Knights and Mages

The core ingredient of the elixir, the "Breath of the Demon."

It's a round object enveloped in a black aura, and the elixir is created by pouring holy water onto it.

"Drinking it will definitely increase mana."

Elixirs randomly raise stats, but since my other stats are maxed out, only mana can increase.

For a mage, if strength, agility, and constitution are addition, mana is multiplication.

While removing the penalties of strength, agility, and constitution is important, nothing is more crucial to me than mana.

"Should I go get the remaining one too?"

I put the "Breath of the Demon" into my pocket. I remember being quite happy when I got it in the game. In ten years, I've never gotten two at once, so I'm lucky today.

"Push harder! Don't let them get to Zed!"

Even while I was enjoying the joy of getting loot, Torres and the knights were fighting with all their might.

They were drenched in sweat and their faces were flushed, but they looked delighted when they saw me.

I wondered if it was just me feeling both proud and sorry for them.

I ran towards them at full speed.

Bang! Crrrrack-!

The knights' jaws dropped. The basilisk, which had been going berserk just moments ago, wasn't moving.

"Unbelievable...!"

It was a surreal sight.

How should I describe it? It felt like a bolt of lightning had struck, and then the basilisk's eyes closed.

"Th, that's...!"

More shocking than the sudden death of the basilisk was Zed. He was sitting on the monster's head, looking indifferent.

Then, he looked down at the knights and picked at his ear.

"Brain energy! Could it be that Zed Arahan has obtained brain energy...!"

Golden currents sparked like electricity, and his bangs, which had been covering his forehead, stood straight up. Beneath his exposed forehead, his red eyes, the symbol of Arahan, shone brightly.

Even for the knights of Bahal, brain energy was a very unfamiliar attribute.

Although there were records of it, no one had actually seen it. Therefore, it was considered a legend created by mages, but the energy flowing through Zed's body was clearly brain energy.

"Zed...? That energy, is it really brain energy?"

Torres asked in surprise. Everyone was in shock, but Zed remained calm.

"Isn't it obvious it's brain energy?"

"How did this happen...! I heard you didn't have mana..."

"Not anymore. I unlocked my mana a while ago."

"What...?"

That was even more shocking.

Just as blood flows from the heart through the blood vessels, mana is transmitted through the circuit via the ring.

And the mana ring that surrounds the heart is formed from birth. It's as natural as having ten fingers and ten toes.

Sometimes, the circuit connects late. It's called "late bloomer" in polite terms, but even then, all circuits connect by the age of six.

But Zed is fifteen. The fact that he didn't have mana until now meant that he didn't have the ring, the source of mana, itself. It's like someone born with nine fingers suddenly growing a tenth one.

"No, it's more like he grew another heart..."

How is this even possible?

This has never happened in a thousand years of history. At least, not in any recorded cases.

Zed was an unprecedented case that broke existing common sense.

"Why are you all so surprised? Isn't it natural for a mage to manipulate mana?"

"It's natural, but you..."

Torres trailed off.

While his mind was in chaos from the unbelievable situation, he suddenly remembered Zed sweating and training.

Could it be that the heavens were moved by his will? For now, that was the only explanation he could come up with.

"Lord Torres! Are you alright!"

At that moment, the main force rushed over. They had dispatched reinforcements immediately after hearing the sounds of battle.

Running with their swords drawn from afar, they saw the already dead basilisk and asked in confusion.

"This is an undiscovered monster... Ah! Lord Torres, you took care of it. You're amazing as always!"

"...No, it wasn't me. This friend did it."

"Huh...?"

Torres's gaze turned to Zed.

The knights tilted their heads, looking at the young mage shrugging his shoulders.

That young mage killed the basilisk?

"Haha. You have a great sense of humor."

"I'm not joking. Zed saved my life and the lives of the search party."

"That's impossible. I heard that mage doesn't even have mana..."

Torres shook his head. The search party members also looked serious.

The knights who came as reinforcements were completely confused. They had no idea what had happened.

"If we skin it and sell it, we'll have enough for beef."

"...?"

"And this is mine."

Zed took the remaining "Breath of the Demon." It was customary to record the spoils from undiscovered monsters first, but no one could claim ownership.

"Torres, is it okay if I take it?"

"Of course. Since you killed the monster, the spoils are naturally yours."

Credit to his comrades, blame to himself.

Once again, Torres followed the teachings of chivalry.

Rumors of the young Arahan spread quickly throughout the southern front.

It was quite unusual for talk of mages to circulate in a place that usually only talked about monsters.

"I heard he took down an undiscovered monster with his bare hands?"

"Not only that, he even unlocked brain energy. It wasn't a legend after all."

"Is it really brain energy? How could a mage who didn't even have mana suddenly have brain energy? Maybe they saw wrong?"

"Everyone in the search party saw it. Even Lord Torres acknowledged it, so it can't be a mistake."

"Wow... Brain energy is said to be superior to the four major attributes, right? That mage wasn't a half-wit, he was a genius."

"That's right. Arahan is Arahan for a reason. His reputation didn't come from nothing."

Despite their strong hostility towards mages, they praised him because Zed had saved their comrades.

For a knight, comrades are as precious as their swords. In chivalry, swords, honor, and comrades are considered a trinity.

"That Arahan is definitely different from other mages." "At first, I was skeptical, but I think Lord Torres is right. He even sweats and exercises during his breaks. He's not like a mage at all. The more you see him, the more you realize he's a true gem."

"I heard he even gave away the monster's skin?"

"It's quite sturdy, so it must be worth a lot. They're having a celebration party with the money from selling it."

"Ah... I want to talk to that Arahan too. I should have volunteered for the search party today."

Zed's reputation among the knights changed completely.

A mage with the limitless potential of brain energy not only joined the search operations on the southern front but also took down an undiscovered monster and saved their comrades and their carriage.

It was more than enough to break their long-held stereotypes.

"...Lord Zed, thank you for saving me earlier."

"Sorry for slapping you. I did it to bring you back to your senses, so understand."

"Of course. How could a knight lose his focus on the battlefield... I'll reflect on this incident."

The party atmosphere was warm.

Nothing stimulates camaraderie as much as going through a life-threatening experience together.

I never thought the day would come when I would think of a mage as a comrade, but since it was Zed, it wasn't entirely unpleasant.

Even though he was a mage, he had saved my life.

"The lord of the house seems to be quite surprised. I think I'll have to go to the house tomorrow."

"Alright, we'll go to Frilda."

"I told them about your situation, and they all offered to help. They're off duty from tomorrow, so they'll help you. I'll go to Frilda as soon as I finish my work."

"Thanks for your concern."

"I promised."

Torres smiled warmly.

Even though it wasn't his intention, Zed had earned the recognition of the members through his own efforts. He was overjoyed and thrilled by that fact.

"Zed is indeed a good mage. I'm glad I became his friend."

Arahan and Bahal were like water and oil. He knew that, but he wanted to be close to Zed. The more he saw him, the more he realized he was a great teacher and a good friend.

The next day, Zed and the knights stood in front of the transfer gate.