Veronicaâs words seemed to reach the emerald bead as the brilliant light scattered like it was protecting itself from Theodore. Strangely, the light seemed to obscure the shape of the bead, but he couldnât feel the influence of magic power.
It was a natural instinct to be alert to the unknown. So, Theo couldnât touch it carelessly.
Theo didnât know how long he wouldâve hesitated if Gluttony hadnât spoken up at that moment.
-âŠHoh? Youâve brought me an interesting food, User.
At the same time, Theodore was able to feel a little bit of Gluttonyâs mood through their connection. There was an intense hunger and appetite due to the presence of Umbra. It was even more than when Gluttony saw the elder lichâs Life Vessel.
Theo noticed this fact and asked, âDo you know what that bead is?â
-Of course. It may not be a grimoire, but it is too taxing for you to digest right now. Gluttony continued speaking, That quarter dragonâs explanation is half right, half wrong. Umbra isnât technically a species but a two-dimensional thing. It is a world where there are no boundaries between material and nonmaterial things, and it canât be understood using human common sense.
âIn other words, Umbra is a type of other world?â
-You understand pretty fast. To be more precise, it is a primitive spiritual world. Unlike the material world, the other dimension is a place where only spirits can exist.
Magicians, who emphasized understanding the world more than aura users, recognized the existence of spiritual worlds a long time ago. Among them, the representative of spiritual worlds was the Elemental World. The Elemental World maintained the laws of nature and was one of the spiritual worlds closely linked to the material world. It was said that the first elementalists could access the Elemental World directly.
Throughout the worlds, there were also the Abyss, where evil spirits or evil gods resided, and spiritual worlds like Chaos, which was a whirlpool of chaos, butâŠ
According to Gluttonyâs explanation, Umbra had a different shape.
-Hmm, donât be so concerned about it. A primitive world is incomplete and easy to collapse. In fact, Umbra is a world that was destroyed a long time ago, and this is nothing but a fragment of the destroyed world. If it hadnât been fixed by magic, then it wouldâve vanished.
The prey suited its taste, so Gluttony wriggled its tongue.
-I will eat to my heartâs content. I will take care of it!
At those words, Theo stretched out his left hand. Umbra struggled in the air as it felt an ominous feeling, but Veronica was prepared for this and her magic power bound it tightly. Above all, there was an existence more magical than it, so Umbra couldnât escape from the magicianâs hand.
Eventually, Theodoreâs left hand gripped the bead gently.
[+15 Umbra Fragment (???)]
[This is a lump of debris which floated into the material world after the two-dimensional world Umbra collapsed a long time ago. A magician fixed it into the form of an emerald bead. As it is based on another world, there is a strong resistance to attacks in the material world. If the power of this fragment is absorbed, it may be possible to manipulate Umbraâs law.
* The rating of this ??? is âTreasure.â
* When consumed, the power of Umbra will be absorbed.
* When consumed, there is no digestion time.
* When consumed, your spiritual awareness will increase greatly.
* When ingested, the user still wonât be able to use this ??? perfectly. A portion of the absorbed power is sealed, allowing for only 20% of the abilities to be used.]
â20%, that is the limit for me right now.â
Theodore had a larger capacity than another magician of the same circle, but even he could only absorb 20%. It meant that the essence contained in Umbra was enormous. Umbra had the same rating as the elder lichâs Life Vessel, but it was much more powerful.
However, the remaining 80% potential wasnât lost. Theo didnât hesitate as he focused on Umbra in his left hand. The bead on the palm of his hand naturally disappeared.
[The âUmbra Fragmentâ has been absorbed. A heterogeneous power has accumulated in your body.]
[From now on, you can get in contact with spirit bodies directly.]
[From now on, you can see spiritual bodies with the naked eye.]
[The mark of âUmbraâ is engraved on your body.]
[Gluttony has fallen asleep in order to save power.]
It was different from absorbing the artifacts. Umbra didnât require a separate digestion time, so it immediately melted into Theodoreâs body after being eaten by Gluttony.
Wuuuong!
A strength which was completely different to magic power flowed through his veins. The overflowing power of Umbra turned the capillaries under his skin into an emerald colour, before focusing on Theoâs right arm.
This was only 20%, but it felt like his bones and muscles were going to burst.
Then a strange stamp appeared on his right arm. âIs this Umbraâs mark?â
The emerald patterns made of complex lines and shapes reminded him of characters of an ancient kingdom.
Then finally, the mark of Umbra disappeared after being engraved on Theodore. It engraved only 20% of its power and then fell asleep, waiting for the time when the remaining 80% would awaken.
After the mark disappeared, Umbraâs abilities flowed into him. It was similar to when he received knowledge about magic.
