Reincarnated User Manual

Chapter 179: Rapid Achievement

Chapter 179: Rapid Achievement

At some point in the demonic realm, I learned why I couldn’t manipulate mana.

[One-eyed Dolby]

A fairy endowed with the ability to see the flow of mana.

She explained that my meridians, which should extend from the limbs like threads, were instead circling the heart in a loop, constantly revolving around the same spot.

Although he wasn’t surprised to hear a more detailed account after Johann mentioned that the upper and middle meridians were blocked, it did provide some relief to uncover a secret of Shiron Prient, who spent his life envying his half-sister.

However, amidst this, another disturbing thought emerged.

“Have you ever made an enemy?”

“A curse, or maybe you underwent physical modification while you were asleep?”

The one-eyed fairy asked in a worried tone if I had undergone some bizarre ordeal.

At first, he was puzzled by her words.

After all, it was definitely during the naïve days of childhood that he possessed Shiron Prient’s body. He might not boast about having a good memory, but he did keep a diary and remembered all the significant events since the possession.

So, if I had been cursed or physically altered, it must have been before the possession, but back then, Shiron was too young.

No matter how consumed by inferiority Shiron Prient became, he was still just a child. If someone who did something bad to a young Shiron was still alive, I’d like to see their face at least once.

Of course, now that he had received a dragon’s heart, he barely managed to avoid being crippled, and he didn’t plan to hunt them down to kill them, but he was still curious about how evil someone must be to curse a clueless child to live a life as a cripple.

‘...Of course, it all goes back to Yura being the cause.’

All the stray thoughts within Shiron’s psyche converged in one place.

‘...Still, it’s clear that person was here.’

The space occupied by those thoughts became a void, creating an emptiness.

‘Honestly, she knows she did something wrong. Isn’t that why she made various arrangements?’

Like Latera. Or the Heart of Demodras. It wasn’t difficult to realize these were Yura’s arrangements.

‘An angel or whatever, she doesn’t even use her real name, so I just realized.’

A new desire emerged.

‘Now that I know the angel is her identity... Like Latera, who waited for me for 500 years, she must also be alive somewhere.’

Not a vague goal of surviving a deadly crisis.

Nor a vague objective of becoming something by killing the Demon God.

A clear desire filled the void.

‘To meet and see her face to face. To have the conversations we never had... And more.’

Flash-

Suddenly, a bright light settled in what could be called my inner world.

Like the Milky Way filling the night sky, like ocean waters covering more than half a continent.

The light filled the holes in the imagery.

And then, one path became visible.

A single straight path, not divided into multiple branches.

Below it was a sheer cliff, making it not easy to walk the path.

Yet, Shiron chose to walk this path.

The distant goal was something he resolved to achieve. Even if he couldn’t run towards the goal, he would walk steadfastly.

He knew he lacked ability. Throughout his life, the problems that were resolved easily could be counted on one hand.

However, moving towards the goal was a beautiful thing in itself. So, he decided not to assume whether it would end in failure or success.

Besides just a contract to lend a heart, Demodras felt regret that he couldn’t oversee his disciple’s growth from start to finish.

“I know a great archmage who can match me, so ask her for the rest.”

He won’t say he couldn’t be a good teacher for Shiron.

Too proud to admit it, and after all, 20 years wasn’t long enough to feel the absence.

“...Next time I come, I should bring something tasty.”

“Go ahead up. Others seem to want to bid you farewell.”

“Sure, I’ll take good care of the kids and tell them well.”

Shiron waved his hand and then turned to leave.

Now that Yoru’s matter was handled, he didn’t have to worry about Demodras’s well-being.

Suppressing his regret, Shiron walked towards Yuma’s office.

However, at this moment, Shiron had overlooked something.

He should have left immediately after Demodras’s farewell. He regretted this within less than five minutes.

It took Shiron a week to finally leave Dawn Castle.

Meanwhile, at the expeditionary force headquarters.

The expedition was nearing its end, but luck wasn’t on their side as they struggled to wrap things up.

An incident of sudden desertion occurred. The absence of as many as ten knights left them unable to properly handle the surging waves of challenges.

A heavy responsibility weighed on their shoulders.

For the expeditionary force commander, Igor, it was only natural that the ashtray kept filling up with cigarette ash day after day.

“Your Highness, what does this mark here mean?”

While reviewing incoming reports, Igor noticed a conspicuous mark hanging there.

A red circle.

Different from the red cross marking the deceased, this symbol indicate the missing.

His counterpart, Victor, answered with gravity.

“It marks those who went missing during the expedition.”

“I know that, but this mark is also next to the name Shiron Prient.”

“...”

“Is he missing?”

Igor, half in disbelief, looked towards the crown prince, and Victor broke out in a cold sweat under his scrutinizing gaze.

It had been a month and a half since Shiron left to learn magic. Victor hadn’t held him back, but now she was also in a tricky position if Shiron didn’t return soon.

“It’s a secret to you, but Shiron is currently on a top-secret mission.”

“...I see.”

“Yes, a top-secret mission that only I know about.”

“A mission so secret that even the expeditionary force commander doesn’t know... It’s frightening to think about.”

“Yes, indeed. Well, I must be going now.”

After a formal exchange with Igor, Victor moved towards her quarters.

‘He said he’d be back soon after learning some magic.’

Her steps were heavy, thud, thud. Making up various excuses and delaying had also reached its limit. If Shiron didn’t show his face soon, he would either be processed as missing or as a deserter, and either scenario would put them in significant trouble.

Though he hadn’t promised to return soon, Victor earnestly hoped that Shiron would return sooner rather than later.