Celestial Spell: Model Garden (4)
“The Union’s Master of Integration. An Apostle Slayer...”
He remembered Kamrodal, one of the Eight Apostles he had encountered on the way to Yorta. He also recalled what Kamrodal had said about the Union’s spellmaster while manipulating an Apostle’s corpse.
Hadn’t he said that the Master of Integration fought an Apostle head-on and shredded its body beyond recovery?
“I’ve heard of the title ‘Spellmaster.’ As far as I know, it refers to those within the Union who possess specific spells.”
[The Master of Integration is one of the four Grand Spellmasters who form the Union’s Great Connection.]
Olivera said.
[Among the spellmasters under the Union Leader, he possesses the most unique and alien spell, and his past achievements are said to be unparalleled even among those of the same rank.]
[True to a trait-type caster, he has an eccentric personality and often acted independently of the Union, which is why many found it surprising that he took charge of the First Gate.]
The Great Connection.
That must refer to the Spell Union’s ultimate goal of linking all spells in this world into one.
So the Master of Integration was one of the core Grand Spellmasters forming that Great Connection.
[In any case, because of his presence, approaching the gate and stealing a fragment of the veil won’t be easy.]
Olivera shook her head.
[I’ve already dispatched an agent to the First Gate to observe the situation, so we’ll wait for the report.]
“......”
So Olivera had already mobilized her subordinates to gather information about veil fragments at the First Gate. That must have been possible because she had already decided how to proceed even before visiting the Dark Library.
Considering the Master of Integration’s troublesome personality and ability, along with the dangerous environment and situation of the gate, it wasn’t unreasonable that they couldn’t act immediately.
Lennok had only briefly been under the illusion that everything was going smoothly because obtaining the celestial spell from the Dark Library had been too easy—but even that had only been possible because he met Naoiz Pen.
As Lennok stepped back with a look of understanding, Olivera gestured toward Clarisse.
[If things fail, you’ll have to step in yourself whether you want to or not. For now, focus on learning celestial spells from Clarisse.]
***
Vulcan Megacity, District 49. Bolt’s Mage Tower.
Late at night, close to midnight.
Clarisse, standing face-to-face with Lennok in the deserted underground cavern beneath the mage tower, spoke.
“Celestial spells are intermediary spells created to arbitrarily manipulate the movement of stars and celestial phenomena. In other words, they’re a power that creates a kind of testbed.”
Flaaash!!
At the same time, a model celestial sphere unfolded in the dark cavern, beginning to rotate with faint starlight.
With the model sphere floating above her head, Clarisse spoke with a somewhat complex expression.
“It would be a great help for casters who cannot create their own stage, but you’re different.”
“I know. You’ve already—”
[Arf.]
At that moment, something that appeared behind Clarisse suddenly swallowed her head whole.
Clarisse jumped on the spot, her shoulders trembling violently.
“~~~!!!!!”
Though no scream came out since her head was inside its mouth, her movements alone made it clear how startled she was.
Watching silently, Lennok spoke toward the baby dragon that had bitten Clarisse’s head.
“I know you’re happy to see her, but we have something to discuss. Let go.”
[Bwooo.]
The white baby dragon opened its mouth with a sulky expression, and Clarisse quickly pulled her head out.
“Cough, cough!! Wh-what was that?!”
“My guardian spirit beast was rude.”
Lennok said as he took out a towel from subspace and tossed it to her.
“It must be excited to meet a similar kind.”
“G-guardian spirit beast?!”
Only then did Clarisse raise her gaze and look at it properly.
A plump baby dragon staring at her with bright eyes while puffing out its breath.
[Puuuu.]
“This is absurd. A dragon species chosen as a tower’s guardian spirit beast...”
Clarisse muttered in disbelief.
“I can’t imagine what kind of spell system one must establish as the tower’s foundation for something like this to happen.”
“It usually keeps its distance, but this is the first time I’ve seen it bite a stranger’s head right away.”
Lennok added with interest.
“It seems to feel quite close to you.”
“And you call that an explanation for what just happened?”
Clarisse sighed, pressing her forehead.
“I didn’t sense its presence at all until it approached. I almost summoned my true form.”
