A Perilous Proposal
Before his regression, Lunia had proposed two solutions to the plague and curse known as the Black Sickness.
—One is to simply kill the caster. This disease manifests due to a curse. So, we just need to find and kill the black mage who cast it.
Eliminating the root cause.
It was the most definitive and fundamental solution.
However, because it was wartime back then, tracking down the caster of the curse was often practically impossible.
Curse mages were usually heavily guarded by the main enemy army, making it difficult for the outnumbered resistance to even get close.
But if they did nothing while waiting to hunt down the curse mage, the disease would worsen, leading to death.
Thus, Lunia had offered a second solution.
—The Black Sickness occurs because the mana inside the body is contaminated by the curse. Therefore, if we purify all of that mana, we can halt the progression of the disease.
The second treatment might have seemed reckless or even brute-force to some.
Drawing out the cursed person's internal mana, completely purifying it, and then injecting it back in.
The effect was certain. Under Lunia's treatment, everyone suffering from the Black Sickness survived.
However, though it sounded simple, the reality was that it was incredibly dangerous.
If the mana circuit is the blood vessels, mana is the blood.
For a mage, draining all internal mana is akin to pulling a fish out of water. It was a perilous procedure that could easily lead to death.
The only reason such a treatment could actually be performed and succeed was because the leader of the resistance was an 8th-circle Archmage, Lunia Erahan von Benheim.
So, anyone with a sane mind would condemn this treatment of extracting and purifying internal mana as absolute madness.
"Have you finally lost your mind?!"
Just like right now.
Slam!
Oswald slammed the table, furious after hearing my explanation.
"Are you saying you will drain my daughter's mana, remove the curse, and then put it back in?!"
"Precisely."
"That is suicide! No mage has ever done such a thing! Even if they did, they would all be dead! Internal mana is the very essence of life. Draining all of it will turn her into a living corpse before you can even treat her!"
It was a reasonable objection.
Even in my past life, many had expressed deep concern. Indeed, it was a feat that would have been impossible if Lunia hadn't been an 8th-circle mage with monstrous mana sensitivity and control.
But I had spent years by her side.
I was confident that I, too, could fully replicate that treatment now.
It wasn't reckless bravado. I had a solid foundation to rely on. I pointed to the barrier stone on the table and explained.
"This barrier stone is the one I brought back from the mine that day. I believe you would recognize it, Elder."
Oswald's eyes slowly widened as he inspected the barrier stone.
"This is..."
"It's the barrier stone from the black mages' hideout in the Mist Valley."
As the head of the Airid family, who was colluding with black mages, there was no way he wouldn't recognize this stone.
"How..."
Oswald frowned. Normally, the barrier stone should have been saturated with contaminated mana. However, the stone I produced was cleanly purified, now functioning as a high-purity magic stone.
"I purified all the mana inside this stone and made it my own. I didn't use any other tools; I used my own body as a filter. The reason I was able to raise my circle so quickly is entirely because I absorbed this barrier stone."
"That is impossible. Do you honestly expect me to believe that makes sense?"
"Yes. Normally, it would be impossible, just as you say. But with my atypical mana core, it is."
"..."
Since Oswald still looked incredulous, I turned my gaze to Iline.
Iline, who had been quietly listening to our conversation, gave a bitter smile and spoke up.
"He has a point. His atypical mana core is quite unique. He has a single core, but inside, it's divided into two nuclei by a partition. Though his output might be slightly lacking, he can manipulate mana equivalent to two people."
"..."
Even Iline, the head of the Arkamen family, chimed in to support me.
Oswald let out a low groan.
At least in terms of mana theory, Arkamen was bound to be superior to Airid.
"...Even if you can purify contaminated mana, Yusefin is already in an extremely weakened state. If even a fraction of her internal mana is drained, she will die instantly."
Oswald's concern was entirely understandable.
Yusefin's life signs were already faint. Oswald, the head of the Airid family, was also afflicted with the Black Sickness, but he was a 7th-circle mage. He could suppress the symptoms through his own power.
But for Yusefin, who was only at the 3rd circle, that was impossible. Her condition had worsened since we crossed paths in Rodel six months ago precisely because of this.
