Chapter 53: Determination to Leave

As a mage, especially one maxed out in crafting professions, learning to paint is a mandatory course.

Not for cultivating sentiment, but for building patience and focus.

Painting requires sitting for hours, meticulously drafting structures, shading, and coloring—rushing leads to mistakes. Only careful observation and analysis allow the next step, resulting in a near-flawless work. Otherwise, you end up with a flawed mess.

This mirrors the crafting of magical items, so master crafters are often skilled painters—

It’s their foundational training.

Rune stone crafting, golem construction, spell inscription… these demand immense patience and observation, and apprentices undergo systematic painting training to hone these skills.

I’m no exception. As someone who once reached the pinnacle in every magical field, I have considerable patience and focus.

I meticulously inscribed runes on the crystal, stopping every fifteen minutes—even if a rune was nearly done—to rest my mental energy and arm.

“…Ugh, my eyes are sore…”

After half a day, despite resting half the time, my eyes ached.

Progress wasn’t ideal, but I had to be cautious to avoid mistakes.

Still, after a day and a half, I finally finished the crystal’s inscriptions.

“Phew… Done! Perfect!”

Examining the intricately carved crystal, covered in countless tiny runes, I checked it thoroughly and nodded, satisfied.

Now, with a burst of mana, I could summon a Gold-rank Stone Giant!

It’d last less than an hour, but in a backwater like this, Gold-rank is a dominant force. Unless some exceptional powerhouse targets me, this should let me escape easily.

Feeling more confident, I stored the crystal in my bracelet, stretched my stiff body, and sighed.

Sinking into the sofa, I savored its softness, pulled my egg babies into my lap, and gently stroked them.

I’d developed a habit of touching them when idle—their smooth shells felt nice, but more importantly, they gave me a sense of warmth and safety.

“Just wait, Mommy will take you two out of this dangerous place soon…”

I murmured, stroking them.

I’d made up my mind. After Gu Xuanyun’s payment, I’d leave Black Obsidian for the nearest Academy City.

Even a suburban rental would do—once settled there, we’d be safe. This place is trouble waiting to happen, so leaving ASAP is best.

I lack identity papers, but Golden Skull’s magical system has my records. My recent flawless commissions in Black Obsidian are logged, so other branches won’t think I’m a fraud. I can take potion commissions at their branches to make a living, then consider opening my own shop later.