Chapter 17 – What I Gained Instead of Mana #1

In the world where Lawrence lived, such people occasionally appeared. Those born with an enormous amount of mana but with agonizingly slow incantation speeds. Or those with small statures who could effortlessly lift weights fifty or a hundred times their body mass, like ants. Some could only master 1st Circle magic, yet their casting speed outpaced even the fastest mages.

It was a kind of curse and blessing—a lopsided, freakish talent.

Lawrence thought of this as he boldly met the North Duke's gaze.

"I'll explain that separately. It's not what ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠you're worried about, Your Grace. I truly have no Mana Road."

"Hm... A sensitive matter, then. Very well, I'll understand."

"I want to tell you, Your Grace. Because I can definitely help you."

Thud!

Lawrence's body floated up. His breath caught, his throat constricted. Lancel had instantly lifted him and slammed him against the wall.

"Impressive information network. Highly suspicious. Do you know the weight your words carry?"

"Of course. You'll know too, Your Grace. The weight of harming me right now."

"This is why I hate mages. Follow me."

Lancel snorted and dropped Lawrence to the floor. Loria, trembling beside them, cautiously approached.

"H-Hey... you okay?"

"I'm fine. I'm tough."

"That's not the point! Why are you so reckless!?"

"Because that's how I get your attention?"

"..."

Loria sighed deeply at Lawrence's mad ramblings. Maybe it would've been better if they lived separately in the annex and main house. Out of sight, out of mind. But he kept drawing her worry right in front of her eyes.

To her, his actions just seemed recklessly dangerous. No matter how much she resented him, he was her brother. Family, even if half-blood. estranged for years or not, she felt they had to maintain at least that much bond.

"Anyway, don't worry too much and rest. Study hard to advance your circles faster."

"Ugh... Tell me later too. So I can help or whatever."

"Sure. When we get back to the family estate, come visit the annex sometime."

Lawrence left those words and followed the duke to his office. Loria's room was on the floor above, apparently.

Gripping the stair railing, Loria watched her brother for a long while, until the door closed and he vanished completely.

What the hell happened during that time?

Loria was more curious about Lawrence's changes than the Alzeras Knight Order. She wondered how her older siblings would react too. Somehow, she had a bad feeling big trouble was brewing at home.

"But I can't live owing him my life."

She hurried off, determined to grow stronger quickly and help her brother at least once.

Meanwhile, in the office, Lawrence mulled over what to say.

He wouldn't believe in regression or reincarnation. Better not to mention that at all. But he had no intention of hiding his artifact-related powers forever.

As mentioned before, he needed someone from those two types to protect him.

Protection from someone who knew everything versus suspicious protection doubting if he hid swords or poison. Which was safer? Lawrence would choose the former.

Mutual trust would be more helpful long-term.

"No one's listening here. I don't pull sneaky shit like hiding spies."

"I believe you, Your Grace."

"Good. Speak. What are you hiding to be so cautious?"

Lawrence smiled faintly and showed him.

Crackle!

An artifact emerged from his body. The duke's eyebrow twitched at the sudden emergence.

"I can create and use artifacts."

"Hah..."

Far more shocking than expected, the duke fell silent. An object densely engraved with magic circles. A creator of artifacts, lost centuries ago, reborn?

"The researchers will come swarming like moths to a flame."

"That's why I'm telling you, Your Grace. I didn't think you'd greedily chase this."

"True. A real man fights with his body."

Not that he could criticize Lawrence's way. The duke realized how someone without a Mana Road could perform like that. How he survived that hellish environment.

"A kind of divine power, then."

"Yes. I've revealed my secret, so may I ask one favor?"

"Haha! Bold kid. Sure. As long as you don't cross the line."

Lawrence took a small breath and spoke. His first connection outside family. To the empire's powerful duke ruling the north.

"Be my sanctuary."

"That's all?"

"Yes. As payment for knowing my secret."

