Chapter 66
Basically, “mana addiction” was a rare disease. And it was a disease that only affected mages.
“But it’s a disease that Northern Continent mages hardly ever get,” Miel recalled about what she knew regarding mana addiction. Mana addiction was a disease caused by an inability to control the magical power within one’s body.
If a mage couldn’t control their mana, it would run rampant, ultimately leading to death.
However, there was one weakness in mana addiction: it was easily preventable.
Most mages entered the magic towers, their sacred sanctuaries. Of course, the length of time each mage spent in a tower varied.
Some stayed only a few days or weeks, while others remained for decades. The durations were very diverse.
Even for mages who passed through briefly, there was basic knowledge imparted. That knowledge was how to manage and utilize mana.
It was a method to suppress and regulate the magical power within the body, at least enough to prevent mana addiction.
Thanks to this, any mage who had visited a magic tower—from child to elder—knew how to properly manage mana.
“However, the Eastern Continent is different.”
Jade continued explaining mana addiction as he rose from the sofa. He walked slowly toward the table where Miel and Hanlim were seated.
“There are no magic towers on the Eastern Continent. And there are so few mages from the East that you could count them on one hand.”
Hanlim tilted his head at Jade’s explanation, finally speaking after listening quietly.
“Then, does that mean the lady is a mage?”
“Well, it’s only a guess.”
“And why are there so few mages in the Eastern Continent…”
Hanlim scratched his head and asked honestly. Jade nodded slowly in response.
“That’s simple. The Eastern Continent is a place where it’s hard for mages to be born. To explain more specifically…”
Jade took a sip of water and continued.
“Mana flows from the world’s natural environment. But mana doesn’t occur everywhere. Its concentration varies by region. And the Eastern Continent has extremely low mana concentration, unlike the Northern Continent.”
“…Ah, I see.”
Hanlim nodded as if he finally understood, but there was doubt in Jade’s eyes.
“Why is that, Master?”
“…Nothing. It’s just that something impossible seems to have happened.”
Mana addiction occurring on a continent with such low mana concentration—it seemed suspicious to Jade.
“On the Eastern Continent, getting mana addiction doesn’t make sense, unless a fairly strong mage pours their power nearby. That’s how low the mana concentration is.”
Miel tilted her head.
“What qualifies as a ‘fairly strong’ mage?”
Jade smiled faintly and pointed to himself.
“At least someone like me.”
“…Excuse me? You mean that strong?”
“Yes. It has to be that strong.”
A disease that required a mage of archmage level to even risk—this made Miel question the situation further.
Hanlim, quietly listening to their conversation, also grew curious.
“Um… just who is this person, Miel?”
Hanlim asked cautiously, as he hadn’t even heard Jade’s name. Jade smiled.
“I am Jade Swillof, an archmage. In other words, I’m also the master of the magic tower.”
Hanlim’s eyes widened. Even without seeing Jade use magic, his profound knowledge suggested it was true.
‘No wonder these people all seem extraordinary,’ Hanlim thought, then turned to Troy.
“So then this person…”
“…I am Troy. I will not reveal my status.”
Troy’s firm words made Hanlim nod, realizing:
‘I don’t even need to ask; I can tell he’s someone remarkable.’
Hanlim’s gaze returned to Miel, and she read his expression.
“Oh, I am a mage affiliated with the magic tower.”
“I see… it’s an honor to be with such remarkable people.”
Hanlim flusteredly stood and bowed. Jade gestured for him to sit.
“No need to go overboard. I never said you had to be that formal.”
Miel looked at Jade with mild surprise. Normally, he wouldn’t reveal his identity.
“Master, why reveal your identity?”
“…Well, I doubt this guy would bother us much. Also, I became curious about a ‘mana addiction’ patient from the Eastern Continent.”
Jade was consumed by curiosity—how could such an impossible thing happen? And from what he had heard of Hanlim, he could tell he was inherently good.
“But if you or Miel—or that man over there—spread this around carelessly… you know the consequences.”
Jade’s voice turned cold, and Hanlim quickly nodded.
“Yes, yes. Don’t worry. I won’t say a word.”
“Good. That’s settled.”
Satisfied, Jade sat at the empty seat at the table—naturally, next to Miel. He tapped the table lightly, then reached toward Hanlim’s pocket.
“Red mandrakes are suitable for treating mana addiction…”
He tapped again, then looked at Miel.
“When you heard Hanlim’s story, didn’t something feel off?”
“Something off?”
“Yes. There’s another impossible part of the story, besides mana addiction.”
Miel glanced at Hanlim’s pocket.
“Oh, yes. Red mandrakes.”
Hanlim and Troy’s eyes filled with curiosity. Miel knew the answer, but Jade spoke first.
“Hanlim.”
Hanlim jumped slightly.
“Yes, Archmage.”
“No, don’t call me that. Makes it obvious. Just call me ‘brother.’”
Jade frowned slightly. Hanlim was around the same age, but Jade forced a title—he didn’t want to be called by name.
“Yes, brother.”
Jade nodded toward the pocket holding the red mandrake.
“I don’t think that’s a red mandrake.”
“Huh?”
Hanlim’s eyes widened. Miel explained further.
“Hanlim, even if you don’t know what’s in the pocket, the size is about the size of an adult male’s fist, right? But a real red mandrake is about the size of an adult man’s forearm…”
Miel looked at Hanlim with pity. Hanlim’s eyes went from wide to shocked.
“What? That can’t be… It’s not a small red mandrake?”
Jade shook his head firmly.
“No. Impossible. I can stake all my knowledge as tower master on that.”
Hanlim’s eyes widened, lips trembling. Jade opened the pocket and dumped its contents onto the table.
“…This is…”
The color was red, but the shape was not a mandrake—it was a different kind of plant.
“Chemibolzo, huh? At a glance it looks like a mandrake, but the roots are ridiculously small. If you’re going to cheat, at least put some effort into it. Tch.”
Jade casually scolded the fraud. Meanwhile, Hanlim’s eyes reddened, hands trembling.
“Oh… my god. This can’t be. I spent years working hard to buy this…”
Tears streamed down Hanlim’s face.
“I-I’m sorry, miss…”
At the same time, he pulled something from his arms, clutching it as he wept.
Miel’s eyes went wide.
‘Why… is there a fatherly aura?’
