Chapter 83

Quietly reading a beginner's guide to how to use magic, I read through the introductory chapter, followed by instructions on how to start using mana.

It told me, using overly flowery language, to just get used to the feeling of mana flowing through your body, with your hair glowing, meaning you’re doing it right, since different people apparently have different sensations when they are using their mana.

Doing what it told me, my black hair glowed, but so did my eyes, which I didn’t see anywhere in the instructions.

Feeling a warm sensation coursing through my body and my strength increasing, I followed the next set of instructions, which was to maintain it as long as I could to figure out my limit, since it says people also have different outputs and capacities.

On average, most people should last around 5 minutes, but… I could barely last for one.

Feeling like I was about to pass out from holding my breath for too long, I stopped flowing mana through my body, and I took several long, exhaustive breaths to regain a bit of my stamina. I can’t believe that it was that short. That is… honestly disappointing.

Flipping the pages in the chapter to see if I could tell if my output or mana reserve was the problem, it just says to practice it over and over again to steady your mana by controlling the flow of mana throughout your body, which apparently is really difficult for most people.

For me, controlling my own flow of mana came naturally because it was similar to Ori energy in my past life, with some differences, and I could steady my mana without any fluctuations.

So going to the last page of the chapter, hoping that it could tell if I had an output or capacity problem, it instead just says to repeat the steps it told me earlier until I run out of mana, telling me not to continue any further to the other chapter because the rest of the chapter is for a specific element and I would need a bare minimum amount of control for my mana since it would be dangerous if a novice started learning spells.

Since I have, as you say, complete control over my mana, where there aren’t any fluctuations in my mana flowing through my body, I should do what the first chapter instructs me because, other than mana control, it also says that exhausting my mana will increase my capacity, which I desperately need to do.

Taking a deep breath, my hair started glowing, and my eyes turned blue. I was going to try something to help me recover my mana pool.

Mana natures, or something Boras had mentioned, said that I had two, one being to enhance things and the other to absorb things in my surroundings, both coincidentally or not, being the same as my aias in my past life.

With that in mind, with what little mana I have left, and remembering my fight with Boras and how mana flowed through my body, I concentrated it. My body grew hot, like there was a fire burning within me, and I felt my strength grow, but it didn’t hurt at all compared to the first time I did it.

Keeping my output as low as possible, down to the absolute minimum, I then remember how Athrun sent out static electricity in the air to find people. I did that, but instead, I made a field around me, with just enough mana to keep it self-sustaining.

Feeling a tingling sensation on my skin and the mana in the air being absorbed into me, I felt my mana pool being replenished. With it gradually being refilled, I also put more mana in the field of static electricity around me, expanding it further, increasing how much I could absorb the mana in the air.

In about half an hour, I could feel that my mana pool was full. So, trying to expand my mana pool again, I actually try to use my mana nature, testing out its limits.

However, my mana pool was rapidly depleted, only lasting for ten seconds before I had to cut off my flow of mana through my body, because if I did it a second longer, I would have knocked myself out from mana exhaustion.

Feeling completely exhausted again, I took a minute or two to rest, and I then emitted a field of static electricity around me with whatever mana I had left to replenish my mana pool.

As I was doing that, which didn’t take up much focus and was relatively easy to do, I flipped through the pages to the chapter about basic lightning magic. It should have spells that anyone with a lightning attribute should use.

Using more flowery words to describe casting a basic lightning attack spell, which is just firing lightning, I wanted to try it out, but couldn’t because I was in an infirmary, watching over Mila, not an appropriate place to do that.

I wonder if I could ask Emma or Cade to close off the training area for a while so I can practice my magic, perhaps after closing time if it works for them.

Thinking that, it wouldn’t hurt to ask. However, for now, I should focus on increasing my capacity because I need it to grow with how little mana I have.

With all that in mind, I started training my mana pool to increase it, even though it felt massively inefficient, while stopping occasionally when adventurers were passing by to be treated for their injuries.

When I was reading the last pages of the chapter about lightning magic, which, to be honest, wasn’t too helpful because I could figure it out on my own given enough time, and if I have the mana to do so, since it’s just nothing more than properly forming your mana into an image in your mind.

Noticing a pair of footsteps approaching the infirmary. I immediately stop using my magic and act naturally.

However, when I glanced at whoever was coming in, I saw it was Clare and Emma. They seem to be looking for me, but for some reason, Emma had a strange look, like she was looking at something else other than me.

