Chapter 178
Chapter 178
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 178
Chapter Title: 52-2. Spirits React to Human Emotions
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In the game, there was one setting they pulled out to explain all the unrealistic stories.
Mana.
A substance with a limit decided at birth, recovered by eating food.
It's in the blood and bodily fluids, even used in the setting where the Ten Heroes' blood is thicker.
Added to magic, swordsmanship, spirit arts, and holy power.
'It lets Pine create clones with magic, or Nex carry around his spirits...'
The source of power that enables the 'concept' of ignoring real-world physics.
Thanks to it, I could get a haircut or wash my hair while wearing this helmet I can't take off.
But.
What happens when multiple people who can use mana gather together?
"..."
Yeah. Chaos ensues.
When people who can make the impossible possible gather, it's only natural.
The player gathering square was like that too.
No wonder they jokingly called it stale endgame content for veterans.
By the time Pine and I rushed to the center of the forest for a special rune.
"Over there! That spot's empty! Head that way!"
"It's the Helio Team! They're guarding the rune!"
It was already a madhouse.
A golem made of piled-up dirt blocking our team's path.
"Push forward! Ceres!"
A mace forged from holy power smashing it, an endless fierce exchange of attacks and defenses.
Priests who double as combatants really are strong.
If Pine back as the Nameless Saintess had used her holy power well, maybe she'd carry a mace like that?
With cute accessories on the handle, perhaps.
"Licht. What're you thinking?"
"...Figuring out how to break through there."
Pine scolded me as I stared at the weapon swung by the wolfkin boy.
"Liar... probably."
No, really. It was just the priest robes catching my eye.
There was a rule banning direct attacks on each other in the scramble.
"Isn't this cheating?! Making an ice wall smack in the middle of the forest!"
But magic to block paths or buff yourself was allowed.
The academy students vying for one rune looked like a battlefield.
A rune the size of a soccer ball.
Even from afar, its golden gleam seemed to flaunt its value.
'...Helio Team got to the rune first.'
Students in red vests clustered around, defending it.
But do they really need to? Just move it to the statue and done, right?
As I noticed something off.
"That rune... won't move."
Pine tiptoed, scanned around, and whispered to me.
Her natural eyesight is impressive.
Must have conditions, like the others.
Otherwise, no need to hold formation here—just cart it to the statue for points.
"Licht. Can you get close?"
"Hmm..."
Pine asked, naturally hooking her arm in mine. Wolfkin possessiveness on full display.
What to do?
Prayer won't work—thick canopy blocks sunlight, no teleport.
Recall would count as attacking nearby students, disqualification.
Nex is guarding with Phoenix Cradle too.
No clever ideas coming. My head started aching like a rat gnawing inside.
"Sounds tough...?"
She whispered right in my ear, keeping it from others.
Wish this knight helmet didn't block it.
Someday, I want to hear that cute, slightly high voice directly in my ear, not muffled.
Maybe make a clone to feel it...
Oh, right—Pine's glass magic got stronger too.
"Mardol, wanna hug one more time?"
Mirror Mirage. Enhanced by Moon's Elixir, might work.
"...Hic."
Pine hiccuped, body twitching.
Earlier she begged me after the joint move.
Does she really have zero immunity to guys?
Or punishment for hugging with full ulterior motives.
Back hug would've been fine too. Was it too bold?
"Okay... Let's do it... now."
Soon, permission from Pine. Opaque glass walls and soundproof array up again.
Space feels tighter this time. Pine.
Like forcing us closer, a cramped joint skill zone.
"Hug me... tight... Licht."
Helmet off, a wolf avoiding my eyes. Cheeks and neck already flushed.
Still hiccuping, she steadied her breath, calming her heart.
"Got it, Pine."
I hugged without a gap. Breaths mingling, suffocatingly close.
We've done this a couple times now—my arms naturally around her waist.
"..."
