Mana's Taking Shape (2)
Sion stood up from her seat. "Wanna come with me for a sec?"
"……."
She suddenly gestured for me to follow her toward the stairs. I just stared at her without a word.
Sion met my eyes. What the hell? Why follow you all of a sudden? I asked you to teach me mana, and now this? I was totally thrown off.
"...No, I'm not gonna do anything. Can't you just come with me?"
No way. How do I know you won't grab me, stuff me in a drum barrel, and try to cut my royalties? I shot her a distrustful glare.
"Ah, no... Haaah—it's not a big deal. There's just a better place to teach you mana." Sion waved her hands like I'd misunderstood.
"…"
Hmm, sure. That sounds totally legit. She didn't seem like she was trying to trick me.
"Got it."
I stood up, brushing the dust off my shorts, and looked at her. She was grinning like the happiest person alive.
"Good choice! Follow me this way."
...Something feels off. Why's she so thrilled? Is she really gonna blackmail me into lower royalties? All sorts of suspicions flooded my mind.
But I'd already agreed, so I had to play along, even if I wasn't thrilled. Fuck it, what could she do anyway?
She's an S-rank awakener. If she wanted to do something, she'd have done it already.
I shook my head and hurried after her. She'd already reached the stairs ahead.
We'd come down from the second floor to the first before I knew it. I watched her back, wondering where we were headed.
Then—
"This way."
"Huh?"
Sion pointed to one spot. I followed her finger.
A dim, dank staircase. A passage to the basement thick with cobwebs and twice as much dust.
"Y-you! You're really gonna stuff me in a drum barrel?!"
The creepy vibe made me blurt it out while staring at her.
Sion looked me dead in the eye. Her lips slowly curled up.
And then—whoosh!
"What the—?!"
Sion grabbed my arm with terrifying speed. It happened so fast I barely saw it move. This is S-rank speed? No time to resist, that's for sure.
"I trusted you! I trusted you!!"
She hoisted me onto her shoulder like a sack. I pounded her back and kicked wildly, but no escape.
Sion ignored my struggles, descending the stairs step by step into the basement.
Ah, so this is how my monstrous-eating middle schooler life ends. I squeezed my eyes shut.
It was a good li—nah, it fucking wasn't. Just escaped being a broke one-armed virgin incel. I was finally about to run free, and now drum barrel express? No way.
I thrashed harder, like shaking off a serial killer's hook.
My struggles grew wilder—
Squeeze!
"Ngh…"
Sion's grip tightened. Had we arrived? She stopped.
And then—
"Huh?"
She gently set me down.
What the hell? Why so nice all of a sudden? Last mercy before the end?
I eyed her suspiciously when she approached something in the dark space.
Click.
"Gah—!"
Bright light stabbed my bleary eyes. Blinding.
Then I heard her footsteps approaching.
"You fucking trash! I trusted you!"
I scrambled back, trying to put distance between us.
Then—thump.
"Eek?!"
Her hand touched my head. Gonna snap my neck? Eyes wouldn't open even as they adjusted to the light, dread overwhelming me.
"Sorry…."
Why apologize? She suddenly said sorry. The vibe felt weird.
I calmed my fear and opened my eyes.
"Pfft... hahaha... heh—"
She's... laughing? With her hand on my head.
Then it hit me.
"……"
No words came.
Just—
"Huh?"
Whoosh—thwack!
My fist flew before my brain caught up.
*
"Ow—s-sorry! Forgive me!"
"…"
Forgive you my ass. Will my fist forgive you?!
Whoosh!
"Sorry, sorry!"
I mounted her back and pummeled her for a good while. She kept apologizing, but it didn't even faze her.
First time feeling this raw humiliation since transforming. Never hated my weak-ass self this deep before.
If I were just a bit stronger... I could've bruised that damn face.
Couldn't even land a proper hit now. So frustrating.
Fuck! Someday I'll smash her flat.
"Hoo—r-really sorry. Got a prankster urge. Won't happen again."
"Haaaah…."
The prank pissed me off a little, but I get it—people mess around.
