Ever since parting ways with Roxy, Rudeus had devoted himself entirely to intensive training in magic control.
Day after day, he honed his ability to manipulate magic with precision, from basic magic circulation to precise release, never slacking off in the slightest.
But as his training grew more advanced, simple, basic magic could no longer satisfy me.
He began trying to explore more complex, intricate fields of magic-such as magic circles.
Magic circles were truly an exceptionally convenient part of this world.
Anything magic could accomplish could be achieved with an identical effect by inscribing a magic circle, without having to personally channel magic and chant every time.
Better still, once a magic circle was complete, it could be used repeatedly by simply pouring one's own magic into it or inserting a magic crystal to activate it, saving both time and effort.
After countless days of study, experimentation, and working through the principles, Rudeus gradually figured out the core rules of magic circles:
The size of an inscribed magic circle did not directly determine its power; it affected only the area covered by its magic and the amount of magic consumed.
A standard, complete magic circle had four core components:
First was the outer barrier ring. This was the magic circle's basic barrier. Its primary purpose was to lock the magic firmly inside the circle, preventing it from dissipating for no reason during operation and ensuring the magic's effectiveness remained stable.
Second was the geometric foundation. The most common shapes were regular six-pointed stars and circles, corresponding respectively to the four basic elements of earth, fire, water, and wind, and the two supreme law axes of time and space. It was the core framework that held the magic within the circle.
Third were the functional runes. This was the most complex core of a magic circle, primarily divided into three categories: elemental runes, command runes, and constraint runes. Like code in programming from another world, these runes formed an interconnected chain, each performing its own role and combining to create all of the magic circle's functions. Breaking them down in detail would probably take a lengthy explanation.
The final key component was the circle's core. This was where the magic of the entire circle gathered. Embedding a magic crystal stone there could also provide the circle with a continuous supply of magic, allowing it to operate steadily for long periods and greatly improving its practicality.
As for where this profound and obscure magical knowledge came from?
Naturally, it came from The Grimoire Accompanying the Deity in the system inventory.
Any magical knowledge he unlocked and learned felt as though it had been deeply engraved in his soul, never to be forgotten for all eternity.
The moment he learned a new spell or gained new knowledge, the complicated principles and techniques would flow straight into his mind, becoming entirely natural to him without the slightest barrier.
Every time he recalled that wondrous feeling of knowledge being engraved into him, he found it incredible.
After thoroughly mastering the basic principles of magic circles, Rudeus began trying to gather magic at his fingertips.
He inscribed magic circles on all kinds of everyday objects, most often the clothes he wore.
On the fabric, he carefully traced constant-temperature circles that kept him warm in winter and cool in summer, cleaning circles that absorbed and broke down stains, light defensive circles that resisted impacts, and various enhancement circles that gave his physical abilities and perception a small boost...
Magic circles were useful in more ways than he could have imagined. There were countless practical circles, and they completely transformed his daily routine, making life increasingly convenient.
As soon as his afternoon swordsmanship training ended, he quietly informed his mother and stepped out of the house with a light tread.
He planned to wander around the village and test the magic circles and magical abilities he had recently devised.
He passed through the endless golden wheat fields swaying in the wind and followed a gentle slope up to a secluded little hillside. In a clearing not far away, several children about my age had gathered.
Three children had surrounded a small, thin, hooded figure, and it was unclear what they were doing.
He approached slowly and looked closely. In an instant, anger flared in his heart-
The three children kept picking up mud from the ground and hurling it at the hooded child.
They shouted cruel, outrageous things without restraint, calling the child a "monster" and yelling, "Ten points for the head!" They paid no heed to the child's plight.
Seeing the hooded child silently endure the bullying, he could no longer contain his anger. He immediately rushed over and shouted, "All of you, stop!"
Before the words had even faded, he focused and drew on the magic flowing through his body, precisely activating telekinesis magic. In an instant, he held the three troublesome children firmly in place, unable to move an inch.
The three froze in shock. A second later, their eyes widened in terror, and they struggled and twisted their limbs desperately, crying out in panic and fear:
"That's scary! You're a monster! I'm going home to tell my mom!"
Rudeus walked slowly up to the boy who had been shouting the loudest and was leading the group. He glared at him coldly and spoke in a chilling warning:
"Oh? Still got such a filthy mouth? Looks like I need to wash it out with mud and teach you a lesson."
The boy was both frightened and angry. Putting on a brave front, he shouted, "You! You wouldn't dare! If you lay a hand on me, I'll... My mom... Waaaah!"
Before he could finish, Rudeus activated water and earth magic at the same time, forming a glob of thick mud at his fingertip and smearing it straight over the boy's mouth without another word.
Caught off guard, the boy swallowed a few mouthfuls by reflex, then doubled over in a violent coughing fit. He kept spitting out a mixture of muddy water and stomach acid, looking utterly miserable.
Rudeus formed another glob of mud at his fingertip and swept his gaze over the other two children, who were trembling with fear. "Do you know what you did wrong? Would you dare bully anyone again?" he asked sternly.
The two shook their heads frantically and begged for mercy through their tears. "We won't dare! We'll never do it again! There won't ever be a next time!"
As they spoke, they burst into uncontrollable sobs, all the arrogance they had shown while bullying the child gone.
"You gang up on someone because there are more of you? You scum of society! Parasites!"
"Your mom must've been flushing toxins when she gave birth to you."
Only when they had completely backed down and admitted they were wrong did Rudeus withdraw his telekinetic magic and release them.
Watching the three flee in panic, Rudeus raised his voice and gave them another stern warning:
"If there's a next time, I'll beat you every time I see you, until your own mothers can't recognize you!"
The three, already running at full speed, fled even faster in fright. In their blind panic, one of them slipped and fell hard onto the soft grass.
Fortunately, he had fallen on the grass and was not seriously hurt. He scrambled to his feet and fled without looking back.