Chapter 209
After that, I went straight back to the dormitory.
‘… … The Demon of Helios influenced the shadows of Umbra?’
Sitting on the bed, I thought while stroking the USB that Shadow gave me.
‘how?’
I couldn’t answer Shadow’s question.
It was natural.
It was the first time I knew that Helios’ demon influenced Umbra’s shadow.
How can I answer something I don’t know?
I repeated the action of sweeping down the outer surface of the USB with my index finger and thumb and thought over and over again.
‘Assuming that the timing is such that Helios’ Heavenly Demon affected Shadow’s Umbra’s shadow, it’s highly likely that the Shadow absorbed the Umbra’s shadow using the amplifying shadow.’
Other than that time, there was no particular situation in which Helios’ heavenly horse could affect Umbra’s shadow.
According to Shadow’s words, he said that he artificially created burns on his body using the remnants left by the Heavenly Demon of Helios after that, so it might have been influenced by that time.
I don’t think that the mere remnant had something to do with Umbra’s shadow.
It probably had an effect on the first absorption.
‘Then, does the shadow of amplification have something to do with not being able to completely swallow Helios’ heavenly horse?’
Right after the amplification shadow swallowed Helios’ Heavenly Demon.
Shadow muttered that he was out of control with a serious expression on his face.
I also added that it seemed like it would explode any moment.
So he shouted to shoot the heavenly horse of Helios in the direction of the parade.
I thought it was the best place to release the runaway Helios’ Heavenly Demon.
The results need not be said.
My predictions were correct, and the parade went off without a hitch.
In addition, information manipulation was completely successful. The operation was a complete success.
‘That’s why I erased it from my head… … .’
There is no need to replay a completely successful operation.
That’s why I erased the Baekdu mountain incident from my head.
If Shadow hadn’t said that he had regained his senses, he probably wouldn’t have thought of it again in his entire life.
‘… … Could it have something to do with the strengthening of Helios’ Heavenly Demon beyond imagination?’
If I had to pick one thing that was the most questionable at the time, I would say that Helios’ heavenly horse was so powerful and powerful that it far exceeded my expectations.
At the time, it was simply ‘Shadow of amplification is amazing.’ I thought only about it.
When I questioned it and thought it over again, there were not just one or two strange things.
‘If you think about it carefully, it doesn’t make sense that Helios’s Heavenly Demon, which should have been around 6.5~7 at most, has power enough to surpass the 8th circle magic.’
It was powerful enough to put even Captain Charles in danger, so it easily surpassed the 8th circle.
The output was also enough to cover the whole area, so it can be said that the minimum was 8 circles.
‘No matter how much the shadow of amplification has excellent amplification power. Is it possible to strengthen magic to that extent?’
In my opinion, ‘Resonance’, a rare fraudulent magic, only transcended the 1st circle.
Not to mention, now that it’s Circle 6, the overall amount of mana and throughput have increased, so you can only get a power and output increase of about 0.5 circles.
In such a situation, the amplification shadow shows an amplification rate that exceeds about two circles?
The more I thought about it, the weirder it was.
‘Why didn’t I think of this?’
Starting with the ring of awakening, even if it wasn’t just one or two headaches.
It’s so strange that you take it for granted.
It is something to reflect on.
‘Then, what is the reason for the unusually high amplification?’
Perhaps the answer lies here.
I thought for a while.
‘The heavenly horse of Helios. Incantation magic is a subsystem created by removing parts of mythic magic.’
It’s been such a long time.
Suddenly, I succeeded in establishing a hypothesis.
‘And the shadow of Umbra is a legacy of mythology that becomes a medium for mythic magic.’
Both are derived from mythical magic.
‘As it all started from the same thing, it wouldn’t be strange to say that Helios’ Heavenly Demon absorbed part of Umbra’s shadow.’
The Heavenly Demon of Helios, absorbed by the shadow of amplification, absorbed the shadow of Umbra in that state.
‘Then that mighty power makes sense. It also makes sense that Shadow felt the pain.’
After absorbing Umbra’s shadow, the Heavenly Demon becomes stronger.
Shadow, who lost some of Umbra’s shadows, regained two of his five senses thanks to Umbra’s weakened shadows.