“Ah… I didn’t expect to find you here.” "Then," looking at Mila lying on a bed next to the chair I was sitting on, she said. “So she did it again.”

Curious, I asked, “Her?” confirming it was Mila we were talking about.

“Yes, what did she do this time?”

“She caused a mess in Mable’s library.”

“Well… at least she didn’t accidentally burn down the building this time.”

Sighing like with Mila, she then said, “I’ll get Cade down here; we’ll watch over her. Can't have another incident on our hands.”

“I see…”

I’m surprised Emma is sending Cade, the guild master of Farsbarow, to watch over her. If they need Cade to watch her, no wonder Mable decided to move to Farsbarow, away from her older sister.

Getting up from the chair I was sitting on, I thanked Emma and said to Clare.

“Let’s go, Clare.” Then, looking back at Emma. “Emma, could you tell Mila that I’m leaving?”

“Okay, I’ll tell her.”

Saying that, I said goodbye to her, and as we were walking out of the adventurer guild, Clare asked me.

“Master Nyx, did you have a pleasant conversation with Ms. Mable?”

“No, unfortunately, I wasn’t able to talk with her since, you know, Mila kind of made a mess in Mable’s library and now knocked herself out in the process.”

“I see; that is quite unfortunate indeed.”

“Anyways, could you tell me what you two were discussing?”

“Countermeasures, Master Nyx, immediate countermeasures and a cover story with your friend, Ms. Mila. Do you desire a full report, Master Nyx?”

Glancing back at her, I said, “Yes, that would be really helpful. But for now, could you tell me our cover story, please?”

“Understood, I’ll have it ready in a few days after we finalize everything.”

Then, proceeding to tell me about the cover story she and Emma came up with for why I’d be staying with Clare, instead of just leaving after she made it safely to Farsbarow, which is to make sure Clare settled in well and ensure nothing bad happened to her because of a letter that came in yesterday from her fake parent from the fake village we came from, to watch over her.

After she finishes explaining our cover story, I think to myself, Clare is working really hard to protect me. I am more than impressed that she is making plans immediately after we entered Farsbarow, but I should also be making plans of my own after she writes me a report, just so they don’t get in the way or overlap each other.

Making our way back to our inn, Clare prepared me a bath while I lay on the bed, exhausted from repeatedly expending my mana pool.

I could feel my mana pool grow just the tiniest sliver, but I need time to increase it enough to make a difference. Which, speaking of that, I wonder if there are other ways to do it but much faster, like forcibly increasing it.

Thinking of that, I heard Clare calling for me, telling me the bath she had prepared was ready.

Going in and taking my clothes off, I threw them in the clothing bin, then I looked at the bandages I had put on a couple of days ago.

Taking them off, I saw that the scar on my arms was gone. So the cream works, thank goodness.

A bit relieved that it worked, though I wouldn’t have minded if it didn’t, but because of my upbringing as a noble, I couldn’t help but care to make sure my body is unblemished.

Dipping my toe in the water, followed by my entire body, after feeling the soothing hot water, I took a deep, relaxed sigh.

Back to thinking on how to increase my mana pool, I should try it, but I should be careful because there might be a chance that there is some risk to it, which I don’t really know what it is. Maybe I could lose my magic, or maybe die for all I know, but if it’s efficient and fast, I wouldn’t mind.

It’s dumb, but I've done stupider things than that. After all, I only just learned how to do my magic, so I think I can manage without it since I was never reliant on it. But, before I do that, I should check first by asking Mable if she has a book for it.

Letting my mind wander to other things that came to mind, mainly about the future, I thought it was time to get out when I felt a bit dizzy. Getting out and drying myself off, I grabbed my belt and rummaged through the pouches for my anti-scarring cream and bandages.

Finding them, I then applied them to my legs, followed by wrapping them with the bandages.

When I was finished with all that, I put on the clothes set for me by Clare by the sink. Then, leaving the bathroom, I saw Clare putting our clothes in the wardrobe and dresser.

"Noticing me coming out," she said. “Lady Rita, did you have an enjoyable bath?”

I told her, "Yeah," and she responded. “Good, I’ve already prepared dinner reservations downstairs; please enjoy.”

“I see, but how about you, Clare? You’ve worked really hard today.”

Clare must be exhausted after our travel here and numerous other things behind the scenes. I’m worried that she is working herself too hard.

