Chapter 153 - The True Beginning (16)

Like any other Magical ritual, [Hand-over] needs a preparation. It has steps to be fulfilled, before the ritual can be carried on.

Therefore, Basil, along with Caesar, was currently Carving the necessary Array for the ritual of [Hand-over]; both were working swiftly and meticulously.

Although Caesar wasn't naturally as talented as Basil, his experience allowed him to keep up with Basil.

"Young Master, did you learn Magic since you were in the womb?"

Still, Caesar couldn't shake off the bewilderment that assaulted him.

To make him, an incredibly experienced Mage, slightly struggle to keep up with a Third Circle Mage was not a matter one could accept with a mere nod.

It was otherworldly!

"99% hardwork, 1% genius," was Basil's answer.

Caesar chuckled in amusement. "Ha-ha. More like 100% hardwork, and 100% genius."

"That is an impossible percentage, since the compromised highest percentage is 100% not 1000%."

"I'm uneducated." Caesar shrugged.

Basil didn't show any apparent reaction. However, if one were to look closely, he had a small smile on his face.

Second turned to minutes, minutes turned to hours. Three hours passed, and the Array was finished.

The Array looked simple in a glance: a square on top of four conjoined pointy triangles with each side pointing to four main directions, and a circle enough to host two sitting people in the middle.

However, the characters and the strange yet profound symbols written circularly on the Array weren't something one could call simple. This is the reason why it took them four hours to Carve it.

Caesar wiped the sweat off his forehead. "Huuh... It's finally done." Turning to Basil, he asked, "Shall we conduct it now, Young Master?"

Basil nodded his head lightly, and sat in the middle of the Array— specifically, inside the circle in the middle of the Array. Upon seeing that, Caesar quickly approached Basil, and sat himself on the opposite side.

They looked at each other for a moment, before nodding their head in confirmation. Caesar conjured a wind blade, and cut his palm with it. In the other side, Basil slit his palm open with his nail.

Blood was oozing out of the open wound, and both of them let their blood drip in the middle of the circle they were sitting in.

"I, Caesar Rancuser, hereby hand over my Magic Circles to the person of my choice."

Basil slightly widened his eyes. Rancuser was one of the Dukedoms in Braxtein Kingdom. That means, Caesar was the predecessor of Rancuser family. Still, Basil didn't forget his current task.

"I, Basil Pacifer, hereby receive the offered Magic Circle of my benevolent patron."

Right after that, starting from the circle, the entire Array lit up in blue; it was finally activated, and the procession was ready to be carried on.

Boom!

Both of the people materialized their Magic Circles. Caesar materialized 8 of his healthy Magic Circles; Basil materialized his 3 complete Magic Circles, and his incomplete fourth Magic Circle.

One of Basil's Magic Circles split in two parts, before heading to two different directions that the triangles of the Array were pointing to.

In the other hand, Caesar had two of his Magic Circles sent toward the remaining triangles of the four main directions; his weren't split at all.

When all of the Magic Circles right above the tip of the triangles, the Array shone even brighter. Then, the Magic Circles that were away from them slowly moved to the center of the Array—the circle—right above their heads.

A fascinating scene occured: the three Magic Circles of two different origin were slowly combining themselves, in accordance to the instruction Carved in the Array.

While this fascinating scene was unfolding, the two people had to bear the pain that was equivalent to getting their heart ripped apart repeatedly, before being stitched back up again. Even so, none of them showed any sign of being in pain.

Caesar even had the leisure to smirk at Basil, as if showing he didn't feel any pain at all. Basil merely smiled softly at that; he was paying keen attention to the ritual.

Although the Array worked just fine, it never hurts to be careful.

Caesar looked at the meticulous Basil, and smiled slightly. The emotion conveyed by his smile was too complicated to be described; forlorn, joy, regret, and remorse were mixed into one.

Still, his eyes were honest. Bitterness was can be clearly seen in them. His brain was constantly replaying Basil's word prior to the [Hand-over] procession.

—I have just become an official Fragment Bearer not long ago. On the day I became one, I met my predecessor, the previous Fragment Bearer.

Caesar knew something was wrong, but he kept his silence. He was sure it was all done for a reason. Basil might not know it yet, however he knew.

Pacifer Clan had never had a Patriarch.

...

Familia Hotel, Raneil Barony, Fortescher County.

