Chapter 76: A Real Handful
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 76: A Real Handful
“Is everything... alright?”
“Why are you asking me that?”
For a place frequented by high-priced merchants, the quality of the doctors at the Lymain Treatment Center didn't seem all that great.
Theodora’s mother had suddenly told me to follow her to a clearing for a test. However, since I was technically still a patient, she told me to get my condition checked out first.
But asking me how I felt... well, it was logical in a way, but shouldn't a doctor perform some tests or something?
“Why are your muscles so different from two days ago...? This is like a different person’s body...”
“Ah, there’s a reason for that.”
“I see... Well, your current physical condition is fine. Your blood pressure is a bit on the high side, though I’m not sure why.”
I suspected that was because I was using a heart that was too powerful for my body. The doctor was a bit startled since I was in a completely different state than during my previous checkup, but he concluded there were no physical defects.
There was, however, a slight issue on the magical side of things.
“Mana Overaccumulation?”
“Yes. A large amount of surplus mana has built up within your body. It’s a condition often seen in places with high mana density—for instance, the deeper strata of a Labyrinth. Have you been to the deep floors recently?”
“No, not really.”
I could hardly call the 12th floor a "deep" part of the Labyrinth. Besides, it had been days since I was there. I suspected the Dragon Heart was the cause, but the doctor said Mana Overaccumulation wasn't a particularly serious problem.
“Other than that, everything is normal.”
“Understood.”
It seemed my body was back to its usual self.
* * *
Renart Lymain had confirmed that Yoo Eon wasn't a premeditated criminal who had approached the Lymain family for their wealth.
That matter was settled.
However, it was a separate issue entirely if the precious young lady of the Lymain family was dating a talentless fool who only had his looks going for him.
According to Alfred’s explanation, Yoo Eon had been out of his mind due to the side effects of consuming a Dragon Heart when he had pressured Alfred during their encounter.
Therefore, she would waive any punishment for the serious crime of harming a long-time servant of the Lymain family.
But she had to see with her own eyes whether his combat ability was actually useful and if he was a man worthy of dating her daughter.
Above all, Renart still didn't fully trust Yoo Eon.
‘A commoner with a face like that? Impossible.’
Setting aside his appearance, Renart was certain there was something behind him based on the way he carried himself.
Class wasn't something you could hide. Commoners instinctively bowed their heads and yielded to capital.
Yet, Yoo Eon showed no sign of intimidation even when standing before a tycoon like Renart Lymain. His attitude was simply not that of a commoner.
Those who climbed the social ladder through money were distinctly different from those born with natural breeding. Her eyes saw right through him.
‘He must be a noble from the provinces, at the very least.’
Of course, from the perspective of Yoo Eon—a citizen of 21st-century South Korea, where no class system existed—a tycoon was just a rich person, not his superior. He would be a bit disappointed if she forbade him from seeing Theodora, though. They had promised to dive into the Labyrinth together.
“Kid, you said your name was Aven?”
“Yes, though it’s a pseudonym.”
“Is that so? And why are you hiding your real name?”
Aha, I knew it. Renart thought she had found a weakness. Whatever the reason, hiding one's noble surname usually meant their family was in disgrace.
“My real name is Yoo Eon, but it sounds a bit funny when you hear it. So I asked a close friend to come up with a pseudonym for me.”
“...Are you lying to me?”
“No... it’s the truth.”
He didn't seem to be lying. In fact, he looked quite nonchalant, as if he dealt with this often. Yoo Eon? She wasn't sure what the name meant, but it was certainly memorable.
“Fine. My daughter seems to hold you in very high regard. How do you intend to prove that talent of yours?”
“I don't mind showing you... but who is my opponent?”
“What? I am the one evaluating you. It is only fitting that I be your opponent.”
“Um...”
I didn't know why I kept ending up in fights with my friends' parents, but was this really okay? Theodora certainly used a decent two-handed sword technique. But her mother... did she even know how to fight?
Doing postpartum exercises for middle-aged women doesn't exactly make you a great warrior. No matter how I looked at her, she seemed more like someone who practiced yoga or Pilates.
Sera’s father was at least a Cobalt-grade explorer. Weren't merchants supposed to just sit around holding pens? She looked so slender that I felt bad about fighting her.
“As a side note, Theodora still hasn't managed to land a single hit on me.”
“Oh, really? You must be strong, then.”
That changed things. Theodora’s swordsmanship was quite polished. If she was at a level where even Theodora’s blade couldn't reach her, she must possess considerable martial prowess.
“Aren't you going to use a weapon?”
“I don't need one, so don't worry.”
“Hmm.”
If she wasn't using a weapon, what was she? A mage? She certainly looked the part.
“Here I come.”
“Whenever you're ready.”
I was dressed in simple white cotton clothes over loose trousers that were easy to move in. I manifested the Cave Drake scales over my exposed skin and flexed my arms.
“Ho? You look different than before.”
“Before? Have you seen me fight?”
“Yes. I was the one who stopped you when you lost your mind and went on a rampage. It seems you have no memory of it at all.”
“Wait a second. I went on a rampage?”
