Luminarc
After finishing our second Pad Thai lunch at the Isle of Azure Breeze, Rachel, Lucifer, and I prepared to leave the island. Normally, the appearance of a 6-star beast would have warranted a visit from the guildmaster, something that would have annoyed me. Fortunately, having two of the most influential people in the world by my side simplified matters. With just a phone call from Rachel and Lucifer to their families, the issue was swiftly resolved.
Power truly is everything in this world.
Now, it was time for me to depart for the Mount Hua Sect. My journey would take me back to Luminarc, the capital of the Creighton family, where I could use their spatial gates to travel to the sect.
As we made our way through the bustling streets of the Isle of Azure Breeze, Rachel led the way. She was unusually quiet, her earlier chatter replaced by a contemplative silence. Her demeanor worried me, but I shrugged it off, attributing it to mental fatigue from the battle.
The island was vibrant, with colorful stalls lining the streets and the scent of exotic spices filling the air. The hustle and bustle of traders and adventurers created a lively atmosphere, a stark contrast to the serenity we sought. The sun cast a warm glow over everything, making the cobblestone streets shimmer.
"Rachel, you okay?" I asked, trying to break the silence.
She glanced back at me, her eyes distant. "Just tired," she replied, her voice lacking its usual cheerfulness.
Lucifer, walking beside me, seemed to be giving me a look I couldn't quite decipher. His eyes held a mixture of concern and curiosity, but he remained silent.
We reached the ship and made our way back to Luminarc. The journey was smooth, the gentle rocking of the ship and the rhythmic sound of waves creating a calming atmosphere. The sky was painted with hues of orange and pink as the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the water.
As we neared Luminarc, I decided to lighten the mood and rope Rachel back into the conversation. The city's skyline came into view, its grand spires and domes reflecting the fading sunlight.
"Hey Rach," I started, breaking the silence, "How about all of us come together for New Year's? Given you two VIPs don't have any plans."
Lucifer's eyes lit up at the suggestion. "I think it's a great idea," he said, patting my back with a broad grin. "We can all meet up at Rachel's place and celebrate New Year's together. It's in two weeks, so I'm sure everybody else will be free as well."
Rachel's face brightened, a radiant smile spreading across her features. Her blue eyes sparkled with excitement, and for a moment, the tension seemed to lift. "I would like that too," she said, her voice filled with genuine warmth.
Her smile was almost blinding in its brightness, a stark contrast to her earlier mood. It was hard to imagine someone as angelic as her being anything but cheerful.
The ship docked smoothly at Luminarc's port, the city's majestic architecture welcoming us back. We disembarked, the bustling sounds of the capital enveloping us. Street vendors called out their wares, and the scent of fresh bread and spices wafted through the air.
"Let's make it a memorable celebration," I added, feeling a sense of camaraderie growing stronger between us.
Rachel nodded enthusiastically. "Absolutely. It'll be great to have everyone together again."
Before we could part ways, someone familiar stepped forward. His silver hair and blue eyes carried both wisdom and a strength that belied his age. It was a presence I could never fail to recognize, especially with the palpable sense of power emanating from him. Alastor Creighton, one of the two kings of the North and Rachel's father, stood before us.
"Oh," Luna's voice suddenly echoed in my mind, "Is he one of those humans you told me about?"
I had discovered that Luna could communicate with me telepathically due to our bond. Though we hadn't had much to discuss after exchanging initial information, it was reassuring to have someone to rely on instead of getting lost in my own thoughts.
"Yes," I responded mentally, "He won't be able to sense you, right?"
"Don't worry," she assured me. "Bonding with you and escaping that place activated a spell and placed a seal on me, so even a <Radiant>-ranker can't sense me."
"Okay," I acknowledged. I was curious about who had cast the spell on her, but I knew she wouldn't reveal that information until I was strong enough.
Alastor's imposing figure drew closer, his presence commanding respect as the crowd instinctively parted for him. The setting sun cast a golden glow on his silver hair, highlighting the sharp lines of his face.
Excitement bubbled inside Rachel as she exclaimed, "Father! I didn't know you would come to see us!"
She ran over and hugged him. Alastor wrapped his arms around her, accepting the hug with a smile tugging at his lips. Despite his formidable exterior, he was a father before a king. After releasing the excited Rachel, he approached Lucifer and me.
His eyes scanned Lucifer briefly before settling on me. His gaze was intense, making me fear he had discovered Luna. My worry increased when he snapped his fingers, enveloping us in a wind magic spell designed to keep out sound.
"You've gotten even stronger," Alastor remarked, his eyes narrowing. "At this rate, becoming the strongest may not just be a pipe dream."
"Thank you," I responded with a slight bow. Suddenly, his hand gripped my shoulder.
"I heard about what happened," he said, "and about how both of you went to a hotel."
Chills cascaded down my spine as the entire atmosphere seemed to bend to his will. It might as well have, given that he was a 9-circle mage.
"Y-yeah, but we had separate rooms," I managed to stammer, understanding what he was implying. 'He truly is an overprotective father,' I thought.
"She's too young for this," he sighed, releasing me. "With what she's been through at her age... I have to try to give her more attention."
