Chapter 25: 25

Magic Absorption.

It was the basic power of Exceed Rain and symbolized the power of darkness.

Any artificially manipulated magic could become the nourishment for Exceed Rain.

While it couldn’t interfere with naturally formed magic, it could quickly disassemble and absorb the magic created by humans or beasts.

However, just as darkness disappears where light touches, it couldn’t steal the magic composed of holy laws.

‘It’s good, but if you’re not prepared, you’ll just be used.’

Exceed Rain not only absorbed magic but also had the abilities of mental domination and magic erosion.

Mental domination stimulated the user’s desires and malice, while magic erosion forced the user’s magic to be used solely for Exceed Rain.

This meant the user’s body and magic would be completely controlled by Exceed Rain.

In this process, magic absorption could also become a harmful ability.

Typically, the user’s magic limit is predetermined, and exceeding that limit would be rejected by the body.

But if Exceed Rain controlled the user, even that could be freely adjusted.

As a result, the user would excessively absorb magic, causing their body and mind to gradually distort.

‘Even the protagonist doesn’t use it well.’

The protagonist managed to suppress Exceed Rain after many battles, but couldn’t utilize it as desired.

From the beginning, he didn’t have immunity to mental domination and magic erosion, and had to rely on El Tesoykve to suppress Exceed Rain.

Therefore, the power of Exceed Rain was weakened, and it even rejected the protagonist due to poor compatibility with El Tesoykve.

‘Even in the latter part, it’s the same.’

The protagonist acquires the journal left by that person only in the latter part.

But by then, he was already accustomed to El Tesoykve and Neiling, and hardly used Exceed Rain.

In the end, although he obtained immunity to both, he would look for a way to seal it as he couldn’t use it with El Tesoykve.

‘I think I understand a bit now.’

Zion instinctively believed he could fully absorb that ominous flame.

The less magic the user had, the more magic Exceed Rain craved.

Since he had used his sword energy and depleted his magic, his magic absorption ability was enhanced.

‘If I absorb a few more times, I’ll be able to use sword energy.’

Absorbing the previous magic had slightly restored his magic.

If they kept attacking with magic, he could wield Exceed Rain again.

In other words, even in a prolonged battle, he could periodically release sword energy, posing a threat to the enemies.

“Did you see? Do you have faith in me again?”

Zion returned to his original position with a smile.

The guards were speechless, their mouths half-open in shock.

Hanette looked at him suspiciously but reluctantly acknowledged his skill.

“How did you do it?”

“Well… I’ll keep it a secret for now.”

“You’ll keep it a secret from me too?”

“Even the head doesn’t know about this.”

“I’m your fiancée.”

“If we were married, maybe, but I can’t tell my fiancée.”

“Ha…”

Hanette glared at Zion and then turned her head away.

Of course, Zion probably had secrets he wanted to keep.

But the secret was astonishing, and those present had witnessed it.

When they returned to the capital, rumors would likely spread widely.

“Don’t you have secrets you want to keep from your sister?”

“I have none.”

“Really none? It seems like you would.”

“Do you think I’m like you?”

“If you say you have none, you probably don’t. I just don’t believe it.”

Zion joked lightly to ease the tension.

Feeling pressure would only psychologically shrink them and increase their fear of the enemies.

Thus, Zion tried to boost morale by showing his sword energy and magic absorption.

“Don’t think about fighting. Even if we just hold out, we’ll gain the upper hand. When reinforcements from Kelidos arrive, those guys will have no choice but to flee.”

“Uh… If you can use sword energy, wouldn’t it be better for us to attack first? They won’t be able to do anything.”

One guard cautiously spoke up.

Zion was about to respond, but the guard captain interrupted.

“Fool! Sir Zion doesn’t want any injuries! We might not care if we get hurt, but what if Sir Zion or Lady Hanette gets hurt? Will you bring a holy knight then?”

“I-I’m sorry. I didn’t think it through.”

“Well… the captain explained it all. It’s almost the same.”

Zion answered calmly, looking around at the guards.

He couldn’t use sword energy right now, and a close combat battle was impossible.

He had shown sword energy and magic absorption only to leave an impression of strength on both allies and enemies.

If the enemies swarmed, they would have to fight for their lives.

“There’s no reason to fight. Even if we win, there’s nothing to gain. We might get some information if we capture them… but it’s not certain we can, and even if we do, they might not talk.”

Of course, Zion already knew their true identity.

The reason they were trying to kill Hanette, risking danger, was driven by duty and revenge.

No one would have expected a clan that was wiped out long ago to suddenly reappear.

‘They’re supposed to show up later… I should see it differently since it’s before the story starts.’

In the early and middle parts, the protagonist had no encounters with them.

While the protagonist wandered the border regions, they were active in various places.

