Turning
chapter-178

"Alik! Didn't your helpers arrive?"

"Ah... You both have come. I've been so busy, I didn't notice."

"Alik, are you feeling unwell? You look considerably paler than yesterday."

"Hehe... I'm fine. I just stayed up all night stirring the pot. I'm a bit exhausted, that's all. If I think that today's the end... I can handle it. Even though my body is burning with heat and my muscles feel like they're about to burst... I'm sorry for not offering you tea."

"No... it's okay."

"When I was young, I could do this for a whole week. No fuss."

While sticking out his tongue and shaking his head, Thais picked up a black gemstone laid out around the red stone.

"This is the best material made by mixing the heart of an ancient dragon, fairy dust, and a material called Sitanium. I guarantee it's the best vessel for containing the greatest power in existence."

"What's Sitanium?"

"Ah, you don't know? It's a synthetic material used when two vastly different materials need to be combined. It's often used to strengthen fragile magic stones. Originally, it was a cheap material used for making low-grade magical tools."

"How did you end up using that?"

At Yuder's question, the old mage chuckled awkwardly and averted his eyes.

"Well... you could say it's thanks to you, in a way."

"Excuse me?"

"That day, didn't you get a defensive magic tool bracelet from my disciple? While Alik was taking out an extra bracelet from his bag, he also brought out some Sitanium. It was the party day, and no one was around, so out of boredom, I thought, 'Why not put it in the pot?' So, I did."

Yuder was momentarily lost for words.

"...You just did that experiment with those expensive materials?"

"Hehe."

Thais Yulman, who had been evading his gaze and laughing, calmly continued.

"In fact, I had a bit of a concern. The heart of the ancient dragon and the fairy powder, when used separately, could withstand the power of the Red Stone, but not completely. But then, unexpectedly, Sitanium glued the two together and the resulting stone... It was unexpectedly magnificent."

In fact, Thais hadn't thought that Sitanium could fully blend two such powerful materials. However, the two materials, unexpectedly glued together by the Sitanium, had strangely melted and mixed together to form a black stone that looked like a gem.

When he brought the black stone close to the box where the Red Stone was, the ancient dragon's heart and the fairy powder, both naturally storing power, reacted gently at once, neither breaking nor resisting in front of the power of the Red Stone. It was an unexpected success.

"The power of the Red Stone is so strong that it seemed difficult with just one or two of these stones, so I kept making more and more since then. Now, Alik, when that fellow makes the last amount, it will be over. The process doesn't matter if the result is good. After all, all the great inventions in this world are achieved that way!"

Spitting out words fitting of a reckless mage, he explained that the material in the pot that Alik was stirring was still blending and emitting a gold light, but once it was finished, it would coagulate into black and harden like stone. That would signify the end of preparation.

"Master! The black color is beginning to show."

"Oh, the end is in sight. You mustn't let your guard down until the very end!"

"Yes..."

With Alik's dying voice, the sound of boiling emerged from the pot. Yuder watched Thais dart about, inspecting the magic circles and adjusting the ingredients, while pushing his apprentice aside. He spoke quietly to Kanna.

"Kanna."

"Hm?"

"Stay back a little. Your task will only be possible after the experiment is finished."

Kanna's mission was to read the information of the Red Stone, once the power within it was entirely separated and only the shell remained.

"Okay. What about you?"

Yuder fixed his gaze on the Red Stone in the layered magic circles, which was emitting a suppressed power.

"I need to prepare for if the power transfer process isn't smooth."

Just then, a new presence was felt from behind. As Kishiar La Orr, who brought Adjutant Nathan Zuckerman, revealed himself, all eyes were drawn to him.

"The Commander is here!"

"He has arrived. You have come at a very appropriate time."

As Kanna spoke in a contrasting tone and Thais, who had rushed out of the busy magic circles, greeted him, Kishiar blinked his eyes as if intrigued, looking around at the surrounding scenery.

"Please follow me. The final preparations will be completed soon. The procedure will proceed as previously mentioned. If you have any questions, please let me know."

"Understood. I'm looking forward to it."

Kishiar, who had entered through the formation, narrowed his eyes slightly as soon as he saw Yuder.

