11 11 It's just a bad dream
Blacksmithing is a fascinating craft. Making armor requires both blacksmithing skills and an understanding of armor design. Ever since Grandma Melinda showed me the effects of enchantment magic, apart from making myself a cool lightsaber, I've been dreaming about having my own suit of disgustingly OP armor.
First things first. Before I can start enchanting, I need to get armor. But not just any armor. It has to be the sickest looking one. The only problem is that Uncle Tom never brought back armor during his occasional visit. When I did explicitly ask for cool looking ones, I found their appearance quite lacking.
—This is the best they have?
—Yes, young Thomas. They look wonderful, do they not?
—About that...
Lame. Absolutely lame. It didn't even cover the entire body, and it was made with leather instead of metal.
I get it. When you have enchantment magic any piece of equipment can become godly in the right hands. But can you even call it armor at all? Not in my life.
I was far too cultured for this world that was set in the Middle Ages to wear such bland armor lacking in style and functionality. That led me to the conclusion that I must take matters into my own hands.
However, despite my ability to create metals of any kind, I didn't have the knowledge to make a wearable suit of armor. My attempt at doing so created a blocky Minecraft chestplate. I tried to wear it but failed to fit my arms through the rigid sleeves.
None of the people around me knew how to make armor. I had no teacher, nor did I want to go through the effort of finding a suitable one.
As the years passed, I'd forgotten about the matter entirely. A simple magic barrier was all it took to achieve the same effect anyway, and that's only if a potential enemy managed to hit me. Armor might as well have been dead weight.
Then one day, my family and I went to the capital, and I had the opportunity to see what society was like.
The sound of hammering reached my ears. Curious, I looked back fleetingly. I saw a blacksmith whacking his wares into shape. It was meant to be a passing glance and nothing else. And yet!
What's this?
Knowledge from who knows where entered my mind.
No way.
But not just any flimsy knowledge. My hands itched to make something, as if possessed. Somehow, I had no doubt that even with my eyes closed, I can make everything that blacksmith could and more.
This wasn't the first time this happened. The last time it did was years ago, when Uncle Michel first began training Shin and I in multiple combat styles. The face he made when I expertly chopped up a training dummy remains fresh in mind.
In fact, I remember making the same face after putting my blacksmithing knowledge to use and successfully replicating Uncle Michel's sword. Mine was without the enchantments that made it a national grade item yet a quick comparison showed that the swords were equal in quality. The fact that I managed to copy the original magical sword by only hammering metal and so on was a big how the fuck moment.
Learning blacksmithing in an instant...
I remember grinning like mad. The future looked so exciting. The things I could've made would have given my grandparents and perfectly healthy brother heart attacks.
It seemed like life would continue to be kind.
I was wrong.
...
...
...
...
...
...
I woke up with a start.
"Yet another nightmare." My head hurt like hell, and massaging it didn't do much to ease the throbbing pain.
This was not the first nightmare to haunt me. I can't remember how many there have been. Nightmares, like dreams, were hard to remember. The memory slips away with every moment I spend awake, until a terrible feeling is all that remains.
The sky outside was dark and so were my surroundings. I teared off the damp sheets clinging to my skin before exiting my bedroom. A layer of magic helped my eyes see in the dark, allowing me to reach the bathroom with little difficulty.
Magic power summoned fresh water to rinse the sweat off my face. The warmth I imbued it with helped me stay sleepy. After taking off my clothes, I did the same for the rest of my body.
Breakfast naturally came next. It was already prepared, a simple dish considering of bread and scrambled eggs.
Tasteless. Well, it doesn't matter.
The meal helped with my headache. That is enough for me.
With heavy steps, I walked back to my bedroom and buried myself under the sheets. By then, a bit of blue returned to the sky. The sun would rise eventually.
I closed my eyes and waited. And waited. And waited.
But just as always, despite my never-ending drowsiness, I couldn't sleep at all.
******
A young man carrying a sack could be seen strolling down an empty road in a small town far, far away. The sun had yet to rise; his surroundings were still somewhat dark, but even without a lamp, the young man hopped over potholes and sidestepped large stones like a nimble cat.
Soon, the road led to a path through the nearby woods. It snaked deep into the forest until the town was nowhere in sight when the young man looked back.
By the time he reached his destination, a humongous tree that towered over everything else, morning had come.
A ladder hanged from the side. The young man climbed it, reaching a door. Before he could knock, a voice spoke from within the tree.
"Come in, Kurt."
