"Hooohh... Mana-Binding Viper Poison huh? Moreover, its a concentrated solution of a life-preserving antidote and the poison itself! How intriguing..." (Krey)

A bit startled from this, I mused to myself as I continue to observe the charade between these Grand Soldiers under the cover of my darkness-element spell, [Conceal].

Tsk tsk tsk. As expected of the Magic God's skill, Magic Creation Array! The spells created from it are profound! They can't even sense me despite their high rank! I'm currently crouching at a tree branch while holding a sack meant for potatoes which contents will be revealed later. Its kind of thrilling spectating a battle of the strong.

Then again, maybe its because they're warriors and not like mages who can sense anomalies in the surrounding mana? Meh. Whatever. Warriors and mages follow completely different paths in mana manipulation. By the way, [Conceal] belongs to the branch of magic. There are different branches but I don't plan on exploring them yet. For now, I will only use and . Explaining is a hassle especially with me trying to listening to the conversation filled with hostility between Kiralne and the three enemies, while keeping my balance. Its hard to do as the sack that I slung over my shoulder keeps moving.

If one wonders about my earlier scuffle between those senior level assailants, I would not say that it was a smooth venture. I had to cast a few [Heal] spells on myself after the battle and that's still when I had the help of Liz! I need to be careful in the future. Unexpectedly, the meat shield, otherwise known as Kiralne is not really received for free. These guys probably came for her... I was naive. There is no such thing as a free lunch in this world. The fantasy atmosphere got to me... and I guess I enjoyed it too much, enough to be called intoxication. Well, at least I have experience on being mortally wounded. Just remembering the battle causes my head to ache at the results...

'Wha... what is this?! Liz what are you doing!? Stop probing around my head!' (Krey)

I panicked at the actions of Liz who is not only digging her claws through my scalp and causing some tingling yet strangely not painful throbs at the top of my head but is doing something more dangerous! She is trying to control me... I think. She is somehow using telepathy to change something in my head's inner workings. How is she doing this? Isn't she still a baby dragon?! As she continued doing her thing, I slowly felt something... different.

I can't really decribe it well but that's the way I am feeling right now! Its like my conciousness is being immersed in a paralytic jelly-like liquid. Although common sense dictates danger, one would still like to feel the smooth and cool experience of that jelly-like liquid. That's what I think I feel right now.

I won't ask Liz how she isis doing this because I might get a headache soon. Its worrying because I am in a dangerous situation right now.

'Its for your own good Onii-chan! Your emotional and mental state are really muddled! Every time we speak through our minds, your emotional state is always lax and laid back. Its disconcerting! Like this, any sense of danger, aggression, worry or anxiety gets thrown out of alignment making you unable to react accordingly! Only a few go through the right place! It affects your natural inborn reflexes as well! It'll be alright Krey onii-chan! Leave it to me!' (Lisana)

|Kyuuuuuu~!|

Liz's machine gun-like explanation suddenly resounded in my mind. Its the first time I heard her being like this. Not that we've been

together for a long time but Liz strikes me more as a reserved individual whose cuteness flares from time to time. Also... isn't she smarter now? I know that she is already smart when she was born as proven by her capability of speech but this...is too advanced! Well, a smart little sister is cute as well. The gap moe is destructive to my heart. This right now is quite a surprise.

But those words caused me to frown a bit. Lax? Laid-back? Muddled? Thrown out of alignment? What does that mean? I do admit that I react slowly and rarely take problem seriously, even back in my old world. Even he situation of mine, facing seven combatants an entire rank above me is very worrying but strangely... it does not reach to the point where I would be anxious. At the very best my worries can be compared to the problem of choosing between chocolate or chips as a snack.

I think its normal though? Liz you are acting rude to me y'know? Are you implying that I am a psychopathic maniac that should be put into a medical asylum? It sounds interesting but I am absolutely not a maniac! They're unpredictable! One moment they sit around and have a nice cup of tea with you. The next, they point a chainsaw at you. Seriously! I had to kill one of those guys that escaped from the asylum when they attacked me while I was walking home! I heard from the media about an escape patient from a medical asylum a couple blocks from my apartment. I ignored it of course. And then that happened! Of course, I left no evidence. The police are pretty lax these days~The next day, I once more seen on the news about a corpse found on one of the public garbage bins that is similar to that of the patient. Authorities urged us to be careful as there might be a killer in the neighborhood. I don't feel guilt. It was clearly self defense! If anything, the one who should be blamed are the security personnel of the medical asylum. The developers must also take responsibility! I mean seriously, which idiot would build a quackhouse near a residential area?

Anyways, as I was saying, If I was a maniac, I would be scared of myself! Enough to the point of suicide.

My xenophobic tendencies are really the lamest part about me. I'm not that flexible when it comes to the unknown.

