It converts life force into mana. Since I have no intention of repeating the same mistake as yesterday, just a little bit. Fortunately, it seemed to work; I didn’t feel my heart beating slowly like yesterday, and there was no flickering in my vision.
Taking a breath, I condensed the converted mana at my fingertips, then exhaled and ignited it.
Compared to what Akashi had demonstrated, it was incredibly weak, but a candle-sized purple flame blossomed from the tip of my index finger.
Raising my finger, I gathered all the remaining mana into the tip to grow the flame, pointed it toward an imagined enemy, and flicked it.
The dark-purple mana that had risen from my fingertip transformed into the shape of an arrow, cutting sharply through the air before colliding with some unlucky tree and dispersing into black mist.
The unfortunate tree began to rot black at the point where it was struck, then the rotten part fell off, and new shoots sprouted immediately, as if nothing had happened.
This incident occurred on the second day since I started learning dark magic from Akashi.
“Ho, already able to release after just two days? You might have more talent for this than I thought… though your power is pitifully amateurish. Still, not bad for a beginner.”
So, Akashi does know how to give compliments. Before feeling overwhelmed or proud, I was purely amazed. So, he can acknowledge others too.
…Come to think of it, he did recognize Alterra once. But that was only regarding her strength.
To hear praise about talent from someone who has never complimented anyone’s talent felt like seeing a statue stretch and move or witnessing a stag beetle swear allegiance to a longhorn beetle. It was a sensation akin to something horribly wrong.
“But… your body isn’t keeping up with your talent. Your life force and mana are average at best, and you don’t have anything refined enough to offer as a sacrifice. Everything is insufficient for serious application.”
“Is that a compliment or what?”
“It’s an evaluation, you fool. Even if you have great talent, it’s useless if your body can’t support it. In fact, it might be better if you didn’t have such talent. However… as I said, there is a very convenient and disgustingly efficient method for you. Right here.”
Akashi approached smugly, placed his hand on my waist, and tapped the sword binding my soul with his finger. Feeling irritated, I shoved him away, but he shrugged it off, asking why I was so prickly.
“What? Surely you’re not trying to increase the limits of your life force and mana now? Well, I won’t stop you. But if you want to stand beside Alterra… even with all methods employed, it’ll take at least ten years. Use what you have. Don’t hesitate.”
“It’s not hesitation. Just stop clinging; it’s disgusting.”
Akashi looked genuinely surprised, then bent over laughing.
“Hahaha! Oh, I thought something else! Ah, got it. I’ll be more careful next time.”
Regardless of his annoying movements, Akashi was right. There’s no solution with straightforward methods. Ultimately, I have no choice but to use this sword.
I could replenish souls by capturing bandits and outlaws, but they don’t exactly grow on trees. Eventually, for sheer power…
“Well then, that’s enough for today. With your current mana level, there’s nothing decent I can teach you. Your face already shows you’re thinking about something else.”
As I fiddled with my sword, Akashi left, saying he wouldn’t bother teaching me further and suggesting I find someone else to pester. My destination was already decided.
Following the familiar path of roots, I headed toward the hospital building where Alterra was. Though she was the only patient, it was built hastily because we needed it.
“…20×4+10+1! 20×4+10+2! 20×4+10+3! 20×4+10+4! That’s right! You’re doing well, Alterra! It seems you’re almost fully recovered!”
Walking down the inexplicable corridor, I knocked on the door where Alterra was. Inside, Yuna was apparently counting something and praising Alterra.
What are they doing? Waiting for permission to enter, I imagined the scene inside. Push-ups? Sit-ups? Some kind of exercise, probably.
“Come in.”
As soon as I heard Alterra’s voice, I went inside. What I saw far exceeded my expectations. It was indeed exercise, but not the mild kind I had imagined…
It was serious exercise. She was squatting while carrying a wooden barbell, repeatedly lowering and raising her body.
“20×4+10+5! Five more to go! Keep going, Alterra! Ah, Myungho! You came! I don’t know what you’re learning from that obnoxious mage, but… as you can see, Alterra is in great health!”
Has she recovered enough to do this much exercise in just two days? While life force is amazing, Alterra’s recovery is exceptionally remarkable.
Even injuries that would kill most people were completely healed within a week, thanks to some help. Her weakened state was quickly restored in just two days.
Though she was sweating slightly, which suggested her body wasn’t entirely back to normal, I’d never seen her sweat before, so it was both refreshing and captivating.