Could it be something like this?
‘I only have this.’
I’ve just come to that conclusion.
* * *
After that, I sent the top-secret documents contained in the USB to Director Charles in batches.
They headed straight for Mimir’s arms.
He then explained to Mimir the questionable words he had heard from Shadow today and the hypotheses he had organized accordingly.
“The Heavenly Demon of Helios absorbed the shadow of Umbra. No such case has been found yet… … It is not impossible.”
Mimir, who heard everything, touched his chin with an expression of interest.
“Just as all magic began with the bitenor, all mythological media eventually began with one. As long as the roots are the same, it wouldn’t be strange if he accidentally influenced and absorbed that power. In fact, there is a myth that the gods took power from each other and robbed it.”
Mimir’s expression changed to that of a scholar.
Should I say the eyes of a researcher shuddering with joy at an unexpected discovery?
Anyway, it was a very lively expression.
“Of course, even if the root is the same, it doesn’t make sense that the forces that have changed in different ways interact like that. There must have been some kind of relationship between ‘Ignis’ and ‘Umbra’.”
Mimir got excited and started jotting down various things in his notebook.
“This is a great discovery. Maybe we can find a connection between mythic magic that even Rey hasn’t discovered.”
Ray couldn’t find it either.
That sentence had a huge impact.
“If we can figure out this law, not only can we forge the shadow of Umbra with mythic magic, but it might be possible to fuse with Ignis and fuse mythic magic for the first time.”
Mimir’s excitement reached its peak. Her flushed face and the corners of her mouth rise as if tearing.
Even the two eyes shining with joy.
At first glance, it looks like madness.
Is this something to be so happy about?
“There are more homework to solve until the end. I will be very busy.”
Mimir licked his lips and checked the notes he had put together.
“Anyway, that’s not a bad thing, is it?”
“uh. Nothing bad. That shadow guy. Didn’t you say he lost his sense of pain and sight again? It’s like saying that it only took an instant to absorb Umbra’s shadow. He says there is no such thing as aftereffects. That means no harm.”
Mimir’s tone is higher than usual, and his speaking speed is about 1.1 times faster than usual.
How excited are you?
“Anyway, I’ll do my own research on this. Heirs are forgotten for now. It’s not that important to the heir right now.”
“I know. I intend to devote myself to weaving the ring of awakening.”
The doubts about Umbra’s shadow were roughly resolved.
Beyond that, it’s not my area to delve into.
All you have to do is leave it to Mimir.
‘Because whatever it is, it’s a good thing. I’ll just have to wait.’
The shadow of Umbra can be forged with mythic magic.
Being able to fuse mythic magic is an advantage to me.
All I have to do is concentrate on raising my level to the maximum so that I can safely use those magics someday.
“If this happens, I think the time to remove the shadow of Umbra from that guy named Shadow will be considerably faster?”
Mimir grinned and said a word.
“How fast is it?”
“I confirmed that there is some kind of relationship between Ignis and Umbra. Then the power required to remove it would be drastically reduced… … .”
Mimir paused for a moment to gather his thoughts.
“Assuming we borrow Miho’s power and weaken it a bit… … . Assuming you use Resonance, you might be able to get rid of it even if you reach the 6th circle.”
“… … Circle 6?”
“uh. maybe.”
Previously, it was said that at least 7 circles would be enough to completely remove Umbra’s shadow.
Do you think it will be possible in the 6th circle?
“So you’re saying we can speed up the transaction a bit more?”
The fact that the proposal presented to Shadow was cut in half and temporarily put on hold wasn’t just based on trust issues.
The real problem wasn’t trust, it was that there was no way to get rid of Umbra’s shadow.
As I just said, it is said that at least 7 circles can be safely removed, but how can you rush a deal?
That’s why I deliberately decided to delay the transaction by tying it to the name of trust.
However, if the shadow can be removed from the 6th circle, there is no need to delay the transaction.
It would be better to close the deal as soon as possible, retrieve the shadow of Umbra, and retrieve the information of the Black Mage Tower.
“no. It’s still too early to put it into action. Because I’m not sure yet.”
“I know that. Doesn’t that mean there’s a possibility?”
“huh. There are plenty of possibilities.”
