RESONANCE

Kojo stared at the comatose Rey. He sat down on a chair near the bed. His eyes began to glow as his ability, Scan, was being used to look at the real state his friend was in.

(Analysis shows that the poison used on him left his soul core struck. This may have serious repercussions. The body of all living beings possesses pathways through which arcana runs, much like the veins and arteries through which blood flows or the circuitry that allows the flow of electricity in a machine. The arrow that struck him was laced with poison from the silver nightshade, a rare plant that has a toxin that caused the arcana pathways to collapse, causing the backflow of arcana. He was lucky that Adriana cast healing on him to slow down the damage, but the poison is still within him. If he's not treated carefully, he'll become crippled and may not live past a year.)

'What did this idiot get himself into?' Kojo said.

(Optimum treatment has been deduced.)

"Then let us begin," Kojo said in a serious voice, raising his hands and closing his eyes. The atmosphere within the room began to shift as Kojo's arcana filled the space within.

Accelerant + Split Psyche

Kojo's aura began to flow into Rey as he shared his energy with him to stop the damage.

Soon the entire room was filled with magic. Kojo's energy, though not seen by those outside the room, was sensed as a surge of power. Not wanting to draw attention to himself, he used Aegis to create a barrier around the room.

"My skill Aegis enables me to create a barrier that severs the space between two points, making it impossible for one to cross over into the other. Add Resonance Amplification, and I operate at a different frequency from the rest of the world, which means I'm essentially moving in a different dimension. Now I can work without being sensed or my aura leaking out," he thought, opening his glowing eyes. Using his skill Poison King, Kojo extracted the poison from Rey's system.

(Cross-examination of individual 'Reynolds Listowell'. Searching archives, as well as the host's current storage.

Success.

Creation of a safe treatment for the destroyed arcane pathways.)

'Is this valid, Sysia?'

(I've run the numbers, and it is.)

Kojo stood up. He spoke, his voice merged with Sysia's.

(Activating skill: Skill Unification.

Fusing skills:

Bio-regeneration

Resonance Amplification

Ultra boost

Pain nullification

Poison King.

Success.

Compound skill Panacea. Once activated, cancels out all poisonous effects and negative effects such as curses, Dark magic... see more.

Subject has inherited all skills used in the fusion.)

A portal opened, and Kojo took out a blue potion.

(NOTICE: Administrator, permission to use 'Ambrosia'?)

"Granted."

The seals on the bottle broke, and Kojo poured the magic potion on Rey, causing his body to glow.

(Use of 'Ambrosia' successful)

The barrier around the room disappeared, and the arcana in the atmosphere vanished.

(Treatment complete. Individual 'Reynolds Listowell' has gained -)

'Has his condition stabilized?' Lin interrupted.

"His pathways are back in order, but it will take a while for them to fully heal. He's also lost a lot of Arcana, so it'll be a while before he wakes up," Kojo said with a sigh.

"Wait," he turned around, realizing that Lin and the others were in the room. He was stunned. Even Eden was in the room. Adriana came and hugged him.

"Thank you, Kojo. Thank you so much," she said emotionally.

"You're welcome, but wait, how did you...?"

"We sensed a strong magical presence and came here to see what was going on," Sharone said.

"Yeah, but..."

(Don't worry, I let them pass through the barrier.)

"Why, though?"

(For emotional support.)

"I honestly thought it was those assassins who were after Rey. Still, I never knew you were that skilled at manipulating Arcana. And that voice, what was that?" Koniko asked.

"W-well, um, it was, uh," Kojo stammered as he began to sweat.

"Excellent display of magic control; I'd expect no less from my master," Eden said proudly. Kojo noticed that Eden had changed into a white suit with a white shirt without a tie.

Sasha quickly hugged Kojo, rubbing herself against him.

"I knew you were a good guy, but sacrificing so much magic power is just golden," she said.

"So much? I'm a bit hungry, but aside from that, I don't feel anything," Kojo thought to himself.

"Are you okay, though?" she asked with a concerned voice.

"I'm fine," Kojo said with a yawn. "I'll just take a quick bite, and I'm off to bed."

"Come on, it's still morning; let's go explore the city," Lin said, hugging his other arm.

"Now, now, mistress, master has had quite the rough ordeal; could you please be a bit considerate and allow him rest?" Eden said politely.

"Huh?" Lin glared at him.

"Last I checked, you were the rough ordeal he went through. Don't think I haven't forgotten you cut his arm off."

"Now, now, Lin, calm down," Kojo said, restraining her as she waved her fist angrily.

"He was just doing his job. It's not a big deal," Kojo said. Eden bowed in gratitude.

"So, what are you doing here again?" Kojo asked, causing Eden to jolt.

"I'm here to serve you," Eden replied.

"Why?"

"Why? Because you're my master, of course," Eden said.

"I'm not buying it. You still have your job to do as moderator of the tower."

"Yes, that's true, but since there's been no one to challenge the tower, I decided to be your aid."

"Huh?"

(The tower's gone.)

"What do you mean the tower is gone?" Kojo asked Sysia.

(Well, you kinda gave the order for the tower to be shoved into your Mindscape. Estelle wasn't happy to have her snack time so rudely interrupted.)

"I did?"

(You're asking me?) Sysia said slightly annoyed.

(Well, the tower is technically your property now, so yeah, I guess.)

"I met with my lady, and she said;

"I don't really have any use for you now," Estelle said as she looked through her old stuff.

"But my lady, it's been years since I last saw you, and after centuries, I have the opportunity to serve you again, and you say you don't need me," Eden said sadly.

"Well, my physical body was destroyed, so even though I'm alive, I'm technically dead."

Eden looked at the ground.

Estelle walked up to him and lifted his face.

"I may not be of much help in the face of coming adversity, but you can. You can be a great asset to the one who will once again bring about the age of peace. Now go," she said with a smile that warmed Eden's heart.

"And that's what she said," Eden finished relaying Estelle's message.

"I bet she didn't want to work and so pushed all the workload on me so she could laze about," Kojo thought, imagining Estelle giving him the peace sign. He sighed. Just then the door opened. A group of soldiers entered the room.

"The king requires your presence at once," the chief guard said. Kojo looked around.

"Who, me?" he asked, pointing to himself.

"Who else would it be? We've been tasked to escort you there."

"Okay then," Kojo said, walking out of the room. Sharone followed him but was stopped by the guards.

"We were asked to bring only Sir Kojo. Your presence is not needed," the guard said.

Sharone was about to protest, but Kojo shook his head.

"He's just following orders. Yo, Eden," Kojo called, pulling a bag of money out of a Portal and throwing it to him.

"Take them shopping. I'll meet up with you guys once I'm done with the meeting," he said with a smile, waving as he left the room. The guard stole a last glance at Rey before walking out. This didn't go unnoticed by Sharone.

"This way, mistresses," Eden said, ushering them out of the room. Sharone inconspicuously drew a rune, causing a sigil to appear on the ceiling.

Kojo whistled as he and the guards moved toward the throne room. For some reason, he couldn't help but feel uneasy. The guard behind him held his sword but froze, unable to draw his blade. He looked up and saw Kojo looking at him from the corner of his eye.

"You look familiar," Kojo said. The other guards around him stepped back and slowly reached for their weapons.

"Meh, I probably saw you in the city when I was off duty. Don't worry about it," Kojo said, patting his shoulder and walking forward with his hands in his pockets. The guards looked at each other and followed.