Iliana had just arrived at Familia Hotel a few minutes ago. The journey from Randalvine to Raneil Barony had taken her 3 days by carriage, even in constant full speed.

Of course, it had been also thanks to the Teleportation Gate that connected Randalvine to the outskirts of Carlenze Dukedom—the closest place to Woster County. If not for the Teleportation Gate, it might have taken her, at least, 7 days to arrive here.

"Huuh... Your Master's family is just as secretive as him, aren't they?" Iliana looked at Deacon. "Just look at the Runes decorating the entire Hotel ... He can kill a lot of people inside, and no one will notice."

Just like what Iliana had said, the entirety of Familia Hotel was surrounded with the Runes Basil had Carved. He had done it so discreetly, not even Danzel knew when he had done it.

Woof!

Deacon puffed his chest proudly.

"No, you don't have to tell me it was your Master's deed, little guy; I already know." Iliana smiled softly. "But still, I'm amazed by how much effort he has put to Carve such a Mana-Friendly Rune. Defensive Rune normally needs a lot of Mana Crystals, after all."

The quality of the Runes Basil had Carved wasn't something one could scoff at; it was so effective, it required less Mana that every other Defensive Rune normally required.

Despite the lack of need to hide the Runes, Basil still did it due to his cautious nature. Therefore, the Rune wouldn't be detectable for any Fifth Circle Mage and below.

The Defensive Rune he had Carved could even withstand the attack of any Fifth Circle Mage. Though how long, it would depend on how much the resources were.

He could make it better than that, but the resources required to sustain the Runes would be enormous. Although he was rich, he wasn't that wealthy enough to purchase a limitless stock of Mana Crystals.

"Alright, let's fetch your Master's family, little guy."

After her observation was done, Iliana walked into the hotel with Deacon on her side. Her exceptional beauty quickly attracted everyone's attention, and the aura she was exuding signified she wasn't someone to be trifled with.

The activity in the hotel briefly stopped as everyone was too busy to admire her beauty, and the powerful presence she gave off. They couldn't help it; they had never seen someone as beautiful and powerful as her, after all.

Iliana herself was, as always, nonchalant with the gaze she was receiving from her surrounding. She looked around briefly, before landing her gaze on the hotel's receptionist.

"You," she pointed at the receptionist, "tell me where is the owner of this place."

"Y-Y-Yes! Immediately!" The receptionist bowed, and stormed off.

Iliana nodded her head in appreciation. "The management is good. They are quick in their service."

She approached the receptionist desk, and waited there calmly. Deacon was standing beside her, looking at the curious surrounding people curiously.

Not even a minute passed, Danzel came with Clarissa in tow. Each of them had suitcases in their hands, and they looked ready to leave the hotel.

Iliana blinked her eyes, and said, "Well, aren't you ready?" Danzel scratched his head, and replied, "Well, Basil has told us about your arrival."

"That guy ... He really is prepared, isn't he?" Turning back her attention to Danzel, she extended her hand. "I heard you are Basil's father figure, so I will introduce myself. Iliana, your son's girlfriend," she said stoically.

A suppressed choking sound could be heard coming from Clarissa. However, Iliana didn't pay any attention to her. In the other hand, Danzel furtively looked at Iliana and Clarissa back and forth; he didn't know whom to side with.

In the end, he decided to throw the matter to the back of his head, and grasped Iliana's hand. "Nice to meet you too ... Iliana." Danzel almost called her daughter-in-law due to her relationship with Basil. "We will be in your care." He smiled.

Danzel glanced at Clarissa from the corner of his eyes, before nudging her to gain her attention. Clarissa was awaken from her daze, and quickly extended her hand.

"Nice to meet you, Miss Iliana. I am Basil's surrogate sister; I'm REALLY close with him," she said with a smile.

Iliana grasped Clarissa's hand, and shook it firmly. "I can see that." Her eyes went to the bracelet on Clarissa's wrist. "No one will give Protection Bracelet to someone they are not close with."

Sensing no hostility in Iliana's tone, Clarissa felt a little bit guilty for unconsciously antagonizing her.

"Well, you must be too weak to protect yourself for Basil to give you that ... Still, who am I to judge?" Iliana shrugged nonchalantly. Turning to Danzel, she said, "Let's leave then, we need to go to Woster County."

Danzel nodded his head, and followed behind Iliana.

Clarissa also followed suit, but she was a little bit away from Danzel; she felt like she had just been struck by lightning.

Iliana's word was horribly true: she was weak!