What was she talking about? I went on a rampage? And she was the one who stopped me?
“I... I remember being at Auction Lymain.”
“You turned the basement into a complete disaster. Alfred was seriously injured, so I forcibly teleported you here along with him.”
“I am so sorry!”
I had trashed the basement of Auction Lymain and injured Grandfather Alfred? Even if I got a bill sent to the Mounted Goat Inn, I wouldn't have a leg to stand on... well, I would, but man, this was bad.
“It was my daughter’s mistake, so do not worry about the costs.”
“Yes... thank you.”
My desire to fight vanished instantly. To be honest, I had been a bit annoyed by her high-and-mighty attitude, but at this point, she was practically a saint.
“Enough small talk. Do you not want to fight? Or are you lacking confidence?”
“Who actually enjoys fighting? But I do have confidence.”
“Good. Then come at me.”
I slammed my tail—now packed with various muscles—into the ground to compress it to the limit, then suddenly released it, launching myself forward like a bullet.
BOOM—!!
The distance closed in an instant. I retracted my tail to reduce weight and increase speed, then, just before my fist connected, I forced muscles and tendons throughout my body to expand, increasing my weight and power.
“Hup...!”
The moment I thrust my scale-covered right hand like a projectile, Renart, who had been standing with her arms crossed the whole time, reached out with her left hand.
—KLANG!!
“What...!”
She had merely swiped with her thin arm. But the impact felt like colliding with a massive axe, and I was sent spinning off to the side.
Crash!
“Your strength isn't bad. It’s a pity you lack technique.”
“How on earth...”
A red aura was swirling around her fingertips. It felt familiar—where had I seen that before?
‘Just like Theodora back then...’
When I was being scammed into buying the Dragon Heart, a red aura had suddenly surged from Theodora’s body. I had wondered if I’d misseen it, but I guess I hadn't.
“What... is that?”
“It is an ability that only Beastkin of noble bloodlines can use. It is called Divine Beast Power.”
“That’s incredible.”
Fine. Theodora’s mother was incredibly powerful. I guess there was no need to hold back.
“I’ll get serious too, then.”
“Go ahead.”
She hadn't moved a single step since we started. I wanted to use my abilities to force her to move at least one step.
I raised my left hand, pointed it forward, and spoke.
“Please dodge.”
In that split second, I swapped my left hand’s internal skeletal structure for that of a Skeleton Mage and unleashed my magic. It was a powerful skill that would ring through the 2nd Stratum, so dodging would be a much wiser choice than trying to block it by force.
But what the hell was this?
BANG—!!!!!!
“Uh...?!”
I had fired it as soon as I swapped the bones, fearing she might catch on to the magic circle on my wrist. But what was this?
‘What the fuck...! Why are there so many?!’
Forget my wrist—dozens of magic circles were swirling around my entire left forearm. And they weren't the usual green; they were purple.
Even the impact of the explosion magic was twice as strong as before, and the blast itself was a deep, dark violet. Something had definitely gone wrong.
Purple? Why was it suddenly purple?
‘Wait.’
Had the Dragon Heart affected the Skeleton Mage’s mana? Magic circles only appeared when mana was charged.
“Yes. A large amount of surplus mana has built up within your body.”
“Is it because of that...!”
This was an accident. If I’d known the explosion magic would be this powerful, I wouldn't have gone around blasting it at Theodora’s mother.
“Madam!! Are you alright?!”
“Who are you calling 'Madam'?”
The ground was gouged out, and the clearing was a total mess. Even if it was just a dirt lot without tiles, the soil had been packed hard and flat.
From within the thick purple mist, Theodora’s mother appeared, enveloped in a spherical barrier. An artifact? Or had she used magic?
“Oh boy, are you okay?”
“If you were going to be that worried, why did you attack in the first place?”
“No, well... I didn't know it would be this powerful either.”
“If you have learned magic, you must know its power and danger. Are you saying this is the first time you've used this spell on someone?”
“No... it’s not that...”
The explanation was long. One thing led to another, and basically, I hadn't actually studied it; I just swiped the magic from a Lich. It hadn't been this strong before, and it seemed to be because of the Dragon Heart.
Once I finished explaining, the expression on her face was grim.
“You stole magic from a Lich? Did I hear that correctly?”
“Ah, no. You heard right.”
“Interfering in a Contract of the Dead... are you out of your mind?”
“That too... actually, Theodora told me to try it...”
“Sigh... my head. I’m getting a migraine.”
But the result was good, wasn't it? Let's just toast to that.
* * *
“Theodora.”
“Mom? What’s going on?”
“Come out.”
It was a room with an ordinary wooden door. I’d heard she was confined, so I thought she’d be locked in a cell with iron bars, but that wasn't the case.
—Creeeak.
The door opened, and Theodora appeared. She was wearing comfortable pajamas, and her taste was surprisingly cute.
“A-Aven?! You’re awake?!”
“Yeah. I’m back.”
As a bright smile spread across Theodora’s face, Renart’s fist came down hard on the top of her head.
Whack!
“Ow?! What was that for, Mom?!”
“You rascally girl. Follow me!”