Benjamin

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Benjamin Riser
Alias(es)	Gu Bei; Mage Benjamin; Headmaster Benjamin
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Magic Academy (Headmaster); Riser Family (formerly)
Occupation/Role	Mage, magic educator, leader of the Magic Academy
Status	Active 903
First Appearance	Chapter 12

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Triangle Glyph / Consciousness Space foundation	12 21	The Triangle Glyph nourishes his previously frail body and serves as the control point for water elements stored in his Consciousness Space—his effective mana reserve.
Water Ball Spell and water-sphere defense	30 49	Initially unable to activate most entry-level spells, Benjamin develops the Water Ball Spell into a water sphere nearly impervious to physical attacks.
Ice Shatter Spell glyph	54	Uses Ice Shatter to freeze an armed opponent before he can draw his gun.
Thought Casting / Mind Casting	101 103	Learns to cast without chanting; reduces the process to nearly one second after practicing through the night.
Steam Pillar, third magic rune	106	Condenses his third magic rune; Steam Pillar creates updrafts and enables flight.
Expanded Void State	278	The System grows after absorbing water elements, extending Benjamin's Void State to two seconds.
Fused Triangle Glyphs / elemental-plane state	578	Fuses all three Triangle Glyphs, temporarily entering the water elemental plane and controlling water elements without mental-energy expenditure; the state lasts roughly ten minutes.
Elemental Commands	586	Develops rune-based magic including Elemental Command: Destruction, Defense, Healing, Affinity, and Descent of Water. These techniques are powerful and low-consumption but initially lack precise control.
Spell suppression and mass freezing	591	Demonstrates a rune-based water ripple that halts and dissipates incoming earth spells, then freezes and shatters multiple attacking mages.
Rune-generated elemental buffs	612	Finds a rune combination that produces absorbable water elements, potentially granting temporary enhancements.
Deep Sea and Frost Domains	836	Uses the two domains to resist bishops' Holy Light Chains inside St. Peter's Cathedral.
Enhanced Deep Sea Domain	861	After gaining boosts connected to the Water Elemental Sprite and Deep Sea Domain, expands his domain into a rune-covered battlefield that engulfs Grant and surrounding combatants.

Background / History

Benjamin Riser was born the eldest son of the Riser Family. At his hundred-day baptism, he was judged to have no divine talent; he later became thin, sickly, and physically weaker than his younger brother Grant. Unable to become either a priest or knight, he became a source of ridicule among Royal Capital nobles. His given name, “Benjamin,” was chosen to mean “the most beloved child.” 12

Gu Bei awakens in Benjamin's body after an assassination attempt and gradually adopts Benjamin's identity. He searches the former Benjamin's memories for the person responsible for the assassination, but finds no answer. Realizing that Benjamin's former submissiveness gives him room to change without immediate suspicion, he begins acting with far greater independence toward the Riser household. 13

The Triangle Glyph within his Consciousness Space changes his prospects. It eases his physical weakness, stores water elements for spellcasting, and gives him a route into magic despite his lack of divine talent. Benjamin studies magic in secret, learns that divine arts and magic share common principles, and ultimately treats the Church's persecution of mages as a threat that must be resisted. 12 21 30 31

After fleeing the Royal Capital, Benjamin begins gathering and teaching hidden mages. What starts as instruction for isolated apprentices expands into a resistance network across Frieden, magical education in Caritas, and finally the Magic Academy and its surrounding town, Akademi. 153 388 419 563

Appearance

Benjamin initially inhabits a body described as thin, physically frail, and frequently ill. He is sixteen when Gu Bei assumes his identity. 12

• Usually returns to the Riser residence in noble attire. 101
• Frequently uses disguises, including impersonating Grant, a middle-aged merchant, and a Paladin. 108 332 466
• His earlier frailty improves after the Triangle Glyph begins nourishing his body. 12

Personality

Benjamin is adaptive, analytical, and unusually willing to exploit the low expectations others have of him. Rather than fearing that his changed behavior will expose Gu Bei's possession of the body, he concludes that the disregarded Benjamin Riser can act differently without anyone caring enough to investigate. 13

He is intensely curious about magic and consistently tests theories through practice. This curiosity leads him to study Church doctrine, mage texts, magical items, runes, the elemental plane, and Mind Arts—even when the discoveries are dangerous or poorly understood. 30 198 659 691

As a leader, Benjamin values education and the long-term growth of mage communities. He teaches apprentices personally, recruits talented people from neglected regions, and seeks to make magic accessible rather than dependent on chance encounters. 153 384 471

His pragmatism can become ruthless in combat and intelligence work. He curses thieves to force cooperation, eliminates Church spies in Akademi, and uses intimidation when enemies refuse to yield. 347 599

Abilities & Skills

Consciousness Space and Water Magic

Benjamin's magic is centered on the Consciousness Space and the Triangle Glyphs rather than ordinary elemental affinity.

