46 – Serenity
After a long and uneventful weekday, the weekend arrived. It was time for us to return to the Frost Territory.
“Did you pack everything you need, Venice?”
“Yes. I haven’t left anything behind.”
“If it’s not important, it’s okay to leave it. We’ll have to come back anyway.”
Just like our first time at the Academy, we left with only one bag each.
Eriel’s bag seemed light, as if she had left many things behind, but mine was still heavy.
“Have you arrived, Miss Eriel?”
“Yes. Let’s go to the Frost Territory.”
We approached and boarded the most conspicuously glittering carriage at the carriage station outside the academy’s main gate.
Still… the seat was soft and comfortable.
“Why. Lingering regret? After all, you’ll be back in 3 days.”
“….No. It’s not that. Just… something happened.”
“Hmm… I won’t pry any further.”
As I silently gazed at the grand academy building outside the window, Eriel asked me.
Lingering regret. It’s possible.
Perhaps as per my plan. Because from now on, I won’t be able to pass through the academy as inconspicuously as before.
“………..”
“Cough, cough.”
I even captured the academy building quickly diminishing. Vowing to protect this mysterious yet peaceful space.
***
“Hmm… Is this the village you originally came from?”
“Yes. It’s called Snowfield Village. Small, but… still a cozy and comfortable place.”
Before heading to Frost Fortress, I asked Eriel if we could stop by Snowfield Village, and she willingly agreed.
Eriel looked at Snowfield Village as if observing the lives of commoners from an upper-class perspective, finding the village fascinating.
‘Have they not taken action yet?’
As I walked towards the orphanage, I carefully examined if I could sense any dark magic. Fortunately, there was no trace of it. It seemed the dark sorcerers hadn’t reached here yet.
“Hey? Venice! Why are you looking like this lately…”
“Hmm. Venice. Who’s this woman?”
“Uh….uh…? Venice… Who is this lady? Could it be… your girlfriend?”
In the midst of this, the lady from the bakery, who always provided bread at a cheap price, greeted me.
As she did, she glanced at Ariel beside me, then suddenly stiffened, looking at me with tearful eyes and a look of desperate longing.
“A girlfriend, you say? Such nonsense.” I was about to respond in that vein, but Ariel was quicker.
“So, what are you going to do about it?”
“Uh…? Uhhhhh…?”
“What can you do, exactly?”
“Venice…! What’s going on here… What about the dinner date you promised me…?”
As I watched Ariel’s face, usually expressionless, now with a slight mocking smile, the lady looked as if the sky had fallen. A face filled with the despair of having a precious girlfriend stolen…
“Stop it, Miss Ariel.”
“But…”
“Our relationship isn’t like that, is it?”
“…..Tsk.”
“Lady, I am employed as Miss Ariel’s butler. It’s not that kind of relationship at all.”
“Is that… really true? What about our dinner date then…?”
“Yes. I remember it. I hope we can really do it someday.”
At my sincere words, Ariel looked somewhat displeased, while the lady’s face lit up.
“Ah, can I have twenty loaves of bread today as well?”
“Huh? Oh, yes. They’re ready, just wait a moment!”
Shortly after, the lady handed me a package of freshly baked, warm bread.
“Here, let me pay for this.”
“Uh…uh?! This is gold…! Such an unbelievable amount…!”
“You have helped me a lot until now. Please think of this as a token of my gratitude and accept it.”
“Sniffle… Okay, thank you…!”
Wiping away her tears, the grateful sister waved her hand at me as I started walking towards the orphanage.
“…I don’t like it.”
“What? What did you say?”
“Nothing.”
Cough- Cough.
Anyway, it seems Ariel’s cold has been lasting quite a while. It should have gotten better by now, given the time that has passed..
‘Talent Perception.’
I decided to check Ariel’s status just to be sure.
[Name: Ariel Frost / Age: 20 / Female / Status: Mana Erosion.]
[Unique Ability (Mana’s Child): You possess a divine level of mana. Your mana is infinite like the ocean and strong like a flowing stream. All mana-related actions receive a divine enhancement!]
[Unique Ability (Mana Sight): Eyes that can see mana. You can see the trajectory of mana and use it more smoothly!]
From Noble mtl dot com
[Unique Ability (Archmage’s Qualities): You are born with the qualities of an archmage that will be remembered throughout history. You have a higher understanding of mana than anyone else, and can use it as naturally as water!]
