Chapter 13:  Another supreme has appeared?

Generally, the mana of someone who has reached the supreme rank is already at the human limit.  

Even absorbing a mystical mana stone like this wouldn’t increase their mana further.  

To make that possible, one would need to be something beyond human.  

The Tower Master Talos wouldn’t be ignorant of such basic knowledge. 

But with the whereabouts of the other mana stones unknown, the only thing I can think of is…  

Rita surmised that Talos likely hoarded the remaining mana stones, even though they were useless to him.  

She recalled how he adamantly refused to let her accompany him in purifying the corrupted mana.  

Talos claimed he didn’t want his disciples in danger, purifying alone until the end, despite the black field posing no harm to people.  

He didn’t want me or anyone else to become supreme, did he? As for the lower-ranking mages, he probably… eliminated them to cover his tracks.  

It was an absurd but plausible theory.  

Rita let out a hollow laugh.  

The great Archmage Talos didn’t want Rita or Alois to reach his level.  

Even in that desperate, hopeless situation, he selfishly monopolized opportunities that could’ve gone to others, even killing his ignorant disciples to do so.  

“Bastard.”  

With a resolute face, Rita gripped the mana stone tightly. 

As her mana clashed with it, the stone shattered into dust instantly.  

The scattering particles split into strands, wrapping around her body like chains.  

Rita trembled at the immense mana coursing through her, piercing her skin.  

The unknown mana was intense, hotter than nature’s mana.  

Her body, dominated by this new power, soon reached its limit.  

The mana filling her had nowhere to settle, swirling and convulsing. 

Rita collapsed, writhing in agony as her insides burned.  

Soon, the mana surged through her heart and into her head, spinning wildly. 

Simultaneously, excruciating headaches and chest pain overwhelmed her.  

Blood trickled from her nose and mouth as she screamed.  

“Ugh…!”  

Her face paled again from the stabbing pain.  

Her body had already embraced its mana limit.  

The excess mana, unable to escape, churned within her.  

This is dangerous. 

If the unabsorbed mana bursts, I’ll die…!  

Quickly assessing, Rita grabbed her staff and fired mana into the empty air.  

As large amounts of mana drained, the swirling mana filled the void.  

She released mana relentlessly until her body stabilized.  

Gradually, the golden chains around her faded, and the piercing pain subsided.  

Finally able to breathe, Rita looked up.  

Her long eyelashes framed eyes now glowing golden, shimmering brilliantly.  

“My mana…?”  

When facing Mamon, her mana had nearly run dry, but now it surged to the brim.  

Her body felt refreshed, as if nothing had happened.  

Rita was certain she had reached the supreme rank. 

Yet, unable to believe it, she stared blankly at her hands.  

“Supreme…”  

Muttering in a daze, the corners of her mouth slowly curled upward.  

This would make fulfilling the “god’s” mission easier. Moreover, if she could reach the supreme rank this way, she could gain more allies.  

Suddenly, a pained groan came from behind.  

A thud followed as someone collapsed. 

Rita, quickly containing her mana, turned around.  

The black field had completely vanished, leaving the surroundings clean.  

But the boy had fainted.  

Startled, Rita rushed to him.  

Lifting his head, she confirmed he was still breathing.  

“Did he succumb to the mana?”  

Some civilians occasionally felt discomfort from excessive mana exposure. 

In Rita’s memory, the Saint’s Shadow wasn’t a mage, and he was in a frail mental and physical state.  

“With the fragment’s presence confirmed, I can’t dawdle…”  

Sighing, Rita looked at the unconscious boy.  

The north was too dangerous to travel with someone unstable.  

“There’s no village nearby, and even a small city…”  

The best option was to leave the boy in a nearby city.  

But people wouldn’t take kindly to him.  

The boy was a tribesman, a descendant of hostages brought from another continent.  

Beyond differences in appearance, culture, and language, tribespeople were considered “slaves” in the Lagos continent.  

His treatment was predictable.  

Thus, the best choice for the boy was the Rihanes Temple. 

At least the temple didn’t shun tribespeople.  

“This kid is Mikael’s Shadow. He should go to the temple as intended. That way, he’ll meet Mikael and return to normal.”  

The boy would become a great asset on the battlefield. 

Imagining fighting alongside him brought a sense of pride.  

If he were my Shadow…  

Rita chuckled at the fleeting thought.  

Considering how blindly the Shadow followed the Saint, it was absurd to think he’d follow her just for saving him.  

“The temple it is, then.”  

Rita looked at the boy with reluctant eyes.  

***

“Hey, that kid’s gonna fall off.”  

A ragged man tapped Rita’s shoulder.  

Dozing from sudden fatigue, Rita snapped awake.  

They were on a rickety cart.  

Her oblivious companion was reaching out, flailing to catch a butterfly.  

