More than two hundred magic stones were gathered after my [Orionids]. Not only did the impact directly kill the mermen, it also implicated many sea monsters. I am grateful that I flew high enough lest I will be drenched in water.
There are also many item drops from their corpses. All in all, everything should cost more than four to five million valis. That's how easy it is to gain money as a mage.
Then again, I now earn around ten to fifteen million valis every day with the magic sword sales. When I switched to high-end swords that could be used by level three and four, my earnings led to a sharp increase.
Thus, I have a considerable percentage of Orario's valis. Even if I buy high potions and materials now and then, it didn't make a huge dent.
"Having more money doesn't hurt." I mumbled as I picked them all up.
A while later, I started walking towards the exit of the twenty-seventh floor. I grasped the small dagger hidden beneath my sleeves.
On my other hand, I held a cylindrical container.
Click.
I dropped it and let it roll in a certain direction. Then—
Bang-!
A blinding light was set off by it.
"Ack..!"
"Keuk..?!"
I pulled out my gun. When I looked back, I saw several robed men kneeling on the floor.
"Combust Enhancement."
Click.
One of the twelve runes etched on its side glowed.
Bang-!
Bang-!
Bang-!
…
With one shot, I claimed a life. I didn't need to use two spells to kill all of them. After using up a magazine, everyone was dead.
After making sure there weren't any gazes left, I investigated the corpses.
"As expected…"
From the cursed daggers up to the Inferno Stones in their bodies, I am sure they are from Evilus.
I sensed many of their gazes from before but I lost them with my new speed. This ensured that Valletta wouldn't immediately come for me. I am allowing them to 'see' me, but that was it.
"Finally."
When I leveled up, I pushed the next agenda on my list—thwart Valletta's ambush. To that, I specifically asked for some people's help. Though, that required bait which I threw out just now.
"Fax Rendre." (Light That Gives.)
A pillar of flames rose from the ground. It scorched their bodies to crisp, turning them to dust. I couldn't let them be fed to the Demi-spirits and become annoying creatures later on.
"Recall."
Bright white light enveloped me. Immediately, I found myself somewhere on the twentieth floor. Upon seeing my location, I wore [Composite] and my disguise mask. I became invisible once again.
"This should work…"
*****
"What? They died? How useless..!"
Five minutes had passed since Nobu killed the Evilus members. When she heard that Nobu was sighted on the first floor, she made up her mind to deploy people and follow him. They didn't have any communication tools hence the long delay in reports.
Just as she was about to leave, she found out from Thanatos about the dead Evilus members who lost their connection with him.
"Just when that bastard showed himself..!"
She bit her thumb. The pain of being stabbed in the chest existed in her memories, turning it into her source of rage.
"I would love to see that despairing look!"
Her mood was slightly uplifted when she imagined how she would torture him.
"Ask them to remain on their stations. Since he showed himself now, he would continue entering the dungeon."
This came from her logical reasoning. Nobu didn't know he was about to be ambushed. If he came down to the dungeon again, that would be the time. He might expect some Evilus members, but he wouldn't expect the surprises Valletta had prepared.
Unless he has some kind of omniscience, he would fall into their trap.
"It'll be soon…"
*****
"Achi!"
"Teacher?"
"I'm fine. It's just the wind."
Looks like someone's thinking of me. If it's Valletta, heh. You will suffer your second death. That time, I swear I'll burn your corpse to ashes.
"Let's continue. Now that you've properly learned how to fight, all that's left is teaching you about magic."
"Magic?!"
Lili had a bright expression once she heard 'magic'.
"From here, promise me that you'll never reveal this to someone else."
"I-I promise!"
In the eighth iteration, Lili sought for me for over three years. That shows a lot about her character. Thus, she will receive this teaching after Ein and Filvis.
"Well then… Can you describe it based on our previous lessons?"
"U-uhm… Magic is the manipulation of mystical laws that goes against the physical laws. It…"
She restated the 'basic' knowledge I had taught her before. This is necessary even if we haven't delved deeper into casting spells.
"Alright. You did well memorizing them."
"I-it's not a big deal."
She looked slightly flustered and excited at the same time.
"Let me ask you something. What does come to your mind when you use your [Cinder Ella]?"