Kurt pushed the door open.
Inside was another young man. He laid on a couch like one would on a bed with his feet dangling off the edge.
"Thanks as always." The tiredness in the young man's voice couldn't be hidden. Looking closely, Kurt saw that the dark circles under the young man's eyes have only worsened.
"It is the least I can do."
"..."
The young man closed his eyes.
Seeing this, Kurt dropped his sack filled with food. He then employed his magic to begin his self-imposed duties.
A wave of his hand summoned a breeze, blowing dust and dirt out the treehouse. A damp rag floated about, wiping all surfaces clean, while a mop did the same to the floor.
Once the treehouse looked as good as new, Kurt went to the kitchen, bringing along his sack. One by one he pulled out ingredient after ingredient, storing perishables in a cold box called a 'refrigerator' and the rest in empty cabinets.
Kurt didn't store everything, however. He planned to cook up a simple dish.
Scrambled eggs with toasted bread, but this time I'll add cheese. That ought to make it better. Great idea, me!
A few minutes later, two servings were ready to eat.
"Food is ready."
"...Thanks."
The young man sluggishly got off the couch. Kurt gave him his portion before settling down opposite to him.
The young man's brows rose. "You're eating with me?" Kurt usually left after cleaning and cooking for the young man. It's not surprising that the latter was surprised. "Well, what's going on?"
"I've recently heard of some interesting news. I thought that you might be interested," said Kurt.
Indeed, the young man did become interested.
"Go on."
"The students of the Advanced Magic Academy are set to graduate in ten days."
"Oh... has it been that long?"
"Yes."
Kurt vividly remembered the first time he encountered the young man before him ten months ago. Thinking back to his shameful, irrational behavior made his face turn a little red. He acted like one of the Empire's nobles. This was a memory that he can never hope to forget.
After apologizing to Sizilien, his parents, his servants, and everyone he had hurt, Kurt traveled far from the royal capital. It was his way of repenting for his years of wrongdoings.
He hopped from town to town, city to city, until he found himself beyond the kingdom's borders and into the Holy Nation of Ys. There, Kurt stumbled into a small town surrounded by nothing but dense forests and hills and decided to stay. The locals greeted him warmly, and with his relatively powerful magic, he quickly became a household name.
Wild beasts were not his match. Low-level demons proved more difficult, but they were manageable. Kurt thus became a protector of some sort, joining the ranks of the town's Watchmen.
A month peacefully passed. Peaceful days, however, were not meant to be.
Suddenly, an intense wave of malicious magic tickled his skin. The forest gave birth to a powerful demon, one that terrified Kurt to the core.
"Red Grizzly! It's a demonized Red Grizzly! Evacuate now!"
Kurt felt the demon rapidly approach. The Red Grizzly bulldozed through trees at a frightening degree. It was taking the straightest path to the village nearby.
Then he saw it. The towering demon only heard of in stories stared him straight in the eye. As a noble who had lived most of his life in the royal capital, this was perhaps the only time Kurt had ever gazed at death. His mind, filled with fear, couldn't muster any of the magic power in his body.
I'm doomed.
The demon charged at the young magician. Despite seeing the incoming strike, his legs remained rooted to the ground.
Death was certain. Kurt turned away.
"..."
But the demon suddenly stopped in its tracks. No, somebody stopped it from taking another step closer.
And they did it by splitting the demonized beast from head to toe.
"Kurt... we meet again."
When Kurt looked up, he saw a familiar face.
"You..."
"It looks like you owe me another one. I'm surprised to see you here, kid."
Thomas Wolford saved him for the second time.
Since then, Kurt became something akin to what Alfred was to Bruce Wayne, though not completely. Thomas wasn't a big fan of Kurt's insistence on the matter. At first. In the end, the idea of not doing most of the chores reigned supreme.
Since then, Kurt would visit the treehouse every week. Anything more frequent made Thomas uncomfortable.
"Shin is going to graduate soon... so will Sizilien... and Maria... and Aug... and the other kids... good for them."
"Do you plan on attending the ceremony?"
"..."
No answer. Kurt expected it, but a sigh escaped him still.
To this day, he never understood why Thomas was holed up in a treehouse in the middle of nowhere. As far as Kurt knew, Thomas was always inside his room, only ever leaving to eat or wash himself. He couldn't have spent all that time cooped up sleeping since the dark circles under his eyes said otherwise.
"Why are you here, Thomas?"
