Chapter 10: Tears of Nebula

Apparently, you have used most of your life force and pushed your body to summon the magic circle. Because of that, your body used its last available bits of life force to cast the spell."

Karl quietly listens to the doctor. Silence lingers between them before the doctor continues. "I know this is a delicate matter, but as a doctor and your senior, I advise you to drop out."

Karl does not answer.

"You cannot survive in the school with no mana. There are other ways to fight and survive besides using mana. Drop out, study droid engineering, and live a quiet life until your fifties." He places a hand on Karl's shoulder.

"Listen to me, Leonard."

Karl looks the doctor in the eye and replies, "No."

The doctor sighs visibly. After some minor checkups, he leaves Karl alone.

'I am not going to die without giving Mikaela and Jake the same humiliation a hundred times over.'

After a few hours of sitting in silence, Karl hears a knock. "Come in."

Andressa cutely pops her head in. "Are you okay? How are you feeling? Does it hurt anymore? Are you hungry?"

"You're asking too many questions in one breath."

"Oh. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do that."

"It's fine. I was getting bored anyway."

A loud voice comes from outside. "Hey! Don't eavesdrop at the door."

Andressa and Karl look toward the door. A red-faced Ian enters the room, carrying a bag.

"Seriously, dude? You were eavesdropping? Where is the pride of a knight?" Karl taunts.

"Shut it."

Karl smiles. "What's that?" He points at the bag.

"Oh! I brought a few elixirs from home that help with mana regeneration." Ian pulls out a glass bottle, beautifully carved with wings on both sides, and places it on the table beside Karl.

Andressa pouts in the background.

"What?" Karl asks.

"Hmph. I came earlier, and you ignored me and started talking to him. How rude."

Ian looks clueless while Karl sighs.

"Anyway, Leo, you said you had a plan for the duel."

"Well, that failed before it even began."

"What? What happened?"

"So, listen—" Karl proceeds to explain the shortage of life force and the Mikaela incident. Ian grabs a nearby chair and sits down, staring at the ceiling fan.

Andressa steps closer and suddenly slaps Karl. "Why? Why did you have to go that night? You could have kept quiet. I would have handled it. I could have endured it. N-Now look at you."

Karl looks at himself. All he sees is a malnourished boy covered in bandages. A sudden wave of powerlessness washes over him.

'I mean, why did I infiltrate the girls' dormitory? For her?' Karl glances at Andressa. 'No. I did it for him.' He slowly points at himself. Karl did it for Leonard, out of pity. He felt it—the way Leonard's body reacted to Andressa. Karl recalls the night he escaped from the dormitory. He could have grabbed anything, yet he grabbed that. His face flushes slightly.

Karl looks up and sees Andressa crying. He slowly grabs her sleeve and pulls her in. They embrace.

Oblivious to all of this, Ian is deep in thought.

A few minutes pass.

"Okay, I have a plan, guys—what in the Great Horizon is happening here?!" Ian almost screams.

Andressa quickly steps away from Karl, and he clears his throat. "What is it?"

Ian continues, "I have a great plan. We will steal the Tears of Nebula."

"Does that even exist anymore? It's been nearly two centuries since it was last seen on the Central Continent." Andressa questions.

Ian smiles. "Oh, it exists. In the Branchio family's greenhouse."

"What is the Tears of Nebula?" Karl finally asks.

"Around two thousand years ago, a meteor crashed on the far eastern border of the Lycan Continent. The shockwave wiped out half the creatures on the continent. A few hundred years later, a lake formed at the impact site. This wasn't a normal lake. Its red-colored water had the ability to restore lost life force and extend the lifespan of any creature. It was named the Tears of Nebula. Every race in the world fought countless wars for that lake. In the end, not even a single drop remained. It was stolen by various kingdoms and factions." Ian explains.

"But that was long ago. Why do you think the Branchio family has it?" Andressa questions.

