. Moreover, his training was not formal, as all his knowledge came from what Karyl taught him through Allen Javius’ insights.

“It’s an interesting place,” Karyl replied, his voice filled with nostalgia as though recalling fond memories.

***

The Antihum Grand Library was the stronghold of the Immortal Council, one of the continent’s two major magic societies. The library’s owner and leader, Nain Darhon, had built it with the goal of collecting every magic book in existence.

However, its structure was so enormous that calling it a library felt inadequate; it was more like an entire town contained within a building.

Interestingly, while the Immortal Council’s library boasted its grandeur through its vast size, the other pillar of the continent’s magic societies, the Dawn Council, exhibited its prominence through height. Their headquarters, the Ivory Tower of Dawn, was the tallest structure on the continent.

“They have completely different philosophies.”

“Exactly. Plus, while the Dawn Council’s sorcerers freely travel across the continent, the Immortal Council’s sorcerers dwell in Antihum and rarely leave,” Karyl explained.

“I see...”

“The current court sorcerer, Kadin Luer, is from the Ivory Tower. His appointment has made the already reclusive Immortal Council even more withdrawn.”

Mikhail tilted his head in curiosity. “Does it make sense for Antihum to close its doors just because a Dawn Council sorcerer became the court sorcerer of the empire?”

Karyl nodded.

“Yes. The youngest of the four great sorcerers of the continent is Daryl Harian of the Dawn Council. He, Court Sorcerer Kadin Luer, and the two heads of the major magic societies are all friends.”

Mikhail’s lips twitched with surprise.

“Are you saying Nain Darhon is jealous because a Dawn Council sorcerer became the court sorcerer?”

“That’s right. The empire claims neutrality toward both magic societies, but maintaining that balance isn’t easy.”

“The court sorcerer is nearly seventy years old...”

“Men remain childish no matter their age. Reading countless magic books and calling themselves wise doesn't change that,” Karyl said with a smirk.

Serica Lauren, who had been listening to them, chuckled. She sat with her arms crossed over the old spear she had brought from the Lurein Principality to Tatur.

“You should consider switching to a staff,” Karyl suggested, pointing at her spear.

“A staff? No thanks. I use spear techniques,” Serica retorted.

“Give it a try later and decide. I already have a design in mind,” Karyl replied with a smile.

Serica snorted and said, “If you're going to give me something, why not give me one of the staffs from the imperial palace?”

“No, I can’t do that,” Karyl said firmly.

Serica’s eyes widened in disbelief at Karyl’s immediate response.

“Are you seriously saying you can’t get it?”

However, her comment was cut short.

“Your element is water. The highest-grade mana-infused artifact in the imperial palace is probably the Infinite Breath, one of the Five Great Artifacts created by Blader.”

“...”

“That’s a wind-element staff. You know how rare sorcerers with an affinity for wind are. It’s only natural to bestow that artifact upon someone who could fully utilize its power.”

At that, Serica glanced at Mikhail beside her.

“What?”

Mikhail seemed oblivious to the implications of Karyl’s words.

“Unbelievable... You talk about things in the imperial palace as if they belong to you. Whatever, talking to you makes me feel like everything I thought I knew is crumbling to pieces,” Serica muttered, shaking her head.

Karyl responded by pulling out a thin wand from his pocket.

“In the meantime, use this. It might not be one of the Five Great Artifacts, but it should nonetheless prove useful.”

The wand, flawlessly white from its base to the gem embedded at its tip, had an ethereal charm to it.

“I got this from the Elven treasury. It’s called Graupel. While the Freezing Talon might suit you better in terms of elemental power, it’d be a bit challenging to wield because of the spirit it holds,” Karyl explained, showing her the sword hanging from his waist. The blade released an eerie cold mist, not just ordinary frost.

Serica took Graupel with wide eyes, curiously inspecting the wand like a child with a new toy.

“Unfortunately, it’s too short to make a staff. Use it as a secondary weapon along with your spear. After this mission, I’ll make a custom weapon for you. Just bear with it until then," Karyl added.

“Th-Thank you...”

Karyl looked away as though it was no big deal, but for Serica, who had never handled a magical artifact before, this was thrilling.

“You should say,

thank you very much

,” Karyl corrected her with a smile.

“I don’t consider you my lord, remember?” Serica frowned slightly.

“Nevertheless, it’s only proper to be respectful when receiving a gift from a superior.”

“How old are you, anyway?” she asked with a hint of irritation in her voice.

Karyl chuckled at her question, realizing his slip.

“Fourteen.”

Having lived for so long, he sometimes forgot his own age. Even excluding his time inside Pharel, Karyl had already lived through his twenties in his previous life.

