[Book 1 Completed] Industrial Mage: Modernizing a Magical World [Kingdom Building LitRPG]
B2 | Chapter 10 – A Stalker & Theodore Acting Unhinged

Velka POV

The nerve of that man.

Velka was standing in the dark. Light, smell, sound, and presence were all bent into nonexistence by her skill, which enveloped her like a living garment. She could as well have been a part of the tent itself, even to trained eyes like Rufus's or his brother's.

And yet.

Tension coiled in a knot under her ribs. It was illogical. She has performed countless of ambushes using this precise method. Hundreds of assassinations. An infiltration over mage-patrolled area that lasted for a week. Not once had she been detected.

She was difficult for anybody below Adept to spot, and even then, only very skilled Adept Rank individuals who were trained to detect her kind could do so. She'd received recognition for her stealth on multiple occasions. Due to pure experienced control, her heart beat slowed, her breathing was inaudible, and her presence faded to the tiniest trickle of mana.

A trickle she had spent years learning to muffle.

Even so, he had glanced at her just a moment before.

Theodore.

He had given her a fleeting glance. From Ashton he glanced to the entrance of the tent, then—flick—to her corner. Then it was gone, as if nothing had occurred. As if his eyes were just passing over her, as though he hadn't even glanced at her.

He hadn't said anything. He hadn't reacted.

Velka, however, took note. Of course she did. After three years behind enemy lines and half a dozen assassinations of individuals who were meant to be invisible, one develops that type of paranoia.

She shouldn't be visible to him.

That ought to be impossible.

There was no way. She could sense that his aura was faint. Not a serious danger. Her stealth could not be penetrated by such a weak man.

Still, that glance.

That one glance.

She wasn't a moron. Perhaps it was a coincidence.

She observed the [Mage]'s every mana movements.

But the more she observed, the more she was convinced of what she had already believed: Theodore was nothing extraordinary.

His aura barely registered.

Too thin, too shallow, and not even worthy of concern. It was obvious that he was an Apprentice Rank. His mana fluctuations were clumsy and unrefined. Since he was a noble, he probably consumed a lot of potions and pills to get as much juice as he did. This, in retrospect, made sense considering his pitiful aura. Even his control—

Her brow twitched.

His control was...

It was too steady.

Her fingers trembled as they touched the hilt of her concealed blade.

No. That was ludicrous.

At his rank, it was almost impossible. A Journeyman like herself could hide her mana signature, but even she couldn't suppress it to the extent he had. Because there were always tells, and she knew them by heart. So there was no way Theodore had that level of control over his mana.

Which meant one of two things.

Either he was exactly what he appeared to be—a moderately competent, awkward noble with too much confidence and not enough experience…

Or he was concealing something that even she was blind to.

Velka hated not seeing things.

Especially in the case of someone who had just openly insulted Rufus.

How dare he.

"Would you be interested in a business opportunity?" Theodore inquired, and she found her attention returning to him.

Ashton blinked. "Come again?"

"I'm talking slimes," Theodore said as he placed another parchment on the table. "Mana slimes, acid slimes, blood slimes. Each variant has alchemical value—mana, healing reagents, and that's only a few examples. Westford's cave system is ripe for it."

Slime farming?

What the hell was he playing at?

Baron Ashton didn't immediately dismiss it.

"I've considered it before but the startup cost would be—"

"I'll cover it," Theodore cut in. "All of it. Supplies. Labor. Infrastructure. In exchange for a bigger percent of the profits."

"Hmm... And you'll handle everything yourself?"

"I've already started. I've marked three stable chambers and mapped slime behavior patterns. I'll increase expedition frequency. You'll get regular reports. Once the Slime King is neutralized, we'll start with the next steps. This place can be turned into a farm, surely. Fervidite is already lucrative enough, not to mention other things from the mines. Add to that the slime farming. Just imagine, Ashton."

Ashton had a curious expression as he drummed the table with his finger.

"Alright. We'll trial it. If your returns are promising, we expand."

Theodore nodded. "You won't regret it."

Without another look, he turned to go.

The anger boiled in her veins like embers beneath her skin and Velka's limbs moved before her brain caught up. She crept out the rear of the tent, unobserved, unheard, and found Rufus crouched by the camp's western ridge.

"He's making a move," she said.

"Figured."

"He wants to build a slime farm. Use the cave. Said he'll shoulder the costs. Wants the profits."

Rufus squinted his eyes and spat into the dirt.

"So he's not just a noble brat. He's a noble brat with plans."

"And a knife for your back," Velka said quietly.

"Doesn't matter. If he wants to start building, he'll need to clear deeper chambers. That'll force him into the central nest. I'll be ready."

