Chapter 140 The True Beginning (3)
Basil had finally finished the Array he was Carving. It was a Middle Grade Array with the highest complexity that can only be carved by a Rune Master who had learned Array Carving for, at least, 8 years.
Although Basil knew it from his experience, he was still amazing nonetheless. In his past life, he had mastered the highest grade Rune and Array after learning them for only 5 years, when it took everyone decades to achieve the same feat.
"Is this enough, Young Master?" Caesar gestured at the Mana Crystals he had set on the Array.
The Array Basil had carved had 16 long and narrow, sharp edged triangles pointing to 16 different directions with a small circle near their tip.
This small circle was the place where the Mana Crystals were all put; each small circle had exactly 1 kilograms worth of Mana Crystals put on it.
"Yes, it is enough," answered Basil. He was in the middle of the Array, in lotus position. "Once the Mana from the Crystals is exhausted, I want you to—"
"Replace them, right?" Basil nodded at Caesar's word. "Although I'm not well versed in Array Carving, I know at least about that basic thing." Caesar smirked.
Basil nodded his head lightly, then closed his eyes. Infusing his Mana to the Array, it gradually shone, and the Mana from the Crystals were slowly absorbed by Basil—the Array was successfully activated.
Caesar whistled lowly. "No mishaps occured. He succeeds in the first try, marvelous!" He was once again amazed by Basil's precision in Array Carving.
Array Carving was absolute. One had to copy the exact form of Array one was given for it to succeed. Even if there was a slight, subtle difference, the Array one carved would give a different result from the original. Worse, it might just explode.
Therefore, precision was needed in Array Carving. Of course, a high concentration was too.
Although the process was comparably less painful than before, it was still painful nonetheless; not just any normal person could endure the level of pain Basil was experiencing.
Still, Basil was different. He was used to pain already. Moreover, if the pain bore something—it wasn't useless—he wouldn't even register the pain. He knew he would earn something out of the pain, so he wouldn't complain.
Basil's concentration was put solely on Cultivating his Mana Heart. He would make sure himself reach the Amethyst Heart Stage in less than a week. That way, he completely tuned out the world.
Right after Basil completely tuned out the world, his Jade of soul shone, and Vagus materialized herself to the outside world.
Caesar quickly kneeled himself, and she quickly motioned him to stand back up. Then, she stood beside him silently, while looking at Basil.
A moment passed, before Vagus finally opened her mouth.
"The Chaos is closing, and so is our victory."
"I can see that, my esteemed Lady," Caesar replied politely.
"Knowing thy fate, shall thou stay idle?"
Caesar bowed his head politely. "I am nothing more than an old man. My time is close, my age is short. Even if I have the time of my life, will I be able to enjoy it for long?"
Caesar shook his head faintly. "I prefer ending my life for the greater good, rather than wasting it in vain."
Vagus glanced at Caesar from the corner of her eyes. "Thy sacrifice shall not be in vain," Caesar nodded gladly, "My blessing shall accompany thee to the afterlife."
Then, Vagus turned her attention back to Basil. "Two lives, different fate, same suffering. I feel pain just by watching you, Basil."
...
[Stardust Academy, Woster County]
Shirley hadn't had any contact with Basil for a month already. She didn't even register that fact, as she was focusing herself in Carving her Circle. She was close to become 15, and she hadn't finished her Circle yet; she was frustrated.
Basil's teaching had brought her so far in her Magic Mastery. However, she simply lacked the talent and time.
She had to be a Second Circle Mage before 16 to be accepted in Randalvine Preparatory Academy; she wanted to be reunited with Basil as soon as possible!
Shirley sighed. "Huuh... It's not as easy as I thought?" She scrutinized her note, before humming to herself. "Hmm... I should've followed Brother's instruction as accurate as possible. But, why this part strays even further the more I practice it?"
Shirley was looking at the Magic Circle Basil had drawn for her to follow. It was a Grand Circle, and Shirley didn't dare to improvise because of that.
She had made sure to Carve the exact same way as the Magic Circle Basil had drawn. However, each time she followed it, there was always something different happened to her Carving process.
Surprisingly, it worked and she didn't feel any discomfort despite the difference. Still, she was afraid to advance.
She was afraid she would end up getting a mediocre Magic Circle rather than the Grand Circle Basil had benevolently taught her how to Carve; she didn't want to disappoint Basil by wasting his effort in teaching her.
"Gah! I'm frustrated! Why is Circle Carving so complicated?!" She tightly hugged the pillow Basil had always used to sleep, and buried her face in it. "I wish I was as smart as Brother. It would be cakewalk, if I was as smart as him."
