Chapter 4: Jessie

Insig learned that he was in another world, and a magical one at that. It was said that every presence releases an aura that affects its surroundings and produces magical energy.

Legends records that the presence of the most strong beings alone can distort the time and space around him.

Every being accumulates magical energy into what they call a 'mana heart'. Records said that a 'mana heart' can only house one kind of law inside.

For example, insects mostly have an affinity for dark elements, but they can differ based on their surroundings or species.

Everyone has a mana heart, but what rules you comprehend will determine what kind of element you will have. But some can inherit the affinity of their parents.

Insig was an orphan, and he has always relied on the jobs that pay low. 

But as everyone has a knack for magic, it made finding jobs even harder. At the age of eight, Insig demonstrated an affinity for vitality magic, so he was recruited in the white academy for training.

Still, he didn't show any eye catching talent for magic, so he was at the bottom of the hierarchy. But for Insig, this was already the best he could ask for, because he was able to eat 2 meals a day.

When Insig approached the age of 16 years old, war broke out and it affected them. He went from place to places to heal mages and soldiers, and died trying to heal a soldier.

Insig took a deep breath and tried to fully process all of the new memories.

'Did I really.... transmigrate?'

Insig was flabbergasted. Of all the patients he met, none of them has ever shown signs nor symptoms touching the topic of souls and transmigration or something supernatural. It was just unbelievable.

*Slap*

Seiki slapped himself and blinked his eyes a number of times to confirm that he was not dreaming. The scorching sensation of pain was vivid and his surroundings didn't change one bit.

'I.... It hurts! I'm not dreaming! Oh my God! I think I transmigrated!'

Insig was shocked and ecstatic. His eyes widened and his breathing slightly hastened.

He imagined himself standing at the apex of the world, doing everything his heart wants on a whim.

'Hehehehehe.'

This was magic! A unique power that unscientifically exists! It's full of wonders, possibilities, and potential! And additionally, he has an affinity for death and life!

'So this is my golden finger huh.... However.... Why did I have to work hard for it? Unlike the characters that I read?"

After fantasizing for a while, Insig finally settled down and faced reality for a while. He looked at his own hands and thought of the original Insig.

'The original Insig died just like that huh....'

Insig felt sad as he 'saw' an innocent, happy, and simple life die like that. Still, Insig didn't feel angry as he knows that being weak is a sin itself, it was his own fault.

Life is a luxury for the weak.

'Speaking of which, how did I die too?'

Insig thought as he felt perplexed that he transmigrated when he doesn't even know how he died yet.

Insig closed his eyes and tried to recall his past, when the door suddenly opened and entered a beautiful girl.

"Hmm? What happened? Why do you look perplexed? Are you hurt somewhere?"

The girl asked worriedly. Hearing her asked worriedly, Insig shook his head and removed the question out of his head.

'I shouldn't think of the past now, what's done is done.'

"I'm fine sister, I was just sad that my mana heart retrogressed a little bit."

"Jeez! It's already a blessing that you survived you know! Smile a little more."

This is Insig's sister from the orphanage, Jessie. She was the dependable big sister of the orphanage.

"Here, I brought you some water..... I'm sure as a healer, you can take care of yourself, so I won't bother you about your health anymore. It's just that.... I think you should stop going to the frontlines for a while. The army has become more restless this time. I think there's a bigger fight coming. You might get killed in the upcoming fight."

Jessie looks at him worriedly. She has always been the type of person who gets lonely easily so she always makes sure to take care of others first.

"Hahaha, look, I survived, right? It's okay, I won't die. Also, if there's a bigger fight coming, then I'm sure they'll be needing more healers, so they'll try to get every help they can get and I won't be able to leave here anytime soon. Don't worry though, I'll take care of myself."

Suddenly, Insig got a weird feeling, he thought.

'Is it me or did I just raise a death flag or something?'

*Sighs*

Jessie sighs then puts her hand on her pocket, reaching out for something and hands it to him.

It was a ring with a bright yellow gem embedded in it. What was perplexing though was there were lines moving to and fro inside it, just like a circuit. It was releasing the aura of a huge boulder, giving a sense of security.

Insig looked shocked as he looked at her with pity. Insig thought to himself.

