Chapter 654 – Irresponsible Pleasure (2)
The Butler of Foundation sensed the flickering mana response of the captured Supreme Fire Spirit.
“Don’t mess around. Do you still not understand that your only path to survival lies in serving the Foundation?”
“…I know. I also remember that you’re the contractor who made the most unjust contract in the history of the fire spirits. What are you so afraid of that you need to threaten me?”
“With that long tongue of yours, it seems there’s a secret you want to hide.”
The Butler of Foundation, enemy of mankind and the Foundation’s target of isolation, placed a hand on the [Red Talisman] that was used to contain the Supreme Fire Spirit.
Urgh…!
The brutal [Mana Control Technique] used on humans could destroy their minds in an instant, and it violently delved into the spiritual mana organs of the Supreme Fire Spirit, probing the source of its power.
The nature mana being secretly siphoned off did not exceed what the Butler had anticipated, with the side passages outside the allowed connection to the spirit realm being only tiny doorways he had also expected.
What had surprised him was the supply of spirit mana that should have been provided to the spirit from beyond.
━━━━━
[Hierarchy Mana Capacity]
*Human Race
1st Tier Limit = 100mp
2nd Tier Limit = 1,000mp
3rd Tier Limit = 10,000mp
4th Tier Limit = 100,000mp
5th Tier Limit = 1,000,000mp
6th Tier Limit = 10,000,000mp
7th Tier Limit = 100,000,000mp
━━━━━
Based on the standards of the human race, a strong fire spirit could possess a maximum of 100 million mp in mana.
However, due to various factors accelerating growth and not filling their vessel to the max, the typical 7th tier beings’ mana holdings only exceeded slightly over 10 million mp, and a limit of over 30 million mp meant they were only somewhat capable.
In contrast, spirits could grow to 100 million mp without worry, filling their vessel over time with growth achieved through mere extension.
The vessel of spirits is even larger than that of humans.
━━━━━
*Spirit Race
1st Tier Limit = 120mp
2nd Tier Limit = 1,440mp
3rd Tier Limit = 17,280mp
4th Tier Limit = 207,360mp
5th Tier Limit = 2,448,320mp
6th Tier Limit = 29,859,840mp
7th Tier Limit = 358,318,080mp
━━━━━
7th Tier.
The very lowest standard of newly ascended Supreme Fire Spirits already had around 30 million mp, comparable to two or three 7th tier human powers in terms of mana capacity.
Naturally, if the vessel is large, the conduits for supplying mana must be equally broad and wide.
It was common knowledge that Supreme Fire Spirits serving as [Lords] in the Fire Spirit Realm received mana supplies from their territories.
━━━━━
Previous Charge: Approximately 60 million mp/year
Current Charge: Approximately 10,000 mp/year
━━━━━
It was no surprise that their annual mana supply fell short of expectations.
The more mana you have, the harder it becomes to control. Holding hundreds of millions of mp dangerously invites the risk of mana disasters.
Unless it’s a life-or-death battle where you gather full mana in a secluded training to pour everything you have against an equally dangerous enemy, the amount of mana is already dangerously high.
“…Summon my aides. I need to confirm what happened in the conquered territory of the Fire Spirit Realm.”
The secretary dispatched to the spirit realm returned with an even graver expression than when they had originally sent them into danger.
“It’s a complete wreck. All facilities in the territory are destroyed, and there’s nothing left – no [Collars], no [Resources], no [Spirits]. Only a few lucky ones near the outskirts remain.”
“…Humans have freed them all from their collars, yet left other races untouched. A raid by other races, perhaps?”
“I can’t be sure.”
“What about the route of invasion?”
“There’s rough evidence of a dimensional gate being opened, but they seem to have wiped the coordinates clean as a precaution, so it will take considerable time to track.”
“A well-planned raid, then.”
The permanent charging [Supreme Fire Talisman] was now rendered useless, becoming a one-time talisman as soon as the remaining mana was consumed.
With a spirit mana accumulation of only 10,000 per year, it would take a thousand years to reach 10 million mp.
Rather than leaving this dangerous item to the next generation to use once every thousand years, it might be better to destroy it cleanly once the remaining mana runs out.
“…Burn all remaining spirits. The territory has lost its utilitarian value.”
“…Understood.”
The efforts made by Jibsa Division 1 at a significant cost became useless in an instant.
The overall temperature rise on the continent was contained, but at this rate, the ‘collateral gain’ calculations were shifting towards greater losses due to the damage sustained by Jibsa Division 1.
“More issues to present at the executive meeting.”
To procure the needed personnel, they must quickly promote more Scholarship Students to Butlers.
“Have we yet to hear from Lubrio, who was sent to gather the Butler Candidates?”
“Nothing yet.”
“What about Hyeolbiggaek’s movements?”
“Calm.”
“Is it not interference from the Academy? Then what about the movements of
“None whatsoever.”
“Things are becoming more difficult. If even half of the rumors are true, the Dark Princess and her companions wouldn’t have given up their duties as supervisors. Could it be they effortlessly escaped while defeating butlers at the student level?”
The Butler of Foundation felt an unsettling premonition.
Dark Princess.
While her actions contradicted the Foundation’s wishes, there were orders to pull her companions in as butlers.
But lo and behold, the main person was nowhere to be found, leaving only her subordinates with severed communications with the butlers.
