Chapter 76
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 76
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Ishtal. Professor Zimmer’s office.
Leaning back in his chair, Zimmer rested his chin on one hand while his fingers drummed a rhythmic beat against the desk.
A black envelope sat before him, its color signifying a ‘Top Secret’ classification. It was a report on investment returns from the Merchant Guild Alliance in the Gilbert Kingdom.
‘Just as I thought.’
Having dedicated his entire life to the path of the sword, Zimmer didn't grasp every nuance of the ledger, but he could tell his investments were yielding a substantial profit.
Even with his limited interest in economics, Zimmer wasn't entirely ignorant of the current climate in Stella. He knew, at the very least, that the kingdom’s merchant guilds were lining their pockets through less-than-honorable means.
A single line in the letter—‘We will cease all investment activities and withdraw before the Lombard merchant ships return’—was enough to give him the gist of the situation.
But the methods didn't matter. Not as long as he gained the strength he craved.
Squeeze.
Zimmer quietly clenched his fist.
‘The Mad Dragon’s Heart.’
If the profits from this venture could secure him even a fragment of that dragon heart, he could finally shatter the plateau that had stalled his progress for years. He would finally reach the rank of Master—the bare minimum required to stand on equal footing with his brother… no, with that bastard.
‘…I can’t just let that madman be.’
Zimmer ran a hand over the jagged scar on his face and bit his lip. It was an old wound, yet it refused to fade.
That man, who acted with such insufferable arrogance because of his strength, possessed no knightly honor and no warrior’s code. Zimmer couldn't stand by and watch him act as the kingdom’s lapdog, handling every piece of filth thrown his way.
He would slaughter innocent villagers under the guise of "orders" and frequently abduct beautiful women to offer up as tribute. He tried to justify his atrocities as a "purge of a cult," but the reality was far more sinister. At least, that was what Zimmer, who had been close to him, had discovered.
‘The corrupt leaders of the kingdom, and Egil Demetri, the man who cleans up their messes.’
To defeat a man like that, seize his position as Captain of the Royal Guard, and uncover the king’s true intentions behind these bizarre deeds, Zimmer needed money. More money than he currently possessed.
For that goal, he was willing to endure anything—even groveling at Jeremy’s feet and catering to his every whim. Although playing the part of a sycophant was just as revolting as his brother’s work… he could set everything right once he climbed higher.
It would be even better if, one day, he could help Prince Andrew ascend the throne instead of Jeremy. After all, the prince possessed the qualities of a true monarch, unlike the corrupt current king or the duplicitous Jeremy.
“…”
Zimmer stared at the letter for a moment longer before tossing it into the wastebasket.
Fwoosh.
The wastebasket flared with a burst of magical flame, incinerating the document until not even a speck of ash remained.
With the merchant report gone, Zimmer pulled out another letter. It had arrived in a similar black envelope, but this one bore no sender. Only a few words were written on the parchment in elegant cursive.
[Zimmer Demetri. I have the item you seek. If you want it, come to the designated location at the designated time.]
“…”
Zimmer frowned. It looked like a childish prank, hardly worth a response. He was about to toss it into the flames when his hand suddenly froze.
He flipped the letter over.
There, stamped in the corner, was a small seal depicting a red, all-seeing eye. Below it, a location and time were written in tiny script. Zimmer narrowed his eyes, tracing the magical seal with his finger.
‘…The underworld. So, it isn’t just a simple prank.’
Crumple.
Instead of burning it, Zimmer crushed the letter in his palm and shoved it into his pocket.
*
After school.
In the private laboratory attached to the Student Council President’s office.
Wiping beads of sweat from my forehead, I finished processing the magic orb—one of my grueling daily tasks.
“Hoo.”
On the workbench, a red orb glowed with the brilliance of a ruby. Inside, a blazing flame flowed as serenely as clouds drifting over mountains. I smiled in satisfaction as I gazed at the lustrous sphere.
‘It’s finally stable enough to be absorbed.’
Thanks to a steady infusion of mana and effort, Bell’s Extreme Flame, which had once burned fiercely enough to consume the orb itself, had calmed significantly. Now, it barely radiated heat unless I actively stimulated it with mana.