Pine hooked her arms around my neck, clinging hard.
Like a predator burying her face in my chest.
More like a wolf rubbing her whole body against me. Marking scent like a pup.
Ah, so that's how it goes.
Didn't notice at first amid the rush.
Even with her ample chest, full-body press lets me feel all of her.
Grabbed a waist fragile as if it'd snap.
Trembling breaths, fingers sliding like claiming my neck.
Like touching delicate glass craft that'd shatter at a touch.
No lewd thoughts crept in.
Time slowed, then froze.
Mind blank white, only rose scent holding my soul.
I prayed this moment lasted forever.
"Fail!"
But my spirit shattered that eternity.
Did I think something dumb? Blackie kicked my knee hard.
Balance tipping forward. Quickly cupped her head to protect.
Thud—our bodies jolted hard.
"...You okay, Pine?"
I fell hugging her. Hand down first, spared her injury.
"..."
Pine flicked back her snowy wolf ears, lips twitching silently.
Shocked stiff, just hiccuping nonstop at my question.
Wide eyes trembling lost, face red as a rose.
Should've hugged from behind properly.
Dusting off and standing, guilt toward Pine hit me.
Blackie reacts to my emotions.
Guess I was pretty pent-up.
Kainel arrived at the special rune before anyone else.
"Kai... why won't this thing budge?"
"Beats me."
With his relationship upgraded from childhood friends to girlfriend, the elf mage Ariel.
But even combining their strength, the golden egg-like thing wouldn't twitch.
"Feels like it has separate conditions."
Normal runes have four magic circles engraved.
Blue for magic.
Orange for swordsmanship.
Red for spirit arts.
And yellow for holy power, blending into each color.
But this one?
"All four mixed together, Kai."
Any student nearby handling swordsmanship, spirits, magic, and holy power?
Ariel tilted her head, puzzled.
"Should we call Nex and Sharutineth-senpai?"
No other way. Surroundings busy blocking incoming rivals.
Up front, Nex Aureus shielding with purple-winged dome.
"Nex-oppa's busy with Cradle... wait!"
As Ariel stepped away to call him, a gap opened.
"...Licht?"
Through it, several helmeted Black Knights slipped past the cradle.
"Wh-why aren't they one guy? Those?"
Kainel gaped at the Black Knights swarming like bees from afar.
Pine Granasia's clone magic should be transparent illusions with synced moves.
These 'Lichts' acted independently.
Perfectly solid too.
"...What now?"
No attacking allowed. Even Light Holy Sword—could he block?
Try. Rush the real one, clones might stop.
"Hey, Kainel."
As he activated the holy sword, a Wolf Fang-charged Black Knight met him.
'...Which one's real?!'
Lichts leaping from all directions.
Golden rune still at Kainel's heels.
Licht can't use magic or holy without Pine.
He's winnable.
Boom—hands clasped. Kainel blocked the charging Licht.
"What'd you do to multiply like this?"
"...Dunno."
Burn-scarred face intact. Like someone's kink.
"I hate holding guys' hands, Kainel."
All Licht clones had visors up, bare faces shown.
Kainel started losing in strength.
Scrrch—feet dragged back on dirt.
Was he always this strong? Feels borrowed power...
"I'll take the rune. Gotta win for points with Emperor Locke."
Distracted grabbing one, let another reach the rune.
"Think you can take it, Licht?"
Kainel smirked. Rune needs all: magic, holy, spirits, sword.
"For real. Won't even move."
Another Licht tried lifting, failed.
Three Black Knights straining together—no budge from the gold hunk.
"Magic circles mixed."
Sighing deep, he eyed the rune closely.
"But not slamming all powers into this rune..."
Licht held nearby small runes close.
"Absorb other runes here. See, fits the empty slots."
Golden rune with four small ones glowed briefly.
"Sorry, Kainel. Solved something similar before."
The helmeted man scooped it up and walked off.