Chapter 17

Wise Summer Vacation (3)

He felt a unique sensation of collapse as he successfully activated the magic. It was the sensation of the ether slipping out. Once he had succeeded once, it was easy to do so a second time. Rather, after shouting the mantra four times in a row, his embarrassment dulled. After the fourth time, he felt like his ether had entirely run out. With the conviction that he would run from school after he finished packing, he ignored his dizziness and tried to execute the magic once more.

Promise sent him a warning.

[-Your remaining amount of ether is insufficient.]

Dizziness struck him as the message lit his eyes. Even the textbook he had read said to avoid ether depletion as much as possible. Behemoth had laughed and said that people wouldn't die even if they wiped out their ether once or twice.

'It's a bit severe, though.'

The insides of his head felt numb and dull, and he couldn't hear anything. His vision blurred, and he felt like he might fall, so he sat down slowly. How many minutes had passed before more golden letters came through his mind?

[-The total amount of ether has increased.]

[-You have reached ether level 3.]

[-Magic slots have increased to 3.]

"...What, I was able to reach level 3 with just this? I just got rid of some rolls of paper."

Besides, he still felt exhausted, and his head ached.

'Congratulations on leveling up; I guess there's no benefit to it.'

His level had risen, but he still couldn't spread out a circle or ether. It continued to circulate through him as he sat down. After thirty minutes, he had barely enough to use the magic once more.

'Shall I take a look at the level 3 circle?!'

Kleio developed his circle again.

'Wow.'

The circle was significantly wider than before, looking at least five meters in diameter. Kleio could cover the remaining books with some space left over. Standing alone in the middle of that quiet golden circle, he felt thrilled at the beautiful sight of it.

'Well, now... I really feel like I am a wizard.'

He had to shout the mantra with his hoarse voice, but the formula worked well. It completely got rid of the last remaining trash. At the same time, his circle went off, and his head began to spin. Kleio barely managed to lie down before he collapsed. He had heard that the magic power consumption was similar even when the circle increased, but why was it so difficult? Perhaps it was because of his continuous use of magic.

'Or, as Zebedee said, is it because my magic is stronger?'

After the final exam, Zebedee had called Kleio over to do some experiments, pushing him on with enough force that he worried Zebedee might start firing beams from his eyes.

'All the magic formulas I trigger have almost twice the normal power.'

Because of that, even the general [Wind] magic gave off a typhoon-like power.

'Rather, he said it would be possible to fine-tune that power by raising the level more. But, do I need to level up here?'

He had no intention of using magic once he left school. He had even heard that wizards or swordsmen of level 3 or higher had to report their residence to the government. He didn't want to live so tied up. His headache began to subside as he lay on his stomach, and soon, his heart rate returned to normal. After some time had passed, Kleio slowly lifted his face out of the dust and began to move his body slowly as he laughed. He had a smile that came from his heart.

"I'm not coming back. I'm free from this school! Ahahaha."

The warehouse was now completely empty. Kleio staggered outside the warehouse, carefully locking the door behind him. When the magical light flashed out as the door closed, the warehouse was engulfed in darkness.

Time went on for a while before a corner of the darkness shook, and a figure arose from the rafters. It was from Arthur. He had been hiding under the roof of the library warehouse. Schools were generally safe. But on days when there were many outsiders, like on vacation, there was a high probability of an assassin slipping in. He had been hiding so that no other students would be involved. But in the midst of that, he had seen that magic by chance.

'I've never seen such a thing.'

It was uncommon for a 2nd or 3rd level wizard, but it wasn't unheard of. However, being a 3rd level wizard at the age of seventeen was a different story. Even Zebedee had been eighteen by the time he reached level 3. Besides, no matter how high-leveled they were, few could complete the same magic five times in a row successfully. People's memories weren't a complete storage medium, so even if you had mastered the magical formula, you would make a mistake if your concentration was low.

'But how can Kleio Asel use magic in that way?'

It was an ability that surpassed the magic Arthur knew well. For Arthur, who didn't know Promise's existence, Kleio could only be judged as a phenomenal genius. Still, in the deep darkness, the prince's eyes grew ever darker.

.

.

.

Golden words suddenly emerged in front of Kleio's eyes as he slowly returned to his dorm.

[-User's narrative involvement has increased.]

'What? Why? I haven't even met Arthur today. Is this an error?'

However, his desire to lie down was greater than his desire to solve that mystery. As soon as Kleio made it to his room, he fell asleep in bed.

***

The next morning, with meager luggage in hand, Kleio struggled with his free hand to hold Behemoth as he boarded the wagon sent by Dione.

