The First Member of the Magic Web

"It's so late. Aren't you sleepy, Miss Elaine?"

"Aren't you still awake too?"

Elaine looked around the room. The Iris's service was quite attentive; the rooms were cleaned thoroughly every day.

She flopped carelessly onto the small brown sofa by the wall, stretched out her legs, and let her pink fuzzy slippers dangle from her toes with a soft patter.

"What, can't sleep and looking for someone to chat with?" Lynn pulled over the chair beside the table, spun it halfway around, and sat on it backward, folding his arms over the backrest.

He had realized that this young noblewoman truly had none of the usual aristocratic airs, and he had naturally grown accustomed to getting along with her...

Only one day, and her affinity was already this terrifying! Lynn immediately sobered up, straightened his posture, and focused more intently.

Elaine worked hard to spread her damp brown hair across the back of the sofa.

She puffed out her cheeks and complained, "Why does my hair have to be so long? It takes forever to dry every time I wash it..."

"Miss Elaine, is there something you need?" Lynn asked directly. He did not believe she had come to him so late merely to complain about her hair.

Elaine smiled naturally. "Lynn, you're such a surprising person. I never expected that, like me, you were also an Apprentice Mage."

Did she have to put it so bluntly? Becoming an Initiate Mage was really difficult, okay?

Elaine used her fingers as a comb, toying with the light brown hair hanging over one side of her shoulder.

Somewhat absentmindedly, she said, "But as an Apprentice Mage, how can you use concentration magic for so long? Our mana pools should be about the same, yet I can only cast a first-circle Restoration spell twice at most now... You're amazing!"

Her green eyes sparkled as she leaned forward, her fingers unconsciously clasping together. "Can you tell me why? I'm really curious!"

So that was why she had come... Lynn was not too surprised. In fact, he had made such a show of his abilities earlier precisely for something like this.

Mages were among the most curious creatures in the world. At the same time, powerful magic held a fatal attraction for them.

If they also possessed respectable status or wealth, they would make exactly the Magic Web members he had been hoping for.

Keeping his smile, Lynn tested the waters. "If I told you that I had inherited the legacy of a mysterious mage, would you believe me?"

It was the most convenient explanation for the abnormalities surrounding him. After all, powerful mages in this world were all quite mysterious, and many never revealed their names to the public.

Elaine stopped combing her hair, her green eyes widening slightly. "Really? Don't lie to me."

Lynn promptly swore, "If I'm lying, I'm an alien."

"Alien? You mean someone from the stars? Do you think you're Archmage Alan?" Elaine snorted, then chuckled softly.

Alan Dias? Lynn remembered. He was an extraordinarily famous Archmage, skilled in star-summoning magic, and thus known as the "Starlight Mage."

"Still, I'm willing to believe you." Her gaze lowered, her expression gentle. "You've saved me twice. Although I can't repay those favors in the Frey Family's name for certain reasons, I personally think you're quite good—a companion worth trusting."

Hearing such sincere words so suddenly, Lynn was actually a little moved.

"So," Elaine abruptly changed the subject, "hurry up and help me find my friend, reliable adventurer!" Her latter words took on a chanting lilt, as though she were imitating a scene from some play.

"...There's no rush. Tomorrow, I'll introduce you to my three teammates and see what they say."

Lynn tried to steer the conversation back to the main point.

"Then, since you're willing to believe me, I'm also willing to share a secret with you."

Lowering his voice and putting on an air of mystery, he spoke the words he had prepared long ago.

"That mysterious mage's ancient legacy is a powerful mana system. I call it the 'Magic Web,' and you will become its first member."

"A mana... system?" Elaine's breathing immediately slowed. As a mage, she naturally understood the importance of mana, but the source of mana was a mystery that countless researchers had spent years trying in vain to unravel.

"I-I really can join it? Join that 'Magic Web'?"

Lynn put on a stern face, his voice low. "Of course, but you must promise to keep it secret."

Elaine's body trembled faintly with excitement. This was exactly the sort of event she had always yearned for.

A mysterious young man who seemed low-key on the surface yet had obtained an ancient legacy—what did he truly represent? A survivor of an ancient magical family? An unknown Archmage hidden behind the scenes?

Though she was eager, she still retained her rationality.

"I must confirm that it is safe and harmless, untouched by evil or anything strange!"

After a pause, she added, "Of course, it isn't because I doubt you. It's just that many ancient magical legacies involve far-reaching implications and must be treated cautiously."

That stumped Lynn. He had no idea how to prove it.

At that moment, Elaine raised her staff, pointing its emerald-inlaid tip toward Lynn.

"Touch it, then recall matters related to that legacy." Seeing Lynn hesitate, Elaine explained, "Don't worry. It won't know the exact contents of your memories, but it can sense whether you're lying."

Lynn considered it for a moment. Elaine did not seem to be trying to trick him, and if the staff truly could verify whether the Codex of Origin's source was evil, that would benefit him as well.

He gently touched the gemstone and recalled the Codex's appearance. That was all, however; he still intended to conceal the Codex's abilities.

The green gemstone glowed faintly. The light lasted for a long time without changing.

"Very good." Elaine nodded, accepting Lynn's proposal. Then she raised her right hand, holding three fingers upright.

"By magic above, by the Brown Star that rules the fates of mortals, I, Elaine Frey, promise to keep Lynn Lowell's secret and never break my word."

This was an oath of the highest order, one that even carried the power of magical laws within itself.

Lynn was somewhat surprised by how deeply this half-elf girl trusted him, while holding back the urge to remind her to beware of fires, thieves, and scams.

Then, he summoned the Codex of Origin and touched the [Psionic] star with his mind.

In an instant, a purple, spiderweb-like network spread throughout the surroundings, reaching dozens of meters away.

It had always existed. It had merely become visible now.

"Mm, first you need to relax. Release your spiritual essence naturally until you sense a touch containing mana, then try to accept it..."

Lynn recalled the knowledge he had gained alongside his Magic Web talent and conveyed it to Elaine as concisely as possible.

Seeing Elaine obediently close her eyes, he controlled the Magic Web as it gathered around her, attempting to wrap her in a purple cocoon.

The process went very smoothly. When Elaine opened her eyes again, everything felt completely different!

"Oh, gods." She discovered that her mana pool had doubled at once, while an endless stream of mana automatically flowed into her body.

"It's incredible."

[Mana Web shared units: 1/5]

[Title "Mana Web Weaver" unlock progress: 1/5]

[You have formed a deep bond with a healing mage]

[You have gained an affinity for Life Magic. You will find it easier to master knowledge related to Life Magic!]

[You have gained one point of "Psionic" inspiration]