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They had also heard the rumors spreading throughout the estate.

The rumor was that Ghislain had taken on a bet that he could never win.

The mages were certain that Claude would win the bet.

‘Hahaha, this devilish guy is finally going to be utterly humiliated. Well done, Chief Overseer. I knew I could count on you!’

Alfoi made no effort to hide his grin.

How could he not be delighted, knowing that Ghislain was about to face great disgrace?

He snickered inwardly, thinking that he should have treated Claude better if he’d known this was going to happen.

The other mages were similarly bright-faced.

Only Vanessa kept her head down, wearing a gloomy expression.

After clearing his throat a few times, Alfoi confidently faced Ghislain.

“Ahem, what did you call me for?”

Since Ghislain had become the lord, Alfoi couldn’t speak as casually as before.

Even if Alfoi was a successor of the tower, he wasn’t treated as a noble like the Tower Master or the elders.

Ghislain responded with a casual expression.

“Why do you think so? I called you because I need to use some magic. It’s a very important matter, so you need to be careful.”

“I’ve heard the rumors. You’re not planning to use magic to boost fertility, are you?”

“What?”

Ghislain frowned, and Alfoi quickly continued.

“Handling all that farmland by ourselves is impossible! You know that forcibly boosting fertility would just make the land even more barren afterward, right?”

With powerful magic or divine power, one could momentarily increase the fertility of the land.

However, no lord actually used that method.

Even using it once would leave the land in shambles. It was the cost of forcibly drawing out its vitality.

To mitigate the side effects, one would have to draw in surrounding mana every time, and that required either a high-level mage or priest.

Hiring them would cost more than simply buying food.

Of course, Alfoi didn’t care whether Ghislain’s land was ruined or not.

Even if there were no such side effects, he had no intention of lending his strength.

“I’ve never learned that kind of magic in the first place. Besides, using shortcuts goes against the spirit of a fair bet.”

“What are you talking about? I’m going to set up a magic circle in the clearing behind the castle.”

“A magic circle?”

Alfoi clicked his tongue inwardly.

It wasn’t even for the farmland. Seeing as it was to be set up behind the castle, it must have been for some other trivial task.

“Yes, I’m going to use runestones to create a mana-concentration circle. I’ll overlay a regeneration circle, and add other circles as well… Actually, forget it. There’s no point in explaining it all to you. I’ll skip the detailed explanation.”

The mages tilted their heads in confusion at his explanation.

It was not only vague, but they had also never heard of a magic circle in such a format before.

Feigning arrogance, Alfoi asked,

“No, what kind of magic circle is this supposed to be? Do you even know what magic is?”

“It’s something very important. Just get it ready. There’s no time for detailed explanations. I’ll check everything meticulously, so be careful. Quick and precise. Got it?”

“Tch, seeing as the mana concentration circle is at the core, it’s obvious. Did you think I wouldn’t know something that basic?”

A mana concentration circle refers to a magic circle that uses runestones to artificially gather mana in one place.

By training within such a circle, one could accumulate mana slightly faster than usual.

It was a dream for anyone who used mana, be they knights or mages.

However, it wasn’t something just anyone could use.

The creation of a single concentration circle required several runestones, yet the circle’s duration wouldn’t last beyond a week.

Within just a few days, the runestones would lose their power and shatter.

Unless one was an exceptionally promising knight from a wealthy estate, most knights would go their entire lives without experiencing a mana concentration circle even once.

Of course, the situation was a bit different for Ghislain, who had access to runestones.

‘Even Count Balzac, the Swordmaster of the Delfine Duchy, only used one for about a month in his youth with some support.’

Even the renownedly wealthy Delfine Duchy would only allow the truly talented to briefly experience it.

“Are you going to use it yourself, my lord?”

“Why would I use it?”

Ghislain responded with an incredulous tone, and Alfoi lifted his chin as he continued to probe.

“If you’re not going to use it yourself… then are you planning to make several of them?”

“Oh, that’s a rather sharp question. You seem to have an idea of what I’m planning.”

“Hmph, of course I do. So, how many are you thinking of making?”

