Geometric Mage: First Spell, Circle

Despite all the scrolls with rescue requests, Lian had no intention of diving into another Gate, at least not for now.

He had to participate in the academy's event first, but he needed to find a third member.

"I wonder if Rick managed to find someone," he sighed helplessly, thinking of his friend. "I cannot let him know I have 6,000 gold coins behind me."

Lian left the area. With nothing else to do, his goal was to return to his room, try creating Bronze 2 enchantments, and meditate to reach Bronze 4.

"There is also the matter of my Knight path… when will I be able to reach Steel rank?" he murmured, watching some students spar with wooden swords. Memories of fighting his old father flooded back.

"I wonder how everyone is doing. And my friend Roland? Will he manage to reach the famed Steel rank, or will he stay stuck as Iron his whole life?" The thought made him smile.

After walking for a bit under the gazes of numerous students, some recognizing him from his arena victory in his early days, Lian reached his room.

"Good, now for a nice shower, then I start creating a Bronze 2 enchantment."

With renewed vigor, Lian began undressing as he headed toward the hot water that would wash away sweat and fatigue.

After stepping out of the shower, Lian admired his body in the mirror. His hair had grown quite a bit, partly due to the mana flooding his muscular yet lean body.

"Maybe it is time for a new look? I should book a haircut at the barber…" he whispered, his hands running through his hair, brushing back the lock falling over his eyes, trying different hairstyles.

After dressing and drying off, Lian began his creation.

---

Meanwhile, Rick was busy with the daunting task of finding a third group member… no, wait… not at all—

It was around noon, and Rick had just woken up, his eyes puffy from sleep.

"Damn, ever since the shadow element awakened, bringing my affinity to excellent, I have felt more and more tired…" he murmured under his breath, stretching and yawning loudly.

"It feels like my body cannot handle all this power… fortunately, Lian bought me those Mana Pills. Today I might start absorbing the Bronze 1 and maybe the Bronze 2…"

Heading to the bathroom, Rick washed only his face before leaving the room and making his way to the Silver Twilight Association.

"My goal for today is to find the third group member!"

---

"It was easier than expected—" Lian murmured, observing the glow from the Runic Seal, a sign of success in creating the enchantment.

"Torin was right," Lian said, picking up a new Runic Seal and another Runic Tablet, this time containing Bronze 3 runes, not Bronze 2 like the one he just completed.

"To succeed in creating enchantments, you just need practice, nothing else."

With care, Lian began crafting the Bronze 3 enchantment.

For simplicity, and because they sold the best, Lian was focusing only on creating fire element enchantments.

---

Meanwhile, inside the Silver Twilight Association…

Rick was scanning the board with a mix of curiosity and impatience.

It was not the usual board full of monster-hunting or material-gathering missions but a more… personal one.

Each sheet on the board listed a name, a power, and a request, like a market for magical talents. "Damn, it feels like picking a racehorse," he muttered to himself, scratching the back of his neck.

Maybe I should go place some bets on the Cloud Horse races? he thought distractedly.

Among the various postings, none had truly caught Rick's attention.

They were not looking for weak students to carry but someone who could add firepower or support to their group.

"They all seem like desperate cases…" he murmured, reading some names. "But it is obvious; the most talented students always try to join the best groups, like the main factions or similar. They need money to improve, after all."

Continuing to read, a name caught his attention. Or rather, not the name, but the photo attached to the description.

---

Name: Clara Vance

Affinity: Water and Earth

Rank: Bronze 3

Request: I am 1.50m tall! I like tough guys!! Looking for a group to score high in the event, yay!

---

Rick raised his eyebrows, his eyes gleaming. "Not only does she have a pretty face, but she also has a dual affinity?" he murmured, forcefully tearing the sheet from the board and heading to the nearest desk.

As he walked away, soft laughter and murmurs from other students filled the air.

"That guy got fooled," one young man said, shaking his head with slight anger. "If only I had been born a woman, this world would be so much easier to live in…" he added.

"Not only would you need to be born a woman—" replied a boy nearby, holding another sheet in his hands. "You would need to want to be born beautiful too, or it would all be pointless!" He pointed to the photo on the sheet.

A chuckle echoed in the area, causing disgusted frowns on the faces of many girls.

"Typical stupid boys. They talk like this only because no girl wants them," a cloaked figure murmured faintly.

Of course, Rick noticed nothing as he reached the desk where the receptionist would provide him with the girl's contact information from the photo.

---

After getting the girl's contact, Rick wasted no time.

Leaving the Silver Twilight Association, he reached a secluded spot before taking the crystal in his hands and channeling mana into it.

"She is exactly my ideal type!" he murmured while waiting for the other side to respond.

A few moments later…

"Hello, I'm Clara! Who do I have the pleasure of speaking with?"

Her sweet, melodious voice blended with the fresh air surrounding Rick, almost making him daydream.

Damn, I need to be tough, not an idiot!

Shaking his head vigorously and giving a slight cough, Rick regained his composure.

"Hi, Clara! My name's Rick!" he said in a booming voice, or close to it… "I saw your ad on the Silver Twilight Association board, and I must say, you really caught my attention…"

The air fell silent for a couple of seconds, making the young man's heart sink. Maybe I was a bit too… booming?

"Nice to meet you, Rick!" A moment later, her melodious voice reached his ears again, letting him breathe a sigh of relief, though it was short-lived due to the words that followed.

"Which faction do you belong to? Are you and your friend both Bronze 5?"

Those questions struck Rick's heart like arrows. Now what?? What do I do? His mind panicked, but his brain kept searching for a solution.

"I've got it!" he whispered before adding with determination. "We're with the Yellow Tiger; no need to worry. Why don't we discuss in person?"

Heh, Rick, you're too smart! he thought, nodding repeatedly.

Recalling Lian meeting an important Yellow Tiger figure to discuss a mission, Rick seized the opportunity.

Sure enough, not a moment later, "The Yellow Tiger??" The girl's voice turned almost too high-pitched, hurting Rick's ears. With a faint cough, she continued. "Sure, why don't we meet tonight at Seven Spirit Flavors?"

Rick could hardly believe his ears. Before he could even consider something might be off, he replied, "Absolutely, see you there at 8:00 PM!"

"See you tonight!"

"See you ton—"

Beep—

Rick swallowed the rest of his words, laughing foolishly. "I have a date!" he said to himself.

"I can't wait to tell Lian; he'll surely be thrilled to know we have a new member," he said as he headed toward Lian's place.

"And I need to ask if he can lend me some money for tonight. Yesterday we were broke, but judging by his character, he's probably working hard…" He nearly tripped while saying this.

"Okay, maybe I should get to work too…" he murmured, changing direction. "I absolutely need to train this new power; it's time to head to the training fields. Maybe I'll find someone to spar with!"

---

Time passed slowly, and it was finally 5:00 PM. Lian had successfully created several enchantments, but for some reason, he found crafting Bronze 5 ones very difficult.

"Well, no problem," he murmured as he stood up. He hadn't spent all his time creating Runic Seals but had also meditated in between.

His power couldn't lag behind.

"I've created plenty of Bronze 4 enchantments; I can make just as many artifacts and get even richer!"

As Lian said these words, a premonition, a vision of a future event, gripped his mind.

And not a second later—

Knock—Knock—

"Lian! You home??"

The devil's voice echoed in his room. Damn, did he sniff out my money?! he thought, tidying up the room.

Knock—Knock—

"It's me, Rick! Open up, Lian!!"

"Coming, one sec! Damn—" the last word added under his breath.

---