Messer

Biodata

History

Messer first assesses Donald Melina at the Giant Stone City Mage Association. He recognizes Donald's unusually strong mental power, helps conduct his apprentice certification, and invites him to his residence. There, he gives Donald incantations, elemental crystals, and a mental-amplifying ring before offering to take him as an official student. Messer had previously taught two apprentices, both of whom died before him 15 16.

When Donald later brings magical beast carcasses to the association, Messer introduces him to its mages and insists they pay market price rather than accept Donald's proposed discount. He then teaches Donald spellcasting fundamentals and introductory alchemy. After Donald advances to Black Iron mage, Messer presides over his certification and enchants his staff, at considerable cost to his own mental energy 26 27 28.

Messer supports Donald's restorative-wine proposal for the mages of North Shire. Following an assassination attempt in Giant Stone City, he brings Donald back to the association for a check-up, directs other mages to investigate, and keeps Donald there for three days of further study. When Donald later learns of another possible attack, Messer agrees to arrange Bronze-rank mages to protect his manor 35 37 46.

Messer continues to advise Donald on his advancement and examine his magical work. They later inspect an unfamiliar construct and identify materials recovered from ruined equipment together 67 173 177 183.

Appearance

Messer is described as an old mage, though Donald initially thinks he looks more like a man in his forties or fifties than the two older-looking mages beside him 15 16.

• Wears casual clothing of the sort common among nobles when receiving Donald at his residence 16.
• Has an unassuming manner; Donald finds him reminiscent of a kindly neighbor 16.

Personality

Messer believes strengthening younger mages will help protect the relatively weak Kingdom of Selt. He tells Donald that an outstanding apprentice should accept help without feeling indebted, and he values Donald's decision to study history and mage journals before pursuing powerful spells 16.

He is protective of his students without neglecting their foundations. He warns Donald that individual strength is not enough to guarantee safety on a battlefield, and the attack on Donald particularly angers him because his first two apprentices died in the kingdom's power struggles 37 67.

Abilities & Skills

Spellcasting

• Uses multiple Mage Hand spells together to move three carriages of magical beast carcasses weighing several hundred kilograms in total 26.
• Observes Donald in the association library through a scrying spell 16.
• Flies to the scene of Donald's assassination attempt with other mages. Two successive fifth-tier spells are taxing for him, even at peak Bronze rank 37.

Alchemy and Enchantment

• Has Silver-rank attainments in alchemical-tool manufacture and enchanting, though his mage rank remains Bronze 14 34.
• Crafts an ornament bearing a Cleansing Spell 34.
• Enchants Donald's Scepter of Negation to amplify spells and carry two additional spells. The work requires Messer to rest for half a month and leaves him unable to cast those two spells for at least half a year 28.
• Helps Donald identify materials recovered from discarded equipment in ruins 183.

Teaching

• Teaches Donald practical casting techniques and basic alchemy, and identifies spell formation and casting proficiency as gaps in his training 27.
• Gives Donald further alchemy lessons during his three-day stay at the association after the assassination attempt 37.

Relationships

• Donald Melina — Official student. Messer certifies, teaches, equips, and repeatedly acts to protect him 16 26 28 37 46.
• Naron — An association mage whom Messer reprimands during Donald's apprentice assessment 15.
• Chris — A Bronze mage Messer arranges to help protect Donald's estate 46 59.
• Wang Ling — A disciple whom Messer encourages to practice entering the world of consciousness independently 131.

Notable Quotes

“Any mage in the Kingdom of Selt would provide assistance to an outstanding apprentice like you to help your generation grow, so you need not feel burdened by my gift!” 16

“Once you reach the battlefield, you must be careful. With your strength, you may not fear ordinary Orcs, but a battlefield is different from a one-on-one duel.” 67