“About… 200?”

“What?”

The mages were all startled by Ghislain’s answer.

To make 200 mana concentration circles would require an enormous amount of runestones.

It was likely going to need the same amount that had been sold to the tower in the past.

However, Alfoi soon nodded, as if he understood.

“Indeed… that amount would be necessary.”

There were currently close to three hundred mercenaries.

If all of them were to train within the circles, that many would be needed.

“Spending money to develop them quickly is fine, but… if you spend this much, you won’t be able to sustain it for long.”

Ghislain replied, sounding a bit impressed.

“Once is enough. Still, you’re quite perceptive. To have figured it out this fast, I must have underestimated you.”

Alfoi shrugged his shoulders, as if encouraging more praise.

“With all the moves you’ve been making, my lord, it would be strange if I didn’t catch on. You’re always acting in a hurry.”

“You’re well-informed. Anyway, we’re busy, so just get everything prepared quickly. If there’s anything you don’t understand, ask Vanessa. She knows the most about magic circles in our estate.”

“But why are you layering other magic circles on top of this? I’ve never seen anything like that before… Which tower’s method is this? Unverified magic circles can be very dangerous. Are you confident about this? And something this complex will take a lot of time…”

“Ah, as expected of someone who’s studied—so much to say. Stop nitpicking and just get it done quickly.”

Alfoi, filled with curiosity like a typical mage, had been questioning Ghislain persistently but stepped back, smacking his lips when he saw the intimidating expression on Ghislain’s face.

He was curious, but if he kept pushing, it looked like Ghislain might actually hit him.

“Well, since you’re asking so earnestly, I’ll do my best.”

“Make sure it’s done properly because I’ll be inspecting it. Still, I’ve gained a little more respect for you today. You’re smarter than your actions make you seem.”

Ghislain threw out a statement that was hard to tell whether it was a compliment or an insult, then left.

For some reason, Alfoi felt a sense of pride and puffed out his chest.

“Vanessa, you heard, right? Get ready to set up the magic circles. They need to last a few days, so make sure they’re properly inscribed.”

“Y-Yes! Understood.”

Vanessa couldn’t hide her surprise.

She had no idea why they were making mana concentration circles, but Alfoi had immediately grasped the lord’s intention as soon as he heard it. Despite everything, she realized he truly was the successor of the tower.

Alfoi began directing the mages, and they started inscribing the magic circles in the clearing right away.

The mages began the work with confidence, but that energy didn’t last long.

“Ah, how was this supposed to be done again?”

“If we do it like this, the magic circuits won’t connect.”

“This isn’t really my area…”

Magic circles were a field that required long hours of research to get right.

Even a slight mistake could cause the magic circle not to activate, or worse, produce dangerous effects like explosions.

On top of that, they had to inscribe 200 of these magic circles, which were complex, layered designs they had never seen before.

Alfoi and the other mages were at a loss, struggling to figure out what to do.

“Damn it, what are we going to do? If this goes wrong, we’re all dead. You know how short-tempered the lord is.”

Alfoi chewed on his nails nervously as he watched the mages’ attempts with growing anxiety.

Seeing this, Vanessa quickly stepped in.

“Um, I-I’ll try to fix this part.”

“Oh, sure. Give it a shot. I’ll give you a chance.”

Vanessa began inscribing the magic circles without a single error. Though it took a long time due to her lack of mana, she didn’t miss even the smallest line.

She even managed to correct aspects that others hadn’t noticed, naturally establishing her authority among the mages.

Before long, Vanessa had taken control of the situation, guiding the other mages.

Alfoi, subtly pushed aside, could only stand there with an awkward expression, repeatedly clearing his throat.

“Wow, she really studied a lot. Worked hard, huh? When did she have time to learn all this while doing laundry?”

The other mages nodded in admiration.

They had known from the previous war that, despite her lack of mana, Vanessa had a solid amount of knowledge.

But now, it was clear that she was far more than just ‘decent.’

Watching her inscribe the magic circles with no hesitation, it seemed like her knowledge of magic was on par with, or perhaps even beyond, that of the elders of the tower.

