How to Survive as the Second Son of a Mage Family - Chapter 279

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How to Survive as the Second Son of a Magic Family (279)

 

I pushed Leo aside without thinking and ran. The door’s lock mechanism was unfamiliar and I almost got caught, but fortunately I didn’t. Elias, who had been waiting outside the room, ran after me.

 

“Luca?!”

 

“Stop that bastard!”

 

“Huh?!”

 

“Lucas! Where are you going!”

 

Where am I going, what do you mean where should this bastard go? I’d try to have a conversation if there was any point in talking, but who tells someone to drink 30ml of blood without any explanation? I’ve expressed my refusal this clearly, so he should understand and stop following me, but I don’t know why that guy is also running at full speed.

 

Now even seeing blood makes me nauseous. Knowing what situation I’m in, there’s no way it wouldn’t look disgusting. Besides, that blood is most likely human blood, isn’t it? Why won’t he answer me?

 

Elias chased after me and turned his head to shout.

 

“Leo, what did you say to Luca!”

 

“Stay out of this!”

 

“You always tell me to stay out! That’s mean! I’m coming too!”

 

‘What is he saying!’

 

I can hear Elias whining. This isn’t the time for that. I shouldn’t trust Elias. I pulled my wand from my waist and rolled it between my fingers.

 

Crash—!

 

I struck my staff behind me to support my body and stomped my foot. Red mana and divine power burst together, causing the floor in front of Leo to surge upward.

 

“Whoa!”

 

“Ah.”

 

I ran down the stairs almost like I was falling. I can’t go into the hallway from here, or stop. Leo is probably already going down the opposite staircase. The problem is that my bones are creaking all over because I’ve been lying down too long. I cursed inwardly as I thought.

 

‘I noticed earlier that warping works somewhat.’

 

Should I try it? Of course it uses quite a bit of mental strength, and going outside in a patient gown isn’t ideal either, but if I’m going to the hospital…

 

Crash—!

 

“…!”

 

Plant stems from the ceiling cracks grabbed my legs.

 

At the same time, sky-blue mana exploded before my eyes. I felt pain in my jaw as it hit the floor. My head was ringing. Even in the midst of this, plants grew from all directions, covering my arms and fingers and extending into the hallway. Light green leaves sprouted everywhere in my vision. It felt like being thrown down in the middle of a botanical garden.

 

“Lucas.”

 

Leo, who had approached while catching his breath, stood in front of me, trying to speak in a calm voice.

 

“This is my house. Did you forget?”

 

“…Right… Fighting on someone else’s home ground is pretty hopeless. Thanks for demonstrating it firsthand.”

 

It wasn’t just home ground level, but actually his house, which shows I wasn’t in my right mind. I thought this while quickly checking my surroundings. Leo knelt on one knee in front of me and said.

 

“Right? I hope it was a good learning experience.”

 

“What do you mean right?”

 

Crash—!

 

I put strength into my arms to tear away the plants and swung my wand. Leo quickly ducked with widened eyes to avoid the attack. At that moment, the plants gripping my legs tightened even more. Leo seemed surprised as he brushed his chest and put up a barrier in front of himself.

 

“Why are you doing this when you’re already caught? You startled me…”

 

“I can’t help being annoyed.”

 

“…”

 

I really think this unique ability is overpowered. Realistically speaking, I’d first think it would be good for science or horticulture, but as expected, those crazy about combat magic think differently.

 

I pressed my face against the plant stems densely covering the floor and closed my eyes. The smell of grass is nice. It would be good if only the human in front would go back upstairs.

 

“Lucas.”

 

“I already expressed enthusiastically that I don’t want to. Stop it and go away.”

 

“Right, you can’t be okay with it yet.”

 

“Yet? So you’re saying something will change later?”

 

My voice came out sharp involuntarily. Leo didn’t answer and just shrugged. There was no emotion in his eyes. I think he might be deliberately trying to erase his disgust. Rather, it seems like I’m feeling all the disgust he should be feeling.

