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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Night]
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Chapter 145
However, since damage could occur in the process of shortening the duration, it could easily lead to permanent harm.
That’s why, unless absolutely necessary, there was no need to rush past the barriers too quickly.
In other words, as long as I had the experience of reaching the pinnacle of magic, an overflowing supply of mana, and my body could withstand it…
Wuuuuuung!!!!!
The process of forming a circle wasn’t all that important.
Moreover, since my body had already adapted once, it shaped the circle in a way similar to a necromancer’s ring.
In an instant, seven rings appeared, then merged into one, creating yet another ring within my heart.
Two rings were visible on the surface.
However, the total number of rings was fourteen, with seven of each distinct color.
It was the result of the necromantic mana rings that had once filled my heart being compressed into a single entity.
The necromantic mana had been generated as a byproduct of the Thanatos phenomenon, and perhaps due to its lingering influence, the elemental mana completed itself in an instant.
“Done.”
As I slowly circulated the stabilizing elemental mana, I gathered mana at the tip of my index finger.
Whoosh…
A faint orange flame flickered to life like a lighter’s flame, then gradually intensified, emitting a blue hue.
It wasn’t ignited by gas—it was purely a result of temperature changes.
At least 1,650 degrees Celsius.
“What is that?”
“It’s high-temperature flames. What else?”
Melissa’s eyes sparkled with curiosity as I created flames at the tip of each finger, changing their colors as if playing the piano.
“The colors keep changing? I’ve never seen blue flames before.”
“The color of fire changes depending on its temperature.”
I slowly increased the size of the flames, forming a fireball above my palm.
Then, as I rolled it in midair like a marble, it became smooth, like a glass sphere, producing flares akin to the sun.
“That’s beautiful. How strong is it?”
At her question, I muttered a short incantation to test it.
[Burn.]
Immediately, a strange transformation occurred within the fireball.
Curious to see the results, I threw it toward a nearby scarecrow.
Fwoooosh!!!
In an instant, the blue flames engulfed the scarecrow, wrapping around it like a thin membrane.
Then, without even a sound of explosion, it was instantly reduced to black ash and scattered.
It had practically evaporated.
The incantation effect was definitely powerful, but I lacked control over it.
Until I mastered it properly like a divine ability, it was something I shouldn’t recklessly use.
“What the hell… What is that!?”
Of course, Melissa had no idea that what she had just witnessed was a 7th-circle magic spell combined with incantation magic.
A cute visual with a not-so-cute effect.
As Melissa gaped in shock, I created small blue spheres on each fingertip, repeatedly forming and reshaping them.
“Wait, but why are you using elemental magic?”
Her face filled with confusion in real time.
“I barely accepted your necromantic magic, swordsmanship, and that bizarre transformation ability, but now magic too? Where did you even learn it?”
“A lucky encounter.”
“Damn that ‘lucky encounter’! If it’s so great, why are you hogging it all to yourself!?”
She looked like she was about to literally breathe fire in rage—an amusing sight.
“Wanna learn?”
“Can you teach it?”
“If you mess up, though, you’re screwed.”
Melissa immediately gave up.
Of course, I had no intention of letting her off so easily.
* * *
The relationship between an older brother and younger sister had always been mentioned, but we were always at each other’s throats.
Melissa and I had fought countless times as if we were trying to kill each other.
Her suffering was my happiness.
“Ugh… Uweeeh!”
As I forcibly flooded her with the fundamentals of magic, she groaned, overwhelmed by nausea.
It wasn’t just the complexity of the theory.
Melissa, despite her demeanor, was actually quite smart.
When it came to theory alone, she picked things up quickly.
But.
The moment practical training was involved, her body, trained in aura, rejected the use of magic.
“How the hell do you manage both? Is this even humanly possible?”
“It’s a matter of natural aptitude. Most people can’t do it.”
“And you knew that before making me try!?”
“Yeah.”
“You insane bastard!”
She staggered to her feet and attempted to kick me, but her sluggish movements were easy to dodge.
I effortlessly avoided her clumsy attacks while assessing the flow of aura within her body.
Not bad.
To be honest, I had my doubts at first.
Sure, the Heavenly Demon Sword technique suited her well, but I wasn’t certain she could fully harness it in real combat.
But seeing how her aura was so potent and aggressive that it outright rejected magic, I was now convinced.
Some might argue that by teaching her the Heavenly Demon Sword, I had deprived her of the opportunity to use magic.
But I was absolutely certain that magic would have been difficult for her anyway.
Even if she had somehow managed it, she would have been stuck at a mediocre beginner level in both aura and magic.
