The Money-Obssessed Archmage's Second Life As A Broke Duke-Chapter 73 - Spirit Realm?

Chapter Seventy Three

"Arggghhh..."

The pain that was coursing through my body was unimaginable. According to what Sysi said last time, I was feeling the pain of Elias.

It's not like I couldn't handle it. I definitely could. But, the problem was... this body.

This body's nervous system was absolutely foreign to the feeling of physical pain before I arrived here. Soft hands and relaxed body of a noble that simply just doesn't know hard work. And, these memories seemed to be making the condition of this body worse.

"I am sure that I stabilised your soul energy before leaving. What did you do?"

Sylvester's voice pierced my ears but the pain refused to let my open my eyes or let my lips throw out a normal sound.

[Ping!]

[Please open your eyes, Host.]

"Unnnggghh..."

"Hold tight, Halcrest. I'll ease the pain. Calm down. Stop writhing."

The cold sensation of Sylvester's green mana hit me like a bucket of ice water, but the fire in my nerves didn't go out. It sizzled.

My chest felt like it had been carved open with a rusty spoon, and the sensation of a heel grinding into my ribcage made me want to vomit my own heart out.

Fuck! I need to start physical training to deal with this pain. I have a feeling it'll only get worse from here...

"Easy, you idiot! Breathe!"

Sylvester's voice was strained. I felt a heavy pressure on my shoulders, pinning me down to the bed. My fingers clawed at the wolf fur blankets, shredding the pelt as I fought to differentiate between the white walled operating room and my dark consciousness.

"Ahhhhh..."

"Woooooooooooo..."

"No... No... Don't cry, Lune. He'll be fine. I'm healing him. Don't worry."

[Ping!]

[Please open your eyes, Host. The Elf Priest is healing you. Just open your eyes!]

My eyelids felt like they were soldered shut with lead. Every time I tried to lift them, the image of that woman smiling as she crushed a man's ribs flashed behind my retinas.

How could a woman with same face appear in two different memories?

I seriously must stay away from pretty women...

The phantom sensation of the sludge melting my insides made my Second Circle pulse erratically, fighting against Sylvester's cooling mana like a cornered beast instead of letting it ease the pain.

Ughh...

Slap!

...The fuck!?

"Halcrest! Open your eyes or I'm going to slap the soul right back into your body!" Sylvester roared.

Slap!

The stinging heat on my cheek was exactly the reality check I needed. My eyes flew open, snapping into focus.

The first thing I saw wasn't a sterile lab, but a pair of massive, tear-filled eyes hovering inches from my nose.

"Ack! Ack!"

[Ding!]

[Knowledge Of The World's Greatest Doctor Has Been Awarded to Host!]

[Please practice to perfect the knowledge! Practice makes perfect!]

[Ding!]

[Day 3 : Daily Task Assigned!] 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

[Completion Bar: 0%]

[Ding!]

[Quest Completed!]

[Recovery Exilir S Grade Has Been Awarded.]

"Urghhhhhhh...."

My throat felt like it had been scrubbed with sandpaper. Every fiber of my being was screaming for a distraction from the pain of that memory.

The exilir... Withdraw...

I closed my eyes yet again to imagine the exilir in my grip.

"Woooooooooo!"

A sound like a mournful siren ripped through the hut as soon as my eyes closed.

"He's not dead, Lune! He's just... relaxing! Probably!" Sylvester's voice was cracking. He removed his one hand from my head, trying to keep the cutie from flattening me in a panicked cuddle. "Calm down, please! You're panicking me, sweet!"

"Stop... Don't use... your mana... Potion... feed..." I croaked out, opening my eyes and my palm to let the vial hit his gaze.

Sylvester's eyes widened as they landed on the S Grade vial in my palm. The glass was cool against my skin, glowing as it pushed back the shadows of the hut.

He didn't hesitate as he grabbed the vial, his fingers trembling slightly as he uncorked it.

The scent of pine mixed with the smell of fresh snow filled the air, giving me aromatherapy.

Ah... So relaxing...

"I don't know where you pulled this stuff from, Halcrest, but you better be right about this," Sylvester muttered as he tilted my head back with surprising gentleness. His hand firm against the nape of my neck. "Drink."

The liquid hit my tongue, sliding down my throat, like liquid starlight as it was absorbed directly into my tissue.

The agonizing pulse in my nerves met the elixir and vanished. It wasn't a gradual fade... It was an absolute erasure. Even my Second Circle which was pulsing erratically stabilised.

Fuck... This scammer does have some good stuff.

My breath, which had been coming in ragged hitches, finally leveled out.

"What. Did. You. Do!?"

"Ack!" The air was knocked out of me as Lune crashed into my chest. I instinctively buried my hand in her her, rubbing her head and watching the way her fluffy ears twitched as my lips curved upwards.

Cute.

"Chill, Syl."

The words came out steadier than I felt, but steady enough to make him freeze.

Sylvester's hands hovered midair, green mana flickering uselessly around his fingers before he forcefully dispelled it. His jaw was clenched so hard I thought his teeth might crack.

"You screamed like your soul was being peeled," he said slowly, each word packed with fury.

"Your mana went berserk." He pointed his finger at me. "So I'll ask again. What. Did. You. Do."

"Krshhh!" I watched as Lune bared her teeth, stepping over my legs and growled at Sylvester, slapping his hand away as his eyes widened from shock.

"Lune..." He murmured, holding his hand like it had been whipped.

Ah... Another lovesick puppy...

"Krssshhh!" Lune stood her ground on my chest, her tiny claws dug into my clothes, tail puffed out like a bottle brush as she glared at Sylvester.

"But, how can I send him to the spirit realm if he's so impulsive!?" Sylvester protested, his voice jumping an octave as he tried to defend himself.

Spirit Realm?

"Krssshhh!"

"Ugh! Fine!" Sylvester threw his hands up in total surrender, his terrifying aura deflating into a pout. He looked like a man who had just been scolded by his own mother for stealing candies. "I'll apologize! Just... please don't be mad at me."

"Krsh!"

"I'm sorry, Halcrest."

"It's fine, Lune. Can you go outside? I need to talk to Sylvester."

"Mrrrph!"

Lune hopped off the bed, her tail flicking as she trotted toward the door, walking out.

Crrrssh!

"What is it?"

"What did you mean by sending me to spirit realm?"