Sighing helplessly, she muttered under her breath. "Brother said, 'Whenever you got stuck, back to the basic,' didn't he?" She hummed. "Circle Carving has so many basics, I don't know which one to start with."
She sighed, then raised her head. She glanced at her note, or to be specific one of Basil's message to her, intently. Then, as if struck by lightning, realization dawned upon her.
"Magic Circle is never the same. Each Magic Circles are different from each other, even in the same quality. Because, one's nature also affects the forming of one's Circle."
She hummed, before knocking her head cutely. "Silly me! I have never been wrong! The difference is normal!" Her eyes lit up, and her face flushed in excitement.
Reassuming lotus position, she closed her eyes and Carved her Magic Circle according to the Manual Basil had given her. Mana once again gathered around her entire existence, and once again, she tuned out the world.
Minutes past, and sweat started accumulating on her forehead. It didn't take long until her entire body got wet with sweat. Still, she didn't even move a single centimeters to wipe her forehead.
The Mana gathering around her was getting denser, until finally it exploded, throwing everything in her vicinity away.
Boom!
Shirley had successfully created her first Magic Circle. It wasn't a mere Magic Circle; it was a Grand Circle!
She opened her eyes, and one could see the stars in them. Her face flushed due to the excitement, and a seemingly eternal smile decorated her face.
"I have become a full fledged Mage!" She stood from the ground, and raised her hand. "Wait for me, Brother! I will be coming to Randalvine soon. Fu-fu-fu!" She laughed like an arrogant noble lady.
Then, her eyes briefly glinted in glee; she was reminded of Julia. "Ku-ku-ku. I haven't assumed my cocky brat persona for a long time already. I will definitely rub it in her face tomorrow."
Julia was also struggling like her in Carving her Circle. Therefore, they had made a bet on who could finish their Circle faster to motivate themselves. She was sure Julia hadn't finished hers yet, so she would definitely brag about it in front of her.
Morning soon came, and Shirley was excited to go to the Academy. Even the maids and the personal carriage driver Basil had hired for her were weirded out by her unusual enthusiasm; none of them knew what made her excited.
Upon reaching the Academy, she encountered Chester in front of the gate. The latter had also just arrived at the Academy, and was surprised at the enthusiasm his student was showing.
"Good morning, Mr. Chester!"
"Good morning, Shirley. Congratulations on your first Mag—"
"Shush!" Shirley closed Chester's mouth with her hands to stop him from speaking. "Don't just announce it here. I want to surprise everyone." She looked at Chester in slight resentment.
Chester blinked in surprise, before nodding his head in confirmation. When Shirley took her hands off his mouth, he immediately smiled mischievously while looking at her.
"You have just exerted violence against your teacher. With this, I sentence you a permanent score deduction!"
Shirley jumped in surprise, before widening her eyes. "Mr. Chester! No, you can't do that! You'll ruin my plan of going to Randalvine Preparatory Academy!" She pulled Chester's collar and shook him back and forth.
Chester looked at her neutrally, and thought, 'As expected of Basil's sister, I guess? She indeed has a different way to solve problem. This isn't the right way, young lady!'
"Alright, young lady. Stop!" He held Shirley's hands, successfully stopping her. "I was just kidding. There is no need to treat it seriously." He sighed.
"Oh, really?!"
"Yes." Shirley smiled brightly, and Chester shook his head in amusement. "Anyway, you say you are going to attend Randalvine Preparatory Academy?"
"Ah yes, I am."
"You will have your best friend with you, then."
"Eh, do you mean Julia?"
"You didn't know she also has the same plan." Chester was slightly surprised.
Just before Shirley managed to answer Chester, someone announced her presence. "Mr. Chester, I am ready for class advancement!"
The two people's head turned toward the person, and the person smiled victoriously while looking at Shirley.
"I win, Shirley!" It was Julia.
Boom!
She materialized her Magic Circle, and the two people could see her Major Circle shining intensely.
"How about that, girl?" Julia smiled cheekily.
Shirley merely smiled calmly, before materializing hers.
Boom!
The air exploded once again, due to the sudden influx of Mana in it. This time however, the explosion was bigger, and the Mana was denser.
Shirley smiled graciously. "I have my Circle too, you know?"
"Bravo, another Grand Circle owner!" Chester clapped his hands in excitement.
Julia sighed, before exclaiming indignantly. "That's cheating! You have your brother to teach you!"
Shirley merely laughed, and Julia smiled in the end. Then, the two of them turned their head toward Chester once again.
"Mr. Chester, we are ready for class advancement," they said in unison.
Chester smiled, and replied, "Very well. Let's have some tea in my office. I will write the two of you my recommendation letter."
He felt like history was repeating itself. Looking at the sky, he was reminded of Basil; he wondered what Basil was doing currently.