Its size, once the size of a fist, had shrunk until I could swallow it in one go. It was roughly the size of a large coin. A bit daunting to swallow dry, perhaps, but manageable with enough water.
‘…Should I do it?’
I gulped, my eyes fixed on the glowing red orb. The timing felt right. Just in case, I laid out the ice-based reagents and recovery potions I had prepared. The ice reagents could neutralize the orb’s flame if things went south, and the recovery potions would handle the internal damage. With these safety nets, I shouldn't die.
“Hoo.”
I took a deep breath, centered my mind, and picked up the magic orb with my bare hand. Previously, I’d needed flame-resistant gloves, but the orb was now refined enough to handle safely.
“…”
I brought the orb to my lips, staring at it for a final heartbeat before steeling my resolve.
Gulp.
I swallowed the orb in one go, chasing it with a heavy swig of water.
A weight slid down my throat. The orb, which felt uncomfortably solid in my chest, slowly descended until it reached my stomach. Since I hadn't eaten, I could feel its exact shape resting inside me.
Thankfully, I didn't choke, but the real trial was just beginning.
“Hoo.”
I let out a long sigh and sat down. I was about to cross my legs and begin meditating when it hit.
Fwoosh!
“!”
A searing heat exploded from my gut. A wave of agony washed over me, as if a burning torch was being shoved through my internal organs. The power of the Extreme Flame contained within the orb had begun to erupt.
“Kugh…!”
The sudden, intense torture made me clutch my stomach and double over.
“Huu… Huu…”
With every exhale, scorching air billowed from my lungs. A burning pain clawed at my esophagus, parching my mouth with every breath. Even with the Pain Synchro feature reducing the actual sensation by ninety percent, the agony was still this overwhelming. Without it, I would have instantly died from shock.
‘…So this is why they call it a shortcut.’
I was consuming something never meant for human digestion, a makeshift elixir born of desperation. This level of pain was the price.
I glanced at the blue potion in my hand, then gritted my teeth and shook my head.
‘I can’t use the ice reagent yet.’
Drinking it would quell the agony and extinguish the mana burning through my body, but it would also strip the Extreme Flame of its properties. If that happened, I’d have to ask Bell to imbue the orb all over again and restart the weeks of processing from scratch.
‘I expected this much.’
I clenched my fists and endured.
Fwoooosh!
The heat of the Extreme Flame began to spread, colonizing my body. The heat seeped into my Mana Heart—which was currently malfunctioning due to my [Severed Yin Meridians]—and into the magic circuits blocked by stagnant yin energy.
“Ghk!”
The yang and yin energies began to war within my veins. My body convulsed, alternating between the sensation of being a ball of fire and a block of ice.
How much time passed in that purgatory?
After what felt like an eternity of torture…
Cough!
I vomited a mouthful of black, tattered blood and collapsed onto the floor.
“Haa, haa…”
A pool of dark, viscous blood spread across the tiles. Simultaneously, a notification window flickered into existence.
Ting!
[A foreign substance has been introduced into your body.]
[This is an unorthodox treatment. It will not completely cure the 'Severed Yin Meridians.']
[Synchronization Rate: 4%]
[The energy of the Extreme Flame is neutralizing the Severed Yin Meridians.]
[Total Mana after Conversion: 2]
Looking at the window, I muttered breathlessly.
“Is it… a success?”
As I gasped for air, staring at my blood-stained hands, the excruciating pain finally subsided. The warring heat and cold within me settled into a dull hum. The heavy presence of the orb in my stomach was gone. I doubted it had been digested; it had likely coalesced into pure mana near my mana core.
Regardless, the system had confirmed it. The procedure worked.
‘Can I… use magic now?’
This was the reason I had endured such horrific pain. Even though I wanted nothing more than to crawl into bed and sleep for a week, I had to see the results.
I wiped the blood from my mouth with a handkerchief and extended my right hand.
“Hoo.”