Before I was able to stop Liz from doing her thing, the damaged had already been done. I felt intense pain surged out through my body starting from the head. I could suddenly feel my mind become clearer than before! Usually its sometimes operate slow but I somehow know that my thinking and reaction speed are better, no it far exceeds what it was before! Not that it was quick or anything.

But Liz, the critter who caused this slumped her body as if downhearted. Hmm? What's wrong with her?

'Not good... Krey onii-chan's emotional and mental state are not getting better... his thought processing and reflexes are faster now but it does not matter if the person himself is mentally crippled...' (Lisana)

|Kyuuu...Kyuuuaa...kyun|

Her tone is that of a little girl who had lost all hope when they realized that Santa is not real. DAFUQ? Since when did she learn to change my inner workings? Genetic memories? Innate ability? But more importantly...

'Oi Liz! What do you mean by that?!' (Krey)

This is discrimination! Does being relaxed and unserious count as being crippled?! I have feelings too y'know?! Hearing this from her, I can't help but feel hurt. I can feel other emotions too y'know?! I clearly remember being angry and then scared a while ago. Is that not proof enough that I'm stable?!

Before I could explain this to Liz, I saw a glimpse of what seems to be a sword heading for my shoulder. I reacted to this and dodged it by a hairs breadth but not before sensing another presence behind me and moved away as I felt sharp pain coursing at my back followed by a cold sensation as if liquid flowed out. I barely escaped with my life over there! Sneaky bastards. Liz is fine of course. She was able too scooch over and let the blade leave a deep wound at my lower back. Its bleeding badly huh?

I silently watched the four senior ranked warriors position themselves at my front and back. Their shields poised up preparing to receive the [Assassination Spikes] revolving around me which I have no intention to shoot right now. My [Ice Shields] were not able to do their job because I was distracted... again. This is making me pissed! {Mana Shield} will not be used this time. I saw a fatal flaw in this shield when I fought against Kiralne! Although it can defend me from any attack it takes my refined mana as compensation. This is troubling. I need years to reach the level of Mana Force Manipulation where I can use raw mana in my surroundings for my spells!

"Hey, kid. Stop resisting! Those flimsy rocks won't get through us!" (Pitiful Underling #5)

Hah? My [Assasination Spikes] can pierce you anytime! You didn't even use mana to enhance your bodies! Are you underestimating me? Even if you have a five-inch thick steel wall protecting you, your still soft. Much less those stupid shields. I am still waiting for the best chance to catch you off guard.

Wait... this was one of my goals ain't it? Use my small and harmless figure to lower their guards! Fufufu... excellent.

Four initial stage senior level warriors are surrounding me. The middle staged senior level warrior is guarding the mages. The mages seem to be chanting something! Heeeeh~ Interesting.

Common sense says that mages should be at the back. Well lets charge in~!

I casted [Body Burst], [Wind Run], [Fiery Surge], and used {Telekinesis} to speed through the gaps of the warriors and shot four spikes towards them, leaving two for the mages up ahead. I also left an {Ice Cone} so it can freeze and kill them. Unless they use mana to enhance themselves beforehand which is unlikely.

I aimed the two remaining spikes at the busy mages while swinging my glaive to hit the middle-staged senior level warrior. This is a mouthful! I'll just call him Baldy since he's bald. Baldy reacted pretty well. A mana-enhanced sword met my glaive and some sparks flew.

I got blown pretty far back, probably three meters or so. Baldy on the otherhand... he only took two steps backwards. Tch! He then ran towards me, fully intend to exchange blows with me. I barely follow his strikes somehow but each blow makes my little arms numb. Its painful! The glaive is my only saving grace here. The strikes filled with mana is hard to handle even with my buffs. Luckily, the glaive's quality is good so I can manage it somehow.

I turn my head to glance at my earlier onslaught and I can't help but be displeased. One mage survived, albeit a leg short. I can see that although his now pale face is contoured in pain with beads of sweat appearing, he is still chanting. I know that he has a light affinity so he might use it to heal or enhance his comrades. They're all professionals. They are surprised but they acted accordingly. The other mage is decapitated. Fumu. Two warriors are still alive. They both dodged the effects of [Ice Cone] but not my [Assassination Spikes]. It pierced through their stomach and waist leaving a gaping hole in them. The dead warriors on the other hand look like ice sculptures depicting scenes of death by impalement.

The lucky survivors crawled towards the mage. Goddamn it! I'll have company soon! Injuries like that can be healed quickly through magic. I'm already preoccupied by Baldy over here so it'll be troublesome after a few minutes if they attacked me along with this Baldy.

'Onii-chan...' (Lisana)

I heard Liz's worried voice in my mind. Haaaahh... I know Liz. This is gonna hurt pretty bad...

I watched his mana-filled blade and waited for him to make a piercing maneuvre. Most of the time he just slashed, hacked, sliced and swung his sword towards me. I have a plan but its stupid and risky. I have no choice though.

