Published: July 4, 2025
On the way back from the underground space.
"Ryo-san, I have a question."
"What is it, Amon? Did Nils throw some impossible task at you again? Don't worry, I'll freeze any leader who does that right away!"
"Hey, idiot, stop it."
Ryo answered Amon's question preemptively, while Nils stopped him.
Of course, Eto was laughing.
"No, Nils is fine. It's a basic question, but I was wondering what the difference is between a magic circle and a magic formula?"
"Difference?"
"Yes. Both activate magical phenomena when magical power is channeled, right? But if that's the case, then why do we need to separate them into a magic circle and a magic formula? Can't they just be combined into one?"
Amon asked while thinking.
"Amon, that's a good insight! You're much more suited to being an alchemist than Nils. You should become Kenneth's disciple right away..."
"Don't involve me in this..."
Ryo said, and Nils frowned.
"Well, to put it simply, a magic circle activates regardless of the type of magical power channeled, whereas a magic formula only activates when the specific type of magical power is used. For instance, a water attribute magic formula will only activate if water attribute magical power is channeled."
"I see..."
"In exchange, a magic circle can only create relatively simple magic. It requires very complex formulas to create something intricate. Of course, you can make a surprisingly huge and complex magic circle like we saw earlier, but the more complex it is, the more likely it is to fail. On the other hand, magic formulas can easily connect thousands or tens of thousands of them from the start, as they are designed with the assumption that several formulas will be combined. So ultimately, they can produce quite complex magic."
Of course, this was knowledge Ryo had learned from Viscount Kenneth Hayward before.
"Look, just like in swordsmanship, there are two-handed swords and one-handed swords. Both are ways to use swords and types of swords... but they've developed separately, right? The relationship between magic circles and magic formulas might be similar."
"Ah, I can understand that a bit!"
There are many phenomena in the world that, at first glance, seem more rational when integrated.
However, Ryo believes that the reason for their separate development must be substantial.
Perhaps it is because he is accustomed to looking at things from a historical perspective.
It's alright to combine them for the sake of reasoning, but… he thought, sometimes it can lead to a catastrophic breakdown a few years or decades later.
The four of them walked up an endlessly long hill and finally arrived at the fourth storage vault.
"It was fine going down, but it was tough coming back..."
Eto nodded silently at Nils's comment, looking quite exhausted.
However, when they exited the fourth storage vault, no one was there.
Instead, sounds of sword fights could be heard from outside.
"That sounds like quite a number of people fighting."
Amon murmured, and Ryo nodded.
Gently opening the vault door, the four of them peeked outside.
About twenty knights in similar attire were fighting each other.
"Is it infighting?"
"Those are members of the Templar Knight Order."
"Oh! There’s Captain Bashrel from yesterday."
"It seems to be a different group from the third division."
Ryo expressed his honest opinion, Eto pointed it out, Amon noticed, and Nils identified the fighters.
The third division was facing off against other Templar Knights.
Eto quickly noticed that Deacon Pillar was nearby.
At the same time, Deacon Pillar noticed the four and ran over.
"Everyone, you're safe."
"We took a long time and caused you worry. So, what on earth is happening…"
Deacon Pillar greeted them, and Eto responded.
"Yes. The third division led by Captain Bashrel checked the vault, just like you all did. After they left the vault, it seems they got into a conflict with other members of the Templar Knight Order… At that moment, I was closing the vault door, so I don’t know the details, but before I knew it, this situation had occurred…"