 

“…I don’t know what kind of blood this is, but whatever it is, I’m grateful you prepared it. But humanly speaking, asking someone to drink blood doesn’t seem right.”

 

“No, you have to drink it.”

 

“…”

 

Why?

 

I can guess. But why? I’m fine like this right now, and also, like anyone would, I don’t want to drink blood.

 

Silence continued. Leo was quick to act. I grabbed and pushed away Leo’s arms as he tried to force the bottle to my mouth. Leo was also pushing back against my hands with considerable strength.

 

“No, I said no… you bastard. Don’t be stubborn…”

 

“Don’t resist and just drink…! I drew this for your health. You have to drink it, if you don’t drink it, what does that make me?”

 

“It’s really yours? What does that make you?! Who asked you to draw it?!”

 

A hollow laugh burst out. I feel like I’m going to collapse from high blood pressure. Because of what he just said, everything in my stomach almost came up. I’m grateful that His Highness the Prince did something thinking of others, but saying he drew it means he drew none other than human blood? Blood? Human blood? Leo’s blood at that? Could it be that my brain is mistaking something else for blood? This is crazy. It would go down just fine.

 

Leo, whose arms I was holding, barely managed to close the bottle cap and yanked his arms away from me.

 

“Right, I thought you wouldn’t be persuaded, so I started by telling you to drink it, but that won’t work. I’ll explain.”

 

“What do you think I am?”

 

Leo ignored my words and placed his hand on my back. It was the area where my core would be, the area that would mean instant death if hit during a duel, so strength momentarily entered my hand holding the wand. Leo glanced at my wand and said.

 

“Look. Are you absorbing my mana right now?”

 

“…”

 

“You stopped absorbing after you woke up. Fortunately, when you’re conscious, your mana absorption ability doesn’t activate. It’s certainly fortunate, but at the same time, you know what possibility this implies.”

 

I heard someone’s footsteps approaching and then turning back. It must be Elias. While I closed my eyes and exhaled deeply, Leo continued speaking in an increasingly subdued voice.

 

“If you absorb someone’s mana next time, it will be after you lose consciousness like you did at the cathedral. Your core is still growing even now when your growth period is almost over, and it needs nutrients accordingly.”

 

“Then I can just absorb mana directly myself.”

 

This isn’t about elixirs. Elixirs work on different principles, so supplementing mana with them is impossible. What he’s saying now seems to be that I need to make ‘others” mana my own for growth, but elixirs are made of artificial mana and are closer to boosting my core’s condition so that my existing mana circulates smoothly throughout my body. So enhancement through elixirs is achieved using materials I originally possessed.

 

“If it’s not through blood, you’ll be attacked like other people too. Even you can’t absorb mana in a natural state because of self-preservation instincts. No, actually, the fact that you can absorb mana without taking damage through blood is miraculous in itself. We should be grateful that we have at least this method available.”

 

“…It’s not common sense.”

 

“So what. The you I’ve seen has never been conventional.”

 

“…”

 

“Rather than having problems from not drinking, it’s better to supplement little by little in advance to match the speed at which your core’s mana capacity increases. Try to adapt until we can make medicine, at least.”

 

I let out a weak laugh for a moment.

 

Should I be honest? Just thinking that I might come to seek blood of my own will like other Pleromas makes me want to eliminate myself with my own hands. Those Pleromas I’ve attacked with my own hands until now, now I’ve become them. I might end up doing things no different from them. I might find myself craving other people’s mana without knowing it, lose my mind like during mass, and maybe next time I’ll be drinking blood while slitting others’ throats. This is reality.

 

Try to adapt, he says.