"This is confidential information, but when I was little, I visited the Branchio family's castle with my father. There, I saw a small pond of black liquid. My father confirmed it was the Tears of Nebula. Apparently, they use it to grow precious herbs."

"So, are we going to break into Branchio's greenhouse?" Karl asks.

Andressa facepalms.

"The Branchio family is one of the strongest sentinel families in the world. Breaking in is impossible."

"Then what are we supposed to do?"

"The Knight Succession Tournament is two weeks away. Talented individuals from across the continent compete to attain the title of a low knight. The runner-up gets to choose any mid-level resource from any sentinel family present. This year, the Branchio family's young master is participating." Ian explains.

"Is the Tears of Nebula a mid-level resource?" Karl asks.

"Of course not, you dwarf. It's one of the most desired resources ever. But if you win the runner-up spot, you'll get access to the Branchio greenhouse. Once inside, use your spell to steal a few drops."

Karl's face brightens with hope. Ian continues, "But there's a small problem. The minimum requirement to participate is to be a second-year student, meaning you need to master two spells."

"So what?" Karl says confidently.

"Leo, even a talented student takes at least six months to learn a new spell," Andressa states.

"Oh, don't worry about that. I can do it."

Andressa looks at Ian with concern and sighs heavily. "What about your duel with Mikaela?"

"Can't I just surrender?"

"No. If you do, by federation law, you'll be arrested for using a knight's name for a felony."

'Killing people is permissible, but using a name isn't? What a shitty world,' Karl thinks.

"So I have to fight?"

"Not just fight. You need to win. To participate in the tournament, you need a recommendation from a high knight. I'll convince my father to recommend you, but winning this duel will make it easier."

"Okay."

"Don't worry. The duel is the day after tomorrow. You have one day to train. I can teach you some tricks." Ian pats Karl's back.

"Sure."

Five hours later, Karl finally gets a discharge and now he is in the wind range with Ian. "Your mana generation depends on your life force. That's why mana regeneration speed decreases as you get old. But your life force is nearly empty which means you are already knocking at dead's door. So, avoid using spells more frequently."

"Okay."

'I can cast a spell 16 times a day. After that my fatigue kicks in.'

"Now, attack me." Ian says with confidence.

Karl runs at Ian. Suddenly his right-hand glows purple. He throws a rock Ian. Ian steps aside. Another glow appears, he throws another rock. Ian dodges again. Karl keeps a distance of two meters from Ian. Another glow appears, he lifts his hand and just swings it. Ian dodges instinctively. But no rock was thrown.

This startles Ian. Now, Karl throws the rock. Ian barely dodges the rock, this unbalances Ian. Karl takes the opportunity and jumps at Ian, pinning him down. Ian struggles to break free but fails.

'What is this tactic? Is he really fighting someone for the first time?' Ian thinks.

"It's my win." Karl says as he releases Ian. Ian is still in shock, he does not say anything.

"What? Our pretty knight can't defeat a half-crippled student?" Karl taunts.

Ian takes a deep breath and smiles. "I wasn't using spells because you just got discharged but from now on, I am serious." Ian takes the battle stance, a magic circle appearing on his left hand.

"Brace yourself."

'Shit.'

Thirty-two minutes later. Karl is laying on the grass with paper cuts all over his body. He is panting heavily. Ian leans over to see Karl's face. "You have a great decision-making ability for our age."

"Thanks."

"Your strength and agility are above average too."

"Thanks."

"But unfortunately, you are fighting Mikaela. She is a genius. Her agility and talent as a mage is a notch above yours. The only advantage you have is your element. A lot of people don't really understand how it works including me. Use that as your advantage. Be creative." Ian extends his arm towards Karl.

"I keep that in mind." Karl says as he takes Ian's hand.

"Oh, I forgot to ask. What is your primary weapon?"

Karl makes an awkward face. "I had a sword, but it broke."

Ian nods at Karl's words.

"LEO! IAN!" Both of them look back to see Andressa calling for them.

"Let's call it day." Ian says.

"Yeah."