He's faster, stronger, more skilled and has an abundance of experience in the field of fighting. If one would look at it that way, its a miracle that I lasted this long. But I'll be skewered instantly if he had extra help.

Oh here it comes! Baldy finally made the effort to aim at my center and try to pierce me. Hah... let me oblige.

*shwoom* *blood drip*

'OH THE AGONY!!! ITS TOO FUCKING PAINFUL!!! WHAT WAS I THINKING?! THIS IS A HORRIBLE PLAN!!!' (Krey)

'Krey onii-chan!!!?!' (Lisana)

As I screamed inwardly from the incomparable and heart-rending pain while naturally coughing up blood, Liz's shocked and scared shout was heard in my mind. My innards must have been wacked right now huh? Baldy's sword penetrated my stomach and is sticking out of my back. Blood is dripping from the tip.

In the corner of my eyes I could see that Baldy and his lackey's faces twisted into that of delight when this happened. Ignoring them, I casted [Ice Field] around the area Baldy is in. Now his visage distorted into that of horror as icicles and frostbite form through his armor and skin, making him look like he is close to freezing to death. Not that its false. Bone-chilling frost is emmited under his feet as my spell does its work keeping him in place.

With his frozen hands still holding over the sword that's stuckn my body, I looked over the equally horrified faces of the lucky trio.

I breathed a sigh of relief and let a light smirk form in my face. They're not yet recovered completely and don't pose a threat... yet.

Once mpre suppressing the pain in my gut, I casted [Compressed Fireball]x2 and threw it at them.

"AAAARRRGH!!!" (Pitiful Underling #7)

"It burns-uurrgh!!!" (Pitiful Underling #3)

"H-help...!!" (Pitiful Underling #2)

I made a pleasant smile as I listend to their loud screams and incessant begging. Music to my ears. They're clothes and armor are all burnt with the metal parts glued to them. Watching their skin burn to a blackened crisp and muscles peeling out of their body is a fascinating activity. Moreover, seeing their white bones show through the gaps of melted muscle and waiting for them to turn black is humorous.

*coughs blood*

I coughed up blood as hair-raising pain transmits itself through my body. *sigh* This moment would be perfect if I am not skewered by a blade and in constant agony! I would also like a coke and chips in hand.

I looked over at the frozen Baldy and lightly hit his hands with my glaive. It crumbled like brittle ice under my exerted force and I immediately held the sword to prevent further pain but failed as a wave of pain assaulted me once more. Fuck! Damn it! Take this you asshole! [Assassination Spike]!

*shatter* *cough blood*

Oh shit... bad idea. I really, really, really should have not than that! I shot an [Assassination Spike] at his face and enjoyed the scene of Baldy's head exploding into icedust as it was demoslished by my spell. Unfortunately, I was out of mana that time and used my mana from the refinement base. This is incredibly agonizing. I should manage my mana pool more carefully! I took out some of my mana in the refinement base... which is idiotic even for me. Impulses are natural so I'll forgive myself a bit.

'Onii-chan... are you okay?' (Lisana)

|Kyua...Kyuuua?|

Liz asked me of my well-being. I seriously want to retort if having a foreign object forcefully penetrate your body (no pun intented) can count as being OKAY!! I'm bleeding for Frelinia's sake!! But as someone as mature as me I answered reassuringly-

'I-I'm fine Liz... Don't disturb me for a bit...' (Krey)

I gave this instruction to Liz while I painfully sit cross-legged and assumed a meditative stance. Liz jumped off my back while watching me with her golden eyes. Her dark-colored body settled down somewhere in front of me. I could see the worry in her eyes. I closed my eyes and concentrated on absorbing and refining mana in my surroundings to recover my mana. By the way to clear things up, the refined mana can be put into two containers in my mana core. One is the mana pool or mana reserve where refined mana is usually put when it is used for spells. The other is the the refinement base. Once it is filled to the brim, the individual is qualified to seek enlightenment for breaking through stages and ranks.

Also there is something special about the refinement base. You can use the refined mana in it to fuel your spells or skills but at a cost... that is lifespan. The human race, amongst the civilized races has only an average lifespan of three hundred years. The other races have higher lifespan but... once a person reaches the elder level, they can significantly increase their lifespan and youthful appearance! Each breakthrough is an increase in strength and longevity! But for most people, even raising one stage would take as long as three decades!

I am an exception of course. You can't place a cheater like me with them. If people keep comparing themselves with each other, they would only die of jealousy and hate. Besides its really immature and unproductive in some cases.

Earlier I used mana from my refinement base to fuel my spell, causing me to lose a few days in my life span. No biggie. But I should be cautious from now on. I absorbed more mana and refined it while separating it into two, one going to the refinement base and the other going through my mana reserves.