 

No matter how positively I try to think, I can’t erase the confusion of identity, and the reality is that I can’t completely return even if I turn back time, that I must hide the truth and entrust myself to my friends’ goodwill. Do you even know that I can’t erase these thoughts? I understand well what the wordplay about having to become Ahura Mazda directly to destroy Zarathustra’s worldview means, but nevertheless, humans cannot stand alone apart from society, and unless I make constant effort, my consciousness will inevitably be influenced by conventional wisdom.

 

But Leo is also telling me to drink blood now to help prevent the worst from happening. In the face of such good intentions, I can’t say anything more to him.

 

I want to go back to the extra chapters. It was good because I could at least forget. It was good because I only had to focus on finding information.

 

Crash—

 

I struck the floor with my fist, tore the plant stems with mana, and sat down heavily on the stairs behind me.

 

“…Is it too much and making you feel repulsed? I had no choice because I needed to compare it with Elias’s blood. I already experimented with small amounts but could barely feel any difference. …If you do end up drinking blood, there might come a time when a little won’t be enough, so I wanted to do it properly when experimenting. Since the amount and type of mana each of us put in is different, drink this first and let me know.”

 

Leo’s words scatter at my ears.

 

Even before eating it, I felt something rising up. I can say with certainty that everyone would react this way. It’s human blood. Not sheep blood, not pig blood, but human blood. I’m facing the blood of a close friend, not some stranger.

 

“…”

 

Is it okay for a person to be like this? My vision is churning so I can’t see properly ahead. I haven’t done anything but I feel like I’ve become a murderer.

 

However, this isn’t something that will be solved by delaying. Even now Leo continues saying something to persuade me.

 

I snatched the bottle from Leo as if stealing it and poured the blood down my throat.

 

“…! Ugh…!”

 

Naturally, it was a failure. Blood spilled on the floor. The healing mana in the blood was going down my throat, but that refreshing feeling couldn’t erase the disgust of blood. Crucially, the moment blood went down my esophagus, my body’s mana suddenly pulled it in. That sensation was far too unfamiliar. I retched several more times until nothing came out. My vision is blurry.

 

“I’m sorry.”

 

“…”

 

“I understand you prepared it thoughtfully, but it won’t go down.”

 

I don’t know if I’m speaking properly. Some notification window about points or something appeared, but I wasn’t in the right mind to read such things. The blood dripping from my mouth is bothersome. My hair fell down as I lowered my head, blocking my view, so I couldn’t check Leo’s expression.

 

A calmer voice than expected was heard.

 

“It’s okay. Hmm, you still need to adapt.”

 

“I don’t want to adapt.”

 

“…”

 

“Sorry, I must not be in my right mind. Pretend you didn’t hear that.”

 

“No, I understand. It would be stranger if you wanted to adapt to this, wouldn’t it? Your reaction is perfectly normal.”

 

I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. Bright red blood came off. Even in the midst of this, healing mana touched the back of my hand. I can tell how much mana was poured into making this.

 

“But if you don’t adapt, you’ll die.”

 

“…”

 

“This isn’t your fault. It’s just your temperament. Or perhaps it’s something your brother has done. Anyway, since you wouldn’t want this, I’ll try to find a treatment… but Mother never evaluated this phenomenon negatively. Other magical medical practitioners would naturally think the same way.”

 

“…Mm.”

 

“You have an ability that anyone would want if Pleroma didn’t exist in this world. Even in this place where Pleroma exists, if we ignore conventional wisdom, everyone would want the ability you currently possess. Being able to grow endlessly stronger without knowing limits is a blessing for most people.”

 

I let out a weak laugh. It was closer to happening because I lacked strength.

 

The Archbishop’s words, those words that might have been mine, weren’t wrong. I just need to maintain my center. Whether I make this ability my weapon or let this ability drag me into the mud depends on my decision.

 

Thinking about the experience from the retry, Leo wouldn’t evaluate this ability favorably. He would question why such an ability should be given to me. Nevertheless, the reason he keeps telling me this from earlier is to comfort me.

 

‘Right.’

