Chapter 311
Chapter 311
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 311
Chapter Title: Respective Thoughts
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***
“In any case, you came at just the right time. You might have missed the most critical window otherwise.”
Even as Ariya spoke with a small smile, I couldn't relax.
‘There was a side effect I wasn't even aware of.’
Back when I used the power of Opening, I felt my body creaking.
It was like forcing myself into clothes that didn't fit; I had contained too much power in my body and tried to use it to the very end, no matter what.
At that moment, I had no other choice.
I knew it was dangerous, but I had to accept the risk.
“When you say I almost missed the right time... does that mean you have a way to treat my condition, Tower Master?”
Putting my confusion aside, I asked Ariya.
From her reaction, it felt like she had some method in mind.
“‘Treatment’ isn’t quite the right word. Mana leaking isn’t really a disease, so there’s nothing to treat. Hmm, how should I explain this to make it easier to understand... Right, for example, you could say it’s like a tiny hole has been punched through your body. And it would be similar to say that mana is continuously seeping out, drop by drop, through that hole.”
Her calm explanation helped me understand my current state, but her voice now sounded more frightening to me.
‘If a hole has been opened once...’
I had a feeling that even more mana would escape through that hole.
“Truthfully, the amount of mana leaking now poses no danger to your health, nor is it something you would normally notice. In that sense, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that while you may lack talent for mana, your senses are quite remarkable.”
Even at her words, which sounded like sudden praise, all I could manage was an awkward laugh.
It was just... a coincidence.
Through my spar with Luna today, I had realized my shortcomings and what I needed most. I had intended to win the affection of the woman before me to fill that void.
But to think it would lead me to realize such a critical condition...
“That’s a relief.”
Hearing Dame Isabelle’s voice from the side, I forced myself to pull my thoughts together.
“Yes... it is.”
I was truly glad I had come to see Ariya. I felt genuinely grateful to her.
Instead of moving forward, I could now prevent a fatal flaw from coming to light…….
“A relief... Hmm, is it really so fortunate?”
“Lady Ariya. What do you mean by that…?”
“Han Cheon-seong. For the time being, you must come see me every two days, without fail. That’s the only way I can manage this for you. And that management won’t be easy for you to accept. Besides, I told you before, this isn’t strictly a treatment. I’m only slowing the process so your condition doesn’t worsen.”
Ariya continued speaking without much emotion, making it sound almost trivial.
But her nuance was very strange.
I instinctively understood the most significant meaning embedded in her words.
“...Are you saying it's impossible to completely stop the mana from leaking?”
“Correct. Once an imbalance is fractured, it's not easily restored to its original state. It can't be fixed like healing a wound.”
At her words, a stunned breath escaped me.
‘How…’
How should I seduce Ariya?
Strangely, that was the strongest emotion welling up in my heart.
Even now, I felt gratitude, appreciation, and even a sense of relief toward her. I was glad she was here.
And now, my heart was pointing in only one direction.
—[Mana Awakening]
The path I had to take, displayed on my status window.
For someone like me who already lacked mana, now saddled with a mana-related weakness that couldn't be fully healed...
The only one who could solve it was the woman standing before me.
And Mana Awakening now felt like an essential part of my journey. It was no longer an option, but something I desperately needed.
“Han Cheon-seong, why are you suddenly staring at me like that?”
“...No. I’m just grateful.”
I shook my head, speaking cautiously.
The thought of approaching her slowly, of closing the distance gradually, was gone.
Now, I was in a hurry.
‘And perhaps…’
This might be another opportunity for me.
A sign that I should be more proactive in approaching her, that she was extending a hand to me now.
She had given me a ‘justification’ to meet with her frequently.
...It felt like everything now depended on my actions.
***
Night had fallen, stained with deep darkness.
The view of the night sky from a space so high that the clouds below were visible evoked a truly transcendent feeling.
It was a sight Dame Isabelle had never seen before in her life, and it seemed to captivate her gaze.
“......”
It was then she realized the space where the Tower Master resided held such high authority, a place not easily entered.
*Flicker.*
Isabelle averted her gaze from the scenery outside the window and took in the sight of the two people at the center of the office, bathed in a bright light.
The scene was almost mystical.
