Among Monsters (Tensura)

Chap 20.

James sat cross-legged on the soft grass of his Sovereign's Sanctuary, his thoughts swirling as he tried to make sense of the three theories he had come up with. After a long analysis, it became clear that the first theory, the one using magic ore as a battery to store and sustain magicules, was the most achievable with his current capabilities. But even then, it wasn't a straightforward task. He had to figure out how to keep the magicores fed with ambient magicules to keep his monsters running for the long term.

James's mind raced. 'But how do I even attract ambient magicules to Sovereign's Sanctuary... let alone have them stay after they arrive?' he wondered.

He rubbed his temples, trying to calm the flood of thoughts. He had spent the past few days learning more about his new abilities, but there were still so many things he didn't know. The idea of drawing in and permanently storing ambient magicules in his pocket dimension was daunting.

After twenty minutes of intense mental exertion, a flicker of an idea sparked in his mind. 'What if I create a custom, giant magic circle that'll attract the ambient magicules?' he thought, excitement rising in his chest. But then doubt followed almost immediately. 'But I don't know anything about magic, let alone creating a giant complex magic circle.'

His mind spiraled for a moment, but then the solution came to him, as if it had always been there. 'I'll just create a monster that can teach me!' he thought with renewed vigor. The Sovereign's Sanctuary was his domain, a place where he could create without limits. Why not make a creature that could help him solve this very problem?

He began to think of monsters from the anime he had watched, specifically ones that specialized in magic circles. 'What about one of the magicians from Yu-Gi-Oh!?' he pondered. 'Though the magic system is different, the knowledge would provide a foundation to build upon.'

James's thoughts narrowed further. 'It has to be a "good" magician, not one of the dark ones… and to not waste my magicules, I won't make it too strong. I just need a being that can talk and converse, with knowledge of magic.'

With this plan in mind, James stood up and summoned his power. He called upon Annihilation Creator, focusing his mind on the figure he wished to create. A blue magic circle appeared in front of him, its intricate design humming with energy. Slowly, a human-looking figure began to materialize from the swirling arcane light. As the being took shape, James could tell it wasn't a monster in the traditional sense—this was something different. A magician.

The creation was unmistakably humanoid, tall and poised. The figure was draped in a flowing white robe that shimmered with an ethereal glow. The robe itself was simple, elegant, with silver runes subtly embroidered into the fabric, signifying arcane power. As it moved, the fabric swirled as though a soft breeze was constantly blowing around it, giving the robe an almost weightless quality.

The magician's face was calm, composed—sharp, well-defined features that suggested both age and wisdom. His high cheekbones and angular jawline gave him a noble appearance, while his soft, serene expression revealed a deep well of knowledge. What struck James the most, however, were his eyes. They glowed faintly with a subtle light, their depth seeming to hold a thousand untold secrets, constantly analyzing and observing the world around him.

In his right hand, the magician held a staff, slender and elegant, carved with intricate designs. At the top of the staff, a small orb pulsed with a soft, white light. The staff exuded an ancient aura, imbued with knowledge and power, though it was understated in its design. This was not a weapon of aggression—it was a tool of wisdom.

The magician's presence radiated calm and authority, his very being suggesting that he was someone who could teach, guide, and explain, not someone who sought conflict or violence. He was a figure of composure and intelligence, someone who could offer the answers James sought.

James took a deep breath and stepped forward, addressing the magician. "Hello," he said, his voice steady despite the excitement. "I've created you for a reason. I need to learn about how magic works here—specifically, how to create custom magic circles. I want to attract ambient magicules to my pocket dimension and have them stay there permanently. Can you teach me how to do that?"

The magician inclined his head, his glowing eyes regarding James with quiet understanding. "Of course," he said, his voice smooth and calm, like the rustle of wind through leaves. "Creating magic circles is a delicate art, but with patience and focus, it can be done. First, we must understand the principles that govern magic in this world. Only then can you craft circles with the power to attract and hold magicules."

James nodded eagerly, ready to begin. "Please, teach me. I'll do whatever it takes."

The Skilled White Magician gave a small smile. "We begin with the basics." He raised his staff, and a magic circle appeared beneath them, glowing faintly. "Magic, like any force, follows certain rules. In order to attract magicules, we must first understand how to manipulate the flow of energy. We can start by crafting a simple circle and using it to guide the magic in the air."

James watched intently, absorbing every word, every movement of the magician. This was the beginning of his journey into understanding magic, and with the Skilled White Magician's help, he felt more confident than ever.

This was the first step in creating a foundation for his monsters—one that could sustain them with ambient magicules for as long as he needed.

End of chap.