 

Pull yourself together.

 

If necessary, I must do anything. That’s how it is for now. How many friends would draw their own blood for someone else to drink? Adrian Ascanien probably didn’t anticipate this far either. Now that Elias and Leo are working harder for me than I am, I can’t remain confused forever. Perhaps because I had tried to maintain my center before hearing the shocking suggestion to drink blood, organizing my thoughts was relatively easier. I just need to continue working hard like this. I wiped my face with my sleeve and checked the remaining bottle.

 

“…Thank you. Since half remains, I’ll take it with me to Berlin.”

 

Holding it, I channeled divine power and cast a cognitive disruption spell, making the bottle and blood appear like an elixir. Unless a divine mage stronger than me appears, no one can break through the disruption magic.

 

Leo spoke.

 

“Right. Lucas, before going to Berlin, have a conversation with the kids. We’ll go too, but since there will be other friends there, it’ll be difficult to talk freely.”

 

“Well, yeah. That would be good.”

 

“And… what will you do in the next world? Will you tell Elias about your newly developed trait?”

 

“…”

 

He must be asking because he thinks it would be better to tell him.

 

Considering Elias’s thoughtfulness, and considering my situation where there’s nothing to hide, it’s right to inform him. Rather, not telling him might be more unfair to him.

 

“If necessary, I should.”

 

Will Elias, who hasn’t experienced the accident, be able to accept my trait? I don’t have confidence about that yet, so I’ll only know after talking.

 

“Right. Good. It would be better not to tell Narke.”

 

“Why?”

 

“He said he couldn’t give you blood. There’s no point in telling him.”

 

Leo gestured for me to follow him. It seemed he meant to take me to Elias. I got up from my seat and walked following Leo.

 

Narke’s reaction is extremely normal. I didn’t feel bad about it. Providing blood for someone to drink doesn’t sound like normal talk.

 

Rather than that, I have a more realistic problem right now. I need to upgrade the retry trait before time passes and the checkpoint updates.

 

Retry Lv. 3

 

― 【Chapter 7】 My previous checkpoint: ‘Teatiner Cathedral Eucharistic Liturgy’

 

― 【Chapter 7】 One-time manual checkpoint setting within 6 hours (1/3)

 

― 2.0 points per use

 

― 6.0 points until next level

 

* Held points: 64.0 points

 

* 0.8 luck points until next point acquisition

 

64 points.

 

This much remains because I barely used what I received as rewards before.

 

This should be enough.

 

Retry Lv. 4

 

― 【Chapter 7】 My previous checkpoint: ‘Teatiner Cathedral Eucharistic Liturgy’

 

― 【Chapter 7】 One-time manual checkpoint setting within 6 hours (1/6)

 

― 2.0 points per use

 

― 8.0 points until next level

 

* Held points: 58.0 points

 

* 0.5 luck points until next point acquisition

 

‘Hmm.’

 

Spending 6 points and getting three more manual setting opportunities is all? Of course, when I actually use all three opportunities, I’ll be grateful, but I can’t stop here. I used 8 points to upgrade to level 5, but the desired function didn’t appear, so I used another 10 points to upgrade to level 6.

 

Ding—!

 

Retry Lv. 6

 

― 【Chapter 7】 Checkpoints

 

* 1. ‘Teatiner Cathedral Eucharistic Liturgy’

 

* 2. ‘―’

 

― 【Chapter 7】 One-time manual checkpoint setting within 24 hours (1/6)

 

― 2.0 points per use

 

― 12.0 points until next level

 

* Held points: 40.0 points

 

* 0.5 luck points until next point acquisition

 

“…!”

 

Finally.

 

The checkpoint slots have increased.

 

‘…Right, I knew it would come out at least once.’

 

I spent 24 points, so it should give me something… It’s already level 6, isn’t it? Anyway, I can be completely at ease until the remaining one is filled.

 

“Go in.”

