Chapter 68

Chapter 68
Chapter 68: Never Mind The Heir, I’ll Focus On Healing

“Mmm.”

A volatile entity?

I’ve encountered entities with distinct dispositions, but never one displaying such intense hostility.

‘Has the balance shifted drastically over the past fifty years?’

For instance, perhaps elemental manifestations are provoked by the devastation of nature during incursions of the dark…

“It’s a remote possibility, but preparation is always necessary. Besides, your constitution is quite fragile.”

Tiali regarded Lion with a look of commiseration.

Lion Asteri’s potential was truly extraordinary.

Yet, his physical vessel was markedly delicate. It appeared his natural lifespan might be abbreviated as well.

They say fortune is impartial.

How could someone so gifted be burdened with such a frail frame?

‘At the very least, I must not contribute to the curtailment of his remaining years.’

Consequently, he offered Lion a cautionary reminder to brace for any unforeseen variables.

“Understood. I shall receive it with gratitude.”

“Indeed. Please exercise caution.”

“Pardon? Yes.”

“As you walk, observe your surroundings carefully—both beside you and beneath your feet.”

“…”

“And refrain from following anyone attempting to lure you with tempting offers.”

“…Have no fear.”

In Tiali’s estimation, Lion currently resembled a young child taking his first tentative steps.

‘Well, regardless, it worked out favorably.’

If he could forge a pact with an entity independently, without relying on a dedicated summoner, there was no longer any reason for hesitation.

‘I can travel alongside Grandfather.’

With the continent’s singular archmage at his side, complications would remain minimal even should a high-tier or superior entity manifest.

How unruly could an entity dare to be in the immediate presence of an archmage?

“Then I shall take my leave.”

“My sincere thanks for this remarkable gift. Should you require additional elemental fluid…”

“Ha. I accept gladly. Ah, I must visit the Asteri Family Head now. I will be on my way…”

Tiali, seemingly unburdened after delivering the Elder’s present, departed the chamber with a distinctly more relaxed demeanor.

Click.

The barrier engaged, and the sound of receding footsteps gradually faded into silence…

Peek.

“Master. Are you unharmed?”

Freya parted the barrier once more, inspecting the room to check on Lion’s condition.

“Yes. I am quite well.”

“Phew! I couldn’t perceive anything being discussed within, so I was rather anxious!”

Silairon must have deployed a localized acoustic-dampening ward.

Witnessing its efficacy, the utility was undeniable.

He would no longer need to solicit assistance for this variety of functional magic on every occasion.

“Had you signaled that an incident had occurred, I would have marched straight to Tiali and demanded an accounting.”

“He seemed of a benevolent disposition, did he not?”

When Lion mentioned acquiring numerous elemental crystals, including fairy dust, Freya’s eyes widened to their absolute limits.

“What!? Fairy dust!?”

“It possesses considerable value, then?”

Lion was already well-acquainted with its potency, yet sought confirmation once more.

“It transcends mere value! It is a direct bestowal from the Elder, something ordinary elves are never permitted to witness! Let alone someone of my lineage, a half-elf!”

Uttering this, she cast a nervous glance about the chamber.

“Elves as a rule harbor little interest in possessions belonging to others, but this is an exception. Assuredly! Utilize it swiftly, and should you postpone its use, ensure no prying eyes ever fall upon it. Understood!?”

“I comprehend.”

“And spare me the details! One can only imagine what I might be driven to…”

That assessment carried a degree of validity.

At the very least, Freya would refrain from desperate measures until her mastery of alchemy reached completion.

Individuals who openly advise against trusting them…

‘Are invariably the most reliable.’

Freya persisted in her admonition, urging him to keep the hiding place secret from her.

“C-Curiosity plagues me, yet I must resist!”

“Very well. If any remains after my summoning endeavor, I shall apprise you.”

“Ah! Truly… Ahem. Well, while you deliberate, I shall resume my pharmacological research. My salamander’s condition remains favorable as well…!”