Her wet white hair clung to the side of her chest, and droplets of sweat trickled down her jawline. I wanted to take it all in. It was frustrating not being able to move each eye independently like a chameleon.
“…20×4+10+9! 100! Great job, Alterra!”
As soon as she heard “100,” Alterra threw the wooden barbell aside, causing a wooden bowl on a distant table to shake.
“You look healthy, Alterra. Is your body okay now?”
Alterra wiped her wet hair behind her ear and replied to me.
“My body was fine long ago. The elves said my bones were weakened, but now they seem pretty much okay. How about you? You look tired.”
Oh, she noticed my condition worsening from excessive conversion of life force. I lied, saying it was due to staying up memorizing study materials.
“If you look outside… you’ll see there’s no clear indication of when to sleep here. With the sky looking like this, how can we tell if it’s day or night?”
“That’s true. Still, don’t push yourself too hard. You look really exhausted.”
If Alterra worries, I should hold back a bit. If only there was a mirror to check myself; unfortunately, there’s none here. Stretching her arms, Alterra thanked Yuna for the good workout.
“No, thank you. I was feeling quite down, but spending time with you, Alterra, made it all go away. …Did it feel difficult to you…?”
“I couldn’t understand everything you said, but I get the gist. Stay strong.”
Yuna was delighted, expressing gratitude. Curious about the weight of that wooden barbell, I tried lifting it casually but couldn’t even budge it with regular strength.
After struggling and twisting my whole body, I barely managed to lift it to neck level. So, Alterra and Yuna can easily lift things like that.
Even though there weren’t many instances like this initially, it felt like my male pride was taking a hit. When Alterra offered to let me try lifting it, I politely declined and mentioned the reason I came here.
“Alterra. Now that your bones are fine, shall we leave this place?”
—
Leave? You should’ve said that earlier. I’ve been waiting anxiously for those words. Everyone here stumbles around like they’re drunk, no vibrations are felt, the sky is blocked by tree branches, and the only food available is sap laced with iron powder.
“Now that you mention it, let’s leave right away. Honestly, I can’t stay here any longer.”
I guarantee that even if we say we’re leaving, these people will silently watch us go without trying to stop us.
There’s no trace of humanity among the inhabitants here. They seem to view themselves as mere cogs or axles.
…Most importantly, I don’t want to lay eggs in front of them. At most, we have five days left. It might even be sooner.
While they claim otherwise, I worry they might seize the opportunity to plant that seedling whenever possible.
“How about… right now? Sure. Let’s go. Hmm… our destination… we can decide after looking at the map. Yuna, do you have any more questions for the World Tree?”
“Yes, I believe I’ve received all the answers I can from the <World Tree>. Ghermodai Volcano… things have gotten complicated. Since the Great Worm doesn’t live there, I might have to visit alone later.”
“No. We’ll pass by the Crystal Canyon anyway, so let’s go together.”
Yuna happily agreed, saying she wouldn’t refuse the offer. Speaking of which, shouldn’t we wake Mari now?
When I mentioned this to Myungho, he said we should wake her up soon and asked us to wait a moment. When asked if he was going to fetch Mari, he replied he’d ask the elves since he wasn’t planning to move, then left.
Are we starting again? The relationship between rampages and necklaces. Efficient ways to handle Breath. The location of my father. And… Myungho’s feelings.
Thinking about approaching these unresolved issues made me feel a bit tired.
“…Urgh.”
But it’s less troublesome than the egg in my stomach right now. I’ll need to borrow Myungho’s strength for this. Resolving to do so, I packed the scattered belongings along with my thoughts into my bag.
We’ll figure things out by trial and error. Thinking can wait until later.
—
It moved. According to rumors, it did.
The half-dragon in Gol samet is reportedly moving with a certain hero to seek out dragons.
“…My Lord? Is there anything troubling you?”
The deacon beside me asked if there was any problem. He was polite and kind among humans but lacked perception, which was his flaw.
“Yes. I’m uneasy hearing rumors of ominous clouds gathering over my hometown, Gol samet.”
Ah, so your hometown is there. The deacon repeated my words as if learning something new and asked what I intended to do.
“…For a while, I plan to make a pilgrimage back to my hometown. Deacon, would you mind taking care of this church temporarily?”
The human appeared startled, seemingly pondering whether he could manage, but as is typical of humans, he accepted.
Then, shall we head out hunting?
—
Since the rumors reached me, it’s time to act.