Thanks to Vanessa, Alfoi finally felt a bit of relief. As he assisted her, he muttered to himself.

“But what exactly is this magic circle? It’s something I’ve never seen before. Is it even a proper magic circle? Where did he get this from? Just because you throw in everything good doesn’t mean it’ll work…”

“Well, I-I’m just following the lord’s orders…,” Vanessa replied hesitantly.

“Could it be some kind of secret technique from the Ferdium family? I never heard of any mages in that household, though.”

Alfoi speculated this and that but eventually shook his head.

“Ah, let’s just do as we’re told. Even if something goes wrong, the lord will take responsibility. Good grief, he’s really pulling out all the stops just because he thinks he’s going to lose the bet. Is he trying to win over the mercenaries with this? Tsk tsk… What a petty guy.”

Vanessa, who overheard this, pouted in displeasure, but Alfoi didn’t notice.

“Yeah, yeah. So let’s redo the circuits over there… No, what are you doing? Not there, here… Don’t you know this? Haven’t you studied?”

“Huh? Oh? Sorry. Is it here?”

Vanessa’s words to Alfoi and the other mages gradually started carrying a hint of reproach, but no one seemed to catch on.

* * *

The rumor about the installation of mana concentration circles spread quickly.

And there were going to be 200 of them!

There was no way the mercenaries, who thrived on rumors, wouldn’t hear about it.

Before anyone realized it, talk of gambling and drinking had disappeared, replaced entirely by discussions about the mana concentration circles.

“The boss will probably teach us the mana cultivation technique, right? Half of us don’t even know how to do it.”

“He’s said multiple times that he wants to make us elite. I bet he’ll follow through.”

“Ah, that means we’ll have to at least sign long-term contracts.”

The mercenaries knew they couldn’t keep renewing their one-year contracts indefinitely.

It was clear that a new proposal would come soon, and when it did, they would have to make a choice, whether they liked it or not.

Most likely, the mana cultivation technique and the concentration circles would be the bait to push them into long-term contracts.

Amid the mercenaries’ rising anticipation, a few days passed, and at last, the mana concentration circles were completed.

“These are the mana concentration circles I made… I mean, Vanessa and I made it! You’ve probably never seen anything like this in your lives, huh? Hahaha!”

Alfoi boasted, but the mercenaries paid him no mind, immediately crowding around Ghislain.

Ghislain was carefully inspecting each magic circle to ensure they were properly inscribed, and he looked a bit surprised when the mercenaries rushed up to him.

“Why are you all suddenly crowding around? I didn’t call for you. Is something going on?”

The answer came from Gillian.

“It seems everyone’s quite interested after hearing about the mana concentration circles.”

Seeing their eyes brimming with curiosity and anticipation, Ghislain let out a small laugh.

“Everyone will get their turn, so don’t worry too much. Don’t get greedy.”

That was all the mercenaries needed to hear to be sure.

These mana concentration circles were definitely prepared for them!

Unable to hold back his eagerness, Gordon stepped forward.

“So who’s going to go in first? And how do we use the mana cultivation technique?”

“What do you mean, ‘who goes in first’? These guys will be going in first.”

Ghislain replied nonchalantly, extending his hand to the side.

Claude, looking utterly exhausted, placed a pouch into Ghislain’s outstretched hand.

Ghislain grabbed a handful of its contents and revealed them.

Plump, shiny grains of wheat glistened in his palm.

While everyone stood there blinking in confusion, Gordon asked again.

“Wait… when you say ‘go in first,’ you mean those?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s wheat grain, isn’t it?”

“That’s right.”

“Are… are they going to learn the mana cultivation technique too?”

“What kind of nonsense is that?”

Gordon swallowed hard and asked one last question.

“Are you saying that those incredibly expensive mana concentration circles… are going to be used for wheat first? Not me?”

“Yes, that’s right! How many times do I have to say it? Also, why would you be first?”

Ghislain snapped irritably.

It was only then that the others realized it wasn’t a joke, and their expressions twisted in disbelief.

Using those costly runestones not on people, but on mere wheat grains!