After refining raw mana and naturally producing enough refined mana to fill up the mana reserves, I steeled myself and prepared for the incoming misery. Using my small arms and supported by {Telekinesis} I pulled out the sword stuck in my stomach.

*shiing*

"Kuh-!!" (Krey)

OH MY GOOD LORD!!! WHY MUST I EXPERIENCE MISERY AND TORMENT ALL THE TIME!!! I fucking hate pain!! I rate pain as top ten of my hate list!!

The sword was pulled out leaving me convulsing as I casted [Body Burst] to stop the bleeding. Then I finally casted [Heal] for the second time. The first time, I used [Assassination Spike] to make a wound in my hand. But with the stroke of bad luck, it sheared of most of my left arm making me realized that I hate pain... and that I have lousy accuracy.

[Heal] is very effective in allievating the pain. [Body Burst] is useful for healing as well. [Heal] was created by my imagination and so far was the hardest to create. The second hardest was [Ice Field]. [Heal] is special because it directly uses the power of light=holy so in a way, it can be classified in the branch.

After casting [Heal] over my belly, I heaved a sigh of relief and comfort and lay down in the ground. Liz jumped into my chest, leaving me gasping for air at the sudden increase of pressure in the form of weight in my chest. She nuzzled her cute snout at my cheek and asked-

'Are you alright now Onii-chan?' (Lisana)

|Kyuu?|

'Yes I am... but Liz...' (Krey)

I looked at her deeply and made an evil grin.

'You will have to explain yourself~' (Krey)

'Onii-chan let me go...' (Lisana)

|Kyuu..|

'No! Be quiet and behave inside the sack!' (Krey)

After interrogating Liz like crazy, I discovered that her knowledge is equivalent to that of an adult human! But she's stil mentally at the age of a toddler so she is still dependent on me. And its Genetic Memories as expected. She won't tell me in exact detail though.

Unsatisfied with this, I put her inside the sack of potatoes ( the potatoes were removed beforehand) until she reflects upon her actions. Its not that I am angry at her enhancement but... I was still hurt by her earlier comments. I can be called any bad names but it should not be related to the word 'crazy'! If anyone calls me that, I'll shove an [Impact Bullet] up their ass!

'Onii-chan I'm sorry okay!?! Let me go!!! I won't call you weird anymore!!' (Lisana)

|Kyuuu!?! Kyu!!! Kyua!!|

'Are you sure?' (Krey)

'Un!!' (Lisana)

|Kyu!!|

'Are you really sure?' (Krey)

'Yes please let me out!' (Lisana)

|Kyua!|

'Okay next time don't do it again' (Krey)

I say inwardly as I opened up the sack, letting Liz out and put her back in her favorite spot. My back. I place the sack back to my storage ring. I bought the potatoes as well as other commodities in the retail store. Surprisingly, all of the vegetables and plants are the same back on earth. If they are different, it just means that they were filled with too much mana causing them to evolve in different ways.

I once more watch the interesting exchange between Kiralne and the other three. Before I arrived her, I first finshed interrogating Liz and rested for a short period of tim. I could still hear the constant booming sounds from far away. The battle between Grand Soldiers. I heard this term from Kiralne that time. She said that she was a late-stage grand soldier or something. I still don't know the exact differences of a warrior from the mage. The warriors received the origin of their training methods from the God of War. I don't know his name.

I followed those sounds with Liz slung over my shoulder at the time and watched from afar the awesome fight. After seeing them stop, I immediately went their and casted [Conceal]. Hence my current situation. Mana-Binding Viper Poison. It comes from a rare monster called a Mana-Binding Viper. They are the bane of mana manipulators such as warriors and mages. The cause is the poison they produce. Anything under the Arch level has their mana pool and refinement base suppressed, weakening them over a period of time. But there is actually two simple ways of getting rid of the poison. Most opt for potions created by alchemist but there is something better that that. The first is-

Will.

As long as you have enough willpower you can suppress the poison. But most people panic and become scared when they are poisoned so this technique was forever lost. Until today. But Kiralne's frantic expression won't help her here. Its not like I can't save her or anything. I'm still preparing to cast multiple [Compressed Fireballs], [Ice Cone], and [Impact Bullet over their heads. It's not because I'm angry at Kiralne or anything. Nope not at all. I am seriously not punishing her sadistically by letting her feel despair. Yes. I am a good person. Besides its good to gather information from the chatterboxes up ahead. Oh! Looks like they're going to kill her now.

Luckily, the bearded guy likes to gloat for some reason so I concentrated full time in absorbing and refining mana. Right now I have four of each spell ready to overhead. Okay! Operation: Rescue the Pervert/ Meat Shield will now commence!

Author Note: I procrastinated okay?! Then I was banned by my parents to use my phone!! I'mnot making excuses or anything!! Here is the 16th chapter. I hope you enjoyed it! :)