"Do not worry. As I drain her internal mana, I will temporarily fill the void with my own."
"You cannot accept another person's mana into your body. You should know this well. Even the mana of those sharing the same bloodline will clash and backflow if their wavelengths do not match."
Indeed, the human body is sensitive. If foreign mana enters, it triggers a rejection response.
It was the same principle as to why aura and magic could not mix.
It was common knowledge to anyone who had initiated into mana.
"That is why I have prepared a solution."
I reached into the inner pocket of my uniform and pulled out a triangular, prism-shaped crystal, placing it on the table.
"...This is."
"The item you gifted me, Elder."
"The Prism."
Oswald's expression faltered for a moment.
A magic tool capable of separating only the necessary attributes of mana. By using this to align my mana with Yusefin's wavelength, we could resolve the void left by her drained internal mana.
"With this, we will be able to safely purify your daughter's mana."
"..."
"Though it may not be an ultimate cure, it will serve as a remedy. In fact, since her internal mana will have been thoroughly filtered once, her health will be better than before."
Pondering my words, Oswald placed a hand on his chin.
Iline, who had been listening quietly, nodded in agreement.
"...I must say, it sounds like a rather brilliant idea."
Oswald did not reply.
However, his gaze darted back and forth between the Prism and the barrier stone on the table.
"The council lasts until tomorrow. So, please think it over carefully and give me your answer by then."
That was enough persuasion. I slowly stood up.
Oswald didn't even spare me a glance, but I didn't think he would reject my offer.
Oswald Airid returned to his quarters with unsteady steps. He slumped into a chair, sinking into deep thought under the dim light of a single candle.
Closing his eyes, the conversation from earlier replayed in his mind.
"A disease... created by black mages."
The Black Sickness.
It had been barely two years since the Black Sickness began spreading through the Airid family.
At first, they hadn't thought much of it. But within a few months, the terrible plague that solidified the mana core swept through the family.
The mages of Airid investigated thoroughly, but nothing was certain. Some said it was a hereditary disease, while others hypothesized it was a curse.
Defying all speculation, the Black Sickness spread through the entirety of Airid in the blink of an eye. Even he, the family head, was no exception. Eventually, his only daughter, Yusefin, collapsed as well.
He had traveled far and wide to find a cure. He had administered elixirs and even extracted components from Arkamen's pills that activated the mana core.
But nothing was enough, and Yusefin's condition only deteriorated day by day.
That was when the black mages approached him.
—We can cure her. Though it may not be by humane means.
It was an obvious trap of a proposal. But he had no choice but to accept. It was all for Yusefin.
He prepared vast sums of money to pay the black mages and accommodated them as much as possible. This, too, was for Yusefin.
Even when he heard they were kidnapping innocent people, Oswald did not protest; he turned a blind eye. Again, for Yusefin.
Indeed, the treatment the black mages provided was merely a temporary stopgap, but it was the most effective remedy they had tried so far.
'And yet...'
If that young man's words were true—that the root cause of the Black Sickness was a curse cast by the black mages themselves...
It meant he had been doing something utterly preposterous all this time.
Begging the very culprits who spread the disease for a cure, thereby feeding their strength.
'No.'
Oswald shook his head.
Whether the young man's words were true or not, the moment he joined hands with black mages, he had already committed an unspeakable act.
Clinging to the coattails of black mages, only to be shaken by the wild claims of some young man who had appeared out of nowhere—he found his current self utterly pathetic.
How did this represent the proud, thousand-year history of the Spectrum Airid?
A wave of self-loathing washed over him.
But even so, he couldn't simply entrust his daughter's life to such an absurd treatment. Draining all internal mana carried far too much risk.
If it failed, Yusefin would surely...
"Are you alright?"
At that moment, Yusefin, who was lying in bed, weakly raised her head.
Her gray eyes, which had lost their color, looked at Oswald. His face naturally contorted with pain.
"Yusefin."
Yusefin Airid.
His only daughter.
She looked so much like his late wife, who had passed away long ago.
He had wanted to protect her even at the cost of his own life...