Only in the middle and latter parts, when the protagonist stayed in the capital for an extended period, would they naturally clash.

‘… It’s a bit annoying. Should I deal with them now?’

Zion felt hostility for the first time since coming to this world.

If they had stayed quiet until the protagonist intervened, he would have remained a bystander.

But since they targeted Hanette before the story began, his anger surged.

‘They’ve crossed the line.’

If he leaked information now, he could reduce their power to some extent.

But that would affect the original storyline and disrupt the protagonist’s path.

Though their stronghold wouldn’t be completely destroyed, Zion didn’t want to risk any minor variables.

‘Even if the protagonist handles them, it’ll just raise his recognition. There’s no problem if I step in…’

After the protagonist kills their leader, the royalty and nobility would take notice.

But there wouldn’t be any significant changes, nor would the heroine or companions change.

Only the protagonist’s special nature and a few noble ladies’ affections would be highlighted.

‘I should think more about it…’

“Sir Zion! They’re coming!”

The guard captain shouted, blocking Zion.

Magic and arrows had ceased, but masked figures were rushing in scattered directions.

They were likely trying to minimize casualties by avoiding the sword energy and magic absorption.

“Sister, excuse me for a moment.”

“What are you doing…”

Zion quickly grabbed Hanette’s hand.

Hanette was momentarily flustered but didn’t shake it off.

She had to calm the turmoil within her body.

‘Why is my magic…’

Hanette couldn’t control the magic raging within her body.

The magic quickly spread, reaching her right hand.

Soon, it burst forth, erasing its traces completely.

‘You have a lot of magic. Already filled up.’

Zion released Hanette’s hand and drew upon the magic within himself.

All the magic was instantly engraved into Exceed Rain, emitting a dark purple light.

“Clear the way!”

At Zion’s shout, the guards flinched and ducked.

Zion swung Exceed Rain with all his might, drawing a horizontal line.

A dark purple line stretched out, slicing through all the surrounding trees.

“Ah!”

“Ugh!”

The dark purple sword energy swept through the enemies.

Though fewer were cut down than before, the enemies no longer approached.

Instead, they tried to hide quickly to avoid the sword energy.

“Last warning! Attack again, and I’ll hunt you down to the end.

If I step in, I can wipe you all out!”

Zion shouted, pointing his sword at the enemies.

At the same time, the guards surrounded Zion, ready to fight.

But the enemies didn’t move and didn’t reveal themselves.

‘Hanette is impressive.’

Zion had no choice but to absorb Hanette’s magic to deal with the enemies.

Hanette’s magic was excessively abundant, surpassing his expectations.

No one else could have provided such a large amount of magic in such a short time.

‘No wonder she doesn’t get tired even after wasting magic…’

“Sir Zion, it seems to have quieted down.”

“They’ve stopped attacking. They’re either observing or have fled.”

“Could they be sneaking around to attack?”

“Not impossible, but it would take too long. Would they want to fight after all that trouble?”

“You’re right, but we can’t be careless.”

“They won’t attack recklessly because of me. Let’s wait a bit longer and then return to Kelidos. We can’t go to the capital in this situation.”

“Understood.”

Hanette looked at her left hand, cautiously clenching and unclenching it.

She couldn’t understand what had happened.

Why did her magic run wild?

‘… Did he take my magic? How?’

* * *

Eastern region of Alain Kingdom, an unnamed plain.

Masked figures were hurriedly heading somewhere.

They had decided they couldn’t succeed in their mission and quickly retreated.

A few subordinates had already died, but they couldn’t afford to lose the remaining ones.

‘The mission failed. The information was wrong…’

The man leading the group was the mission’s head.

He had reviewed all the related information and remained vigilant until reaching the location.

Knowing Duke Adelaira would have deployed guards, he was prepared for his team to face danger.

‘We weren’t informed that Zion Laird could use sword energy.’

They continuously collected and verified information.

Even if the information was incorrect, they could adapt flexibly to the situation.

But this mission was an exception, and that one piece of misinformation led to a disastrous outcome.

‘They said Zion Laird was a powerless noble. How…’

The man was shocked by Zion Laird’s actions.

The dark purple sword energy was overwhelming, and no one could withstand it.

Magic and enchanted arrows were all swept away, leaving only shattered bodies in its wake.

‘A terrifying guy. He can already use sword energy!’

Sword energy couldn’t be used merely by infusing magic into the sword.

Maintaining the state, drawing the trajectory, and stabilizing the fluctuating magic were required.

It needed talent and experience to maintain and transform the magic simultaneously.

But Zion Laird had created complete sword energy even before turning 30.

‘I made a huge mistake. Zion Laird will definitely try to kill us.

If Duke Adelaira and Marquis Laird support him…’