 

Then, Leo’s words broke my reverie. I opened the door he pointed to and entered. As soon as I entered, Elias and Narke stood up simultaneously.

 

“Luca!”

 

Elias, who checked my complexion, put his hand to his mouth and frowned.

 

“Ugh… looks like it failed.”

 

“If you’re talking about blood, of course. It’s dirty, so go wash your hands.”

 

Elias went into the bathroom without complaint, washed his hands, came out, and sat next to me. Now it was my turn to wipe my face. When I returned, he leaned his arm on the sofa, stared intently at me, and spoke.

 

“Luca.”

 

“What.”

 

“You know what. Even if you said you’d eat dirt as your staple food right now, I could accept it.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

“Yeah. I could even get you the best dirt in the Empire.”

 

I just came from drinking blood and now we’re talking about eating dirt here… It’s nauseating but he’s serious, so it’s hard to say anything. Elias smiled faintly at my expression and pointed to Narke as he spoke.

 

“Want to go to Italy to eat Sanguinaccio Dolce? All together with Narke. I know you don’t drink blood by your own will, but just in case, I thought it might help you adapt.”

 

I chuckled and said.

 

“I never thought those words would come up again in this way.”

 

“Yeah, me neither.”

 

Elias snapped his fingers and said.

 

“I tried it the other day and it was delicious. You’d like it too, Luca, right? I personally liked the one made with dark chocolate.”

 

I didn’t answer. As I just smiled, Elias gradually brought up the main point.

 

“You’re still you. This incident doesn’t change the you I’ve known since last year. So, if there’s anything I can do to help you, tell me anytime.”

 

“Suddenly?”

 

Elias looked at my face and grinned.

 

“What do you mean suddenly? I’ve been receiving your help all this time too. So I should repay you.”

 

“What help did I give?”

 

“You don’t know?! Nicolaus’s very existence extended my lifespan! That’s certain. And without you, I don’t know if I could have pursued my goals like this. At least… not now.”

 

In the novel, Elias began his full-scale activities like now after becoming an adult.

 

I nodded and asked while keeping my gaze on the floor.

 

“If I hadn’t collapsed at Teatiner Cathedral and suddenly told you that I developed a strange trait, would you still be able to accept my story?”

 

“Suddenly? Hmm, of course.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Well, since there were already such rumors about you, it wouldn’t be very surprising if you actually developed abilities now, and your brother always wants you to fall anyway.”

 

I smiled and responded to his words. Elias grinned and pulled Narke’s hand.

 

“Narke probably thinks the same as me, right? If you have something you wanted to say to Luca, say it now!”

 

“…I’m glad you woke up safely, Lucas.”

 

Narke’s complexion had also worsened a bit. Still, his usual inscrutable smile remained. Except it had become a little warmer and a little more tired. He stared at me intently, used his insight, then spoke.

 

“You heard the story from Leo. …Sorry, Lucas.”

 

“Why apologize? Your decision is a sensible decision.”

 

“Am I abnormal?!”

 

Elias grabbed my shoulder from the side, hanging on me as he interjected. Rather, it’s good that he makes me think I’m not wrong for refusing blood. It wouldn’t be bad to have someone provide a counterweight. As I was thinking this, Narke smiled that inscrutable smile again.

 

“I can supply divine power anytime. Just come visit my room often.”

 

“Hmm, that’s only possible on the premise that I go to your room.”

 

“Of course. Still, it’ll be better than having nothing. You won’t have to drink as much blood.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

In any case, Narke was treating me the same as before. Honestly, this alone was fortunate enough for me.

 

After a moment of silence, I brought up the topic I had wanted to ask him about.

 

“Narke. Who do you think was behind this incident?”

 

“Adrian Ascanien definitely knew about it. That’s what I think.”

 

Narke answered like that and shook his head.

 

“This is the limit of my abilities. I’m sorry.”

 

“Your abilities?”