“You’d have to summon your true form anyway to teach me celestial spells.”
Lennok nodded.
“That’s why I cleared out the underground cavern of the mage tower. You can start right away.”
Shaking her head as if conversation was pointless, Clarisse looked down at the baby dragon lying on its back.
[Hooong.]
“Honestly...”
With a troubled expression, she eventually crouched down and began rubbing its belly.
“You’ve developed quite a bad habit—causing trouble and then acting cute. Haven’t you taught this child any manners?”
“It’s not very convincing when you’re saying that while enthusiastically kneading its belly.”
[Arururung.]
The baby dragon let out a pleased sound as its belly was rubbed.
Watching Clarisse smile, Lennok nodded.
“While you’re coming and going to teach celestial spells, if you don’t mind, I’d like to ask you to take care of this one.”
“Did you call me to your mage tower for that from the start?”
They could have conducted the lessons at the cartel headquarters research facility, yet Lennok had deliberately called Clarisse to his own tower.
Only after encountering the guardian spirit beast in the underground cavern did Clarisse realize his intention.
“It’s my guardian spirit beast, but I don’t really know what a dragon species thinks about on a daily basis.”
Lennok said, watching the baby dragon rolling around with sparkling eyes.
“The magic system I created is based on a very peculiar concept... so it’s honestly difficult to understand what priorities the guardian spirit beast, which is based on that mental image, holds.”
The Ouroboros magic system was a perpetual engine driven by imperfection, designed by Lennok.
It was the extreme of convergence that dismantled, absorbed, and devoured all laws and spells in this world.
His guardian spirit beast was born based on that Ouroboros system and the ideational substance [Phoenix Hall] of the former Blaiver Mage Tower Lord.
But since it was powered by an incomplete concept that even Lennok didn’t fully understand, he couldn’t completely comprehend the guardian spirit beast either.
Wasn’t even the fact that the subconscious of the Ascendant Pantheon was connected beneath its consciousness something he had discovered by chance?
“It follows humans well, but I can’t tell whether that comes from its origin.”
“That’s...”
“As a Long-Lived, you shouldn’t have trouble with at least basic communication. I’d like your help with that.”
Though it was a guardian spirit beast protecting the tower, its size and strength were still that of a young dragon.
True to a being based on the Ouroboros system, it had a strong appetite and high absorption efficiency.
But what form it would grow into through that process, or what kind of power it desired, remained unknown.
That was precisely the matter Lennok wanted Clarisse’s advice on.
“...It can’t be helped. If it’s while I’m teaching celestial spells and coming to the tower.”
Clarisse stood up while stroking the baby dragon’s head, her eyes quietly shining.
“Then let’s begin the lecture on celestial spells right away. Could you step back?”
“Of course. You too—come here if you don’t want to get crushed.”
Lennok said as he lifted the guardian spirit beast with telekinesis.
Watching that, Clarisse sighed and muttered as she raised her will.
“You’ve already learned bad habits from Olivera.”
Flaaaaash!!
Once again, Clarisse’s true form descended into the dark cavern.
A massive divine beast wrapped in clouds and radiating a mystical light.
[······?!!!!]
The guardian spirit beast hanging in midair opened its mouth wide in shock at the sudden appearance.
To its eyes, the enormous divine beast filling the cavern must have been overwhelming.
“Model Garden is a legendary form of ancient magic whose name has occasionally been passed down among the Long-Lived.”
Clarisse said, floating the celestial grimoire before her.
“As you can guess from the fact that the Spell Union is targeting it, many interesting secrets are associated with this spell. For example—”
“That it is close to the origin of a Self-Field?”
Clarisse looked down in surprise.
To meet Lennok’s gaze, the massive divine beast had to tilt its head back halfway.
“I heard about it in Nox Biblio. I understand the concept and foundation of celestial spells, so you can skip the basic explanation.”
“I see. But that’s not the only thing I was going to mention.”
Clearing her throat, the divine beast slowly tilted her head back.
“Although Model Garden is presumed to be close to the origin of Self-Fields, the two techniques differ in many ways.”
“From the perspective of modern spellcraft, Model Garden is far less efficient than domains. That’s because it wasn’t designed for imprinting mental images in the first place.”
