AMLA 14

Chapter 14

To my surprise, nothing happened, even though I had been tensely waiting for a change.

‘As I thought… It won’t activate that easily.’

I had tried just in case, but the lack of any result left me with a bitter taste in my mouth.

“Ugh, whatever. Let’s just keep going.”

Well, maybe it’ll work if I keep trying.

I roughly flipped through the pages of the book.

If you can feel the flow of mana, imagine its shape in detail and try to materialize it with your hand.

“What kind of explanation is this? So unkind.”

Following the book’s instruction, I extended my hand and tried to draw out the so-called mana from within me.

But even after a long time, nothing changed.

The sunlight from the window had turned red as the day began to end.

“Felice, what are you doing?”

At some point, Anthony had entered the library and was now looking at me with a puzzled expression.

“You’re here?”

Still unable to take my eyes off the book, I moved my hand, but magic showed no sign of manifesting.

‘Strange. In the game, it just worked instantly.’

When Lian had taught me magic in the game, I could see the shape of the mana the moment I held his hand.

“Isn’t that an introductory magic book?”

“Yeah. I’m thinking of learning magic.”

“Magic? You?”

Anthony sounded surprised. After all, I had never shown any interest in magic before.

‘Yeah, it must be weird. I never tried learning it even when I was at the Magic Tower.’

“Lately, I’ve been thinking it’d be good to at least have one way to protect myself.”

Anthony’s expression fell.

“Is it because of…?”

He looked like he wanted to ask if it was because of the Spencer ducal sons, but didn’t have the heart to say it out loud.

“But it’s not going well. I thought of asking Father to teach me.”

“Want me to teach you?”

“You?”

‘Anthony can’t even use magic…?’

According to the game’s setting, he couldn’t.

I looked at him with doubt in my eyes.

“Yeah. I’ve studied the theory a lot. It’s better than what those books say.”

‘That’s true, Anthony did study magic intensely.’

Desperate to use magic somehow, Anthony had studied it more diligently than anyone else.

“Really? That’d be great for me.”

I looked at him like he was my savior, relieved that I could finally toss aside this unhelpful book.

“Alright. What part isn’t working for you?”

Anthony gently patted my shoulder.

He knew exactly how frustrating it was not to have magic go your way—he had felt that frustration his whole life. Now, he was comforting me.

“The book says to feel the flow of mana, but I don’t know how.”

“What I learned is that it’s like blood. It flows throughout your body from the heart.”

“Okay.”

“So first, you need to find the heart of your mana—its core—in your body.”

“But I don’t even know if mana is flowing through me.”

“Father checked when we were little. So it definitely flows—you just haven’t felt it yet.”

“Really? So how can I feel it?”

“Normally, people can feel the flow once mana moves through their body.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. But since I don’t have mana, I can’t send it to you myself.”

Anthony’s wistful smile made me feel guilty.

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be, Felice. You have nothing to be sorry for.”

“Still…”

“It’s okay. Oh—wait. I have a mana stone that Father gave me. Want to try using that?”

“Mana stone?”

“Yeah. It’s a mana stone passed down through our family. They say it holds an enormous amount of mana.”

“Then can I use that to sense my own mana?”

“Probably. Father gave it to me so I could feel mana and practice. Hold on, I’ll go get it.”

Anthony quickly left the library. Before long, he returned holding a small box, panting as if he had run.

“This is it?”

“Yeah.”

He carefully opened the box. Inside was a purple stone, about the size of two fingers.

“Felice, try holding this.”

‘Isn’t it just a rock?’

I cautiously reached for the stone that didn’t seem very special.

And the moment my finger touched it—

A ripple of light vibrated from the stone.

The wave climbed up my finger, sending a shiver throughout my body before vanishing in an instant.

“Ah!”

A strange sensation, almost like an electric shock, rushed through me.

Startled, I pulled my hand back.

“It’s okay, Felice.”

“Something just shot through my body.”

“That’s mana. And the path it traveled through—that’s the route your mana follows.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Now hold the stone again and try to feel the mana inside your body.”

I reached out again and took the mana stone in my hand.

This time, a stronger pulse traveled through my entire body.

“Close your eyes. Can you feel something moving inside you?”

“Yeah.”

“Memorize that path well. Where that sensation leads—that’s the place your mana is stored.”

Focusing my mind, I began to sense the movement of the pulse more clearly.

The wave traveled through specific routes inside my body.

I slowly traced the mana’s path within me.

Eventually, the mana gathered just below my heart.

That was where I could strongly feel its power.

I realized that this was the core—the heart of my mana.

“I think I get it now.”

Excited by the new sensation, I shouted with joy.

“Felice, make sure to memorize the mana’s path.”

I pulled myself together and, eyes closed, tracked every movement of the mana—hand, shoulder, behind the neck—memorizing it all.

Once I had a decent grasp of my internal mana path—

Ding.

An unwelcome notification sound rang in my ears.

‘Huh? Why the alert sound? I didn’t do anything.’

There was no reason for a notification.

It was just Anthony and me in the library. I hadn’t even seen any of the male leads today.

Puzzled, I opened my eyes slightly.

“What now?”

A screen filled my view.

SYSTEM

Affinity with Lian Luchelonia +5

Lian Luchelonia’s route has been unlocked. Once a route is unlocked, it cannot be undone.

Try increasing his affection. What kind of ending awaits you?

Currently unlocked routes: 4 (Kainis Spencer, Troy Barren, Dustin Spencer, Lian Luchelonia)

‘What the heck…’

I couldn’t understand what was happening.

No matter how many times I blinked, the screen didn’t change.

‘Lian’s affection increased? But why, all of a sudden?’

I glanced around the room, wondering if he was somehow here, but it was still just Anthony and me.

‘What the hell. I didn’t even meet him…’

Are affection points increasing remotely now?

That would’ve been unthinkable in the original game.

‘Why would someone at the Magic Tower…?’

Then one face came to mind.

Count Luchelonia.

The Count had gone to the Magic Tower. If he had said something to Lian…

In this crazy game, that could very well have caused it.

‘Well, at least the good thing is, Lian rarely leaves the Tower.’

Fortunately, Lian, who knew nothing but magic, rarely came outside the Magic Tower.

Our meetings always happened inside the tower.

He would only come out if his affection exceeded 50.

‘It was such a frustrating mechanic in the game, but now it’s actually convenient.’

Surely… Lian won’t come out of the tower just because of a mere 5 affection points… right?

I quickly shook off the ominous thought that passed through my head.