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[Magic Erosion (???): Corroded by excessive dark magic. Failure to remove the residual magic within the body will result in death in 38 days, 14 hours, and 38 seconds. (100%)]
[You can absorb the magic. Will you absorb it? (Note: Absorbing magic residue in another person’s body without avoiding it will impose physical overload on the user.)]
…What? What on earth is this…
“Cough… Cough, cough.”
Magic erosion. The status window claims it’s not just a simple cold but erosion by magic.
Since when was I in this state? Could it be… from that cave where I first met Ariel?
Even though all the visible injuries were treated back then, it seems that the residual dark magic deep inside Ariel’s body was not removed.
“Darn it… I didn’t even notice this.”
No. Surely, the status window didn’t show the magic erosion item until now. So why could I only discover it now?
…Could it be because my proficiency in dark magic has risen? That’s the only reason that comes to mind right now, but it seems plausible.
[You can absorb the magic. Will you absorb it? (Note: Absorbing magic residue in another person’s body without avoiding it will impose physical overload on the user.)]
“…I’ll soothe your back or something.”
‘I’ll absorb it.’
At this moment, this was the only thing I could do. I comfort Ariel’s back, feeling the magic being slowly drawn out from her back.
[Magic absorption in progress. User experiences physical overload!]
[Unresolvable magic is accumulating!]
It feels similar to dark magic, but slightly different… a sinister and malevolent energy gradually accumulates within my body.
‘…Ugh. What kind of quantity is this…!’
However, no matter how much effort I exert, extracting as much magic as possible quickly, the limit seems to be nowhere in sight.
[Magic Erosion (???): Corroded by excessive dark magic. Failure to remove the residual magic within the body will result in death in 38 days, 14 hours, and 38 seconds. (98%)]
“Cough… That should be enough. Thanks to you, I guess, it’s better than before.”
“What a relief… it is.”
I’ve absorbed only 2% of the magic energy… It seems that I’ll have to keep absorbing magic energy as long as I’m with Ariel.
“…Cough.”
[Due to the erosion of magic energy, your remaining lifespan decreases. (Remaining lifespan: 81 years, 321 days, 12 hours.)]
Even though I absorbed just a scant 2% of the magic energy, it was enough to reduce my lifespan. I couldn’t suppress my cough any longer and finally let it out.
…How on earth has Ariel been enduring this?
“Looks like you caught a cold from me.”
“Ha ha… Seems like it. Can’t be helped…”
Ariel seemed still oblivious. Unaware of the remaining magic energy, and that it was leading to death. She probably just thought it was an unusually long-lasting cold.
I’ll figure out a solution somehow. You just need to stay as you are. Ariel, the Academy, the Empire. I won’t let anyone suffer because of this.
“Here it is. The orphanage where I take care of the kids.”
“…..You lived in this old building? I thought it was an abandoned building.”
Well, it might as well be abandoned. Anyway, Ariel and I enter the orphanage.
“…Oh? Mr. Venice? And Miss Ariel too! What brings you here?”
“Just thought I’d show my face after a long time.”
“I just tagged along. Is the work manageable?”
“Ha ha… What’s so hard about taking care of babies. It’s a hundred, no, a thousand times better than hellish training!”
“Hmm… The more I think about it, this kind of work really suits you.”
I think so too. This woman, called Lenny, seemed to truly love the children. This kind of work really suited her better than being a stern knight.
“Thank you always, Miss Leni.”
“Oh~ No need for thanks. I’m happy too, you know.”
“Venice Oppa!!”
“What?! Venice Hyung is here!!”
At that moment, children started rushing into the room. They grabbed onto my clothes and began chattering about various things.
“hahahaha… Have you all been doing well?”
And just like always, I exchanged greetings with the adorable angels. The angels responded to my greetings like radiant sunshine.
“But who is this unnie?”
“….Huh?”
“A pretty unnie! What’s your name?!”
Simultaneously, the young children showed great interest in the newly appeared face. Whether it was Leni and Berry, or the children who seemed even more lively than before.
“…Ariel.”
I thought Ariel would dislike it immensely, but surprisingly, she didn’t seem to hate it that much.
Rather… I should say she responded to the children, adjusting to their level.
‘Happiness. So peaceful.’
Just a conversation in the midst of a simple daily life. It shines so brightly.
I will… definitely protect this happiness. Eliminate those damn Black Wizards who wouldn’t be enough even if I chewed them up.
With everything I have.
Like the calm sea before the storm. I surrendered to that last tranquility with a smile.