Boldness suited him. Central nobles or sticklers for etiquette would hate it, but Lancel preferred directness. Beating around the bush just wasted time.

"Sanctuary... Easy enough. But my role ends at hiding you. After that, you're on your own."

"Of course. And on another matter..."

"What now?"

Lawrence widened his eyes. This was the real point.

"Become my guardian. Then I'll heal your son."

Rumble!

The air vibrated instantly. He could clearly see the ferocious mana surging.

One wrong word, one line crossed, and his head would roll.

Montemer? That name meant nothing here. This was the north, and he was the king of the north.

The duke's voice sounded like a wolf's howl.

"Choose your next words carefully. I don't like long-tongued types."

"If it's a lie, use me as an artifact-making slave."

"How can I trust you?"

"No Mana Road means no mana oaths. But I can engrave seals anytime."

Lawrence rolled up his sleeve decisively. The duke burst out laughing—Puhahat! The kid's boldness was endearing.

"You've shown such a secret; I should trust in return. Fine. I'll believe you once."

"Thank you."

"But if things go south, you won't be safe either. Got it?"

"Of course."

I already know that curse, after all.

When is a person most confident? Undoubtedly when they know the future perfectly. This was that moment for Lawrence.

"Don't worry. I'll definitely cure him."

"If you succeed... I'll stake everything to protect you. Lawrence Montemer."

"Thank you. Then, shall we see the young master first?"

"...Yeah. Follow me."

The duke rose with a bitter gaze. But a glimmer of hope began to flicker in eyes shrouded in endless despair.

His son's condition that led him to that despair. If light could return...

Even the devil would do. I'd offer my soul.

Lawrence recalled the past. The north had once shaken the empire greatly; he'd fled to the central region in haste.

The subjugation force mobilized en masse because of the man before him, Lancel. No bloodshed occurred, but it led to House Gaudie's decline.

Thinking about it, the reason was right here. Everything intertwined.

Lawrence gazed at the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠raggedly breathing, sleeping son of the North Duke, Lake Gaudie.

Lost his son to a curse, went berserk. Lost significant territory because of it.

The north had various nobles. Still, if House Gaudie retained its might, the name would be an impregnable fortress.

This had to succeed.

The bad mana is clearly visible.

A few years later, those cursed had to check one of two things. Because of this curse, Acidic Corruption.

A newborn curse-poison hybrid. Whether experimental or targeted, Lake Gaudie was the first public victim. Similar cases proliferated, shaking the empire's prestige.

Confirming Lake's state, Lawrence checked his artifact capacity.

Can I fully absorb this curse with what I have now?

The answer came immediately.

Got it. Only one answer, then.

Lawrence turned to the duke anxiously watching his son. His only son and heir to the North Duke position, suffering like this. The stress must be immense.

Time to relieve some of that stress.

Lay the groundwork first.

"Your Grace, I've confirmed it. Matches the records."

"Records?"

"Related to my ability. Found an old one by chance with a similar case."

"I see..."

Lawrence decided to clear the room. Kids meddling or objections would just waste time. Quick and decisive.

"Can we talk alone first?"

"Hm. Sure. Everyone out. Eavesdrop, and I'll rip your ears off."

"...Understood, Your Grace."

They withdrew without protest, though displeased. They knew his temperament. Despite the huge sums spent amid tight finances, Lake showed no improvement. Self-esteem bruised, but what could they do?

"Now, speak. My son's condition?"

"It's a mix of poison and curse. Can't tackle just one side; must resolve both for full recovery."

"First I've heard. Unprecedented in history. If true, means simultaneous exorcism and detoxification?"

Lawrence nodded. Priests could fix it easily, but he wasn't giving up gains here. To others, horrific poison and curse; to him, the tastiest prey.

"So, Your Grace."

"Hm?"

"Let's have a match."

"..."

Definitely, Lawrence was mad.