To put Maria's jealousy at ease, Mathilda promised the red-haired girl a full-scholarship in the Vrabia Empire's Imperial Magic Academy and it's also serve as a mean to bring Maria away from the baron's reach.
"For real?!" Maria skips on her toes.
"Of course!"
"Yayy!" Maria jumped from her chair.
Maria knew little about Mathilda's origins since the black witch lady never mentioned her hereditary at all, she only hinted a series of clues that suggested that she came from a renowned noble clan in the Vrabia Empire, the neighboring empire just south of Slonia Empire.
Maria complained by just how far the Vrabia Empire was. It would took her a whole year just to get there. However, it would worth the journey since Vrabia Empire situated in Midland Continent where Fire Elemental was available all year long so her Flame Heart could fully bloomed and away from Baron Roger's reach.
"My decision is final. My men should reach this village by tomorrow and you'll head to Vrabia Empire's Imperial Academy at once."
"I understand. Thank you for your help, Lady Mathilda." Maria said, bowing deeply.
Thus, Mathilda clapped her hands, concluding the conversation. "Now, let's go to the dungeon, I can't wait to see the loots!"
Maria stood in the porch while seeing them off. "Come back before dawn! Don't late for breakfast!"
"Of course, reverend mother." Mathilda said in half sardonic tone.
Though Maria was so strict about meal time and schedules, and many miscellaneous things, Darius really appreciate her effort in ensuring him in a good shape and well-fed all the time.
"Rejoice, my boy. Your future wife really loves you." Mathilda teased him playfully.
Darius grumbled, but he didn't dare to snap back at her. He didn't mutter a word as he walked in front of her.
'Yep. He's angry.' Mathilda murmured.
Finally, Mathilda softly spoke to him to break the ice. "How far have you advanced in magic?"
Darius sighed a long breath, though reluctant, he finally opened his mouth.
INFERNIO!
Darius opted to cast the [Infernio] before her very eyes instead of telling her so she could measure the full extent of his power.
As it landed on a huge boulder, it exploded from inside out into millions of small pebbles.
"About this much, I guess? Hmm, with my current physical limitations, I could ramp up the velocity and the destructive force up to 200 meters. Once I hit Rank 2 Mage, the maximum range and destructive force would be multiplied by 200 percent."
Mathilda's mouth was agape, both terrified and amazed. She never saw this kind of Infernio before. The general knowledge of Infernio was shooting a huge fire ball to cover a large Area of Effect since that what was written in the original tome.
Darius' Infernio, meanwhile, was the complete opposite. His Infernio was a lot smaller only as big as a pine cone, yet carries twice the destructive force since the spell was condensed into one single fiery bullet that could pierce through anything.
"D-Darius, where do you learn to do that? This is completely different than Infernio that had been written in the tome."
"I self-taught myself."
"You must be joking."
"I am not."
"How?"
"Magic is world of visualization. Why stick to the old ways when you could create a new groundbreaking spell with your thoughts?"
There was no arrogance in his voice. He said it as natural as breathing air whilst maintaining his usual stoic face.
'This kid is a monster!' Mathilda thought.
Creating a spell was not as easy as turning a hand. It involves years of research and countless resources to perfect a spell.
Darius, however, he could enhance, manipulate or even creating a brand new spell with Magical AI woman's help, Alexa. As long as he understands the principle of one spell, he has the freedom to make it his.
"We are here." Darius said. As he clicked his forefingers, the bio-luminescent mosh on the cave's walls emanates the bluish light.
Two humongous stone doors appeared in their sights, inviting them to enter the dungeon by pulling their Arcane Energy.
Mathilda tip-toed on her feet, like a little girl in front of a candy shop.
"Come on, open the door, hurry!"
Darius nodded, "Let's go."
As if it was cued by the dungeon, the massive double stone doors were wide open, a colorful portal appeared on the other side.
Fearless, Darius stepped into the portal without a second thought and Mathilda followed behind him.
After what seemed like an eternity inside the colorful portal, an arc of light was visible at the end of the tunnel. Once they stepped out, both Darius and Mathilda were speechless upon finding themselves amidst a goblin tribe's party.
This was not a usual party, but a "planting seeds" party where a white-haired young woman was strapped onto the stone altar. She screamed, pleading for her life as her chastity was about to be taken by the ugly green monster.
A streak of hope flashed before her eyes when two strong individuals stepped out from the portal.
"Help me..." The young woman whispers under her breath.
The scene made Darius utterly dumbfounded, he couldn't believe what he just stepped into.
"Why there's a human here? This place should have to be an uncharted place, right?"
Darius gave "Don't ask me," look to Mathilda. As far as he concerned, he need to save the woman on the altar and ask her about the truth of this dungeon.
Meanwhile, the biggest, meanest looking goblin who wore nothing but a piece of cloth between its legs noticed their arrival.
The Goblin King roared to the top of its lungs, angered by the uninvited guests.
It was very terrifying indeed. However, Darius was undaunted even in the slightest bit. He could tell that the Goblin King was equivalent to Arcana Fusion Rank 1 Mage and yet his golden eyes were so serene.
"Shall I kill these wretch?" Mathilda asked, her wand turned into one massive scythe in just a whim.
"No, he is mine."