Chapter 111
Chapter 111
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 111
Chapter Title: Bonus Stage (6)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
There was no particular time pressure, and it looked leisurely on the surface, but in truth, his mana had been thoroughly drained from breaking through the rapids and deploying the mirror world, so Galen decided to take a short rest.
With no one around to disturb them, the campsite was still intact, so all he had to do was lie down right there.
"Are you worn out?"
"Probably... mentally, I guess?"
"Why don't you close your eyes for a bit?"
With those words, Lilia took Galen's hand and prayed.
Miracle of Vitality
Miracle of Healing
The Miracles of Vitality and Healing enveloped Galen simultaneously.
He wasn't particularly injured, nor had he depleted his stamina, so it wasn't a huge help.
Still, when the body reached peak condition, the mind inevitably followed suit.
What could it be called? It helped pave the way for optimal rest.
"Thank you, as always."
Lilia replied with a bright smile.
Since they weren't doing a full camping setup with tents and such, letting Galen rest didn't mean giving him a private space or anything.
Lilia sat beside him, humming a soft tune under her breath. Galen lay comfortably on the blanket and, before closing his eyes, summoned his status window for a moment.
💧 Water Flow Manipulation Lv.72
Progress to next level:14%
🌪️ Spiral Eddy Lv.1
Progress to next level:1%
It had only been a short time since breaking through level 70, yet it had already risen by 2 levels.
This was the reward for destroying the ruin's core.
Considering the absurd power of the wind amplified by the lake environment—something impossible otherwise—2 levels felt a bit stingy.
But ultimately, clearing the ruin had been smoother than Oklane, with less hardship, and as levels got higher, each single level felt increasingly significant.
'Maybe it's risen quite a lot, actually?'
Most mages never reached Gem rank even until death, so whining about this could get him executed for insolence.
In any case, the blockage at 69 (100%) was just temporary; crossing the wall confirmed level-ups resumed. He was satisfied. The experience needed to please a Gem was now truly minimal.
And on top of that.
The sixth new spell had settled in safely.
Galen carefully reviewed the knowledge imprinted in his mind upon acquisition.
'In terms of affinity, it's wind. Not directly manipulating air, but creating specific flows—especially vortices.'
Spiraling around (), then returning to origin ().
In simple terms, it was a spell to create whirlwinds.
Like the pale, rapid currents encircling the ruin.
It didn't alter the air's form, so no wind blades or such—its inherent lethality was nil for now...
'But gale warnings don't trigger from dying to wind alone.'
The danger came from debris getting swept in or slamming into things, guaranteeing at least moderate injuries.
Still, didn't it have limits on power?
No problem. Galen wasn't a one-trick mage with just Spiral Eddy. He could compensate for any flaws.
'Now that I don't need to hide it anymore, it'll be even more useful.'
Galen chuckled softly, dismissed the status window, and closed his eyes.
His breathing soon grew steady and faint.
They spent two more nights by the lakeside.
It was partly accepting Radika's suggestion to watch a few more days just in case.
Galen also had unfinished business at the lake personally.
After a full day of rest restoring much of his mana, Galen recreated the diving orb and revisited the ruin.
"It's really there!"
Lilia's eyes sparkled as she diligently shone light around again today.
The diving orb headed not for the central building where the staff had been planted, but the outer structures.
Most had collapsed since they weren't simple walls, but that was no issue.
Whirr!
Just sweep away the debris.
Water Flow Manipulation worked diligently, shoving useless rubble far away.
After rummaging through the ruins for a while, he finally found what he'd been seeking.
"Of course."
Galen grinned at the treasures glinting off the light orbs.
"No one builds something this big on a mountaintop without some loot. I had a feeling a bit would remain."
"Not a huge amount... but Oklane was an unusually pricey ruin!"
Most items were ruined by submersion, but precious metals like gold and silver retained their luster.
He scraped it all up and returned. Watching the treasures flow to shore like a school of dead fish, Radika—who'd stayed on land—chuckled.
He roughly appraised the value.
"At least five thousand gold coins, though probably not reaching six."
"Not bad for a quick dip."
Galen nodded at Radika's assessment.
"Too much to carry back, so let's leave it here. Send staff from headquarters later to retrieve it during the assembly."
"Sounds good. We can settle accounts then."
"No need."
"Hm?"
"You don't have to take any. Lilia and I already discussed it."
"What do you mean?"
Radika voiced her confusion.
"You cleared the ruin, and you found the treasure. It's rightfully yours. I claim none."
"I've gained plenty already. Becoming a Gem is more than enough."
"That's your own achievement."
"Your advice has a share too."
Galen shrugged and added,
"To be frank, it's also a bribe to put in a good word."
"...Pardon?"