"...I am sorry. I am a pathetic father..."
"..."
Yusefin did not answer.
She was a clever girl.
She likely already knew that many sacrifices had been made by the black mages to alleviate her illness, and that her father had turned a blind eye to it.
Perhaps that was why.
The way Yusefin looked at him seemed to carry a fair amount of resentment.
"...I am sorry."
Oswald could do nothing but offer his apologies.
The next day, at the council chamber.
Oswald Airid remained silent, and unlike yesterday, he did not oppose Benheim's agenda.
"If there are no objections, we shall pass the motion."
Since more than a majority of the Grand Magic Coalition agreed with Stern's proposal, the council concluded with the declaration of a new imperial decree.
And that afternoon.
"...An invitation has arrived for you."
A message came from Airid.
To Raygan von Benheim,
You are formally invited to the estate of the Airid family.
We await your arrival to discuss the matter of the treatment.
Oswald Airid
Head of the Airid Family
It was a formal invitation for me, Raygan Benheim.
In other words, Oswald Airid had accepted my proposal.
"Raygan, what on earth did you say to Airid yesterday?"
Naturally, the message had gone through Stern, and he questioned me about it.
Since there was no reason to hide it, I explained the whole story.
The successor of Airid afflicted with the Black Sickness, and the details of the treatment.
"...Honestly, you are reckless. Draining internal mana to purify it? And the filter is your atypical mana core, Raygan? How absurd. If the researchers at the Benheim Magic Tower heard this, they would faint."
Stern let out a dry laugh.
However, having watched over me for a year, he did not stop me.
"Theoretically, it is entirely possible. And since you've already made up your mind, I suppose I cannot stop you. But I must confirm one thing."
"What is it?"
"If this treatment goes wrong, it won't just be the successor of Airid whose life is in danger—yours will be too. Since you are doing this under the name of Benheim, the responsibility is immense."
"I will make sure not to tarnish the family's name."
"No, you can tarnish it all you want. Is some petty honor more precious than your life? What I am trying to say is..."
Stern cut himself off and sighed.
I, too, had already sensed the presence.
Slam!
The door was flung open, and a blonde woman strode into the room.
It was Lunia.
"...I was going to say, 'What if Lunia finds out about this?' but..."
"It seems you're already too late."
Approaching me, Lunia grabbed me by the collar and demanded answers.
"What on earth is this about? Risking your life? You, Raygan? Because of that Airid girl?"
"It couldn't be helped."
"How irresponsible! You decided on something like this without saying a single word to me?"
Lunia's eyes flared with anger.
Of course, it wasn't jealousy. Rather, she was deeply worried about my safety.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you beforehand. But time was of the essence, so I had no choice. At this rate, Yusefin Airid's life is in danger."
"So you're going to take the risk?"
"There won't be any danger. I'm confident. You know me. I might be reckless, but I'm not stupid."
"..."
Lunia stared at me intently for a long moment.
When I didn't avert my gaze, she let out a deep sigh and crossed her arms.
"...Fine. If you're that confident, I'll let you go."
"Thanks."
"But on one condition."
"A condition?"
"Yes. I'm going with you."
I frowned at her words.
"Lunia, what do you mean you're going with me..."
"Your atypical mana core has my mana mixed in it. So if I'm there with you, the success rate will be even higher. Isn't that right?"
"..."
She wasn't wrong.
In fact, when I first formed my atypical mana core, I used Lunia's mana as a primer. Because of that, the traces of her mana passing through still remained as residues in my core.
This meant Lunia's mana was perfectly compatible with my body's wavelength.
If Lunia accompanied me, the treatment would indeed be much safer and easier.
However...
"Are you sure you're okay with this?"
"With what?"
"It could be dangerous. If things go wrong... you won't be able to escape the responsibility either."
Lunia snorted.
"How shameless. That's exactly how I felt just now listening to you. So try putting yourself in my shoes for once."
"..."
Since she spoke the absolute truth, it was hard to argue back.
Indeed.
I thought to myself that this was just like Lunia, but...
"I suppose so."
At the very least, I made an effort not to make the face she hated so much.