Chapter 71 : Chapter 71

Chapter 71: Exchange (1)

Tayon picked up his broken sword.

“It’s an expensive blade. One of the finest I own.”

“What? Then…”

“Well done.”

Before I could panic, Tayon offered praise.

But I still hadn’t understood his teachings.

What was will?

What was the realm where one’s will alone could change the world?

I admitted honestly that I couldn’t find a clue.

“But I didn’t understand at all.”

“It’s not a matter of understanding.”

“Then how can I move forward?”

“You already know. Don’t rush. It seems you’ve only recently reached the 5th Rank.”

Tayon patted my head.

During the Coming-of-Age Ceremony, he had towered over me, but I’d grown a lot since then.

“You’re doing well. You broke my sword. That’s enough. You’ll only grow stronger from here.”

Then Tayon handed me the upper half of his broken sword.

“Keep this and never forget this moment. No matter what wall you face, you can climb it. I, too, once thought the 8th Rank was my limit, but I eventually reached the 9th Rank. That was only possible after meeting you.”

“…”

“Watching you, I learned a lot. Your talent surpasses mine, so as long as you keep wielding your sword, you’ll one day surpass me.”

Tayon returned the remaining half of the sword’s hilt to its sheath.

Then he turned away.

“Are you leaving already?”

“I can’t leave Myeolji unguarded for long. I look forward to our next meeting.”

Tayon walked away slowly, just as he had arrived.

He didn’t look back as I bowed deeply in farewell, disappearing into the forest.

After Tayon was completely out of sight, I headed toward where Arandir and Derix were.

“…You’ve been through a lot, Polarin-nim.”

Derix, thankfully, had regained consciousness.

The potion must have worked.

But potions didn’t work on spirits.

As a result, Arandir was still breathing heavily.

“Does Arandir-nim need to go to the Spirit Realm to recover?”

- I can’t go to the Spirit Realm. I’m already tainted by demonic energy.

“Then how can you recover? Should I take you to the desert?”

- No. I plan to head to the World Tree instead of the desert.

“You’re going to Kipaso. Can you make it on your own? If it’s difficult, I’ll escort you.”

Kipaso, where the World Tree stands.

It’s not human territory.

A place of towering World Trees, dense forests, and coexistence between fairies and elves.

In Tune World, it’s renowned for its stunning scenery, and ever since arriving in this world, I’d wanted to visit it at least once.

- It’s fine. I can travel deep underground.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t come to your aid sooner.”

- No need to apologize. We made a contract, that’s all. I must repay the desert girl. We’ll continue to work together.

Arandir spoke in its usual calm, dignified tone, but the debt in my heart didn’t vanish.

As I remained silent, Arandir changed the subject.

- Did you know there’s a spirit sleeping within your sword?

“Yes, I’ve briefly spoken with it.”

- I’ll likely stay there for a while. Come to the World Tree someday. It might help awaken the spirit within your sword.

“Understood. I hope you recover quickly.”

Arandir and I both turned to look at Derix.

Though the potion had healed his external wounds, he was still visibly drained.

Noticing our gazes, Derix gave an awkward response.

“I don’t think I can go to Kipaso. Elves despise demons.”

- They despise humans too.

“Haha, true. But demons get even worse treatment. I’ll take some time to recover and train.”

I felt guilty toward Derix as well.

I patted his back.

Afterward, at Derix’s request, I infused him with mana.

Though he had learned to absorb ambient mana, my mana was far more effective.

“I’ve also realized how inadequate I am to assist you, Polarin-nim. I’ll train to become stronger.”

We each prepared to part ways.

I would return to Ostrum, Arandir to Kipaso, and Derix planned to find a secluded place to recover and train.

“Thank you both for taking on my duties.”

I bowed deeply to them in gratitude.

[Didn’t I say it’s fine?]

“…Polarin-nim.”

“Call me anytime you need me. I’ll come, no matter what.”

I echoed the promise Keldric and others had made to me, now offering it to Arandir and Derix.

“Anytime, just say the word.”

With that, Arandir, Derix, and I parted ways for the time being.

* * *

When I returned to the Mana Research Division, time had passed, and it was five days before the Exchange.

I sought out Labella and apologized for my past rudeness.

Shamelessly, I also asked for another chance to learn magic.

Labella smiled brightly and accepted my apology.

“Is Polarin-nim alright? Your comrades?”

