Chapter: 12
Shin is the first to wake up.
The air is silent. He quietly stands up and walks a short distance away from the camp. As he looks through the forest, he wonders how he can use stronger magic. He thinks for a long time, but no clear answer comes to him.
In the end, he exhales and decides to return.
When he gets back, everyone is already awake. About twenty minutes have passed.
Shin turns to Reinzahn.
"What does it really mean to be able to use magic?"
Reinzahn answers calmly.
"It is the result of combining mana with elements and then shaping them with intent."
Shin frowns.
"That's a very rough explanation… but thanks."
Arthur steps forward.
"It's time to keep flying."
Everyone agrees.
They climb onto Reinzahn's back once more, and the dragon takes off. This time, they spend two full days in the air, as Reinzahn has absorbed a great amount of natural energy.
They cross the sea.
In the distance, land appears green, beautiful, and full of life.
Reinzahn descends.
Immediately, they disguise themselves. Nature beings do not like humans. Reinzahn stays above them, watching for enemies from the sky, while they continue on foot.
Three hours pass.
A cave appears before them.
Shin suddenly stops.
"…This place feels familiar."
But he doesn't know why.
They continue walking, rest briefly, and then move on again. Thirst pushes them forward, and they follow the sound of flowing water.
Suddenly, Shin's eyes widen.
"Get away from here!" he shouts.
Too late.
A slender Goblin emerges and charges straight at Shin.
In the next instant Pain.
Shin's arm is struck.
Ray and Arthur immediately throw themselves in front of him, protecting him. They hold their ground, but the Goblin is too strong.
Shin remembers his sister.
His promise.
The sword.
This cannot end here.
He focuses.
Deep inside, he feels weak mana. At the same time, he senses the external mana trying to enter his body.
Then he understands.
When inner mana remains stable, it becomes neutral mana, flowing only through the heart. When it collides with external mana, that is the state most people exist in.
But there must be more.
A free state.
A state where mana is not bound.
Shin tries.
He spreads his mana. It collides. He forces it to move beyond that state not completely, only a part of it.
It works.
The mana consumption is no longer limited to his body.
He looks at the sword.
"Are you awake?"
Yes, the sword answers.
Shin lets his mana flow into it.
"Heal me."
No problem, Master.
He limits the healing spell to his arm. Through pain, he stands up.
Then all of his mana pours into the sword.
"Null Magic: Recovering Sharpness."
The blade of the Sun Sword sharpens to an extreme degree.
"Activate Heat Blade. Heat yourself to 200 degrees."
The sword obeys.
Shin's body feels weak, but he does not give up.
He sees an opening.
The heart.
With a scream, he pierces it.
The explosion tears everything apart.
Shin collapses.
When his vision clears, his breath stops.
Arthur's leg is badly damaged nearly destroyed. Arthur screams in pain before losing consciousness.
Shin turns to the sword in panic.
"Can you heal him?!"
No, it answers. I am still too hot. It will take twenty minutes to cool down. Human skin is too sensitive.
Shin doesn't hesitate.
He expands the range of the sword's mana.
The sword responds.
Arthur is healed.
Shin exhales in relief. He lifts Arthur and supports Ray as they make their way outside.
Reinzahn is waiting.
Shin explains everything.
The dragon is visibly astonished.
Shin speaks quietly, but with conviction:
"Mana is far more Complex than I thought."
What will Shin discover next ?