Chapter 12

Mana Arts (2)

“Lionhearted.”

“Yes, Chief.”

“You really picked a good husband.”

“...”

“...”

『 Dunadan Uzal 』

Bond: Level 2

You can copy 1 additional skill.

< Copied Skill >

◆ Universal Ability: Mana Arts

This ability was granted by the God of Ascension, Urgan. It can be activated by imposing a Geas upon yourself.

▶ Number of Cores: 5

※ Due to the Omnipotence skill modifier, proficiency increases rapidly. An alien characteristic is applied.

※ Only Geas of the ‘Unique’ type can be designated. This skill cannot be used in any other way. However, if this condition is satisfied, the skill transforms.

From that system window, Aiden stared at the number 5 next to the core count.

‘For now, I only made three because of the Chief...’

Every time the number of cores increased, Dunadan’s expression grew closer to outright losing his mind, and he couldn’t help but feel more self-conscious about it.

So, in the end, the question he’d intended to ask further had gotten completely buried.

The two sentences attached at the very bottom of the skill window were the problem.

‘I can only use special ones?’

In the game, it was possible to impose simple Geas like ‘skip one meal’ or ‘don’t sleep for more than seven hours.’

But when he tried them, all those simple conditions were invalidated for Aiden. Just as the skill window described, only something special would work.

‘What exactly does “Unique type” even mean...’

Judging by the terminology the system had used so far, it probably meant something like ‘a restriction no one else has ever used.’

‘A Geas no one else has ever tried before?’

...Even just thinking about the number of people in the Great Plains made his head spin.

Thinking about how many people across the entire continent used Mana Arts made it even worse.

At this rate, he’d gone through all the effort to learn Mana Arts, only to find he couldn’t even use it properly...

‘I’ll have to think this through.’

Just as he thought that and reached to close the window, a new message suddenly popped up in front of his eyes.

-System Message

▶ The favorability of target ‘Noel Astrea Simus’ has increased.

▶ Bond level has risen from 2 to 3.

▶ You have gained 1 additional skill copy attempt!

▶ New content related to the Main Quest will be added soon!

Aiden blinked blankly and stared at the window that had appeared out of nowhere.

‘...Did that really work?’

He had thought it was possible that the excuse he’d made to Dunadan would be passed along to Noel.

Honestly, he’d said it half in jest, but seeing it actually raise her favorability left him feeling conflicted.

“...”

At this point, he felt a definite need to reconsider his approach.

If her favorability was rising this quickly, he thought there was a chance they really could end up in a much deeper relationship someday.

‘…As if it would ever go that far.’

Right now, it was only because of a string of coincidences that her interest in him kept growing deeper.

Anyway, all the attention she was giving him would inevitably shift away once the Protagonist appeared.

In any case, he planned to dump everything onto the Protagonist as soon as they crossed paths and go back to an ordinary life. Until then, he just needed to make good use of her help.

Aiden tapped his chin lightly, lost in thought.

‘What I have left right now is…’

At present, he had a total of three skill copy tokens remaining.

One to use on Katya, one on Noel, and one he could obtain from His Majesty the Emperor.

‘There’s no need to learn them right away.’

He didn’t know what might happen during the main scenario events. It would be strange to start picking up skills before anything even happened.

He had already skimmed over the list of available skills, so when things turned urgent, the ideal plan was to flexibly pick the one that best fit the situation.

After all, the reason he’d gone to the trouble of learning Mana Arts was just to have a means to respond to an unexpected emergency.

‘…Though, in the best case, I’d never need to learn anything and just pass through peacefully.’

That was precisely why he was working so hard right now.

The place he set out for was a location he’d visited once before.

Billy Hagan’s Tool Shop. He was here to pick up the information he’d requested earlier.

As soon as he stepped inside the shop, Billy recognized his face and snorted.

“Oh, you’re that guy who stuck his neck into that dangerous business, aren’t you?”

…The way he remembered things was a little strange, but fine.

“The information?”

The moment he asked, a thick bundle of papers, all tied up neatly, dropped onto the counter with a thump.

“Trade volumes, distribution routes, and most importantly, the ‘transaction sites.’ I put everything together.”

He’d especially emphasized the transaction sites because there was a very high chance that place would end up being the backdrop when something went down, so Aiden had asked him to look into it thoroughly.

Aiden nodded and started leafing through the documents.

It was certainly work thorough enough to be worth paying a premium.

Aiden placed the pouch of gold coins he’d prepared on the counter.

“I added fifty more gold. Just as a gesture of goodwill.”

“You rich or something?”

…Noel had given him quite a lot, actually. Aiden just gave a vague nod.

Billy spilled out the pouch, checked the amount, and once he confirmed it really was what Aiden claimed, he let out a low laugh and pushed some of it back.

“Keep this part. I didn’t finish absolutely everything you asked for.”

“Huh?”

“About those weapons,” Billy said. “I couldn’t find out who’s distributing them. Usually, it’s not hidden this well.”

“It’s 550 gold. You could’ve tried a little harder,” Aiden replied.

Billy gave a casual laugh.

“Don’t give me that shit.”

“...”

“If I can’t find it, then it’s at least a high-ranking noble. And you want me to dig up information on them? You trying to get somebody’s head chopped off?”

“...I see.”

▶ Failing the events listed here will result in severe penalties!

◈ Fake Marriage

You have been chosen as the spouse of Lady Noel. Maintain your contract with her to the end!

◈ Act I, <Imperial Capital Fracture>

Your frequency of contact with key scenario figures has increased sufficiently.

Your existence will soon be officially incorporated into the scenario. The outcome of the story will depend on your choices!

Related event will occur soon. (D-2)

◈ Life is Beautiful

Katya Heinkel Craven desperately desires something from you. Help her fully experience this ‘sensation!’

Related event will occur soon. (D-2)

…If he had to face these terrifying events entirely alone—

He did have an idea in mind.

He absolutely did not want to do it, and the odds he would need to were low.

But if that moment of no return really came—

He would have to.

When that time came, he too—

Would have to do what needed to be done.