“So it can only be used in a limited way, such as twisting and interfering with the veil?”
“No. The true value of Model Garden lies in the fact that the caster can arbitrarily adjust the rules inside it.”
Clarisse’s eyes gleamed.
“Self-Fields based on core mental images, and domains that project the caster’s ideal world—both are powerful techniques, but they have limits in that they operate independently of the caster’s will. But Model Garden is different. Depending on what materials and catalysts are placed inside it, it can literally become a miracle that indirectly manipulates reality.”
Lennok understood why Clarisse was emphasizing the importance of celestial spells at this point.
It was to ensure he fully grasped the concept of placing a fragment of the veil inside the Model Garden and actually twisting the real veil.
But separately, the fact that Model Garden could be adjusted according to the caster’s will was quite interesting.
Being more primitive and closer to the origin than Self-Fields, it had lower power and efficiency but allowed far greater variability.
That must have been possible because, as Clarisse initially explained, the essence of celestial spells was akin to creating a testbed.
“There’s no need to convince me how useful celestial spells are. I won’t neglect learning even without that.”
Lennok asked.
“What are you trying to say? Is there something you want to convey about how to use Model Garden?”
“...Yes. That’s correct.”
After hesitating, Clarisse answered.
“Model Garden doesn’t rely on mental images or willpower. To be precise, it is a testbed space constructed based on the caster’s consciousness.”
“......”
“Therefore, if you expand the Model Garden infinitely, you can force a similar level of consciousness expansion upon your opponent. And for Long-Lived like us, that essentially means—”
The divine beast’s eyes shone with a strange light.
“It means you can forcibly drag out the true form of a Long-Lived.”
“...”
“I’m telling you this as a warning. Once you arrive in Kundara, you must not use Model Garden carelessly. Forcibly dragging out a Long-Lived’s true form is considered a crime close to execution in that city.”
“So it should only be used on the right target at the right moment.”
If the Long-Lived in the Outer Fear City hid or altered their true forms like Clarisse, it would be difficult to discern their abilities or identities.
Clarisse expected Lennok would eventually realize this alternate usage of Model Garden, so she warned him in advance.
“Come closer. First, I’ll measure the size of your consciousness.”
Boom!!
With a heavy rumble, Clarisse shifted her body and looked down at Lennok.
“After measuring and categorizing your consciousness, I’ll draw the celestial sphere and teach you the sensation by constructing the Model Garden in reverse.”
Lennok stepped forward without hesitation and placed his hand on her massive fin.
The training had barely begun.
“I think I get the general idea. You expand your consciousness to construct a virtual space, right?”
“How...?”
As the divine beast muttered in disbelief, a small sphere like a soap bubble floated above Lennok’s hand.
Though its size and shape were different, it clearly resembled the celestial sphere Clarisse had deployed through the grimoire.
Having grasped the concept of Model Garden the moment training began, Lennok left Clarisse staring in astonishment.
“As explained, it’s unstable and weaker than a domain... but that gives it a kind of autonomy domains don’t have.”
Looking at the bubble floating in his hand, Lennok tilted his head.
“But if it works like this, there might be a better way to use it.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You said it’s a technique that creates a Model Garden to shape reality.”
Lennok smiled.
“Then if we substitute that concept into a virtual space instead of reality, wouldn’t the result be the same?”
“A virtual space...?”
“Yes. For example...”
Not reality, but a cyberspace within a network.
As Clarisse tilted her head at his words, something stirred inside Lennok’s coat.
[Hehehe...]
As if sensing something the moment Lennok spoke, it wagged its tail excitedly.
Then, in a voice only Lennok could hear, Davi let out a low, manic laugh.
[Heeheehee... Hwahahahaha!!]
Just hearing that laughter somehow made him not want to work.
Lennok gave a bitter smile and pressed down the front of his coat where Davi’s head was.
***
Vylun Research Institute, District 35. Press conference hall at the rear entrance of the main building.
Dozens of reporters sat inside, handling laptops and cameras.
In the waiting room, researchers watching them nervously began to talk.
“What was this quarter’s main research theme again?”
“Substitute particles and the fifth common magic. And also...”
Since Evan Vylun became director, the institute’s conference hall had become a place reporters frequently visited.