'Is she proposing to me? Has she always liked me from the start and she discovered it when I was about to die? But we're about to go into war! Does she think she is going to die? Is the upcoming fight that dangerous?

Seeing Insig look at her like that, Jessie got a little irritated.

"Why are you looking at me like that? Don't think of any dangerous thoughts. What I'm giving you is a single use earth-attribute defense spell. I had Philip help me in creating this. It can protect you in times of need, you just need to insert a little magic energy of any attribute in it. It can't surpass level 8 magic though."

Hearing that, Insig looked relieved as he removed any dangerous thought in his mind.

Insig doesn't dare to think like that about her anymore because he recalled in one of his memories that she had once saved the original Insig from the bullies in the past. It is said that the bullies were unable to get out of the bed for a month back then. It left him a deep and scary impression of her.

"It's okay, I'm sure a level 8 won't bother someone like me. Especially since my mana core has dropped down to level 4."

Insig was only saying this to comfort himself as Insig's mana heart dropped down from level 5 to level 4 because he fought the death aura inside him.

Still, he thinks that he hasn't lost for nothing as he also developed an affinity for the law of death.

"Oh, now that I look at you, you feel different today... It's like.... you're giving off an aura of a dead person? Are you really okay?"

"Hahaha, I'm fine. I can give you a demonstration if you want"

Insig tries to dodge the topic and smirks playfully to distract her.

"Whatever, it seems that you can take care of yourself now. Okay then, my business here is already done. I'm gonna help others. Take care. You can look for me anytime!"

Jessie says as she shakes her head and makes her way to the door. Seeing this, Insig smiles and bids farewell.

"Sure! Thanks by the way. Tell brother Philip I said 'thank you' too."

After Jessie went out. Insig thinks to himself.

'Looks like my death aura has subtly influenced my aura. I should think of a way to hide it."

Insig took a deep breath and glanced at the ring.

'With this ring, my chances of survival have increased! Still, anything can happen in a war. I shouldn't let my guard down.'

Insig 'looks' inside himself and tries to feel his mana heart inside him. Inside, he sees a large sphere of energy. It was the size of an adult's fist.

What was amazing though, was that it bears two different energies, unlike the common ones!

Usually, all mana hearts must have only one color— meaning, one element. This is because having two kinds of elements would make them clash!

However, Inside's mana heart was different! Half of it was life energy, while the other half was death energy!

In the eastern hemisphere of the mana heart was a warm and bright Sun-like bundle of life energy!

Meanwhile, on the western part of the mana heart was an eerie giant black mass of death energy, looking like a black hole!

Based on the law of nature, this is a perfect recipe for disaster! However, like a miracle, the two elements formed a delicate balance!

Right now, the Sun-like bundle of energy was 'eating' the death energy to turn them into life! Meanwhile the death energy was killing the life energy, turning them into death energ!

'What an amazing cycle! All life eats death to live, so that means life grows from death. This makes life energy increase. On the other hand, all living beings end in death so that means life gives birth to death. Thereby increasing the death energy!'

Insig was amazed as he thought to himself. This was already the secret of life!... Although it's not really a secret…

This is because it was already happening everywhere. When we eat food, or when beings die, the mini-life cycle is already processing.

However, what it takes to understand the world is an open mind, and clearly, not everyone has this character.

Insig stored this into the back of his mind, and then controlled the mass of death aura in his mana heart to conquer all the death aura in his wounds.

There, he sees that when the death aura from the mana heart meets the natural death aura from the wound, the natural death aura seems to be submitting into him and was conquered. Insig somehow feels that his wounds would not worsen any further.

Insig then moves the energy from the bright mass of vitality aura. He then controls it to circulate his whole body.

As this aura passes through his wounds, the wounds heals at a speed visible by the naked eye. Although it was only healing little by little.

Still, when the life aura passes through his body. He feels like all parts of his body were massaged, even his insides seem to be more lively. He feels like his heart is pumping blood faster and his thinking speed has increased. This seems to be only an illusion though.

*Gurgle* *Growls*

He suddenly hears a sound that interrupts him from his stupor. He looks at the source of sound and ends up seeing his stomach.

'I've only had a glass of water this whole time, no wonder I'm getting hungry. But first, how do I hide the death aura in my body?'