"You were here first."

"It's the task I decided to take on."

Yuder was focused on the flow of energy surrounding the Red Stone, ready to exert power at any moment. If even a little power leaked incorrectly from the Red Stone, someone might develop a purple spot just like that. He had informed Thais and Alik about the danger of the power of the Red Stone, and Kanna knew from before, but knowing about a danger did not mean it could be completely prevented.

"There might be danger, so I ask that you and Kanna stand back, Commander."

"If it's dangerous for me, it's the same for you."

"Even so, it is my duty to step forward at such times. Does not the warlord stand at the front when a battle is imminent?"

Yuder briefly explained, using the warlord in a strategy game as an example. However, upon hearing this, Kishiar threw a question about an unexpected aspect.

"I see. But have you ever learned the strategy game?"

"..."

Thinking about it, the strategy game, which absolutely required a game board and pieces, were hardly ever played by commoners who were busy making a living. Especially for a young man just turning twenty, it was more natural to focus on other things than such a game.

Yuder decided to answer shamelessly after a moment of silence.

'It's hardly ever played, not never.'

"I learned a little bit a long time ago."

It might seem strange for a man who lived alone for several years after living in the mountains with his grandfather to know such a high-class game, but what could be done about that? Nathan Zuckerman, who was standing behind Kishiar, gave him a very strange look, but Yuder responded with an impassive look.

"I didn't know that. You seem to know well, so let's play together next time."

"I'm afraid I may not be good enough to be your opponent, Commander."

"In that case, I'll teach you. I like teaching others anyway."

Indeed, it was even more so if the opponent was a smart student. Kishiar, chuckling softly to himself, seemed to enjoy the situation rather than harbor any doubts, much like his subordinates. Seeing this, Yuder was reminded of his past life.

It was Kishiar who first taught Yuder, who knew nothing, the art of the strategy game. When Yuder asked why he needed to know about the strategy game while working as a Commander, Kishiar had said that to understand and appropriately respond to the metaphors nobles often made about the strategy game, he needed to learn them without question.

There were other essential skills for nobles that Kishiar taught Yuder before he retired, but the moment felt strangely surreal, perhaps because Yuder had recently dreamed of Kishiar talking about the strategy game.

"..."

"We're done!"

At that moment, Alik loudly announced that all preparations were complete. Yuder watched as Alik broke a hard, black mass inside the pot into pieces the size of his palm and stepped forward.

"Let me help you."

"Thank you. Please place it next to the Red Stone. Even though I've made it this far, I'm a little afraid to get close to that stone. Haha."

Alik whispered, handing the black mass to Yuder.

"Place them here, here."

Thais Yulman, brimming with excitement, poured the black stones that Yuder brought into a large basket along with the stones he had made so far.

"We finally start now! Ah, I feel like my blood is boiling. Yuder, have you ever seen a magic tool being made?"

"I have only seen the completed tools, never the process of making one."

"That's true for everyone."

Thais, letting out a hearty laugh, stepped back a little from the magic circle and took his position.

"The method is simpler than you think. Starting now, my apprentice and I, and one Awakener, will work together. While the Awakener ensures that the power of the revealed Red Stone does not leak out from the box, we will gradually channel that power into the stone using magic."

"Is it possible to do it with magic alone?"

"Why else would we have drawn so many arrays? The tools placed around us aren't there for no reason. According to the formula, a unit of magic power capable of summoning a fire...."

After murmuring something incomprehensible, Thais commented on how tough it had been before getting back on topic.

"So, in theory, it is possible! The concern is that something unexpected may happen if the power leaks from the stone."

"In that case, leave the task of uncovering the box to me."

"Of course, that was the plan. Kanna praised you several times for being the most skilled Awakener in the Cavalry. If I can't trust you, who can I trust?"

Yuder quietly turned his gaze toward Kanna. Noticing Yuder's gaze, she looked back at him with an apprehensive look, her face full of questions.

"I will do my best."

"You should. You're far more ambitious than my timid apprentice. Haha."

"What did you say, Master?"

"Nothing. Stand beside me, no, a step forward. Yes, there, Alik."

Yuder took a deep breath and looked at the box containing the Red Stone.