 

That was Elias’s question. Narke answered with the same expression as before.

 

“Yeah.”

 

“You don’t need to keep apologizing. Just having you two look at me like before is grateful enough for me.”

 

“Luca, don’t say things like that~”

 

“What?”

 

“Just don’t~! Aaaah! If you do it one more time, I’ll carry you around for life.”

 

Elias raised his voice and clung to me. I understand why he’s acting like this. With the feeling of wanting to stop talking, I peeled Elias off and stood up from my seat.

 

“I should start getting ready to go now. You guys are coming too, right?”

 

“Yeah. I don’t know how the situation will turn out, but I can’t let you go alone.”

 

Narke smiled and stood up.

 

Good. It seems they’ve noticed that I’m going to find out about Hyung’s next plan.

 

I went to the room Elias led me to, changed clothes, and prepared to go to Berlin. Later, when Leo joined us, the atmosphere became a bit tense, but throughout the warp across the border, Elias chattered loudly enough to burst our eardrums, so that atmosphere quickly dissipated.

 

“You may proceed.”

 

After receiving passage permission at the Prussian border checkpoint, we warped to the Empire’s Second Educational Institute.

 

“Wow~ Berlin! It’s as unimpressive as always.”

 

Elias said while swinging his bag around. Leo smacked his mouth. Meanwhile, I left the letter I had written in advance in Bavaria at the school’s post office. It was a letter going to the address that was in Hyung’s letter.

 

International warp mail requires the post office to warp my letter to the checkpoint in front of the border, then send it again to the Italian border checkpoint, and from there warp it to the destination, so it costs ten times the domestic warp mail fee. Depending on the purpose, you might need to get permission too. But now wasn’t the time to worry about such things. It was right to make it arrive as early as possible.

 

I left my luggage in Elias’s room and knocked on Ulrike’s door.

 

[Yes~ It’s open. Please come in.]

 

“Hello.”

 

I slightly opened the door and greeted her with a smile.

 

“Huh?! Huuuuh?!!”

 

Ulrike, who had been lying on her bed rolling around, froze with a face like she’d seen a ghost, just like Leo before, then grasped the situation and jumped up to run over.

 

“You were definitely in Bavaria…! No, you had collapsed…!”

 

“I’m all better. I’m fine.”

 

Why does it feel like I’m always having conversations like this?

 

Ulrike examined my complexion, then pulled me inside and made me sit down. I said with a smile.

 

“I was worried you might not be here, but I’m glad you are.”

 

“Why me?”

 

“Why? It’s only been three days, but I wanted to chat. How have things been?”

 

Actually, I need to assess the situation. While also reassuring my friends.

 

“Hey, really… I was so shocked that it happened in Bavaria of all places… At least it’s fortunate that Leo is good at distinguishing between public and private matters. It was unexpected that they treated you so intensively in Bavaria.”

 

I asked what she’d been doing for three days, but she’s talking about this? Anyway, Ulrike still seems to think that Leo and I don’t get along well. I expected that the medal issued in the King of Bavaria’s name wouldn’t end the discord rumors. Still, we’ve been together in the same compartment car and such, so I thought she’d accept that we’d become somewhat friendly, but she apparently still thinks we’re not particularly close.

 

“What about Julia?”

 

“She’s in Baden. It seems like a new mission for Eschete is coming up, but it’s not a typical mission, so she said she needs to discuss it with His Highness the Grand Duke.”

 

“Really? That’s too bad.”

 

Like that, I talked with Ulrike for about an hour. Actually, because Haike joined in the middle, we were able to talk for that long. Haike’s reaction was also ordinary, just like Ulrike’s. This incident was also known as an accident to the other Eschete friends, and the school’s reaction they heard about was still not bad.

 

‘I received a lot of letters this time too.’

 

Just like Nicolaus.

