As Leonard came to understand the anatomy of a magic circle, he was more curious about why he couldn't form one.
So far, he has only learned about the origin and nature of a magic circle. The book had yet to implore on how to form one.
Despite wanting to skip the information and go straight to learning about the formation of a magic circle, Leonard refrained from acting on impulse.
The foundation was always the most important aspect of any type of learning. But it was also the most boring part and more often or not, people tend to skim through it.
Afterward, they would come to regret their action and be forced to go back to the foundation to study it over.
Moving along with the book, Leonard learned there were three common types of magic circles.
—
Static Circles
Engraved into surfaces like stone, metal, or parchment.
Used for rituals, enchantments, or area-based effects (e.g., barriers, teleportation).
—
Dynamic Circles
Projected through willpower or casting focus in real-time.
Requires great mastery, typically used in combat or spontaneous spellcraft.
—
Blood-bound Circles
Crafted with the caster's blood to enhance resonance.
Risky, but increases potency. Common among warlocks and blood mages.
—
"I really despise the old Leonard." He exhaled softly in resignation. He had thought such information was classified, granted that he tried to search for the information through his memories, only to no avail.
Yet the truth was listed here. It wasn't that he didn't have access to the information, but the old Leonard was really detached from the magic knowledge.
Despite complaining slightly, his emotion was soon suppressed when he recalled the scene at age 10. Maybe it was because the young Leonard couldn't form a magic circle that made him believe himself to be an inept mage.
Not everyone could become a mage! This was the cold hard truth.
For the next few hours, Leonard immersed himself in the book and learned the knowledge in advance. That way, when he finally got a proper tutor to teach him, it would save them both the time and effort to explain the basics and foundation of magic.
Time went by, and a voice soon resounded from behind.
"Pardon for the interruption, Crown Prince. But there's a relative of yours from the House Lawson requesting to meet with you." Seth softly spoke.
The relative said it was an urgent matter concerning the life and death of the house. Hence, Seth had no choice but to risk disturbing the crown prince's reading.
"A relative of mine?" Leonard raised an eyebrow. Just a while ago, he ordered Spencer to commence an investigation, and now a relative of his suddenly came knocking?
Could there be such a coincidence?
"Who are they?" He questioned.
"He is Count Marco Lawson," Seth replied.
Marco Lawson was a noble with the rank of count in the Aldros Empire. He held considerable power within the royal court and absolute authority in his own fief. But most importantly, he was Leonard's 4th uncle or his mother's 4th eldest brother.
'Marco doesn't have much interaction with me though. Why did he suddenly pay a visit?' Leonard was confused by Marco's action.
He was absent during his investiture but then presented himself at his palace. Such an action was very contradictory and illogical in a sense.
"Where is Uncle Marco staying?" Leonard closed his book and asked.
"He's waiting in the guest room. The guards say he looks deeply anxious." Seth relayed the information.
Currently, the palace lacks a lot of people who work in the palace due to the poison incident. Even some of the guards were punished severely for their negligence and sent to the training ground for further disciplinary action.
Hence, Seth had to be the person to relay such an event to Leonard despite being a librarian.
A librarian's only duty was to maintain the function of the library and not some messenger.
Sometime later, Leonard exited the library and made his way to one of the many guest rooms available in the palace.
'I seriously don't get why people built such a glamorous palace. It's a chore to keep walking around and maintaining it.' Leonard exhaled deeply as he struggled to keep his breath steady from walking so much in his own palace.
The old Leonard wasn't an athletic type or someone who walked around much. Thus, the current Leonard was struggling to even walk so much without going into exhaustion.
Shortly after walking for a while, Leonard finally arrived at the guest room. The guards standing outside also bowed their heads as a form of greeting to Leonard.
One of them then opened the door for Leonard to enter.
As soon as he entered, Leonard spotted a middle-aged man dressed in a very formal attire that befitted its Count rank. Despite being middle-aged though, the person appeared youthful, devoid of any wrinkles or fatigues.
It made sense why Marco would appear very youthful. With such a powerful background, it would be hard for a member of House Lawson to suffer any injustices.
While Leonard spotted Marco, the latter also noticed him.
Marco stood up from his seat and greeted respectfully, "Count Marco greets the Crown Prince."
"Uncle Marco is being too much." Contrary to the formality, Leonard shook his head and laughed heartily.
"We're not in the royal court but my palace. In a sense, we're a family at home, so what's with the formality." He continued, explaining how there wasn't a need for the formality.
"Even so, it's best to maintain some formality, lest others might gossip about our household being in disharmony."
"Who will gossip about us? This is my palace, and everyone is my people here."
"I've heard of the poison incident, nephew Leon." Marco's tone suddenly turned solemn as he exposed his mana. The guest room was quickly enveloped by Marco's mana.
Leonard remained calm and composed. He didn't hold any concern that Marco was attempting to harm him in his own palace.
'Is uncle also suspecting our household or is he putting up an act?' Leonard was more concerned about Marco's objective of showing up here unannounced.