Chapter 32: Absorbing Mana Stones

Several days later, the situation with the monsters was completely resolved. Adam could see people going out onto the streets again from his bedroom window.

What’s more, the endless rain had stopped; the sky was clear, with clouds moving slowly across the heavens.

Adam stepped away from the window and returned to his desk in his room. He picked up a mana stone the size of a fingernail, opaque, with a faint glow that barely escaped from its uneven surface.

Mana stones have various uses, such as creating armor and other items. But they also served as currency; however, their true value lies in their ability to let a knight or wizard strengthen themselves more quickly by expanding their mana reserves.

Adam was going to use it to strengthen himself and expand his mana reserves.

He carefully channeled his mana.

The stone reacted with an almost imperceptible resistance before yielding, as if it were crumbling from within. The flow was warm at first, then slightly dense, running through his meridians with pressure that was neither painful nor comfortable.

When he opened his eyes, the stone had turned to gray dust.

[You have gained 2 EXP]

“…What?”

Adam’s eyes widened in surprise. That was completely unexpected.

And he quickly opened the status window to check.

Adam Hall

Novice Knight [EXP: 94/500]

Talent: A

Trait: Fencing (SSS) Hand-to-Hand Combat (D) Tracking (C) Mana Manipulation (B) Magic (SSS) Mana Perception (S)

Strength: 29 +

Stamina: 30 +

Agility: 30 +

Vitality: 33 +

Mana: 75 +

Statistics points: 8

2 EXP.

It had actually increased by two just from absorbing a mana stone the size of a fingernail. This was a great discovery.

Adam’s smile widened. He looked at the dust on the table and then at his own fingers, still covered with a slight gray residue. The amount was small, almost insulting… but it was real.

He picked up another stone of the same size without hesitation. This time, he paid attention to the flow, the speed, and the time it took for the core to absorb the energy. The process was identical.

[You gained 2 EXP]

Adam’s mind began to race. If the small mana stones granted two… the medium ones should offer more. Not necessarily double, but more experience.

His gaze shifted to the box where the mana stones were stored, extracted from the cave where he had discovered the Sword Cemetery dungeon… the same place where he had obtained Repentance.

Adam allowed a slight, barely perceptible smile to appear on his lips.

Unlike others, his body was not saturated by continuous absorption. There were no signs of instability.

A great advantage.

He approached the box without haste. He lifted the lid.

The faint glow of the stones illuminated his face from below.

He took one.

He absorbed it.

The notification appeared.

[You have gained 2 EXP]

He took another.

The flow of mana coursed through his meridians with an increasingly familiar friction. It wasn’t pleasant. But it wasn’t a warning either.

[You gained 2 EXP]

Another one.

Gray dust began to accumulate on the table.

[You gained 2 EXP]

[You gained 2 EXP]

[You gained 2 EXP]

The dry sound of notifications became constant. Rhythmic. Almost hypnotic.

Adam was smiling now.

If he kept up this pace, he could level up completely, but he didn’t have enough mana points.

He continued absorbing.

The experience gradually increased. When he finally stopped, it wasn’t because of fatigue.

It was because the mana points had been agreed upon.

He closed the box carefully.

And he opened his status window again.

Adam Hall

Novice Knight [EXP: 201/500]

Talent: A

Trait: Fencing (SSS) Hand-to-Hand Combat (D) Tracking (C) Mana Manipulation (B) Magic (SSS) Mana Perception (S)

Strength: 29 +

Stamina: 30 +

Agility: 30 +

Vitality: 33 +

Mana: 75 +

Statistics points: 8

“Hahahaha!”

Adam couldn’t help but burst out laughing when he saw his status. His experience went from 96 to 201; it was a huge jump, just from absorbing mana losses.

He slumped into his chair as his expression contorted in pain, as he hadn’t recovered enough yet.

However, that didn’t take away from the happiness he felt at that moment.

…

A few moments later, Adam left his room, leaning on his cane. Each step was measured. Not because he was afraid of falling… but because his body still remembered the impact of the claws all too well.

Asterin floated beside him, moving with a silent elegance that contrasted with the slight shuffle of his gait. They conversed in low voices. Nothing important. Light comments. Necessary distractions.

The servants, upon seeing him, bowed their heads respectfully. Some smiled with relief.

Adam responded with calm gestures.

It was important for them to see him walking.

Even if it hurt.

When he reached the dining room, he found his mother already seated.

Alisha was waiting for him with a warm smile.

Too warm.

Adam knew her well enough to notice what was hidden behind it.

Concern.

Contained fear.

“Come, sit next to me.”

He sat down carefully, leaning his cane against the table. He smiled as if nothing was out of place.

She held his gaze.

“How are you feeling?”

“Me? I’m as strong as an oak. Better than ever…”

He didn’t finish his sentence.

A sharp pain shot through his ribs.

“Ouch… Mo…”

Alisha had pressed her finger exactly where it hurt the most.

“I’m still recovering. Do you want to leave your daughter-in-law without a husband?”

She snorted.

“You weren’t exactly built like an oak tree. I barely touched you, and you’re already complaining like your father when he has the flu. He always says he’s going to die, that he’s sorry for leaving me alone… and the next day, he’s fine.”

Adam narrowed his eyes.

That wasn’t comparable.

The flu was a treacherous enemy.

But he decided not to say so.

He had survived a battle against a Rank III.

He wasn’t reckless enough to start another one against his mother.

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