Velka paused as she glanced over at the tree line outside the camp.

"He had the gall to speak to you like that," she muttered, and couldn't keep the venom from her voice.

"Let it go. He's trying to get under your skin."

"He doesn't get to look at you like that."

Rufus paused and tilted his head a little.

"…You okay?"

Velka froze.

"What?"

"You seem… I don't know. You've been weird about him."

"I'm not weird about him."

"You're angry."

"So?"

"Very angry."

She didn't answer. Her jaw tensed. She didn't want to explain the buzzing in her head.

What truly enraged her was the way he'd spoken to Rufus. Yes, Rufus was rough. Self-centered? Of course. However, that wasn't the point. The point was that Rufus was never wrong. Nevertheless, Theodore had openly snapped at Rufus as if he was entitled to do so.

You don't talk to Rufus like that. You don't bypass him like that. And you don't look at me like you see me.

Gods, she was so tempted to punch him.

"I just don't like him."

"Clearly."

Silence lingered between them.

In her imagination, she could still see Theodore's eyes twitch. The brief instant his gaze passed over her. It ought to be impossible. There was no way. She had mastered stealth. However, there was a persistent notion in her head—

But what if?

Velka tightened her jaw. No. He hadn't noticed her. Not possible. That would imply that all of her knowledge on perception, stealth, and dominance over the unseen was incorrect. She was superior to him. She was aware of it. She would die before she admitted otherwise.

But the question was still rattling in the back of her mind.

What if?

***

Theodore POV

[Arcane Awareness] has leveled up! – Lvl 2 > Lvl 3!

[Arcane Awareness] has leveled up! – Lvl 3 > Lvl 4!

[Basic Magic Script] has leveled up! – Lvl 6 > Lvl 7!

[Elemental Spells] has leveled up! – Lvl 21 > Lvl 22!

[Basic Rune Creation] has leveled up! – Lvl 16 > Lvl 17!

[Meditation] has leveled up! – Lvl 18 > Lvl 19!

[Arcane Awareness] has leveled up! – Lvl 4 > Lvl 5!

[Mana Reinforcement] has leveled up! – Lvl 2 > Lvl 3!

For the past week, someone had been tailing Theodore constantly, and that "someone" was none other than the invisible figure.

She was still following.

Of that, he had no doubt.

He suspected it was Velka, since she was never around when the figure was, and vice versa. There was an odd consequence that followed.

Danger sharpened him. Theodore kept it a secret, but it was having effects, good ones.

As a result, his [Arcane Awareness] skill had increased dramatically. Levels were rising more quickly than he had expected. It caused him to reflect. Perhaps he needed to experience this type of pressure more often if being close to danger and uncertainty could improve his skills this quickly.

He even contemplated involving Miss Bodyguard. Not to protect him. No. To hunt him. An unpredictable, dangerous training regimen. If he could replicate the feeling of being hunted down on a regular basis, wouldn't that further speed up his development?

Over the past six months, he has been too relaxed, but this was pressure and it was exactly what he needs.

For six months, he had been enjoying safety and comfort, concentrating on little projects and a cozy way of living. Which was something he enjoyed but not something good for him.

Oddly enough, he was grateful for the stalker.

His Class and Skills were finally booming again now that he was back in the world and facing actual threats, especially considering how much he had been casting.

And now it was paying off.

Your race, [Human], has leveled up – Lvl 12 > Lvl 13!

Your class, [Mage], has leveled up – Lvl 22 > Lvl 23!

Your class, [Mage], has leveled up – Lvl 23 > Lvl 24!

Theodore smiled.

One more level and everything changes.

He would be able to reach MAX for his class with just one more level. Next would be the evolution. Selection of class variants.

It was the next logical step.

It wasn't nervousness that made his heart race, but excitement.

In addition to that, he would be able to face the Slime King at last.

It would have been wasteful to enter the cave layer before he reached the threshold, which was why he hadn't done so yet.

The Slime King. The true potential was there. He could have a steady supply of the valuable material by binding such a creature to himself. However, that would restrict its usage. He had no intention of becoming a farm himself. All he had to do was check to see whether Varyndros liked it or not. Slime was the most versatile. Theodore had given it a lot of consideration. Since he didn't even know how it would impact his body, anything else would just get in his way.

The breeze caused the flap to ruffle slightly, and the mana signature passed by him. He pretended to be unaware and avoided frowning or glancing at the flap.

He leaned back once he was positive that Velka was no longer in the tent using [Arcane Awareness].

"Miss Bodyguard. Are you there?"

The silence was longer than anticipated, but then a faint shimmer of mana shook the air next to the tent pole.

And suddenly she was there.

He avoided giving her a straight glance. Not immediately. He only gave a little nod, as if her presence validated his preconceptions.