Freya subtly reasserted her standing as a practitioner of the craft before leaving Lion to his contemplations.

‘In truth, deliberation is unnecessary.’

Lion had already arrived at his determination.

He resolved to proceed to the labyrinth to initiate the summoning ritual.

Lion marshaled the knowledge concerning these entities that he had retained from his experiences.

Environment, facilitator, mental fortitude, temporal conditions.

All of these represented critical variables for the summoning process, but…

One final element remained.

A clandestine insight unknown to general practitioners.

Possessing an artifact favored by the specific entity.

A prime illustration of this was the elemental crystal.

Utilizing the high-tier crystal gifted by Tiali would prove ideal, yet…

Lion harbored no intention of consuming the crystal itself.

He was aware of an alternative of even greater potency.

Clink!

Lion retrieved the remaining elemental fluid and subjected it to inspection.

A three-star genuine elemental fluid.

While the current batch already maintained a superior grade…

‘Is it not opportune to attempt a four-star grade in alchemy?’

His initial encounter with a four-star achievement had occurred during tailoring.

Moreover, that instance involved Andrie’s craftsmanship, meaning it could not strictly be attributed solely to Lion’s independent capability.

Yet, what was the extent of its impact?

‘It was astonishing.’

Owing to that triumph, he had managed to endure the perilous confines of the labyrinth safely.

Presently, Tiali had provided ingredients of even greater excellence.

High-tier elemental crystals.

“It warrants the endeavor.”

The specific nature of the manifesting entity mattered little, but given the circumstances, should he not prepare the components with utmost precision?

He would formulate elemental fluid utilizing these high-tier crystals!

‘High-tier crystals boast exceptional inherent properties, hence fluid processed from them…’

The resulting efficacy would likely be doubled.

Pinnacle-grade crystals.

He might even aspire to surpass those benchmarks.

“Naturally, if one evaluates strictly by the binary outcome of success or failure…”

The probability of failure escalated considerably.

Several factors contributed to this.

Primarily, the fluid’s formulation did not rely on pre-existing manuals but rather upon a bespoke recipe devised by Lion himself.

Furthermore, Lion’s proficiency rank remained at the ‘Skilled’ threshold.

Ordinarily, drafting an original formulation would have exceeded his capabilities.

Nonetheless.

“What satisfaction is derived from pursuits where success is guaranteed?”

Engaging exclusively in endeavors with assured outcomes fails to constitute a challenge.

Is a challenge not defined by undertaking a task while fully accepting the inherent risk of collapse?

“Very well. Let us proceed.”

Lion allowed a rare smile to touch his features.

—

Over the ensuing days, muffled concussive reports echoed continuously from within Lion’s quarters.

BOOM!

CRASH!

“Good heavens, what is the source of that commotion?”

“Shh. It appears the Young Master has found inspiration for another undertaking!”

“Indeed? In that case, we must take care not to interrupt him.”

Despite the disruptive reverberations, the domestic staff exchanged knowing nods and lowered their voices.

Among the positive developments following the Young Master’s recovery and his newfound attentiveness to the household was the restored tranquility among the personnel.

Their previous duties had been conducted under perpetual tension, akin to treading upon fragile ice, yet that oppressive atmosphere had long since dissipated!

And that was not the sum of it.

During the mysterious luminous fog phenomenon days prior, he had been the foremost to intervene and resolve the crisis instantaneously.

Furthermore, what were his declarations afterward?

“Has any among the staff sustained injury?”

His primary concern had been the welfare of the estate’s workers above all else!

“Truthfully, in the past, his delicate health and idiosyncratic demeanor rendered matters somewhat arduous…”

“Ah. How could we have failed to recognize such a distinguished individual?”

They even directed self-reproach toward themselves for having harbored prejudice against Lion.

The general mood within the mansion had undergone a profound transformation.

“Come now, let us not linger here. We should retrieve refreshments for the Young Master.”

“While we are occupied, provisions should be prepared for both the Young Master and the Duke.”

“What of the departing visitors?”