Sensing my concerns, Clare said. “No need to worry, I’ve already eaten while my lady is taking a bath. Please go; I am also planning to take a bath.”

Realizing that she already knew about my concern, which, frankly, I shouldn't be too surprised about, I did not press the issue and went downstairs to eat my dinner. And when I came back, after I ate, Clare was in her pajamas and was drying her hair.

Greeting me, she asks me how my dinner was, to which I tell her it was good but not as good as her own cooking. She smiled a bit at my compliment.

Sitting by the chair, with a small table and chair next to it, by the window with the curtains, of course, closed, I sat on the chair.

On the table was the book Mable lent me and some tea Clare had prepared. Taking the book, I began reading it till Clare told me it was time to go to bed since it was late into the night.

Doing as she said, I put down my book, brushed my teeth, and went to bed. Saying goodnight to Clare, and she said goodnight back, then I closed my eyes and went to sleep.

The next morning, feeling the sun beaming on my face, I opened my eyes as Clare shook me gently to wake me up.

Getting up, a bit dreary after getting to sleep in a comfortable bed, I yawn and stretch a bit to wake myself up fully.

After getting some breakfast in the restaurant on the first floor, we made our way to the adventurer guild, and I was a bit eager to talk to Rain and Mable again since I couldn’t yesterday.

Entering the guild, it was early in the morning, so I saw it was crowded as usual. I tried looking for Rain through the crowd of adventurers, but I couldn’t see her.

“Are you looking for anyone, Nyx?”

Noticing that, Clare asked that, and I responded.

“Yeah, Rain. I wasn’t able to meet with him yesterday.”

Be careful not to call Rain a girl out loud. I tried looking for her again, this time more carefully, but she was not here.

“I see. If he’s not here, then why don’t I send him to you when Mr. Rain returns if I see him?”

"Thinking of Clare's suggestion," I said. “Yeah, that’s a good idea; I’ll be in the library then.”

Clare nodded at my answer, and we separated, I to Mable and Clare to Emma.

Downstairs, to the basement, as I walked to Mable’s Library, I saw a strange sight.

“Mable, oh please let your wonderful older sister in, please!”

Mila, who was no longer knocked out yesterday, was using the full force of her body to pull on the door to the library.

“Mable, why are you keeping me out?! Oh, why, Mable, oh why?”

Looking teary as she said that, with a raised voice coming inside, Mable said.

“I refuse; I still haven’t finished cleaning up the mess you made yesterday.”

“But Mable, I haven’t had my fill of hugging you.”

Now, wailing like a child, which made me wonder who was the older one, Mila pulled even harder to try to open the door, but it wouldn’t budge.

She did that for a good solid minute, and I watched it all. I’m surprised Mila hadn’t noticed me already.

Coughing to get her attention, a bit loudly because I wouldn’t think a normal one would work, Mila stopped what she was doing and looked at me. However, a second later, she had a gleaming smile like she had thought of something, and it had something to do with me.

Why am I getting a bad feeling about this?

“Nyx! Thank goodness you’re here. I need your help.”

Pointing her finger at the door, then quickly pushing me there, she said.

“My dear sister is stuck in there; the door is locked. Please kick it down. Quickly now.”

What? Does she expect me to believe that?

Hearing Mila say my name, immediately, Mable shouts out with even more emotion in her voice than yesterday.

A bit frantic. “Nyx, don’t listen to her. Stop her. There’s rope by the door; use it and tie her up.”

What rope? Glancing at the bundle of rope by the door, I look back at Mila, then at the rope next to the door, and back to Mila repeatedly because what the heck is this?

Umm… what am I supposed to do here? Finally, looking back at Mila, she was looking at me with expectant eyes.

If I helped Mila, Mable would hate me for that. If I helped Mable, she would … umm… yeah, I don’t know how she would react.

Feeling like siding with Mable is the better of the two options, I was about to take a step back, but I saw a massive blur with red hair rush past me, tackling Mila to the ground.

Time slowed down as I tried to see what had just happened or who it was, and I saw it was Cade, pinning Mila to the ground in a hold.

“Gotcha. Thanks for the distraction, Nyx.”

Watching Mila struggle against Cade, she shouted out for me to help her, but I meekly looked away like I didn’t see anything.

Glancing back, I saw Cade grab the rope by the door that Mable mentioned and tie up Mila. She looked like a betrayed puppy with those eyes of hers.

