Chapter 27
They didn't send observers this time.
They sent a mage.
Experienced.
Cautious.
"…I'll assess him directly."
He stepped into the field.
Immediately—
He noticed it.
"…What is this…?"
Mana felt different.
Easier to control.
But also—
Restricted.
"…You changed the flow…"
Rudeus looked at him.
"…Yes."
"…How?"
"…I defined it."
That answer didn't help.
The mage raised his staff.
"…Let's see how far this goes."
He cast a high-level fire spell.
But the moment it formed—
Something was wrong.
It stabilized too quickly.
Compressed differently.
"…What—?"
Rudeus raised his hand slightly.
The spell—
Changed.
Its shape altered.
Its trajectory shifted.
Its output reduced.
"…You're controlling my spell…"
"…Yes."