My vision was blurry. My fingers trembled, and my entire arm shook uncontrollably. I steadied my wrist with my other hand and took a shallow, focused breath. Then, chanting the spell I had failed so many times before, I unleashed the mana dwelling in my Mana Heart.
Swoosh.
The mana flowed through my magic circuits like a surging current. Complex calculations and manual mana manipulation were unnecessary for a ‘player’ like me.
Flicker.
Red mana shimmered like a desert mirage around my hand before coalescing into the distinct shape of a flame. Gazing at the fire glowing in my palm, I whispered the words.
“Fire Bolt.”
Flash!
A brilliant light filled the room as a bolt of crimson flame shot out like a sunbeam.
KABOOM!
The shard of flame exploded upon impact, striking the wall and releasing a pungent scent and a thick cloud of mana.
Fwoosh.
As the ventilation system cleared the smoke, the result was revealed. One of the laboratory walls was completely warped and torn apart. The wall, which had been magically reinforced to withstand high-level accidents, had been blown open as if hit by a siege engine.
It was a result unimaginable for a Fire Bolt—a 1st-tier, lowest-grade basic spell.
“…”
Looking at this impossible destruction… at this achievement I had seized with my own two hands… a slow smile spread across my face.
Roen Devalis, the half-measure of a mage.
He had finally taken his first step as a true magician.
Though I could only manage a single burst of flame for now, considering its sheer power, this was a monumental milestone. I clenched my fist and laughed in pure satisfaction. Then, my gaze fell upon the wrecked laboratory, and my smile turned wry.
The room was a disaster. Instruments were scattered, the wall was demolished, and there was a pool of my own blood on the floor. I’d be in massive trouble if Ciel saw this.
“…I’d better clean this up quickly.”
Behind every great achievement lies the trivial effort of cleaning up the mess. I started to move, my heart light despite the exhaustion.
It was then.
Piiing.
My vision blurred, and my knees buckled.
‘Huh?’
This was mana exhaustion. I knew the symptoms—fainting from a depleted core—but why now, all of a sudden…?
Thud.
Lying on the floor like a puppet with its strings cut, I tried to reach for the mana-replenishing stone in my pocket. But an irresistible wave of weakness washed over me, and the world went black.
*
Knock, knock.
“Lord Roen, you have a visitor.”
Ciel Eurafia knocked on the door, accompanied by a guest who had come to the Student Council President’s office.
“…”
There was no answer. He was either out, or he was deep in his laboratory and couldn't hear her. She couldn't just send the guest away, however. She decided to at least offer some tea inside while they waited.
With that thought, Ciel turned the handle.
“I’m coming in.”
“I-I’m coming in too!”
Chloe, a member of the Journalism Club, had come to interview Roen. She trotted in behind Ciel, entering the office.
The quiet room was bathed in the orange glow of dusk. Through the large panoramic window, the view of Union’s landscape under the darkening sky was breathtaking.
Chloe looked around and whispered, “The atmosphere in here is wonderful.” Her eyes landed on a phonograph in the corner. It had a classic, antique feel that made her wish she could own one. Maybe when I’m a famous reporter, she thought.
“Please have a seat. I’ll prepare some tea.”
Ciel offered Chloe a chair, then discreetly scanned the office. There were no mana signatures other than her own and Chloe’s. Roen wasn't in the main room.
But an ominous feeling began to prick at her neck. Just then, a metallic scent hit her nose.
‘Blood… I smell blood.’
Slam!
Acting with uncharacteristic urgency, Ciel threw open the doors to the bathroom and the sleeping quarters. Empty.
The last place was the laboratory. She normally avoided entering due to Roen’s strict orders, but the instinct to check was now overwhelming. The scent of blood grew thicker as she approached the door.
“…”
With a trembling hand, Ciel knocked on the heavy laboratory door.
Knock, knock.
“Are you in there?”
No reply. The door was locked from the inside.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Ciel gripped the doorknob and twisted.
CRUNCH.
The steel doorknob crumpled like paper under her monstrous strength. Ciel tore the door off its hinges and lunged inside.
“!”
A horrific sight met her eyes.
In a pool of blood on the floor, her master lay motionless.
“Lord Roen!”