“Does it make sense?” Silas finished explaining everything.
“You spoke way too quickly… Also, most of it flew over my head.” Grant shrugged.
“Ugh… Okay… I’ll say it one more time, and this time it will be at a speed that your tiny brain can comprehend.” Silas sighed and rubbed the bridge of his now.
“Whatever makes you happy, kid.” Grant shrugged without a care in the world.
A passerby would have even thought that the situation might have not affected him, but they both knew that wasn’t the case.
“Okay. The enchantment beetles have a certain ability that allows them to make people feel euphoric. I’d explain the science to you, but I’m sure it’ll go right over your head. Anyway, it was called an enchantment because it was clear that it used some kind of energy, however, that was only half the truth.
In reality, it is a mana poison that percolates through the skin-” Silas quickly realized that Grant had narrowed his eyes in confusion.
Sighing, he rephrased “absorbed through the skin, man… It was in the context!”
“Don’t blame me for your bad teaching.” Grant shrugged.
“-Which means the people with awakened mana cores are less likely to fall for the thing.” Grant tried to finish Silas’ sentence.
“What? No! You idiot! It means that even awakened individuals can be affected by this enchantment. The human body uses all its recourses to fight off something like this.
If the enchantment was through only the bloodstream, cultivation is more than enough to destroy the enchantment in its tracks. That’s why awakened individuals never actually get sick. It’s also the reason you don’t really see them get old. Sure, our lifespans remain the same, but we remain in peak condition for much longer than toki users.” Silas sighed and continued-
“Now, back to this. The enchantment effect isn’t actually made to control people. Humans have minds that are much stronger than beasts. Sure, in the wild, it would take a few of them to enchant a weaker beast to give them food, but no humans.
According to prior research, they remain enchanted as long as the enchantment substance has power. It comes in the form of a powder, so it should stop after the powder leaves their systems. However, this entire city is infested with this powder, and Greed had clearly done something to make it much stronger while also making sure that it doesn’t leave their bodies.” Silas was beginning to get frustrated.
“Wouldn’t killing Greed suffice?” Grant asked, yet he quickly realized that Silas wasn’t listening.
‘Anyone with a stronger mind should be able to ward off the enchantment quite easily, but it seems like only the stronger individuals were capable doing so…’ Silas thought back to how Alex had warded off the enchantment for much longer than anyone else despite being a child who’s core hadn’t even awakened.
‘Who are you, Alex Relicer…’ Silas thought before looking at Grant.
“To answer your question… Maybe. I don’t understand how she does it, but whatever she’s doing, it’s either her or something on her that is allowing her to control the enchantment beetles and the people too.” Silas stroked his chin.
“Oh. So she enchanted the enchantment beetles.”
“…”
“…”
“I guess she did.” Silas shrugged
“So, what’s the plan.” Grant asked.
“I can’t tell you the plan because I don’t have one. I’m going to… Improvise.”
“Improvise?”
“Yeah… Like. You know… Go with the flow… Yo.”
“…”
“…”
“I don’t like these awkward silences.” Silas sighed.
“It’s only awkward when you announce them.” Grant shrugged.
“Hmm… Now that I think about it, there might be someone who can help us.” Silas commented before another smile bloomed on his face.
However, this time, the smile felt a lot more sinister than it usually did.
***
“What’s up old man.” Silas called out as a low jingle reverberated throughout the shop he had just entered.
The scent of sweat, coal, and metal was in the air as both Grant and Silas walked into the room.
“Smells like a new car in here.” Silas commented, causing Grant and the man behind the forge to raise a brow.
“Didn’t expect to see you here… With your mind intact.” The man chuckled.
He was the blacksmith Silas had bought his speedy ring thing from.
“Where are your students?” Silas asked.
“Ha… They didn’t come in today… Bastards! I will make sure they are punished when this is all over.” The man sighed.
“If it is all over.” Silas sighed, making the two of them raise a brow.
“True… I could just move to another city, though I don’t think the kingdom likes me all the much.” The blacksmith sighed.
“I plan on saving the city, so if I’m successful, you won’t have to think about relocating.” Silas commented.
“Kid, you seem strong, but I doubt you can save the city when several generals weren’t able to do so.” The blacksmith chuckled before a look of coldness flashed in his eyes.
“Maybe I should call War.” He muttered in a low voice that both Grant and Silas heard due to their improved hearing.
While Silas’ hearing was simply improved because of the mana within his cells, Grant always had natural mana around him that increased all his senses beyond normal human limitations.
“There’s no need to call her… I can do this.” Silas sighed before continuing- “Plus, I don’t think brawns are what we need in this situation. Right now we’re up against a maniac with no regard for human life. She’s unpredictable, but she’s also weak. The only thing that makes her as strong is her armor.” Silas explained.
“You shouldn’t underestimate armor,
boy.” The blacksmith chuckled at Silas’ naivety.