Chapter 51
Whoosh!
As the pill's energy spread, his heart pounded fiercely.
The blood flow and mana circulation in his body accelerated.
'This is where the problem lies.'
Sense Tonic is a medicinal pill that promotes the body's metabolism and over-activates the senses, pushing the five senses beyond one's limits.
'Setting aside the sensory over-activation for a moment, artificially tampering with blood flow and mana circulation speed is more dangerous than it seems.'
To control the speed of blood and mana flow, one must first stimulate the heart that circulates them.
However, if this stimulation isn't appropriate, there's a chance the heartbeat could become irregular.
'Even if it's irregular, it's not wildly off, but if the pulsations deviate while being stronger than usual, it could create a chain reaction.'
Each time a pulsation occurs, a certain amount of mana is expelled into the circuit. If the pulsations become irregular, this 'certain amount' gets disrupted.
This places a strain on the mana circuit, which is already under more pressure than usual, potentially leading to damage to the circuit walls.
'If that damage accumulates, it could rupture the mana circuit.'
Therefore, creating a proper Sense Tonic requires extremely delicate ingredient blending and processing.
The blend can even vary subtly depending on the size, or dosage, of the Sense Tonic.
And a prime example of an institution possessing such technology was the Magic Tower.
However,
'This couldn't possibly be a Sense Tonic formally commissioned and made by the Magic Tower.'
As proof, Kain's heartbeat was subtly irregular at that moment.
This was affecting the flow rate of mana through his circuits.
But Kain wasn't agitated.
No, he had no need to be.
'This is a clean circuit that even endured the mana gushing from the Snow Blossom Ice Crystal. It won't be damaged by something this minor.'
In fact, after that time when his entire mana circuit ached from accepting the Snow Blossom Ice Crystal's mana, Kain's circuits had grown even stronger during the recovery process.
Knowing this, Kain took the tonic even though he expected it wouldn't be a properly made Sense Tonic.
He wanted to test its performance himself to roughly deduce its potential origin.
'For something crudely made, its performance isn't bad at all.'
While the irregular pulsations were a bit bothersome, they were at a subtle level.
Furthermore, its performance in terms of sensory expansion was quite good.
'It's worth carrying this many around.'
If it had been a more crudely made Sense Tonic, Regwin's mana circuits would have been ravaged after just a few doses.
Well, it was possible they were already ravaged anyway.
'It doesn't seem like they just stumbled upon a crude recipe. It's highly likely they acquired and used it from illicit markets or the black market.'
There are quite a few people in the black market who, despite not being affiliated with the Magic Tower or certain clan apothecaries, possess some talent in that area and sell crudely made pills or elixirs at relatively low prices.
'Considering they were based relatively close to Ashbone within the swamp, it's highly probable their suppliers are also located here.'
Once he had a general understanding, his next task was clear.
To take this Sense Tonic and investigate who sold it, who bought it, and who usually buys it.
And to find out if the organization above these low-level thugs is connected to Desmond or the Chaos Core.
"Whew... I should rest for a bit and then head out."
The Sense Tonic's duration was about 5 minutes.
His assessment was long complete, but there was still some time left before its effect wore off.
And during that time, Kain had to endure all the sensations that were forcefully amplified to his maximum capacity.
-So, because of that guy...
-Hahahaha! I knew it!
-If you knew, then say something! You just keep flapping your gums about knowing everything...
'It's noisy...'
While knights and mages are said to have keen senses, it doesn't mean high-ranking knights or high-circle mages constantly live hearing every surrounding noise.
Normally, they adjust their senses to an appropriate level, living like ordinary people, and only sharpen their senses slightly more for potential threats.
However, taking Sense Tonic allowed one to possess senses beyond their limits, but in return, they had to endure all kinds of sensations during its duration, including unwanted noise and unpleasant smells.
Of course, there were limits to the range that could be activated depending on the Sense Tonic's preparation skill and ingredient purity, but it seemed this particular Sense Tonic could activate senses to their maximum up to the 5th Circle.
'It seems my body is also quite receptive to the tonic's effects.'
A body that responds well to medication has clear pros and cons.
Higher absorption efficiency when taking elixirs is an advantage.
Conversely, it is equally vulnerable to poisons.
'Well, as for poisons, I can just block them with magic before they even touch my body.'
Even if they do make contact, there are many ways to take follow-up action.
Since Sense Tonic causes no significant side effects if the circuit was strong, he had tested his constitution just in case, and the results weren't bad.
'As expected, I was born with a good physique.'
Even without it, since his return from the snowy mountains and his training with the disciples, Kain had noticed his stamina and strength improving faster than expected.
As proof, in his recent fight with Regwin, despite enhancing his body for a relatively long time, there was no significant recoil, and his recovery was fast.
'I should continue to dedicate myself to it.'
In his previous life, he had started physical training a bit late, but this time, he planned to build a solid foundation from a young age.
Anyway, Kain was currently indiscriminately receiving all the sounds occurring in the inn.
Despite having set up a barrier to initially block out noise, Kain's senses ignored it and picked up the surrounding sounds.
'Should I forcefully block my senses for a moment?'
He couldn't stop his senses from gathering information, but he could prevent his mind from perceiving it.
-Ugh... Kain, you bastard, is this really the right way to do it?
At that moment, a familiar voice cut through the gaps in the noise.
'This voice... Anias?'
Didn't she clearly say she was going straight to bed and not to wake her up no matter what?
-It's really hard when you try to do it properly.
-And it's so hot from the fever, I'm dying...
-Whew... For now, let's just try a little more.