[Cinder Ella] is Lili's magic that allowed her to transform to her target. She could change her body through it, and in turn her anatomy. It is an interesting magic that changes both the ethereal body and physical body, increasing the duration of the said transformation.
"The appearance of my target and… being surrounded by white light."
"Good. In magic, that is what we call 'intent'. It is the purpose of your magic—the result you want to achieve. It is an important aspect when it comes to using magic."
"Yes…"
Wait a minute.
I seem to have overlooked something.
"The magic that I am about to teach you… You would be able to cast hundreds of different spells."
"Ah..?!"
"What I mean is that… It doesn't conform to the limitations of magic. It wouldn't appear in your falna, but you will be able to use them."
"What?!"
A moment later, she looked at me with a flustered look.
"Sorry, teacher! I-I got too surprised."
"It's alright. Everyone else would react the same way you did."
"Uhm… Teacher… Is this magic the same one you use?"
One of my reputations as Sirius is being able to use dozens of spells. I was placed in the same category as Lady Riveria and Lefiya-san. It is why I got the unofficial alias "Magister".
Ironically, that was the rank of the top magicians in my world. They are generally called as 'Great Scholars', but they are also dubbed 'Magisters'.
"That's right. You'll be learning it, but you have to promise one thing."
"Um?"
"Don't use them for evil."
"I will uphold it!"
"I'm glad to hear that."
The lesson began with numerology. It included the basics such as the meaning on each numbers, arithmetic, and so on. Lili couldn't properly learn advanced arithmetic before, which is why it is one of the focus now. Although, she wouldn't be able to use Kaballah right now.
It didn't take long for the lessons to finish.
"T-teacher!"
"What is it?"
"Can I treat you to breakfast later? Uhm… I earned money during my dives…"
After the Soma Familia fiasco, Lili began diving into the dungeon. With all the experiences she had through [Alice's Wonderland], it was enough to keep her out of danger.
Yes, she is barely average in most aspects, but a cheat that lets someone experience dangers first-hand could circumvent it. Plus, it's not as if she doesn't have any talents.
She has a sharp mind that allowed her to do correct judgements. It is, in fact, an important aspect for magicians.
"Is that so? I won't decline, then."
"Alright..!"
She cutely clenched her fist in a 'victorious' mood.
*****
After Lili's lesson, the next task is to visit Twilight Manor. After that, I'll grab my breakfast and go to Eina-san's lessons. What comes next is lunch and my long-awaited sleep.
Who's to blame with the stringent restriction on my skill? The excelia boost only worked at night, leaving me with no chance but to obliterate my previous sleep schedule. Fortunately, leveling up removed the negative effects of all-nighters.
"Sirius-san!"
"Good morning, Raul-san. I haven't seen you up this early."
Raul-san is a part of Loki Familia. He is one of the few people I interacted with since I started visiting. Surprisingly, he recognized me due to my "awesome performance" and became a 'fan'.
"Haha… I thought it's time to change. With your diligence, there's no wonder you could be that strong." He said.
Well… I bet he thought that I always wake up early. Surprise, surprise.
I don't sleep.
"Raul-san is training a spear, right?"
"Yes."
"Then, you could come to me if you encountered some problems. I know a bit about spears."
"W-wait a minute! I will just take your time. There's no need to help…"
"It doesn't bother me, really." I replied. "I'm already visiting here."
"Really… Thank you very much, Sirius-san!"
He did a deep bow to express his gratitude.
"There's no need to bow! It's just some advice."
After that, I proceeded to the usual training ground. I am earlier than the agreed time, so Aiz-san and Tiona-san must be preparing. However, what I didn't expect was that someone's waiting for me.
"Sirius!"
An ashen-haired werewolf stood with his arms crossed. His hostile glare made me remember about him. After the Goliath fight, he was someone who looked at me with a sharp gaze.
Bete Loga.
In the previous visits, I heard from Tiona-san how 'cocky' he is. Coupled with Raul-san's words, he is someone who looks down on weaklings. I could feel his arrogant gaze loom over me.
"Let's fight."
*****
Bete Loga is someone who looks down on the weak—rather, the concept of 'weak'.
The strong rule over the weak.
