Chapter 110
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 110
Chapter Title: Why Are You Looking at Me Like That?
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1.
When Karron struggled to control the darkness, the Regent offered him her counsel.
Spirit arts fundamentally begin with communication. A spiritist and a spirit are not master and servant, but partners. If you treat the spirit as a friend, the spirit will, in turn, accept you.
A spirit was not a spiritists weapon.
It was a companion for life, a friend who would always be by their side.
This was the very foundation of elven spirit arts. It wasn't a one-sided relationship; it required building a mutually beneficial connection.
Understanding the Regents explanation, Karron nodded.
Friends are good.
Karron took Pluto, the spirit of darkness perched on his shoulder, and held it up with both hands.
A potent surge of mana emanated from Pluto.
Meeeoow!
Pluto let out a high-pitched cry, seemingly pleased.
Darkness seeped from its body, but strangely, it wasn't an unpleasant feeling.
Just facing it brought a sense of comfort.
It felt like I was getting sleepy.
Master! Mana exhaustion!
Ah, so it was mana exhaustion.
It wasnt drowsiness, just the dizziness getting worse.
This little thing really was a massive mana drain.
My mana was depleting at a rate that couldn't even be compared to using the sixth form of the Sea Wolf Sword Style.
Make a request to the spirit. If you ask with sincerity, the spirit will surely grant your wish.
The Regents advice echoed in my ears once more.
At her words, Karron smiled brightly and spoke to Pluto.
Im counting on you.
A stroke of luck that fell right into his lap.
The power this creature had already displayed was more than enough to satisfy him.
It was a new power, acquired at the perfect time.
But that satisfaction was short-lived.
Mrow?
Pluto tilted its head, an expression of confusion on its face.
And in that instant.
Well, look at this one.
Plutos golden eyes gleamed strangely.
Despite the polite request, the darkness showed no signs of receding.
On the contrary.
Fwoooosh!
It began to consume even more of Karrons mana, expanding the darkness further.
Watching this, Guillotine spoke in a suggestive tone.
Looks like it wants to have a go, doesnt it?
Guillotine was right.
Pluto met Karrons gaze without flinching, staring right back at him.
It was a situation that could only be described as a battle of wills.
Karrons lips curled into a slight smile as he met Plutos eyes.
You really want to do this?
Hearing him, the Regent cried out in alarm.
Karron Leston, please calm down. You must treat the spirit like a friend
But Karron simply replied with a wry smile.
This is how I treat my friends.
Vwoooooom!
All the Azure Mana remaining in Karrons body began to pour out.
The deep blue mana shone even within the darkness.
Hwaaaak!
The Azure Mana immediately began to constrict Plutos entire body. Pluto struggled, hissing at Karron.
But Karron didn't release his grip.
He just gave Pluto a brilliant smile.
Vwoom!
Karrons mana and Plutos darkness endlessly clashed, creating ripples of energy.
Two forces, locked in a tense struggle.
Not bad.
Meeeoow!
At Karrons exclamation, Pluto let out an excited cry and glared back at him.
The darkness churned, and with it, the sea of mana churned as well.
Karron expertly manipulated his mana, countering Plutos darkness.
The darkness that had swallowed everything around them was now being mercilessly torn apart by Karrons sea.
Craaaack!
As the brutally powerful struggle continued, beads of cold sweat formed on Karrons forehead.
Yet, a smile played on his lips.
This is fun.
It might have looked like a simple clash of energies, but the reality was far from it.
Offense and defense were exchanged in split seconds.
And not just in one spot, but everywhere the sea and the darkness met.
He had never experienced such a simple, brutish contest of mana in his entire life, including his past one.
That was why Karrons smile deepened.
I should add this to my training regimen.
Meticulous mana distribution and control.
He could feel his command over his mana improving in real-time.
Ive got the hang of it.
Mrow?
But the resistance ends here. Cross the line again and this wont be fun anymore.
The sea of mana surged once more, and the precarious balance between the two attributes shattered in an instant.
The violent sea began to rapidly devour the darkness. Watching this, a gasp of astonishment escaped the Regents lips.
Impossible.
On the surface, it looked like the two energies were just clashing wildly.
But she instantly understood the true nature of what was happening.
The hyper-resonance is calming down.
The dissonance that had echoed from the hyper-resonance was gradually fading, and the darkness was gently seeping into the violent sea.
This was something that couldn't possibly be called spirit arts.
This brutish and barbaric method of overpowering one side with sheer force could not be called spirit arts.
It was more like
A dogfight.
It was closer to a pack of starving wild dogs tearing at each other.
By any common sense, the contract should have been nullified the moment he started fighting the spirit like this.
But why?
The more their energies clashed, the stronger their bond became.
This isnt spirit arts.
She felt as if the spirit arts she and the elves had developed over countless years were being utterly refuted.
Sssshhh.
Finally, the darkness was completely consumed by the sea.
Did you have fun?
Pluto was still in Karrons hands.
It lightly waved its two front paws and nodded.
Meeow!
Its expression was one of complete satisfaction.
Wasnt it a bit too cheerful for a spirit that had been ferociously spewing out mana just moments ago?
