Corruption (1)
Corruption at the third stage couldn't be reversed through ordinary means. With the power of corruption fused into the flesh, even purification magic couldn't easily dispel it. Even using the priests' holy power would leave lingering aftereffects—memory loss or disabilities were possible. Leaving the protagonist Rana in that state would punch a massive hole in the story. To avoid that, a ton of preparations were necessary.
First and foremost, I had to drive out the corruption occupying her heart. I needed to get her mana core operational before anything else. To that end, I'd sent Elraim to gather materials specialized for purification.
Purification magic couldn't eradicate all the corruption, but focusing it on a tiny portion could temporarily push it back.
"If it had only been second stage, I could've handled it myself."
Up to the second stage, my own purification magic would've sufficed. It would've cost me half my life force, but it wasn't impossible.
"If only I'd noticed a little sooner..."
No point in pointless regrets. I couldn't waste time on useless thoughts—I had to move.
I left the academy and headed for the capital's sewers. The capital, over four times the size of Tianis, had sewers to match: ridiculously vast. Vast enough for groups of people to live inside. That was why so many beggars, vagrants, and criminals hid out there.
And this place held a secret only revealed in the game.
Boom!
Shattering the cleverly concealed wall revealed a laboratory inside.
"Wh-who's there?!"
A startled voice came from beyond the swirling dust. I summoned a gust to clear it away. There stood a man in a black robe, surrounded by monster corpses, test subjects, and lab equipment.
Seeing I'd come to the right place, I said, "Black mage Koron."
"Damn it! Did the holy kingdom's dogs sniff me out?!"
Koron hurriedly began chanting a spell. I swung my hand, dispelling his black magic.
"Dis-dispel! And high-level, too...!"
While he panicked, I closed in and subdued him in one strike.
"Torture me if you want! I won't submit to scum like you!!"
"No idea what you're talking about. I'm not from the holy kingdom."
"Then why the hell are you...!"
"You're a black mage. Isn't this par for the course?"
"Son of a bitch!"
Black mages in this world were seriously dangerous. This level of response was standard. To the cursing man, I said, "Calm down, Koron. I'm here to make a deal."
"What deal? I wouldn't deal with a rude bastard like you!"
"No long talk. The Chaos Stone. Hand it over."
"H-how do you know about that?!"
The Chaos Stone. A stone infused with chaos. And absolutely essential for expelling corruption.
"D-don't care where you heard it, but that's everything to me!"
"It'd be better for your health if you just handed it over."
"I won't give it up even if you threaten to kill me!"
Just as I'd expected. To him, I made an offer he couldn't refuse.
"Is it more precious than your daughter's location?"
Koron's eyes widened in shock. But he soon shouted, "Don't lie! My daughter died long ago!"
"No, she's alive. Living in a coastal village on the eastern continent."
"N-no. Reina... that day, those damn holy kingdom bastards..."
Koron trailed off. Because an image of a little girl had appeared in my hand.
"You'd know. This is your daughter."
"Ah, ah..."
He couldn't tear his eyes from the girl, who looked about fifteen, carrying fish. She even resembled him at a glance.
"How...?"
"You didn't think the holy kingdom couldn't seal a mage like you? Try using magic."
I released his hands. Koron immediately cast a spell. But the mark on his daughter's arm only glowed briefly—no signal came.
That was confirmation enough.
"This... isn't a dream, right? It's really real...?"
"Undeniably real. Get close, and you'll know for sure."
Koron hung his head in a daze, then lifted it. "The exact location...?"
"Transfer ownership, and I'll tell you."
"...Fine."
I let Koron go. He formed hand seals in a corner of the lab, revealing a hidden room. From it, he fetched the Chaos Stone.
The reason I'd gone through this hassle? I couldn't just take it and do whatever. I needed ownership transferred from the previous owner.
"Just spill some blood."
I sliced my finger and let blood drip. Koron cast the spell, transferring rights to me. I felt the stone submit.
"Now, the location..."
"Here."
I handed him a paper with the coordinates.
"Thank you..."
As he prepared to abandon his lab's Results and flee, I added, "Koron, when you meet your daughter, quit black magic. Unless you want the holy kingdom chasing you again."
"Obviously. I only learned it to get revenge on them in the first place."
"Good. Go."
I let him leave. Without looking back, Koron ran off.
"Three left."
I downed a mana potion from the lab and headed to the next spot.
The second material was at the central plaza fountain. Easy one: smash the baby angel statue and take the coin inside. Then bolt. Guards gave chase.
The third was a luck flower growing in an empty lot; the fourth, a mysterious gray potion from a shop district stall.
With all materials gathered, I rushed to Ruina Lindel's workshop.
Elraim was already waiting outside.
"Got them all?"
"Yes, Young Master."
