136 – Horror
Intangible.
If you interpret the word literally, it means that there is no form. Since it was said to be a breathing method, I assumed it was a breathing method related to formless mana.
“In our family, it is called intangible or intangible breathing. By changing the shape of the vessel that transforms mana into magical power, it makes it possible to forcibly draw in the mana of nature.”
Euroran intervened as soon as Lycan finished speaking.
“As I said beforehand, the training you are about to attempt is not a normal method. Originally, intangible breathing is a way to learn breathing naturally over several years by carefully refining it since childhood. However, what Lycan wanted was a result within a short period of time, so this body is trying to perform magic interruption surgery directly on me.”
Pausing his words and opening the leather wallet he was holding, Euroran took out a silver needle. The tips of the needles shone sharply in the sunlight.
“Forewarning. If you undergo this procedure, the needles will remain in your body until you have mastered the breathing technique. Because it is a method of forcibly distorting the flow of magical energy within the body, there is a risk that lifespan may be shortened because it cannot withstand the load of the body. You have to endure it with only your mental strength. Are you still going to do it?”
As if Euroran was exaggerating his threat, Lycan looked at me without saying a word. Even with Euroran’s bloody warning, I didn’t feel much pressure. Rather than the danger, I was just interested in Lycan’s words that it could grow several times in a short period of time.
I answered without hesitation.
“I will.”
It might be several times harder than when you were walking around the training ground wearing armor. But I’ve been acutely aware that I’ve been stagnant lately.
From the desperate fight to the death with Dwyn, to the second room of the trial with no progress. The use of tools to fill a lower-than-average body was gradually revealing its limits.
In this situation, we were given the opportunity to grow many times over. There was absolutely no reason to hesitate.
Euroran didn’t like my answer, so he pressed his face.
“To think that the young man is already blinded by power… Even if you hit the ground later and regret it, I don’t know!”
I could have laughed it off, but for some reason I felt the urge to refute Euroran’s words. Maybe I wanted to believe in myself that the choices I made were not wrong.
“I do not regret the choice I made. I have no doubts. I am sure that my choice is the right one.”
The corner of Euroran’s mouth softened as if he could barely see it while staring at me. I don’t think you’re laughing at my words. Rather, it felt more like a bitter laugh.
Perhaps he took it out with the intention of threatening it, Euroran put the needle in and murmured with a sigh.
“You are a fool of faith.”
“So you are not my disciple.”
The lycan smiled with satisfaction. She came over to me and tapped her on the shoulder with her thick hand and continued her speech.
“Before learning how to breathe, let me teach you how to use basic magic power.”
Lycan explained in detail how to use her magic. She learned how to move the magic power that started from her heart.
She followed Lycan’s guidance for nearly an hour and operated the magic within her body. After finally using her magic naturally, Lycan nodded and turned to Euro Ran, who was watching our training from the shadows.
“I am ready.”
Euroran muttered something inaudibly, as if he didn’t like Lycan’s short words, and then came to me and said in a brusque voice.
“Okay, then let’s start the procedure. Take off your top and use your magic as you have learned.”
I took off my top and used the magic inside my body as I learned from Lycan. Euroran used magic to observe my body with eyes that glowed green, and without warning, he thrust a silver needle into my chest without warning.
“Heh, heh…” Ugh!”
The needle piercing my chest wasn’t enough to call it pain. However, because the penetrating needle broke the normal flow of mana in operation, I felt a burning sensation.
The mana that was blocked from flowing returned, and a collision occurred between the mana within the body. If I hadn’t strengthened my legs, I would have rolled on the floor in pain.
However, the procedure did not end with a single needle. Euroran, who continued to take needles out of her leather wallet, quickly began to insert them all over my body.
Forearm, chest, waist, back. The places where the needles were stuck were all paths through which magic flowed. When that place was blocked, mana raged through the blood vessels throughout the body, tearing through the inside.
“aaa? Ugh… !!!”
A moan erupted from the unbearable pain even with the gnashing of teeth.
“Don’t stop, keep using your magic!”
At Euroran’s request, I desperately tried to pierce the blocked flow.
The heart, which had been pumping out mana, exceeded its limit and started beating fast as if it would explode. My muscles twisted, and my intestines boiled. I feel like my consciousness is going to fly away from the intense pain that seems to tear my whole body.
