Chapter 245: Dummy’s Origin (3)

I was drawing a magic circle underground. However, the Giant Magic we were attempting to realize was lacking even with Understanding, so there were many obstacles. There were also many worries, countless ideas tangled and twisted in my head. Maybe it was because it was something I was doing, but not something I would complete.

Or was it because even I, after all, couldn’t be completely free from a predetermined death?

“…They’re gone.”

Arlos said with her ear to the ceiling. I looked at her and beckoned.

“Then come and sit down.”

“Why.”

“When I see you, I think of magic. A magical inspiration.”

“…”

Then Arlos glanced at the paper I was writing on with dissatisfaction.

“What are you doing with that little piece of paper?”

“It is a very small part of the magic circle. This spell cannot be completed until more than 100,000 copies of these are gathered.”

Simply put, it was a puzzle. Of course, there was no need for hundreds of thousands if I used magic papers from the market, but these were ordinary papers obtained through brass coins.

“The magic circle is dotted with all kinds of formulas when you look at it up close, but when you look at it from afar, it’s just a piece of art. Lines and circles form a circuit, and mana flows and harmonizes. It’s not that different from painting a canvas.”

“…I know magic.”

“Indeed. You must have had a magic teacher, too.”

Arlos flinched. Then, she shook her head while coughing.

“I am self-taught.”

“Puppetry is not something you can learn and bloom on your own. Especially in the Ashes.”

“But I could.”

I already knew who Arlos’s teacher was; I didn’t need to ask. It was Adrienne in the setting, and that was likely to be the case now. Adrienne would be in trouble if it were revealed, so she must be keeping her mouth shut. I took a piece of paper out of my pocket.

“Take it.”

“What now… a contract?”

Arlos’s eyes narrowed. She swung the contract with two fingers as if asking for an explanation.