A grand feast of mana. Ariya's magnificent yet overwhelming presence was enough to intimidate even her, a Golden Knight.
‘Truly incredible... no, incomprehensible mana.’
It was utterly overwhelming.
The mana was so far beyond ordinary, so dense, that it made her wonder if Ariya was even human. Her body tensed instinctively.
At the same time, as this feeling of awe settled in, the rumors about Tower Master Ariya naturally came to mind.
She had heard numerous rumors—that Ariya wouldn't even bow before the Emperor, that her selfish actions caused harm to many, or that various nobles had been greatly humiliated by her.
For the most part, despite her high reputation and overwhelming status, her public image was not very good. It was common knowledge among the nobility that one should be cautious if they ever had to meet her.
But her impression upon meeting Ariya in person was completely different.
She was rational, with an elegant and dignified air about her. Furthermore, her confidence and prideful attitude felt natural, not out of place.
If anything, her overwhelming power made it seem that anyone who reached her level would inevitably adopt such an attitude.
And the reason for that was simple.
‘Because…’
She could see it now.
The sight of Han Cheon-seong, sweating profusely with a pained expression, and Tower Master Ariya, her hand on his back infusing him with mana, created a strangely reverent atmosphere.
Although she had mentioned it wasn't a treatment, Isabelle knew just how immense a favor she was bestowing.
‘If she was someone who could show such goodwill to another…’
In her eyes, Ariya did not seem like a person of bad character.
—!
Even now, a diverse array of lights burst forth from Ariya, flowing through her hand. The process continued, completely enveloping Han Cheon-seong's body.
She could only watch.
The special act of the Tower Master personally manifesting her mana. And the man, Han Cheon-seong, silently enduring it...
Naturally, another thought arose.
‘Just what.’
Just what was this man?
How did he form a connection with the Tower Master, and how could he receive such favor from her? The more time she spent with him, the more her curiosity about the man named Han Cheon-seong grew.
The day she first met him, she had thought he was a better man than she expected.
And as time passed, her evaluation of him continued to rise.
To the point where she understood why the royal family had used its influence to have her assigned as his escort.
As if moved by his upright character and outstanding talent, she no longer held any objections to this escort duty.
‘He is worth protecting.’
Enough to understand why a Golden Knight, meant to protect the royal family, was now guarding a commoner. There was something about this man that she didn't know.
“Hah……”
Then, with a deep breath, the brilliant light began to fade.
The process itself hadn't been very long.
Less than ten minutes had passed.
“Dame Isabelle.”
“Yes, Tower Master Ariya.”
“You may take Han Cheon-seong and return now.”
At her words, she blinked blankly.
After a glance at Han Cheon-seong, she belatedly nodded.
“...Understood.”
*Thud.*
As she walked over, she found herself a little surprised.
She had noticed that the sounds of Han Cheon-seong's pained groans had ceased at some point. She had assumed he was just enduring the pain well, but the reality was different.
*Slump.*
Gently lifting Han Cheon-seong, who had lost consciousness while sitting, she was purely astonished.
‘Can one lose consciousness like this?’
It didn't feel like he had fainted from being unable to bear the pain.
She had seen such cases a few times and knew what that usually looked like.
‘Probably.’
He had likely succeeded in enduring the mana Tower Master Ariya infused into him. But it made sense that he lost consciousness the moment he was freed from the pain.
*Sway…*
As she prepared to return to the academy, she couldn't help but look.
Compared to Han Cheon-seong, who was drenched in a cold sweat and greatly disheveled, Ariya showed no signs of disarray, not a hint of strain on her face.
Perhaps that was to be expected.
Even she couldn't begin to imagine the true extent of Ariya's power.
“Tower Master. Is there anything I should be wary of?”
“Hmm, something to be wary of…”
She watched the Tower Master, who seemed to be pondering for a moment.
“He’ll likely struggle for a while, so support him so his will doesn't weaken. It would be a waste of talent to just leave him be.”
Her words were spoken in a slightly peculiar way, but she understood the meaning.
“Yes. I will do so.”
Though the words themselves didn't sound particularly warm, it was clear she cared a great deal.
‘Even to her, he must be something special.’
Even in the eyes of the Tower Master, there was something about this man that she didn't know.