Miserable Reincarnation

54 – Rank 5. (3)

Late evening.

Even as Lian walked towards Michela’s lab, thoughts about immortals didn’t leave his mind.

It was because it was the first time he had heard of them.

Although it had only been a month since he became aware of his past life, Lian’s knowledge was now not significantly behind others.

It was thanks to actively acquiring information through various means.

Now, he was well-versed in the names of countries, demonic realms, and even famous criminal organizations on the continent.

But the title ‘immortal’ was new to him this time.

“Immortals don’t care about the mortal world. If they did… we would all be dead already.”

How many could there be? Probably not more than ten. It seemed unlikely that so many people had achieved the task of ‘immortality.’

“I can’t even estimate the levels of the 6th and 7th ranks right away.”

Thinking about the classification starting from the 6th rank as ‘high-level abilities,’ it was clear that with each transcendence of a rank, one became significantly stronger than before.

“How long do you plan to stand there?”

A voice from the front made Lian lift his head. Outside the lab door, Michela was looking at him with clenched fists.

Lian shook off his thoughts and entered the lab. The structure had changed considerably overnight.

“…Looks like there’s been a lot added.”

“All of these devices were prepared for this research. Don’t touch them just because they look fascinating. They cost a lot.”

If she, receiving a salary not to be envied as an academy professor, says that, it probably means it surpasses the million mark without much weight.

While Micella activated the equipment, Assistant Professor Varen approached and guided Lianne into a space surrounded by glass on all sides.

“This experimental chamber is made of special glass with excellent magical absorption. We will lightly measure Lianne’s condition here and begin the research immediately.”

Vrrr!

At the same time, a resounding mechanical noise filled the air. However, Varen continued his explanation as if everything was normal.

“No matter how good the potion is, usually only about 50% is absorbed by the body. Most of it remains unabsorbed, dispersing into the air. This equipment reprocesses such magical energies and returns a portion of them to the user.”

In other words, it significantly increases the efficiency of potion absorption.

“May I proceed with the experiment?”

“Yes, feel free to do so.”

A confident and undaunted voice. It meant he was quite sure of himself.

In the next moment, a stream of vibrant blue magic flowed from Lianne’s fingertips. The magical sparks, crackling like electricity, freely circled the interior of the chamber before returning to Lianne.

“…No change at all?”

For a moment, a question mark flickered in Varen’s eyes.

Blinking, he alternately glanced between Lianne and the chamber, then directed his magic towards the absorption glass.

Zzzzzz!

“…”

The magic was sucked into the glass as if it were a lie.

After a moment of silence, Varen, trying to maintain composure, slowly opened his mouth.

“C-Can you try it once more?”

……

Tsu, tsu, tsuk!

Once again, magic surged from Lian’s fingertips. A tiny, vivid blue light, incomparable to before. However, despite this, what Varen had anticipated did not happen.

Lian’s magic not only failed to be absorbed like before but casually wandered through the research room.

“No. This can’t be happening?”

Varen exclaimed with disbelief written all over his face. Lian, who had guessed how the situation was unfolding, closed his mouth.

When manipulating magic, there was a slight resistance now, unlike before. However, it was just that.

For Lian, it was more challenging to let his magic be sucked into the glass than to reabsorb it.

They repeated the process several times, but the result remained unchanged.

“…Did I do something wrong?”

“N-no. It’s not that. It’s not your fault, Lian. Your control over magic is outstanding. But…”

Varen sighed deeply, closing his eyes tightly.

“The credibility of our research will plummet. Even if the absorption rate reaches 80%, every institution will demand verification. And with someone like Lian….”

Even though he swallowed his words, it was easy to infer what would follow.

It wasn’t that Varen didn’t understand Varen’s reaction. Regardless of the successful completion of the research, Varen, as an associate professor, had to prepare countless pieces of evidence proving that the research had not been manipulated.

“…This year is a lost cause.”

Perhaps he had already lost his mind, Varen muttered to himself, not knowing if he was talking out loud or not, wandering around with a bewildered expression.

After a while, Mikella appeared.

Even though she must have heard the explanation from Varen, her expression remained unchanged. No, there was even a subtle hint of a smile.

“Just stay in the research room. It’ll be easier to explain that way.”

“Are you okay?”

“What can you do when you’re so exceptional? If you’re requesting verification because you suspect the research has been manipulated, that’s one thing, but if you’re requesting it because the results are so astonishing, it’s actually an advantage. You’ll gain attention from the academic community.”

Michela said this, offering a small vial from within her embrace.

Despite being completely sealed, the adventurous magic leaked out to the extent that it could be felt.

“It’s the promised Grade 1 potion.”

“It’s much lighter than I thought…”

“Even though it seems so, it’s an item with an 8-tier magical engineering security device. If an unauthorized person comes into contact, various types of curse spells and embedded special devices will activate.”

I don’t understand what she’s saying, but I’m sure about one thing – this small vial definitely has state-of-the-art security devices embedded in it.

Click!

From Noble mtl dot com

As Michela carefully released the security device, a green potion revealed itself, spreading its unique strong fragrance in all directions.

“Any precautions?”

“Swallow it in one go without chewing, that’s what they said.”

Lian nodded.

“Shall we start then?”

*****

Lian sat comfortably in the alchemy room. He had heard that it would take a few hours to absorb the energy contained in the potion.

[Speak when you’re ready.]

