The bead seemed to acknowledge Veronica's words as its brilliant light scattered like it was protecting itself from Theodore. Strangely, the bead seemed almost obscured from view, but Theo couldn’t feel any magic power acting on it.

It was natural to be wary of the unknown, so Theo had no intention of touching it carelessly. Theo didn’t know how long he would’ve hesitated if Gluttony hadn’t spoken up right then.

- ... Hoh? You’ve brought me an interesting meal, User.

Theo could feel Gluttony’s intense hunger and appetite as it examined Umbra. It seemed even more hungry than when it had seen the Elder Lich’s Life Vessel.

Theo noticed this fact and asked, ‘Do you know what that bead is?’

- Of course. It may not be a grimoire, but it is too taxing for you to digest right now. That quarter dragon’s explanation is only half right. Technically, Umbra isn’t a species but a two-dimensional object. It is a world where there are no boundaries between material and nonmaterial things, so it can’t be understood using human common sense.

In other words, Umbra is a type of other world?

- You understand pretty fast. To be more precise, it is a primitive spiritual world. Unlike the material world, the other dimension is a place where only spirits can exist.

Since magicians tended to emphasize the natural sciences more than aura users, they were aware of the existence of spiritual worlds a long time ago. They considered the Elemental World as an excellent representative example. It maintained the laws of nature and was closely linked to the material world. It was said that the first elementalists could access the Elemental World directly. There were also examples like the Abyss, where evil spirits or evil gods resided, and spiritual worlds like Chaos, which was a whirlpool of chaos.

However, Gluttony seemed to classify Umbra differently from the others.

- Hmm, don't be too concerned about it. A primitive world is incomplete and easy to collapse. In fact, Umbra is a world that was destroyed a long time ago. This is nothing but a fragment of the destroyed world. If it hadn’t been fixed by magic, then it would’ve vanished.

The prey suited its taste, so Gluttony’s tongue began to wriggle.

- I will eat to my heart’s content. I will take care of it!

Theo raised his left hand. Umbra trembled as it felt an ominous feeling, but Veronica was prepared and held it in place with her magic power tightly. Above all, there was an existence more magical than it, so Umbra couldn’t escape from the magician’s hand.

Eventually, Theodore’s left hand closed gently around the bead.

[+15 Umbra Fragment (???)]

[This is a scrap of debris that floated into the material world after the two-dimensional world Umbra collapsed a long time ago and was fixed by a passing magician. As the raw material of this bead is based on another world, there is a strong resistance to attacks in the material world. If the power of this fragment is absorbed, it may be possible to manipulate Umbra’s law.

* The rating of this ??? is Treasure.

* When consumed, the power of Umbra will be absorbed.

* When consumed, there will be no digestion time.

* When consumed, your spiritual awareness will increase greatly.

* When ingested, the user will not be able to use this ??? perfectly. A portion of the absorbed power will be sealed, allowing for only 20% of the abilities to be utilized.]

It seems that twenty percent is my limit right now.

Theodore had a larger capacity than another magician of the same circle, but even he could only use twenty percent of Umbra. Umbra had a vast and powerful ocean of essence hidden within it, despite having the same rating as the Elder Lich’s Life Vessel.

Thankfully, the remaining eighty percent had not been lost. Theo focused on his left hand, which the bead had disappeared into.

[The ‘Umbra Fragment’ has been absorbed. A heterogeneous power has accumulated in your body.]

[You can now get in contact with spirit bodies directly.]

[You can now see spiritual bodies with the naked eye.]

[The mark of ‘Umbra’ is engraved on your body.]

[Gluttony has fallen asleep in order to save power.]

It seemed this had gone differently than absorbing artifacts. Umbra didn’t require a separate digestion time, so it immediately melted into Theodore’s body after being eaten by Gluttony.

Wuuuong!

Theo felt a strength that was distinctly different from magic power spreading through his veins. Umbra’s overflowing power glowed bright green under his skin as it spread across his body before concentrating on his right palm. It was only twenty percent, but Theo could feel his bones and muscles nearing their limits.

Then a strange stamp appeared on his right arm.

Is this Umbra’s mark?

The complex lines and shapes that made up the emerald pattern reminded him of characters of an ancient kingdom. Umbra’s mark faded away as it fell asleep, waiting for the time when it would be supplemented by the remaining eighty percent.

Theo’s brain received the information about Umbra’s abilities in the same way he received knowledge about magic.

