Chapter 28: Elatrium (1)

“Oh.”

A gasp escaped my lips.

Why?

The moment I resolved to learn the <[SSS] Draconic Basic Mana Cultivation Technique>—

A vast universe unfolded before my eyes.

Stars sparkled in the deep, infinite darkness.

They twisted and moved slowly, as if alive and breathing.

Soon, the starlight began to spiral, rotating and gathering into a single flow—like the Milky Way.

Woooong… woooooong!

That brilliant spiral of light eventually transformed into the shape of a dragon.

It was as if the eyes and body of a massive dragon had appeared within the universe itself.

“There.”

The image of the dragon, now one with the cosmos, swam before me, and a majestic energy filled the surroundings.

The dragon slowly approached me, then turned into a stream of light and flowed into my chest.

“……!”

The stream of light radiated from my chest.

Mana flowed like a river, filling my entire body.

The light coursed through my veins, reaching my fingertips and toes, giving me the sensation of becoming one with the dragon’s energy.

“Whew—”

With every exhale, a haze-like aura flowed out of my body, forming into a dragon shape that flickered and wrapped protectively around me.

KWA-A-A-A!!

Finally, one last surge of energy enveloped my body.

It left behind the remnants of the <Draconic Basic Mana Cultivation Technique> deep within me before fading away.

Sss…

Fine stardust sparkled around me, confirming that what had just happened was no illusion—it was real.

「You have successfully acquired the <[SSS] Draconic Basic Mana Cultivation Technique>.」

「This is a higher-tier technique than the <[S] Rachel-Style Basic Mana Cultivation Technique>.」

「<[S] Rachel-Style Basic Mana Cultivation Technique> has been absorbed into <[SSS] Draconic Basic Mana Cultivation Technique>.」

It worked.

The <Draconic Basic Mana Cultivation Technique> had successfully settled inside my body.

“Kh.”

I shot up from my seat.

I could feel power surging through my entire body.

‘More than anything, controlling mana feels so much more natural now.’

It felt like the output of my mana circuits had skyrocketed.

“Fire.”

KWA-A-A!!

I tried casting the 1st-tier spell, <Fire>, and it was obvious.

Previously, I had to mobilize 10 units of mana to cast <Fire>.

Now, I could cast it with just 1 unit.

‘So this… is the power of a dragon.’

I felt confident.

Confident I wouldn’t lose to any mage of my level.

With this kind of power—

Even if I had to fight several mages of equal rank at once, I could crush them without breaking a sweat.

Smirk.

A grin naturally formed on my lips.

The moment I leave this lair—

The world will witness the rise of a peerless Archmage who surpasses even <Arthur Bennet>.

“Alright then.”

This time for real—shall I begin proper magic training?

Clatter—

The <Magic Training Equipment> I had purchased.

• [A] Basic Beginner Mana Staff
• [A] Beginner Mana Orb
• [A] Beginner Wind Pendant
• [A] Beginner Mana Robe
• [A] Beginner …..

All A-rank.

Quite expensive, but—

I nodded in satisfaction at the sight of myself wearing the gear.

‘Now I finally look like a proper mage.’

Rustle.

With the hem of my robe fluttering, I once again stepped onto the magic circle.

And then.

The next choice was <Basic Magic Practice>.

The prelude to a full-fledged magic training had begun.

***

“Hmm.”

Her hair, a harmonious blend of black and red hues like the deep, subtle color of black tea.

Whenever her long, silky hair swayed in the wind, it shimmered and exuded a mysterious aura.

“Should I… send a message now?”

Delicate and well-balanced features.

Skin so clear and luminous, it seemed to glow from within.

With a slight flush adding vibrancy to her complexion, she had a radiant and lively charm that captivated anyone at a glance.

Her name was Hong Seolhwa.

“Ugh, just one more day… I’ll send it tomorrow.”

She had resolved to contact the Archmage Emperor, asking to meet—

but an inexplicable shyness had kept her from reaching out for days.

She could only fret and hesitate like this.

“Oh!”

A sudden memory flashed across her mind as she thought of the Archmage Emperor.

Was it yesterday, or the day before?

She recalled the Archmage Emperor commenting on a post by Gugune White Sundae.

“Gugune White Sundae. What happened to him?”

They weren’t personally close.

But because the <Gold Lounge Channel> had such a small user base, the username had naturally become familiar.

They had exchanged a few words here and there.

[Spicy Nuclear Punch(SSS)]: Sundae-nim, did everything go well with the Archmage Emperor? Did you get in touch?

She asked out of concern and curiosity—not only about whether they had spoken, but out of deeper sympathy for Gugune.