 

I’m now holding my letters that first-year students had left with Ulrike and Haike. Since I don’t have a dormitory here, letters that should come to me were either received by friends instead, or went to the Eschete administration. Of course, letters coming to Hyung are not like that.

 

Bang—

 

“Luca.”

 

Just then, Elias burst open Ulrike’s room door and called me out with a hardened face. Just from seeing that face, I could clearly tell what must have arrived.

 

I moved to Elias’s room and accepted the letter he held out to me.

 

[To my beloved younger brother]

 

It arrived. In the short time of less than two hours.

 

Handwriting that seemed hastily scrawled, unlike usual. Is this also acting, or not?

 

[Dear God. I don’t know how many times I checked whether it was really you, Luca, who sent the letter. Since I can only get news of you through newspapers, I only heard this morning that you were still in critical condition, but to receive your letter from Berlin like this, I really feel like I’ve aged ten years. It seems your health has deteriorated a lot after experiencing terrorism, Luca. I know that your good nature makes you loyal to the Empire and its people. But what meaning would there be if your health is ruined in the process? This certainly isn’t something I can say proudly as a Deputy Minister of Magic who should prioritize the people, but being human too, I’m truly afraid of losing my younger brother so meaninglessly.]

 

“…”

 

[I was planning to introduce you to Magic Ministry personnel I know when you arrived in Berlin, but that doesn’t seem to be the priority. Just the day before yesterday, the Imperial Central Hospital contacted me saying they would take responsibility for your health while you’re in Berlin, so I’ve commissioned a precise examination and supplementary treatment of your core this time. They’ll come to the school to pick you up soon. Since I know you’ve been making sincere efforts until now, I hope your health won’t hold you back at this point. My recent concerns are all directed toward your health. I hope to hear good results. I’ll write again.]

 

He commissioned a precise examination?

 

He should know I was already at the Bavaria National Medical Center, right? Of course, the hospital he’s been going to since childhood might feel more trustworthy…

 

‘From my perspective, it only looks like he wants to know what condition my core is in.’

 

Go ahead and examine it a hundred times, see what you can find.

 

I already know well how core examinations are conducted, and anyway my core doesn’t absorb mana while conscious. Does it want blood? That’s not it either. What are you going to do about it spitting everything out?

 

He’s probably doing this because he’s afraid I might be hiding something. Since things didn’t go berserk according to his plan.

 

The problem is… was Hyung this kind of person? If I think this is his next move, isn’t it too simple and transparent?

 

‘…Maybe the examination is an excuse and forging the examination results is the real plan.’

 

Bribing the doctors here would be nothing. But there’s a blind spot that he can’t bribe the Bavaria National Medical Center.

 

‘What’s the plan?’

 

Something like this can’t be the next plan. For now, nothing can be done just by thinking. I first folded the letter and went to the military academy headquarters to activate my Eschete communication artifact. After a few minutes, an employee handed me the artifact and said.

 

“It’s ready now.”

 

“Yes, thank you.”

 

“I’m glad you returned safely. The Imperial Central Hospital just sent word to Your Excellency, so I had to tell you about that, which is also fortunate.”

 

Hmm.

 

That content was in Hyung’s letter just now. I asked back expressionlessly.

 

“They sent word?”

 

“Yes. They asked if they could see you in 30 minutes.”

 

“…”

 

He said soon? Soon means 30 minutes?

 

Of course, since I sent the letter to find out Hyung’s moves, I have no reason to refuse them coming to find me. Before turning back time, I need to experience as much as possible.

 

I immediately told Narke and Elias the facts and went out to the main gate at the appointed time. Since Leo had returned to Bavaria again, only two people could accompany me.

 

I contacted one person, but now I see three people were at this location. Someone spotted me and greeted me with a smile.

 

“Hello, Your Excellency.”

 

“Are you the one who contacted me earlier?”

 

“Yes, that’s right. I’m Andrea Friedmann from the Imperial Central Hospital. I received a commission for a precise core examination and came to pick up Your Excellency directly. These two gentlemen here are core specialists from our hospital.”

