Villain's Second Heart: Trapped in A Fantasy Novel (BL)-Chapter 56: Mana

"Where can I get an irresponsible amount of mana quickly?"

It was morning, and Rav was enjoying his breakfast tea when Ezra hopped over the couch and started asking questions.

Rav blew lightly on his teacup.

"I've hardly even sat down and already we're doing this, hm? Is this your one question of the day or should I expect more later?"

His tail was curled up on his lap and he sat with his legs up, crossed under him. It was unseasonably warm on top of the mountain that day, so Rav opted against his usual garb and wore a white undershirt with floral print shorts.

Ezra, naturally, was half-naked. He and Oberyn had little shame in their bodies - especially not around Rav. Some part of them enjoyed teasing the perpetually horny catboy.

"An irresponsible amount of mana...what a way to put it. Well, there are two ways. The first, which I highly advise against, would be Torrent Farming. But you don't know what you're doing, so you'd likely blow your head off."

"I've absorbed a Torrent before," Ezra said.

Rav blew once more on his tea and took his first sip. "Ah."

He smacked his lips together, taking another sip before finally acknowledging Ezra's words.

"If that's true, which I assume it is in a misguided sort of way, I'm sure there was significant fallout from such an encounter. Even I would struggle to do it, and I'm RAV. You'd need one of those mana-sucking bad boys from Asteria, but I don't plan on adding a heist to my calendar any time soon."

"Well, then what's the other way?"

"Do you recall killing the dinosaurs - all of the ambient mana in the air when you finished the deed? Or perhaps you saw it when you helped Deek with her Manticore homework?"

Ezra thought back. Once Rav mentioned it, he clearly recalled. Every monster he'd fought up to this point has leaked out visible, colorful mana. But it seemed too thin in the air for him to have absorbed.

"You could have absorbed it with that heart of yours, yes," Rav smirked, as if he could read Ezra's mind. "But there's a better way. Targeting monsters and beasts with particularly high concentrations of mana. Mandrakes, Hippogryphs, Sheep, oddly enough - Dragons, of course..."

"I don't think I'm ready for a dragon..."

"Smartest thing I've heard you say. You know, Spriggans are quite high in mana, and there's no shortage of them on the west side of the mountain. Lousy little things - oh, but maybe it would be displeasurable to kill them. They're descended from fairies, after all. Just like your boy."

"Theyre monsters though, right? Not like...a happy little fairy village?"

"Oh, hells no," Rav chuckled. "They're vicious little shits and they used to have a bad reputation for eating little Ferin children. But no matter how many times I've gone down there to kill them, more always pop up. Not exactly my desire to trigger an extinction event, either."

"Where can I find them? And how do I drain their mana?"

"YOU'RE the one who absorbed a Torrent," Rav reminded him, slurping loudly on his tea. "Just do that. Rip it right out of the buggers when you kill them. As to where you'll find them, leave the pagoda down that western path - the one we never take. It's quite a hike, maybe four hours one way, but you'll know when you get to their turf."

"I don't suppose you'd be willing to come with?"

"Absolutely not!" Rav cackled. "I have things to do today."

"Oh? What's that?"

"Why, since you're going off to kill some Spriggans, I will be taking care of Oberyn while you're gone. I have a lot to teach him, hm?"

Ezra frowned. He hoped to have Rav join, but he hadn't considered leaving Oberyn behind. Even after just a few days together, fighting alongside him felt natural. But maybe it was better this way. Oberyn still had his own battles to fight.

"You were just spouting some nonsense yesterday about needing to get stronger, and to carve your own path. What an excellent opportunity. And hey, if you're not back by dinner time, I will surely try to find your corpse. Ah, and of course give much, much comfort to little Oberyn..."

"You're a lunatic, Rav. You know that?"

Rav smiled, staring at nothing. "I believe we landed on 'Insane Catboy Millionaire, thanks."

Ezra opened up his system equipment, and equipped himself with some adventuring gear. He also took out his violet spear - the one that gained power when used as a projectile. Since he didn't know what he'd be up against, it was the best option.

Ezra tightened the straps of his gear. Heading out alone shouldn't bother him - he'd fought plenty of battles, and he had Alcor's physical memory. But as he took his first steps down the western path, he realized... he'd always had someone watching his back. Rav, Oberyn, Deek. Now? Just himself.

"You'll do fine. A single Spriggan is only a match for a level three or so. At your level, you should be able to take them out with ease! Why, you killed a Tyrannodon in a single blow!"

"Yeah, yeah," Ezra said, waving at him dismissively as he took off down the western path. "Oby's still asleep, so you let him know where I went, alright?"

"I shall try to remember!" Rav called back. He took one final sip of his tea, draining the cup.

"Ah. Finally, peace and quiet," Rav smirked, curling up into a ball on the outdoor couch. "Maybe just...a little cat nap..."

His eyes lidded, but before he could fall asleep, he was startled by a pounce. His black cat, Stella, landed on his stomach, and started to knead her paws on Rav.

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"Stella, what's gotten you all affectionate today? Aw, who's a good girl? You're just happy that stinky human is gone, isn't that it?"

Rav bopped his nose to hers, and the two started playing, blissfully unbothered.