Chapter 16: 3rd Round, 2nd Game (1)
Ethereal Blood.
It was a realm of mystery.
Although masters had unlocked Ethereal Blood and attained the realm of divinity, in truth, they didn't know everything about it. The concepts of Ethereal Blood and divinity began to be properly understood only about a hundred years ago. There were still many unexplored aspects of Ethereal Blood and divinity.
Opening Ethereal Blood was a talent. Not everyone could open it just by learning the theory. Moreover, it was considered secretive because it fell under the realm of ascension.
Therefore, John was confident. He believed that, apart from scholars, no one knew more about Ethereal Blood than he did.
He had spent decades researching and meeting numerous masters to discuss Ethereal Blood. He had gathered knowledge and wisdom to understand Yuri's condition, which now puzzled him even more.
"A nucleus in Ethereal Blood? It sounds absurd, but the sensation emanating from Yuri's Ethereal Blood feels like a nucleus."
Although he couldn't peer into someone else's Ethereal Blood, the intense power and flow of mana manipulation were unmistakably indicative of a nucleus.
"But how can a nucleus be created in Ethereal Blood?"
During his interactions with various masters, there was a common saying:
"Ethereal Blood is like a mirror, and divinity is like the reflection in that mirror."
This analogy reflected the role of Ethereal Blood in revealing one's essence to attain divinity. However, Ethereal Blood was fragile, prone to shatter if not handled properly, leading to ruin or madness.
In the realm beyond such Ethereal Blood, within the realm of fantasy, a mana nucleus belonging to the material world could be created. To John, this was incomprehensible.
As John explained this to Yuri, the latter furrowed his brows in confusion.
"What...what are you talking about?"
John sighed heavily at Yuri's bewildered response.
"Sigh...what good is it if you don't even know about your own body? Well, do you have any knowledge about it by now?"
"If it were in the past, I wouldn't have paid attention to such nonsense...but now, I'm not so sure."
Yuri, who had only recently learned about the concept of Ethereal Blood, couldn't fathom how a nucleus could exist within it.
"When did this even happen?"
Since his encounter with John, Yuri had realized that his body was quite extraordinary in many ways. As he instinctively nodded his head in response, he took a step back, looking perplexed.
John noticed Yuri's reaction and became cautious.
"What's wrong?"
Yuri wrapped his arms around himself, trying to look as weak and frightened as possible.
"No, this can't be happening!"
"...?"
"Dissection? No way! Spare me!"
Yuri had finally realized something. He understood the meaning behind John's muttered words, "Shall we dissect this rascal?"
"Given the circumstances, even I would be curious enough to want a dissection."
Even though it was his own body, Yuri couldn't help but wonder how fascinating it must be for someone else.
But realizing the seriousness behind John's words, Yuri took a step back with a frightened expression.
John's face soured at Yuri's antics. "Before you start suggesting slicing me in half, you better watch your mouth."
"Okay."
Erasing his frightened expression at John's warning, Yuri approached confidently and cautiously. Then, he hesitated and glanced around.
"But, John..."
"What?"
"How would I make a nucleus...Is it possible for me to create one?"
A nucleus was an organ that condensed mana strongly. If there was already one nucleus present, creating a new one would be nearly impossible.
Nevertheless, Yuri asked with hope, "There are techniques for having multiple nuclei, right? Can I do it?"
"The current state of your situation is different from the typical multiple nuclei scenario."
Although there were techniques for having more than one nucleus, they were designed to create multiple nuclei during the process, not to create a new one entirely.
As Yuri heard more discouraging news, his expression hardened.
Seeing this, John sighed softly and waved his hand dismissively. "Don't worry. There's always a way."
"Really?"
Yuri's face lit up with hope.
John nodded confidently. "Yes, having a nucleus in Ethereal Blood might be a blessing in disguise."
If there were already nuclei present in the body instead of Ethereal Blood, it would have been extremely risky to break the existing nucleus.
John's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Consider yourself lucky to have met me. Without me, you wouldn't even have attempted it."
With John's shoulders held high, Yuri, now understanding John's personality better, acted accordingly.
"Oh, yes! How much effort it must have taken for the great John to turn someone like me into a useful person!"
"You finally realized that? Fool!"
"Yes, this foolish one has finally realized it! If the great John can make someone like me into a person, I will always remember your grace!"
"That's right! You have to appreciate grace to become a person. Ahem!"
"Hail the great John!"
"Cough!"
With John putting on airs and Yuri shouting praises like a loyal subject, their comedy routine continued on the ship for another three days.