Having watched his earnest, diligent life from nearby, she had been devastated upon hearing that his mana circuit had become crippled.

Especially since, at the time, she herself had been living with a ticking time bomb inside her. The feeling of shared pain had struck her deeply.

Her emotions were naturally intensified.

She found herself hoping that he might be helped by the Archmage Emperor.

‘But even the Archmage Emperor…

Could they really revive a completely ruined mana circuit?’

Even if the Archmage Emperor had contacted him to help, it was hard not to feel skeptical that Gugune’s condition had actually improved.

But then.

[GuguneBaeksundae (S)]: Hello, Spicy Punch-nim. Yes, I spoke with the Archmage Emperor, and they helped me a great deal.

I had just finished thanking them, actually.

“…?”

She blinked her clear, deep eyes once.

Didn’t that response sound as if—he had actually received treatment from the Archmage Emperor and shown signs of recovery?

‘No way…’

[Spicy Nuclear Punch(SSS)]: Did your condition improve?

She asked, her hopes tentative.

It was a risky question, potentially reopening old wounds if things hadn’t improved.

However—

For some reason, she couldn’t help it.

She had a gut feeling that the mysterious magical herbs of the Archmage Emperor…

Had perhaps worked a miracle for Gugune as well.

[GuguneBaeksundae (S)]: Yes. Thanks to the Archmage Emperor, my mana circuit has been fully restored.

“…!!”

The moment when a feeling became reality.

“Oh my god!”

A chill ran down her spine as a shiver of awe spread through her body. Overcome with emotion, she clenched both fists tightly.

[ThreeStarJjajang (SS)]: Oh my god! Sundae-nim, your mana circuit’s been restored?

[Chadol (S)]: Incredible!! Congratulations. Wow!!! I’m honestly tearing up over here. Wow!!!

[GlutinousSweetAndSour (S)]: Whoa. This is insane. Archmage Emperor-nim, what kind of magic did they use this time??

[ShineMuscat (SS)]: Wow, seriously, who is this Archmage Emperor??

The <Gold Lounge Channel> was instantly set ablaze with excitement.

News articles started pouring in just as quickly.

“Miraculous Recovery! The Archmage Emperor’s Touch Makes the Impossible Possible”

“Even without Half Elixir? Gugune’s White Sundae achieves mana circuit revival.”

“A miraculous revival of the mana circuit—could it be the mysterious touch of the Archmage?”

“A recovery that defied the impossible—has the Archmage surpassed the unofficial highest level, even beyond Eden Carter?”

Though the Archmage permitted his involvement to be mentioned, he specifically requested silence regarding the <Gagia Bodily Fluid>, so the exact method was kept undisclosed.

As a result, wild speculation spread like wildfire, and the Archmage’s name once again surged through the superhuman world.

***

Just moments ago—

[GuguneWhiteSundae(S)]: Hello, Archmage. Thanks to the remedy you gave me, my mana circuits have been revived.

Overwhelmed with emotion, Goo Donghyun paused for a moment before taking a deep breath and continuing to type.

[GuguneWhiteSundae(S)]: I’m truly grateful for your kindness. When I was told I couldn’t recover without a Half Elixir, I nearly gave up everything. But thanks to you, Archmage, I was able to escape the swamp of despair…

He hesitated once more, pressing down the emotions welling up from deep within as he typed the final message.

[GuguneWhiteSundae(S)]: I may not have much to give, but I’ll make sure to repay this grace someday. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

“Wow. He’s healed. That’s great. Really.”

Donghyun’s message had arrived just as I finished my magic training.

Without realizing it, I clenched both fists tightly.

‘Just as I thought.’

A quiet conviction that had somehow taken root.

A sharpened intuition whispered it to me—

That using Popo’s fluid, I could revive Donghyun’s mana circuits.

‘Still… he must’ve been really emotional.’

It was clear in his writing.

He was pouring his gratitude into each word, holding back tears.

[Archmage Emperor(?)]: Congratulations. Please take care from now on, and may your path ahead be filled with nothing but flowers.

Smiling, I sent my reply.

‘Popo, just what is it, really?’

To think it could produce something with power rivaling a Half Elixir.

Doesn’t that mean Popo’s fluid has the same effect as Great Restoration, used by Saintess Sophie Pruney?

“Man… our Popo. It really is a blessing. A walking treasure.”

“Popo?”

At my exclamation, Popo looked back at me from where it was tilling the field.

?_?

Popo had a face that seemed to say, “What is it?”

“Oh, you little bundle of blessings. Thank you, really!”

