Chapter 641: Shield
"Show me again," Emlica said.
Starry light wrapped around me as I flared Adaptive Resistance. My soul shivered with the effort, and my breath turned erratic. After a few seconds, I let it go, slumping onto soft, plush cushions on the library’s couch.
"I don’t think I should try anymore," I said, panting lightly.
Emlica frowned, clicking her tongue. "Such a weak constitution." she sighed, and shook her head. "But I suppose there’s no helping it."
As Fate suggested, I went to the library and immediately asked the old librarian for help studying Adaptive Resistance. It had taken her some coaxing, but eventually, she convinced me to show her what I’d done against the Crystal Enchantment. Now, as I felt faint with exhaustion, it became obvious why R’lissea banned me from using my soul.
"This is the first time I’ve encountered such an ability as yours," she mused, "But it’s not unlike some of the other remnants. If I remember right, Invica’s shield functions on a similar principle."
"So does Luke’s curse magic," I said softly.
She raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"It’s where I got the idea in the first place. His curses deconstruct runes and siphon the mana for their own purposes."
"I can’t imagine it would be any easier on his soul," she said.
I shook my head. "He doesn’t assimilate their mana. The curse itself just burns it for extra power."