This was the process of organizing and accumulating mana into circles, which Kain had explained to Anias.
Anias had asked for a more detailed method later, and he had explained it as simply as possible, but it seemed she still wasn't getting it as well as she'd hoped.
'Generating heat, huh...'
She needed to separate and accumulate fire mana carefully, but if there was any loss during the process of organizing and accumulating it, that loss would convert into heat.
Kain, from the start, only separated and refined the necessary amount, accumulating it without waste.
However, if someone like Anias, who had only recently learned it, got ahead of herself and tried to accumulate a large amount at once, this is what could happen.
'Anyway, Anias is surprisingly diligent in her training. Unlike what Bolio said.'
According to Bolio, Anias was a lazy good-for-nothing who spent every day loafing around and rarely practiced magic.
He had also discreetly asked Alice about Anias, and the answer was similar.
-Lady Anias? Hmm, to be honest, her reputation isn't very good. I heard she barely makes it to class, doesn't study theory, and hardly practices magic. But she always gets good grades and performs well on missions, so the other disciples don't really like her, thinking she relies on her talent or just lives carelessly.
-I see.
-Oh, please don't misunderstand! I'm just telling you what Young Master asked me to say, I like Lady Anias! She's cute, for starters!
-I've never misunderstood.
'This confirms it.'
In fact, Kain, who had closely observed Anias's magic and combat style, had long harbored doubts.
'No matter how I look at it, this skill wasn't achieved purely by talent.'
Her excellent mana control ability, stabilized through repeated calculations.
Her precise coordinate fixation and textbook coordinate changes.
These were not abilities that could be acquired by simply relying on talent and practicing once or twice.
'She usually doesn't train with Edward, Fohn, or Bolio, but it seemed like she was doing something on her own whenever she had the chance.'
If Kain's thoughts were correct, it was highly likely that Anias had been consistently working hard alone within the clan.
'I don't know why she's so insistent on hiding it, but... anyway, working hard on her training is a good thing.'
Whoosh.
While he was thinking that, the effect of the Sense Tonic coincidentally wore off, and his senses slowly faded.
Kain sat for a moment, slowly breathing, allowing his body to stably adapt to the change, then stood up.
'If I suddenly disappear again, Alice will be upset and looking for me.'
Alice had left to buy snacks for Kain at the market.
Kain left a note on the table that read, "I'm out on an errand. I'll be back by tonight." and left the room.
And in the hallway, he ran into Anias.
"......"
"......"
Anias, drenched in sweat, was holding clothes and a towel. She seemed startled, not expecting to encounter Kain.
She probably felt guilty for being out when she had said she was going to sleep.
Kain paid her no mind and offered advice.
"When organizing and accumulating mana, it's better not to rush. You should separate and accumulate it accurately and delicately, even if it's little by little, to avoid waste. Otherwise, you'll only generate unnecessary heat."
Anias, who initially had a puzzled expression, after hearing all of Kain's words, shouted with a flushed face,
"Wh-what was that? So sudden! I just got sweaty because it was hot in the room, and I was just about to go to bed but felt sticky, so I'm going to wash up, okay? Don't jump to conclusions!"
Anias hurriedly rushed past Kain and disappeared.
"......"
Kain watched Anias's retreating figure for a moment, then stepped outside.
And he headed towards the back alleys of Ashbone.
***
Ashbone's Underbelly
Even though the sun hadn't fully set yet, the low-lying areas were already dim.
Buildings stood with decrepit doors that looked like they could fall off at any moment.
There was a peculiar musty and damp smell.
And places where the constabulary's reach barely extended.
Kain sought out such places and ventured deep inside.
Thump, thump.
As he walked down the dark alley, a few people leaning weakly against the walls with blank expressions cast their gaze upon Kain.
As he ventured further in, he felt more unnecessary gazes, but ignoring them, Kain entered a shop with a small sign.
"Welcome... Hmm?"
The shop owner was an old woman. She scrutinized Kain's face and said,
"How did you find your way here? This isn't the kind of place for such a young customer..."
Kain took out the glass bottle from his pocket, showed it to the old woman, and got straight to the point.
"I'm looking for a shop that handles this Sense Tonic."
"......"
The old woman's eyes changed slightly upon seeing the glass bottle. Kain then pulled out a gold coin, placed it on the table, and pushed it towards her.
"I don't intend to ask for information for free."
"......!"
Only then did the old woman quickly take the glass bottle and the gold coin Kain offered. She narrowed her eyes and carefully examined the contents.
After a moment, she opened her mouth.
"...It seems to be an item we handle, alright. But where did you get this, young man? I haven't seen your face before..."
Kain then held out his hand.
"If you're asking questions, I'll take a gold coin."
"...Alright. Nothing's free. I won't ask."
The old woman cleared her throat and continued,
"So, you want to get more of this?"
"I want information about those who purchased this."
"You want to see the ledger? I'm sorry, but that kind of information is sensitive..."
Kain held out another gold coin.
"...It's a nuisance, but there's no reason I can't tell you. Please wait a moment. I'll go find my ledger."
"Understood."
The old woman went to the back, and after a few minutes, she reappeared.
She spoke with a slightly troubled expression.
"I apologize, but I seem to have made a mistake. It is our item, but there are no recent sales recorded here. It seems it was sold at another shop in our district. I'll need to check their ledger. Since I've taken your money, I'll guide you there directly."
"I'd appreciate that."
The old woman handed the glass bottle back to Kain and led him through the back door of the shop.
"Hoho. The paths here are complicated, so follow me closely."
