**#165. Melting Point (1)**
—
The magic circle at the center of the Tower.
Ray sat on the iron chair placed atop it, lost in thought.
*Tap, tap—! Tadatak—!*
“……”
The sound of raindrops striking the outer walls remained unchanged.
The damp air was still there, and despite the bright lights inside, his vision remained murky and dim.
The scenery had not changed, but it was hard to say today was the same as yesterday.
*‘Because today is the day of the procedure.’*
And in that scenery of the mansion, Ayla was no longer present.
About an hour ago—
Ayla had departed for the Tower.
Riding in a vehicle of the Amon family, which had arrived at the mansion’s front gate.
Amidst all the envy and jealous stares from the other disciples.
「Noona! Go ahead and wait for me! I’ll be right behind you!」
Ray couldn’t quite remember the expression Ayla had made when she heard her younger brother say that.
He could only recall how deeply conflicted the emotions within his vessel had been.
*‘We met yesterday, and I told her everything I could to help.’*
Ray recalled the words he had said to Ayla in the hallway of the mansion.
「If you want to live, the most rational choice is to kill Binjin.」
「If that’s too difficult, then your only option is to abandon your brother and run.」
He had also told her the steps to take if she chose the latter.
How to deal with the Amon family’s operatives who would pretend to escort her to the Tower.
How to escape Binjin’s pursuit afterward, and how to survive in the world from then on.
Of course, it was all advice.
The decision was Ayla’s alone.
“Is it going to take long to start?”
Binjin, who had been fiddling with something at the table in front, replied to Ray’s question.
“Haha, judging by how eager you are, it seems the esteemed mage is quite excited about the procedure. Could you wait just a moment?”
On the table was the same tetrahedral safe Ray had seen at the top of the Tower.
Binjin easily opened the box and pulled out a fountain pen, slipping it into his front pocket.
“You keep a fountain pen in a safe?”
“For this procedure, I only record notes with this specific pen. A kind of superstition I hold as a scholar.”
It occurred to Ray—hadn’t he likely said the exact same thing to all his past victims?
“Oh, and by the way, there’s one more item we’re waiting on.”
“An item?”
*Knock knock—! Knock knock knock—!*
“Ah, sounds like it’s just arrived.”
There was unmistakable delight in Binjin’s gait as he walked toward the Tower’s entrance.
*Clack! Creeeak—!*
*Whoooosh—!*
When the door opened, the roar of heavy rain poured in.
Standing outside were members of the Amon family, holding a large wooden crate.
“Where shall we place this?”
“Bring it inside. But first—”
Binjin whispered something to the operatives.
Ray enhanced his hearing with magic to eavesdrop.
—Make sure no one leaves the mansion. Today is far more important than usual.
—Yes, we’ll be even more vigilant than usual.
Following Binjin’s instructions, the operatives set the wooden crate near the magic circle, then filed out of the Tower.
Ray looked at the faintly pulsing blue mana within the crate and asked,
“What’s the box for?”
“Herbs to treat possible side effects post-procedure. We were running low, but fortunately, it arrived just in time. I can show you if you’d like.”
“No need.”
“Very well. Then everything is truly ready. May we begin the procedure?”
“Of course. I’m looking forward to it.”
Binjin raised his hand to cover his mouth, responding cheerfully.
“Yes. I’m looking forward to it as well.”
Between his fingers, Ray could see the corners of Binjin’s mouth twist into a wicked grin.
Despite his calm tone, the emotions in his vessel surged like a storm—anticipation, excitement, joy, tension, compassion.
But the most dominant feeling was a golden, greedy lust for the immense gain he was about to obtain.
Kneeling on one knee, Binjin placed a hand on the floor and activated the magic circle.
*Vmmm!*
A vast amount of mana awoke and began racing along the countless lines of the circle.
And amid the dense tangle of fake lines meant to disorient, Ray could see it clearly—a flawless exploitation magic circle.
*‘Activation will occur in four minutes and fifty-seven seconds.’*
Having studied the circle daily, calculating the countdown was easy.
Ray began to count seconds in his head, sharpening his senses to everything around him.
From this point onward, any mistake or delay could lead directly to death. He had to stay razor-focused.
“The magic circle is now activating. Soon, the elemental mixtures pooled around you will begin to move and adhere to your body. This is a natural part of the process, so there’s no need for concern.”
Now outside the magic circle, Binjin walked its perimeter, calmly continuing his explanation.
─────!
The subterranean Galaxy beneath them thrashed with greater ferocity than ever, as if it sensed a feast approaching.
…….
The blue mana inside the crate began to stir faintly, as if it too was regaining awareness.
And amidst the mounting tension, the ticking of countless seconds continued.
*‘Three minutes.’*
When the time remaining until activation matched the exact duration of the ring’s suppression—
“…To be honest, I envy you. Even after my own procedure, I couldn’t get past the second circle. In any case, post-care will…”
Ray caught sight of Binjin subtly lifting the hand with the ring as he spoke.
He had ample time to respond—but chose not to.
Then—
*Flaash—!*
In an instant, a beam of mana fired from the ring, striking Ray and locking his magic circles in place.
Just as in previous tests, he couldn’t draw on the circle’s mana at all.
Ray kept his expression as confused as possible and asked,
“What is the meaning of this?”