The Regent stared at the scene, muttering in a daze.
To think such a brutish method would work
To which Karron replied, shaking Pluto in his hands.
This is how you get close, by roughing each other up. Sparring with mana, maybe trading a few stabs for fun Ah, brings back memories. That guy Halo, he was damn good with a knife.
What in the world did the word friend mean to this man?
What was even more shocking was that Pluto, listening to Karron, was nodding in agreement.
They say a spirit is drawn to a kindred soul
The Regent let out a small sigh as she looked at Karrons pale face.
A mad spirit had chosen a madman.
Birds of a feather flock together, indeed.
By the way, Regent.
The madman smiled as he looked at her.
His face was devoid of color, but his blue eyes gleamed with something.
Technically speaking, this contract wouldnt you say I achieved it on my own?
I will acknowledge that.
Excellent. Four drops.
Pardon?
The dew. Four drops. Ive given you a special discount of one. Your advice was helpful, after all.
Hearing this, the Regent couldn't help but let out another sigh.
Is the fate of our race really in the hands of a madman like this?
It was a moment that made her resent the World Tree itself.
2.
The sudden commotion that had erupted in the World Trees sanctuary thus came to an end.
Since you trusted me and paid the fee in advance, I will see this request through to success. You can set your worries aside, Regent!
You must indeed
The payment was ultimately decided at four drops of the World Trees Dew.
After finally receiving the dew from the Regent, Karron beamed and said.
I swear on the honor of the Leston Ducal Family. If I fail this request, you may hold the ducal house responsible.
Karron sold his familys honor without a second thought.
Seeing him without a shred of guilt, Leo, who had arrived late on the scene, whispered to Rion.
Sister, hes selling the family name again.
Thats just normal Karron.
Shouldnt we stop him?
Whos going to?
Ah.
Leo realized there was no one here who could stop Karron.
To stop Karron, youd need to bring Jeras, at the very least.
As the two cousins clicked their tongues at Karron, the conversation between him and the Regent continued.
I have a question for you.
Please, speak freely, esteemed client I mean, Regent.
I would like to know what you intend to use Mothers Dew for.
A single drop of the World Trees Dew was a treasure capable of shaking the world.
If one drop could do that, it was impossible to imagine what would happen if four were released into the world at once.
But Karrons answer was very simple.
Naturally, well be using it ourselves.
For any mana user, this was a priceless elixir that couldnt be exchanged for all the gold in the world.
The elixir of elixirs.
In other words, it was an item that couldnt be bought, no matter how much money one offered.
Why would he give something so precious to someone else?
Theres a saying that a well-fed ghost is a happy ghost.
The Regent replied, looking disgusted.
Are you saying you intend to eat it and die?
Its a metaphor.
Yes, I am aware its a metaphor.
Then why
Because I found you so vexing, I decided to play a little joke myself. Consider it elven humor.
Karron was left speechless by the sudden counterattack.
Having handily subdued Karron, the Regent slowly looked over his companions.
One giant, and two of the Leston bloodline.
She had already guessed why Karron had demanded four drops.
You intend to have them consume the World Trees Dew.
Leave the giant out of it. Its a race that barely benefits from mana, what would they do with the World Trees Dew?
At that, Utulla beat his chest as if wronged.
Thats hurtful, Karron Leston!
Want me to make it not hurtful?
My apologies!
After easily quelling Utullas complaint, Karron turned back to the Regent.
Ah, just in case, I was wondering what would happen if I drank all the dew myself?
It was a very Karron-like question.
The Regent furrowed her brow slightly as she answered.
If one could grow endlessly stronger through the dew, we would have been the ones ruling the continent. The effect youre hoping for is granted only once in a lifetime.
I was just asking, just in case. I only thought about drinking it all myself once, I swear.
You can still expect it to have a restorative effect on the body.
So the World Tree doesnt like handouts.
Mother stands at the center of harmony and circulation.
Karron hadnt expected an elixir of this caliber to come without any restrictions.
As the Regent said, if that were possible, a supreme being would have emerged from among the elves long ago.
But even considering that, the World Trees Dew was undeniably the greatest elixir for any mana user.
A single dose allowed one to easily overcome their current limits.
A shame, but it cant be helped.
Karron licked his lips.
It was valuable enough just to strengthen his companions, so he decided to be satisfied with that.
If I help them, itll probably take them a week to fully digest the World Trees Dew.
If they were going to consume the World Trees Dew, they might as well get the maximum efficiency out of it, right?
Karron gave a small nod and then looked at his companions.
At his gaze, Leo shuddered and said.
Why are you looking at me like that?
Lets just die for a week.
At his words, the color drained from his companions faces.
But Karron just gave them a bright smile.
Dont worry. People dont die that easily. I even got you the World Trees Dew, so youre not going to die, right?
None of his companions could argue with him any longer.
Karrons hand was already gripping the hilt of Guillotine.
They lacked the courage to defy a sword-wielding dictator.
And so, a week of secluded, intense training was decided.
Itll be over in a flash, just a flash.
Just as Karron said, the week flew by in what felt like an instant.