This Seat is a Genius

The loud noise from the western outskirts of Plint reached Eagle Claw Manor to the north of town.

Baron Ul was still on his way back from offering condolences to Hord. When the steward received the report, he immediately went to find Young Master Cyril, who was conducting "important research" in the back garden.

In a corner of the garden, Cyril and Duggan were crouched beside an enclosed Firefly Breeding Zone.

Several fireflies with faint green glows at their tails flitted about inside a specially made gauze cage.

The two had been spending every day together studying various insects. Duggan was fine in every way, just a bit stingy—unwilling to use his own bugs and always wanting to borrow ready-made ones for tests.

Cyril held a magnifying glass, focused intently on observing a larva clinging to a leaf, while Duggan scribbled notes rapidly in a small notebook beside him.

This larva was one they had selected not long ago and were currently cultivating.

"Young Master Cyril," the steward said, walking over quickly with a hint of urgency in his voice, "the loud noise has been confirmed. It came from the western outskirts! The commotion was enormous! Over there... they say a giant stone pillar over ten meters tall appeared out of nowhere!"

"Western outskirts?" Cyril lifted his head sharply, a flicker of worry crossing his face.

Wasn't He Xi living near the woods in that area?

"A stone pillar? Anyone hurt?"

"No reports of casualties yet," the steward replied promptly, "but a crowd of townsfolk has gathered there, buzzing with talk. It's a bit chaotic."

Cyril stood up at once, brushing the dirt off his knees: "I have to go see!"

The steward's face showed reluctance as he reminded him, "Young Master, the Baron Lord is already on his way back. If he returns and finds you not training at the manor but out gawking instead... I'm afraid..."

Cyril's movements froze.

His father's stern face seemed to loom before him.

He had skipped training for several days straight to help Duggan with various insect communication tests... If his father came back and found he hadn't trained and had gone to see some random pillar instead...

"But..." Cyril hesitated, "If Father asks about this when he gets back and I know nothing, won't he be even angrier? Think I'm useless?"

He was caught in a dilemma—go and risk a scolding, or stay and risk one too.

Either way, he was doomed to be lectured.

Just then, Duggan closed his notebook and said, "Cyril, let's go take a look together. We might find something interesting."

Cyril's eyes lit up.

Right! With Duggan, an Esteemed Mage, around, he could surely figure out what that stone pillar was. Not only would he learn the situation, but he could also explain it to his father later.

"Alright! Esteemed Mage Duggan, sorry for the trouble!" Cyril agreed at once.

At the western clearing, the place was now buzzing with noise. Torchlight illuminated the giant stone pillar as bright as day.

When Cyril arrived with a few guards and Duggan, they saw a lively scene: a crowd of townsfolk were swinging shovels and hoes, frantically digging around the base of the pillar! Dirt flew, and shouts rang out!

"Dig! Dig harder! There's gotta be treasure underneath!"

"Yeah! A pillar this big standing here—there's no way there's no treasure below!"

"Move aside! Don't block my chance to get rich!"

Cyril stepped forward and said loudly, "Everyone, calm down. I am Cyril Eagleclaw! What happened here? Please stop digging first."

The crowd quieted for a moment, but seeing it was only Young Master Cyril and not his father, Baron Ul, a few of the most zealous diggers immediately puffed out their chests and shouted:

"Young Master Cyril! We found this treasure first! Even the Lord can't just take it away!"

"That's right! No taking it! Everyone gets a share!"

"This is Plint Town's treasure!"

Cyril looked at the townsfolk, blinded by thoughts of "treasure," and felt both amused and exasperated.

He patiently explained, "This stone pillar's origins are unknown. Digging recklessly could be dangerous. Everyone step back and let Esteemed Mage Duggan examine it."

"A mage?" The crowd stirred, all eyes turning to the dwarf standing beside Cyril.

"Esteemed Mage?" A strongman holding a shovel eyed Duggan suspiciously. "Him? This short guy? Young Master Cyril, don't let a dwarf fool you! There's definitely treasure under this pillar! Brothers, ignore them! Keep digging!"

Just as those men were about to swing their shovels again, Duggan shook his head slightly.

He raised his hand and murmured a few obscure syllables.

"Zzz—"

A hum filled the air.

The "Wind Cicada" appeared once more.

"Whoosh—!"

A gale of swirling wind burst forth from in front of Duggan!

"Ouch!"

"Damn!"

Several townsfolk at the front stumbled back with cries, their shovels clattering to the ground as they landed on their backsides in the mud.

The other onlookers were also blown sideways, staggering.

The scene instantly fell silent.

Duggan withdrew the Wind Cicada and nodded to Cyril.

Cyril silently praised "impressive" in his heart, then quickly signaled the guards to maintain order and have the townspeople step back.

Only then did Duggan walk up to the enormous stone pillar, reaching out his palm to touch it.

He closed his eyes, carefully sensing the residual elemental fluctuations in the air.

"Hmm..." After a moment, he opened his eyes, a glint of understanding flashing within them, but it was soon replaced by deeper confusion.

"What is it, Duggan? Was this... was this caused by a spell?"

"Without a doubt," Duggan nodded, his tone certain. "It's the fluctuation of an earth-element spell, very pure."

Cyril was deeply shocked. "An earth-element spell? One spell could cause such a commotion? No wonder everyone wants to become a mage... It's a pity I..."

Duggan quickly waved his hand, cutting off his self-pity. "Cyril, don't misunderstand. The spell itself is actually very basic."

"Basic?" Cyril was stunned, pointing at the enormous stone pillar over ten meters tall. "A basic spell? This... how is this possible?"

"It's the [Earth Spike Technique]." Duggan explained, a strange expression on his face. "An entry-level earth-element attack spell. It's usually used to thrust spikes at enemies from the ground, but its power is average—it can usually only pierce through a thigh."

Cyril grew even more confused. "Then... then this..."

"That's the strangest part!" Duggan pointed at the pillar, a hint of awe in his voice. "With a normal Earth Spike Technique, it's considered good if the stone spike it condenses reaches half a meter in height!

Even when a high-rank mage casts this spell, pursuing power, they'd at most condense a stone spike two or three meters tall, and the mana cost is extremely inefficient! They have more efficient options, like [Rock Lance]."

He walked around the pillar, clicking his tongue in wonder. "Something like this, over ten meters tall... it's simply unheard of."

"Then how was this done?"