"I've been thinking about the relationship between tension and growth in the system. Throughout the last week, my skills have advanced more quickly than they did throughout the previous three months. Not due to increased practice, mind you. Not due to theory, either. But due to the danger. I think the tension helps. When I feel watched, I sharpen. When I think I'm being hunted, my awareness rises. Danger seems to be the trigger. The body tightens. Mana reacts more responsively. My spells form faster. I even sleep less… because my instincts won't allow otherwise."

She remained standing still.

Theodore cocked his head.

"If I'm correct… I'd like more of it. So I want to formalize it. Simulate the danger. Use it. I want you to stalk me."

At that, she blinked as though to make sure she had heard correctly.

"I'm asking you to follow me. Or rather, hunt me. Randomly, quietly, make it part of my training. Appear when I least expect it." He said. "Not to injure," he added quickly, "but to push. The threat of harm is enough. Though… I know you well enough by now. You'll probably hit hard anyway."

Her lips quirked at the corner—just a little. It was an infinitesimal smile, as anyone who looked closely would see. As Theodore had noted, that was the closest she had ever been to smiling. She still made no response. Her eyes, however, narrowed a little. Then she frowned a little.

He smiled faintly.

"I can sense you sometimes. I am aware that's deliberate. You let it happen. As if you have been teaching me without a word. Adjusting my awareness. Teaching me to recognize individuals such as yourself. Am I correct?"

Still nothing.

A brief pause, followed by a nod.

Then she frowned again and spoke for the first time since appearing.

"...It's worth a try. I'll follow. And I'll strike when you least anticipate it."

"And you won't hold back, will you?"

"No."

She was the kind of woman who'd just kill you without hesitation. If she felt it was necessary, you would be dead before the concept had a chance to fully develop in your mind.

As a result, this request was actually dangerous. Thus, Theodore smiled.

"Didn't think so. Thank you."

She inclined her head just a little and vanished within a single blink.

The tent suddenly felt dangerous once more.

Good, that's how it should be.

***

They had secured the mine. Most of that had gone according to plan.

This morning, he had supervised the last wave of eradication. Theodore, along with his Holden companions, Roland, and a group of White Fang Guild adventurers successfully completed the task. Workers cleared out any remaining slime clusters and burned the unstable rot patches as they swept through the previously mapped chambers.

The yellow slime that was necessary for housing was the last breed that Theodore had tested in containment, along with standard blue mana slimes, acidic variants, and a hybrid that reacted to metal like a parasite.

For the new pens, he had chosen this particular chamber. The cavern had good access to the main tunnel, its walls were sturdy, and it was sufficiently sealed to control slime dispersion. Along the edge, workers erected siphoning runes that Theodore had carved himself. They also erected stone dividers.

Following the last agreement, Ashton supplied the men and consented to a 30-70 split in favor of Theodore, provided that Theodore managed the infrastructure. And Theodore planned to do just that.

Theodore allowed himself a small nod of satisfaction, then he pushed deeper into the cave system.

He had to go where the risk was higher because the top layers had already been cleaned. He wanted slimes that would actually help him to pass the level threshold. So he passed the familiar stretches and entered places where the stone became damp and the air had a slightly acidic odor. Slimes were more active here and they were also much bigger and hungrier.

Finding what he was looking for didn't require much time.

Slowly, the first group of slimes approached him. It was a group of three dull green globs that slid across the stone.

Theodore didn't even stop walking.

He jerked up his hand. Compressed air hissed then slammed forward, rupturing the first slime mid-lunge. The second charged ahead, only to collide with a pressurized water javelin. The javelin punched through the core, scattering slime across the cave wall. The final one attempted to flank which Theodore found rather cute. With frigid eyes, Theodore turned and formed a water javelin mid-step. The shape snapped together less than a second after he'd willed it. He loosed it. As the javelin sliced through the slime and split the core in two, green ooze spattered the rock.

Then there was silence again.

When he came across more slimes, he either popped them like an overripe apple or killed them by shooting a blast of compressed air directly through their bodies. If weak enough, he willed the ground to suck the slime whole, creating a tight earth dome for later use on the farm.

It became second nature after a few more slimes.

Effective, indeed, but… it's boring as hell.

Settling his mana, Theodore looked down at his palm.

"What if..."

Let's try something fun.

He started shaping something new.

He compressed some air, but he did not compress it in a bolt, spear, or javelin. It was only a ball, cradled like an egg in his hand. Slowly, he condensed it and then he layered invisible pressure on top of pressure, condensing it until the sphere started to twist and shimmer.

Interesting.

The air twitched at the edges as it started fighting back. Focusing harder, he narrowed it till it was a smooth ball of air smaller than an egg.

