Chapter 77
Chapter 77
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: Mana Blockage (2)
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Unable to use mana, I suddenly had nothing to do.
Whether wielding a magic sword, employing aura, or even in everyday life, mana was an indispensable energy source for humans.
With it completely blocked, I felt like an invalid whose body was out of sorts.
"No training for the time being. Just rest until your mana circuits settle down."
"But time's precious."
"If you don't want to end up a cripple over a little time, rest. That's an order from your master."
"Yes, ma'am."
I'd hoped to sneak in some training on the sly, but the Sword Empress wouldn't hear of it.
Her expression made it clear that one wrong move, and I'd never use mana again. So I behaved myself.
"At least you're recovering fast. Normally, unstable mana circuits take forever to heal. Must be your natural talent—you're mending at an incredible rate."
"That's a relief. Feels like it'll be fine if I just hold out a bit longer."
"Of course. Don't rush it. A few days of taking it easy, and you'll be back to normal, I'd bet."
And just like that, I was left with nothing to do.
This place was for training in the first place, so without it, time dragged on endlessly.
I wasn't particularly keen on cooking, but now even that sounded appealing.
...No, honestly, I had to do the cooking. The Sword Empress's meals were lethal poison. I'd never let her near a kitchen again.
"Oppa. Anything bothering you? Hmm? Need help? Just say the word."
On top of that, Ariel hovered around me nonstop.
Nothing uncomfortable? Need anything? Want something?
She fussed like a nanny dying to take care of me.
I got it. From her perspective, she probably blamed herself for my suffering. Her anxiety made sense.
But as her big brother, I couldn't possibly say it was her fault—or exploit the chance to sweet-talk her.
"Nah, I'm good. You relax."
"But... no, that's not okay. If you got hurt because of me—"
"I didn't get hurt. So go rest easy."
I gently pushed Ariel away when she refused to leave my side.
She'd turned ten lately and was growing more ladylike by the day. Time for her to stop clinging to her brother.
Besides, I need to meet Yoru today.
I had a lot to catch up on with Yoru after so long apart.
Ariel tagging along would kill the vibe.
I told her to stay put at the house and headed into the mountains.
I remembered our meeting spot. I'd planned to arrive early, but that wasn't happening now.
Step... step...
As I neared the rendezvous, Yoru stood up.
"Kline!"
"Been well?"
"Of course. I get by just fine on my own. Hmm, but—"
She waved enthusiastically as she approached, then blinked.
Well, her eyepatch hid it, but it felt like she'd blinked.
"You look off. Sick? Hurt?"
"Yeah... a bit banged up."
"Where?"
I gave her a toned-down version of yesterday's ordeal.
I skipped Ariel's part. I remembered how sharp she'd been when they first met.
No need to air my little sister's mishaps either.
"Oh my god! Your internal mana circuits got tangled? That's seriously dangerous."
"Yeah, something like that."
"No... how are you so casual? Lots of people end up crippled from that."
Yoru rushed up and reached out, rubbing my upper and lower abdomen, probing for something.
"Hey, Yoru, what're you doing?"
"Hold still. Mess this up, and you might never use mana again."
"No, they said a few days' rest would fix it."
"No way... huh, maybe?"
After checking me out, Yoru tilted her head.
"You're right. Looks bad, but you'll recover faster than I thought."
"Told you. Drop it—let's talk about something else. We've got backlog."
"Mm... okay, sure."
We brushed off some nearby rocks and sat.
We both had questions, but Yoru did most of the talking.
At eleven, when we met, we were both chatty—no one dominated.
Now I'd learned some gravitas with age, plus my condition wasn't great.
So it became her yapping excitedly while I responded.
"...Heard the Azure Dragon Festival's coming up. Never cared before, but thinking of entering this time."
"Really? Surprising. Figured you'd join for sure."
"Ahaha, yeah? I do show off a bit in the Empire."
"Different here?"
"Yeah. In Aonia... I try to stay low-key."
Something in her tone suggested she was holding back.
Like that emotional outburst when we parted at eleven.
What's her deal?
I wondered about her circumstances.
"Anyway, I think I'll enter. You? Interested?"
"Nah, not really."
"Aw, too bad. Finals clash would've been fun."
"That does sound tempting. I'd win, though."
"What a jerk thing to say! ...Ugh, but I buy it. Can't help it—you've gotten way stronger."
Yoru stretched out, grabbed my shoulder, and patted it with a hum.
She was way too close.
"Muscles firmed up. Taller too. Total guy now. Your skill's leaped up—I can tell."
"Yoru. Dial back the distance and tone. People might misunderstand. Sounds like introducing a boyfriend to your parents."
