V2 Chapter 175

The gentle wind blew softly against Cian’s ash-gray hair as he sat quietly in the meditative posture on the ground, his eyes shut.

“Rumble…”

Cian could sense the very fluctuation of Magic Energy around him. Suddenly, electric sparks crackled, and his skin started shining dimly. The smell of burning air spread out and the plasma sparks looked like living snakes as it danced and hover around him.

His lips curved into a faint smile. He truly enjoyed the sensation of training his magic. Each time he gained new insight on magic elements and each time he made a breakthrough, he felt his spirit be uplifted and be transformed!

It's as if, for him, this was a very emotional event that made his heart tremble each time. For someone who abhorred boredom, the pleasure and satisfaction brought to him by magic was something greater than to most people.

"It seems like, I was now able to use lightning magic smoothly than before,"

Cian opened his hand, and immediately after lightning sparks crackled around. Even without chanting magic spells or using catalysts like magic wands or staffs, as most mages do, it's as if he can now better use magic compared to before. Perhaps this is because of the enhancement made by the Heavenly Demon Fox on his body, but his magical power had risen to new heights, helping him to break through the middle-tier of the Intermediate Stage of the Magic System. And even the control of his magic power was better than before.

In the first place, as a Demon, he was already an innate Magic Creature blessed with magic. Hence, despite being considered talentless by most demons, he could still be seen as a genius compared to humans. Using and controlling magic power can be said to be second nature to him. However, Aanuel is just too talentless, or perhaps, rather stupid, as even with this amount of potential in his body, his ability in magic is still trash. Well, it can also be blamed, however, to his rather, stupid and depraved lifestyle.

Fortunately, Cian didn't inherit such weakness. Though, his body had pulled him down.

At first, there seemed to be a limitation—hence he can only use magic through chanting or fixed spells like the ones taught to him by Grea Ovsburn. Because of that, his Lightning magic, a Variant Element which was quite rare in the world, had been set aside. He was unable to control it and make it manifest as he wills it. No one was also capable of coaching him as well. Grea was a dual Dark and Death Mage, not lightning.

Even though he, as a Transmigrator, should have been quite a genius in controlling magic just like those in novels—but it seems like he was still plagued by Aanuel’s incompetence in magic. Albeit, able to lessen its curse due to his soul power. But not as comparable to his classmates, whose prowess in magic had spread throughout the continent, even reaching the Demon Empire.

But now, with the Heavenly Demon Fox enhancement, several limitations seemed to have been lifted from his body and his control of his magic power become better than before.

Transmigrators like him have a better grasp of magic than anyone in the world. That’s what Cian always believes, and his assumptions have been confirmed at this moment. Imagination is the basis of Magic. Magic is where you use mana and create an image to cause a phenomenon. However, in the current era, that’s already been forgotten.

Magic is the process of materializing what you have drawn inside your head—that is the real truth behind the magic in this world. Chanting spells and such, just like how other common mages do it, is actually not that necessary. However, due to this world custom, it was passed down from generation to generation.

Of course, it’s not that as if this kind of practice is wrong.

Chanting spells is a sure way to solidify the image and focus your magic power more. For the people of this world, with limited imagination, and world knowledge, it's something they needed to manifest their imagination. However, for best mages, instant casting is normal. After all, it was a common belief that mages are equivalent to scholars. And they busied their selves with researching the truth of the world. Thus, having more grasp in worldly knowledge.

Through his own studies and the teaching of Grea Obsburn and his Sister Oriel, Cian realized that Magic in this world became a stereotype type thing—all knowledge about magic was passed down from the ancients and is being barely changed throughout the course of history.

Such as chanting words to create a magic spell to solidify the image the mage wanted to manifest. There might be people who had managed to come up with other courses of the magic path but most keep it themselves as to not let other mages gain upper hand against them—they call it their own research.

Well, kinda selfish but that’s how the world goes…so no one can really blame them. There are also those who wanted to keep the magic ways as it is, to keep the custom and tradition that is hailed from a long line of history. Veering from that path would be labeled as heretics. Hence, the path of magic became a concrete road to follow. Like following the footsteps and be unable to think outside of the common practice. The Magic in this world becomes a fixed pattern.

