< 67. Jarodin (2) >
#67
Ronan’s face hardened. 20 years. It was a time when it would not be strange for bald people who had beaten the world to build houses and make a living.
Ronan was about to say something. Rodin who was sitting still and catching his breath opened his mouth.
“…No it won’t take that long.”
“Hmm?”
“The mana blood was resilient. “Depending on your efforts it may be possible to shorten it further.”
“Hmm if that’s you then maybe that’s the case. If that’s the case then maybe we need to create a separate practice method? Even saying that this child is unique is not enough.”
“Yeah. That’s… shit.”
dump. As Rodin tried to get up he sat down again. It seemed that the strength in his legs had not yet returned. Ronan said holding out his hand.
“Would you like me to help you?”
“It’s done. “I’ll just do it here.”
Suddenly Rodin sat cross-legged. He placed his hands on his knees and closed his eyes.
Seaaaa- A strange breathing sound began to escape from Jaradin’s slightly parted lips. Three Crits’ eyes twinkled with interest.
“Oh you’ve already come up with it.”
“It’s not exact yet but the rough structure will be right.”
“That genius is still the same. Indeed he is the top mage of the Manwol Magic Tower.”
“It’s just a useless past.”
Ronan tilted his head. Just looking at the way he was sitting it seemed like he was just in a posture for mana practice so I couldn’t figure out why I was impressed. Jarudin looked at him and said.
“Sit with your back to me. “In the same position.”
Ronan did so. Jardin placed his hands on both Ronan’s wing bones. Ronan remembering what happened just a few minutes ago asked in a voice filled with anxiety.
“You’re not vomiting blood again are you?”
“maybe. “I’m going to open your senses again so get ready.”
“yes? for a moment…”
Quang! The shock that struck me again spread through my veins. Ronan gritted his teeth. His toes were curled up like squids left over a fire.
“Holy shit…!”
For a moment the urge to cut Zarodin’s body in half beautifully raised his head. The pain was much weaker than the previous two times but I couldn’t help but feel a fever.
Ronan turned his head. Jarudin’s face with bloodshot eyes wide open came into view. It was obvious that Ronan was enduring pain that was several times greater than his own so he forgot what to say.
“Damn are you okay?”
“Whoa…yeah. “Are you in a lot of pain?”
“It’s annoying but it’s worth it. “The pain lasts a bit longer this time.”
Ronan frowned in displeasure. While the pain so far had been volatile appearing and disappearing all at once this pain remained like a lingering sensation piercing his entire body.
“Thank goodness. “It’s a normal symptom.”
Jarudin sighed in relief. He continued his words moving his bony fingers little by little.
“The maximum amount of mana you can use now is approximately 0.01 Langstall.”
“Even if you say that I don’t know to what extent.”
“You just need to know that it is woefully small. If the average amount of mana used by a sword user is a cup of water yours is no more than the spit of an ant.”
“…Didn’t Haeju say it wouldn’t take that long?”
Ronan frowned. I was afraid of the words that would follow. He said to him ‘Okay. ‘Not 20 years but 17 years will be enough.’ After hearing such lines he couldn’t be confident to maintain his senses.
However Jardin was a much more intelligent and capable person than Ronan thought.
“I did. It really depends on how hard you try. “It can take a full 20 years but if you do well you can finish it within 5 years.”
“Five years… I’m very hopeful. “What should I do?”
“The most basic thing is to repeat the Mana exercises that I will teach you from now on every day.”
Ronan twisted his lips when he heard the word mana practice. Coming to Phileon it was the only subject I expected to receive a failing grade in. Ronan was so used to the instructors’ looks that were half-pity and half-disappointed that he was sick of them.
“…I have never successfully practiced the exercises before. Is it okay?”
“That’s what happens when people without skills teach. “It is possible if you do as I tell you.”
“It just felt kind of cool. “I think I know why you are friends with Instructor Nabirose.”
“From now on I will inject mana into your body. “Even if it’s a bit painful endure it and remember the path through which mana flows.”
Remember the route? Before he could even say those words Jarudin released mana. An extremely small amount of mana accurately measured to match Ronan’s mana blood which was thinner than a spider’s web spread through his veins.
“Ugh…!”
“Concentrate.”
Ronan shrugged his shoulders without realizing it. It was an unfamiliar sensation as if the inside of his body was being rinsed with water.