“Dangerous…!”  

Rita grabbed the boy and pulled him back.  

In the process, the hood covering his head flew off.  

His long silver hair fluttered, and his amethyst-like eyes sparkled in the sunlight.  

The strikingly beautiful boy immediately drew attention.  

“A tribesman from the north, like in the stories.”  

A young man on the cart muttered in wonder.  

Seeing a tribesman for the first time, he openly observed the boy. 

The ragged middle-aged man who woke Rita also stole glances. 

Annoyed by the attention, Rita sighed softly.  

“By the way, are you from the south?”  

The young man, still eyeing the boy, abruptly asked Rita.  

Noticing his gaze lingered on her eyes, she nodded vaguely. 

Some southern regions had many amber-eyed people.  

“Well, isn’t this a rare day? To see a southerner and a northern tribesman here, when you’d only spot them in the capital.”  

Rita forced a smile, pretending not to notice.  

Southern eyes were a dull yellow, while supreme-rank golden eyes were radiant and unmistakably brimming with mana.  

Of course, a rural civilian, not a mage, wouldn’t know the difference.  

The young man chattered excitedly, treating Rita and the boy like exotic animals.  

“But why are you traveling with a tribesman? I heard they rarely come south of the Harun River. Is he a slave…?”  

“Uhh…?”  

The boy, distracted by the passing scenery, now stared at the young man.  

Despite his plain appearance and attire, the boy crawled toward him as if entranced, then looked up intently.  

His beautiful face and captivating eyes stopped inches away, making the young man blush instantly.  

Stammering, he looked at Rita with flustered eyes.  

“Uh, traveler, why’s he staring at me like this?”  

As the young man pulled back, the boy grabbed his collar.  

Caught off guard, the man’s eyes widened. 

As the cart’s passengers stared in confusion, the boy snatched a necklace from him.  

It was a common market necklace with a cheap yellow gem on a worn string.  

“Hey, that’s a gift I got…”  

Before the man could reach for it, the boy hid it in his arms, clutching it tightly as if it were his, his face scrunching up.  

Rita, flustered, tried to scold him, but he was stubborn. 

The young man, whose item was unexpectedly taken, gave an awkward smile.  

“Uh… trouble, huh? Does he like it?”  

“Sorry, as you might’ve noticed, he’s not all there… Wait a moment, I’ll—”  

“No, it’s fine.”  

The young man waved it off.  

Rita questioned him, and he smiled sheepishly.  

“I have a similar sibling back home, so I get it. You probably won’t get it back. It’s not a big deal anyway. Consider it a gift from our encounter.”  

“But still…”  

“It’s okay. I’m getting off at the next stop anyway, probably in about thirty minutes. Think you can get it back by then?”  

At the man’s hearty laugh, Rita rushed to the boy, startled. 

But he clung to the necklace, unmoving.  

He groaned in protest, resisting fiercely as she tried to take it.  

Rita was dumbfounded by his absurd strength. 

Even with her enhanced physical abilities from reaching the supreme rank, she couldn’t overcome his determined grip.  

“What kind of strength…?”  

Considering the boy’s future, it wasn’t surprising. 

But what was stranger was his sudden greed.  

Perplexed, Rita argued with him for a few minutes but ultimately failed to retrieve the necklace.  

Embarrassed to face the young man, she offered to buy it. 

He happily agreed, saying he needed the money.  

“Have a good trip.”  

The young man left with a smile, while Rita stared silently at her empty purse. 

Oblivious, the boy played with the necklace, giggling.  

Rita watched him, puzzled.  

Just hours ago, he was trembling in fear, yet now he displayed vibrant expressions and moved energetically, as if nothing had happened.  

“Give it here. I’ll put it on you.”  

Knowing it was his, the boy smiled brightly and let her handle him.  

It felt like they were communicating, yet not quite. 

His reactions were truly baffling.  

Sighing repeatedly, Rita put the cheap necklace around his neck.  

“I spent my entire fortune on this, so please take good care of it…”  

Grumbling pettily, Rita patted his head with a wry smile.  

The boy simply smiled innocently.  

***

The Rihanes Temple was located in the Seviess Sanctuary, northwest of the capital, Kavala.  

The cart carrying Rita and the boy was heading to the capital, so they got off at the Delphinum Plains, a waypoint to the sanctuary.  

They then walked to the city of Vizan.  

However, being close to the capital and a region steeped in magic, many passersby stared at Rita.  

“Look at those eyes…”  

“They’re like Lord Mikael’s.”  

“Supreme? Another supreme has appeared?”  

Everyone fixated on her eyes, holding their breath. 

Some shrank back as if seeing a monster, while others bowed in awe.  

Amid the tense gazes, gestures, and breaths, Rita realized what kind of existence she had become.