Chapter 158 - 84: Small Town Date

Chapter 158: Chapter 84: Small Town Date

"...Man-made?"

Lilia was surprised. "An artificially created Spirit Vein?"

"That’s right."

Jennifer nodded, a subtle excitement hidden in her eyes.

Evidently, such a peculiar situation had completely sparked the talented woman’s curiosity.

Her tone became a little more animated, tinged with eagerness. "With special methods, it is indeed possible to artificially create a Spirit Vein!"

"And unlike a natural Spirit Vein, an Artificial Spirit Vein usually doesn’t cover a large area. A Mage can completely enclose it with a special Array. That way, the Magic Elements won’t dissipate into the surroundings, which greatly enhances its secrecy while also allowing the Magic Elements to concentrate where the Mage truly needs them."

Lilia continued to ask, "Then how do you create a Spirit Vein?"

"The simplest method, of course, is to bury a huge number of Demon Crystals in one place. And the Demon Crystals must be full of Magic Power."

Jennifer said, "A complete Spirit Vein, even the smallest one, contains an enormous amount of Magic Power. If you don’t have enough Demon Crystals, burying other items with abundant Magic Power can achieve a similar effect."

"But a fake is still a fake; it can’t pass for the real thing. A natural Spirit Vein can absorb Magic Power to constantly replenish itself, making it self-sustaining. An Artificial Spirit Vein created with a large number of Demon Crystals or other items would have a hard time achieving that, unless one goes to the trouble of building another Array to accelerate the absorption of surrounding Magic Power."

Jennifer spoke eloquently at length, then said with some embarrassment, "Of course, this is all just theoretical knowledge I’ve read in books. Whether it’s actually correct remains to be seen."

Lilia shook her head, indicating it was fine.

This wealth of useful knowledge was already a great help to her.

She was about to leave when Jennifer stopped her. "You’re suddenly asking about this... Do you suspect someone has created a Spirit Vein in the Valgipps Mountain Range?"

Lilia nodded. "There’s no other way to explain the herbs and ores."

"That’s true," Jennifer said. "Do you have any suspects? There aren’t many Mages in Navia, and even fewer who would know about this."

Generally speaking, knowledge about Spirit Veins was something only academy-trained Mages like her possessed. For those hedge mages who learned through their own research, it was hard enough just to figure out a few spells. How could they possibly know about this stuff?

And in a small place like Navia, there were very, very few people who fit the description of an "academy-trained Mage."

It should be easy to find out who it was.

"At first, I suspected Victor," Lilia said.

"Mr. Rockwell?" Jennifer mused. "If it’s him, it’s certainly a possibility..."

From what Jennifer knew, although Victor hadn’t graduated from any academy, his understanding of magical theory was incredibly solid. It wouldn’t be surprising if he knew about this...

Before the thought could even finish, Lilia’s next words cut her off: "But on second thought, I don’t think it’s likely."

Jennifer: "...Why?"

"Victor only arrived here two months ago."

Lilia said, "But the medicine farmers have been gathering herbs near the Valgipps Mountain Range since long before that."

"...You’re right, the timeline doesn’t add up."

If that Artificial Spirit Vein had only been created recently, then the profession of medicine farmer should have only appeared recently as well.

The existence of so many medicine farmers in Navia proved that an Artificial Spirit Vein had been hidden in that mountain range for a very, very long time.

And by the looks of it, it wasn’t a small one, either.

Jennifer’s interest was successfully piqued.

Without Lilia even having to ask, she volunteered to help investigate the area.

’As for Lilia’s point about the Valgipps Mountain Range being very dangerous... if those ordinary medicine farmers aren’t afraid, why should a Mage like me be so timid?’

’Besides, any research project that aims for results will be accompanied by all sorts of dangers.’

This was a realization Jennifer had come to long ago, back when she was studying at the Royal Capital Magic Academy.

For Lilia, Jennifer’s willingness to help investigate the secrets of the Valgipps Mountain Range was, of course, a good thing.

Victor clearly didn’t want her involved, which was why he had dragged her around the market during the day.

She could foresee that if she went to find him tomorrow, he would just continue to lead her on another pointless stroll through town.

While that was happening, Jennifer could take the opportunity to slip into the Valgipps Mountain Range and investigate the secrets hidden there.

The plan was practically perfect!

「And so it was.」

Lilia and Victor began their game of mutual restraint.

Every morning, she would wake up early and sit on his courtyard wall, waiting for him to come out.

Every day when Victor came out, he would subconsciously look toward that specific spot, and upon seeing Lilia sitting there, his face would always show a complex expression that was part helplessness, part relief.

Then, the two of them would wander around Navia, maintaining a distance of about two meters.

Sometimes Victor would go to the market, continuing to buy herbs and ores that, in Lilia’s eyes, were completely useless and purchased purely to placate her.

Sometimes he would take her to Navia’s farmlands, where they would stroll together along the ridges between fields, watching the waves of wheat rippling under the blue sky and white clouds.

Sometimes, they would even leave the confines of Navia Town and go to the more distant countryside.

There was a beautiful little hill there. After climbing to the top, one could see an incredibly beautiful landscape from a bird’s-eye view.

Victor stood at the edge of the hill.

To get a better look, and also to test him further, Lilia quietly moved to his side.

Her movements were light, but by no means silent.

Victor definitely noticed, but he chose to silently permit it.

He permitted Lilia to stand by his side.

The two of them stood shoulder-to-shoulder for a while.

Lilia asked, "Why were you avoiding me before?"

Her voice faded, leaving only the sound of the gentle wind brushing past their ears.

Just as Lilia thought he would remain silent, and that her question would once again go unanswered...

Victor spoke. "Because I was afraid."

"Afraid? Afraid of what?"

Lilia suddenly remembered the time they had drawn the pentagram together.

She asked softly, "Are you afraid of hurting me?"

Victor didn’t speak, which was likely a silent admission.

"Then why..." Lilia asked again, "are you not avoiding me now?"

Victor turned to look at her.

His pale gray eyes were filled with emotions that Lilia couldn’t decipher.

He raised his hand, as if wanting to touch her, but hesitated over something and stopped it mid-air.

Just as he was about to pull it back, Lilia suddenly grabbed it.

She held his hand, guiding it slowly upward until it rested on her cheek.

She even proactively buried the side of her face in his palm, nuzzling it gently.

Victor looked down at her, his Adam’s apple bobbing. "Lili..."

"Look."

Lilia looked up and said to him with a smile, "You didn’t hurt me."

"So, don’t worry, Victor."

"You will never become that Demon."