Of course, chanting magic through one’s imagination is not an easy matter. If not, many people would have become great Magisters. Cian concluded after his studies and research that, using magic is better when you have better control over your own magic power. If it’s possible, it’s doable. If there’s talent, it’s doable. It’s a type of ‘Don’t think, feel, where it will happen’ you don’t need to memorize or study things in a textbook manner. You feel it, and you willed it—just a simple process. It’s just like pointing your hands to the ground and commanding it to move.

Therefore, when Cian realized his better control and perception in magic due to the merging of the Heavenly Demon Fox, who was once a Demi-God being, his Magic Path diverged from the usual road he was traversing. Unlike what he was taught, Cian felt the sensation basing off his knowledge on the fantasy literature back on Earth, with a twist of science. And, for better or for worse, he was able to use Lightning or Fire Magic unlike never before.

Why? Extremely simple. He was able to perfectly use magic without a problem because he completely understands the reasoning behind every magic technique he uses. Mages in this world, based their magic and imagination by observing the manifestation of elements, using only their primary senses. The appearance of fire they see, the temperature of fire they felt, the destructive nature of the fire they had witnessed—that was all there is to it.

Even if the image of fire can be imagined, does it explain why it burns?

Thus, despite being able to cast fire magic, the outcome would turn into a weaker version of fire—and that’s where basic fire magic became; Fireballs, Flare, Torch, and such—

Therefore, if imaging the image of fire from the act of burning firewood, it seems to greatly increase the strength. Of course, the same outcome can be done by pouring more magic power on the magic spell or raising its proficiency by using it always—those that they call the intermediate spells or the second stage, or order of magic. However, such a process is too much and time-consuming—completely different from how Cian does it by imagining the process of it.

This is one of the reasons why Transmigrators was best in Magic. Because they use magic depending on their greater understanding of World elements until the Quantum level—which they call {Science}.

The people in this world didn’t have such knowledge, after all, they are greatly reliant in magic power and all they know was that all things are related to magic power and the existing elements of the world; such as Fire, Air, Water, and Earth. One can even say they were ignorant or narrow-minded, not being able to think outside the box. Their imagination was too pitiful, that compared to Transmigrators, it was heaven and earth apart--a Genius and an idiot.

This lack of knowledge completely affects their usage of magic.

Mages in this world had a hard time coming up with an image for magic techniques, that they even needed chanting words to solidify the image in their mind. But Transmigrators are different, they brought with them countless, various ideas and colorful imaginations that are like the sky, free and vast. Able to think incomprehensible ideas and images to fuel their magic powers.

It has a lot of freedom so even Cian have a lot of fun with it because he can materialize magic with ease and with much more accuracy—

And so, even though Cian was using basic spells such as fireballs, Lightning Clad, and such basic elemental spells, their might were completely different and far above from the same magic—almost rivaling that of higher-level magicians.

“With each new insight, I have a different sensation.”

Cian opened his eyes, a smile coming unbidden to his face. He then sighed with amazement to himself, “Even the Lightning Elemental Magic contains such immeasurably deep and abstruse secrets. Even my own understanding of the laws of the world through my knowledge from Earth, they still seemed insufficient. How vast and boundless are the Laws of the World, then?”

No wonder it was so hard to become a Demi-God, and beyond.

… …

When Cian’s eyes opened, they flashed like lightning.

Amadea who was watching him meditate from afar raised her head with a smile. It seems like whatever he was doing was successful. She could sense at a single glance Cian’s astonishing presence that was not there before. This was a sort of spiritual pressure.

When experts trained to a certain level, their spirit and their soul would both transform. High-level powerhouse, even if their clothes were tattered, would generally seem much nobler than most nobles.

“The wind feels good…another nice weather today,”

Cian stretched his hand towards the blue sky, his fingers blocking part of his vision, while the pleasant sunlight poured through the fingers’ gaps. He felt like he was seeing a colorful flare as the dazzling light entered his eyes. His eyes squinted, the light dazzled his eyes.

It has been three days since Cian had arrived in the Black Lands.

During this time, Sibylla had been telling him to return, in which Cian refused for the time being. They are just too many things that interested him in this place; interesting things that made his heart beat wildly in excitement. With an annoyed expression, Sibylla had no way to get him back, since, in the first place, she doesn’t know where he was. He was not telling her anything, and this made her somewhat irritated. Furthermore, the Winter Mountain’s situation had been escalating, worsening each day.