• Stores water elements inside the Consciousness Space as a personal mana supply. 21
• Can amplify spell power by drawing from stored elements rather than relying solely on the limited density of real-world elements. 66
• His poor elemental affinity means water elements around him do not behave like those around ordinary mages. 66
• A mage-identification crystal ball fails to recognize him despite his ability to cast ice magic. 305

Water Element Sensing

Benjamin can perceive disturbances in water elements to investigate people and surroundings.

• Identifies hidden mages by observing unnatural movement of water elements around them. 66
• Detects hostile Paladins following him while disguised as Grant. 108
• Uses the technique for reconnaissance, including quietly scanning towns and guarded locations. 150 614
• Particularly perceptive spiritual power can potentially notice his sensing method. 441

Water, Ice, and Steam Spells

Benjamin's foundational spells are basic water-state techniques refined through extensive practice.

• Water Ball / water sphere — Forms projectiles and highly durable defensive spheres. 30 49
• Ice Shatter Spell — Freezes targets rapidly enough to prevent armed opponents from reacting. 54
• Ice blades and ice arrows — Used for combat, crafting potion bottles, and creating weapons. 167 198
• Steam Pillar — Creates an updraft for aerial movement and sustained flight. 106
• Water vapor acceleration — Combines vapor movement with physical combat to improve mobility. 447

Thought Casting

Benjamin develops a method of casting from the Consciousness Space without spoken incantations.

• Conceals casting more effectively than conventional chanting. 101 103
• Initially takes around five seconds, making it too slow for practical ambushes. 103
• Compresses the process to nearly one second through repeated practice. 103

Rune Magic and Elemental Commands

Following the fusion of his Triangle Glyphs, Benjamin develops a new rune-based path of magic.

• Elemental Command: Destruction — Creates destructive water-element storms. 586
• Elemental Command: Defense — Produces rune-based protection. 586
• Elemental Command: Healing — Heals physical injuries and illnesses, though it cannot remove hidden mental-power fragments. 586 685
• Elemental Command: Affinity — Alters interactions with elemental and mental forces; its effects can be dangerous and difficult to predict. 586 685
• Descent of Water — A high-output ability Benjamin uses recklessly during the battle for Havenlight. 586 667
• Rune magic offers immense output at low consumption, but its early applications lack fine control. 586

Elemental-Plane State and Domains

Benjamin can temporarily connect to the water elemental plane and project large-scale domains.

• The fused-glyph state grants near-effortless water-element control but lasts only about ten minutes and leaves him weakened afterward. 578
• Frost Domain and Deep Sea Domain counter Holy Light attacks and battlefield suppression. 836
• His enhanced Deep Sea Domain expands dramatically through Triangle Glyphs and carries runes throughout its waters. 861

Firearms and Close-Quarters Combat

Benjamin supplements magic with firearms, combat training, and magical potions.

• Uses the System's shooting interface to display exceptional marksmanship. 35
• Learns close-quarters survival skills through illegal bare-knuckle fighting. 447
• Combines an advanced agility potion, gunfire-camp techniques, and a silver pistol to evade spells and kill hostile mages while out of mana. 447
• Remains physically disadvantaged without magical assistance; early military training exposes his poor endurance. 35

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Firearms — Initially steals a gun from Claude's study; later uses a silver pistol in combat. 35 447
• Magical mirror — Summons a controllable phantom of Benjamin within a 500-meter radius. 101
• Spiritual-power and agility rings — Magical rings taken from a priest's belongings. 101
• Magic potions — Uses mana-enhancing and agility potions for temporary combat boosts. 205 447
• Crystal ball — A strange magical object that becomes weightless when activated and later kills a giant Magic Beast when Benjamin throws it through the creature. 436 437
• Elemental Gun — Rune-based offensive magical item developed by the Academy and issued to its special-forces unit. 784

