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[CHAPTER 137]
“It reacts to magic. Judging from how the powder is scattered, it seems like it all came with this stream.”
“Then we just need to follow where the water comes from.”
We carefully walked along the stream.
I examined the ground closely as we traced the flow of the water upstream.
And after a short while, I found the point where the stream suddenly disappeared into a crevice between rocks.
“Here it is.”
I pointed at the crevice with my finger.
Sylvia narrowed her eyes and examined the spot as well.
“There’s something down here.”
I cautiously tried to push the rock with my hands.
But it was firmly fixed and did not move easily.
Sylvia stepped back a bit and stretched out her hand.
“Step back a little. I’ll try opening it with magic.”
I nodded and stepped back.
Blue magical energy bloomed at Sylvia’s fingertips.
*The small shards of magical stones scattered around shimmered in response to the waves of magic.*
The rock trembled a few times as if being pushed by the magical energy, but nothing significant happened.
“Hmm.”
Sylvia withdrew her magic and frowned in frustration.
*I watched her and fell into thought for a moment.*
Water from the stream was flowing out of the crevice.
And I could see magical stone powder settled beneath the water.
*It’s not just an ordinary rock. There’s a high possibility that this rock itself is part of the magical stone mine.*
I looked down at the magical stone bracelet on my wrist.
*Compared to the powdered magical stone scattered here, this gemstone bracelet must be of much higher purity.*
*Magical stones not only absorb and release magic but can also amplify it.*
Could this help us?
I turned to Sylvia cautiously and asked.
“By the way, what method did you just use to cast magic?”
Sylvia made a reluctant expression at my question.
*It was the expression that said, “Do you really understand if I tell you?”*
“I applied pressure to the rock along with dispelling magic. I pushed it outwards.”
Luckily, she explained it simply enough for me to understand.
“If this were a normal rock, it should have moved or broken with this amount of magic.”
Listening to her explain while pointing at the rock, I felt certain that my hypothesis—that the rock is part of the magical stone mine—was correct.
“Then it’s not a normal rock. Did you feel anything different when casting magic?”
“Well… the only thing different from usual…”
Sylvia hesitated, tilting her head.
*Of course. Even though it’s powder, the entire area is covered in magical stone.*
It seemed difficult for her to perceive anything definite when it was this scattered.
“Try wearing this bracelet.”
I handed her the bracelet, and she took it with a strange expression, looking at my face.
*It must have felt odd, giving her the bracelet that I said wasn’t important during the ball.*
Sylvia, now wide-eyed, remained silent.
*Judging by how she kept looking at the bracelet, she wasn’t amazed at finding the magical stone mine, but at discovering a new way to use this bracelet.*
“How… this is too easy. I thought it would be impossible, but to control magic so delicately… and releasing more magic than usual without getting tired.”
“Really?”
Sylvia looked at me with a straightforward gaze as if asking something obvious.
“How did you know, Princess?”
“I saw it in the texts, and it was true.”
“The texts? There’s something like this in books?”
“Yes… otherwise, how would I have known? Anyway, shall we go inside?”
*I thought about the precaution of bringing that book later, but first, we went inside.*
Now Sylvia, who fully understood the value of magical stone, followed me closely while tense.
The entrance was lined with red magical stones.
As we went further inside, the space widened, and the walls were embedded with magical stones ranging from the size of a human arm to small fragments.
“If we dig here, there should be more.”
I nodded while looking at the corner Sylvia pointed to.
*This is only what’s visible; the buried reserves inside must be much more abundant.*
“Wait, Princess.”
“Yes?”
“Just a moment. I want to examine a bit more to confirm what I sensed earlier and see what else is here.”
“Of course, take your time.”
After all, I had brought her here so she could better understand its value as a mage.
Sylvia placed her hands on a large magical stone pillar, channeling her magic and tapping on it.
She even took something like an awl to scrape a piece into a small glass vial.
*Hmm, there aren’t many fragments like that outside, right?*
While waiting a little more, I stepped outside briefly.
*We found it.*
It was easier than expected. Only a little effort, hardly even worth calling hard work.
*But unease slowly crept in. Is it really over after finding it?*
I looked around outside the mine at an unknown location.
“I can’t see well…”
Soon, Sylvia excitedly came out to follow me.
“This is amazing, incredible.”
“Is it useful?”
“Useful? This isn’t just useful. This could change the history of the magical world entirely…!”
Sylvia pulled a notepad from her arms, filled with hastily scribbled words from inside.
“This magical stone can absorb and store magic. So far, magical tools had to be recharged after a certain time. Now, they can be used semi-permanently. Distribution of magical tools will be easier! This is revolutionary, Princess!”
She caught her breath and her eyes sparkled.
“Moreover, with this amount, even ordinary people could access magic. It could completely change the world of magic that mages had monopolized!”
I listened quietly and nodded.
“Then we should present this to His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince.”
“Yes, that….”
Sylvia answered absentmindedly and suddenly stopped speaking.
*I watched her reaction and smiled lightly.*
