------------------
[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
------------------
Chapter 194: Miracle Healer (8)
Oscar took a moment to organize his thoughts before pulling on the threads of space.
‘Pulling them randomly without a plan is meaningless.’
There were roughly 18 days left.
It was realistically impossible to pull all of those near-infinite threads.
That made it even more crucial to understand the pattern or logic behind them.
Oscar began by categorizing the common traits all threads shared.
‘First, let’s sort them by length and thickness.’
He started with physical characteristics.
He estimated the length of each thread and grouped them roughly by thickness.
But that was only the beginning.
‘This is just the first stage of classification.’
Next, he focused on vibration.
Each spatial thread had a different speed, intensity, and rhythm of vibration.
Using his highly sensitive mana detection abilities, Oscar could perfectly sense and categorize even the subtlest differences.
Slow and soft vibrations, fast and intense ones, rhythmic pulses…
After completing this physically exhausting second stage of classification, he began analyzing the underlying rules of the threads.
‘Let’s start pulling the ones with the most common factors first.’
The process itself was repetitive, but Oscar found it so enjoyable he lost track of time.
It was like unwrapping a beautifully packaged gift—
The uncertainty of not knowing what place would appear beyond the rift in space thrilled him.
Over the next few days, he inhaled the scent of forests, stepped on desert sands, and saw the dignified rivers of the Yan Kingdom.
Some of these were places he’d been before, others he was visiting for the first time—even across past lives.
The more samples he gathered, the more convinced he became.
‘I’m sure of it. This classification system works.’
The magic he had named “Portal” was becoming more refined with each passing day.
Of course, after using it repeatedly, he also began to sense its limits.
‘It’s not all-powerful.’
First, it consumed a considerable amount of mana.
It used up at least 7% of his total mana, and the amount increased depending on distance.
For example, opening a portal to the Yan Kingdom cost him about 30% of his mana in one go.
That loss of mana also came with an intense wave of dizziness.
“Whew…”
Moreover, it wasn’t just mana—it took a toll on both his body and mind.
Naturally, using it recklessly was absolutely out of the question.
‘Twice a day is probably my limit.’
Fifteen days had passed since he began researching the spell.
After opening dozens of spatial rifts, he’d gained a decent amount of confidence.
“Let’s see… the thread connected to the White Tower is… this one?”
He had reached a near-perfect success rate at opening portals to desired locations.
Only then did Oscar allow himself a satisfied smile.
‘I’ve gained quite a bit from coming here.’
He had originally entered this space just to stabilize his mana circuits.
He no longer needed much training when it came to magical concepts.
But to think he’d end up mastering a spell he hadn’t even planned for…
‘Time to leave.’
He was already exhausted, having used the portal twice that day.
But there was no reason to waste another day doing nothing.
Oscar closed his eyes and began sensing the mana of “Spring Breeze”, the place where Fran was.
‘Found it.’
And the moment Oscar boldly tugged on the spatial thread—
CRACK!
A sound like something breaking inside his head was followed by a dizzying wave.
The entire white space in front of him rippled like disturbed water,
And the previously orderly spatial threads began writhing violently as if in a fit.
“……!”
At the same time, Oscar felt it.
A deeply unpleasant gaze coming from an indescribably vast abyss beyond the white void.
He couldn’t clearly define what it was.
But he knew, without a doubt, that a massive and alien presence had noticed him and was staring.
“……”
It was a chilling sensation, like the sharp tip of a blade pressing against the back of his neck.
Oscar carefully, ever so cautiously, crossed through the portal so as not to provoke it.
“Haa… Haa…”
As soon as he hastily closed the portal, cold sweat poured down with the breath he had been holding.
‘Damn… what was that?’
He didn’t know.
But he felt it instinctively—
‘That’s why Master Ado never taught me this magic.’
Otherwise, there’d be no reason to withhold such a convenient spell.
Swallowing hard, Oscar opened the fist drenched in sweat.
‘It’s definitely useful magic… but it must never be abused.’
At that moment, he established an absolute rule:
The portal spell must never be used more than twice a day.
Any more than that… and he might face that creature again.
* * *
“As expected from the Imperial Palace— even the food is great… huh? What the—!”
Fran was patting his full belly as he walked into the room,
Only to freeze in surprise.
The room’s occupant was sitting on the sofa—
Looking completely worn out.
“When did you get back?”
“A little while ago.”
“…You don’t look so good. Should I get you some medicine or something?”
“No need. I’ll be fine after a bit of rest.”
He looked like he’d seen a ghost—his already pale face was now white as flour dough.
Fran returned the gloves he had been keeping for him and gave him a quick once-over.
“You… something’s different about you, but I can’t quite put my finger on it.”
“I look… faint, right?”
“Oh, yeah! You look really faint right now.”
Fran clapped his hands in realization.
Indeed, Oscar’s presence was incredibly faint.
He was clearly right in front of him, yet his presence felt weak.
Given how striking his features usually were, it didn’t make any sense.
“Wait, don’t tell me…”
Realization struck Fran like a bolt of lightning.
“From what I know, that kind of phenomenon happens starting at Level 7 Master-tier… Are you—?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m not there yet. Still a long way to go.”
Oscar shook his head.