* * *
The blaring sound of the massive horn announcing the arrival jolted Yuri awake from his mana meditation.
"Ah..."
He let out a small sigh and gingerly massaged his abdomen where he had been concentrating.
Thud, thud...
A strange sensation he hadn't noticed before.
It felt as if a small heart had formed in his belly, but it wasn't an unpleasant feeling at all.
In fact, his heart seemed to beat happily in response to the strange sensation of the mana nucleus.
"This is... the mana nucleus."
Three days ago, with John's help, Yuri had finally succeeded in creating a mana nucleus.
And once again, he realized.
How foolish he had been to doubt a single deity.
"Even with just this tiny mana nucleus, everything feels so different."
Despite being no larger than a fingernail, the mana nucleus Yuri had nurtured over the past three days had greatly enhanced his senses and filled his entire body with vitality.
It felt as if he had been born anew.
Wooong...
"Ah!"
As the horn announcing the ship's arrival sounded again, Yuri got up from his seat and stretched.
His face was radiant with happiness.
But in stark contrast, John looked utterly exhausted.
Indeed, over the past few days, his face had become noticeably grim.
Glancing at Yuri, he muttered irritably, "Are you happy?"
"Yeah, I couldn't be happier. Why?"
"..."
Look at his face, as content as a cat basking in the sun.
The sky seemed unusually close and inviting today.
As if urging him to hurry up and come here.
There was no pain here, tempting John with its warmth.
"I'm going to die at this rate."
As he tapped his aching waistbone, John glanced at Yuri with a sense of helplessness.
"That damned kid! I thought once would be enough!"
The reason he cursed and grumbled was all because of Yuri.
Three days ago, John had shown Yuri how to create a nucleus.
It involved using his own power to block Yuri's Ethereal Blood, redirecting the mana flowing from it back into his body to form the nucleus.
It sounded simple in theory, but in reality, it was far from easy.
One wrong move, and Yuri's Ethereal Blood could have been injured, potentially turning him into a cripple at a young age.
Thus, it was a task that required intense concentration and drained a lot of mental energy.
Yet, John had attempted it once, thinking that would be enough.
If successful, he believed that with the nucleus forming in Yuri's body, endowed with cohesiveness, Yuri would be able to accumulate mana in his body without his help.
He had expected it to be that way...
"I've dug my own grave."
Yuri had succeeded in creating the nucleus after immense effort.
But contrary to his expectations, the nucleus formed in Yuri's body couldn't condense mana.
No matter how much he redirected the mana flow, the nucleus in his Ethereal Blood sucked it dry.
"Damn it! How strong is the cohesion of the nucleus in Ethereal Blood?"
In other words, as long as Ethereal Blood remained open, Yuri wouldn't be able to accumulate mana in his body.
"And to think I've just created an unstable nucleus that constantly needs mana to stabilize in the body..."
Given the circumstances, what else could he do?
Every time Yuri manipulated mana flow, he had to block his Ethereal Blood. Naturally, this consumed a tremendous amount of mental energy, leaving John feeling bone-weary.
But the bigger issue lay ahead.
"How long do I have to keep doing this?"
For Yuri to accumulate mana without his assistance, his physical nucleus needed stronger cohesion than his Ethereal Blood's nucleus.
Otherwise, Yuri would either have to reach the point of controlling his Ethereal Blood or... But that was no easy feat.
"In the end, I'll have to be by Yuri's side every time he accumulates mana..."
After just three days of this, it was like being told to continue this even after visiting his deceased parents. If he kept this up for just one more week, he'd be getting his sustenance right next to them.
"I need to take drastic action!"
There had to be a way to block Yuri's Ethereal Blood without him. Luckily, John had an idea.
"I guess I'll have to pay him a visit."
Fortunately, the administrative district of Nizer was where the boy had settled.
As John was mentally mapping out his plans, Yuri's cheerful voice interrupted him.
"Hey, get ready to disembark!"
John gritted his teeth at the boy's enthusiasm.
"The nerve of this kid!"
Quickly masking his dangerous gaze with a soft smile, John replied, "You go ahead."
"What about you?"
"I have something to take care of. I'll meet you near the city gates."
"Okay, got it."
Yuri nodded without much thought, unaware of the significance of this moment.
But it didn't take him long to realize it.
Thirty minutes later, at the bustling city gates, Yuri stood with a determined expression, his gaze fixed on something. Finally, unable to contain himself, he spoke up.
"Hey, what exactly are we doing here, sir?"
Fantasy.
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