Kurt saw a chance to shed light on a mystery always left unanswered, one that he didn't let pass.
"You do not belong here. Why are you away from your family—from everyone you know?"
"..."
Only the sound of chewing left Thomas's mouth. Even when he gulped his food down, he'd simply take another bite and start chewing once again.
Still keeping quiet. You still won't tell me the reason why?
*Rattle*
Hmm?
Kurt looked down. His silver necklace, a gift from the young man before him, had moved on its own. The accessory depicting a tree defied gravity by pointing in a certain direction. Whatever it was pointing towards, it was outside.
Standing up, Kurt said, "I'll be back. I hope to hear your answer on my visit next week. To miss an important event like that would be a shame." He was pressed for time. Those words were all he could say to Thomas before leaving.
Kurt jumped out of the treehouse and used wind magic to soften the impact, running in the direction the necklace pointed towards with great haste. Any thoughts about getting lost in the forest failed to come to mind. The past year he'd spent hunting all sorts of beasts in the forest depths wasn't for show.
The reason why Kurt suddenly ran off was simple. The silver necklace wasn't just any ordinary necklace. No, it had two magical functions.
The first being a Demon Detector. Demons found within its range spanning multiple kilometers causes the necklace to point towards them with pinpoint accuracy.
Kurt threw his hand forward. As he controlled his magic power, the necklace began to glow.
Fire Lance!
Orange flames shot through the air, hurtling towards the newly demonized Wild Boar. As the Fire Lance approached the demon, its orange color shifted to an arcane blue.
The Fire Lance pierced through the Wild Boar's tough hide. Blue flames quickly covered its entire body, and just as quickly, the demon turned into ash on the forest floor.
The second function of the necklace: Magic Boost. Any spells released by the wearer multiplies in power. With the silver necklace, Kurt can easily defeat Demonized Red Grizzlies.
Such a precious magic tool was given to him for free.
I don't think I'll ever get even with him.
With the boar demon defeated, Kurt began making his way back to town.
****
As promised, Kurt returned to the cabin a week later. He arrived at noon; the part of the day when Thomas was most definitely awake.
"Come in."
Once again, he was laying on the couch. He looked as sleepless as ever.
"Don't bother cleaning."
Thomas sat up. Afterwards, he used magic to drag a chair in front of him.
"Let's... talk. Have a seat. Hear me out."
Kurt did as he was asked. Frankly, this was quite unexpected.
The two young men stared at each other, one with curiosity, the other, fatigue. With a deep breath and a heavy voice, Thomas broke the silence.
"I killed people."
"I know."
"I—Huh?" Thomas choked on his words. "Wh-what do you..."
"Yeah, I'm aware."
"How...?"
Kurt began to explain.
Guru Melinda and Shin created a magic tool which allowed for communication between far away places, something akin to a telephone powered by magic stones.
These magical telephones were sent to every town, city, village—wherever human society may be present, and therefore places where kidnappings may happen. This little town near the outer borders of the Holy Nation of Ys was no exception.
Any information about the hidden organization was freely shared through the magic tools. Kurt, being a central figure and someone with magic knowledge, was well-informed.
Six months ago, the town received a message.
—A suspect? Who?
—Thomas Wolford, the Wise Man's grandchild.
—Th-Thomas Wolford?! Why him?
—Strap in. It's a long story.
Hearing this, Thomas scratched his head.
"I see... I should get out more. Shin has been working hard, huh."
"Still, I am surprised that you admitted to murdering people. You were only suspected for the kidnappings."
"Now you know." His words hung heavily in the air. The magic power in the surroundings trembled, and the entire treehouse shook. "I killed them all."
Thomas could still remember them. Their faces. All their faces. From one filled with a hateful expression to a lifeless blank.
"I never thought I'd become a murderer."
The creaking of wood turned into shrill cracks that ran along the floor, walls, and roof. Bits of the roof had already fallen off. Tiny fragments for now, but it wouldn't take long until the entire thing dropped on their heads.
"Ack!"
Under pressure, one of the legs on Kurt's chair snapped in half.
Seeing this, Thomas reined in his power. "Sorry! Are you alright?!" Healing light was already leaving his palm.
"Y-yeah. I'm fine." Fortunately, the tremors weren't too powerful. Despite falling off his seat, Kurt was unharmed. Thomas remained troubled.
After taking a minute for home repairs...
"You knew all this time yet you still visited me. Why?"
