NOVEL NEXT Chapter 138: Van's Decision
Van's Ocularis Lens scrolled through the archived data, as he recalled all the information about the Echo Protocol—a technique used by weaker magicians to force themselves into demonstrating "miraculous" progress for a short time.
The method, however, wasn't so simple…
They needed a High-Grade Mana Crystal. It's not just a gemstone filled with Mana. It would be infused with a single-use spell, and in this case, their best option would be Mana Bomb since it was the easiest Spell to trigger or control.
However, the infusion of the Mana Bomb wouldn't be so easy even if it were possible…
After that, his Ocularis Lens confirmed that Julia would still recite the spell incantation, tricking the crystal into releasing its stored spell as if she had cast it.
'The hardest part will be the infusion of the Spell. To do it safely, she can just ask Renji to infuse it for her… However, it would be a problem if Renji's infusion were too strong for Julia to activate.'
This means that Julia still had a better chance of succeeding if she had done it alone or with Van's help instead.
The risk, however, was quite severe… If Julia failed to control the released spell, it could backfire violently.
Van couldn't help but consider helping her. After all, it might be time to get Julia's trust. He could simply say that he was helping to prove his loyalty.
'Julia's trust is worth the gamble.'
Van thought as he felt that Julia would be able to unknowingly assist him better in his plan to escape.
***
Julia slumped onto the garden bench, kicking her legs in frustration. Butler Judge's impossible demand was irritating her.
Although she knew that it was impossible and she should just give up, she couldn't help but feel disappointed, and because of that, she couldn't focus on her training.
"Ugh! Even if I practiced nonstop for a year, there's no way I can cast a First-Circle spell!" She flopped backward, with her arms spread dramatically.
"Unless…" She shot Van a mischievous glance.
"You secretly know magic and can just whisper the secrets of the universe to me, right? You must be a super special Magician and got captured because you're weakened due to your previous fight… Like the Fairy Tale when Prince Phovious fought against the Evil Dark Magician…"
It was a joke. A desperate, silly joke as she knew that she needed to give up.
However, Van, standing motionless beside her, let the silence stretch just a beat too long and didn't say anything.
It was suspicious.
Julia sat up slowly and looked at him. "...Van?"
"There is a way," he said quietly. "But it's dangerous."
Julia's eyes widened. For a moment, she just stared at him—this silent, ever-obedient slave who'd suddenly spoken like a conspirator.
Van wasn't talkative, but it seemed that he was finally going to show his true colors!
Then, Julia grinned.
"Tell me everything."
***
Soon, Van and Julia entered one of the rarely visited greenhouses.
It wasn't really being taken care of properly as it was filled with dust and cobwebs, aside from a few surviving plants… Nonetheless, Julia likes this place for its privacy.
"Explain the Echo Protocol again…" Julia said.
Since Van was dealing with a child, he instead drew symbols in the dirt with a stick…
A High-Grade Mana Crystal, a First-Circle Mana Bomb Spell, and the incantation to trigger the infused First-Circle Spell.
Julia gently nodded. "I only have 10 High-Grade Mana Crystals. It means we can make 9 mistakes to infuse the spell. Wait, why Mana Bomb?"
"It's the simplest explosive magic and easy to trigger…" Van replied as he couldn't help but think why they would leave 10 High-Grade Mana Crystals to her.
In any case, Julia held one of her High-Grade Mana Crystals. It seemed as if it had come out of nowhere which impressed Van for a bit.
"And you're sure this'll work?"
Van met her gaze. "No."
Julia burst out laughing. "Well, that's reassuring!"
She then took a moment to consider what to do before realizing that it might be better for Van to lead for now.
"How do we proceed with the plan?" She asked.
Just like that, for three nights, they practiced in secret, or so they hoped.
They practiced Spell Infusion. Van guided Julia to channel raw mana into the crystal…
There was also the Trigger Phrase. They had to perfect the incantation process as they wouldn't want to explosion to occur near them…
This includes training with Aim and Control…
Julia learned to toss the crystal mid-incantation, letting the spell detonate away from her body.
"This is harder than I thought…" Julia muttered but she was happy. After all, the infusion of the High-Grade Mana Crystal was successful.
On the fourth day, they were able to get a Mana Crystal infused with the spell they wanted. Mana Bomb!
It wasn't easy, but with Van's guidance, Julia succeeded!
"Let's try!" Julia said as she decided to cast the spell elsewhere.
"By the fire of the light, strike!"
It was a simple incantation, and it was actually a shorter version of what it should be. However, with the changes made to the Mana Bomb Spell, they didn't have any issues at all.
Just like that, the Mana Bomb erupted as it hit the ground!
Boom!
The explosion had definitely caught everyone's attention but she didn't mind it at all.
Julia was happy with the result "Did you SEE that?!"
Van's Ocularis Lens started calculating the damage before he replied to his master.
"I did… You've worked hard. Let's try to make another one. This time, show it personally to the Butler." Van said.
***
Soon, Butler Judge was shocked as soon as Julia approached him and told him that she was ready to be tested…
Butler Judge then followed her to the courtyard… He wasn't really expecting her to succeed, but now, he felt a bit nervous as he might actually bring Julia to a dangerous place.
Still, he knew that it should be an impossible task for her to cast a First-Circle Spell. She couldn't even use Magic Hand Spell properly.
"Well?" Judge muttered... "Are you planning to beg me to let you join the trip? That wouldn't work, my lady."
Julia didn't answer as she lifted her chin. "By the fire of the light," she said, "strike!"
She then hurled the crystal—hidden in her sleeve until the last moment—toward a practice dummy.
BOOM.
The dummy disintegrated in a blast of blue light.