Chapter 19

"This is 「Mana Void」. Every mage in the world restores mana by drawing on external elemental energy. The only difference lies in the efficiency—how fast and how effectively they convert it."

"If the surrounding elements are depleted, a mage loses their means of recovery."

"Of course, mana can also be replenished by consuming recovery potions... but potions are ultimately limited. And excessive use places a burden on the body."

"But Mana Void..."

"It isn’t bound by those limitations."

"No matter where you are, no matter the environment, you will continuously regenerate your own mana."

"Because your mana... comes from the Void."

It really was powerful.

Kanzaki Rei’s current total mana had already increased to seventy times what it had been at his former limit.

And it was still growing.

As for regeneration speed...

Rei estimated that a single breath restored roughly 2% of his total mana.

That amount alone far exceeded the entirety of his previous maximum pool.

Feeling the mysterious rotation within his body, Rei couldn’t help but ask curiously,

"But why does mana come from the Void? And how is the Void formed?"

The words left his mouth—and only then did he realize.

Even if Iz explained the theory...

There was no guarantee he’d understand it.

He learned spells quickly, yes—but he had barely touched pure theoretical knowledge.

Iz reached out and gently ruffled Rei’s hair, a helpless smile on his face.

"I would love to tell you. My desire to share this knowledge might be even stronger than your desire to learn it."

"But this is what I meant by forbidden knowledge."

He fell silent for a moment.

As if carefully considering what he was allowed to say.

In the end, he took a sip of hot tea and spoke softly.

"I can only tell you this: it isn’t just mana that comes from the Void."

"...Would you like to take a walk through town?"

Rei committed that answer to memory. He understood this wasn’t knowledge he could access yet.

He didn’t press further.

"Yeah. I’d like that."

...

This was the first time since arriving in this world that he was truly going out.

Three days.

In just three days, how many times had he lost consciousness?

Day one: drunk into oblivion.

Day two: collapsed from overcasting.

Day three: knocked out again by Iz’s "trial."

Thinking about it carefully—

It seemed like he fainted once per day.

Rei’s lips twitched slightly.

Don’t tell me... I’m scheduled to pass out again tomorrow?

Fortunately, today’s blackout hadn’t lasted long. The sun had only recently set.

Rein Town had just entered nightfall.

The streets were still brightly lit.

Iz first brought Rei to the Adventurers’ Guild to settle the commission.

The quest reward: 1 gold.

Afterward, Iz handed the collected loot to Sherry, who directly calculated and paid out the value of the spoils.

In the end, Rei received 2 gold and 26 silver.

After extraction, the giant serpent’s materials were worth only 70 silver.

Iz did not take the 1 silver that would have been his share.

His reasoning was simple.

He had failed in his duty of protection—therefore, no protection fee was necessary.

Rei sat at one of the wooden tables inside the Adventurers’ Guild.

This wasn’t just a place to accept commissions—it doubled as a tavern.

When adventurers gathered to boast, they didn’t do it on empty stomachs. A significant portion of the Guild’s income came from alcohol sales.

Rei lifted his coin pouch.

"So this is the income from clearing a Tier-2 dungeon..."

"2 gold."

Iz corrected him calmly, "Most adventuring parties consist of four or more members. At minimum, they include a physical attacker, a spellcaster, a healer, and a defender."

"So that income is typically split four ways."

Rei calculated quickly.

"That would be around 56 silver per person."

"No. If they have a gatherer, it would be closer to 90 silver per person."

Iz continued, "But dungeon exploration requires purchasing supplies."

"A Mid-Grade Healing Potion costs 10 silver and can treat moderate injuries sustained by a Level 2 warrior."

"A Mid-Grade Mana Recovery Potion costs 5 silver and restores approximately 30% of a Level 2 mage’s mana."

"Equipment degradation requires repairs from a blacksmith."

"And in our case, we had an additional drop—an Umbral Crystal that normally wouldn’t appear. Even with a gatherer, its value wouldn’t double."

"So a normal party clearing a Tier-2 dungeon would average about 75 silver per person."

"After deducting supply costs and related expenses, the true profit is only about 20 to 30 silver."

Hearing Iz’s breakdown, Rei gained a rough understanding of the adventurer economy.

They earned far less than he had imagined.

Iz hadn’t even mentioned certain realities—for example, that a dungeon might require two or three runs before completion, driving costs even higher.

"Yo, little Rei!"

A hand suddenly clapped down onto his shoulder.

Rei turned his head.

A red-haired warrior grinned at him—Akase.

Two questions flashed through Rei’s mind.

Where did he come from? And when?

"Hey hey, little Rei! I heard you soloed a Tier-2 dungeon today and made a killing!"

"Haha! You just class-changed into a Level 1 Mage yesterday, and today you’re clearing Tier-2 dungeons without relying on Iz! No wonder Iz calls you a magical genius!"

Akase’s voice boomed across the Guild hall.

The adventurers who had been drinking all turned in unison.

Even mid-swig, their ears were sharp.

And with Akase’s completely unsubtle announcement—

Nearly the entire Guild heard.

"Class-changed just yesterday?"

"Is that the kid Iz brought in this morning? I heard he’s only eight."

"Eight? Isn’t the official class-change age sixteen?"

"If you class-change that early, won’t there be severe backlash?"

"I heard Kumironi personally presided over his ceremony."

"No way—Kumironi herself?!"

"I heard even the kingdom’s crown prince begged her to preside over his class change... just to start early."

"If Kumironi handled it, then eight years old isn’t a problem..."

"But Akase said he soloed a Tier-2 dungeon today."

"A magic prodigy even Iz acknowledges..."

Rei could feel it.

Every gaze in the room had converged on him.

He just wanted to leave quietly.

But Akase had his arm hooked around his shoulder, holding him in place.

"So! How about we throw a victory feast?!"

Wait.

Why does this plot feel so familiar?

Before Rei could respond, Akase grabbed his hand and raised it high!

"Alright! It’s decided!"

"Let’s hold a celebration banquet! Tonight, all expenses are covered by Iz Palut’s direct disciple, our magical prodigy—little Rei!"

Rei blinked.

"Wait—what?!"

But before he could say another word, the adventurers were already lifting their mugs.

"Yooo!"

"Little Rei!"

"Little Rei!"

"Little Rei!"

They chanted his name in unison.

Just like that, he became the centerpiece of the feast.

What the hell—

How did this turn into me paying?!

That’s 2 gold and 26 silver I just earned!

Akase leaned in close and whispered near his ear.

"Relax. If you’re short, big bro’ll lend you some."

Get lost!

Who wants to borrow from you?!

You’re the one who volunteered me!

But Rei wasn’t even given a chance to protest.

Akase had already lifted his mug.

"To tonight’s hero—the conqueror of the Shadow Cavern, the magic prodigy—little Rei! A toast to his glorious first victory!"

"Cheers!"

Clang—

Hey...

Don’t force alcohol on a kid!