After the procedure, Euroran took out a blue bead from his bosom.
“This is what is called a suction crystal. If you hold this in your hand, the pain will end.”
Euroran threw the Suction Stone into the air. As if something invisible had grabbed the Absorbing Crystal, the blue orb was fixed in a position that could be reached if you stretched out your hand.
“Would you like to check if your choice is correct?”
As if he liked my face distorted by pain, Euroran smiled and turned to the side of Lycan, who was a little away.
I couldn’t hear Euroran’s words. Desperately he was only full of thoughts that he had to pick up the blue marble.
The backflow of mana tore the organs. Blood flowed from his mouth as he breathed heavily. My ears go blank, and my vision blurs.
The voice, which had been moaning, cracked low and let out a scream as if squeezing it out.
“―――!!!”
In my consciousness sinking into the abyss, my body surpassed my will and used magic amplification like an instinct. There was no reason to feel ideal about it. It was because his mind was filled with the will to catch the marble.
***
Seeing Lycan’s disciple convinced that her choice was correct, Euroran felt uncomfortable.
It was a childish belief that even he once had when he was young.
He thought that the path he had set was not wrong, and that his efforts would surely be rewarded.
However, it was a belief that was broken by a society that did not tolerate mistakes and a reality that was different from what I had imagined. It was unpleasant to witness it lost before her eyes again, and I strongly wanted to deny it.
In one word, she was reluctant because she seemed to be looking at herself.
So she foresaw failure in her heart. Even over several decades, there were numerous people who could not complete the breathing method. Even this unusual method basically required tremendous mental strength.
It was a procedure made after long research in the family, but the success rate was extremely low. If you can’t stand the pain, there are often cases where the ego is killed by the intense demand to burst the heart.
However, for some reason, Lycan had a strong belief that this crazy method would work for his disciples. It was the reason why Euroran was brought to her academy with an almost haphazard persuasion.
Hearing a moan receding from behind her, Euroran twisted the corner of her mouth at the lycan.
“Do you really think you will succeed?”
Lycan’s expression as she looked at her suffering apprentice was calm beyond her composure.
“He is my disciple.”
It was a short statement, but it was a voice full of trust. That made Euroran feel her displeasure beyond her annoyance.
With a sigh, Euroran turned around and looked at the Lycan apprentice with her displeased gaze.
Her entire body is convulsing with pain, and her blood vessels are wriggling and forming densely over her skin. Her clenched fists bleed as if her fingernails dug into her flesh. Her nosebleed burst and blood dripped down her chin along with her saliva, her face distorted and disfigured by the bloody tears.
Even as a disciple of Lycan who didn’t even hear her name because he didn’t like her appearance, he was sympathetic enough.
‘I’d rather not hold out and pass out.’
If you don’t use her magic, her pain will disappear. It was said that holding the suction crystal was one way, but looking at that figure, even raising a hand seemed impossible.
The disciple of Lycan, who had been screaming, finally vomited his blood. Euroran glanced at the expression of the lycan next to her. Again, it was a grim look.
‘Is it trust or does it matter anyway?’
While Euroran was thinking that way, Lycan’s disciple let out a beast-like scream. When she turned her head, she saw her body slump as if about to fall.
“That’s it.”
Euroran really thought so. However, the disciple of Lycan, who seemed about to collapse at any moment, moved his staggering body one step, grabbed his balance, and stopped with his head bowed.
Covered in his own blood, he dropped his head to the floor and looked precarious as if he was going to fall forward at any moment, but he never collapsed.
The painful moaning that filled the training ground and the trembling body as if convulsing disappeared like a lie.
A very brief silence.
Euroran thought that the disciple of Lycan died while standing. And at that moment, a very small breathing sound, like an animal spewing out, came into Euroran’s ears.
The apprentice of Lycan slowly raised his head. Gazes tangled in the air.
As if someone had squeezed his lungs forcibly, Euroran inhaled. In an instant, her waist was damp with cold sweat.
Seized with a sense of facing bottomless darkness, Euroran was able to feel a primordial sense for the first time in a very long time.
A different dimension of fear that is felt from the eyes filled with murderous intent, anger, and madness.
Euroran felt a chill that seemed to freeze her whole body just by looking at her.