"To be honest, I did panic at first after hearing the news. But then I remembered our past conversation about Professor Schtrom making potential Devils. There was a good reason for you to act like that if Devils were involved." Kurt scratched his cheek. "Besides, you never struck me as a villain. You saved me. You didn't have to, but you saved me. I will always be grateful to you for that."
Thomas was taken aback by Kurt's warm words. It wasn't the first time he was hearing them, but it felt different somehow.
It felt nice.
But he couldn't let himself forget what he did.
Thomas sighed. "Yeah... but I can't help thinking that maybe I was rushing through things. Early morning until late at night, all sorts of what ifs and whatnot keep me awake. And when I do manage to sleep... fucking hell, all of this is driving me crazy."
A self-deprecating smile hung on his lips.
"Fuck, and I thought I was the mature one out of Shin and me. What a joke."
"..."
There was an uncomfortable silence.
Kurt didn't have the slightest idea what the best thing to say was. This situation was beyond the youngster. He hasn't had enough time in the world to deal with something of this caliber.
So, he thought of the next best thing.
"Thomas... I am no expert in this sort of thing, but I feel like instead of hiding away from everyone you know and keeping everything to yourself..."
Kurt gulped. The way that Thomas looked at him was intense, so to speak. But Kurt couldn't stop here. He didn't like seeing his savior in this state.
"...maybe you should see a therapist?"
"..." Thomas made a strange face. "...no."
"Ah! How about going back home to your family? You haven't seen them in a while. They can help. Both the Wise Man and the Guru are, well, wise. They've killed a Devil in the past too, haven't they?"
This time, an answer didn't immediately return. Heavy thoughts clouded Thomas's mind.
Do I still have the right to consider them family?
...
Can someone like me still deserve to call them family?
...
What would they think of what I've become?
...
Would they hate me?
...
If they learned the truth...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Fulfilling. Not entirely, but definitely fulfilling. That was the word Shin Wolford would say if he was asked about his experience in school.
This year, I learned a lot about the world.
Shin didn't say that out loud. It would've been insulting in a way. The Advanced Magic Academy mainly taught magic, and to say that you learned more about common sense than anything remotely magical...
"Shin!"
"Hey there, Sizilien. Maria as well."
"Yo."
Sizilien arrived at school with Maria in tow. It's been a few months since Shin stopped his bodyguard work. There was no more need when Kurt the stalker had apologized profusely before dropping out of school. Later, Shin learned that said stalker had left the capital. As for where he went, no one knows.
Despite that, it did take a few more months for Sizilien to feel comfortable going to school without Shin. It's not like Shin completely stopped walking to school with her, nor did he not want to always be by her side, but allowing Sizilien to build her confidence would do her some good. Total dependency on Shin wouldn't be healthy for both individuals.
I wouldn't mind always being with her though. I can't believe it's been nearly a year since I entered the academy.
...it's been nearly a year.
"You don't look that nervous, mister Exemplary Student of the Year. I'm looking forward to another of your odd speeches~"
"Someone sounds jealous~"
"Tsk. That's a low blow. If you weren't in the same year as me, I would have been the one up on the podium!"
Maria made an "it is what it is" expression. There was no beating the Wise Man's grandchild after all, even in their bickering.
Soon, the entirety of Class S would arrive, all of which wearing clothes more formal than the usual school uniform. Instead of the usual 10 people, there were 25 students in the room. This was because of the alliance between nations that was established nearly a year ago. Foreign students entered all the classes and began taking lessons, while foreign teachers also began teaching specialized knowledge exotic to each nation.
The homeroom teacher arrived last.
"Today's the end of the school year ceremony. By the time you guys come back, you'll be Second Years. Make sure to review the material you learned from the Ultimate Magic Research Society. I'm not gonna lie, what you've learned there is better than what the academy can teach you."
""Yes, sir!""
"Alright, off you go then."
Class S collectively stood up from their desks and made their way to the academy hall.
"Have you memorized everything?"
"Of course. It's not that hard."
"Isn't this one three times longer than your entrance ceremony speech?"
"Yeah, no thanks to you. I ask for your help writing this up, and instead you make it longer?!"
"That's just how it is when you're the top performer. It sure feels nice to be the one relaxing on the sidelines doing nothing..."
Aug was clearly happy about not having to do any of the tiresome ceremonial activities. Quite an unbecoming attitude for a prince, but Shin understood. After all, if he were given the choice, he'd choose to skip the whole ceremony altogether, much less a speech.
"You definitely made my speech longer on purpose."