 

The other two magical medical practitioners greeted me. Coming all the way here in person, what an absurd sight from a modern person’s perspective. Having high status really is nice. I said while thinking sarcastically to myself.

 

“You must be busy, yet you came in person. Did my hyung send you?”

 

“His Highness Georg Ascanien sent us.”

 

“…”

 

I nodded. Andrea Friedmann gestured to Elias beside me and asked.

 

“The gentlemen beside you are His Highness Elias Hohenzollern and His Excellency Narke Farnese, right? What about you two…?”

 

“We came to go together too. Why?”

 

“The examination must be conducted confidentially, so it’s difficult for you to come along.”

 

“We’re still going though?”

 

“…”

 

After that, because Elias threw a tantrum, we departed 30 minutes late. That tantrum consisted of quite reasonable statements, but Andrea Friedmann wouldn’t bend his opinion. However, since it really was an examination conducted confidentially, Elias was the one who lost the argument.

 

I held their hands and warped to the Central Hospital. The first point we warped to was bustling with people. If examination result forgery is involved, it would of course more likely take place in the document storage room than here, but anyway, it doesn’t seem like a psychologically very good environment.

 

“There are quite a lot of people.”

 

“The areas with core examination rooms are always like this. There are many people wanting examinations, and many examination rooms to rotate through. Now, please enter starting from this room.”

 

Andrea Friedmann led me to the room on the left. There were examination instruments identical to what I had seen in Bavaria. Two nurses adjusted my posture. I looked at one of the doctors who had come with Andrea Friedmann.

 

“The person next to you seems to use divine power?”

 

“You have good perception. That’s correct.”

 

“Divine power is often used in treatment as well, I suppose?”

 

“As an auxiliary, it’s undoubtedly excellent. Could you please emit some mana?”

 

I released mana as instructed. Red mana spread over the silver tray. One doctor checked the numbers appearing on the artifact and nodded.

 

“No problems. Now we’ll inject mana into you, Your Excellency. We can assess the degree of damage based on how your core reacts, so please bear with us even if it stings briefly.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Another doctor took my arm, removed his gloves, and suddenly injected mana below my wrist.

 

“…”

 

I swallowed hard. This was someone else’s mana. If I had been unconscious, I would have absorbed this. No, was it certain this only happened when unconscious? What if, by any chance, the experiments Leo had been conducting were wrong, and I was now absorbing this mana into my core…?

 

“No problems whatsoever this time either.”

 

“…”

 

I slowly exhaled the breath I had been holding without realizing it.

 

The doctor released his hand with an amazed smile.

 

“Your core condition is remarkably good. How surprising.”

 

“Is there really something to be surprised about?”

 

“Ordinary mages don’t produce readings this high. As expected, Your Excellency Ascanien is far from ordinary. To be this healthy when you haven’t been awake long and should still be recovering…”

 

The doctor said with a hollow laugh.

 

Listening to his words, I focused my attention on the three doctors and two nurses in this room, as well as the sounds from outside. Now that the stage requiring my attention was over, it was time to gather all surrounding information. I could hear people waiting in the waiting chairs. Outside was still crowded with people.

 

As I lowered my extended arm, one doctor gestured toward the door and said.

 

“Now, let’s move on to the next step. When you go out, there’s another room on the left…”

 

Click—

 

“…!”

 

The lights went out with the sound of a switch being flipped. The moment I moved my hand toward my wand, someone grabbed my shoulder from behind.

 

Crash—

 

Intense pain struck my lower back as if electricity had coursed through it. I couldn’t move my body. That sensation reached me a beat too late. I knew instinctively. This was an Old Humanity weapon. Not from New Humanity. If it had been from New Humanity, I would have been able to detect it. I felt something being inserted into my arm.

 

I heard someone’s sigh.

 

“This shouldn’t be happening.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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