Chapter 40: I am going to cheat!

At the top of the clock tower.

"How should I proceed with learning magic?"

Xia Mingyu did not feel particularly excited by Eris's praise. After all, talent was merely potential; only the power held firmly in one's own hands was real.

"You have already sensed mana. If you did not already possess a commoner-tier profession, you would have acquired the 'Magic Apprentice' class right now." Eris looked at the white "University Student" title hovering above Xia Mingyu’s head, a hint of regret in her tone. "Your Highness, the next step is to learn magic runes. They are the cornerstone upon which all magic is built and the truths that describe all things in this world."

Eris extended a finger, and white light flowed like water at its tip. With fluid grace, she traced elegant arcs in the air. A moment later, a complex pattern radiating a soft, white glow emerged and remained suspended in the void.

"Your Highness, this is the most fundamental rune. Its meaning is 'Wind'," Eris said softly.

She immediately raised her fingertip to continue drawing, and a moment later, a pattern even more intricate than the first appeared in the air.

"And this is 'Cut'."

Under Eris's control, the two runes gradually overlapped. The next instant, the wind stirred. A transparent blade of wind manifested abruptly, slicing through the air with a sharp whistle and slamming into the massive bronze bell.

*Clang!*

In an instant, the bell emitted a deafening roar, the sound waves echoing like a tide over Black Wolf Fortress. Countless people in the castle were jolted from their sleep.

"Is this magic?" Xia Mingyu approached the bell, looking at the clear crack carved into its surface by the wind blade, his expression filled with shock. If it could cleave copper and iron, it could just as easily tear through flesh and blood.

"Your Highness, this cannot be called true magic. Real magic is far more powerful than this, and its construction is many times more difficult and complex," Eris shook her head. "This is merely a cantrip."

She spoke calmly, though a flicker of imperceptible disappointment crossed her heterochromatic eyes.

*Is this what it means to be a mage? Even a simple cantrip is this fierce!*

"Eris, is my task now to learn these magic runes?" Xia Mingyu asked, a spark of excitement on his face. He could not wait to cast magic just as she had.

"Yes, but it will be a long process. You must memorize the seven fundamental runes—Sun, Wind, Earth, and so on—along with hundreds of common runes."

"Beyond that, what is even more difficult is that you must master the flow and drafting of mana, as well as the layering of runes. This process tests the dexterity of your fingers; it is the most arduous part of casting magic."

"Most people require years of practice just to learn how to draw the first fundamental rune," Eris whispered.

Becoming a mage required not only talent for meditation but also memory, comprehension, and even vital finger dexterity. This was why magic was heralded as the most difficult profession to advance in, and why she had not boasted that His Highness was a magical genius.

"Wait, Eris. Is learning magic runes equivalent to learning a language?" Xia Mingyu had keenly identified the key. Fundamental runes, common runes... it looked exactly like a language.

"Yes, your comprehension is excellent. The Archmage Byas once referred to the study of runes as the 'Language of Magic,' and he speculated that the supreme gods might communicate through them." Eris praised him, deeply feeling how effortless it was to teach a clever "student."

Hearing this, Xia Mingyu fell into deep thought. If the study of runes counted as a language, then the "Linguistic Comprehension" ability granted by his "Heir to the Kingdom of 1.4 Billion Citizens" title should apply. As for the drafting of runes... did he not also have "Transcendent Meditation"?

*Let my fingers move on their own! 1.4 billion plus university student equals what?*

Thinking of this, the corners of Xia Mingyu’s mouth curled upward.

"Eris, I need to clarify one thing with you," Xia Mingyu said solemnly.

"Ah?" Seeing the solemn expression on the young man’s face, Eris felt a sudden panic. It was the first time she had seen him so grave. Had she said something wrong to offend him?

Under her tense gaze, Xia Mingyu said slowly, "Not only in meditation, but on the entire path of magic, I will be a peerless genius!"

Eris: "..." *Is His Highness perhaps a bit too arrogant?*

...

At midday, bright sunlight spilled over the castle's stone steps. Viscount Karr stood at the gate with a pack on his back, the massive Black Abyss Wolf lying beside him.

"Danielle, I am leaving. Remember to take good care of His Highness Mingyu in the castle. If he has any requests, promise them on my behalf."

"Also, regarding little Hayden’s infant honor ceremony, I will remember to notify your mother and brother, and I will ask my comrade Rune to serve as little Hayden’s godfather," Karr instructed his wife. He was acting on the Prince's request to seek a potion from the Bishop of the Storm Church, and he was using the journey to arrange his young son’s ceremony.

"Good, darling. Travel safely," Danielle embraced Karr and kissed him deeply.

"You too, take care of yourself," Karr stroked her long hair and whispered.

He did not linger, leaping onto the back of the Black Abyss Wolf and striking its head firmly. "Let’s go, Blacktail."

*Awoo!*

The Black Abyss Wolf lifted its head and let out a mournful howl, then kicked off the ground, sprinting into the distance like an arrow released from a bow.

"Did he really have to choose Bishop Rune as little Hayden's godfather..." Danielle murmured, watching her husband’s departing back. She had been satisfied with the choice initially, as the Church of Storm and Hunt was the largest in the Sosia Kingdom. Rune, as a Bishop of the southern branch, was a man of great power and status. Being a godfather to her son was more than enough, even for the direct heirs of her own Martha family.

But now, there seemed to be a more suitable candidate...

Danielle turned to look toward the castle library, where a figure could be vaguely seen leaning by the window, reading.

"Great gods, I beseech you, let this noble person become my son’s godfather. I would trade twenty years of my remaining life for it!"

For the sake of her child, the woman, who had never been religious, clasped her hands and prayed with unprecedented piety.

...

Two days later.

In the library.

Having finally mastered the fundamental runes and hundreds of common runes, Xia Mingyu stretched lazily. Beside him, Eris was already numb with shock.

"I am a failure, I am a fool, my teacher has been lying to me all this time..." the girl muttered, her expression vacant.

This scene made Xia Mingyu feel a twinge of guilt. He believed that by any measure, Eris was a true magical genius, but... he was cheating!