Round 391

Prev | TOC | Next

After finishing our conversation with the High Elf Ninya, we had about an hour left, so we headed to the Elves’ training grounds.

The training ground outside the World Tree was filled with what looked like young elves, but apparently, they were all over 50 years old at least.

‘Their age is really…?’

They looked about the same age as Ara.

Ah! Come to think of it, Ara’s appearance is also misleading.

“I will teach you magic.”

“Magic, you say!”

The reason we came to the training grounds was none other than for a magic lesson.

It was magic that we would learn in exchange for handing over food ingredients.

I wondered if I could really learn magic.

“First, it’s important to understand the concept and principles of magic. Let me start by showing you what magic is.”

Soon, a flame rose from Janya’s hand.

Ara and Frey were immediately startled.

“Fire! It’s fire!”

– Fire suddenly appeared! Is this magic?

While the kids made a fuss, the explanation continued.

“There are various types of magic, but we elves primarily use elemental magic. To put it simply, we borrow the power of nature.”

“Oh-ho.”

“By gathering the fire elements that are dispersed in the air with mana, we can light a flame like this, or collect water elements to form droplets.”

As she spoke, water droplets that quickly extinguished the flame formed in the air.

Splash—.

“It’s water falling!”

– Water! It’s water!

Ara and Frey went up to the spilled water on the ground and even started licking it.

Leaving that awkward sight behind, Janya continued speaking.

“First, it’s essential to be able to use mana. Mr. Kyu-seong, are you able to feel mana?”

“Yes.”

As I spoke, I demonstrated liquid synthesis, which I hadn’t used yet today.

I suppose this is also a form of magic?

Slurp—.

A fruit-vegetable juice was made in an instant.

The elves who saw it exclaimed in awe.

They were already gathering around to watch.

Well, it’s only natural to be curious if someone from a different race came to learn magic.

“I’ve used mana like this before.”

“Hmm! That can also be considered a form of magic, though it’s a bit different. It’s more like a superpower.”

“Are the two things different?”

“Yes. For example, you can speak, right?”

“Yes.”

“But you weren’t able to speak from the moment you were born.”

“Ah! So speaking is like magic, while what I do instinctively is like a superpower?”

“Exactly. Breathing or a heartbeat are natural and instinctive actions. The ability you showed just now is closer to such instinct.”

The explanation was easy to understand.

So if I learn how to use mana deliberately, that becomes magic.

Just like how even a newborn can make sounds, but speaking a language requires learning.

“If you think carefully about the superpower you just used, you must have felt mana moving.”

“Yes.”

“And fundamentally, strong physical abilities are also natural uses of mana. Now we’ll practice releasing it to manipulate elements.”

How do you even do that?

As I stood there dazed, Dorohan, who had been quietly observing, came to my side and said,

“You have to release your mana first. Willpower is important.”

Buzz—.

A visible force enveloped Dorohan’s hand.

I could feel the mana through my senses.

It looked similar to when strong Awakeners released their energy.

“You need to be able to do this before moving on to the next step.”

“Uh… Dorohan, is that it?”

“Yes. From here on out, it’s all about willpower. You must be able to release your mana before progressing.”

“Understood.”

It all felt a bit improvised, but if they say do it, I will.

I gave it my best shot.

But I had no clue how to do it.

I could get mana circulating in my arm, but releasing it was a different story.

‘Willpower? Willpower, huh…?’

Come out, mana! Rise, mana!

“It won’t come out easily. Even we elves, who are born with the ability to manipulate mana, take nearly a week to practice releasing it.”

“If even elves take a week, then I…”

“You’ll be able to do it in a month.”

Janya smiled reassuringly.

A whole month. Nothing in this world is easy, after all.

After that, I kept practicing, but of course, no mana was released.

Instead, Ara and Frey, who had been watching me, began to imitate what I was doing.

“Hi-yah! Yaaah!”

– Hup! Hyaa!

They were just too cute.

How could they both be this adorable…?

Buzzzz!!

…Wait?

As I was thinking how cute they were, an enormous amount of mana surged from Ara’s hand!

While I stood there dumbfounded, the elves were all in an uproar.

“She already did it!”

“Amazing!”

Dorohan and Janya both exclaimed in awe.

I was surprised too.

‘Well, I suppose Ara is…’

She’s been loaded with all kinds of abilities and the amount of mana she possesses far surpasses that of a Level 9 Awakener.

All the crops she’s eaten until now have given her immense strength.

‘Ara gains mana just by eating my crops.’

While I was thinking that, Janya and Dorohan continued the lesson.

“Released mana can be controlled with willpower.”

“Depending on how you move the controlled mana, the elements you attract will differ. Let’s start with something simple, like the wind element.”

After that, they started explaining things that sounded super complicated.

Something about making mana collide with calculated movements, stirring it in a figure-eight motion, firing it in eight directions…

“Ughhhh.”

What on earth are they even saying?

My head was spinning.

By the time we finished listening to the explanation on wind element control, our time was already up.

“Let’s continue the practice tomorrow. Though for us, it’ll be 20 days.”

“Ah, then I’ll see you again in 20 days.”

“Thank you for the ingredients you’ve given us. We’ll enjoy the meal.”

And just like that, after bidding farewell to the elves, we were able to return right on time.