“Do you think it will be roughly half and half?”
“hmm. I think it will be a little higher than 50%. It’s clear that Ignis can affect Umbra no matter what. Even if it’s impossible to remove it at Circle 6, you should be able to remove it when you become a Circle 6 Master. Or, there is a way to somehow find Ignis. If you borrow Miho’s strength, it should be possible.”
Find Ignis as quickly as possible. That would be a good way too.
“You mean that the transaction will definitely be faster than before, no matter what?”
“right.”
“I mean… … .”
I let out a sigh of relief.
“Why are you in such a hurry? There is no need to remove it quickly.”
“It was like that until last week. Things are a little different now.”
“why?”
“Shadow said he wouldn’t accept anything in return for his help on Mt. Baekdu this time.”
Shadow first asked me a question about Umbra’s shadow.
When I said I couldn’t answer, I replied:
‘I can’t help it if I don’t know.’
‘I don’t want anything else. I will not accept anything in return.’
‘I’d like you to accept this as simply showing my trust in you.’
And finally, leaving the seat, he said:
‘I hope that our deal will be concluded as soon as possible.’
In other words, Shadow demanded that the transaction be processed quickly in return for this incident.
Since you have shown this level of trust, you should also show your own trust.
I hope that you will speed up the transaction with that trust. That’s what I said.
“hmm. If he showed that much trust, he’d have a hard time putting off the deal.”
Mimir nodded as if he had grasped the whole situation with my words just now.
“right. If we force ourselves to procrastinate, the other party will distrust us. Then you might think of betrayal. That is a loss in many ways.”
“I roughly understand the situation. Then, I’ll put finding a means to remove Umbra’s shadow as number one, and investigate as soon as possible.”
“Please.”
Mimir smiled brightly with an expression telling him to leave it alone.
It was a very believable smile.
* * *
morning that day.
I was sitting alone in a corner of Mimir’s book, contemplating my inner self.
No, would it be more accurate to call it mana contemplation rather than inner contemplation?
‘I was so happy today!’
‘me too! Everyone is happy, so I was happy too!’
Mana whispers in my ear.
Mimir’s joy today seems to have been contagious with mana.
Everyone is delighted.
“I am happy too.”
Feeling that kind of mana, I answered honestly.
‘huh! I can feel it!’
‘If you’re happy, we’re happy too!’
‘exciting!’
The surrounding mana became more active.
Mana is like a kind of chameleon, and its nature changes depending on the moods and natures of people nearby.
Mimir before, and me now.
As much as they are genuinely happy, the mana around them is also swaying with joy.
‘Why are you happy?’
‘We’re just happy.’
‘What’s the reason for the fun?’
Mana’s voice came out even more clearly.
Before, it had only sounded like the whining of a child.
Now it sounds like a perfect sentence.
It’s as if Mana has grown and can talk to me.
“I am also happy for you. Thanks to all of you for being so happy, I came to an epiphany.”
That is a very big realization.
‘What is enlightenment?’
‘We don’t know difficult words!’
Mana chuckled.
“hmm. if you explain it easily. I got to know you better.”
‘About us?’
‘really? Happy!’
Mana changes depending on the environment.
And the changed mana structure also changes.
Mana that is happy and mana that is sad have completely different structures.
I just realized that
It was an epiphany obtained because all the surrounding mana was colored with joy, and he succeeded in understanding the structure itself 100%.
‘I never thought this would turn out like this.’
This is all thanks to Mimir.
Thanks to Mimir’s sincere smile after hearing about Umbra’s shadow, a great change occurred in the mana around Mimir’s Book.
Thanks to that dramatic change, I realized the secret of the structure of mana.
‘Krrrrrr!’
‘I want to know more about you too.’
‘Let’s play!’
A lot of mana floating around my ears like a fairy.
I listened to the voices of the mana and looked at the structure of the mana that was engulfed in joy.
‘Structural change according to the nature of each mana. I have to organize this law.’
Today, again, one step closer to the ring of awakening.
‘I don’t think it’s too far before I can take the elixir.’
The elixir that is now dormant in Aes, the tears of the heavens.
The day of ingesting the elixir and weaving the ring of awakening was not too far away.