But what happens if I compress it further?

He pushed. The ball got denser and shrank under his concentration. Against his will, it twitched like a spring wound too tightly, but not violently.

He continued to squeeze.

The air and mana swirled in tight, imperceptible spirals.

His grin widened, and then he forcefully grabbed onto the ambient mana and pushed on the sphere from all sides until he started feeling lightheaded.

In hindsight, that was a dumb idea… but the rapid contraction did cause the sphere to collapse inward under stacked forces.

A low whine built in his ears and black black spots started appearing in his vision.

Smaller.

It was a sphere of what could only be described as violent chaotic energy, and the air bent around it.

Smaller.

It was a dense, shivering core that wavered as if it might fall apart.

Smaller.

It would explode in his hand at the slightest twitch in control.

Smaller.

The sphere lost its color, leaving behind only a discernible blur that vibrated against reality.

Smaller.

Finally—snap—it locked into place. He felt as if he dared do more it would be very bad for him.

There was a perfect, silent sphere no larger than a shirt button.

He grasped it between his and thumb index finger.

"Let's see what you can do."

A blue-tinted mana slime that was pulsing with mana and bobbing down from an upper ledge was a good enough target for him.

With great care, Theodore lifted the small sphere of doom, aimed, and let go.

The projectile ripped through the slime's membrane as easily as a needle would through fabric.

A split second later—

The compressed air burst into the creature's central cavity.

The slime detonated. What's more, Theodore had severely underestimated the power of the orb…

The cave wall behind it was not spared. The ball of doom was not satisfied with a tiny slime, in fact, it hadn't been exhausted at all.

In the blink of an eye, a shockwave hit and blasted clean through the cave wall with such force that it carved a long-as-fuck fissure deep into the stone.

The impact rattled the cavern, sending dust and pebbles tumbling down from above.

Meanwhile, a concussive surge of wet, luminous slime blasted out.

All of this takes time to describe, but in reality, it happened in the time it takes for a spark to fly off a piece of flint.

Shimmering goo was painted all over, trickling from the ceiling like cursed jelly.

Theodore, obviously, caught most of it.

"Eughhhhhhhhhh!" He moaned and wiped a long gooey piece of slime off his forehead.

It stuck to his clothes, his hands, his hair, in fact it stuck to his whole body. He spat out a bit that had landed close to his mouth.

Blinking through the mess, he stood there for a moment.

"That was dumb," Miss Bodyguard's voice whispered in his ear before her presence vanished again.

"…Okay," he muttered. "But you have to admit. That was kind of worth it."

She didn't reply.

"Come on." He said.

[Elemental Spells] has leveled up! – Lvl 22 > Lvl 23!

Even aside from the level up, the explosion had been beautiful.

He could polish it. Compress it in a different way. Perhaps change the components. What if he used fire instead? Earth? Earth probably wouldn't work... nor ice... what about water? What if, instead of the element itself, he compressed the element-affinity mana itself? Or even pure mana?

So many possibilities.

He mentally sketched ideas for a follow-up version when he heard a crunch behind him.

He turned slowly.

Rufus.

Already in motion, the man swung his ax in a vicious arc downward.

His mana was in motion even before his eyes grew wide.

[Mana Barrier].

The translucent wall burst up just in time—and shattered a heartbeat later as Rufus's ax tore through it.

But that had only been the first.

Cast just a fraction of a second after, the second barrier took the blow. Theodore took a step back.

The barrier held, barely.

The spell's surface twisted, cracking like a spiderweb. Theodore gritted his teeth and slipped backward.

Rufus stopped.

Then he grinned.

"Sorry about that," he said, putting his axe back and supporting it on his shoulders. The man was larger then Theodore, so he looked down on him.

There was no change in Theodore's expression.

"You just attacked me."

Rufus continued to smile as he shrugged. Then, strangely, he gave a short bow.

"My apologies, your highness. I just got surprised by a huge explosion."

Theodore remained still. His mind had already made multiple plans on the spot, and he didn't like the current situation in any way.

And then, he felt that presence.

The hidden figure that had been following him for days.

A focused spear of pressure on the side of his neck made him aware of a gaze full of killing intent but he didn't look. Because he didn't have to. He already knew who it was.

Theodore frowned.

Rufus was already whistling and walking away slowly. As if nothing had occurred.

Nothing at all.

Theodore chose not to act. He made a note in his mind though.

That was two threats. Acting now would be foolish.

When Theodore was sure Rufus was gone, he summoned some water from the air and washed himself. But he could still feel Velka's mana signature there. Ignoring her, he proceeded deeper into the mine, the fate of these two already sealed in his mind.

***

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