Duggan's eyes flashed with amazement. "The only explanation... This isn't a technique at all. It's a talent!"
This caster had an utterly incredible affinity for Earth Element!
When he cast [Earth Spike Technique], he had not only poured his own magic into it, but also drawn upon the mighty resonance of the Earth Element in the surrounding land.
He had forcibly elevated an originally insignificant spell to a level that could only be called "art"!
He paused, then concluded with absolute certainty, "This is no ordinary mage! This is a Genius Elemental Mage! Someone destined to leave a legendary name in the realm of the elements!"
"A genius..." Cyril murmured to himself, his heart a jumble of feelings.
He was shocked and incredulous, but also envious and disappointed.
He thought of himself. With Duggan's help, he had conducted so many communication tests and tried so many different insects, yet he still couldn't establish that "unique connection." The threshold of becoming a mage seemed as distant as the ends of the earth.
But this mysterious genius mage could make even the most basic beginner spell perform such earth-shattering feats.
The gap was simply too great.
Still, at least they had figured out what happened.
When his father returned and asked about it, he could at least give a clear answer—that a passing genius mage had done it.
That was better than knowing nothing.
Once he'd thought it through, Cyril felt much more at ease.
The butler beside him said, "Young Master Cyril, we've figured out what happened. Shall we head back?"
Cyril replied, "Go back to the manor with Mr. Duggan and help him rest. I'm going to check on a friend. I'll be back shortly."
Duggan nodded absentmindedly, his gaze still fixed on the stone pillar as if admiring a peerless work of art. He only reluctantly left after the butler gently reminded him.
After watching them go, Cyril turned and headed toward the lone little hut nearby.
When someone knocked on the hut's door, He Xi's consciousness was immersed in the glowing orb in his mind.
[Name: He Xi Atmesia] [Race: Human] [Level: 8] [Class: None] [Constitution: 10] [Strength: 6] [Agility: 7] [Wisdom: 11] [Will: 10] [Charisma: 16] [Skills: Earth Spike Technique Lv.1 (1/10)] [Status: Salamachis's Contract: Your Bloodline Power will be extracted in 15 days. Mora's Blessing: You have received the blessing of the Stone Vein Speaker. Constitution permanently +4. This effect ignores any curses or weakening effects.] [Equipped Traits: Earth Affinity, Adamantine Stomach] [Available Traits: Territory Scent Mark, Blush Trait, Swarm Leader]
The increase in his Wisdom stat had brought noticeable changes.
The [Light Spell], which had seemed obscure and difficult to understand before, was beginning to make sense to him.
He was wondering when the crowd outside would disperse so he could continue practicing the [Light Spell], when a sudden flurry of knocks interrupted his thoughts.
When he opened the door, he found two guards from the Eagle Claw family standing there.
In such a short time, this was already the third time his hut had been "visited."
"He Xi," said the guard in front, his tone serious. "That pillar was created by a spell.
"Honestly, did you see anyone suspicious? Especially someone wearing mage robes or who looked unusual?"
He Xi's heart gave a jolt. They'd already decided it was magic?
If they kept visiting like this, it was only a matter of time before he gave himself away.
His voice carried a hint of lingering fear. "How could it have been magic?!"
Then he whipped around and pointed at the huge stone pillar in the distance, raising his voice. "It's so close to my house... The noise was enormous. What if it had been a little closer and hit my house? I... my whole family... I mean, my dog and I would've been done for! It's so dangerous!"
He grabbed the guard by the arm. "Big Brother Guard, my house is in danger! Please make sure you find the culprit as soon as possible! Even mage lords can't go around casting spells recklessly!"
The guard was taken aback by his sudden agitation. Looking at He Xi's face, which seemed to say "weak, pitiful, and helpless," then at the shabby little hut, he couldn't help thinking that the young man really had been unlucky. His house had nearly been "accidentally hit."
"Alright, alright," said the guard, pulling his arm free and softening his tone. "We're just making routine inquiries. Since you didn't see anyone suspicious..."
Just then, the guard noticed footsteps behind him and turned to look.
"Young Master Cyril?"
Cyril hurried over. "Leave this to me. Go search the other areas."
"Yes, Young Master Cyril!" The two guards saluted and immediately left.
Only after watching them walk away did Cyril turn to He Xi and ask with concern, "He Xi, are you alright? Mage Duggan said that pillar was created by a spell called 'Earth Spike Technique'!"
He Xi's heart tightened again, but he kept up his shaken expression. "I'm fine. I'd just fallen asleep when the loud bang woke me up. I thought the sky was falling."
As he spoke, he secretly watched Cyril's reaction.
Cyril frowned and glanced around at the dim woodland and the noisy crowd in the distance. "Mage Duggan said the caster was probably an extremely rare genius earth mage, with an unbelievable affinity for Earth Element! How could someone like that have come to our Plint? And why cast such a huge spell here?"
He couldn't shake the feeling that the mysterious "genius mage" might still be hiding nearby, and it made him uneasy.
After a moment's thought, he suggested, "He Xi, it's too dangerous here. How about... you stay at the manor for a while? I can introduce you to Mr. Duggan, too. He's a real mage! We've been studying fireflies together lately..."
Suddenly remembering that Duggan had mentioned wanting to ask He Xi for directions, he quickly added, "Oh, right! You must've met him already! He said he asked you for directions!"
He Xi also remembered the dwarf who had asked him for directions. "So that was Mr. Duggan. Yes, he asked me for directions a few days ago. He was going to the manor to see you. He's generous and kind. I never would've guessed he was also a respected mage. I really admire him."
Generous and kind?
Cyril's expression instantly turned extremely strange, as if he'd just heard an unbelievable fairy tale.
Duggan's faded, well-worn surveyor's hat immediately came to mind, along with how he'd refused to lend Cyril his own insects for testing and had rather waited here to breed them on the spot...
Cyril began seriously doubting whether his Wisdom Points were really as high as 10.
One of these two praised the stingy Duggan as generous, while the other called He Xi, with his casual attire, a man of taste.
He shook his head, trying to clear away the confusing thoughts.
Right now, his friend's safety was what mattered most.
"He Xi," Cyril said, his tone turning serious. "Since that genius mage appeared near your house, just to be safe...
"It'd be a good opportunity to have Mr. Duggan test you for mage talent, too."
Before you continue