Chapter 138: The Accusation

The garrison mages of Sevin-Ton are comprised of both military and court mages. Naturally, military spellcasters are generally not highly regarded; those sent are usually junior mages assigned to patrol duties, while the court mages are responsible for monitoring all magical activity throughout the city.

Exotic creatures and large-scale offensive spells fall under their jurisdiction. Consequently, since the last attack by the gorgon, the reputation of the court mages has been severely questioned, with even the royal family expressing dissatisfaction. Although Archmage Charles took the blame, the court mages beneath him remained deeply frustrated.

Minister of Internal Affairs Leonard had been in a foul mood ever since returning from the Academy. Particularly after the emergence of the "snakeman" traitor, he had vigorously overhauled internal order. After purging several "spies," the remaining court mages were left feeling as though they were walking on eggshells.

"Who is casting such a large-scale spell in the city!" a mage said, his expression grim. "This fluctuation is that of a high-level spell."

The violent magical disturbance immediately caught the attention of the three garrison mages. Such detection tasks were the most tedious and exhausting, requiring significant focus. Since there were many spellcasters in Sevin-Ton, a total ban on magic was unrealistic, so they only kept watch for high-level or wide-area spells.

"Wait, this feeling—it's an amplification of raw magic!"

"Raw magic? Could some lord be advancing to become a High Arcanist?" the mage said in surprise.

"This is a mid-level spell, merely amplified to high-level by the Weave!" the old man sitting to the side suddenly spoke up.

Hearing the old man's words, the two court mages realized the truth. Such intense fluctuations, amplified by the Weave to a high level, could only be a 5th-circle spell. The two young court mages couldn't help but look on with envy; it seemed that in the near future, Netheril would have another High Arcanist.

Knowing this, however, they still had to inspect the scene. The old man sent a message to the other court mages, while the two younger ones cast [Fly] to head toward the caster's location.

Transmute Rock to Mud
Transmutation [Earth]
Level: Druid 5, Sorcerer/Wizard 5
Components: Verbal, Somatic, Material/Focus
(Width 30.8 meters, Depth 3.08 meters) / level
Duration: Permanent
This spell turns any natural, unworked stone into an equal volume of mud. Magical stone is unaffected. Creatures unable to escape the mud by flying or other means sink to their hips or chests until they reach the bottom. Throwing a tree trunk onto the mud allows creatures to climb out without sinking.
...
Stone from castles or large structures is generally unaffected by this spell, as Transmute Rock to Mud cannot affect worked stone, and the depth is insufficient to undermine the foundation. However, small buildings (such as cottages) often have shallower foundations, or buildings that have already become ruins (some people use this spell to dismantle city walls and castles, though in reality, they haven't checked the data and are just guessing based on the name).

The old elf stared at Born in a daze. Thanks to the enhancement of the Weave and Born’s level bonus, the range of the [Transmute Rock to Mud] had expanded to a full five or six hundred meters. This was even with Born deliberately holding back; otherwise, he might have nearly melted the ceiling of the sewers. It would have been quite a spectacle if that much mud had flowed into the sewer system!

A scavenger looked at the mud pool in front of his toes in terror. The other scavengers didn't know that the spell wouldn't affect human bodies; they only knew that even hard stone had turned into mud. Fearing they might be turned into flesh-paste, the scavengers who had "lucked" into surviving scrambled away from the area.

Compared to the old elf, Lehman and the ranger were curious about why Born would learn this spell, while Black and Lilith found the magic quite interesting.

Just then, two flying figures in the sky caught their attention.

"Court mages?" Lehman frowned.

The two court mages landed not far from the group.

"Born Iolum?"

The two court mages never expected that this "new" arcane spell was cast by Born, and their expressions shifted. Seeing such a large expanse of "swamp" land, they looked quite displeased. Although they didn't know the true effects of the spell, the sheer scale was beyond their expectations.

They knew this guy was an "enemy" of their court mages, and one who hadn't even graduated yet; it made them feel as if their years of life had been lived in vain.

Born didn't care who they were. When he cast the spell, his powerful perception had already detected over a dozen factions secretly observing them from the shadows.

Normally, "new" arcane spells are perfected in experiments, or, as Born did last time, tested in an uninhabited place to prevent accidents or harm to others. However, Born had his chip; he wasn't worried about the spell's execution, and he hadn't brought the old elf along just to stand by and watch.

Although this was merely perfecting the formula for [Transmute Rock to Mud], it was still "recognized" by the Weave as a new spell. Born entered a state of "enlightenment" once again. The "experience" didn't last as long as the [Teleport] spell, but every little bit helps.

Seeing Born, who had finished casting, still radiating magical light, the two court mages were filled with envy, jealousy, and resentment. How could they not know what this state was? Even if they did, they couldn't do anything about Born. Not only could they not disturb him, they had to protect him while he sensed the Weave—the feeling was like swallowing a fly; it was incredibly uncomfortable.

Soon, several more mages flew over and landed beside the two court mages.

"Lord Leonard!" the two mages saluted.

Leonard ignored them and looked straight at Born, not far away. Beneath his calm face, a storm of emotions surged. To be honest, they should have been grateful to Born for discovering the "conspiracy" of the snake-men in advance, but Born's attitude toward the court mages, coupled with Count Iolum ruthlessly tearing off the "fig leaf" of the court mages and bringing them into disgrace, meant that the depth of their "love" was now matched by the depth of their "hatred."

Leonard saw at a glance that this was the result of Born's new arcane spell. He then glanced at Lehman and the others near Born, but when he saw the old elf, Hill, Leonard's pupils constricted slightly, and he bowed to the old elf from a distance.

The old elf, after his initial shock, had returned to his usual appearance—that of an ordinary old man—squinting his small eyes as if he hadn't noticed Leonard at all.

The court mages behind him were deeply astonished but didn't show it on their faces, each silently speculating about the old man's identity.

At this moment, the magical light around Born gradually faded. Looking toward the court mages, he wasn't surprised by their arrival, though seeing Leonard was somewhat unexpected.

"Lord Leonard!" Born saluted.

Leonard snorted coldly and demanded loudly, "Are you not aware that you are forbidden from casting spells within the city?"

Lehman and the others were stunned, suddenly remembering something, and their expressions changed.

Leonard sneered, "Casting large-scale area spells and high-level magic, and daring to conduct spell experiments in the city—do you know how many charges you face? Don't tell me your teachers at Gills Academy didn't teach you that!"