NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 8: Chapter 8
The golden sunlight spilled across the countryside as Himmel stepped away from the capital. Behind him, the massive stone walls of the city loomed like silent sentinels—a once-familiar home now transformed into a dangerous fortress. He paused for a moment at the gate, glancing back. The capital, with its bustling streets and regal splendor, was now a place of peril. [Sigil] knew his identity, and every shadow might hide an assassin. Himmel clenched his fist around his staff—the newly acquired magical implement that hummed with untapped power—and resolved that he must leave this danger zone behind.
He walked slowly at first, savoring the early morning air that carried hints of dew and distant flowers. His bag, though light, held all he needed for the journey: basic rations, a few coins, and the essential magic books he had purchased from the royal library. Each step away from the capital deepened his resolve. He was not fleeing out of fear or maybe; he was leaving to master the art of magic. The old Himmel's sword, a replica of the holy sword, remained securely in his inventory—a reminder of the path he had once taken and the potential for change that lay ahead.
As Himmel ventured farther from the city, the landscape began to change. The well-trodden merchant path gradually gave way to a dirt road bordered by wild, untamed fields. Soon, he found himself on the outskirts of a dense forest. The contrast was stark—the lively noise of urban life replaced by the whisper of rustling leaves and the distant calls of birds. In this quiet solitude, Himmel felt both the weight and the promise of his new journey.
With each step along the forest trail, he recalled the pages of the mana circulation book he had stowed away in his inventory. That book spoke of the art of guiding and concentrating mana, of forming "mana circles" that helped a mage refine their power. Though his innate abilities were already strong—he possessed the skills of the old Himmel—he knew that true mastery of magic required rigorous training and discipline. Determined, he paused beneath an old oak tree and closed his eyes, focusing on the gentle flow of mana within him.
At first, the sensation was erratic—a flickering, feeble current that threatened to dissipate. Himmel recalled the precise instructions from the book: breathe slowly, let your mana circulate like water in a stream, and gradually force it into a tight circle. He inhaled deeply through his nose, held his breath for a moment, and exhaled slowly, attempting to visualize the energy coalescing around his heart. The process was slow and imperfect, but with each attempt, he noticed a slight improvement in his concentration. His mana began to feel a little less scattered, a little more refined.
As he practiced, an uneasy feeling crept into his senses. The forest, though peaceful at first glance, had an undercurrent of strangeness. The air felt charged with an invisible energy, and a subtle tension lay over the land—as if the forest itself were aware of his presence. Himmel's mini-map, which he had activated from his inventory, displayed a series of markers indicating nearby monster territories. He noted them carefully. Absorbing mana from creatures with rich magical cores would be essential for his growth, and this forest might hold the answers.
Even as he absorbed these thoughts, the tranquility was shattered by a sudden disturbance. The soft crunch of footsteps, muffled yet deliberate, broke the stillness. Himmel opened his eyes, and his heart quickened. Emerging from behind thick underbrush were several goblins—small, hunched creatures with greenish skin and wild, beady eyes. Their crude weapons glinted in the morning light as they advanced with predatory precision.
Without hesitation, Himmel reached for his staff, his mind already working through the defensive techniques he had learned. The goblins charged as one, and in a flash of movement, Himmel sidestepped the first goblin's thrust. He raised his staff and intoned, "Fireball!" A small orb of flame erupted from the tip of his staff, streaking toward the creature. The fireball collided with the goblin, and in a burst of light and heat, it was engulfed in flames, its pained cry echoing briefly through the trees.
The remaining goblins, now spurred on by the sight of their fallen comrade, attacked with renewed ferocity. Himmel's eyes narrowed; this was no longer a training exercise, but a real test of his magic. He summoned a defensive barrier—a square of shimmering mana—that materialized just in time to absorb a barrage of crude daggers and slashing claws. The barrier pulsated as it deflected the impact, buying him a moment to retaliate.
