Chapter 109: Mana Vein
And so the next day came.
Gray had already hunted several monsters. The Blade Fin Edge trait was now complete, and he’d also collected another fragment for Undying Heart. His EXP was climbing again, close to the next level.
He was eating an octopus when Cindy spoke, her voice distant.
"I can’t get that creature’s gaze out of my mind."
He paused mid-pulse, a fragment of tentacle still pressed against his oral arms.
’Yeah,’ he said, chewing slowly. ’That was terrifying. I didn’t expect to be stared at like that.’
"Just what was that thing?" Cindy’s voice wavered. "It felt like it was aware. Or... was it really unable to move? It chose not to hunt us."
Gray’s tentacles swayed right and left with a slow, dismissive rhythm, as if waving the thought away.
’Don’t think about it too much,’ he said. ’Just treat it like a monster I can’t beat yet. When I’m stronger, I’ll kill it and make it regret letting me run.’
"That thing is definitely powerful," Cindy said, her voice growing serious. "It’s on the level of a Tier 7 or Tier 8 mage. I’ve met a Tier 7 mage before, and I know their mana. That creature... it’s equal to them. Maybe stronger."
Gray finished the last of his meal and began to swim again, his serrated bell cutting through the water.
’Then I need to get stronger fast,’ he said. ’Before that thing finishes whatever it’s doing.’
Cindy was quiet for a moment. Then, softly, "You... don’t take anything seriously, do you, Gray?"
He didn’t answer right away. His body glided through the water, weaving between pale stone ridges and drifting particles.
’Rather than thinking about it,’ he said at last, ’it’s better to think about how to get stronger. That’s more useful.’
Cindy was quiet for a moment, then said, "Yeah, that’s true. If it’s you, I’m sure you can become stronger, Gray. But... this is the first time I’ve seen a monster grow this fast. Are all monsters like you? Or are you special, Gray?"
Gray pulsed forward, his serrated bell cutting a smooth arc through the dark water. His tentacles trailed behind him, swaying with the current as he considered the question.
’I don’t know either,’ he admitted. ’How do humans get strong, anyway?’
Cindy’s voice brightened, as if grateful for the chance to explain something familiar.
"Humans grow strong by gathering mana into a core in their heart," she said. "Then they train and sharpen their abilities. We can use that mana to shape our core, making it stronger as we use it and practice. It’s a slow process, but it’s reliable."
Gray tilted his bell slightly, listening.
’And the tiers? You mentioned something about that before.’
"Yes," Cindy said. "Every stage has its own rank. From the First Circle up to the Tenth Circle. But the Tenth Circle is... well, it’s more legend than reality. No one’s ever confirmed reaching it."
’So Circle Nine exists?’ Gray asked.
"It does," Cindy said. "They’re the strongest people in the world. Though only three have ever reached that rank."
’So it’s that hard to reach Tier Nine, huh.’
"Very hard," Cindy confirmed. "And usually, it’s because they’re geniuses. Or because of their Gift."
Gray stopped mid-pulse.
’Wait, wait. Gift? What’s that now? You’re suddenly dumping a lot of information on me.’
Cindy’s voice sharpened with suspicion.
"What do you mean, a lot? This is common knowledge, Gray. Why don’t you know this?"
Gray resumed swimming, his bell cutting through the water with practiced ease.
’Because I’m a jellyfish,’ he said flatly. ’How would I know anything about the surface world?’
Cindy knew Gray was hiding something. There was no way a jellyfish could be this intelligent, it simply didn’t make sense.
Then, more gently, she said. "If you don’t want to talk about it, that’s fine. I respect your privacy." She paused. "So, I’ll continue. A Gift is a kind of blessing from the gods. Those who receive it gain a unique ability."
Gray let out a soft pulse of understanding.
’Ohh. So it’s like a skill.’
Cindy spoke slowly, choosing her words with care.
"Yep, you could say that. With a Gift, it’s similar to the traits you keep mentioning. It’s what makes each mage’s power different from the others." She paused. "But there are also mages who excel without a Gift. They’re rare, though. Very rare."
Gray swam past a cluster of dark rocks, his serrated bell gliding just above the seafloor.
’What about you?’ he asked. ’Do you have a Gift?’
Cindy’s voice swelled with pride.
"Of course I do. I’m a genius, after all. My Gift is called [Mana Vein]. With it, my mana is more controlled, more balanced. And my capacity grows as I grow stronger." She paused, and Gray could almost hear the smile in her voice. "People praised me because I was born a true mage."
Gray let out a low, thoughtful pulse.
’Born a true mage, huh.’
"Don’t sound so unimpressed," Cindy huffed. "Do you know how rare that is? Most mages spend decades trying to refine their control. I was born with it."
’Sounds useful,’ Gray admitted. ’So your Gift is basically a trait that makes you better at what you already do.’
"Exactly! See? You understand."
Gray’s mind hummed with quiet amusement.
’So you’re a genius with a rare Gift, a prodigy who reached the Fifth Circle at nineteen, and you still got eaten by a fish.’
Cindy’s tone cooled instantly.
"...I hate you."
Gray let out a quiet pulse of laughter that vibrated through the water.
’Just keeping you humble.’
Cindy’s voice sharpened, refusing to let him have the last word.
"But thanks to that, I can protect you from almost any attack. And that’s because of my Gift, I can still manipulate the mana around me. Anyone else wouldn’t be able to do that."
Gray drifted ahead, utterly unimpressed.
’Yeah, yeah. You’re amazing, Cindy Maxwell.’
Cindy went quiet for a beat. When she spoke again, her voice was tight with wounded pride.
"...You didn’t mean that at all."
’What? I said you’re amazing.’
"You said it like you were patting a child on the head."
’Did I?’
"You did."
Gray’s tentacles swayed lazily, completely unbothered.
’Well, you did save my life back there. So I guess you’re a little amazing.’
"A little?!"
’Don’t push it.’
Cindy muttered under her breath, her voice a low, sulky grumble.
"Stupid Gray..."