Among Monsters (Tensura)

Chapter 31: Circles of Sustenance

After finishing his breakfast at the inn, James felt a sudden sense of urgency. He had overlooked something crucial—his Sovereign's Sanctuary needed ambient magicules to sustain certain magical creatures that relied on absorbing them. For now, those creatures were surviving because other magical beings in the sanctuary released small amounts of ambient magicules. However, James knew this was a temporary solution.

Determined to address the issue, James teleported to the amphitheater within his Sovereign's Sanctuary. The Skilled White Magician stood by his side, ready to provide guidance if needed. James had been refining the concept of a large ambient magicules attraction circle and decided it was time to bring it to life.

The primary function of this circle would be to passively draw in ambient magicules from the surrounding environment, enhancing the magical energy within his sanctuary. James envisioned the circle as a "magical harvest system," collecting natural magicules and funneling them into his domain.

James approached the project methodically, adhering to his grid-like approach to magic circles. The design was modular, allowing him to start small and scale it up as needed. His first step was to ensure the circle would function efficiently without destabilizing the environment or overwhelming the flow of magicules.

The outer boundary served as the "receptacle," capturing and channeling ambient magicules toward the center of the circle. James designed the outer ring with a continuous spiral symbol to represent the steady flow of magicules. Smaller glyphs spaced along the perimeter reinforced the circle's stability and its pull on the environment.

To direct the flow of magicules inward, James placed anchors at key points around the circle. These rune-based gates acted as conduits, concentrating the energy and ensuring it flowed toward the center. Starting with simple, small runes, James planned to refine these anchors into more intricate symbols as he scaled up the design.

Energy convergence zones acted as focal points for accumulating magicules. James arranged geometric shapes like stars and hexagons throughout the circle, each with swirling runes that intensified the draw of magicules.

Arrow-like markings guided the flow of magicules from the outer ring to the center. James started with basic lines and intended to develop more complex pathways to improve efficiency.

At the heart of the circle lay the connection to Sovereign's Sanctuary, designed to direct the gathered energy into his domain. This intricate, detailed symbol mirrored the sanctuary's structure, acting as a spiritual link.

James began with a smaller circle, approximately 15 meters in radius, to test its functionality. Once satisfied, he would expand the circle to a 50-meter radius and eventually cover the entire sanctuary. He planned multiple layers, with each layer amplifying the previous one's power. The outer rings would draw in magicules, while the inner rings refined and concentrated the energy.

Maintaining a steady and controlled flow of magicules was critical. James incorporated a feedback system to regulate the influx, ensuring the sanctuary wouldn't become destabilized by an uncontrolled surge of energy. Over time, he aimed to refine the system for better efficiency and sustainability.

James anticipated potential challenges. Creatures or strong magical influences in the surrounding area could interfere with the circle's function, requiring adaptations to counteract such effects. Additionally, he needed to account for the risk of magicule saturation within the sanctuary and plan for ways to release or redistribute excess energy.

James began the process, pouring his focus and energy into crafting the initial circle. He carefully etched each rune, anchor, and convergence zone, ensuring every element was precise and functional. The Skilled White Magician observed quietly, ready to intervene if James encountered any issues.

Though the task was monumental, James's methodical approach kept him grounded. He knew this was only the beginning. Over time, the circle could evolve to adapt to environmental changes, automatically adjusting its size or intensity based on the availability of ambient magicules.

James stepped back to admire his progress. The initial circle, though smaller than the final envisioned design, shimmered with a faint glow as it began drawing in ambient magicules. A faint hum resonated through the amphitheater, signaling the circle's successful activation.

He exhaled deeply, allowing himself a moment of satisfaction. The process had only just begun, but this first step marked the foundation for sustaining his Sovereign's Sanctuary and its magical inhabitants. James's mind churned with ideas for refinement, but for now, he allowed himself to rest, knowing he was moving closer to his ultimate goal.

End of chap.