With one fluid motion, he gathered more mana and launched another fireball. This time, the increased power scorched through a second goblin, reducing it to a charred heap. The remaining two goblins hesitated, their expressions a mix of fear and determination. Himmel advanced quickly, his staff a blur in his hands. One goblin swung a club, but Himmel deftly dodged, countering with a precise burst of flame aimed directly at its vulnerable flank. The creature collapsed, its final gasp lost in the crackling of the dying fire.
Only one goblin remained, retreating with panicked eyes. Himmel did not allow it time to flee. With a swift, controlled motion, he invoked "fire ball," a spell that summoned a small orb of fire. The fire struck the goblin with such force that it was sent tumbling to the ground, motionless. The clearing fell silent once more, save for the soft hiss of dissipating magic and the distant rustle of leaves.
Breathing heavily, Himmel surveyed the scene. The goblins lay defeated—simple creatures, their magical potential negligible. Yet the encounter had proven invaluable. It had forced him to deploy his spells under pressure, to gauge the limits of his mana reserve and his ability to manage multiple threats. Still, he knew that these goblins were too weak to provide the rich mana needed for serious absorption.
He approached one of the fallen goblins and knelt, placing his hand gently on its chest. "Absorb," he murmured, as he had been taught by the system. Nothing happened. A brief moment of frustration passed before a familiar seductive echoed in his mind:
[Host! These goblins are weak and don't have magic crystals. Search for stronger ones, especially mage-type monsters.]
"Shameless" Himmel said as he nodded silently, accepting the critique.
As the sky darkened, he set up a modest camp near a cliffside. He built a small fire using the skills he had learned, the flames dancing warmly in the cool night air. Sitting by the fire, he prepared a simple meal using his basic fire magic. Even in these quiet moments, his mind churned with thoughts of how much further he had to go. Every spell he cast, every encounter he survived, was a step toward a greater mastery of magic—a mastery that would one day enable him to face the ever-looming threat of Sigil.
With the immediate danger passed, Himmel took a moment to reflect on his progress. The battle had been swift and brutal, yet it had taught him the value of precision and control. His spells, though powerful, still lacked the efficiency and refinement required to face true challenges. He knew he must hone his mana circulation further, learn to channel his energy with greater finesse, and prepare himself for battles far more demanding than these goblin skirmishes.
Determined, Himmel cleared a small space near the fire and assumed a lotus position. Drawing upon the lessons from the mana circulation book, he closed his eyes and began a rigorous meditation. He focused intently on his breathing, slowly inhaling through his nose and exhaling through his mouth. The rhythmic cadence of his breath was soon accompanied by an inward focus on the flow of mana—a stream of energy that he visualized as a soft, glowing current within him.
Minutes stretched into hours as he delved deeper into this state. The initial chaos of his thoughts gave way to a profound silence, where only the whisper of his own heart remained. He pictured a circle forming near his chest, a tight, radiant ring that would act as a focal point for his mana. The process was grueling and demanded every ounce of his concentration, but he persisted. The world around him faded into the background, leaving only the quiet pulse of energy within.
After what felt like an eternity, a soft chime resonated in his mind.
[Ding! Congratulations for making your first Mana Circle!]
A surge of energy coursed through his body as the system displayed its rewards:
[Reward: 20 years added to your lifespan.]
[New Skill: Constitution – Enhances learning speed and endurance.]
[Lvl 1–>2]
Himmel's eyes snapped open as the realization of his progress washed over him. His body felt invigorated, and his mana flowed with a newfound clarity. A smile tugged at his lips as he absorbed the benefits of his hard work. The satisfaction was profound—he had taken his first major step toward mastering the art of magic.
Exhaustion soon followed the burst of power. His body, having exerted itself beyond its usual limits, began to succumb to fatigue. Before he could fully process the new strength, his vision blurred, and he slumped against the soft earth beside the dying embers of his campfire. The system, ever watchful, placed a protective barrier around him.
[This host is an idiot—.]
A shimmering shield enveloped his resting form, safeguarding him as he drifted into a deep, restorative sleep.
— Enjoying the chapter send some ps on my way—