There were even rumors that this had been the work of the Demon Race, which of course, a ridiculous story. The Winter Mountain had been put locked by the Empire, not allowing any people to enter without permission. Hence, she could only set her focus on building a merchant branch of Eden in this place while waiting for her lover to finally have the conscience to return.

To this, Cian can only scratch the back of his head with an apologetic smile. He was just having a great time in this place that he was quite reluctant to leave. Although he felt guilty of leaving Sibylla on her own in that quite dangerous City, he knows better than to underestimate that little girl of his.

She was far more dangerous than any monsters in this Mountain, with a heart as stormy and thunderous as any horrible weather, she’s as disastrous as she can be. And besides, the Garden was always protecting her. She might not know of it, but the Garden has already embedded quite deep in that City. Hence, Cian was quite assured of leaving her alone.

In any case, knowing her, she would just go out and have her own fun, and that is building her business empire.

Truthfully, Cian also has some misgivings about leaving this place, as he was certain that he wouldn’t be able to return for quite a while after leaving. After all, he would be drag by Sibylla back to the Demon Empire for the gathering the moment he returned. Hence, he cannot put down his heart and turn back.

Still—

I think I really need to conquer the entire Winter Mountain.

Thought Cian as he surveyed his gaze at his surroundings. Although Oriel has half the ownership of the mountain, the only entrance to this place was in the Human City.

It seems like I need Elder Sister to hasten the invasion. If we have, at least, the Icegrass City, the entrance of the treasure trove called [Black Lands] would only be mine. I should find the time and tell the Garden to support Elder Sister's invasion. There's no time to lose, nor waste.

The Haaravar Empire possesses the other half of the Winter Mountain, so it’s better to take the entire Empire down. And most of all, the part of the ruins is in the Lands of the Empire. If he wanted to take root in this place, he would head butts with the Empire. And that would be troublesome if some cougars and hyenas suddenly sniffed something and eyed his possession. Hence, Cian finds the conquest for the Empire much important than anything on his hand. He would even risk revealing the existence of the Garden for this.

Whatever happens in the central and south region, Cian set his plans aside for them for now as he wanted to focus on the Winter Mountain as a top priority.

The Black Lands have that much value for him!

The only problem he had right now was that—if he did make his move, the Icegrass City would surely be his enemy.

Although he doesn’t really care what the City ends up to. But Levelia would surely go against him! This is a problem.

Cian furrowed his brows, feeling somewhat complicated. He had never expected to have such a treasure in the Winter Mountain. A treasure he just can’t pass up. This was truly a deviation to his plan. He had planned to take it slowly, conquering the Haaravar Empire slowly, and gnaws it from the bottom. Hence, he was planning to conquer Levelia first, and make her switch sides and stand by his side. Just like Ezra.

For Cian, Ezra would be the vanguard against the nobility, while Levelia against the commoners. The Fire Tyrant Clan that Levelia was leading has that much influence and fame to the common people.

That was the first stage of his plan.

But now, that seemed to be difficult to achieve.

Conquering Levelia was a tough nut to crack, and Cian knows that. It wouldn’t happen overnight. Just because he had managed to take her body, doesn’t mean her heart would immediately follow. Obtaining her heart was a hundred times harder compared to conning her for her body. The love they were sharing for the moment could instantly turn into hatred.

This is really a problem…

Cian let out a sigh of helplessness.

Should he give up on her and conquer the Haaravar Empire forcefully?

With Ezra’s help and Oriel’s army, there is a very high chance of success. But if he does that, his entire plan would be affected…and perhaps, he would even need to change some of it. That would take a desperate gamble…!

Should he just assassinate the Haaravar Empire’s Emperor?

But he has too little information about the true power of the Empire. Although he has Ezra, there are still some things she is not quite clear as well.

And I doubt assassinating an Emperor is that easy… especially in this world. If it was in the previous world, without magic and supernatural—that perhaps might be an easy task.

But here… who knows what kind of monsters are hiding in the dark…?

Cian might be confident of his power, but he would never underestimate the people living in this world.