For the last few days, I felt like I had been going crazy.
My hunting of coyotes proceeded as usual, but I had a weird sense that I was being watched.
Since entering this desert, I had not come across a single person.
Yet recently, I had an unshakable feeling that someone was observing me.
In my last life, this instinct had saved me from death several times, so I trusted it absolutely.
Yet I was unable to find a single trace of anyone other than myself.
It was troublesome, as even though I was able to hunt, I was not comfortable with allowing Blue to eat whatever I killed.
Revealing Blue to anyone was something I would absolutely not do.
This naturally meant that my experience growth had decreased.
Whatever was watching me, it did not seem to be hostile, at least not yet.
"Hey! I know you're watching me! Come out!"
I shouted for the presence to come out, my voice echoing through the desert dunes.
I received no response.
'Maybe the desert heat really is driving me crazy.'
...
'Insane.'
The man could not help but marvel at the boy's senses.
He was not hiding his presence to the maximum, but even so, there was no way someone at the boy's level should be able to sense him.
He was unsure if he should approach the boy or not.
'Dissecting him, would be a waste... right?'
Every time the boy in front of him casted a spell, immense curiosity swelled up inside him.
With each spell cast, he was able to gaze into the abyss of mana he had sensed before.
It was truly a magnificent thing, a bottomless well with no end in sight.
Surely, if he had such a power, he would be invincible.
'Maybe if it were the old days.'
Luckily for Furio, the man was no so bloodthirsty to try and steal his body, so instead, he simply observed.
"I'm getting late now, aren't I?"
The man idly spoke to himself, yet somehow, from far away, the boy turned his head towards him.
Instantly, he increased the power of the cloaking spell he had been using.
Slightly sweating, the man chuckled.
'This... can it even be called talent anymore?'
...
As Furio travelled deeper into the desert, the nagging feeling he had did not disappear.
He could not be sure if it was simply an effect caused by the heat and stress he was feeling, or if it was actually a being watching him.
Anyone would feel scared, believing they were being stalked but being unable to find the one stalking them.
Especially when isolated in a desert where it should be impossible to hide.
Looking at the status window, Furio was fairly pleased.
[Furio Ars Notoria]
Body: Stage 1 – Mid
Reflex: Stage 1 – Mid
Magic: Layer 1 - High
Traits: Circuitry of Infinity [EX], The Notary Art [F]
He was closing in on reaching the second layer.
On top of this, Magic Bullet had reached level three.
From a single circle, he was able to fire three magic bullets in quick succession.
His combat power was quickly increasing.
During this time, he had still tried to cast other spells whenever he got the chance, but the result was always the same.
All he could do was accept that he was limited to one spell.
At the very least though, he hoped to create variations of magic bullet.
Perhaps with enough experience, he could create a magic shotgun, or magic assault rifle.
Maybe even magic artillery, although at that point it couldn't really be called an offshoot of magic bullet.
Furio believed that with perhaps another two days of casting magic bullet his circuits would grow enough for him to become a second layer mage.
After reaching the second layer, becoming a third layer mage would most likely take far longer.
He would need to gain a small enlightenment for his first awakening, allowing him to gain an elemental affinity.
Becoming a second layer mage was simply about becoming more familar with magic and growing ones magic circuits, which could be done with training as simple as casting spells over and over.
He had two months left on his quest, and he would probably clear the first objective within another week.
After he moved deeper into the desert, large vulture like birds had begun appearing, which were apparently sufficient to be counted towards his mission.
So far, he hadn't been able to kill many of them, seeing as they were much harder to hit when compared to the coyotes who stayed on land.
His accuracy had been improving, but landing Magic Bullet at longer distances was difficult.
'Yet another issue I need to solve by reaching the second layer.'
...
'It's getting a little boring now, I suppose.'
The man had watched intently as Furio killed various animals.
He was not sure what exactly the boy hoped to gain from doing this act over and over again.
Perhaps it was some sort of training?
But wouldn't there be far more efficient methods to improve oneself?
Considering the child was alone, perhaps he did not have any guidance.
'It would be a shame, wouldn't it?'
From the man's eyes, the boy could surely use his guidance.
'But still, why only magic bullet?'
'Is it the only spell he knows?'
After mulling over his decision for a bit, the man came to a conclusion.
'How will you react, once I throw a curveball?'
---
LOG 8 - MAGIC CIRCUITS
Magic Circuits are a series of wire-like structures connected to a mage's heart. The heart of a regular human pumps only blood, but for a mage, it also pumps mana. This mana travels through magic circuits to the rest of the mage's body, allowing for usage of true magic. Alternatively, martial artists warp and mold their circuits into a single core. This reduces the efficiency of mana output, rendering spells far weaker, but allows for them to strengthen their bodies using mana efficiently.