Chapter 37: War Part 28 - Too much information
The single glowing page of Mana Circulation was too much. The moment its contents began to burn into Lucy's mind, his entire skull ignited with pain, worse than the fists that had shattered his composure just moments ago.
It wasn't just a headache. It felt like his brain was being split open, each new thread of knowledge searing through his synapses like molten wire. His knees were planted on the obsidian floor, his palms clutching the sides of his head as if he could hold it all together by force.
'It's like someone's forcing a thousand lifetimes of knowledge into my skull... all at once.'
He screamed.
It wasn't a cry of battle or pride—it was primal, broken, raw. The sound tore from his throat and echoed across the battlefield like a soul being dragged into hell.
Far away, Seraphine's soldiers paused, confused. None could tell what was happening to the boy, but they assumed it was some terrifying aspect of Vorn's power, except Seraphine, who remained seated upon her conjured throne at the cliff's edge. Her expression was unreadable, carved from stone, a queen watching pieces move across her board.
On the opposite end, Ithriel's army erupted in cheers. Some warriors laughed aloud; others, more smug than surprised, exchanged gold coins and shook their heads.
"Damn, I should've taken the over," one muttered bitterly.
But Ithriel, seated on his elevated throne, actually smiled. There was rare satisfaction in his voice as he barked, "Finish him, Vorn!"
Vorn didn't answer. He simply walked forward, approaching Lucy's kneeling figure. The boy's sword had clattered to the ground, forgotten. His hands clutched his skull like it was cracking apart.
'Hurry it up, brat, I don't want to kill you, but if Ithriel starts to suspect anything, I won't have a choice.' Vorn's thoughts were heavy, but his stride was calm.