"Weren't you a territorial animal? What came over you? Can you even leave school?"

"Meooow (The whole capital is my territory; I just didn't feel the need to leave)."

"I understand, so please lower your voice."

"Meoooow (I can't spend a vacation without any meals!)."

"Okay..."

He left the school and crossed the river to a small but well-maintained mansion at the corner of Don Street along the King's Park. They passed by many parks as they crossed through the city past the private forest around the school. Soon, their wagon stopped in front of the building past the front gates and the garden.

"You're here, young master!"

Wearing a straw hat and a light muslin dress, Dione waved to him as she stood in front of a line of servants and maids. Upon disembarking the carriage, a middle-aged woman walked behind Dione to meet him. He had heard that Canton originally worked in Kolpos for 40 years.

"Hello, young master. I am the maid, Canton."

"How are you, Mrs. Canton?"

Concealing his emotions under a socialite's smile, Kleio responded smoothly. Then the maid, who looked to be good of heart, started to blush a bit around her eyes. It was a pattern he had grown used to now.

"I heard about the accident. Still, you must've enjoyed staying at school. You seem healthier!"

"Yes, yes... It was thanks to my good classmates and teachers."

"This is the first time you've greeted me like this. Right, I'm so happy."

"Before that..."

The awkward display of emotion ended as Dione's voice cut in as she noticed Behemoth following Kleio.

"By the way, that cat. Is this cat your pet?"

"Meoow (He's just my disciple who prepares my meals)."

"Something like that. His name is Behemoth."

"Something like that? Ah, but Behemoth really seems to like people. So cute!"

"Meeeow-."

While Dione greeted Behemoth, the maid informed him of their surroundings. She informed him that when Kleio went to the capital for education, she had come along to renovate this old mansion.

'They prepared a mansion and servants for one child? There seems to be another reason...'

But there was no time to continue that thought, as he was dragged by Dione and Canton to look inside the mansion. Canton seemed proud of what she had done so far, so he had to respond sincerely. Of course, they were impressive achievements. The seven bedrooms, dining room with a 24-person dining table, and the living room were all dust-free. The spacious hall floors and stairs, and even all the chandeliers and mirrors, shone. While looking around the house, Behemoth, who had been quietly following, struck Kleio with his tail.

"Meooow (If you have seen it all, please show me the cellar. It smells like there is wine in the basement)."

'Ha, what an alcoholic cat.'

"Mrs. Canton, if it's okay, might I see the cellar?"

"Yes, young master. Here it is. The stairs have also been cleaned."

Canton turned on a gasp lamp and guided Kleio through the basement behind the kitchen. Upon seeing the stairs, Dione said she would remain in the kitchen. It was a deep and cool cave-like cellar. The cat, whose eyes were sharper than a human, jumped into the basement before the two could and meowed loudly.

"Meeeeeooooow! (It's criminal to leave this good of a cellar empty!)"

Canton, who couldn't understand the cat, spoke up with regret.

"Unfortunately, it is empty now. The mansion has been refurbished, and a message has been sent to the wine wholesaler. Your order will arrive soon."

"Meoow (I was betrayed. How can I wait?)."

"Okay, let's go find what I talked about before instead."

"Meoow- meow- (Yes, take care of it)."

Canton happily smiled as she watched Kleio be run over by the cat.

"You seem to understand what that cat is saying."

"We've been together so much..."

.

.

.

The suffering of his day didn't end easily. Dione immediately dragged Kleio out while saying he had to have matching clothes. The wagon had gone back the way it had come, and before they went to the tailor, he first stopped by the liquor store. Two bottles of the 1875 Bishop's Tower had arrived. With the box in hand, the cat was excitedly swishing his tail.

"Meoooooow! (This is it! Ah, this is it!)"

"Behemoth, calm down."

"Meeow (Is it true?!)."

"Wow, the young master's cat is so lively."

"...Lively... Yes, it seems like the cat steals my energy to be so energetic."

"Ahaha, you seem like you're having fun, young master."

After leaving the liquor store, they entered a street lined with luxury shops. While they moved, Dione produced a piece of jerky from a small pouch and handed it over to Behemoth.

"Cute cat, please wait in the carriage now. It'll take a while, so I'll give you a snack."

The obese cat grabbed it and shook his tail while Dione was clearly thinking, 'Oh my god, its tail is so cute.'

"How long will it take?"

Dione, her face stiffened now that the cat was gone, turned to him with determination.

"Be prepared to lose your entire schedule this afternoon. Looking at it, you don't even have a single suit to wear. I, Dione, am determined."

'What the hell are you trying to buy, and how much will it cost...'

He felt goosebumps on the back of his neck.