Chapter 76
Chapter 76
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: Shortcut
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Growth is necessary.
It was a thought that came to me around the time I'd become the Sword Sage's disciple and grown somewhat accustomed to it.
The accomplishments I'd gained from her teachings weren't insignificant.
My internal mana circuits were being adjusted to suit a magic swordsman, I'd newly created a spell called Light Shock, and I'd even managed to wield sword and magic simultaneously.
But—my growth had slowed to a crawl there.
My master said that completely remodeling my internal mana circuits would take time.
And I was steadily putting in the effort day by day to make that change.
The problem was how slow the progress was.
With the Crimson Blood Cult and the Blood Demon liable to appear at any moment, it made my heart grow urgent to spend day after day like this.
Of course, it was still possible to sleep with my legs stretched out carefree.
But ever since Bloody had appeared, complacency was forbidden. Who knew when they might have sneaked in vampires.
"Hmmm."
Still, there wasn't really anything I could do about it.
I wasn't a god; how could I hurry time along?
As I lay there alone, staring at the ceiling and mulling it over...
A pure white circle suddenly poked into view beside me.
"Oppa."
"Yeah?"
"Are you worried about something?"
Ariel's white eyes sparkled as she asked.
She always brimmed with more vitality when looking at me than at other times.
But lately, she seemed even more lively. She felt more... human.
"Want me to help? Hmm?"
She reached out a small hand and shook my body.
It was just like any little sister in a normal household, brimming with confidence and puffed up with pride.
It was so cute that a laugh slipped out before I knew it.
"What? I'm serious, you know. Why are you laughing?"
"No, sorry, sorry. Our little sister is just too adorable."
I sat up with a grunt.
Ariel's eyes still sparkled. She really seemed to want to help me.
But it was different from her childhood days in the mansion, when she'd clung to and depended on me.
This felt purer—a simple desire to 'help'.
I stroked her head and said,
"How would you help?"
"Oppa, you're worried about your internal mana circuits or whatever, right? You need to change them fast, but it takes time, so you're upset."
"You know it well."
She really understood better than I'd expected.
Even if she seemed spaced out, her perceptiveness was sharp.
"I can help with that."
"How?"
"I saw the Sword Sage do it. You just have to interfere with the soul, right? I can do that."
"Hoooh."
Since when had my little sister become a spirit medium?
It was probably because the otherworld and souls were one and the same.
Ariel, being the otherworld itself, could hardly fail to touch a person's soul.
So she was offering to assist with the process and shorten the time.
Hmm.
It was an attractive proposal, but I felt a twinge of worry.
I didn't doubt Ariel could interfere with souls. It made perfect sense even to me.
And she could probably remodel my mana circuits right away.
The concern was—
'...whether Ariel will hold back at all.'
The sensation from when the Sword Sage first touched it had been so uncomfortable already.
I wondered if my little sister would take my human frailty into account.
"Oppa, don't worry. I can really do it well. Trust me."
Even so, I didn't want to ignore my little sister expressing her wishes so earnestly.
Lately, she'd been acting more like a girl her age, and here she was saying she wanted to help me.
Ignoring that sentiment might halt this positive change.
Above all, a big brother has to trust his little sister.
That's what makes him a big brother.
"Alright. Then I'll trust you and leave it to you?"
"Yeah!"
I took off my top and showed her my back.
Unlike the Sword Sage, Ariel didn't lick her lips or anything weird at the sight of my body.
Right. That's normal. As expected of my little sister.
Cool fingers touched my back.
They moved slowly, as if adjusting a focal point, then suddenly slipped inside me.
"Urk."
It had been a while since I'd felt that sensation, but it was still uncomfortable.
Compared to the Sword Sage, Ariel was a bit rougher—lacking in finesse.
The Sword Sage had poked only the necessary spots with years of experience, but Ariel rummaged around every which way in my soul.
"Kuh."
Of course, it was all for my sake, and her feelings for her brother were endearing.
But with my soul folding this way and that, unfolding and refolding, my mind grew hazy.
"Ariel. Hold on, take a break—"
"......"
But my little sister was so focused that she kept fiddling with my soul diligently.
I could definitely feel the effects from her concentration.
It was like surgery on my blood vessels—the mana flowing through my body felt its paths changing, altering the sensations.