“... Indeed, it is a miraculous ability,” Theo muttered as he closed his eyes to process the new information in his head.

It was a breathtaking ability. He pulled back his sleeve to reveal the shining green tattoo and then carefully reached out to touch it. However, someone else grabbed his right arm first.

“Oh, this is how it’s used? How strange.” Veronica came up from behind him and held up his arm curiously.

Theo stiffened from the unexpected contact, but Veronica didn’t notice as she traced the tattoo with a finger. The tower masters couldn’t easily take out the national treasures they guarded, so she couldn’t help her curiosity.

At that very moment...

Huuk!

Theodore’s arm suddenly turned translucent, and his arm slipped through Veronica’s hand.

“Eh?!”

This was Umbra’s first ability, Fluidization. Theodore, who triggered the ability reflexively, and Veronica were both surprised. Theo’s body had turned immaterial without a single word? It was something that even magicians who learned the 7th Circle spell Astral Body couldn’t imitate.

Veronica looked at Theodore’s right arm with shining eyes as it returned to its original state. “I-It’s been awhile since I was this surprised! Is this Umbra’s ability?”

Theo nodded silently. He knew that he could use Umbra’s Fluidization ability, but he hadn’t expected to invoke the ability just by wishing to escape her grip. If he could use Fluidization like this, he would be able to avoid flying arrows effortlessly. He could even pass through walls with a thought. It was a useful ability for any circumstance.

If I have this ability... I can beat a master level opponent!

Certainly, there were only a few existences in the material world who had abilities that could affect the spiritual world. Even a sword master would find it difficult to handle a spirit body. Moreover, most magicians wouldn’t know how to counter Fluidization. Theo would be able to gain the advantage in any situation just by turning his body immaterial.

However, he was too optimistic.

“Haack...! Haack...!"

Theo was experimenting with his new ability when he was suddenly assaulted by a headache and shortness of breath.

What… is going on all of a sudden?

His stamina and magic power weren’t low, but his condition had taken a turn for the worse. Just calculating a magic formula or moving his body caused him to be tired. Veronica noticed his sudden change and moved to support him.

She quickly realized what had happened and laughed. “It seems like this national treasure consumes mental power. Kid, is your magic power and stamina full right now?”

“Yes, it is as you say...”

“Geez, this is completely unexpected. If I’d known, I would’ve warned you beforehand. Well, lessons should be learned with the body to be remembered properly.” She giggled as she helped him to a bench and pointed at his glowing green hand. “The concept of mental power might be quite strange, but it will recover quickly. If you sit and rest for a while, you will soon be able to move around.”

Theo tried to lift his head. “... What’s mental power?”

“Umm, let me explain it briefly.” Veronica sat down next to Theo to explain. “In short, it is the most fundamental force. It is no different from using magic, aura, or even elemental power other than its importance. Magicians who tend to rely on mana and Circles often don’t know about the concept of mental power.”

However, mental power was crucial in manipulating forces from other dimensions, such as magic, aura, and Umbra. If one didn’t have mental power, they would not be able to control magic. This primal force was the only thing capable of manipulating Umbra’s power. Much to Theo’s relief, his mental power was restored by the time Veronica was done.

This means I need to train my mental power in order to master Umbra.

There was no such thing as an easy meal, and his new ability was resembling another piece of homework. Fluidization was too valuable to use without a cost.

“That’s all you need to know for now. Can you get up now?”

“... Yes.” He carefully rose to his feet.

Fortunately, the dizziness had completely disappeared, and he could no longer feel that bone-deep weariness in his body. Theo took a deep breath in as he carefully committed the experience of mental power depletion to memory.

Veronica stretched as she said, “So, what do you want to do next, kid? I still have to return to the ballroom, but you can leave first. It seems like your personality doesn’t like balls too much.”

“... Well, that isn’t wrong.” Theo smiled bitterly as he shrugged. Any other day, he would’ve left without a second thought. However, he was the guest of honor. Rumors would start to fly if he left without saying anything.

He turned to Veronica.

“Let’s go. I will be happy to mingle just for today,” he said softly as he held a hand out to Veronica.

Call it a tiny bit of retribution for always getting dragged along.

Veronica’s golden eyes widened in surprise before she smiled widely. “Ah, right. Maybe I was kidding about the few years?”

She grabbed Theodore’s hand.

The story of the young hero who challenged the red dragon… had yet to finish.