“Right...”

Serica’s expression suggested she was done discussing this matter, pursing her lips as she turned away.

“There it is.”

Karyl stood up, his expression still a bit sheepish.

Rumble...

In the distance, the towering Antihum Grand Library came into view, looking more like a fortress than a library. Serica and Mikhail looked ahead at the massive black stone structure that dominated the landscape.

Thinking it was almost time to disembark, Serica tried to tuck the artifact Karyl had given her into her cloak.

“You might want to keep that out,” Karyl suggested.

“Huh?”

“Mikhail, you can cast shield magic, right? Don’t hesitate to use your magic to protect both you and Serica. It won’t last long, but still.”

“What?”

“From now on, dodge as best you can,” Karyl added.

The two of them looked at each other in confusion.

BOOM...! CRASH!! BANG!!

Suddenly, black smoke erupted from Antihum in the distance, and even though they were still several kilometers away, the deafening roar echoed as if they were right next to them.

“What the—?!”

Seeing the fireballs flying their way, Mikhail couldn’t help exclaiming in panic. Without delay, he cast a protective barrier.

“Their greetings can be a bit rough.”

Antihum’s greeting for the trio came in the form of dozens of magic projectiles.

***

“This is... almost like the capital of a kingdom, isn’t it?” Mikhail shouted incredulously as he narrowly dodged the incoming magical bombardment.

“It’s even worse. The imperial city couldn’t manage this. That’s why no country dares to say a word despite the centuries-long feud between the Dawn Council and the Immortal Council.”

Boom!! Boom!! Hisss...

As fireballs fell into the Fonein River, causing the water to bubble and steam, black smoke billowed up, making the scene look like the sulfurous pits of hell.

“See that rock over there? We’ll dismount the Water King and continue from there. Its large size makes us an easy target,” Karyl instructed, slicing through a fireball with his Freezing Talon.

Hisssss...!!

As the fiery orb made contact with the cold blade, white steam rose around them like mist.

Of course, it’s the magic society. They’re using pure mana to shoot these fireballs over such a long distance, not some artillery. I bet not even the empire could pull this off.

Firing such powerful fireballs over several kilometers required an enormous amount of mana. Even if all the academy sorcerers in the capital, including trainees, were mobilized, they could only manage a dozen or so shots.

But to launch dozens of fireballs simultaneously, leaving trails of black smoke in their wake, was a spectacle that only Antihum could pull off.

Of course, it was less awe-inspiring when those fireballs were aimed at you.

“Now!”

At Karyl’s shout, just as they were about to jump off the Water King’s head...

“Rooaaarrr!!”

...The Water King suddenly jerked its head backward.

“...!!”

The sudden movement caused both Mikhail and Serica to lose their balance and fall into the cold, icy river.

“Gh-Ghah...!!”

“F-F-Freezing!”

The frigid winter water was brutally cold, Mikhail and Serica shuddering violently as they struggled to climb onto a rock.

“A mana net...?” Karyl, having managed to land on the rock by twisting his body mid-air, muttered to himself as he stared at the Water King.

A giant net crackling with blue electricity had wrapped itself over the serpent’s head, pinning it down.

“...”

Karyl immediately drew his sword. As he focused his mana, a milky-white aura enveloped the blade of the Freezing Talon. Irritated by the sudden chaos before their journey had even begun, Karyl poured even more mana into his sword than usual.

Vsshhh...!

The Aura Blade turned purple, crackling with electricity. As the Arcane mana concentrated, the Freezing Talon’s blade expanded tremendously, resembling a massive greatsword.

Then, Karyl gripped the hilt with both hands and swung with all his might.

WOOSH!

The Arcane Blade sliced through the mana net ensnaring the Water King with explosive force. The dozens of mana threads couldn’t withstand Karyl’s strike and shattered instantly. The force of the blow didn’t just stop there; it cut through the Fonein River as well, carving a deep trench that exposed the riverbed in front of the Water King.

“You can go back now,” Karyl commanded the Water King.

“Grrr...”

As if waiting for that command, the serpent quickly turned around, lowering its head in gratitude. The tough scales covering its neck and head were scorched and charred in a net-like pattern. Some of its scales were even missing, revealing oozing wounds beneath.

“You poor thing... That must’ve hurt,” Karyl muttered, clicking his tongue in frustration.

Any creature other than the resilient Water King would’ve had its head completely severed by that net.

“What a mess...” Karyl shook his head slightly and let out a low sigh.

Crackle... Crackle—!

Karyl’s eyebrow twitched, and mana surged from his blade, much greater in volume compared to when he cleaved through the net earlier.

“Such a warm welcome... It’s only fair I return the gesture, right?”