The Dark Mage Of The Magus World-Chapter 113 - 114: The Message

With his ascension to a Third-Tier Wizard Apprentice, the side effects of the Stellar Elixir had significantly diminished for Hutson. The once-uncontrollable turbulence of energy had now settled, barely affecting him.

He raised a hand, summoning a swirling Dark Energy Shield.

Shadowy arcs of power coalesced around him, forming a protective barrier. He could feel its strength had grown immensely.

More importantly, his perception of the surrounding energy particles had changed. It wasn’t that they had increased in number—rather, his heightened awareness now allowed him to sense what had always been there, unseen.

For the past half-month since his breakthrough, Hutson had maintained his routine. He needed time to fully grasp his newfound power, stabilizing his mental state through meditation.

Meanwhile, AI chip had also evolved. Its detection range had expanded to an astonishing 500 meters, a vast improvement from before. The difference was profound—his awareness now stretched far beyond its previous limits.

Then, in his enhanced perception, a familiar presence emerged.

"Elusha?"

Hutson sensed her carriage approaching from the distance, a steady rhythm of hooves echoing in his mind. He realized he hadn’t visited the lord’s manor in some time, which was likely why she had come in person.

Rising from his seat, he straightened his robes and strode toward the entrance.

By the time he reached the door, the carriage had already arrived. At the reins was Levan, the knight.

Elusha stepped out, clad in a long, flowing gown—a noblewoman’s attire, meticulously modest yet exuding an undeniable grace. She always dressed with dignified restraint when in public.

Hutson extended his hand, helping her down from the carriage.

"What brings you here?" he asked.

Elusha pouted slightly, a trace of grievance in her tone. "So you still remember me? I thought you had completely forgotten."

Hutson smiled. "I told you—I needed time for secluded cultivation."

Without hesitation, his arm slid naturally around her waist, pulling her close.

Elusha tilted her head, studying him. Even without magic, she could feel the transformation in his presence.

A deep, unfathomable energy now surrounded him, radiating a power that was anything but ordinary.

"You succeeded?" she asked softly.

He nodded. "I did."

Her eyes flickered with understanding. "A Third-Tier Wizard Apprentice at sixteen..."

She had learned much about wizards from Dino, and she understood what this meant. To reach the Third Tier at such a young age was an extraordinary feat—one that signified boundless potential. The potential to become a full-fledged wizard.

After all, not every apprentice succeeded in taking that final step. Most remained forever trapped in the apprentice stage, never advancing beyond it.

"What are your plans now?" she asked. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Hutson pondered for a moment.

"For now, I’ll remain here. The situation in the Moonlight Woodland is still unresolved, and I have no idea when I’ll be able to return. If I meet the requirements to advance to a full wizard and still can’t return, I’ll have to start gathering the resources I need for the next step."

Elusha’s expression faltered. "So... you’re leaving?"

Hutson nodded. "I won’t stay here forever."

She sighed. It wasn’t unexpected, but that didn’t make it any easier to accept.

Her hand instinctively moved to her stomach, and she hesitated before speaking. "Before you go... could you give me a child?"

Hutson frowned slightly. "Now that I’ve reached the Third Tier, it’s difficult for me to father a child with you."

Elusha met his gaze, unwavering. "And how would we know if we don’t try?"

She leaned into him, wrapping her arms around his.

Hutson felt the warmth of her body pressing against him—a softness that stirred something deep within.

The embers of his repressed energy flickered to life once more. Without another word, he swept her into his arms and carried her inside.

What followed was a long-awaited reunion beneath the shroud of night.

"Hutson Merlin: Strength 8.0, Agility 7.1, Constitution 8.8, Spirit 18.6, Mana 100%."

The eleventh star had finally been engraved into his meditation cycle. It had taken nearly three months—evidence that the effects of the Stellar Elixir were beginning to wane.

However, the effort had not been in vain. The second Star Array had been activated, illuminating its first of fifteen points.

To become a full-fledged wizard, one needed 20 Spirit Points.

As a Third-Tier Wizard Apprentice, his meditation technique allowed him to engrave up to five stars. That meant he could still cultivate four more before reaching his limit.

