The tenth author's journal: book 2A

Chapter 9: Royalty of the land below

Morning comes quickly after, with Blood Claw still sleeping from what drained him the night before. I strongly believe that this location has purposefully left no trace of mana in the air. The trees outside produce only rotten fruits, and the corrosion affects the entire community. Should I use a holy spell to turn this around? It will only blow our cover as travelers, but leaving will cause our tract to be left behind.

If I had used that artifact, the situation would not have been so dire. My authority does not extend to healing or wrapping reality, hence a high holy spell is required in this scenario. The magic "Gaia's votum" activates when I focus on people around me, and the corrosion outside fades away altogether. Crack alongside the wall, the livelihood improves as I pour more mana over it, but usage is rather low because I still can't utilize this spell.

Already learn by heart every spell in the library, including some that are so foreign that not even I can use them as the creator wishes. Such as this spell, which derives from the invocation of a long-forgotten deity of a foreign place, little is known about it, and even when the writer or pa is questioned, the origin changes from preceptive to preceptive. The only certainty is that it is derived from a different system than all of this world's species of mana, and that prayer, as it was similar but not quite known as "pure intention," as it stated, will not be deciphered any time soon.

Demons don't require a lot of energy from material food, do they? As Blood Claw has shown in the cave the previous two days, he does not appear to be hungry or in need of sustenance. The only time he exhibits concern is this morning when the mana is running low. As the condensed mana from the air returns to its original amount, he sleeps soundly.

As the innkeeper makes the wonderful berry pancakes, I go down to dine, and she serves me a dish as an "add-on service" reserved for exceptional visitors. The smell of being drowned in sugar rather than the few berries surrounding it; the flavor is not as horrible as the smell. I finish it only to discover the innkeeper bringing another.

"Will your dragon companion join us?" The innkeeper inquires, her sour face fixed on my empty dish as she carefully removes it.

"He is sleeping; you do not disturb him by doing unnecessary chores." I push the platter of fresh pancakes away, refusing to have another.

"OK, just checking." As the silence returns to the deserted inn, she removes the platter. The light advances slowly as it approaches noon, and customers walk up and down the inn. I merely stay and stare, waiting for prospective pursuers.

"Just so you know, the weather is perfect for a walk today." The innkeeper walks up to my table, holding a new cup of beer, and gives it to me as a complimentary. As soon as the alcohol enters my body, it is transformed into a bitter liquid similar to coffee. Its hallucination content quickly being cleansed by this body's unique physic.

"I'm not sure what you're thinking; because my friend isn't here, it's best if you disclose what's on your mind." I set the alcoholic drink down on the table, thoroughly caught up in her play. Is it better if she drops it before I make her? Her demeanor would be too keen for an elderly human woman, lest she is a skilled warrior or a halfling.

"The structure of the magic you cast this dawn is so foreign. Were you a speculative traveler?" The innkeeper demonstrates her expertise in magic by waving her arms as if casting a spell. Keep an eye on my reaction to the most basic way of performing a spell in this land.

"I am one to some extent." "Since you're having fun, how about I have mine?" I respond reluctantly, but enough to pique her interest in theorizing.

"Of course, ask away." She washes the cup before serving fresh customers. Anyone entering would be tempted to relax their guard due to the mixed-race crowd and the friendly mood.