“I’m fine, and so are my comrades. We survived, and we’ll grow stronger.”

Keldric, Kiyot, Siriel, Blaze, Arandir, and Derix.

All of them survived.

Once Kiyot recovers, the Crow trio will return to Myeolji.

“That’s a relief. I’ll teach you magic. You don’t have to participate in the Exchange, Polarin-nim. Don’t rush. Take your time to learn.”

“No. I know the Mana Research Division has invested a lot in me, which left them short on time to prepare for the Exchange. I’ll learn and succeed. I’ll prove the division’s worth at the Exchange.”

Since arriving in Ostrum, I've faced many choices.

Coming to Ostrum itself was a choice.

Then I chose to learn magic, and when Blaze’s side and Arandir’s side were attacked simultaneously, I had to pick one.

But no matter my choices, I realized there were many around me who gave selflessly.

Until now, I’d helped others for a simple reason: to recruit as many as possible for my future expedition.

I resolved to no longer help others with such calculated intentions.

I would treat everyone sincerely and repay their kindness.

“You’re brimming with confidence for someone who’s never learned magic.”

“I trust my teacher.”

“Hahaha.”

Thanks to that, I spoke words I never would have dared to say before.

Labella looked embarrassed but not displeased.

“Then let’s gather everyone again. They’re probably waiting.”

I nodded confidently.

* * *

The research division gathered once more.

Some mages waited with anticipation, as before, but many sent me irritated glares.

“I’m sorry for before. I disappeared without proper explanation, betraying your expectations.”

I began speaking from the platform, looking down at the mages.

Murmurs of discontent and even curses erupted here and there.

My apology didn’t immediately win them over.

That was expected. I knew it would be like this.

“I know how hard you’ve all worked. I’ve heard you’ve been researching day and night, even putting the Exchange aside, to create a new history for magic.”

The hostile reactions lessened compared to before.

They were listening.

“I know nothing about magic. If you teach me, I’ll learn diligently. To prove your research can expand the world of magic, I’ll work tirelessly until the Exchange, even cutting back on sleep.”

When I finished, no one responded.

I met the eyes of each mage looking up at me.

It was hard to discern their emotions.

An older mage pointed at me and shouted, “That’s a load of nonsense!”

Several others joined in with curses.

I’d spoken with sincerity, but it seemed I’d failed.

Then Labella stepped forward, covering her mouth.

Her eyes curved, suggesting she was smiling.

“Polarin-nim doesn’t just know nothing about magic—he’s clueless about mages too.”

“What?”

“No need for speeches. It’s a waste of time. Just get ready to learn.”

I looked at Labella, confused.

“We don’t have time if you’re going to rewrite magic history in five days.”

Labella gently pushed my back.

I was nudged off the platform.

She continued her explanation.

“As I explained before, this miraculous magic was inspired by observing the erosion of demonic energy. Demonic energy warps the terrain and creatures around it, bringing everything under its control.”

Her explanation continued with technical terms, discussing the conditions under which erosion occurs based on demonic energy’s density.

“We’ll use Polarin-nim’s mana to trigger erosion. Within the range your mana reaches, it will dominate all surrounding mana.”

“Is… that possible?”

I asked, dumbfounded.

Labella declared with a humorless tone, “It’s possible. It’s a miracle.”

She explained the magic’s effects, limitations, mechanisms, and reasons in detail.

As she described, a field would form, encompassing roughly a 1-meter radius around me.

Within this field, my mana would hold dominance.

The mana from my Dragon Heart is hundreds of times purer than that of ordinary people.

Its density is said to surpass even mana drawn from the finest ley lines.

Thus, within this field, others would struggle to manifest mana.

If they tried to draw mana as usual, they’d feel intense exhaustion.

What I liked most was that this field exerted even greater dominance over demonic energy.

Of course, it wasn’t without drawbacks.

Forming the field around me consumed an immense amount of mana.

Moreover, if the opponent’s rank was higher than mine, the field’s dominance could weaken.

“Theoretically, it’s perfect. The key is how Polarin-nim implements it. It won’t be easy, since it’s your first time. Are you ready?”

“I’ve been ready for a while.”

I’d said this to Labella before.

Now, I declared it to everyone.

“Then let’s learn how to use magic. Start by drawing a three-dimensional magic circle.”

Labella began tracing lines in the air.

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