Zane knew sulking about the curse taking away most of his mana his entire life wouldn't do anything to him. If anything, it would only make him mentally weaker. Yeah, I know. It's exaggerating, but this is simply a lesson Zane had learned throughout his entire life.
Although he was really mad, it's not like he could do anything to Velrath. He was a ghost, so he can't really physically hurt him, and even if he wasn't a ghost, he doubted he would even be able to touch him. That makes him even more mad.
Knowing this, he chose to focus more on the most important part. He was now released from the curse. Although it was already late at night, he still decided to train the 5 basic barrier spells from the Thaleward family.
Since he was in the Ironviel castle, which nurtures the low-potential individuals, he only had to perform 5 basic barrier spells. Well, easy as it sounds, it's actually a lot harder than what people think. Because the barrier spells from the Thaleward family aren't just something simple. The basic barrier spells could even be considered an advance spell to others. That's how strong the barrier spells of the Thaleward family are.
Zane could only imagine how hard the trials are for the high-ranked potentialists. Thinking about it kind of makes him even more pathetic to think that only he remained on the Ironveil castle, which had the easiest trials.
That's why he had no time to waste; this time was already an opportunity. Sacrificing some of his sleep wouldn't really kill him anyway.
Zane Sighed. He wanted to cast the barrier spell he had cast earlier in the academy. That barrier spell had actually been the only one he had been so far the best at. Because it consumes less of his mana, unlike the other barrier magic spell in their clan.
This barrier magic spell is called 'Aegis Citadel.' This barrier is a semi-transparent, hexagonal barrier. What makes this barrier spell especially interesting is that it can regenerate itself automatically as long as you don't run out of mana.
Zane was actually capable of performing this magic spell; it's just that he lacks the mana to do so.
'Alright, I'll do this.'
Despite Zane still being mentally hurt, he decided to persevere himself. Slowly, he stood up. Looking down on the magic formula (book). Magic formulas are basically a process or a step-by-step of a magic spell. In the Magic Formula, there were 5 different types of barrier magic from the Thaleward family.
He was going to cast the one he had performed earlier. The spell that made his nose and eyes bleed.
Zane slowly looked in front of him; he then raised his hand. This time he didn't use his magic wand since he lost it somehow. But it won't really do much since the magic wand simply improves your mana control and makes your magic slightly powerful.
Zane started to cast the spell. Slowly, semi-transparent hexagonal barriers started appearing in front of him. This time, however, the hexagonals weren't on the same size of his hands anymore. It was a lot larger and thicker.
Zane's eyes widened, then slowly a smile appeared on his lips. A genuine smile. Then, before he knew it, tears started dripping down his eyes. He was just too happy; he was so glad. So much. His entire life, he was judged for being weak—so weak to the point he couldn't cast a single spell that belongs to his family.
Zane was actually soft in nature. He was emotional and kind in nature; that's who he truly was. He simply forced himself to become tougher. Even though others are unkind to him, he remains kind to others. Even though others don't care about him, he remains caring to others. Although he was kind of selfish, who could blame him? After all, his entire life, nobody cared about him.
Zane simply couldn't help himself anymore. He had endured so much...
In front of Zane was a completed Aegis Citadel barrier. He had finally done it. He had fully learned a barrier magic from his family.
Velrath was looking at him, not so surprised. When he took possession of his body earlier, he saw all the stuff he went through. He couldn't really deny it himself. He truly was guilty. He also felt kind of bad; he knew that no amount of value could replace all the sufferings he went through all those years ago.
'Damn it... If it weren't for that damn bastard, I have to kill. Hell, I wouldn't have gone so far as to place a curse on a clan just to unseal myself."
Zane then cancelled the barrier spell. Since he had fully learned it, he can now proceed to the 4 other barrier spells on the magic formula. But he hesitated, since learning all of this all on his own wouldn't be easy. Especially since being on Ironviel his entire life had effected his brain a lot. Maybe if he was on the higher-ranked castle, his learning capabilities would be a lot better. But currently, he can't say for sure if he is capable of learning all of it the rest of the night.
Well, I mean, he could still learn the rest tomorrow; there was no need to rush. But thinking about how behind he was to others, he simply had to. He had wasted so much time already, simply because he didn't have enough mana capacity. If he wanted to catch up to others, he had to learn all these basic barrier spells and pass the trial to move the main house of the Thailward family.
Learning all of this on his own in 1 night will definitely be impossible. However, not if he had someone to teach it to him. But who? After all, the Thaleward clan's magic formula is only accessible to those Thalewards as well.
Zane sighed; maybe he should take it slow after all.
"Hmm... this sure brings back memories. Aegis Veil, Umbra Ward, Aegis Citadel, Arcane Reflex, and Echo Wall. Aren't these the simpliest barrier spells in the Thaleward clan?"
Zane, who was in deep thought, was surprised. Thinking it was a ghost... Well, it was a ghost. He jumped back a little. He stared at Velrath, who was looking at the magic formula on the ground. Velrath was reading the magic formula that Zane was using.
"Demons sure have no shame, huh."
Velrath's eyes shifted to Zane; he then spoke in a casual tone.
"What? I'm thinking of making it up to you, although I know nothing will ever replace all the stuff you've experienced. Still, as a former demon king, I still have my pride, and I would like to make it up somehow."
Zane was a little bit surprised. Is this really the demon king who once fought a war against the humans? It was hard to believe.
Zane paused for a while before answering.
"And how are you even going to do that?"
Velrath, who was still reading the magic formula, said in a casual tone.
"You looked like you were having a hard time learning it; if you want, I can help you learn all this in one night."
Zane's eyes widened, he then said.
"Wait, seriously?"
Although he hasn't forgave Velrath, this wasn't a bad deal. In fact, it was a good deal. Well, it's not like he was actually planning on forgiving Velrath for the rest of his life. Zane wondered if he was gonna use some kind of magic that could boost ones intelligent.
"Do you have a magic that could help me learn all of it in one night perhaps?"
Velrath looked towards Zane, then said.
"Of course not; most of my magics are all about destroying. I am going to teach you, idiot."
"..."
Zane stared at Velrath blankly, then said.
"W-wait, how is that even possible? Only Thalewards have access to the magic formula on the Thalewards magic barrier."
Velrath smirked, then said.
"Oh, well. Your grandfather personally taught me all of these back then. He even taught me one of the advance spells of the Thaleward family."
Zane was even more surprised; he could hardly say anything.
"Wait, hold on. Knowing you, you could just be messing around. I need you to prove it to me first!"