章節 26: Strange Flames
"What??" I blurted, my eyes wide in shock.
How did that happen?
Who did that to him?
Wait.
Could it be the reason the novel didn't mention him in the first place? Was he just some side character who got killed off early, maybe as part of a background event leading up to a main plot point?
"Yes. Injuries were found on his body, but the authorities are still trying to understand what exactly inflicted them. Plus, he was utterly drained of mana when they found him. It's likely he ingested Necrotox," she explained, and my frown deepened.
Necrotox is an illegal substance capable of rendering someone manaless for a period of time. It completely detaches the connection between the mana veins and the mana pool.
"But what about the mana signatures? Couldn't they just trace that?" I asked, knowing that method often worked.
"That's the thing. The mana detected from the attacks on him had no signature," she replied, and I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
How is that even possible?
It's not.
Well... it might be, but only if…
"No way. Don't tell me…" I looked at her, eyes wide with suspicion.
"Well, that's how it appears. Perhaps the assailant has the ability to use atmospheric mana for their attacks," she said. I couldn't wrap my head around it anymore.
Someone capable of using atmospheric mana?
That person wouldn't just be powerful—they'd probably be the most dangerous enemy anyone could face. Using atmospheric mana means two things: infinite attacks and potent manifestations, equating to lethal damage.
"But… how do you even know this?" I asked. She grinned.
"My sister is a third-year," she said, and I understood.
Her sister?
I didn't even know she had a family. The novel never once hinted at a backstory for her.
"So… what's his condition now?" I asked.
"Critical," she answered. "I don't think he'll make it," she added, and I sighed.
Even though I don't like the guy, that doesn't mean I want him dead.
"Mr. Ryan, how about you?" a voice called out. I turned to see Miss Melina standing on a raised platform, and beside her was someone I absolutely despised.
"Ethan," I muttered under my breath. Somehow, I managed to untangle Selena's grip on me, standing up as I headed down the rows of seats.
"Now, we will demonstrate the difference between a high-ranker and a low-ranker," Miss Melina announced, and I frowned.
Why do I feel like this is a targeted attack?
Is she trying to expose my vulnerability? But why?
When I reached the platform, she gestured for me to stand on her right, while that bastard Ethan stood smugly on her left.
Wait—don't the management know I don't have mana?
It was made crystal clear to them by the royal household themselves. Though my family no longer has ties to me, I'm still covered, at least for school. I was registered for the academy six years ago, with all my fees prepaid. That's the only reason I could even get into this place without an ounce of mana.
So why is she asking me to do this?
Wait. Don't tell me it's because I wasn't paying attention earlier.
She can't be that petty… right?
"Now, I will give you both a basic spell to chant. It's a fireball," she said, then addressed the class. "The demonstration you are about to witness is to give you a better understanding of how the mana pool operates. The purer the core, the larger the pool. The larger the pool, the wider the veins. The wider the veins, the more potent your spells."
…
"Say after me: 'Elemental magic,'" she started. They both felt their mana stir.
"Flames of Ephynia," she continued, and they repeated her words.
Instantly, a huge fireball materialized in the air, hovering in front of Ethan. He looked shocked at first but quickly recovered, smirking as the awestruck students murmured among themselves. Turning to the teacher, he expected recognition, but her attention was focused elsewhere entirely.
Realizing this, his frown deepened. Following her gaze, he saw it—a fireball hovering above Ryan.
This fireball, however, was much smaller, roughly the size of a clenched fist. Yet, what caught the teacher's attention wasn't its size.
"Why is it purple?" Ethan thought, echoing the confusion of everyone else watching.
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