The mana that entered the back spread throughout the body and then gathered in the heart. The mana pulsating from her heart once again traveled through her blood vessels to the ends of her body such as her fingers and earlobes.
Ronan immediately understood Jaradin’s words to remember the route. Indeed the mana was not moving randomly but was flowing with its own direction.
“Can you feel it?”
“yes.”
“good. Now we are circulating it. “Slowly breathe out her breath gathering her mana and spreading it out.”
Jarodin continued to inject mana while explaining breathing techniques. Ronan adjusted his breathing intervals as Jarodin had taught him. Soon a strange wind noise began to come out of his mouth. Seaaaa-
“This is…!”
“Okay. Remember that feeling. Do you think you know the direction in which mana flows?”
“Uh… roughly.”
“Try it.”
Jarrodin took his hand off Ronan’s back. Ronan moved the remaining mana in his body along the path he had just felt. Ronan’s breathing changed again. Jaradin muttered as if he was dumbfounded.
“I guess I memorized it in one go…I’m sure I’ll receive a lot of love from Butterfly Rose.”
“It’s a really strange feeling. “Is this mana practice?”
“okay. “It is a practice that is only meaningful to you.”
Jarodin stood up. His already pale face became even more gaunt. He walked unsteadily and took a gulp from the bottle of water on Secret’s desk.
“Puh…repeat that every day. “It may be a bit annoying now but once you get used to it you will be able to practice while moving or talking.”
“Without the professor’s help?”
“okay. I injected you with my mana to quickly acquire the senses. The mana you need will seep into your body just by breathing. So there is no need to make any effort to absorb mana separately. “Not yet.”
At that time Jarodin’s mana that was lingering in his body disappeared. He controlled his mana by inhaling and exhaling as Ronan had taught him. Ronan felt the mana flowing through his veins again and his eyes widened.
“This is Mana…”
It was a thrilling thing. They said that the mana was so weak that it could be compared to the spit of an ant but that didn’t really matter. In any case from now on I can now handle and feel mana.
Only then did Ronan realize why Secret was so impressed. Jarudin developed a mana practice method optimized for himself in that short period of time. Ronan said with a laugh.
“Thank you Professor. “Really.”
“It’s done. I guess that’s it for today…”
Jarudin was looking at his trembling hands. After washing his face he faced Ronan and opened his mouth.
“Then I kept my promise so you should keep your promise too.”
“promise?”
“Your ring. The disenchantment will be completed soon so come on…”
“professor!”
dump. Jarrodin fell down unable to continue his words. Ade Shan’s quick catch prevented his head from hitting the floor. Ronan hurriedly stood up and shook Jaradin’s shoulder and shouted.
“Get your fucking mind together!”
“The ring…the ring…”
A muttering sound like a complaint flowed from Jaradin’s drooping mouth. Ronan said in a puzzled voice.
“No really what’s wrong? “I will give it to you.”
“ring….”
“Secret why is this person suddenly acting like this? Is it because of the curse again?”
“It is exhaustion and temporary impulsive disorder caused by the aftereffects of alcoholism. “I wondered how long it would last but this is what happened in the end.”
“What is it you knew he was going to fall and you didn’t stop him?”
“okay. “Because I’m not a friend who will listen to you when I talk to you.”
Jaradin was still playing the ring in a voice like a mosquito. I even felt a kind of madness as he repeated the same words without focus. Secrit stroked his soft chin and opened his mouth.
“Is that ring by any chance an item needed for your friend’s research?”
“yes. “How did you know?”
“I see. Looks like you haven’t given up yet…”
“Do you have any illness? “When I say this I think it’s a bit harsh.”
“There is a reason for everything. “I wasn’t that kind of friend to begin with.”
There was extreme sadness in Secret’s eyes as he looked at Jarudin. After being silent for a moment he sighed.
“…I can’t just leave him alone so please take him to the health room. “Let’s continue the rest of the story next time.”
“I guess it has to be that way.”
Ronan carried Jarrodin on his back. They returned to Jardin’s office down the hallway they came from. When he turned his head the passage leading to Sepa Lazio had disappeared. Adeshan said.
“The nearest health room is in the Lexion Pavilion. “Let’s go now.”
“Luckily it doesn’t take long.”
Ronan nodded his head. The latches were still loose. It was the moment when he put his hand on the doorknob.
Jarodin who thought he had suddenly fainted raised his right arm. Crunch clank! Seven latches were locked simultaneously sealing the entrance. The two people startled took a step back.
