Chapter 15
"Never mind what we spoke of… what's interesting is this."
Robbin drew three magic circles on the ground, each glowing faintly with Atherion.
"Tell me… do you, by any chance, know these circles?" he asked.
Rowan shut off his enhanced vision, then leaned in for a closer look.
"Those are the three races' Atherion magic circles," he said. "The first one is the Beast Clan… the second, the Elves… and the third, the Dwarves. What about them?"
"Do you see any similar markings on them?" Robbin asked.
Rowan studied them carefully.
"…No. Nothing's the same."
Robbin erased two of the circles, leaving only the Beastmen's. Then he drew two more beside it.
"Now tell me… which do these belong to?"
Rowan narrowed his eyes.
"That's… the human and beast magic circles…" he paused.
"…Wait a minute…"
He leaned closer.
"These three… they share similarities with the human magic circle. At first, when we were taught about them, I didn't pay attention… but now it's clearer."
"That's right," Robbin said. "Beastmen, humans, and beasts are alike when it comes to using magic circles."
He paused.
"But the real question is… how can one manipulate another's Atherion magic in battle?"
Rowan's eyes widened.
"Wait… are you saying there are people who can manipulate other people's magic circles?"
"So far," Robbin replied, "history only speaks of one person capable of doing so. Though… 'manipulate' isn't entirely accurate."
"All he could do… was interfere. Nullify other magic circles."
Rowan leaned forward.
"But the legends say… he could do more."
"More like what?" Rowan asked, curiosity rising.
Robbin's eyes sharpened slightly.
"He could not only nullify them… but use them himself."
Silence filled the space.
"…Which made it easier for him to break them in the first place."
Rowan placed a hand on his chin.
"…To think a mortal could achieve something like that…"
"Fascinating indeed," Robbin muttered as he turned away. "Your task is simple. Train your body while using as little Atherion as possible—for an entire month."
He laid down.
"Rest. You begin tomorrow."
---
Rowan remained seated, staring at the magic circles drawn into the ground.
After a while, he reached into his bag and pulled out a small book—the one given to him by his former friend.
He carefully redrew the circles inside it, studying every detail before placing the book back.
Then, without another word—
He began training.
---
Morning came.
Robbin opened his eyes to the sight of Rowan already pushing himself.
"You look fired up… Morning, by the way."
"Yeah… I don't have time to waste. Celestia is waiting for me," Rowan said as he completed his seventieth push-up.
He stood up and grabbed a wooden cup, drinking water.
"And who's that?" Robbin asked, stretching his back.
"Oh… her? A friend of mine."
Rowan dropped the cup and immediately began mountain climbers.
"Or a lover…" Robbin added, stretching his paws.
Rowan let out a small laugh.
"Ha… even in a different life, I wouldn't be able to date her. She's way out of my league."
"I see…" Robbin muttered as he walked toward the exit. "I'll go hunt us a meal."
"Sure."
---
After a few hours of training, Rowan finally sat down, holding the book in his hands.
"So if these magic circles are similar…" he muttered, staring at the diagrams, "then I need to figure out how to combine them into one… without destroying my body."
He lifted his head.
"Focus."
Closing his eyes, he formed a human magic circle.
"…Done."
"Now… let's try fusing it with the Beastmen's."
He concentrated, slowly altering the structure—
Crack.
The circle shattered like glass.
"…Failed."
Rowan exhaled.
"Well… that was expected. Let's try again."
He repeated the process.
Again.
And again.
Each attempt ending the same way.
Finally, frustration took over.
"This is futile…" he muttered, slamming the book onto the ground. "Nothing works… it's like a code that refuses to be rewritten."
He ran a hand through his hair.
"Whoever that legend was… he really knew his stuff."
He stood up again.
"But that doesn't mean I'm going to quit."
And he resumed training.
---
Hours later, Robbin returned—carrying a large bag filled with items.
"I'm back… and it looks like you're still at it."
He set the bag down and began unpacking.
A pot.
Cups.
Spoons.
Knives.
Various tools.
Rowan stared.
"…Where did you even find all that?"
"That's none of your business," Robbin replied calmly as he took out herbs and raw ingredients.
"Whoa… herbs!? This is jackpot!" Rowan said, reaching out—
Smack.
Robbin slapped his hand away.
"No touching. Clean yourself first."
"Yeah, yeah… a beast with good hygiene," Rowan chuckled as he walked away. "Staying too long in a dungeon really changes you."
He washed himself again while Robbin began grinding herbs in a container.
"If you're trying to make a healing potion… you're doing it wrong," Rowan said while cleaning his face.
Robbin paused.
"…Is that so?"
"Yeah. Light the fire first. Add a small amount of water and let it boil. Then insert the green leaves—only for five minutes. After that, let them dry for at least an hour."
Rowan continued calmly.
"Use the water from the leaves. Pour it into a container, then add honey flowers while it cools. After that, grind the flowers while they're still wet and mix everything back together."
He sat down, flipping through his book.
"Then you can finish it with a basic alchemy technique."
Robbin stared at him.
"…Your method is far more complex."
"I know," Rowan replied casually. "That's what made me the best healing alchemist on campus."
He smirked slightly.
"Rowan… the great healing magician."
---
After an hour, Robbin finished.
He held up a clear bottle filled with liquid.
"…How do I know this works?"
"Not to sound cocky," Rowan said without looking up, "but none of my potions have ever failed."
He flipped a page.
"If we had better equipment, I could've made a high-grade one… but this will do."
He paused.
"Find a weak beast and test it."
Robbin froze.
"…On a beast?"
He stared at Rowan.
Potions were poison to beasts.
Yet Rowan spoke without hesitation.
Robbin turned and walked out silently.
---
Ten minutes later—
"ROWAN!!"
He burst back in.
Then stopped.
Rowan hadn't moved.
Still sitting there.
Still studying the book.
"…You haven't moved," Robbin said, clearing his throat.
"Yeah," Rowan replied calmly as he stood up. "I was waiting for you to come back like that."
He smirked.
"It's shocking, right? A potion… healing a beast."
He stepped forward slightly.
"Now imagine how effective it would be on a human."
Robbin stood there, a drop of sweat sliding down his rabbit face.
Just who… in the world is he…?