Chapter 60

“How are you still alive?”

It was as if the person was astonished to find a target still breathing after an assassination order.

A wizard… or a trap?

Something was off about both the space and the reaction. I immediately moved my hand towards my waist.

The firm feel of the sword hilt under my palm.

As I glared at the pale nape of neck amidst the shaggy gray hair, ready to strike with all my might, a voice interrupted.

“…I can see the distortion even without my glasses. Being alive must be an ordeal.”

The muttering comment froze my actions.

‘No intent to kill, no sign of impending attack. Doesn’t seem like a trap.’

Re-examining the woman’s face, she appeared rather harmless at first glance. If anything, she resembled a researcher who had been up for days trying to find clues.

The woman seemed to be moving closer to examine something.

Click.

Clatter…

“Ara, what’s this?”

Glancing down at the mess spilling from her foot, she furrowed her brow. Then suddenly began tidying up.

Swish, Swish

Was she organizing the room or just tossing things around to different spots?

Somehow, the pigsty-like dim workshop slowly began to take shape under her hasty cleaning.

“I’ll help you too!”

“Oho, really?”

Rani jumped in enthusiastically and started helping the woman tidy up the room.

“Hmm.”

With no particular clues, we were here purely because Rani had a gut feeling.

I was expecting to spend a few more days in the archive, yet here we encountered a wizard.

‘I should make some snacks.’

As Rani cheerfully finished up the tidying, I gave her an approving look and moved.

The imperial court’s only wizard who resides somewhere in Hweyue Palace.

Alberto mentioned her nickname was surely…

“The Sage of Ashes?”

At my cautious inquiry, the woman turned from rubbing her waist.

“Hmm… My, it’s been a while since I’ve heard that name.”

Straightening her throat, she replied more clearly.

Clearing her throat once more, she seemed to be cooling down from the cleaning and asked curiously.

“Then, who might you be? How did you find your way here?”

*

After tidying up, the dim workshop now had enough space for all three of us to sit.

The wise one glanced at us then stroked her delicate chin.

“In summary, you’re Iris’ husband and you found the entrance to this place thanks to this child, correct?”

Tilting her head to examine the fidgety Rani, the sage muttered.

“Oh my, so it’s already time for marriage, or perhaps a bit late. Time sure does fly.”

“…Is that all to your thoughts?”

“Yes. Well. The last time I saw you was during the coronation when you were hiding on the ceiling, wasn’t it? How many years have passed?”

Iris is 19 this year, two years younger than me.

That means it’s been 7 years since the coronation when she was 12.

“7 years.”

“Wow. 7 years, is it?”

My sense of time is getting distorted. I need to see some sunlight soon.

Muttering to herself, the sage suddenly stood up and walked towards a corner of the workshop. There sat a rather crude but oddly familiar-looking box.

‘A refrigerator?’

The small handle attached to the two-part box. As the box opened, a chill spread slowly through the workshop.

The sage pulled open one handle, rummaged around inside, and returned holding a small oak cup.

Clunk.

“It’s not beer, but a refreshing drink made from blended apples mixed with honey.”

She set the cup down on the table and took a hearty swig.

The sweet smell of apples spread as the golden transparent liquid disappeared into her small mouth.

Tilting her head back, she finished the drink and set the empty cup down, prompting Rani to drink hers enthusiastically.

“It’s incredibly refreshing and sweet!”

Watching Rani cheerfully gulp it down, I hesitated.

‘Taste.’

The apple mixed with honey and something else was very sweet and cold.

The overwhelming sweetness almost numbed my tongue as I set the cup down without finishing it. The sage shivered slightly and spoke.

“Alright, introductions were late after the greeting. I am Nia Ashheart. Though it’s embarrassing, I am called the Sage. Please feel free to call me Nia.”

With an unexpected self-introduction, Nia politely bowed.

Lifting her robe revealed a plain and simple outfit typical of a rural maiden. Her knee-length skirt caught, she performed a noblewoman’s curtsey which I reciprocated standing up.

“As I’ve already mentioned, I carry the royal decree of Her Majesty the Empress. I am Cain MacBilian. You may address me familiarly, Sage.”

“Yes, Cain. And Sage feels too formal, please call me Nia.”

“Then simply Nia…”

“Nia is fine.”

Accepting Nia’s firm stance with a nod.

Though I have fewer people to show respect to since ascending to dukedom, the sage is certainly worthy of honor.

According to records, Nia is well over 300 years old. A woman who has lived through at least three centuries and is herself a mystery embodying half the empire’s history.

Seeing how my Confucian instincts reacted so strongly confirms it.

She looks like a woman in her early 20s, but inside is someone over 300 years old…

“Cain.”

“Yes?”

“Are you having any impertinent thoughts?”

“Not at all. I merely thought you were even more beautiful than I imagined.”

How did she know? Is it because she’s a wizard?

Swiftly turning my reaction into a compliment. Nia gave me a deadpan look but nodded and stood up to move elsewhere.

Pfft.

The dim workshop brightened.

Small flames had lit the lamps on the walls, making the previously cluttered workshop more visible.

Various miscellaneous items carelessly thrown in the corners. Flasks containing bubbling liquids.

There were also strange objects resembling something between medieval and modern times.

Examining the numerous symbols and writings on the walls and boards, Nia returned to her seat.

As the room brightened, Nia’s clean skin and sunken eyes became clearer.

Relaxing with a soft crack, Nia spoke again.

“I suppose you’ve lost all sleepiness. You’ve found my workshop, and I am initially known as the Sage.”