The speed and scale were so immense it felt like we'd skipped the entire time it should have taken.
And then.
"Urk."
I couldn't endure it and passed out.
My little sister's first act of kindness was touching, but it would have been better if she'd gone a bit easier on me.
When I opened my eyes again.
I was somehow lying in bed, and above me loomed the Sword Sage's face.
"Awake now?"
"Ugh...... What happened?"
My head spun.
What had gone down?
Why did my stomach feel so queasy? My body felt clogged up tight.
"Calm down and stay still. Moving now might cause more trouble."
The Sword Sage pressed down gently with her finger.
Just that much, and strangely, my body wouldn't move.
As if all the vitality and energy that used to course through my whole body had vanished.
I recalled the situation before passing out.
I'd been pondering how to accelerate my growth, realized it would take time, accepted Ariel's offer to help...
And blacked out?
"Why can't I feel any strength in my body?"
"Because your little sister messed with your mana circuits wholesale. It's caused a backlash in your body, and your soul is rigid now. You'll probably be unable to move for a while."
"What?"
No, that wouldn't do.
This was supposed to help my growth, not end up like this.
"I don't have time to lie around like this."
"No can do. Even if you tried, you couldn't. Your mana circuits are sealed shut right now—no mana can flow. Force it, and you'll end up a cripple?"
"Kuh."
What kind of ridiculous mess was this?
Did that mean I just had to lie here on the floor from now on?
"......"
Once I'd grasped the situation, my next thought was of Ariel.
I worried our cute, pitiful little sister might be feeling down.
It had been her first time mustering the courage to help out.
And the brother who'd accepted it ends up bedridden—what if it shocked her?
"Where's Ariel?"
"Over there. In the corner."
I followed the Sword Sage's finger to the corner of the room.
Ariel was crouched there, looking our way.
When our eyes met, she quickly looked away.
Then sneaked another peek, only to look away again, repeating it.
"She's been like that since earlier. Seems like she's blaming herself for trying to help and making it worse."
"You said 'a while,' right? It's temporary and will heal, isn't it?"
"Of course. It's not permanent disability or anything. Your body just panicked and can't use mana for a bit. Normal daily life is fine, but she won't listen no matter how I explain."
"Hmm."
Yeah.
Considering the shock Ariel must have felt, no ordinary comfort would budge her.
She'd think it was all her fault.
So it was best if I soothed her myself.
"Ariel."
"......"
She peeked at me.
She wanted to avoid my gaze but didn't.
"It's okay. These things happen."
"......"
"The fact that you wanted to help is praiseworthy enough. So don't be down."
"......Disappointed."
"Huh?"
"You're not... disappointed?"
So that's what she was anxious about.
I chuckled and shook my head.
I'd never be disappointed in my little sister in my whole life.
"As if. Don't worry—come here."
"......Okay."
Ariel scurried over to me.
I took her white hand, which flinched as if afraid to touch me.
"If anything, I'm grateful to you. You shortened the process for me."
"But... you could have done it alone."
"Helping is what matters. So no long faces. I like it better when you smile."
"......Okay."
Comforted, her face finally brightened a little.
Alright, success in soothing my little sister.
There'd been an unexpected accident, but we'd still saved time.
If anything, wasn't this a net positive?
"Sibling talk over? Time to eat."
Ah.
Come to think of it, who'd cooked?
No one to do it while I was out cold.
"Who made it?"
"Me, obviously. Can't make the little sister do it."
"True. But didn't you say you don't cook, Master?"
"No. When your disciple is hurt, the master has to step up. Get up and eat."
"Yes."
I hauled my heavy body up.
With Ariel's support, I slowly settled before the tray.
Then I closed my mouth at the sight of the dishes.
"......"
What was this?
Was I seeing things? Had the soul damage sent me to hell?
"Um."
"What's up?"
"Is this really food?"
"Obviously."
Meat—or charcoal? Unidentifiable chunks.
Vegetables—or poison weeds? Unclear plants.
Fish—or toys? Confusing seafood.
The rice, at least retaining some shape, was pure scorched crust.
"......You want me to eat this?"
"Yes. Eat up to recover."
"You made this, Master? Not some assassin's ploy to poison us?"
"Yep. Hope you enjoy."
"......"
Just for a fleeting moment—
A brief one, but I resented Ariel for knocking me out.
That's our little secret.