In the blink of an eye, two days have passed since Mikhail has left Katonia City and was headed to the Helios Empire’s Imperial Capital.

During these two days, Mikhail didn't lazily sit inside his carriage while enjoying the trip. Instead, he spent most of his time meditating to increase his mana as well as absorbing numerous high-grade Mana Stones he had stolen from Count Bertrand’s mansion.

He wanted to reach the 4th Circle Mage as soon as possible. Even before he had taken over this body, Vandal was already very close to breaking through the 4th Circle Mage. As such, Mikhail wanted to take this opportunity to reach it.

Just like there was a major difference in power between a 3-Star Aura Knight and 4-Star Aura Knight, there was also a major difference in power between a 3rd Circle Mage and a 4th Circle Mage.

Furthermore, it was also much more difficult for 3rd Circle Mage to reach the 4th Circle Mage than a 3-Star Aura Knight to break through the 4-Star Aura Knight.

Unlike the practice of Aura that was heavily focused on the enhancement and refinement of the physical body, Magic was a field of study that was greatly connected to the mind and the soul.

If Aura was like an acquired physical ability then a Mage’s mana was like a congenital and mental-based ability. Also, one needed to have a certain level of soul power to become a Mage.

Moreover, contrary to an Aura Knight, for a mage to break through the next level, not only he must meet the minimum required mana, his soul power, and mental state must also meet the requirement to move to the next level.

Not only that, but the mage also needed to create a ring of mana or magic circle around the hearts for each breakthrough which was extremely dangerous as any mishap could cause their hearts to shatter into pieces.

The path of a mage was much more dangerous and arduous than that of an Aura Knight which was why they were greatly outnumbered by them.

However, unlike those regular mages, Mikhail didn’t have to worry about all those hardships and complications due to the unknown system within his mind.

[Mana Stat Has Permanently Increased By 0.1]

[Mana Stat Has Permanently Increased By 0.1]

[Mana Stat Has Permanently Increased By 0.1]

[Mana Stat Has Permanently Increased By 0.1]

[Mana Stat Has Permanently Increased By 0.1]

[Mana Stat Has Permanently Increased By 0.1]

[Mana Stat Has Permanently Increased By 0.1]

[Congratulations! You have successfully met the minimum requirements of mana and enlightenment to reach the 4th Circle Mage]

[One additional Magic Circle has been created]

[You have now become a 4th Circle Mage]

[You are now able to learn and freely use 4th Circle Magic Spells]

“I’ve finally reached the 4th Circle Mage.”Said Mikhail with a slight smile on his face as he opened his eyes.

At the same time, he could also feel the 4th Ring of mana around his heart and his body was brimming with mana. The amount of mana within his body has now exponentially increased after reaching the 4th Circle.

“It seems like the system will automatically create the ring of mana around my heart once I meet the required amount of mana to move up the next level.”

“This is really cheating. I even feel sorry for those hard-working mages.” Mikhail said as he shook his head and recalling how many genius mages have died in the process of creating the mana circle around their hearts while trying to reach the next level despite their preparations.

“Ohh well, Better them than me.” He added with an egocentric expression on his face.

Finished saying that, he went on to check the changes in his status window.

[Name: Vandal Alexi Hyperion]

[Race: Human]

[Title: 13th prince of the Helios Empire, The 7 Demon Gods’ Successor]

[Job: 7-Stars Aura Knight, 4th Circle Mage]

[Strength: 910]

[Dexterity: 940]

[ Stamina: 959]

[Mana: 800]

[Aura:1420]

“That’s double the amount of mana I had when I was a 3rd Circle Mage,” Mikhail said in astonishment as he was looking at the amount of mana in the status window panel.

The higher one realm was, the greater the quantity of mana energy required for the next stage; furthermore, it increased multiple times. That was even more true for Mikhail.

The amount of mana he needed to go from the 3rd Circle Mage to the 4th Circle was practically the total sum of mana he needed for the 1st Circle to the 3rd Circle. Yet, such an immense amount of mana would continue to double and even triple as he grew stronger.

One could already imagine how many mana stones he’d need for each breakthrough because if he were not to use any shortcut and just meditating, it would take him a long time before he could absorb that amount of mana by himself.

“I hope the nobles in the Imperial Capital are a lot wealthier than Count Bertrand.” Uttered Mikhail with a devious smile on his face.

Robbing those stinky nobles was like killing two birds with one stone. Not only he would be able to increase the progress bar of the Demon God Avaritia Unique Skill’s Plunderer, but he would also gain a ton of mana stones to train for a while.

As Mikhail was still lost in thought and thinking about ways to rob the nobles in the Imperial Capital, the respectful voice of the Imperial Knights’ leader suddenly rang out within his ears.”Your Highness, we have arrived in Paradisum, the Imperial Capital.”

Hearing the Imperial Knight’s words, Mikhail was suddenly jolted awake. He then tilted his head by the window of the carriage to take a look.

In the next moment, Mikhail’s mind went blank as he stared at the grand sight ahead of him---the majestic and domineering city gates and the colossal walls.

Katonia City, Greenvale City, and all the other major cities he had seen along the way while traveling through the Helios Empire were nothing compared to the City gates ahead of him. It was similar to comparing a small mud-brick house seated next to a palace.

The walls of Helios Empire’s Imperial Capital boasted a height of over several hundred meters tall!

“So, this is Paradisum, the Imperial Capital of the Helios Empire, ” Mikhail mumbled with an astounded expression on his face.