Resting her hands on her hips, Nia smirked with a forbidding glint in her eyes.

“Any questions? Ask anything.”

With that declaration, I began.

First things first, though my main goal is different.

“Nia, are you truly a wizard?”

“Wizard, am I.”

After a brief moment of thought, she nodded.

“Indeed, that’s generally what I’m called in the world. Not incorrect, but to be more precise, we’re more akin to scholars who explore mysteries. Those born with an innate quality through good fortune, who recognize and study the existence of mana in the three tiers.”

“Three tiers…?”

“Hmm. Though not necessarily crucial details.”

Nia explained about the three tiers while stroking her chin.

According to her explanation, this world is a multi-dimensional space composed of three distinct dimensions merged together.

Wizards, including herself, distinguish these overlapping dimensions as the First Tier, Second Tier, and Third Tier.

The First Tier is this very world we live in.

The Second Tier is the dimension where ghostly spiritual beings wander.

The Third Tier is composed of mana that is normally unperceivable.

Wizards, she explained, are scholars who study these three tiers.

“Generally speaking, the higher you ascend in tiers, the more powerful you become. This is also why those known as mana manifesters can exhibit superhuman powers. They harness the upper-tier power and project it onto the lower tiers.”

“Ah, I see.”

Suddenly, never-before-heard explanations emerged in the story.

What kind of person is this?

As we approach the final episodes, it feels like an NPC placed to reveal the world’s secrets.

Anyway, I just asked to confirm if she’s truly a wizard but it developed into this. The real matter is finding a solution to my body’s condition of absorbing mana and becoming increasingly abnormal.

“Any more questions?”

With her relaxed expression, I revealed my purpose.

“In fact, I’ve come here seeking treatment for my condition.”

“I’m not a healer…”

“No, it’s beyond the scope of healers.”

At the word “treatment,” Nia tilted her head inquisitively as I gave a brief explanation of my state.

The disparity between soul and body taught to me by my master.

The resulting superhuman strength. And the fact that handling anything infused with mana causes me to absorb it, making me stronger.

Nia listened intently with a serious expression then uttered a thoughtful hum.

“So my initial observation wasn’t mistaken. This is the first time in my life I’ve seen this… The phenomenon that occurs when a modern-day soul reincarnates as is.”

This phenomenon isn’t just rare, it’s likely that I’m the first and last case.

Given that Nia has lived for three centuries, this situation would certainly be unprecedented for her.

‘Even a wizard is unable to help?’

Keeping a calm gaze on Nia, she seemed to be contemplating then moved to the bookshelf filled with many books.

“Give me a moment. I’ll look up some references.”

Soon after.

Nia returned holding a thick book and modern-style glasses, removing her robe.

While Rani neatly folded the casually discarded robe, Nia tied back her abundant silver hair resembling a porcupine and put on her glasses.

In that state, she opened the book and began muttering as she alternately examined my body and the pages.

“Originally, it was harmonized… The cracks visible in the flesh are from the forceful merging of the soul and its recovery process… Hmm. The pattern engraved on the soul seems to be the influence of mana…”

Given the overly large soul, it appears to be a phenomenon caused by absorbing mana.

Finishing her explanation, Nia tossed the book she was reading aside.

Then fetched another from the bookshelf, read it, and proceeded to wildly flip through a stack of papers on another desk.

She glared at the complex symbols inscribed on the wall with sunken eyes then examined my body again.

The frenzied Nia finally nodded.

“This isn’t a disease concept. It needs to be approached assuming it’s a natural phenomenon.”

“So, artificial solutions are impossible?”

“Instantaneous solutions are almost impossible, but methods to alleviate or assist the symptoms may be possible.”

Suddenly standing up, Nia opened what seemed to be a storage room door and returned with red petals and teacups.

She skillfully brewed tea from the Rubyellasiss flower, spreading a lime scent through the workshop, then confidently offered me the teacup.

“This tea is brewed from Rubyellasiss flowers. It has an effect of stabilizing surging mana. It’s not poison, so drink it.”

The aroma rising from the teacup had a sweet scent mingled within.

‘Rubyellasiss.’

The flower’s petals resemble red gems according to legend.

It’s a rather obscure flower in the Western Continent, mainly found in desert areas like Sylvester.

Despite being brewed from red leaves, the liquid in the teacup was dark.

“…”

Though it felt a bit creepy, I took a sip with my eyes closed at Nia’s silent urging.

Gulping.

The warm tea wrapped around my tongue and slid down my throat.

An extremely fresh aroma spread.

“Ugh…!”

“Eh? What’s wrong? Does it taste bad? …Oh, have I mistakenly given you poison? I did notice the color was a bit strange.”

Shaking my head at the flustered Nia who made alarming comments.

“Too sweet…”

“…”

Nia’s sunken eyes were filled with incredulousness. Ignoring her expression, I finished the lukewarm tea in one gulp.

There’s nothing she can do about it.

Though excessive sweetness is an issue, the taste was truly beyond imagination.

The taste of Rubyellasiss tea was terrible.

It tasted like warm flat cola.

Just having it touch my tongue and slide down my throat made me feel like my body was twisting.

“Perhaps it would’ve been better if it was cold.”

Click.

Having finished it in one breath, I placed the teacup down and calmed my stomach using the breathing techniques taught by my master.

As soon as I did, the change occurred instantly.

‘This…’

Maintaining the breathing, I turned my gaze to Nia who was watching me with her chin resting on her hands.

Setting aside the taste,

The effect was undeniable.

The overwhelming surge inside rapidly subsided, surprisingly quickly.