saiki

68.2

Ch. 68.2
"I don't have mana in my body, so I can't live as an alchemist."

"... What did you say?"

Beaurock Stonforge’s eyebrows trembled. Alterisha didn't know this fact, so her eyes widened and her hand holding the coffee shook.

"T-That's...what...?"

"I mean it literally. I have a congenital condition that cannot accept mana, Mana Accumulation Retardation..”

No one in the academy knew this fact, but it wasn't really a secret. Even though they knew he didn't use magic, they decided not to expel him, so it didn't matter if he revealed it anytime.

He just didn't have a reason to say it.

Besides, it would be revealed soon during the upcoming physical examination.

"Your words now… you don't mean…”

However, it seemed that Beaurock Stonforge had received it a little differently, as he unusually lost his composure and couldn't continue speaking.

Alterisha took over for him.

"The deadline... about life... right?"

‘Ah.’

‘Is that how it goes?’

But, Baek Yu-Seol was already practicing enough to extend his lifespan, and he didn't really care because he planned to revive his abilities by obtaining the heart of a spirit and with the help of Spirit Leafbane.

As he sipped his coffee in silence, Beaurock Stonforge and Alterisha’s expressions grew increasingly lifeless.

Mana Accumulation Retardation usually didn’t allow one to live past the age of 19. In other words, they seemed to have misunderstood him as someone who accepted even death humbly.

"No... It's true that there is a deadline, but I have no intention of dying. I've already figured out a cure. I will live longer, much longer, for a very, very long time."

As if reassuring them, Baek Yu-Seol spoke, and only then did Beaurock Stonforge and Alterisha breathe a sigh of relief.

"By the way..."

He quickly changed the subject. "Can I take a look at that Shield Bracelet?"

"Ah, yeah! Of course. Actually, I was planning to give it to you as a gift."

"What? Something so precious?"

"Yeah. Honestly, if it weren't for your idea, I couldn't have made something like this."

Suddenly, something welled up in his chest.

Anyway, he did have the intention of taking it away, but receiving it as a free gift like this made him feel a bit guilty, sorry, and grateful…

"Thank you..."

He said so and gently scratched the Shield Bracelet.

Indeed, alchemy had a structure similar to modern 'semiconductors'. It operated with numerous small magical lines connected inside.

Clearly, it was still in the early stages, so there were a few sloppy and unnecessary parts.

After examining the structure closely through his magnifying spec, he spoke.

"Can I borrow a magic welding pen for a moment?"

"Yeah. Why?"

Without saying a word, Baek Yu-Seol received Alterisha’s magic pen and held it against the Shield Bracelet.