“Phew.”

“That was fun! Can I use magic now too?!”

“If you keep practicing, I’m sure you’ll get there.”

It hasn’t been that long since humanity first Awakener.

Maybe just over 30 years or so.

That’s why the study and training of mana manipulation haven’t developed much yet, and I didn’t expect to learn from elves like this.

‘But it doesn’t seem easy.’

Just releasing mana could take a full month.

Of course, I might master it faster than that, but to truly learn magic, it could take decades to cast the kinds of spells you see in movies.

“Now, we’ll begin the procedure to heal High Elf Ninya.”

“Waaah! But what is a procedure?!”

“Huh? Oh, it just means we’re getting ready, like drawing the knife.”

“Knife!”

First, we decided to gather all the Seven Deadly Sins children.

We traveled all over and eventually gathered them in Bell’s cat village.

-Phew, it was really hard bringing them all.

Frey wiped off imaginary sweat.

“Thanks, Frey. We managed to gather quickly thanks to you.”

I briefly explained to the gathered children why I had called them.

After listening, they all nodded and started exchanging opinions amongst themselves.

-Mana keeps increasing?

-Shouldn’t we try making an item that suppresses it?

-Ashu believes Bell can do it!

-Nyaang?

Ras was enjoying himself as usual, sitting in leisure, and Levi just seemed happy that everyone was together, wagging its tail with a bright smile.

-Shh! Shhh!

“Hehe. Our Levi is just so cute.”

They’re just an adorable couple.

In the end, the discussion was left to Mammon, Ashu, and Bell.

Frey? You did your job bringing the kids, so relax.

-Hmm. We’ll need Levi’s ability.

Bell, who had been meowing all this time, finally spoke.

Levi’s ability?

“What kind of ability does Levi have?”

-It’s the power of chaos. Levi can mix any abilities.

“Oooh?”

Hearing Mammon’s explanation, I looked at Levi again.

Our Levi wasn’t just cute— had an amazing ability too!

-Shhh!

-Yes, Levi, it’s been a while since we needed your power.

Clap clap clap clap!

When Bell said that, Levi clapped its belly excitedly.

Under Bell’s command, everyone began to take on roles.

-We’ll be making a necklace. It will contain Ara’s Gluttony and Mammon’s Greed, and Levi will blend them. To contain it all, Ras, we’ll need your strength too.

-Leave it to me.

Then Bell looked up at me.

-It’ll take quite some time to make. In the meantime, it’s best to feed Ninya food that suppresses mana with Ashu.

“Food that suppresses mana?”

-You need your mana to be somewhat calm to wear my necklace safely. Otherwise, you can’t wear it.

“I see. Alright. I’ll research food that suppresses mana.”

Maybe I should ask Jae-seong for help with that.

Things were progressing smoothly.

But someone wasn’t happy.

-What about me?!

“Huh?”

Frey puffed up her cheeks, clearly upset that she didn’t have a role.

“Hmm, our Frey is the one who must summon the fairy’s chant. In fact, we could say this whole plan depends on that chant.”

-Gasp! Really?!

“Yup. So how about practicing your chant a bit more? Of course, you’re already great, but during the World Tree’s resonance, you might need to perform in front of everyone.”

-I’ll practice every day from now on!

Frey declared with firm determination.

She was really simple.

With our roles decided, we finally began working on the item to save High Elf Ninya.

According to Bell, it would take at least over a month—an even bigger journey than when we made Geomdori.

“Let’s not overdo it, everyone. This is a long-term task, so let’s go step by step! Fighting!”

“Fighting indeed!”

***

Flap flap.

Verna visited the Dungeon of Gluttony for the first time in a while.

But seeing the busy Seven Sins and Kyu-seong, she tilted her head.

-They look really busy. I wonder what happened?

And there was a perfect person to ask.

Verna fluttered straight toward the fairy village.

Without anyone noticing her presence, she finally arrived at the fairy village.

-Eastern wind…!

-(^^)/

-(·•  •)))

There, she found Frey passionately singing.

The fairies around her added beautiful harmonies with their voices.

…Let us dance forever!

The song finally ended.

Verna clapped, visibly moved.

Clap clap clap!

-Ah! Angel! No—Devil?

-I’m a goddess! Though a fallen one!

-Ehehe. Thank you for listening to my song.

Frey fluttered closer and bowed gratefully.

But Verna shook her head and gave a thumbs-up.

-No, thank you instead! I now realize Frey is incredibly talented at singing!

-That’s right!

-I thought flying was the only thing Frey could do!

…?

Verna’s comment had a slight sting, but Frey just smiled brightly, unaware.

-I sing really well!

-Yes, you do! Oh, but…

Suddenly, Verna approached Frey and sniffed around her nose.

Startled, Frey sniffed herself too.

-I even went to the hot springs yesterday!

-It’s not that. This scent…

Verna suddenly lifted her head and asked,

-This is Ninya’s scent. Did you meet Ninya by any chance?

-Ninya? What’s a Ninya?

Frey had already forgotten the name.

Verna looked puzzled at Frey.

-This is definitely Ninya’s scent.

-What is Ninya?

-Ninya is one of the Seven Great Virtues like me!

Verna proudly announced.

-A Pure Elf!

Prev | TOC | Next