She handed over three materials from her bosom. Even taken out early, their quality was fine.
I knocked on the workshop door. She rarely went to the dorms.
Creeeak...
Moments later, it opened. Ruina Lindel appeared, eyes heavy with sleep.
"Yaaawn~. What is it?"
"Sorry for the late hour. I have a commission."
"Now? I'm sleepy..."
"Senior, please, just this once."
I bowed my head.
"Fine. Come in. Not you."
Elraim was excluded again. She still couldn't memorize the precautions.
I conveyed my apologies and entered.
"So? What to make?"
"A purification potion rivaling holy water, and a stabilizer for body and mind."
"Tough ones... And no materials."
"I brought them."
I placed the gathered items on the workbench.
"Nice stuff."
She eyed them with interest. All top-tier alchemy materials, the best of the best.
"Got it. I'll make them. Payment?"
"Right after the job."
This was an official commission. Not like the freebie potion from connections. And Ruina Lindel's alchemy was pricey—over 10,000 gold even with materials. This was high-end work.
"Don't need money."
She shook her head.
"Then...?"
"Lectures, up to five times."
"...Understood. Deal."
No time to haggle. For Rana, a few extra lectures were nothing.
"Good..."
Ruina Lindel muttered, turning to the bench with a faint smile blooming.
"But no magic stones. Need top-grade."
"Here."
I handed one over—from the last hidden quest reward.
"Wait 30 minutes."
"Yes."
Time was tight, but doable. She extracted mana from the stone, forming dozens of magic circles. Her hands flew, processing materials: separating components and energies, isolating without damage. Assembling like a puzzle.
Moon and sun—quintessential purification forces—merged. Bloodstone energy permeated between. The passion and blood of Tianis students amplified it.
Thus, a single drop was born.
"Bottle."
I placed a prepared potion vial. Under her guidance, the liquid filled it. 15 minutes total.
She moved to the next: the stabilizer, to prevent seizures. Rana's mind was steeped in corruption now. Tampering rashly would accelerate it. But stabilized body and mind would halt infiltration, rendering corruption inert.
Ordinary stabilizers wouldn't cut it. Needed top-tier, time-freeze level. Ruina could make it—with materials.
Her skill was already pinnacle.
"Done."
She handed over the stabilizer.
"Before feeding, drop mana on it."
"Got it. And thank you."
"Keep your promise."
"Of course. See you next time."
"Yeah, bye."
I left after her send-off.
"All done?"
"Yeah. Back to the dorm."
We ran faster than ever—surpassing even our morning commute.
At the dorm, in my room. The summons had guarded Rana well. Her darkness had deepened.
"Hoo..."
I caught my breath. From here, it demanded total focus.
First, I pried open Rana's mouth, fed the stabilizer, and dripped mana atop it. Waited for it to spread. Five minutes later, mana flowed freely—stabilized.
I placed the Chaos Stone over her heart. It would absorb expelled corruption. No space, and it'd reabsorb into her body.
Next, the purification potion into her mouth. I lifted her torso, tilting her chin to guide it to her stomach.
Effect immediate: white light poured from her body.
But uncontrolled, it'd spread everywhere—disaster. Had to direct it solely to the heart.
One hand gripped hers; the other on the stone. I guided the potion's power.
'Totally corrupted...'
Her mana circuits were tainted. No way purification reached the heart like this.
I thinned the power to a thread, boring through the circuits. Purification effortlessly pushed back corruption.
'Slowly...'
Sweat beaded. Simple-looking, but taxing. Even at my peak, this power was tricky and draining.
Thanks to prep, it reached the heart. Now, max concentration.
Purification light shoved out corruption: heavy, sticky, potent. Constantly tempting. Embrace it for a new world, it whispered.
But such temptations didn't faze me.
Sweet bliss? Ecstasy beyond? 'Sorry, but I'm too old to fall for that crap.' I'd tasted it plenty.
I gathered the expelled heart-corruption, pushing it to the skin. Simultaneously manipulated the Chaos Stone.
Chaos: primordial force. Absorbs and binds any power. This residual echo sufficed.
Pocketed the stone with corruption sealed. Not for casual handling.
Next, activated her mana core, sweeping lingering body darkness. Without its core axis, easier than before.
Darkness ebbed from her body, flesh regaining original hue.
Expelling head corruption returned her to normal.
Her face entered view. Like she'd wake and pounce any second.
"Will she awaken now?"
"No."
Not yet. This cleared only physical corruption.
Last: purge the darkness tormenting her mind.
I hoisted Rana on my back and left the dorm. Elraim and her summons followed.
"To the Contract Land."
Destination: Contract Land. World Tree. One of the seven gods—green overseer.
Had to meet that loathsome being. She held the final key to saving Rana.