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HELHEIM SCANS
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Eventually, Melissa collapsed from exhaustion, sprawled out on the ground.
Only then did I stop.
That was enough teasing for today.
No matter how satisfying it was to torment her, I had to be careful not to break my toy.
Just as I stretched and looked up at the sky…
Thud!
Something suddenly dropped from above.
“Huh?”
It was a bird—one that was half-dead from exhaustion.
An Angler Bird.
A species specialized for long-distance flight, capable of covering great distances in a single journey.
It wasn’t common in the central continent where the Bata Kingdom was located.
Had a migratory bird lost its way and flown too far, exhausting itself?
This species shouldn’t even be seen on this continent…
This wasn’t a bird one would typically see on this continent.
I carefully picked up the Angler Bird that had fallen right in the middle of the training ground.
I had no idea how long it had been flying, but by normal means, survival seemed almost impossible.
With that, I gestured toward Luna, who was yawning widely nearby.
“Luna, bring this one back to life.”
At my request, Luna half-opened her eyes, yawned again, and waved her hand lightly.
A stream of multicolored energy seeped into the Angler Bird’s body, and soon, the creature that had appeared lifeless opened its eyes, abruptly stood up, and started looking around.
“An Angler Bird? Why would a migratory bird from the archipelago be here?”
“You know this bird?”
“Of course. It’s famous. They’re loyal, strong fliers, and one of the most popular pet birds.”
The Angler Bird looked around before spreading its wings and tucking its beak into its feathers, preening itself.
Then, as if searching for something, it scanned the ground for a moment before suddenly snatching up an object and flying toward me.
A piece of paper?
On it, there was an image drawn in something as red as blood.
* * *
The Moon Watchers were primarily known as a continent-wide criminal organization.
Their influence spread across various continents, though their main area of activity was the central continent.
However, rumors frequently circulated about people being murdered or going missing in the eastern continent due to them.
Because of this, they were one of the most wanted groups in many kingdoms.
Yet, despite their notorious reputation, no one truly knew their exact identity.
In other words, they operated in extreme secrecy.
Which raised a fundamental question—how did they finance their activities?
Even when investigating the victims of their attacks, there were no signs that the Moon Watchers ever stole valuables or left behind any traces of theft.
Yet, they didn’t appear to be impoverished, either.
On the contrary, their actions were often bold, requiring significant financial backing to sustain their operations.
They weren’t mercenaries taking contracts, so how did they manage this?
It was a mystery that intrigued many.
Of course, only a select few knew the truth.
Beneath the prestigious Windforce Hotel, renowned across the empire, lay a series of hidden underground facilities, unknown to ordinary guests.
Most of these were wine cellars, storage areas for ingredients, or supply warehouses.
But beyond one of these storage rooms, a hidden passage led to a concealed chamber.
“Looks like everyone’s here.”
A man in a hooded robe tapped on the large table, drawing the attention of the dozen or so gathered individuals.
Among them was Meryl Dyne, who had previously encountered Leon in the Berner Estate, as well as Rebecca, a promising recruit from the Hercules Mercenary Corps who had joined later.
“Some of you may know, and some may not, but we’ve finally found a clue about the person we’ve been searching for.”
“Searching…? You mean that child?”
“Yes. Everything hinges on that child’s survival. If we rescue them before they die, our plans will take a significant turn for the better.”
Most of them seemed to grasp the situation, but Rebecca remained confused.
“Uh… Who exactly are we looking for?”
“A while back, our leader ordered a search for a certain child.”
“…To kill them?”
Rebecca’s innocent question made Meryl Dyne visibly flustered.
“What? Is that how you think?”
“N-No, that’s not what I meant!”
Rebecca quickly waved her hands in a panic, trying to explain.
“Up until now, our missions have always been about eliminating targets, haven’t they? And, well… they were all scum who deserved it…”
“This time is different. This time, we must save that child—no matter what, even if it means wiping out everyone around them.”
“So… they’re important?”
“Extremely.”
Meryl let out a sigh.
“Leon Cascadia.”
At the mention of that name, Rebecca flinched.
“You’ve heard, haven’t you? That he’s possibly the most dangerous man alive?”
“…Yes.”
Only after joining this organization had Rebecca realized that the cold, sky-blue eyes she had once seen belonged to Leon Cascadia.
Why hadn’t she recognized him before?
Or rather—why had such a good man turned into what he was now?
Her memories of him were fragmented.
In fact, most of the people here only had scattered recollections.
Only a select few knew the full truth.
And that’s why she had to wonder.
What had happened to him?
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Night]
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