When it was all said and done, Cade called out for Mable and said.

“Mable, it’s done now. I’d tie her for you. Sorry for arriving a bit late after you pressed the panic button.”

Hearing the door unlock, Mable poked her head out with an unamused look, more like a frown at her older sister.

Squirming like a worm, unable to move much, Mable was able to calm down a bit and was back to her calm self.

“Nyx, come in. It’s good to see you.”

“Yeah…” looking at Mila again, still on the ground, I asked, “What are we doing with her?”

Turning to look at Cade, “Let her in.”

Huh? Why is Mable letting Mila in after she was trying to keep her out?

“Are you sure, Mable?”

Responding back, she said without much interest, “Yes, she would cause too much trouble if she were tied up like that.”

Hearing that, Mila was surprised, then immediately happy, trying to praise Mable from what I can make out from muffled sounds behind the gag in her mouth.

Going in, with Mila on Cade's shoulder, I sat on a chair, while Cade sat Mila’s rope-bound body in her own chair.

After seating Mila, Cade turned to me and said.

“Hi there, Nyx, It's been a while. Are you okay?”

Since he already knew about my circumstances, I sensed Cade was worried about me after what happened in Acton, so I said.

“I’m fine, but how are you doing?”

He smiled, seeing that I was fine.

“Same as usual, buried in a ton of paperwork.”

He laughed heartily, saying that, but it turned quite self-deprecating quickly. When he stopped, he looked at me and Mable, still with a smile.

“Alright, I’m going back to my office. Is there anything else you two need?”

Hearing what he said, Mable shook her head, no, but as for me, since he was asking.

“Yeah, umm… Can I use the training area after it closes for a bit?”

“Sure, just clean up afterward, but out of curiosity, why are you asking?”

“I just want to train with some privacy.”

Taking a moment to realize what I was saying, he said, “Oh, I see.” Then he asked if there was anything else I needed, but I told him that was all.

After seeing him walk out of Mable’s library, I sat on a chair, and Mable was the first to ask a question, asking me why I came to her today.

“Oh, I’m just here to catch up. I want to know how you're doing, and Rain, too. Like, how are her studies? We weren't able to have a chat yesterday.”

“I see.”

Telling me about how she was doing, nothing really had happened, mostly peaceful, other than her coming in to shatter it all, which made Mila seem a bit hurt, from her shock-mumbles.

As for Rain, she managed to raise her rank to D just a month after I left. Then, about two weeks ago, she advanced again to become a C-rank adventurer.

On top of that, Rain followed my advice and kept up with her studies—though she wasn’t particularly fond of it, which Emma also reminded her of—and visited the library at least three times a week, thinking that it was also good for her.

I was happy that Rain managed to go up by two ranks while I was gone and was keeping up with her studies.

We talk as we read our books, Mable filling me in, with Mila looking happy quietly by herself… almost too quiet.

As I thought that, the ropes that were bound to her body, restricting her movements, were undone. They fell off her, and she leaped to Mila, over the table, and crashed into her.

A loud crash, followed by bookshelves and an avalanche of books falling onto us.

Raising my arms to protect myself from the falling books, and when everything had settled down and no more books were falling, I dug myself out of the pile of books.

Geez, that was dangerous.

Looking for Mila and Mable, I sense mana in a certain pile of books. So, going there, I began digging through and found them.

Mila was knocked out, probably after a heavy book landed on the top of her head, causing a large bump.

As for Mable, I saw an almost translucent barrier of some kind covering her body, protecting her from her older sister, Mila, and the books falling over her.

Offering a hand to help her up, she grabbed it, and I pulled her out.

Seeing that she was alright, I asked if she was hurt anywhere.

“I'm fine, Nyx.” Looking at her library, she took a really deep sigh and said. “Could you please take her to the infirmary again?”

Mable seems to be even more in a bad mood than yesterday. I guess I understood even more why she chose to have her own place.

Nodding, I began dragging Mila out of the mess she created, and then I put Mila’s arm over my shoulder to move her to the infirmary.

I guess I can’t get to the training area today, which is a real shame because I want to experiment with the monster cores I have.

They are basically a battery to me since my mana pool is so low. I use, like, half of them to fight evenly with Boras, so I wasn’t able to experiment with my magic since I was in a life-and-death battle with him.

I suppose tomorrow should do if Mila doesn’t create another mess of things in Mable’s library.