“Word was given that they depart this afternoon… Shall we arrange luncheon hampers?”

As the servants reached a consensus and dispersed…

Click.

The barrier parted.

Within the threshold…

“Ugh.”

Lion emerged in a state resembling the undead, crawling forward while uttering sounds that hovered ambiguously between agony and satisfaction.

Clutched in one hand…

『Lion’s Special Elemental Fluid (★★★★)』

* The inaugural masterwork forged by an artisan advancing at a breathtaking velocity.
* Neither summoner nor entity can revert to their prior state after partaking of this fluid.
* Upon ingestion, a vast accumulation of the entity’s vitality is restored.
* When consumed by a summoner for the first time, elemental affinity is permanently elevated.
* When deployed in conjunction with specialized artifacts, it yields a synergistic set effect.

An elemental fluid distinct in appearance from any previously manufactured variants was revealed.

While tiny bubbles continued to ascend and the coloration shifted ceaselessly upon agitation, a divergence was apparent.

Upon closer observation, the bubbles forming at the surface dissolved in tiny concussive bursts upon reaching the apex before plunging downward once more.

Resembling miniature comets.

“The objective is achieved.”

Although the process proved arduous, completion was attained mere moments before the departure of the elves.

Now remained the task of presenting this to Grandfather…

“You were driving yourself beyond reasonable limits once more.”

Grandfather Petrick, who had ceased attempting to conceal his disapproval, stood framed in the doorway.

“When did your arrival occur?”

“I presented myself the moment my schedule permitted.”

In reality, he had been monitoring Lion’s progress at the dawn and close of each day, though discretion prevented him from voicing it.

‘I wish to spare him any sense of unwarranted obligation.’

This perspective differed somewhat from his prior stance, during which embarrassment had dictated his silence.

“Tell me, are the preparations finalized?”

Word had already been dispatched via Elvia prior to his attempt at synthesizing the four-star fluid.

“Affirmative.”

Petrick offered a subdued smile in response to Lion’s assured assertion.

In truth, Petrick experienced profound satisfaction regarding the current turn of events.

As a grandfather, he had previously remained ignorant of his grandson’s aptitude for elemental arts.

Reports had even reached him suggesting Lion’s capacity surpassed normal human parameters.

When the High Elves regarded him with expressions that silently questioned how such potential had been squandered, he, despite being an archmage, felt an impulse to seek refuge underground.

‘I labored under the delusion that I had observed and tended to him with meticulous care…’

Such efforts fell woefully short.

Perhaps Lion had likewise harbored deep-seated resentment internally.

He had endured immense suffering due to a deficiency in mana capacity, whereas his true talents resided elsewhere.

Within alchemy, culinary arts, alongside a remarkably refined aesthetic sense.

Moreover, as demonstrated during the social gathering… his administrative processing velocity also achieved the highest tier.

Despite having no prior exposure to such responsibilities, he navigated them with the fluidity of a seasoned professional.

Witnessing such displays repeatedly had deprived Petrick of restful sleep over the preceding nights.

‘Had I simply retained a dedicated summoner during those years!’

‘Had I cultivated an alternate trajectory for him earlier!’

These reflections were tainted by unalterable regret.

…Naturally, even had he reverted to that era, Lion’s condition under Mana Shock would have precluded any functional execution of tasks.

Regrettably, even Archmage Petrick tended to forfeit objective reasoning where his grandson was concerned, meaning the aforementioned reality escaped his immediate awareness.

Yet, on this occasion.

Had he not been requested to accompany him to the labyrinth for the summoning ritual in the capacity of a ‘protector’?

What significance could be attached to that request?

It signified that his cherished grandson placed his ultimate trust in him!

‘Indeed. If my past actions proved inadequate, I shall redeem myself henceforth.’

While his outward facade maintained its customary stoicism, Petrick’s internal resolve reached unprecedented depth.

He was unshakeably determined to prove instrumental to his grandson!

“If preparations are complete, let us depart.”

Steeling his determination, Petrick escorted Lion toward the labyrinth.