“Kehehehe…”
Binjin only laughed.
Like someone thoroughly enjoying the moment, he cackled madly—then abruptly stopped, his face turning serious.
“Insolent brat. How dare you pretend to be an elf and try to steal my knowledge.”
“What are you…”
“Still don’t get it? I saw through your deception. So? What do you think of my gift? That strange sensation of your circle’s mana freezing up—refreshing, isn’t it?”
Not really.
He had already experienced it.
And though the circle’s mana was sealed, the gemstone’s mana remained usable.
*‘But it’s not time to attack yet.’*
Despite being 2nd circle, Binjin hovered near the 3rd and had ample combat experience.
To minimize risk, Ray needed to strike when his guard was at its lowest.
For now, he acted the part, feigning shock at being unable to draw mana.
“This…! How could this be…!”
“Kehaha! Surprised? Why so shocked? If you can destroy a circle, why wouldn’t I be able to paralyze one? Don’t even think about moving a finger!”
As Ray began to rise from the chair, a surge of dark blue mana erupted from Binjin’s body.
In the next moment—
Thousands of gloomy, crystalized ice shards filled the air above the magic circle.
“……”
Ray brushed his finger over one of the shards.
Even the slightest touch sliced his skin and drew blood.
Binjin spoke in a triumphant voice.
“Stay there until the magic circle activates. You’re going to become a glorious offering for evolution.”
“Evolution?”
“Yes. You still think that magic circle beneath your feet is for a procedure?”
“Don’t tell me…”
“It’s an exploitation magic circle. I put a lot of effort into hiding that from you.”
Ray fell silent.
Assuming it was shock, Binjin let out another cackle.
“Kehaha, you dull-witted fool. Don’t be too upset. It’s only natural that the inferior cannot surpass the superior.”
“……”
“In fact, you should be grateful. You get to live on as part of a great being. I’m not harming you—I’m helping you.”
“A great being, huh?”
“Yes. A truly great being. You’ll become nourishment to enhance the strength of a creature I’ve raised with care.”
For a moment, genuine care bloomed within Binjin’s vessel.
And then, Ray understood.
Why Binjin’s malice had never swollen to dangerous levels.
Ray kept up the act, calculating the time left.
“Calm down. Even if you use me, you won’t extract much mana. It’s not worth it.”
“Tsk tsk. Don’t lie. I already know you’re at least over the third circle.”
“Can you really handle the consequences? You’d be shocked if you knew who’s backing me.”
“Haha, don’t care. All that matters is you’re a high-quality mana source. And don’t worry about me—I’m a specialist in making people vanish without a trace.”
Binjin’s breathing grew heavier. His fingers trembled.
The anticipation of his imminent gain was too much to contain.
“I’ll tell you how to destroy the mana circle—if you let me go.”
“As a mage and scholar, that’s a very intriguing technique indeed.”
Binjin pointed the fountain pen at Ray.
“But I don’t need to hear it from your mouth. I have my ways. I’ll use your knowledge well. I’ll learn who you are and why you came to me.”
Fifteen seconds remained.
Binjin already believed the game was over.
At that moment, as Ray quietly drew mana from the gemstone—
*Rustle.*
There was a sound from the crate.
“Hm? Oh dear, my precious disciple seems too eager to wait for his turn.”
Ray didn’t waste the brief instant when Binjin turned his head.
*Crackle—!*
A jagged streak of yellow lightning tore through the air and struck its target.
*Thud!*
As Binjin collapsed, Ray leapt from his seat like an explosion.
*‘Twelve seconds.’*
*Zzzzt—! Shzzzt—!*
Pushing through the ice shards, his clothes were torn, his skin sliced.
*‘Eleven seconds.’*
With the circle sealed, he couldn’t use the elements for metallization or protection.
Destroying the shards with lightning would be too slow and inefficient.
*‘Ten seconds.’*
Fortunately, Ray had a high pain tolerance—this much wouldn’t slow him down.
*‘Nine seconds.’*
By his standards, these weren’t even serious injuries.
More importantly—
*‘The Sun will heal me.’*
He had a reliable backup plan.
Even as he imagined how many times Veronica would smack his back for this later—
Ray, bloodied, reached Binjin’s crumpled form.
“Y-you…! How are you using magic…?!”
“Eight seconds.”
Still counting seconds, Ray lifted the gasping Binjin into his arms.
Binjin, though an adult male, was quite thin, and Ray had trained his strength intensely, so the action was fluid.
“Huff…! Wh-what are you trying to do…?! Let… Let go of me! I said, let me down!”
“Six seconds. Sure—I’ll let you down. Just a moment.”
Ray swung him back and hurled Binjin with all his strength toward the magic circle.
*Vwoooom—!*
“Aaaargh!”
Torn apart by his own ice shards, Binjin crashed into the center of the circle.
“Four seconds.”
Ray picked up the fallen fountain pen and pointed it at him.
“P-please…! I-I’ll give you anything you want, just don’t kill me!”
“Two seconds. Indiago—do you know it?”
“Y-yes! Of course! Just get me out of here and I’ll tell you eve—”
“No need.”
Ray twisted open the pen’s cap.
At that exact moment—
A torrent of light erupted from the magic circle, flooding every corner of the Tower.
And then—
*KABOOOM—!*
Ray saw something bursting up through the floor beneath them.
—