And I meant it.

I was deeply thankful—for pulling my friend Donghyun out of despair.

And for sticking by my side so loyally.

“Popo!”

When I hugged it, Popo smiled ^_^ and hopped up and down happily.

Goodness, how cute.

“Chuchu!”

That’s when Chuchu came scurrying over to me.

“Yes, our Chuchu too…”

I reached out to pet her—

But before I could, Chuchu pointed toward the Mandragora.

“Chuchu!!”

“Hm?”

The Mandragora.

Now that I looked more closely, something had changed.

It had bloomed!

“Oh!”

In that case, I should harvest the seed using <Breath of the Seed>.

“Chuchu!”

But Chuchu was acting strangely.

It was waving its arms and legs at me.

“…The Mandragora… stood up? On its own? It walked?”

Somehow, I understood what Chuchu was trying to say—and mentally gave myself some credit.

But that wasn’t the important part.

The Mandragora tried to run away?

“Chuchu!!”

Chuchu nodded furiously.

Whoa!

Now that was surprising.

Right—I remember reading something before.

That when a Mandragora’s magical power reaches its peak, it can walk on its own.

“Oh my god.”

I was stunned.

It almost escaped!

“Chuchu!”

Just then, Chuchu came scurrying up to me.

“Yeah, our Chuchu too…”

I reached out to pet Chuchu.

But before I could, it extended its hand and pointed at the Mandragora.

“Chuchu!!”

“Hmm?”

The Mandragora.

Come to think of it, something had changed.

A flower had bloomed?

“Oh!”

In that case, I should collect its seed using <Breath of the Seed>.

“Chuchu!”

But Chuchu’s reaction was strange.

It was making gestures with its hands and feet.

“…The Mandragora… is getting up? Walking on its own?”

I praised myself for understanding what Chuchu was trying to say.

No, that’s not what matters right now.

Did it say the Mandragora tried to run away?

“Chuchu!!”

It nodded vigorously at my words.

Whoa!

That’s surprising.

Right, I remember reading something about this before.

There was a saying that a Mandragora at its magical peak could move on its own.

“Good grief.”

I couldn’t help but be dumbfounded.

It almost escaped.

“Chuchu!”

When I made a shocked face,

Chuchu put both hands on its hips and shrugged its shoulders.

A gesture telling me to trust it.

“Yeah, our Chuchu. So reliable, really!”

“Chururuu!!”

I patted Chuchu on the head.

It purred with a happy sound.

“Alright, first I should collect the seed and then cook it quickly.”

I thought it’d be good stewed thoroughly with Nagatara meat.

Flinch!

Did the Mandragora just flinch?

Maybe it was my imagination?

“Let’s sprinkle the <Breath of the Seed> first.”

I received the <Breath of the Seed> from Chuchu again.

Surprisingly, the Mandragora needed five of them.

Whoa! Even more than a Sundo.

Wuuuummm!

Green and blue light shimmered over the Mandragora’s petals.

Done.

Once the <Breath of the Seed> fully takes effect, I’ll be ready to harvest its seed.

“But at this rate, I’ll run out of <Breath of the Seed> quickly.”

To rapidly increase the number of Mandragoras and Seondo, I’ll need a large supply of them.

As I pointed that out,

“Chuchu!”

Chuchu stepped forward confidently.

Thump thump!

It spread its tiny right hand wide and pounded its chest.

“Chu!”

It’s saying to leave it to it.

“Oh? Going to get more again?”

“Chuchu!”

“Okay. I’m counting on you, Sergeant Chu!”

When I said that, Chuchu brought its feet together and straightened its back.

Snap!

Well, look at it.

How did it know? It even gave me a salute.

“Haha.”

Leaving my laughter behind, Chuchu grabbed a handful of Clearwater Grass and Lunadria from the garden.

Then it stood right in front of the burrow.

“Best of luck, Sergeant Chu.”

“Chuchu!”

With that reply, Chuchu poofed and disappeared into the burrow.

Flaaash!

Chuchu, moving like a bolt of lightning.

Chuchu was thinking.

About why the Elatrias had moved their dwelling.

‘Chu!’

The place the Elatrias used to inhabit—

Once fertile, the soil had completely dried up.

That’s right, the Elatrias had no choice but to migrate in search of fertile soil for survival.

‘Chuchu!’

Chuchu remembered again—

The scene where Popo enriched the soil with its mucus.

‘Chu!’

Dashing like light, the corners of Chuchu’s mouth curled into a confident smile.

With this deal, it felt it could definitely win over the Elatrias, those tree spirits.