"It's for your own good. Definitely for your own good, and not as some kind of revenge scheme for getting the top marks."
"Aug, dude. You're smiling too widely to convince me otherwise."
Class S soon came across students from other classes chattering just outside the hall, waiting for their turn to enter. Inside the hall, Shin heard the excited murmurs of parents and guardians. Search Magic revealed his grandparents sitting on one of the seats at a private seating at the back. Their magic power made them easy to distinguish from most people.
The doors to the hall opened, signalling the start of the ceremony. The parents and guardians all stood up as classical music took over the noisy chattering.
"Go time. Happy faces, everyone! Look really happy!" said Aug, who by the way, still had a shit-eating grin/definitely-not-evil-smile on his face.
The procession began with Class S leading the other classes. Shin recognized the parents of some of his classmates. It was made more obvious since those same parents were either waving profusely or crying tears of joy.
We aren't graduating from school yet... just from being a first year... it's too early for that...
Shin couldn't see his family. They were seated beside royalty, meaning they were waaaaay at the back, sitting on an elevated viewing platform. He'd have to tilt his head at an awkward angle at the cost of looking like a weirdo to everyone present. He can picture his grandparents crying though, and that was enough for him.
After taking their seats, the headmaster appeared on the podium and welcomed both the students and their guardians to another successful year or learning. Everyone listened to the welcome speech with bated breaths. At least, most did.
Shin felt a tug on his sleeve.
"Are you okay, Shin? I can't help but feel that you're distracted. What's on your mind?"
"Sizilien."
He was met with his girlfriend's worried face.
Shin held her hand. It was soft, supple, and small. He caressed it so gently—his fingers traced circles and invisible lines on her palm—as someone would to a treasure beyond measure.
"It's nothing serious," he assured her with a smile, "I'm a bit nervous since I'll have to do another speech, and a longer one at that."
Hearing that, Sizilien's concern softened into a warm smile.
"You will do amazing, Shin. You always do. Your speech last year was great, and that was without weeks of preparation and Prince Aug's help. I believe in you."
"Offu~ I mean, thanks... it means a lot."
(Sizilien looks like Teruhashi lol.)
"Announcing the esteemed Shin Wolford, our most exceptional student this year!"
The announcement echoed through the grand hall. The mention of his name was enough to garner thunderous applause from the audience. It was time for the main character to set foot on the podium once more.
Shin took in the view. Friends, family, and allies were all present. Facing the crowd, he finally saw his grandparents with his royal uncle hollering like mad.
...Who is that?
And in a corner of the gigantic auditorium, Shin saw a hooded man, waiting quietly, clapping along with the people around him. For some reason, Shin couldn't take away his gaze from this man. There was something inexplicably odd about him.
Then, he realized it.
All living beings possess mana. Why can't I sense anything from him?
An empty browser history reveals more than a full one. The hooded man was undoubtedly someone with great magical prowess, great enough to hide his mana signature. Shin knew one person who not only surpassed him in magic, but also, taken him and his grandparents by surprise by hiding his mana while standing in a corner to silently eat a chicken wrap.
"Ladies, gentlemen, esteemed faculty, honored guests, and fellow students of the academy..."
Now more than ever, Shin couldn't wait to get his speech over with.
******
I'm nervous. I have not been here in so long. My family was here too, among the nobility.
As expected, Shin was the top scorer again. He gave his speech, longer than the last one, before retreating to his seat. For most of the speech, he was staring in my direction. I have been found, it seems.
Awards were then given out. Students went up the stage, shook the headmaster's hand, grabbed their little certificate, then came back down. Special awards such as second place holders in specific subjects were met with a large applause. Why second place? Shin took all of the first place spots after all. No surprise in that.
The ceremony started around noon and lasted more than an hour. What awaited everyone after was a banquet to celebrate the end of the school year and to welcome the coming of the next.
A brief window of time appeared as people left the auditorium. I slipped away from the crowd and headed to a secluded section of the auditorium. Then, I waited.
"Brother?"
I looked over my shoulder. Shin had silently appeared behind me before I realized it. He's gotten stronger in the time we haven't seen each other.
"Thomas...?"
"Is that you?"
He wasn't alone. By his side stood the two most famous heroes in the world, and behind them, the King of Earlshide with his royal retainers.
More people than I expected, but it should be fine.
From my cloak pocket, I retrieved the first item I needed to give: An ordinary letter. I threw it towards them, allowing my magic power to guide it to Shin's open hand.
"What is this?"
