Chapter 7: Mana body sickness

The second floor corridor of the School buzzed with quiet chatter. Two high ranking men could be seen walking side by side with their robes flowing with each step. One was Jonas Ken Ishtar, the formidable well known leader of the Ishtar clan and Baron of Inunna, a man in his mid 30's with pitch black-long flowing hair ,pointed nose , sharp brown eyes and a white glowing skin wearing a brown long robe. The other was Dulfard Kai Ishtar -his trusted advisor- an old man whose wisdom had guided the clan for decades.

"Time flies by quickly , In the blink of an eye the clan has began to train a new generation" Jonas began, his voice calm , Dulfard let out an audible sigh

"Ah yes. And also they are some talented faces among this year's batch unlike last year" Dulfard Kai Ishtar added .He was know as one the high elders in the clan know for diligence , commitment and loyalty to the clan leader. Despite being old and had seen Three clan leaders during his life time , he was still agile and well structured.He had long white hair tied in a ponytail, hazel green eyes , sharp jawline with fair skin glowing despite of his age was ranging to his late 90's ,his beards white and long were evidence of his age.

"That for one is true " Jonas shook is head,

"The Notus clan , Marduk and Enil clans all have terrifying talents this season with A huge amount of children with Grade B compatibility with mana , a rare occurrence"

"Especially Kalos.... the Notus lad, the expectations for him are sky high" Jonas nodded , the boy talents were splendid

To such an extent if cultivated and nurtured well his rank will soar.

"In the younger generation he could be called one of the most outstanding one to a point that even the older generation feel pressure from the promising youth"

"That will be taking it too far don't you think?" Jonas laughed slowing his walking pace . Dulfard laughed,

He was taking it too far a bit

"But still it's obvious that he would become a great pillar in his clan . A strong independent one at that " Jonas couldn't argue with that after all a Grade B rank Is considered as rare said to be found as 1 in about five hundred children.

"You're right about that, but let's not forget he's not the only Rank B around, we have The young maiden from Marduk clan and also one of the twins from the Enil clan"

Jonas smiled at the the fact that the resident of Inunna had more than 1 B rank mana compatible children in a class , not to talk about the other class which had not been tested for their magical powers made him happy.

And also for our clan the Ishtars all hope isn't lost ...." Dulfard face lit up ,

" We have many promising youths , 2 B rank and about 12 C rank that's a bountiful harvest if you ask me" Jonas couldn't agree more .

Jonas remained silent as their went across to the end of the corridor, "And our finances?"

Winter was coming and it was time for all the Clan gathering and harvest for the whole year to pay off. Add to the Goods being sold to foreigners bringing in more capital into the clan,

Dulfard hesitated , " Well we would cope through winter if nothing out of the ordinary happens, but the clan resources are currently strained, we might need alternative income sources,just in case if things goes too south.".

"Taking into consideration training expenses for the new generation and also the older ones , we will need to cut down some of security expenses to make up for that"

Jonas exhaled sharply, " I'll speak to the Purse bearer , first thing tomorrow morning to make the necessary arrangements and plans for a meeting concerning that matter" Dulfard nodded ,

Dulfard's voice dropped lower. "And about your daughter's condition…"

Jonas's stride faltered for the briefest of moments before he pressed forward. "It's not relevant," he said stiffly, his tone final. "Still no cure"

His daughter Lilia , was tested to be a Rank B Magic user with high affinity to lighting attributes.

This had broadened his smile when he learnt her attributes was that of a Deviant, he couldn't express his joy.

He had gotten her best of materials , so she could start cultivating but as time passes her cultivation didn't show sign of increase she hadn't even started to make her mana core despite her hard training.

A rare occurrence.

Despite her body being able to easily draw mana from the atmosphere it didn't hold it .

Her was like a two way pipe which allowed water to pour out the moment it goes in. Her body could easily absorb mana and easily let that same mana go out without been able to retain in her body.

Her condition didn't have a know reason nor did it have a cure, once he found out he as the clan leader was disappointed .

' What's the use of A B rank cultivator if , he/she couldn't cultivate',

He was also disappointed as a Father whom had his prideand was once happy for his daughter being a B rank Cultivator someone whom could take his place once he was gone.

But now she couldn't,

Although he didn't give up in finding a cure , he had placed a public decree fmthat who ever had a cure would be granted a massive amount of Gold crowns which would make the person practically rich and also would be giving a wish of his choice to be granted.

An enticing offer , many so called healers , sorcerers and mages had come forth trying all of form of things.

But her condition hadn't find a solution yet.

*BAM!*

A boy falling..

From the sky with a mana-formed tentacle lashed toward him, its ghostly glow illuminating the air.

The tentacles raced to meet the boy ,

The boy raced to meet the earth ,

It reached just before impact, managing to seize the boy's body, but the force of the landing still sent his head,crashing against the floor with a sickening *thud*.

Jonas and Dulfard rushed forward as guards gathered at the scene .

'Crap'

Clifford jump down from the window using two of his mana tentacles to smoothen his fall . Everyone face filled with concern. The clan leader knelt beside the boy, carefully examining him.

He could easily I dentify the boy, one could call him his distant nephew ,

He raised his head to look at Clifford

"Sir I can... explain" Clifford voice was weirdly unstable and his voice quivering.

'Of course you will '

Jonas looked away from him and back to the little boy.

The boy's head was bleeding profusely.

His body was unnaturally warm, heat radiating from his skin like a fevered inferno. His heartbeat—no, it was wrong. It pounded in an eerie, unnatural rhythm.

Clifford face turned pale. "He lost control all of a sudden" his voice quivered

"It wasn't ordinary ." His heart lost it pace,

"Something—someone—was trying to take over his body."

He wasn't sure but he said it anyways, he wasn't ready to be blamed and punished for hurting a high status person in the clan .

A grim silence settled over them.

Possession?.

The clan leader enforced his eyes with mana look at the boy,

Nothing was out of the ordinary but still his body heat up badly,

"Take him to the clinic"

Without hesitation, the guards carried him to the infirmary, urgency in every step. His head bled profusely, staining Jonas's hands as he held the unconscious youth. He gave Clifford a look as if signalling him to come with him. And he walked away .