"This counts as an exploit worthy of minor star shards upon return, right?"
"Naturally."
"And you'll make complete products for both of us."
"Then?"
"That's the 'please put in a good word' part. Like payment to the artisan."
"I'd make them well regardless."
"Of course, but we've been receiving nonstop. Our consciences are prickling a bit..."
It was the same principle as not demanding special rewards from Daimus after smashing Ventis.
Fine for one-offs, but for long-term relations, one-sided taking bred issues.
Even if justified as quest pay, repeated successes made recipients forget givings while resentments lingered.
Radika personally might not mind, but among earth sprites overall, some might begrudge Galen and Lilia taking star shards twice in a row.
Showing restraint like this boosted reputation without harm.
And honestly, people worked harder for paid gigs than freebies. Sprites weren't exceptions.
"No bending your stubbornness, huh."
Radika finally gave a wry smile and nodded.
"Fine, as you say."
"Thank you."
"Feels like the thanks are backward..."
Anyway, with the topic open, they discussed rewards.
"What form do you want?"
"Hm."
Galen's gaze briefly flicked to Radika's neck. Hidden by her collar, but a necklace hung there.
Galen used no weapons or armor anyway, so accessories fit; necklace was safe, but...
'It looks hefty. Heavy ones are bad for neck health, I hear.'
Sprites were sturdy, but Galen's body was average. Suddenly wearing something heavy without practice seemed uncomfortable.
"Just a bracelet, I think."
"Bracelet. Solid choice. To avoid slipping, make it thick like this..."
They bantered designs, roughing out initial sketches.
Radika turned to Lilia.
"Lilia, you? Holy sword as expected?"
"Well, I've been thinking..."
Unexpectedly, Lilia trailed off. She'd openly yearned for a star-shard holy sword since hearing it was possible.
"It'd look super cool, but I'm not sure how practical it'd be in real combat."
"Not practical?"
"I switch between radiant swords and spears by situation; fixing to sword feels off... and more importantly, swords can get damaged mid-fight."
"True."
Radiant swords of light could resummon if broken, but physical holy swords couldn't.
Weapons inevitably wore down, no matter the care.
"Better to take an accessory like you, and keep using current weapons?"
"That's my thought too."
"R-really?"
"Honestly, I wondered why ancestors insisted on holy swords. Your way's far wiser."
Maybe they needed flashy symbols over utility? Radika muttered.
"Anyway, accessory for you too?"
"Yes!"
"What kind?"
"Um..."
"Um?"
"...Matching Brother's?"
"That's purely for practicality, right?"
"Y-yes!"
Lilia glanced at Galen, who smiled; Radika's eyes curved amusedly.
"Sure, sure. Matching bracelets... Lilia, you're right-handed?"
"Ah, yes."
"Might snag during vigorous moves, so left arm for you. Galen, right arm."
"Works for me."
Her spirit already coiled left arm—perfect balance.
"Good. Shape's set; we can tweak at fitting."
Radika declared briskly.
"I'll make them right away upon return."
The sky mirror stayed clear until departure, naturally.
Several hours after catching another wyvern and crossing the mountains.
They headed not to the recent hunting grounds, but Alliance Headquarters.
"What? Already went and back?"
Lushad asked incredulously.
Wyvern travel slashed transit time, syncing perfectly with headquarters' post-festival return—they'd walked from the venue.
Quicker resolution was better. Hearing Radika's report, Lushad nodded readily.
"Even you wouldn't joke about this."
"'Even you' meaning what?"
"Exactly what you think. Anyway, need to send folks for treasure retrieval..."
Officially, quest completion required full documentation by investigators, but Lushad fast-tracked via chairman authority.
Star shard ownership formally transferred to Galen and Lilia.
"Been a while since I flexed my craft."
"Radika herself?"
"We learn hammering basics from childhood."
Radika personally forged their accessories.
From constant talks, she knew their wishes best.
Her pace was monstrous.
Earth power shielded her body from heat, super strength made grueling hammerwork instant.
The result: a pair of bracelets.
"Wow..."
Lilia's jaw dropped; Galen sincerely admired.
About a handspan wide, cylindrical to wrap the forearm, but not plain—intricate patterns interlinked, covering half the lower arm.
Even plain metal would've been art.
Radika fitted them personally. Perfect fit, as measured.
"Channel mana... Lilia, holy power, like wrapping the bracelet. Try."
As instructed.
A faint tremor? No actual vibration, but it felt that way.
"It's kinda vibrating a little!"
Lilia felt it too. Radika nodded.
"That's the star's power. Wrap it consistently, and soon the tremor fades—that means tamed."
"How long?"
"Depends on diligence. Won't take long."
Radika smiled at the pair staring wondrously.
"Rest easy till then."