He had only heard about her, but she was proving to be far from easy to handle.
“It won’t do. Considering the recent disaster in the Fire Spirit Realm, I must properly prepare for this executive meeting.”
A mere show of strength is not enough.
The commitment to humanity, the mission, and the courage to shake off fear.
These qualities were essential.
Initially, the Foundation used its Scholarship Students as butlers.
Though lacking a sense of duty, they were still indebted to the Foundation’s support, which was enough to replace it with the will to repay their debts.
Yet, there are those who can help without needing to be in debt.
Students from the Gift Academy.
They meet all the criteria.
For their mentors, for the organization, for the nation.
There are those who strive to grow for various reasons, eager to help everyone.
The more strength they desire, the better.
The magic tools that isolated alien beings would allow the owner an instant enhancement of power that could not be enjoyed at the Gift Academy.
If they could recruit even more students, the Butler of Foundation’s authority would surely expand.
“It’s no longer sufficient to recruit only Foundation Scholarship Students. I must devise plans to naturally abduct students from the Academy. I will add this to the agenda.”
“If the meeting drags on,
“Then make a bait. Create an incident that would divert the Principal’s attention from our meeting.”
At this moment, the risk level of the executive meeting rose significantly.
*
Ishtar noticed that the Oknodie members were unusually downcast, serious, or had their pride severely injured.
“You all seem pretty pumped up.”
“…Are you mocking us?”
“Not at all. I’m just curious. What could you have done outside that would change you all so much?”
The students, who were slowly adapting to lectures filled with the professors’ ominous teachings, suddenly appeared to be intensely motivated, training day and night.
Even Ishtar found their serious study atmosphere quite impressive.
“I felt lacking. That’s all.”
“The world is vast, and there are many masters. Seems you’ve faced some real strong ones.”
“Surely you’re no different?”
At Irene’s hostile question, Ishtar let out a snicker in disbelief.
“What do you think my original profession was?”
“…Warrior.”
“It wasn’t easy without the Empire’s support while being a Warrior. From the moment I entered the Academy seeking comrades, I was feeling the burden you all are feeling now.”
“I had a preconceived notion that you were simply an arrogant person with a bad attitude. I apologize for assuming you didn’t have a serious reason to train.”
“Forget about it. I’ve already made amends with Oknodie. I don’t want to break ties with Oknodie members either.”
Last year, Ishtar would have rage shouted, “Terrorists and their buddies!” at any chance she got, but Irene could feel she had truly changed.
Maybe because of that, she asked a question she wouldn’t have dared to last year.
“Who was the one who troubled the Warrior?”
That enemy, a master from the peak of dragon expertise, possibly surpassing even the Supreme Examiner Hyeolbiggaek of the Gift Academy.
A childish desire to compare the wall they faced with that of the Warrior began to arise.
“The Pleasure Slave from the City of Hwanlak, Hwanlakweisa.”
“I’ve never heard of that name. Pleasure Slave. Is that the name of a battle group?”
“Skill level, enlightenment, talent, everything. They peddled their assets to the City of Pleasure and were forced into simultaneous loyalty to pay off their debts just before their ruin. That’s what we call a Pleasure Slave. They are souls of sinners whose spirits are dying.”
“Sounds just like the Foundation.”
“…Perhaps so. But looking back, I think there is a distinct difference.”
“What’s that?”
“The Foundation wants strong individuals. Even if they employ base tactics to subjugate strong ones, they do not rob their statuses or exploit their power. In fact, they try to empower you even using underhanded methods.”
The City of Pleasure was, in that sense, a city with a different mechanism from the Foundation.
“Is there a reason to fear those who’ve lost their strength?”
“Yes. Especially if they are a 6th tier strong one who possesses their own [Domain].”
“…!”
Before entering the Academy, even upperclassmen could hardly reach the 5th tier.
It was hard to guarantee that you could practically attain the 6th tier unless you were at least a sophomore or junior.
The Academy’s teachings did not suggest rapid growth but rather focused on gradually laying down a solid foundation for asymmetrically grown masters, leading to explosive growth only once their vessels were adequately filled.
“If they had retained their skills without losing what was taken for collateral, they could have shown threats comparable to that of a 4th-year student, like the Oknodie’s Golem.”
“…!”
“Those monsters lose their disciplines and fall to lower tiers, but their fundamentals are still different. Back then, I almost ended up joining Yufi in a cozy trip to the Netherworld.”
“Do you think that could happen now?”
“Now? Not a chance. How much have I learned in this ruthless Academy?”
With her current self, Ishtar began to feel the belief that she could easily surpass even the formidable enemies like the Pleasure Slave who once instilled fear in her and Yufi.
Fueled by that confidence, Ishtar was striding confidently toward the classroom when suddenly, her step slowed.
Huh? Is that boy… Sing?
Displaying an aloof and expressionless face, his energy was pricking the air, testing who was observing him.
The younger and classmate students were startled by the sharp aura surrounding him and quickly stayed away, while seniors feared a disastrous scene of being torn apart by the re-student and kept their distance, leaving Sing naturally isolated.
Ishtar pretended to shy away from Sing’s worries, feigning indifference as she sneaked behind him.
What major thing is he so cautious about?
Curiosity piqued, Ishtar followed him until finally, she spotted Sing’s destination.
Professor Pinkberry’s Office
The office of the disguise lecture professor.