I didn't respond, knowing exactly what he was talking about.
"Not curious?" Alastor asked.
Of course not, I already knew from the novel. But I didn't say that. "I will find out when Rachel trusts me enough to tell me," I replied.
"You think you'll get that close to her?" His eyes gleamed. "Even Lucifer isn't that close to her, you know."
"Who knows?" I said, meeting his gaze. "The only person who will tell me is her."
His lips curled into a smile as the sound bubble spell deactivated. "You are a good man, Arthur Nightingale."
With that, the tension eased, and the atmosphere lightened. Rachel, now free from the spell, looked at us with curiosity.
"Is everything okay?" she asked, sensing the shift.
"Everything's fine," Alastor assured her with a gentle smile. "Just a bit of a chat with your friend here."
Rachel pursed her lips but didn't say anything. Luckily, Lucifer broke the tension. "Uncle, would you mind if we had a New Year's party with just close friends at the Creighton mansion?"
"Of course, that's fine," Alastor replied with a glint in his eyes. "Invite anyone you want."
"Thank you, Father!" Rachel exclaimed, tackling him with another hug.
"When are you going to leave, Arthur?" she asked, turning to me.
"I'll leave in a bit. I need to talk to Lord Creighton, if possible," I replied, turning to Alastor.
"Just call me Uncle already, Arthur," he chuckled. "And sure, I don't mind giving you some of my time. Come back to the estate, and we can discuss what you need."
Rachel smiled, the earlier tension dissipating. "Great, let's head back then."
As we made our way to the Creighton estate, the atmosphere was lighter. The sunset cast a warm glow over the landscape, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. The city of Luminarc buzzed with activity, its streets alive with people and the vibrant energy of the evening.
Once we arrived at the grand Creighton mansion, its towering structure looming above us, I couldn't help but admire the intricate architecture. The estate was a blend of old-world charm and modern elegance, a testament to the Creighton family's wealth and influence.
Inside, Alastor led us to a private study, its walls lined with books and artifacts from various eras. A large window overlooked the expansive gardens, now bathed in the soft twilight.
"Take a seat, Arthur," Alastor said, gesturing to a plush chair. "What is it you wanted to discuss?"
"The Laplace method," I began, "Can it be used to boost a spell's attributes while casting it simultaneously?"
Alastor's eyes widened briefly before he chuckled. "What do you think mana is, Arthur?"
"It's not a form of energy like electricity," I replied thoughtfully. "Honestly, we don't fully understand mana yet. It's... too bizarre. It behaves like both matter and energy, defying the laws of physics. The Eastern scholars tried to explain it by comparing it to qi, but that doesn't fully encompass its nature because mana can exist outside living beings, even though only living beings can manipulate it."
"You are correct," he sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Sadly, despite all our advancements in mana theory, we are far from grasping the true essence of mana. Ironically, understanding mana should be the first step in harnessing its power."
I nodded, absorbing his words. The room fell into a contemplative silence, the weight of centuries of unanswered questions about mana hanging in the air. The flickering candlelight cast long shadows on the walls, adding to the room's mysterious atmosphere.
"It's fascinating, isn't it?" Alastor continued, breaking the silence. "Mana is the foundation of all magical practice, yet it remains one of our greatest mysteries. We study it, manipulate it, and depend on it, but we understand so little about its true nature."
This is one of the reasons demons are so dominant. They understand mana better than all the other species, even the mythical creatures. Their long history with mana and their innovative prowess have given them an unparalleled mastery.
"So, what about my question?" I pressed.
Alastor leaned forward, his expression turning serious. "Reach 7-circle first," he said, "Then I will teach you a method far superior to the Laplace method—the Astraeus Method."
His words hung in the air, carrying the weight of a profound promise. The Astraeus Method... The name alone sparked a flicker of excitement and curiosity within me.
"Why do I need to reach 7-circle to learn it?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
"You know what 7-circle magic entails, right?" Alastor replied with a probing look.
"7-circle magic involves stacking mana circles and then streamlining the process using the Fuller method to condense mana into something akin to the astral energy used by <Ascendent>-rank warriors," I explained.
"Correct," he affirmed. "The Astraeus Method operates specifically on this stacked mana, making it impossible to use without reaching 7-circle. For now, focus on mastering other aspects and learning more 5-circle spells. Start with lower power ones since your current rank limits you from using powerful spells without reaching <White>-rank."
My brows furrowed. "How did you know?"
"My eyes allow me to see through things," he said confidently, pointing to his eyes. Though he couldn't see Luna directly, he mistook her beast will for my Gift, so his vision had its limits.
"You want to ask anything else?" Alastor smiled, a twinkle of amusement in his eyes. "This is a rare opportunity, you know."
"Can I defeat Lucifer if I reach <White>-rank right now?" I asked, the question burning in my mind.
His smile became strained, and he shook his head slowly. "No. Your Gift is powerful, but you would still lack experience at the <White>-rank. Lucifer's martial prowess surpasses yours. Even if you reached the same rank as him right now, you wouldn't be able to beat him."
I nodded, taking in his words. "Thank you," I replied, offering a respectful bow.
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