Chapter 62: Jerky

At the same time as Alec’s Burst hit the building, a firm hand grabbed his collar and pulled him back like he was a kid chasing a ball onto the highway. Alec couldn’t even question it.

The Burst released all the compressed wind in one explosive shockwave that sent him and his savior flying backward. The large shed turned into smithereens and spread in a half-circle formation forward.

The trees around them leaned backward, and the smaller buildings and fences on the ranch were blown away.

Alec’s ears rang like someone was shaking a bell inside his head, and his nose bled.

Resting in Erio’s arms, he wiped the blood with the back of his sleeve.

’What the fuck?’ Alec looked at the results of his modified spell with shock.

He had only increased the compression of the wind sphere a little. It was a minor tweak that should not have led to such a powerful result. But before he could take a look at the spell formation, someone grabbed him by the shoulder and flung him to the ground beside Erio.

Alec stared blankly at Shim’s lips flapping silently like he was having a muted rap battle.

Alec couldn’t hear him anyway, so he ignored him and cast Scan on himself to check how bad his condition was.

’I did hear that shockwaves are pretty dangerous in some movie myth debunking.’

It wasn’t quite as bad as he had expected, but it wasn’t very good either. His internal organs had taken a hit and were a little bruised. Fortunately, it didn’t seem like he would die.

A slap suddenly changed his perspective as Shim grabbed his chin and forced him to look at him. Alec didn’t feel it since his skin was still numb from the shockwave, but that didn’t mean he could accept getting slapped. He glared at Shim.

“Do you think my ears work after that? I can’t hear shit, you angry old man!” Alec shouted, even louder than he thought he did.

Shim stared at him, stunned, for a moment before slapping him again and turning around.

Once Shim had left to inspect the ranch with the noble students, Erio and Maura helped Alec to his feet.

He could see that they were talking to him, but he couldn’t hear them, so it was pointless. They pretty quickly realized that he hadn’t lied about that and supported him back to the carriage.

Questioning him about what he had just done would have to wait.

Despite the ringing in his ears and the discomfort inside his body, Alec fell asleep inside the carriage. It probably wasn’t a good idea if he had a concussion since his brain might start bleeding, but even if it did, he didn’t think anyone could save him.

There was one thing that could save him, though.

His Sins.

Gluttony had restored his condition and then some after he fought against the monster sheep.

Alec wasn’t sure how much it would do without proper fuel, but it would hopefully still do something. He would end up hungry afterward, though.

As expected, Alec woke up to the rumbling sound of his own stomach.

“Are you dying?” Maura asked as soon as Alec opened his eyes. Although her tone was light, there was sincere concern in her eyes. The sounds Alec was making while sleeping did not sound like something a person who would be alive in two days would make.

“Of hunger. Do we have something to eat?”

“Good, you can hear now. We saved some jerky for you. That old bastard revoked your food privileges or some bullshit. He also said that you will be in charge of cleaning up the ranch after we return from the Treasure Room.”

Alec nodded with a frown on his face.

’Jerky won’t be enough, but I can leave the camp to look for something after everyone’s gone to sleep.’

“Thanks.”

Maura put a hand on Alec’s shoulder and stopped him from leaving the carriage.

“That spell…” She started saying before trailing off.

“Yes?” He asked.

“Is the one you gave me anything like it?” She looked at Alec with big eyes.

Alec shook his head.

“It shouldn’t be. I actually put some thought into that one, so it should be more stable. I modified Burst on the spot to get some more power, so my calculations were a little off.”

“Oh…” Maura’s hand slipped off Alec’s shoulder, and her expression slumped. But she perked up again immediately afterward.

“Wait, you modified Burst on the spot? And you created the other one overnight?”

Alec nodded, his hunger beginning to gnaw at him.

Maura heard it, so she pulled out some jerky to get him to stay and talk.

“How is that even possible?” She asked with a frown.

She hadn’t lived in the library like Alec, but that didn’t mean she had slacked off in her studies. But no matter how she thought about it, she couldn’t understand how it was possible for Alec to change or create spells, much less in such a short time.

Alec scratched his neck with a slightly uncomfortable expression.

He could explain remembering spells by saying that he had a good memory, but how was he supposed to explain how he modified spells?

“Uhh…Talent?”

Maura gave Alec a blank stare.

“You should be more careful in the future,” She said after a long while.

“Yeah, trying out a new spell like that wasn’t a good idea.”

Maura gave him another stare.

“Not like that. You didn’t notice how those nobles stared at you.”

Alec frowned, but before he could ask for clarification, the door to the carriage was pulled open.

“Oh, good, you’re awake. That means I don’t have to pitch your tent.” Taryeon patted Alec on the shoulder happily.

“No, but it would be very kind of you to do it anyway.”

“I’m not sure.” Taryeon shrugged helplessly. “I mean, maybe if I had gotten a spell from the great shed-destroyer, I might consider it.”

Taryeon was apparently jealous of Maura now that Alec had demonstrated his capabilities.

Alec rolled his eyes.

“As if you need it.”

“Need it? No. Want it? Yes.”

“Fine. Give me something to work with.”

“Something like this?” Taryeon handed Alec a slip of paper as if he had been waiting for it.

Alec just sighed.

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