Relationships

• Grant Riser — Benjamin's younger biological brother and a divine-talent prodigy; later becomes a major Church-aligned opponent in Benjamin's conflicts. 12 780 896
• Claude Riser — Benjamin's father; favors one son over the other and previously keeps a gun in his study. 35 111
• Mary Riser — Benjamin and Grant's biological mother; remembered as gentle and protective of Benjamin, though Benjamin later doubts how well he knew her. 111
• Jeremy — Benjamin's manservant and a loyal assistant who provides information, food, and practical help. 49 103
• Michelle — A mage connected to Benjamin's early pursuit of magic; Benjamin investigates her former hideouts while resisting her attempts to manipulate him. 15 49
• The System — Benjamin's sarcastic internal adviser and record-keeper; it analyzes magic, manages information, and guides him through the Consciousness Space, but often withholds clear explanations. 12 278 659
• Joanna — A powerful fire mage and Benjamin's student or subordinate; he protects her against Grant's attacks and relies on her advanced Phoenix spell in battle. 405 780
• Miles — A trusted companion with a constitution that repels elemental creatures; Benjamin watches over his safety during expeditions. 626
• Maurice — Mage, teacher, and magical-item maker who supports Benjamin's educational and logistical efforts. 379 388
• Mage Finch — An informed but politically complicated contact who knows Benjamin's Riser identity and warns others about him. 261 277 341

Story Role / Major Arcs

Riser Family and Royal Capital

• Survives an assassination attempt shortly after Gu Bei awakens in Benjamin's body. 12 13
• Learns the truth of his lack of divine talent and begins developing the Triangle Glyph's water magic. 12 21
• Uses the Church's interest in Michelle to obtain information about magic and her abandoned hideouts. 14 15
• Operates publicly as a non-mage while secretly practicing, acquiring firearms, and investigating threats in the Royal Capital. 35 53
• Escapes the Royal Capital while pursued by a bishop using Holy Light Wings. 167

Gathering and Teaching Mages

• Finds hidden mages in a town and becomes their teacher, introducing a meditation method adapted from divine-arts principles. 153
• Defeats Mage Richard by using Steam Pillar to neutralize Chain Fireballs, demonstrating mastery of supposedly basic magic. 191
• Wins ten consecutive mage matches in Riley City, gaining an unprecedented reputation among local mages. 260 261
• Builds a mage network across Frieden; the System records 437 mages distributed among 32 cities. 388

Magic Education and Resistance

• Establishes popular magic education in Desert Border City because he rejects the idea that magical talent should remain hidden by poverty or lack of opportunity. 384
• Recruits apprentices across Caritas and the grasslands, where his efforts create dozens of new apprentices and spread the name “Mage Benjamin.” 422 474
• Reveals to Ryan that the group's larger purpose is fighting the Church that has usurped Caritas's king. 477
• Supports Long River Town's mage settlement, which grows to around one hundred apprentices and ten mages. 514

Akademi and Rune Research

• Oversees the creation of a dedicated magic city and academy on the northern plains of Caritas. 548
• Names the town Akademi and develops a grading system based on spiritual power and elemental affinity. 563
• Defends the Academy from Church attacks, then studies rune magic and elemental-plane connections as a new path for mage development. 576 586 660
• Uses overwhelming rune-based magic to break hostile mage organizations and protect Akademi, though his displays of power leave many students and visitors fearful of him. 591 599

War Against the Church

• Works with allies to counter Grant's Holy Light and rescue Joanna during a major clash. 780
• Infiltrates St. Peter's Cathedral to capture and rescue the Hori king, fighting through guards and bishops. 836
• Battles Grant in the air during a larger war, ultimately revealing the hidden Flying Corps to change the battlefield's balance. 896
• Continues defending Koester and the Academy against Church infiltration, including Grant's covert entry into the city. 898 903

Notable Quotes

“I'm just a mage.” 447

Trivia

• Benjamin's unusual Consciousness Space prevents ordinary mage-detection methods from reliably identifying him as a mage. 66 305
• The System once generated 5.78 billion possible spells for him to test after he obtained a new rune. 581
• He names Akademi with the expectation that it will grow from an academy town into a major city. 563