And three days later.

Leaving the hustle and bustle of the royal capital behind, the two of them reached the boundary of the barrier.

Though invisible, Aldo stared intently at the line where the air quality clearly changed, before him.

Luna glances at the staff he's holding.

Although the design is simple, she can tell the staff's main body is made of high-quality magic stones.

It was a first-class magic staff, befitting a former Archmage.

She didn't miss the hand gripping Aldo's staff like that.

"Aldo-san, are you nervous?"

Luna posed a pure question. Aldo slightly shrugged his shoulders before opening his mouth to deflect.

"...No, it's what you call a thrill of anticipation."

"If that's the case, then it's fine... but the flow of magic is a little different outside the barrier. The way you use magic might feel different than usual, so please be careful."

"...Yes, that's right. I'll keep that in mind."

As if leading Aldo, who still seemed a little hesitant, Luna took a step outside the barrier.

Aldo also seemed determined and followed behind.

"...!"

The moment Aldo stepped outside the barrier, his eyes widened.

"Th-this is outside the barrier...? The magical power... It's like it's boiling."

"Yes, that's right... That's what it's like outside the barrier."

"In an environment like this, are people really living...?"

"That's right. I've been living here for a long time."

"...I see."

After a look of disbelief, Aldo was scanning the forest. His expression grew increasingly grim.

Luna could sense a mixture of awe and pure bewilderment on Aldo's face towards the man named Darius.

She stepped onto a narrow path that looked like an animal trail and continued forward.

Aldo followed in silence. The dense trees covered the sky, making it dim even though it was daytime.

It was then, as she entered the heart of that forest.

The bushes in front rustled, and several shadows emerged, revealing themselves to be...

"Is that... an orc...? No, but... it seems like the very essence of that creature is completely different from the weak monsters I see inside the barrier..."

"That's what the orcs outside the barrier look like."

The monster drooling and glaring at me with bloodshot eyes is definitely an orc.

However, its body was one or two sizes larger than what they had seen inside the barrier, and its eyes held clear intelligence and ferocity.

Just as Luna stepped forward to quickly handle it, Aldo quietly stopped her.

"Director Luna... could you please let me fight once, just to start? I'd like to see how effective this old man is against the monsters outside the barrier."

"...Okay. I understand. You can try it."

As Luna stepped back, Aldo slammed his staff hard against the ground once.

When a mage fights alone, especially without a front line, the first thing they should do is create a "wall."

The basic strategy was to hinder the enemy's advance and buy time to chant a powerful spell while ensuring one's own safety.

"Servant of the earth, stand as my shield! ―'Clay Golem'!"

Responding to Aldo's incantation, mud and rocks rise from the ground, quickly creating a sturdy golem.

As the golem roared and charged towards the orcs, behind it, Aldo immediately began chanting the next great spell.

And this is where his true worth began to shine.

(Simultaneous chanting, impressive as always.)

Luna narrowed her eyes.

The technique of simultaneously thinking about and casting two or more spells. It's the minimum requirement to be a first-class mage, and it's a high-level technique where the caster's rank is said to be determined by its precision and speed.

As Aldo chanted a great magic spell, a barrage of small defensive spells ―'Magic Missile' continuously shot from one hand, accurately hitting the orcs trying to bypass the golem.

Soon, the moment the golem pinned down the orc.

Aldo's great magic is complete.

"Strike ―'Thunder Eagle'!"

As the incantation completed, a giant eagle formed of lightning descended from the sky, and in an instant, it swept away the orcs with its sharp beak and claws.

It was magnificent. Every movement was efficient, and their judgment of the situation was spot-on.

Above all, every technique is backed by such a perfect foundation that it deserves to be in a textbook.

(...I had heard that he occasionally went to instruct the Knights' magic unit, but this makes sense now.)

It was truly a textbook example of how to fight, the kind he would want to put in a textbook.

Aldo was lightly sweating on his forehead. It was clear that the recent battle had taken a considerable toll on him.

It was right after Luna internally made that assessment.

From deeper within the forest, several orcs appeared, shouting. Perhaps they heard the death throes of their comrades, or perhaps they were drawn by the smell of blood.

They are already in a state of readiness for battle.

"Aldo-san, I'll help you."

"...Hmm, I'm sorry. I'd like to ask you a favor."

Luna said that and stepped forward in front of Aldo.

Luna's fighting style is simple and straightforward.

She neither creates walls with golems nor uses minor magic to hold him back.

However, through overwhelming magic control and casting speed, she can build up a great spell and release it instantly.

As Luna effortlessly wielded 'Formalhaut,' countless icy projectiles, responding to her thoughts and released from the tip of her staff, traced beautiful arcs and pierced the foreheads of the orcs with pinpoint accuracy.

Or perhaps a creeping path of ice on the ground swallows the oak, turning it into a frozen object that shatters.

Upon seeing that, Aldo let out a gasp of admiration.

"To cast a spell of that magnitude without an incantation... Truly, Director Luna is impressive. It's no wonder you're called the greatest genius of all time."

Aldo exclaims in awe and admiration.

However, Luna quietly shook her head at that reaction.

"The reason I can fully wield this magic is also thanks to this staff."

Aldo's gaze is once again drawn to the 'Formalhaut' Luna holds in her hand.

"...Without this staff, I can't draw out 100% of my magical power. You know that well, don't you?"

"...Yes, that's right. While a staff does enhance the power of magic, there are variations in the efficiency of mana conversion."

"So that's it… With Darius-san's staff, I can exert 100% of my power."

Luna smiled and stroked the staff in her hand.

"...Wonderful, that's a fine staff."

"Right? Then, shall we continue at this pace?"

"...Oh, alright."

She can't wait to see him. And she wants to show Aldo just how great he is for making this staff.

That eager feeling was urging her on.

Chapter 24