That was how the world came to be in his eyes. Weaklings never gets the chance of living a good life. That was how he lost everything years ago.
From the 'weak', he became the 'strong'. Since then, he never experienced the feeling of loss again. He only concerned himself with the strong so that they won't die all of a sudden.
As for the weak, he hurled "insults" in a daily basis. He gave sharp 'insults' to the weak who became complacent.
In the first place, Loki Familia is a top-rank familia. After the Great Feud four years ago, they never experienced drastic casualties.
(A/N: just a reminder, Great Feud the the events of Astraea Records seven years before the canon.)
That's why when he first saw Nobu facing off against Goliath, he was unimpressed. However, he changed his mind near the end. That chilling bloodlust he felt is shocking.
What's more, he later found out that Nobu was a level one when he fought.
A level one fighting a level four monster rex.
Who could've imagined something like this was possible?
Hence, Bete no longer viewed him as such. He knows how to respect the strong ones.
'That bloodlust…'
It was clear that Nobu overcame countless ordeals to have that.
"If I may ask, why would Loga-san be interested with a fight with me?"
"Just 'cause. I get that you're not afraid of it?"
"It's just a spar. Injuries could be treated by a single potion." Nobu smiled as he responded, "There are around ten minutes before the appointment begins. That should be enough?"
"Yeah."
There isn't any reason to reject it. He already fought Bete several times in the future and has a general grasp of his personality. It is better to 'accept' his challenge instead of him being a 'nuisance'. Moreover, he's also interested in Bete's strength as a Level five.
" You can use your armor or whatever." Bete said.
"There's no need."
"...If that's what you want."
Seeing that Nobu doesn't have any intentions to use his renown magic tools, he thought it would be a short fight—an unsatisfactory one. What he wanted to defeat is his full strength.
"Fidelis canis major…"
Ten seconds later, Nobu became [Sirius]. He now have the same look as him using [Mana Furnace]. His white canine ears trembled slightly as he felt a new surge of power.
With [Mana Furnace] available, he was able to modify [Sirius]. It is now akin to the semi-activation of [Mana Furnace], creating several dream organs and increasing his mana and physical strength. [Triple Robustness] is completely integrated to it.
In the first place, his intent in making [Sirius] is to experiment on [Mana Furnace]. Now that he could properly use it, he upgraded [Sirius] to such level.
As for the complete [Mana Furnace], he will leave it until he grasps why he loses control.
Hum.
A wave of pressure emanated from him. It is not as severe as his bloodlust, but it was enough to startle Bete.
Nobu took out [Fatal Void] (Twin Kukri Daggers) and wielded them in both hands.
As a response, Bete brandished his daggers. Both of their eyes met before the start of the battle was decided.
Unexpectedly, Nobu went for a direct clash. He lowered his stance as he flipped [Kukyo] into a reverse grip. Then, he ran at his direction. He aimed for Bete's arms but the latter anticipated it.
Clang-!
Bete's dagger parried [Kukyo] as it slid sideways. It forced Nobu to redirect his charge. Much to Bete's surprise, Nobu turned around and threw [Chimei] at him.
Clang-!
He easily parried it. [Chimei] landed itself in the soil not far away. Just as he was about to charge at Nobu, he sensed an incoming magic.
"Projectus. "(Projectile.)
Bang-!
A solidified ball of air was sent to his face. He barely avoided it with his Level five senses.
"Dividus Projectus." (Dispersed Projectiles)
A magic circle appeared on Nobu's back, launching seven more projectiles to him.
"Tsk..!"
Bete was forced to receive most of them with his body. He could only dodge the remaining few.
"How devious..!"
His curses was responded with Nobu's slash.
Cut-!
Despite stepping back, a line of blood was drawn to his arm.
'There's no doubt…'
The fight danced to Nobu's momentum. Nobu misled him with a [Projectile] before sending [Dispersed Projectile]. He took account of Bete's reaction speed with Aiz and Tiona as references which forced him to take damage.
Within a few seconds, he was able to give him a shallow wound.
From the moment Nobu leveled up to him unlocking [Mana Furnace], his previous limits were broken. He could better utilize the experiences he received from fighting against monstrous opponents.
'This guy is a monster.'