Chapter 249 Mana Overload
"I assumed you're going to use the mana overload technique. One of my members found a safe way to overcome the first two mana overloads. After that, it's up to the person to continue"
"You found a way to overcome the first two?" Evelyn asked almost immediately.
"Pretty impressive, right?"
"How is that even possible?" Evelyn asked.
"I have no idea, but it works... Though it doesn't get rid of the pain, it guarantees the safety of the mana core. If he's willing to go through regardless of the pain, you should give it a try. With the first two overloads, I'm sure he'll have enough mana to make most high-level spells possible"
"I'm confused. Is mana overload the forbidden technique you didn't want me to undergo?" Roman asked.
"Yes, it's a risky endeavor, and unless you're willing to undergo the process at least 3 or 4 times, it isn't worth the risk," Evelyn replied.
Roman stood up, as he still had no idea what Evelyn was saying. "What is the process?" Roman asked.
"It's a rather simple process, but incredibly dangerous where mana is forcefully infused into a person mana core until it overloads and crack, just enough that it isn't destroyed, so when the fractured mana core repairs itself, it naturally increases to fit the amount of mana infused into the body, it's a process that can be done as many times as possible" Sonia spoke.
"Wait... You infuse mana until the core fractures!!" Roman exclaimed. "What if the core never repairs itself?" Roman asked.
"Then the person is unable to use magic for the rest of their life," Evelyn replied.
Roman frowned; he could see why Evelyn didn't want him to undergo the process. It was far too dangerous, and this was probably not the worst consequence.
"What if too much mana is infused?" He asked.
"Mana overload is only done by the best mage available because of exceptional mana control. If too much mana is infused during the process, the mana core shatters," Evelyn spoke calmly. "And once that happens, there's no fixing it. The person dies almost immediately."
Roman's jaw dropped; he now understood why the technique had been banned. It wasn't because it was impossible to achieve; it was because there was no room for error.
"So every overload is basically just a gamble with your life?"
"That's the reason it's no longer done. During the time of war, when the world saw an increase in demon attacks, and a demon general attacked Avalon, it was done to mages to give them the best chance of survival"
"The larger your mana core becomes, the more mana it takes to overload it again. The first overload is the easiest, the second requires even more mana, and it only gets worse from there," Evelyn replied.
"Most people never survive the first," Sonia added, "But depending on the talent or rather determination of the mage, it's possible to survive the first, and those who survive the first are more likely to survive the second"
"The third is rarely done, though some people have lived through it as I've seen in history books, but I've never heard of someone surviving the fourth," Evelyn spoke.
Roman remained quiet as his head was filled with thoughts. Sure, he was happy at first that his mana capacity was going to be increased, but now he wasn't sure, though the increase in mana might be worth it.
"So what did your member discover?" Evelyn asked, and Sonia smiled.
"A way to guarantee the first and almost guarantee the second overload using rune magic; she experimented and perfected it on magic beasts with a constitution similar to humans," Sonia replied.
"Using rune magic?" Evelyn asked again.
"Yes. Instead of forcing all the mana directly into the mana core, she engraved a series of runes around the body; the runes act like barriers, reducing the pressure reaching the mana core"
"So they slow down the flow of mana?"
"Not exactly. I think the pressure is spread evenly across all the runes and the mana core. Since all the force isn't concentrated on the mana core, it still overloads and cracks, but in a more controlled way, and the runes prevent the mana core from shattering," Sonia explained.
Evelyn folded her arms as she thought about it, but Sonia spoke again.
"The runes don't make the technique safe; they only make the first two overloads survivable without the risk of permanent injury or death, but it doesn't erase the pain"
"So after the first two, why can't it do the same for the third?" Evelyn asked.
"Because the runes have a limit... After the second overload, the mana pressure becomes too great, and the runes can't spread it anymore. If you still want the third, then you'll have to risk it the normal way"
"So did you undergo the process?" Evelyn asked.
"I already did a long time ago, but I wasn't that worried about my mana capacity after the first overload. The pain I felt consumed my mind. I don't think I can ever try something like that again, but it works on humans; that much I can tell you," Sonia responded.
"So you've tested it on something against their will?"
"The person was a criminal who murdered someone, so I don't think they'll be missed, and most especially it works," Sonia spoke with a smirk on her face.
Roman finally weighed in, "How much increase can be expected?"
"Are you still planning to go through with it? Of course you are. Why did I think this would discourage you... It triples your current mana capacity," Evelyn replied.
The moment the words left her mouth, Roman forgot all about the consequences, and the only thing in his head was triple.
'Wait a minute, if Evelyn is correct, then with my current mana capacity of 1515, triple that is 4545, and then the second overload would triple that, making my total mana 13,635.' Roman's eyes widened as he ran the numbers.