"A message."
Shin furrowed his brows.
"Who are you? You're not Thomas."
"Have you forgotten me already, Wolford?"
It must have been the enchantments on my cloak doing a job too well. When I took off the hood, Shin immediately tensed.
"Kurt!"
"Shin, do you know this young man? Who is he?"
"I am not here to fight. I am but a simple messenger." I raised both my arms to signal my harmlessness.
There was no doubt in my mind that out of everyone in this room, the only one I can overpower is His Majesty Diseum von Earlshide. With my silver necklace, I can avoid being instantly defeated, but my inevitable and quick defeat would come still.
Cautious, Shin scanned the letter with magic before taking the contents out. He and the others with him read through it, making a variety of faces as they progressed.
I had a faint idea of what Thomas wrote on it, but nothing concrete.
After reading through the letter, the Guru, Mistress Melinda Bowen, glared at me with hate in her eyes. "I don't believe it."
"Grandma..."
"I don't believe any of this. Don't waste our time with things we already guessed. And that last part... I refuse to believe that he could say such a thing without directly telling us himself."
Thomas must have seen this coming. I immediately pulled out the second item he entrusted to me: a silver necklace, similar to my own, but with noticeably greater artistry. Thomas made it clear to me that this necklace and my one were different to an astonishing degree. Hearing him explain its enchantments made me dizzy with how much it defied common sense.
With the mythical necklace dangling from my fingers, I spoke.
"I have evidence, Mistress Melinda. He said that you would recognize his work with but a glance."
My necklace had a tree as its centerpiece; the one I was holding depicted a dragon.
—It's an advanced happy birthday gift. We're gonna be 16 pretty soon. Give this to Shin no matter what.
—O-okay!
Two horns protruded from its head. Its neck, just like its tail, was long and curved. The dragon's wings together created a shape resembling a diamond, and at the upper tips, they joined to form a circular halo above the dragon's head.
The Guru didn't see any of that. She was entirely focused on the enchantments, scanning over them again and again. At one point, she snatched the necklace off my fingers to get a better look.
Until she finally had enough.
"I can't read them."
"But..."
"Just like all his other creations, I can't read the characters of this familiar language."
Contrary to my expectations, Mistress Melinda seemed convinced now. And if I'm not seeing things, she was even tearing up.
"His so-called 'Dovahzul'... it's good to see it again." She sounded so incredibly relieved. "Fine, I'll believe that this was written by my grandson."
Then suddenly, Mistress Melinda's tone became noticeably furious.
"But this decision of his to go through therapy in another continent is completely ridiculous! He's not even gonna come back here and apologize for worrying us?!?! I'll strangle him when he comes back!"
A series of profanities proceeded to fill the room. I never would have thought that the Guru was so... well-versed in that subject.
"Actually, you know what? I'll strangle that little shit now! Diseum, start preparations to fly to another continent today—no, right this very instant!"
"Mistress, what you're requesting is simply impossible! We don't even know where this other continent is!"
"Then I'll make a magic tool to solve that issue! Shin, you'll be helping me, got that?!"
"A-a-a-ah, y-yeah. W-why not?"
Once she calmed down, she glared at me once more. "Did he tell you what the enchantments are?"
"A-About that..."
I used magic to whisper in her ear.
"..."
The Guru turned silent. Yes, I was speechless too when I first heard it. I'm sure anyone would need some time to process this information.
Of course, Mistress Melinda wasn't just anyone. Maybe this wasn't the first time that she had to deal with Thomas defying common sense.
Because in the next moment, she exploded.
"THAAAAAAT IIIIIDIIIIIOOOOOT MAAAAADEEEEEE WHAAAAAAT????!!!!????!!!!!????!!!!!"
"Melinda?!" "Grandma?!" "Mistress?!"
"SHIN! WEAR THIS RIGHT NOW! RIGHT NOOOOW!!!!"
"O-Okay!" Despite not knowing the reason behind his grandma's sudden outburst, Shin wore the dragon necklace at her instruction.
The moment the necklace clasped around Shin's neck, the air around him crackled with magical energy. His body began producing a crazy amount of mana each second that the excess was spilling out.
"Mana Regen?! And it's so strong!" Shin took off the necklace before the concentration of magic power got too high and ended up destroying the auditorium. I could've died there...
After regaining my composure, I said, "That's the first of many. It'll take some time to explain everything so please listen carefully..."
"THERE'S MOOOOOREEEEE???!!!!???!!!!"
