The Forsaken Hero

”Is everything alright?” Selena asked, looking at me worriedly.

My eyelids fluttered, and I became aware of the furrow etched in my brow. ”Just a bit distracted. Was there something specific you wanted to discuss?”

I had just arrived at the mage training grounds when Selena approached me and pulled me along through the gardens. The grounds were crowded with sightseers and pilgrims, but Selena claimed to know of a location hidden behind the kitchens, a secret garden, of sorts.

As we strolled through the gardens, I was reminded of the parks from my previous world. The scent of freshly bloomed flowers wafted through the air, mingling with the gentle rustle of the lush greenery and the vibrant hues of the meticulously sculpted flower beds. The ”secret garden” was little more than an alcove hidden behind the kitchens and surrounded by several walls of the complex. A large tree dominated the small clearing, and I sat down on a nearby stone bench, sighing contentedly as the cool, shady breeze caressed my face.

”Your hair’s getting longer,” she finally said, letting out a breath. ”I remember how short it was when you arrived.”

A flicker of self-consciousness tinged my actions as I tugged at the fiery red curl, the soft strands coiling around my fingertips. My hair, which had been cut short by the slavers, had grown thick and wavy, falling about to my shoulders. Enusia had many hair colors, including mine, which could only be found in dye back on earth.

My hand dropped to my side, and I looked over at her. ”Was that all?”

”So impatient,” she muttered. A shadow crossed her face, and her hands gripped her knees tightly. ”I-I also wanted to apologize.” She took a deep breath and turned to face me, and I was surprised to see her eyes were wet. ”I used you to pass the qualifications, stealing the credit you rightfully deserved.”

Even if the Slave Crest hadn’t forced me to diminish my role, I would have done so in a heartbeat. ”There’s nothing to be sorry about. You created that modified Life Dew on your own. I only provided the eyes to see.”

The sound of birds filled the silence as a tear traced down her cheek, which grew red with embarrassment. Her voice held a tinge of vulnerability as she muttered, ”Stop staring,” and hastily swiped her sleeve across her face as if erasing any trace of her unguarded emotions.

Selena, usually fiery and passionate, seemed so fragile and vulnerable. Unsure of why or how to comfort her, I hesitantly reached out, my hand settling awkwardly on her shoulder.

Her eyes flashed embarrassment. ”I’m fine,” she muttered, pushing me aside.

I nodded, understanding her frustration. Selena had worked tirelessly for decades to achieve her current status, yet she was now forced to rely on a girl with only a few months of experience. But after all these years, why was it only now that she struggled with the qualifications?

”What exactly are the qualifications? I know they’re strict, but revising a chant can’t be the only way to pass.”

Selena took a deep breath and dried the remnants of her tears, composing herself. ”I apologize for allowing you to see me like this. It probably makes you lose respect for me as a teacher.”

”Never,” I said quickly. ”I’m actually grateful. Sometimes, it feels like I’m the only one constantly fighting against the world.”

”Well, as you can see, we have plenty of hardship too. Now, about the Qualifications. They are a rigorous standard that tests a mage’s right to instruct the next generation of magic users. As magic is so widespread, ensuring only the best of the best are qualified is necessary.”

”Who’s in charge of it?”

”Each kingdom has its own ’Mage Council,’ who oversees the use of magic in the kingdom. They set the standards for their specific region and administer the tests themselves. The Mage Council in Radia is located outside the Royal Palace.”

The existence of a Mage Council was new to me, but wasn’t entirely unsurprising. With magic as widespread and influential as it is, someone would have to regulate its usage. ”What other tasks does this council perform?”

”They mostly arbitrate disagreements between mages and hunt down rogue casters who seek harm to the kingdom. Work with the Adventurer’s Guild to provide mages when difficult situations arise.”

So there was an adventuring guild as well. I briefly wondered whether we’d be involved with that following the festival, but put the thoughts aside as Selena continued her explanation.

”Back to our original topic, there are a few conditions to meet the Qualifications. The first is the ability to cast sixth-circle spells. Second, prove yourself capable of instructing students and dealing with any complications or errant spells. Lastly, provide some sort of contribution to the field of magic.”

”How does anyone pass that last one? I thought you said no one had created a new spell for centuries?”

Selena sighed and leaned back, crossing her legs. ”That’s not entirely correct, but it happens so rarely, so it’s a relatively safe assumption. Your standards are much higher, so I may have accidentally given you the wrong impression. ’Improving Magic’ isn’t nearly as grand as it seems. Instructors mostly need to demonstrate their mastery of magic, but only the highest-level instructors and tutors actually make contributions to the art of magic itself. Most develop new ways to apply spells, have extraordinary growth among their students, or even create original magic items.”

”Create magic items? Like the weapons that improve casting ability?” I leaned forward, recalling the elf’s staff I broke in the duel. What was her name again? Rachel? Rachelle? Something like that.

”There are two types of magic items. The first uses external magic, like a mage’s staff or knight’s sword. These items rely on a user’s mana, drawing it from their soul whenever needed. If armor is enchanted with an external effect, it might use the wearer’s mana to strengthen itself to resist powerful attacks. The other type of magic items use internal magic, relying on imbued mana from its creation or drawing the ambient magic from the air. Anyone can use these magic items, but they have set effects and power levels. Unlike a staff, which amplifies any spell no matter the circle, an internal item always casts the same spell with the exact same strength.”

”Like the light crystals.”

”Exactly. No matter how much mana you try and force into one, its light will always be the same.”

A memory emerged, coming to the forefront of my mind, of the first spell I modified. Or rather, of the first spell I cast chantless. It had been a light spell, save the illumination could be adjusted. Selena had seemed fascinated with it then, but that was the last I heard. Then again, without the chant, it must have been useless to them.

I cast the spell with barely a thought, watching the luminescent sphere bob up and above my palm. Although I cast it without rune or chant, the magic circle was still visible to the Eyes of Fate, allowing me to memorize the magic circle.

”Is that...?” Selena asked, watching me curiously.

I nodded and summoned the magic circle that adjusted the brightness. Despite my studies, I’d never seen any other spell to use this feature, and utilize a magic circle to control the spell after it was cast. Magic circles appeared to usher in effects, like surrounding a weapon or summoning something, but never something a mage could consciously manipulate