A voice came through the speaker. Instead of responding, Lian slowly put the potion from the vial into his mouth.

Bitter.

The scent was so strong that it couldn’t be compared to ordinary medicine.

Gulp.

Perhaps due to the enormous size of the elixir, the sensation flowing down the esophagus was distinctly palpable. A peculiarly uncomfortable feeling crossed Rian’s face.

aaargh!

As the elixir melted like snow, a tremendous energy pulsed within his body.

Thump!

“…!!”

The sound of the heartbeat resonated too loudly. Sensations became abnormally acute.

‘Just like back then.’

The sensation he felt when hunting the giant beast with Muller.

Rian was once again experiencing the overwhelming expansion of that sensation.

With each breath Rian took, the energy contained in the elixir surged vigorously throughout his entire body. The energy coursing through his veins quickly enveloped his entire being.

One round. Two rounds.

It accelerated gradually. Rian’s body heated up, and the temperature inside the training room soared instantly.

uuung!

With closed eyes, Rian, who had been monitoring his own body, narrowed his forehead.

‘So, that’s why the absorption rate is only half.’

A portion of the elixir’s efficacy escaped along with his breath. Even for Rian, it was something beyond his control. At the moment, it was challenging to control the surging energy running rampant.

Unless he completely held his breath.

‘…’

Certainly, if he did that, he wouldn’t need to concern himself with anything beyond his physical body. There would be no worry about the elixir’s efficacy leaking out. However, the issue was…

‘Surviving without taking a breath is a matter of a few minutes.’

… Can it be done?

Lian, speculating the possibility in his mind, took in a breath as deeply as possible. The moment he confirmed the possibility, he had already made up his mind.

Come to think of it, he was this kind of person even in his past life.

Instead of assessing success or failure, he chose to step into the unknown one step ahead of others. It was that risky, but at least he had never regretted it.

To proceed, one must choose the path not taken by others. That was one of the few truths Lian realized in his past life.

Lian didn’t hesitate any longer.

‘I can do it.’

Regret is never too late after that.

If he can only hold his breath for 5 minutes, then it’s over if he doesn’t finish within that time.

As he stopped breathing, the energy that had been flowing like a dam bursting started to explode.

Goooo…!!

Beyond the heightened sensitivity, countless noises mixed together, and the magical power in every vein of his body was throbbing as if it would burst at any moment. It was to the extent that one might mistake magical power for blood.

‘Control it.’

He can do it. He must do it. There was no way he could not accomplish the process that countless people had gone through.

‘Block, twist, rotate…’

It wasn’t as easy to control as he thought. Perhaps because of the mixture of alchemical energy, the magical power flowing through his body didn’t feel like his own.

Lian gritted his teeth. Perhaps due to pouring all his strength into magical power control, his breath quickly became overwhelming. This was dangerous. Once he stopped breathing, he had to finish without inhaling. It was like trying to build a dam in the middle of a flood.

His expression twisted. If only there was enough time, he could control it, but time was running out.

If this continues, my entire body will be destroyed by the reverse-flowing magical power.

“Darn it…”

It’s time to make a decision. Suffocate, let the body break, or…

Let it rampage as that guy wishes.

Lian made a swift decision.

His body sank weakly. He had completely released his strength.

Kwaaah!

Despite that, the water stream not only didn’t soften but raged even more fiercely.

However, Lian remained unfazed. He believed in the enlightenment of his past life and the talents of his present life.

Even though his breath had reached its limit, his expression was incredibly calm. It was because he realized that this was the correct answer.

As if proving such thoughts.

“——.”

For a moment.

Silence descended.

Lian slowly raised his eyelids. The storm of magic continued to rage around him.

The sound didn’t disappear either. Beyond the skin, the movement of the storm was vividly felt.

However, only his inner self was quiet and tranquil.

“….”

Lian closed his eyes again.

He felt the vigorous energy rushing through his veins. In a short span, the water stream had become incomparably thicker than before.

The magical power that cannot be contained in the vessel called talent destroys the physical body. This was common knowledge to Lian.

However, Lian’s body, even in such a situation, remained unharmed, let alone being destroyed.

Is everything okay?

Lian’s gaze was directed towards the fiercely flowing river. The thick currents were advancing with enough force to break everything around.

As the river grew thicker, its speed also increased rapidly.

Faster. Even faster.

When the speed became so fast that not even Lian could gauge it.

Lian couldn’t help but watch.

Shooooo……

The fierce flow of magical power, a river at the end of which was positioned the sea.

An ocean so vast that its size and depth were immeasurable.

It was bluer and more gigantic than any sea Lian had ever seen. In that moment, an overwhelming shock covered Lian’s mind.

Thump!

Imagination, thoughts, consciousness expanded. Lian finally fully understood the meaning of what Mikella had said.

The reason for attaching the grandiose term “rise in class.”

The reason for recalling events that had passed for decades.

Although Lian couldn’t see his own face by closing his eyes, he could easily guess the expression he was making right now.

And at the same time, he realized.

Why high-level ability users yearned to climb higher.

They wanted to experience the current joy even once more.

A goal had emerged.

A high place. I wanted to go higher.

It was an intense desire that surprised even Lian himself.

With his eyes closed, Lian recalled the joy that was melting away like snow.

The current of the river was still flowing fiercely.

But it no longer mattered.

The river couldn’t raise the level of the sea.

*****