"Wha? No way. Me, introduce you to Mom? Ridiculous."
"...You're denying it awfully firmly. That hurts."
"Ahaha, sorry. Just caught me off guard."
"Off guard?"
"Yeah. See, my—mom passed away."
"..."
She said it casually, without pain.
Like tossing it out mid-conversation.
"Ah, don't worry. I'm used to it. Been solo forever."
"Yoru."
"Kinda makes me think—maybe I should've introduced you. She'd have loved that."
"Yoru. No—Yoru."
"Yeah?"
"You don't have to act tough."
She clamped her mouth shut.
I wasn't blurting out comfort on a whim.
I knew how steely her heart must be, raising herself without a mom.
Her grit and struggles deserved respect.
Still.
I couldn't let her brush it off like it was nothing.
"No need for bravado with me. It hurts. That's normal."
"..."
"I'm not gonna gasp or mock you for not having a mom. Don't sweat it. Just be you."
"...Ah."
She turned her head.
Hm. Too much?
Rude, maybe, but unavoidable.
I wasn't delicate enough to play along with a close girl friend's tough act.
Awkward silence.
Vibe soured—maybe head back?
Then Yoru's cheeks flushed, and she mumbled.
"...Saying stuff like that... is troublesome."
"Huh?"
"Troublesome!"
Whoosh—
She bolted off the rock, putting distance between us.
Then pointed accusingly.
"What was that?! Why switch to casual all sudden?!"
"We're the same age. What's the big deal?"
"I know that! But in this moment, going casual out of nowhere—ugh!"
"...?"
I met her flustered gaze.
Eyepatch or not, it felt like eye contact.
What's with her?
Was that... a flag moment?
Nah, just human-to-human talk, right?
"...F-Fine. Thanks, I appreciate it. Yeah. Feels lighter. First time anyone's said that."
"Good. Glad. But how long you keeping the formal talk?"
"You started it!"
"Not anymore."
"...Tch. Whatever. Casual from now on. Easier that way."
"If you want."
"Ugh, so smug. You."
Casual Yoru looked more at ease.
Formality had kept a wall up, even when friendly.
Now it felt crumbled a bit.
Good.
"Sigh. Done. Let's go."
"Already?"
"Yeah! Too awkward—can't stay."
"Bummer. Next meet-up?"
"Dunno! Got Azure Dragon prep now. Don't call."
"You serious? No meet?"
"...If you want. Can't say no!"
Her tsun softened through our back-and-forth.
She puffed her chest, vibrant and confident as ever.
Yeah. That's Yoru. Much better.
"See ya! Probably right before the festival."
"Yeah. Later."
She waved goodbye.
On the way back to Sword Empress's place.
Yoru's words resurfaced.
Mom, huh.
Come to think of it, I'd planned to visit mine too.
Been focused on training, so it slipped my mind.
Now's good. Can't train without mana anyway—perfect chance.
Sanatorium's Ikimizu, right?
Alright.
Head out at dawn.
Hiiragi Family.
A prominent, storied house in Aonia.
They'd produced fine swordsmen for generations, pinning big hopes on this heir too.
Hiiragi Masato.
The eldest son was expected to win the Azure Dragon Festival and elevate the family.
"Young Master, you must win."
"Come on, why jinx it? As if Master Masato could lose."
"Haha, true enough?"
The retainers only uttered two phrases around Masato.
Azure Dragon Festival. Victory.
Those words drilled into his ears, but his heart wasn't at peace.
"Haha. Thanks, everyone."
He smiled back, but inside, he felt hollow.
He didn't hate winning. He had pride, ambition.
Just...
The expectations weighed heavy.
Would've been nicer if the family ignored me.
Masato had pride.
Or wanted it.
He craved results from his efforts, recognition of his talent.
But the family's influence shadowed him everywhere—no fair judgment.
He knew it was privilege others lacked, yet it grated on him.
"Bro!"
His little brother approached from afar.
Hiiragi Yuuto.
The kid hadn't grown fully, but he was Masato's solace.
When everyone sought "Hiiragi" Masato, only Yuuto sought plain Masato.
So he could relax there.
"Bro! You're gonna win, right? Super excited!"
He scooped the boy up in a hug.
Yuuto giggled in his arms.
Innocent, untouched by the world.
Yeah.
To protect that purity, he'd shoulder the family's burden gladly.
"You bet. Bro'll win it for you."
"Yay! I'll watch! Gotta win!"
"Yeah."
He ruffled Yuuto's hair.
Masato figured his brother's wish would come true.
Embarrassing to say, but no local peer matched him in Aonia.
Maybe out-of-towners.
None reported yet, though.
No issues.
So Masato let it go.
No threats at the festival, surely.