“Hey it’s a surprise. “What are you doing all of a sudden?”
“It won’t be long before…I will definitely see you again…”
“What?”
“Long-lived race…I found a clue…I will never let you go…beloved…”
Jarodin was muttering something. Unlike a little while ago when I was only obsessed with the ring the main content was nonsense as if I was spitting out the thoughts that came into my head. He seemed like a very drunk person.
‘Is this also a type of impulsive disorder?’
Somehow the condition seemed to be getting worse. Ronan regaining his composure carefully undid his first latch. Xarodin raised his arms again.
Clap! Ronan cursed at the sight of the clasp being firmly fastened again.
“What the hell are we going to do now?”
“The ring….”
“I’m going back really. “Let’s try to make him faint.”
“Are you fainting?”
“Even if we do that we have to put him in the health room. “You’re out of your mind.”
“That’s true but….”
Adeshan examined Jarudin’s complexion. The pale eyes were still shaking without focus. He who had been muttering incomprehensible nonsense suddenly started muttering like a child.
“…I want to go back.”
“yes?”
Ronan sensing the flow of mana turned his head. At that moment the empty office floor began to move.
The stone tiles which had been moving inserting and falling arbitrarily eventually created a spiral staircase leading to the lower floor. Ronan and Adeshan froze in place staring at the strange sight.
“…What is this?”
“…I’m not sure.”
They approached the stairs. An indescribable smell was creeping up from the downstairs which was hidden and covered in darkness. The fishy smell of books ink metal and the scent of an unknown flower… Jarudin who was being carried by Ronan opened his mouth quietly.
“Go down….”
“What have you come to your senses?”
“Go down. “A rose suits you more than a tulip.”
“Fuck.”
Ronan narrowed his eyes. It seemed like he hadn’t come to his senses yet. Jarudin kept repeating the command to go down. Ronan finally gave up and stepped onto the stairs.
“Is it okay…?”
“There must be something special.”
Ronan started down the stone stairs. Adeshan who hesitated followed behind him.
He was walking in the dark unable to see when suddenly his surroundings became bright. Ronan shrugged his eyebrows when he saw the candlestick in Adeshan’s hand.
“Where did you get that from?”
“I just took what was on the desk.”
“You’re prepared like a great general.”
The shadows created by the candlelight were dancing on the stairs. They soon reached the bottom floor. The space was incomparably larger than the office. Ronan muttered as if he had no idea.
“I thought it was somehow narrower than what it looked like from the outside…”
“I had no idea either.”
“What is all this anyway? book?”
The two people who came down the stairs suddenly realized that the floor was completely covered with books. The landscape with various books strewn about like corpses and forming burial mounds here and there looked exactly like a tomb of books. Adeshan lost his footing and stumbled.
“Ouch!”
“Be careful. Do you want to catch it?”
“Uh huh…?”
Ronan held out his right hand supporting Zarodin with his left. After hesitating for a moment Adeshan squeezed his hand. The two people walked inside the tomb of the book. Ronan suddenly raised his index finger and pointed to the center of the darkness.
“Don’t you smell the flowers over there?”
“Now that I think about it…”
It was just as Ronan said. A thick scent of flowers enough to tell the direction was wafting out of the darkness. They were walking along a path made of smells. Jaradin who had been silent for a while muttered softly.
“honey.”
At that moment my eyes became bright. Ronan and Adeshan raised their heads at the same time. Light was emanating from a huge transparent glass tube. The two people’s eyes widened.
“female?”
“This…!”
Strength went into our joined hands. Inside a glass tube filled with clear liquid a naked woman stood with her eyes closed.
“Is he dead…?”
She was a beautiful woman. Her light brown hair was waving like waterweed. With her hands clasped over her chest no air bubbles rose from the corner of her mouth as she breathed.
“Nimi…what on earth is this….”
There was a pile of roses in front of the glass coffin. Most of the flowers were wilted or dried out but the flowers on top were as fresh as if they had been brought in today.
There was an old bed and desk chair about two steps away. Suddenly Ronan’s eyes fell on the book open on the desk.
The book which was thick enough to be used as a pillow was worn out as the sun went down so much so that even the act of turning the next page had to be done with determination. Ronan carefully picked up the book.
On the cover which was half torn off was written in large letters what was presumed to be the title. Ronan read along slowly.
“About…the resurrection…?”
