Solar Mage

Chapter 7: 2nd Circle

I know I decided to get stronger, but how exactly do I do that? I would ask the sage system but it is scanning the mountain of letters right now so I can't use it. For swordsmen, it's an extensive but relatively simple way to advance to the next stage. All we had to do was practice our swordsmanship and train our body.

I continue to sit in silence as I try to remember but to no avail.

"Hmm..."

Then I suddenly recall something the Headmaster said during one of her school wide annual mandatory lectures.

"And remember, there is no best way to gather mana and form a circle, it is different for all elements. But the one thing that all different elemental mana formations have in common is to sit in whichever sitting position that is most comfortable for you and to clear your mind as you embrace your element."

Is what I think she said, let's try it. First is to sit where you have the greatest connection with your element.

I look over to my window.

Well... that's going to be dangerous. Second is to find my most comfortable sitting position.

I tried out multiple sitting positions. I first tried just sitting normally but it didn't feel right. I secondly tried laying down but I almost fell asleep doing that and couldn't keep concentration. Then I tried crossing my legs which was better but still didn't feel right. Finally, after trying many other positions I tried crossing my legs but upwards. It was painful to get to the position but once I successfully completed the position, it felt the most right and comfortable so I decided on this sitting position.

After deciding the sitting position, I walk over to the window and examine the length and width of the window base.

It should, just barely, be wide enough for me to sit and not fall from it.

I carefully get up onto the window and get into Lotus Position. Then I make the mistake of taking a quick glance at the sun before it burns my eyes and quickly shut them afterwards as I turn away. I keep my eyes closed as I turn my face back to the sun and try to clear my mind.

How do I even clear my mind? It's impossible for me to stop thinking unless I'm asleep.

My struggle to clear my mind is visibly shown from my face for a moment.

Wait, that's it! I just need to calm myself down like when I sleep and focus on other things.

My breathing slows down as I begin to calm myself and my mana circulation inside my body begins to increase as I have my final thought.

Ah, the sun is warm today.

My concentration breaks and my eyes open as a second circle forms and begins circling my Manaheart.

When my eyes open and I look up, I fall out of the window into my room when I see the Sage System hovering above me.

"Ugh... I will never get used to that"

I say as I painfully get up.

"SCANNING COMPLETED."

"WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE SUMMARY OF THE LETTER SCANNING?"

I click on the confirm button.

"CONFIRMATION RECEIVED. SUMMARY OF ISABELLA MANAVANE'S LETTER:

Isabella hasn't seen you for over a month, and she's really worried. She has no idea why you've been gone for so long, and none of the instructors or the headmaster will tell her what's going on. Despite asking around, she keeps getting the runaround, which only makes her more anxious. The longer you're gone without any explanation, the more scared she gets, not knowing if you're okay."

I felt a small surge of joy wash over me as I read this summary because due to no one other than my master visiting me, I had thought that I had no real friends who would help me in times of need.

Ah, so that's the reason why no one had visited me the entire time that I was recovering. But why would the headmaster cover this incident up? Was the headmaster in cahoots with the corrupt church of Pyro?

I stop for a second before laughing to myself.

Haha, there's no way that's the reason.

"Give me the summary of the letters from the Imperial Court next."

"SUMMARY OF THE IMPERIAL COURT LETTERS:

Most of the letters from the Imperial Court are written records of your father, Loran Ventrike's daily court hearings and as of the latest letter, it seems that almost all officials from the Church of Pyro are still against Loran who want him to be punished and there are also some from the Imperial side who are also against Loran likely due to either bribes or past envy towards him and yourself. It is very likely that your father will be punished, which will be decided by a vote a month from now."

Despicable bastards, how dare they call themselves a noble acting in such a dishonorable manner?

"Other letters are from nobles on the Imperial Court who say they will cure your illness and switch sides to help your father if you agree to marry their daughters."

That's not happening, I'm already cured and they will likely not uphold their promise. Even if they do, one vote will not change the outcome of my father's trial as the majority would still be against him.

"And the other letters that do not fall into either category just wish you well on your recovery and some even invited you to their territories to see if their physicians could cure you."

It's nice to see that I at least have a few people who support me.

I sigh.

"Time to see what the letters the Church of Pyro sent me has to say. System, show me the summary."

"SUMMARY OF THE LETTERS FROM THE CHURCH OF PYRO:

The entirety of the letters with the seal from the Church of Pyro describe in detail what they did, who they bribed, who they successfully managed to bribe and what they are going to do next. All of the letters end with an invitation to join church if you want them to free your father."

I break the wall as I punch it, enraged at what I read.

Okay, lets calm down first. I have all the evidence I need to destroy the corrupt officials in the church of Pyro as well as the corrupt nobles. Though, they likely gave me all this information because they underestimate me because they are on par with the Imperial Court. It is very likely that every official in the Imperial Court and every noble knows that the Church of Pyro is corrupt, but they can't do anything about it because of how powerful they are.

Then I grin widely as I look at the sky.

There might not be any Kingdom on Aegela who can go against the Church of Pyro, but there is one being who has complete control over the Church of Pyro, Pyro herself.