Extra's Path To Demon King-Chapter 47: Acolyte

Axel couldn’t believe his eyes. He read the words again and again, as a profound sense of relief swept through the entirety of his being. But Axel did not immediately trust those words.

He knew that the power of the 7th circle mage must be beyond mortal comprehension, but even so, he was able to create a temporary block to cancer in just 10 minutes, the time it took for him to reach the 7th floor after leaving the outer library.

From a logical point of view, it should be impossible. But the logic of his previous world rarely mattered here. Axel needed to test it firsthand on some other cancer patient before using it on his little brother Akon. But he still felt a mountain-heavy weight had been lifted off his chest.

Axel closed his eyes for a minute to sort out his complicated emotions. Then, with a firm focus, he started reading the small sheet containing the general information. Unlike the academy-type education system, you need to pay higher-ranking magi for their opinion and help by paying them.

It was literally like private tutoring. Killing or fighting was not allowed. They were also rewarded with various knowledge or items based on their accomplishment and levels.

The power system of the magi was also quite simple.

1st to 9th circle Magi.

1st to 3rd circle mages are collectively called Low rank mages.

4th to 6th circle mages are collectively called mid-rank mages.

7th to 9th circle mages are collectively called High Rank mages.

Of course, there were specific names or titles for powerful beings at each stage, depending on their specific branch of magic or warrior path. Each circle has three sublevels: initial, mid, and peak.

But before becoming a 1st circle mage, one needed to become an acolyte, which had 2 levels in it.

Rank 1 Acolyte

Rank 2 Acolyte

Various magic branches each had their own way of advancing through the ranks, specific to them only. For Runecaster’s they needed to memorize the 1st level of the runic language. The 24 basic rune symbols. Axel continued to do just that, and days passed as he memorized one rune symbol after another.

Just staring at those symbols caused him massive headaches. Memorizing them made it even worse. But the headache continued to recede after a certain amount of time had passed after memorizing a single basic rune symbol. So, there was a need to take breaks in between for a few days.

As he began to memorize more and more symbols, his mind became stronger. The time needed to rest in between became less and less. The headaches after memorizing each of the new symbols also became more bearable. Overall, his progress became faster.

He first wanted to go out and test the artifact his master left for his little brother, but he wasn’t allowed to go out before becoming at least a Rank 2 Acolyte. That was his master’s order, which the old librarian conveyed to him. 1 month passed as Axel continued to train, and eventually he memorized all 24 basic symbols of the runic language.

Then a profound change occurred in him, Axel could feel something being created inside of him, his mind expanded, a depth that he wasn’t able to feel beforehand was now open to him. Axel could feel a new energy in the air. It was mana. His viewpoint of the whole world seems to have changed. As if he could see in a new spectrum which he could not beforehand.

Axel went to the librarian to let the old man know of his breakthrough and ask some questions about his state, as well as to get suggestions about the next steps he should follow. Unlike everyone else, he did not need to pay higher-ranked mages for their knowledge and understanding.

As the disciple of the vice-tower master, he could directly go to the librarian to ask any questions he had. Strangely enough, no one seems to be able to notice that he had a breakthrough. Also, the news about him being the disciple of the vice-tower master seems to be kept under a tight wrap. But he did not know why. A few of the mages seem to suspect him of having become the vice-tower master’s disciple.

While other acolytes believed that Axel hadn’t become the disciple of the vice-tower master yet, but would soon enough, considering he had an apartment on the third floor.

The librarian solved all of his doubts as they conversed in a separate chamber within the outer library. At first, the old man was beyond shocked that Axel actually became an Acolyte in just one month. The old man revealed that, in general, it takes someone 1 year to become an acolyte. Even the brightest geniuses could only do it for 6 months.

While the shortest record was 4 months. And it was among all the magic branches and all of their millions of years of history. The old man seemed to tremble in excitement, to have such a monstrous genius for the rune tower. The old man did not hide the truth anymore as he further explained,

"You see, there is a special competition between the various mage towers, depending on how well their low-ranking mages do, who are basically the next generation of their tower. The towers gain special privileges and resources above the other towers based on the rankings of the competition."

"Especially the tower that manages to place first, the low-ranking mages of that tower will get an unbelievable opportunity," exclaimed the old man in wonder.

"The rune tower has always been one of the weakest when it comes to the low-ranking mages. But with you, we could change it. There is hope," the librarian stared at Axel with immense expectation.

"And the mage who achieves the first place in the individual competition shall be awarded with the supreme meditation technique," revealed the old man thunderously.

Axel felt burdened, but he understood the sentiment; he felt the greed of getting such a powerful technique. But he still couldn’t wrap his head around the fact that he was actually a genius? He didn’t feel like one, though. He erased all the unnecessary thoughts as he asked the librarian about the things he was confused about or the other stuff.

Their discussion went on for a few hours, Axel came back as he stared at the ceiling of his apartment, lying on his large bed. It seems he won’t be able to achieve the state of rank 2 acolyte as fast as he achieved rank 1. He also got information about when he might be able to start working on ways to find a cure for cancer.

It will only be after becoming a fully fledged 1st circle rune mage. The next steps of his clear as he thought back to the words of the librarian,

"Now let me explain what you need to do to become a Rank 2 Acolyte. You already have the rune engraving pen, paper, and rune ink. You need to be able to at least draw 10 of the 24 runes with those things on the mana paper."

"When you can do that, you will have primary control over mana. Then you need to fill up your mana core to the brink through your control over the mana, then you would become a Rank 2 acolyte."

"But I would recommend a different approach for you. I advise you to be able to draw all 24 runes, then advance. Because unfortunately, I have some news for you."

"I have studied the disease called cancer extensively, but even as a 6th circle runemaster. I do not see any way of curing the disease. It can only be halted at best. So, technically speaking, you might only have some hope of making a cure after becoming a 7th circle mage. But we both know you will never be able to keep your brother alive for that long."

"And the vice-tower master will not help you so deeply in this matter. It is your own issue. So, the only thing I can recommend to you is to reach the absolute points of each of the ranks or circles. You have to walk a different path from everyone else. Only then might there be some hope."

"Your true power and insights must be far, far above your levels. Since you have the greatest compatibility with runic studies, take that talent of yours to the absolute extreme."

"Don’t worry, I am sure you will be able to do it. No one but you can."

His heart became extremely heavy after hearing that, Axel hoped that there would be some kind of solution or that it would be an easy feat for the powerful mages. But he could only be disappointed, while another part of him already expected things would be like this. Luck was always his nemesis.

With no choice left, he could only do as the librarian suggested. Axel didn’t know if he would actually be able to do that. But he wouldn’t give up. He would make it happen no matter what. That was his target.

The old librarian also revealed that there would be repercussions and accidents every time he failed to draw the runes properly. Even if he did draw them properly, they would only be temporary runes. After becoming a rank 2 acolyte, Axel would need to engrave 5 permanent runes on working weapons or certain tools with practical use, he would only have to use his own mana as the fuel at that time to make the engravings.