Geometric Mage: First Spell, Circle

"Is everything alright?" Bibo slowly approached the human figure. The aura he emanated was weak, like that of a dying man, yet pulsing with a stubborn spark of life.

"Hey, I am talking to you… are you alive?" Bibo paused for a second, his voice softening with concern.

The dying human was intensely staring at an ancient scroll in his hands. His eyes were glued, reading what was written with a… frowning expression?

The legacy! Bibo thought, almost wanting to snatch that piece of paper from his hands. But he managed to restrain his instincts, somehow reining in his impulsive nature.

"Hey, kid! Do not be afraid, my name is Bibo! I am here to save you from this place." His shrill voice echoed in the hall, but Lian was still frowning, staring at the scroll in his hands. He could not believe his eyes…

"And you call this a sage's legacy? Are you kidding me…" Lian whispered weakly, but Bibo could clearly hear his words the disappointment in his tone palpable.

"Eh?? That is the legacy?" With a cough, Bibo composed himself. His master always told him he needed to stop stealing things. He was not a kid anymore or so he tried to convince himself.

"You know there is a huge elephant with insane power out there?" Bibo asked with a mischievous smile on his face. "I know, I know. You just want to get out of this awful place. I can help you! Do not worry about that monster out there, I will take care of it! You just have to give me the legacy!"

Lian looked up. The shining, expectant eyes of the boy named Bibo were right in front of his brimming with eager anticipation.

"Uhm…" Lian took a step back. "Who are you?" he did not expect to see a new face. He had not heard clearly before, thinking it was Freddy.

"I am Bibo Pegasus, disciple of the headmaster of Astralis Academy. I was sent here to save you!" His eyes never left the scroll in Lian's hands,

"Oh, I see… I am Lian Veyr. If what you said is true, then I will rely on you to get out of here…" Lian nodded weakly as he noticed Bibo's gaze intensely and unabashedly fixed on the scroll in his hands.

"Here." Thinking about the scroll, he grew sad, his heart sinking with disillusionment.

He was too dejected to question the boy's words. He just wanted to go home to escape the nightmare of this place.

After facing the wrath of that maniac sage and obtaining the scroll, Lian had been incredibly happy, his hopes soaring like a freed bird.

But after opening it…

---

Fire + Earth = Lava

Fire + Water = Steam

Fire + Air = Smoke

Water + Earth = Mud

Water + Air = Mist

Earth + Air = Dust

---

A series of combinations of the four basic elements with no explanation, just various names put together to form something different, a list as bland as unseasoned bread.

It was more of a theoretical thing than practical… sure, better than nothing, but the problem was something else. Even Lian, a boy who had only recently started practicing magic, knew these elemental combinations and their effects.

So how could this be called a legacy?

Just as Lian was shocked, Bibo was left speechless as well, his jaw dropping in disbelief.

"T-this is the legacy?"

"I cannot believe it!! Where is the real thing? What am I supposed to do with this stupid information?!"

Bibo, who moments ago was excited, was now a frustrated dog as he shouted at Lian, shaking the scroll back and forth, only to see the latter sigh helplessly at his words, his shoulders slumping in defeat.

"Do not take it out on me-" he replied, shaking his head with regret, pointing at the statue in front of him. "He is the one who gave me that thing… take it up with him, or better yet, destroy him!" his voice laced with bitter resentment

Lian's gaze was one of anger at the memory of the know-it-all old man, his insults still stinging like fresh wounds.

All he had done was mock him for his inability to cast combined spells.

But in the end, after seeing how Lian could cast spells without a formula, he immediately decided to give him his "most precious legacy", a gift that felt more like a cruel jest.

"Hey, I was joking!" Lian shouted in dismay, observing the mana surging powerfully from Bibo's body, a torrent of energy that made the air hum.

A Silver 1! Lian thought with slight shock his eyes widening at the raw power.

"That guy is very strong; I would say we leave him alone. Let us get out of here, alright?" he added with an uncertain smile. To be honest, at this moment, Lian only wanted to do two things, his mind consumed by simple desires.

Wash and eat.

He was still covered in mud, dirt, blood, sweat, and anything else possible. He could not stand it anymore.

"Alright…" Bibo had genuinely intended to destroy the statue, but the moment he charged his mana, ready to cast a spell, a shiver ran down his spine, like a cold blade pressed against his neck.

It was a strange sensation, as if someone were behind him with a knife to his throat. It was not pleasant, a primal warning that made his instincts scream.

"You should keep this-" Bibo smiled, passing the scroll back to Lian, who responded with a nod his expression, a mix of relief and resignation.

The two exited the tower, chatting a bit between themselves. Bibo offered some snacks, which Lian accepted and devoured voraciously, thanking him loudly while spitting bits of food everywhere, his hunger overriding all sense of decorum.

The moment they crossed the threshold of the door, something caught their attention, a faint shimmer in the distance.

"I just hope it is the way back…" Lian murmured with a slight frown on his face as he observed the portal just outside the tower, its glow both promising and foreboding.

On the other hand, Bibo was slightly sulky. He had gained nothing from this trip; on the contrary, he had only taken slaps from a muscular elephant, his pride bruised more than his body.

Unfortunately, he had tried everything, but he could not do anything to even slightly harm that monster. It was too resistant its hide like an unbreakable fortress.

Fortunately, it was not too strong, or rather, it had gone easy on him; otherwise, Bibo would have died.

Let us hope it is the gate to return… I want to see my family again. And Sera? Heh, I will amaze her now that I am finally a Bronze 4, and not only that, I am also an Iron 5! This time, I will be the one looking down at her.

The idea of Sera looking at him in awe made, her smile like an idiot, her grin wide and foolish.

Then there is Seline… I wonder what she is doing. What if she does not want to see me anymore because I did not go to save her? His heart twinged with worry

These thoughts swirled in his mind as he crossed the portal with Bibo in tow, their steps echoing with purpose.

Swoosh-

The portal's light swallowing them like a hungry void.