Just as that guy said, once one reaches the realm of Level 7, their presence begins to fade.
In the country of Yan, this stage is called Return to Origin — a return to simplicity.
To be precise, it’s the state where one can completely restrain their aura, appearing to others as nothing more than an ordinary person.
‘Of course, if we’re nitpicking, I’m closer to Level 7 than to Level 6.’
He had only recently reached Level 6, but that was only in real-world time.
He had already spent nearly two years in a pocket dimension.
Academically speaking, he was a grand mage who had once mastered even the depths of Level 9.
In other words, all the conditions were already met — all that remained was enlightenment.
‘But I probably can’t reach Level 7 with the same realization I gained in my previous life.’
The reason was simple.
He, as a person, was now quite different from who he had been in his past life.
------------------
[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
------------------
His values, the magic he wielded — everything had changed bit by bit.
Naturally, to reach Level 7 again, a different kind of enlightenment would be necessary.
“Well then, I’ll be off.”
“To where?”
Oscar gave a faint smile to Fran, who blinked in confusion.
“To treat His Majesty the Emperor.”
* * *
When word was sent that preparations for the treatment were complete, arrangements were swiftly made.
As he looked at the Emperor comfortably seated on the bed, Andre Bright spoke cautiously.
“Your Majesty, are you truly sure about this?”
“What is there to not be sure about?”
Unlike the anxious Andre, the Emperor looked perfectly calm.
“It’s an incredible feat that Oscar has inherited the First Tower Master's spatial magic, but he’s still too young.”
“You mean you can’t trust him because he’s young?”
“…He simply doesn’t have enough experience yet. I worry that he might make a mistake.”
It wasn’t an unreasonable concern.
No matter how much of a genius Oscar Crucian was, he was still only a 21-year-old mage.
“But what choice do I have? I consider this my last chance.”
“…”
As Andre silently bowed his head, the Emperor continued.
“As you know, my condition worsens by the day. Above all, I can feel it.”
Tap tap — he tapped his temple with a finger.
“That terrible thing first discovered here four years ago has been growing day by day. I can’t even guarantee I’ll last another month.”
“That’s…”
“Don’t deny it. We both know it — you, me, and even the nobles.”
Andre could not find the words to refute that and simply lowered his head.
He had felt firsthand how the Emperor’s authority had gradually weakened over the years.
What had driven that point home was the recent “Saint Hill” incident.
When Oscar Crucian had turned people who had been transformed into demons back into humans through alchemy, the Emperor had given two commands: observation and surveillance.
…But…
Those commands had never been carried out.
The First Prince, viewing those people as ticking time bombs, had issued an order to “eliminate” them instead.
There was no need to say which order had been obeyed.
To think the First Prince had already gained that much influence…
Andre smiled bitterly at the memory.
It was a clear sign of which way the power dynamics in the royal court had tilted.
The powerful had aligned themselves not with a dying emperor but with a prince who would rule for decades to come.
Even though the Emperor had not officially named a successor, the First Prince was effectively treated as the Crown Prince.
“A dying old man soon to be in his coffin — isn’t that how most of the palace sees me?”
“T-That’s nonsense!”
Andre hastily shook his head.
“You know how many still follow you, Your Majesty — myself, Chief Walker…”
“…Thank you for saying that, at least.”
Emperor Ludwig gave a bitter smile.
Andre, and Walker, were his people.
He didn’t need to imagine what would happen to them once he was gone.
‘Had we been at war, even a Crown Prince wouldn’t have dared treat them lightly…’
But now, the times were too peaceful.
Though there were still threats like demons and the Black Finger operating in the shadows, they weren’t enough to shake the Empire.
“I wonder… Is it right to undergo treatment just to prolong my life like this?”
“It is.”
Andre’s reply was firm and unwavering.
“The First Prince still lacks the maturity to govern. More than anything, he…”
“Is too extreme. I know.”
A ruler must be colder than anyone else.
But the First Prince was a man hotter than most fires.
That passion may have won over many nobles, but it was a red flag to the Emperor.
Not because he wanted to cling to the throne forever.
I only wanted to teach him enough restraint to control that temperament before handing things over.
If not, the boy was sure to cause disaster — the Emperor couldn’t help but worry.
Knock knock.
A knock came just then.
“Come in.”
At the Emperor’s reply, Oscar Crucian entered the room.
“Hmm?”
Andre’s eyes widened.
In just one week, Oscar’s mana had grown unimaginably deep.
‘The unstable fifth and sixth mana circuits… have stabilized completely?’
He stared in disbelief, inspecting Oscar’s inner workings again and again.
Even among the countless geniuses in history, no one had grown this fast.
“What’s wrong?”
“Well…”
Andre leaned in and whispered something to the Emperor, whose eyes lit up with interest.
Seated on the bed, the Emperor smiled, clearly intrigued.
“You said you needed a week to raise the success rate of the treatment to 80%. So you weren’t bluffing after all.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Hmm?”
The Emperor tilted his head at the sudden apology.
With calm eyes silently asking for an explanation, Oscar opened his mouth.
“I believe I was wrong.”
With confidence beaming from his face, he finished his sentence like a prophet declaring fate:
“This treatment — will not fail.”
------------------
[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
------------------