ââŠIndeed, it is a miraculous ability,â Theo muttered as he examined the knowledge inside his head.
The knowledge conveyed from the mark of Umbra on his right arm was literally breathtaking. He pulled back his sleeve to reveal the shining green tattoo and then carefully touched the surface. However, someone else touched his right arm before he did.
âOh, it is used in this way? How strange.â Veronica came up from behind him without any notice and grabbed Theodoreâs forearm.
As he stiffened from the unexpected contact, she continued to observe, rubbing the green tattoo with her finger. The tower masters couldnât easily take out the national treasures, so she couldnât help being interested.
At that very momentâŠ
Huuk!
Theodoreâs arm suddenly turned translucent, and he escaped from Veronicaâs grip.
âEh?!â
This was Umbraâs first ability, Fluidization. Theodore, who triggered the ability reflexively, and Veronica were both surprised. Theoâs body turned fluid without him even muttering a word? It was something that even magicians who learned the 7th Circle magic Astral Body couldnât imitate.
Veronica looked at Theodoreâs right arm with shining eyes as it returned to its original state. âI-Itâs been awhile since I was so surprised! Is this the power of Umbra?â
The surprised Theo nodded silently. He knew that he could use Umbraâs Fluidization ability, but he hadnât expected to invoke the ability just by thinking âI want to get out.â
If he could always use Fluidization like this, he would be able to avoid flying arrows effortlessly. Additionally, it was possible to utilize it to pass through a wall or other similar situations. It was a useful ability for any circumstance.
âIf I have this ability⊠I can beat a master level opponent!â
Certainly, the existences in the material world were very limited in their abilities to affect the spiritual world. Even a sword masterâs power would drop when it came to a spirit body. Additionally, most magicians wouldnât know how to fight against the fluidity. Theo would be able to gain the advantage in any situation just by turning his body into fluid.
However, he was too optimistic.
âHaackâŠ! HaackâŠ!â
Theo experimented with his newly acquired ability a few times, but suddenly experienced a headache and shortness of breath.
âWhat, why is this happening all of a sudden?â
His stamina and magic power were in a perfect state, but his condition suddenly deteriorated. Just calculating a magic formula or moving his body caused him to be tired. Veronica noticed the change and approached Theo to help him.
She was experienced, so she quickly realized why Theodore was in a bad physical condition.
Veronica laughed as she held his side. âIt seems like this national treasure consumes mental power. Kid, is your magic power and stamina not good right now?â
âYes, it is as you sayâŠâ
âGeez, this is completely unexpected. If I knew, I wouldâve warned you beforehand. Well, donât be so depressed since there is a saying that lessons should be learned with the body.â She giggled as she directed him to sit down on a bench. Then she pointed to his right arm that was still glowing green. âThe concept of mental power might be quite strange, but its recovery is quick. If you sit and rest for a while, you will soon be able to move around.â
ââŠMental power, what is that?â
âUmm, let me explain it briefly.â Veronica sat down next to Theo and explained the concept of mental power, âIn short, it is the most basic force. It is no different from using magic, aura, or even elemental power. The only difference is the importance. Magicians who tend to rely on mana and circles often donât know about the concept of mental power.â
However, mental power was crucial in manipulating forces based on other dimensions, such as magic, aura, and Umbra. If mental power was non-existent, they wouldnât be able to control magic based on mana. The most primitive mental power was the only one capable of controlling Umbraâs power.
Theoâs mindset was restored due to his mental power being temporarily exhausted.
âThis means I need to train my mental power in order to master Umbra.â
There was no easy gift in this world, so the mark on his right arm was just another homework. An ability like Fluidization couldnât be used with no cost. By the time the quick explanation ended, Theoâs power had come back.
âThen my explanation will end here. Can you get up now?â
ââŠYes.â He carefully raised his body up from the bench.
Fortunately, the dizziness had completely disappeared, and the muscles which had felt weighed down returned to their original condition. After experiencing mental power depletion, Theo calmed his breathing.
Veronica turned around first and said, âKid, what will you do now? I still have to return to the ballroom, but you can leave first. It seems like your personality doesnât like balls too much.â
ââŠWell, that isnât wrong.â Theo smiled bitterly and shrugged. Any other day, he wouldâve left without being noticed. However, today was Theodore Millerâs ball. There would be bad rumours if he left without saying anything.
âŠFinally, he turned to Veronica.
âLetâs go. I will be happy to mingle just for today,â he said softly while holding out a hand to Veronica.
It was minor revenge for always being dragged along by her.
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Veronicaâs golden eyes widened like she was startled, then she said, âAh, right. Maybe I was kidding about the few years?â
She smiled widely and grabbed Theodoreâs palm.
The song of the young hero who challenged the red dragon⊠It was still an unknown story.
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