Hutson exhaled slowly.

"It’s time to start preparing for my ascension to a full wizard."

But this was not a simple matter.

If he couldn’t return to the Moonlight Woodland in time, acquiring the necessary resources for advancement would be extremely difficult.

The first challenge was the Ancient Elixir—a potion crucial for breaking past the apprentice stage. Its ingredients were rare, composed of high-tier magical components that were nearly impossible to obtain.

Had he still been in the Moonlight Woodland, he could have simply bought the elixir from Lari, the potion master. In fact, his spatial ring still held a vast number of valuable artifacts—more than enough to purchase the necessary potion.

Of course, there was always the option of crafting it himself. But the cost would be astronomical.

Besides, the Ancient Elixir was leagues beyond anything he had brewed before. Unlike the Dawn Elixir or the Dusk-Dawn Elixir, this was a potion at the pinnacle of magical alchemy. Even with AI chip’s assistance, his chances of success were slim.

This was why the Ancient Elixir was so tightly controlled by the major wizarding factions.

To the wizarding world, these potions were power itself—a resource that decided who could ascend and who would remain trapped as an apprentice forever.

And this was why potion masters like Lari held such prestigious positions. Their ability to craft these rare elixirs made them indispensable to any wizarding faction.

As for the wandering apprentices, they had almost no chance of obtaining an Ancient Elixir. Without it, their journey ended before they could even begin.

The wizarding organizations controlled these resources—and by extension, they controlled the path to true power.

Yet, the Ancient Elixir was only one of the requirements.

To become a full-fledged wizard, he would also need another potion.

A potion known as Amanda’s Elixir.

Amanda’s Elixir—The Price of Power

The Amanda Elixir was a key to unlocking one’s latent potential—an alchemical catalyst that could push an apprentice past their limits and into the ranks of full-fledged wizards. Unlike other potions, it wasn’t bound by a single use; one could consume multiple doses to enhance its effects.

But therein lay the danger.

This was why wizards sought to ascend before the age of eighteen—the younger the body, the more untapped potential remained. As one aged, this well of power dwindled, and when it ran dry, no elixir in existence could force a breakthrough.

For those who waited too long, the Amanda Elixir became a double-edged blade.

Desperate Third-Tier Apprentices, unwilling to accept their fate, often tried to defy time itself. They would take a single dose, only to find it useless—their potential already spent. Then, in a reckless bid for power, they would take a second... a third... until their very life force was consumed. Their bodies burned from within, reduced to lifeless husks—victims of their own unwillingness to let go.

Hutson pondered these truths in silence.

Then, his thoughts were abruptly interrupted.

His fingers twitched, and in the next moment, he retrieved a Runestone from his spatial ring.

The faint glow of the rune flickered—then pulsed.

A message.

His breath stilled.

The soft gleam of the stone intensified, confirming his suspicions. He held it up, watching as a string of luminous glyphs materialized.

"There’s news from Moonlight Woodland."

Without hesitation, Hutson activated the runestone, letting the message unfold before his eyes.

"The war between Moonlight Woodland and Green Lodge is nearing its end. A ceasefire is in effect, and peace negotiations have begun. You may return now. If the situation changes, I will contact you again."

The sender—Lari. The timestamp—two days ago.

Hutson exhaled slowly.

He was too far from Moonlight Woodland for the message to have reached him in real time. And given that he was outside the established communication network, he had no way to respond. He could only listen—and act accordingly.

Lowering the runestone, he cast a glance around his surroundings.

A strange mix of nostalgia and resolve welled within him.

"It’s time to leave."

But he wouldn’t rush blindly into the journey ahead. The path back required careful planning.

The Violet Kingdom was out of the question. That cursed Valley Town lay in the way—a place steeped in something dark, something unnatural. Hutson had no intention of setting foot anywhere near it.

With the eastern route blocked, that left him with two options:

Head north, braving the unknown.Journey west to the coast, find a ship, and sail around the continent’s edge toward the east.

He narrowed his eyes.

A choice had to be made.

And soon.