What really grinds my gears is my reaction earlier. Fuck, another black history moment added.
I pinched my forehead.
"Sorry…."
Sion apologized again. She was being so humble, hard to stay mad.
Fine, whatever. Your fault? Nah, it's my pathetic weak ass, fuck.
I shook off the emotions and asked her.
"So, what's this place?"
Pretending nothing happened.
She got the hint, stood without extra chatter.
"To be precise, it's a training ground."
She gestured around.
"And a super cutting-edge, tactical one at that."
White, mysterious material walls and floors enveloped the space, captivating my eyes.
Sion pointed slowly to one spot.
"Watch closely."
I looked. She extended her arm.
Shiiiine!
A golden sword formed from her hand.
I knew what was coming.
"Hooo—"
Sion exhaled long.
And—slash!
She swung the golden sword hard.
"Ngh—"
Crack!
An ominous sound, dust filling the air. Zero visibility.
Where's the tactical part in this mess?
I covered my mouth with my arm against the dust when—
Vrrr—
Machinery hummed from somewhere.
What the—? I looked toward it.
Whoosh!
Powerful wind sucked all the dust away.
"Damn, I went easy. Meant to cleave it clean."
Sion's voice. My eyes followed hers.
...That's 'easy'?
A deep gash scarred the wall, split like a tree branch with twigs.
This is S-rank? An overwhelming wall blocking me.
Thud!
"Ow—!"
I slammed the floor to shatter that wall, but it just hurt. No scratch.
I clutched my hand. Tingling annoyance rose.
"Oh, right—wanna see this?"
Sion, seeing my hand, pointed to the cracked wall.
Whirr—crunch!
What'm I supposed to—...tactical as fuck.
The wall started repairing. Not regenerating—reverting to original state.
"This is the training ground's true value. Any attack that doesn't totally destroy it? Perfect self-repair!"
Sion spread her arms wide, beaming.
Ah, yeah, sure. That smug face looked just like Blackie's. Begging for a noogie.
"But one thing I'm curious about."
"Yeah? Ask away."
Sion smiled.
"How do you cover maintenance costs?"
"Uh…."
Her smile shattered instantly.
Sure, a massive facility like this needs funds. The guild seemed broke so far. How'd they afford it?
"Ahem! Ahem!"
A few fake coughs. No answer.
What? Seriously no budget? They installed this without planning cleanup or remodel?
I stared at her, baffled.
"Well…."
Sion met my eyes. Her hand rose quietly, pointing at me.
Me? I'm the funder…?
"Oh, for fuck's sake."
My neck cramped.
So that's why she kept bringing up royalties. Mana smoke or whatever's rare—auction and sales could rake it in?
I sighed deeply.
"N-no! We won't dump it all on you. We'll hunt magic stones too!"
Ah, yeah yeah. Obvious bullshit.
5% royalties won't cut it anyway. Negotiation failed—time to hustle.
"Anyway, table that. You wanna learn mana, right? Let's start."
"…Yeah."
Sion rushed past it. Her ears flushed—embarrassed, probably.
"Okay, come here?"
She pointed right in front of her.
I stepped up and opened my mouth.
"So, what do I do?"
"Wait—got a proposal first."
Huh? I asked for mana lessons, not proposals.
I gave her a deadpan look.
"Ehehe, chill. It's good for you too."
"What's the deal?"
Good for me? Kinda intriguing.
"Wanna bet?"
"Be…t?"
Bad vibes. Normally I'd shut it down unheard.
But her expression was serious.
"Yeah, a bet. I'll teach you mana, and we compete on how long it takes you to get it."
"…Rewards?"
Her tone screamed you'll be slow. Pissed me off. Needed to hear the prize.
"If I win: royalties to 20%."
"Wanna die?"
Already trying to jack up from the lowball…
"No, wait—hear me out."
Sion cut me off.
"If you win: royalties stay at 5%, plus…"
Flutter!
"This house deed."
No reason to accept such lopsided terms. A house deed's nothing special anyway…
Glance.
"...Where's that house located, exactly?"
The photo in her hand was way too tempting.