As a government-affiliated research institution, the Vylun Institute was required to present its research progress every quarter.
“It’s time. Let’s go.”
“How long do we have to keep doing this...”
“They said they posted a recruitment notice. When is the new junior joining?”
Since no one volunteered to be the spokesperson, those with the least seniority took turns enduring the sessions.
But the reason researchers were tense before the conference lay elsewhere.
“They’ll definitely ask again about improving the low efficiency of the learning device.”
“Can’t be helped. It was developed with reduced performance for mass production, so there are too many complaints about durability.”
Evan Vylun’s third masterpiece, the common magic learning device, had originally been a prototype created to demonstrate a thesis.
After being mass-produced without performance improvements and distributed, it began receiving criticism despite its initial enthusiastic reception.
Cheap materials. Poor finishing. Terrible durability.
Many issues arose during mass production, but the most critical problem was that the ‘learning’ of common magic itself did not function properly.
People didn’t buy the device just to use common magic. They wanted to learn it and eventually use it without assistance.
From their perspective, the device’s performance and efficiency fell far short of expectations.
“The city government and the Technology Management Bureau keep filing complaints. They want a definitive solution within this year.”
“In the end, it won’t be solved unless the director steps in...”
All the researchers could do was endure the reporters’ barrage of questions.
At least this quarter had some results led by Professor Raphael.
Grumbling, the researchers stepped into the hall and squinted at the flashing cameras.
Flash! Flash! Flash!
“What is this...?”
“Why are they like this? It hasn’t even started yet.”
The reporters were already standing, frantically pressing their shutters as if possessed.
Confused by the almost manic reaction, the researchers followed the direction of the cameras—
And froze upon seeing the young man leaning beside the podium.
“Oh, you’re here.”
“...Director Evan?”
Despite the relentless flashes, the young man maintained a calm smile without blinking.
It was Evan Vylun, the institute director who had rarely shown his face since its establishment.
The researchers, struggling to open their eyes under the flashes, asked cautiously.
“W-what brings you here...?”
“That makes it sound like I came somewhere I shouldn’t.”
“N-no, that’s not what we meant...”
“I’m joking. I had a simple result to present, so I made some time.”
“A... result?”
Instead of answering, Lennok grabbed the microphone.
“I’m Evan Vylun. Nice to meet you.”
As his voice echoed, questions poured in from all directions.
“Director! Why did you come personally today—”
“We heard the Technology Management Bureau consulted you about patent issues—”
“There have been many complaints about the durability of the learning device—”
Screeeech!!
Lennok tapped the microphone lazily, producing a sharp noise that pierced everyone’s ears.
As reporters instinctively covered their ears and fell silent, someone quickly shouted.
“With so many complaints about the poor performance and convenience of the learning device, what is your response?!”
The hall fell silent.
All eyes turned to Lennok, cameras raised.
After glancing around, Lennok lifted the microphone.
“We’ve succeeded in constructing a Spell Assistant Server in cyberspace.”
“Excuse me?”
The reporters tilted their heads in confusion.
“It refers to a virtual space that assists with the computation and incantation of common magic. I just coined the term, so you may call it whatever you like.”
“What does that have to do with improving the learning device?”
“It means that what previously required a learning device can now be done without hardware.”
“Without hardware...?”
“It’s faster to show you an example.”
With a faintly familiar explanation, Lennok smiled and put down the microphone.
“It means we can now distribute the common magic learning device as a mobile application.”
With that, Lennok disappeared behind the conference hall.
The reporters stared blankly for a moment before jumping into action.
“Q-quick! Get a follow-up interview! What are you doing?!”
“No, publish the article first! It has to be an exclusive!!”
“Are you insane? If we don’t embargo this, the city government will—”
“We still have to do it!!”
Some ran after Lennok, others sat down to write articles, some overturned desks while searching for signal to make calls.
Others ran outside with recorded footage.
Crash!!
Even the security personnel outside scrambled in confusion.
Amid the chaos, the researchers remained, staring blankly.
“...What am I even looking at right now?”
“What do you mean?”
One of the older researchers muttered.
“Our director didn’t want to hear complaints about the learning device... so he just got rid of the hardware entirely.”