Chapter 346 – Interlude????

Though only a few days remained before the arrival of the cold winter season, the Gray Rain Country was still experiencing continuous drizzles. Particularly in the Grey Mire Swamp, in almost everyone’s memory, this silent swamp had never cleared up. It rained almost every day, sometimes lightly and sometimes heavily. The gloomy rain clouds lingered persistently over the swamp like stubborn vultures, while the filthy mud perpetually splattered under the relentless rain.

In fact, this climate of the Grey Mire Swamp was aptly nicknamed “Vulture Cloud Rain.” Its gloom never ceased to linger, and the occasional brief clear skies felt almost like an illusion.

It was around noon now. The apprentices at the Gray Rain Country Truth Division had already braved the rain to leave their dormitories and head to the cafeteria, yet the mentor area remained eerily silent, with no sound emanating from it.

Regardless of the weather, all official mages had recently been quietly staying in the underground laboratories. Perhaps the aftermath of the conflict between the Red Robe Mages and the Mage Guild had not yet subsided, as the mentors of the Thought of Truth still maintained a reclusive and detached demeanor.

However, such tranquility was destined to exist only on the surface. In reality, mages, who were never content with idleness, always found ways to occupy (or trouble) themselves during their spare time—for instance, overestimating their abilities and attempting to study the “masterpiece” of a Master-Level powerhouse!

“I apologize, I’m not particularly skilled in alchemical spells, and the brain is far too intricate. Using potions recklessly could lead to complications, so… this might be a bit painful. Please bear with it.”

Under the hazy lamplight, Mijia Ka spoke gently to Anya, who lay on the experiment table.

The young girl lying on the experiment table felt somewhat uneasy and flustered. The dim, yellowish light in Mijia Ka’s laboratory cast an ambiguous, hazy glow. Mijia Ka, draped in a white robe, stood with a sharply defined silhouette against the light. Tilting her head slightly, Anya couldn’t help but feel her heart flutter as she gazed at Mijia Ka’s handsome profile, absorbed in drawing magical runes.

“Oh, this is just receiving Lord Mijia Ka’s kind assistance. Don’t let your thoughts wander!”

Blushing deeply, Anya turned her head to look at the ceiling. At this moment, the young girl was covered only by a thin layer of fabric over her vital areas, her youthful and beautiful figure already exuding a subtle, graceful sensuality on the small experiment table. Meanwhile, the soft cloth Mijia Ka had carefully laid beneath her gave Anya a light, floating sensation, as if soaring on clouds.

“How did things end up like this?”

Thinking this, the shy Anya tightened her grip slightly on the pristine bedsheet with her fingers.

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Just a few minutes earlier, the hopeful Anya had finally heard the “treatment” method proposed by Mijia Ka:”The results from the Cornibuck Micro-Magic Catcher are in. Hmm… according to the data, Master Cyan’s modifications were likely performed on your brain. Among all your bodily organs, only this area shows faint traces of unusual magical residue. Without the detector’s assistance, even a Master-Level expert would likely overlook such subtle remnants… sigh, truly worthy of a Master-Level practitioner. This level of precision in erasing residual magical fluctuations is beyond reach.”

At that moment, Mijia Ka’s expression was gravely serious, the parchment in his hand seeming to carry the weight of a thousand gold pieces.

“M…my brain?”

Hearing Mijia Ka’s explanation, Anya felt a chill rise from the depths of her heart. The thought of her mentor conducting unknown experiments on her brain filled her with a nauseating mixture of disgust and fear.

“Exactly, this is the most troublesome part… As for whether your soul has been tampered with… I apologize, but that’s beyond my current capabilities to detect.”

Tossing the parchment into the fireplace to burn, Mijia Ka’s face gradually took on a bitter expression:

“Now, I’m afraid I can only attempt to alleviate your symptoms and identify the cause of your nightmares as much as possible. If we want a complete solution… only Lord Cyan would likely have the means.”

Driven by a good-aligned mage’s sense of responsibility, even as curiosity stirred within him, Mijia Ka repeatedly warned Anya about the uncertain dangers of this rather unconventional “treatment method,” respecting the young woman’s right to choose:

“Actually… my approach may not be entirely appropriate. There might be better alternatives… If anything goes wrong during the treatment process, it could lead to… severe consequences! I hope you’ll consider this carefully…”

In truth, Mijia Ka hadn’t told Anya—if Master Punk Cyan had implanted some self-destruct spell in her brain for secrecy’s sake—not only would Anya face death, but he himself might be in danger.

However… seeing how pale Anya had become from fright, Mijia Ka decided against voicing this suspicion.

Despite Mijia Ka’s solemn warnings, the nearly desperate Anya firmly agreed. Or rather, compared to the mortal danger Mijia Ka described, she found her current nightmare-plagued suffering utterly unbearable.

“It’s alright, Lord Mijia Ka. Please proceed as you see fit. Anya… Anya won’t regret this.”

At that time, tormented by nightmares and baseless fears, Anya declared this almost without hesitation.

“…Very well. The methods of a Master-Level Caster are truly elusive. Even I cannot make any substantial guarantees, but… since I’ve agreed to help you, I’ll do my utmost.”

Under the hazy magical lighting, facing Anya’s trusting gaze, Mijia Ka felt his cheeks grow warm. He reached out to gently wipe a glistening tear from the young woman’s cheek, then bent down to pat her head.

“Don’t worry, I’m here!”

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“…Don’t worry, I’m here… Ahhh, so embarrassing…”Lying on the experiment table, Anya felt her face must be redder than an apple. Every time she recalled Mijia Ka’s words, the young girl would feel her heartbeat suddenly accelerate.

“Alright, Anya, are you ready?”

“Huh? Mm-hmm! It’s… it’s fine now”…

Hearing Mijia Ka’s voice, Anya quickly calmed her trembling heart, though the blush spreading across her snow-white neck still betrayed the shyness in the young girl’s heart.

As the low chanting of spells gradually rose, Anya only felt the hazy magical lights beginning to blur. At this moment, the young girl’s eyes held only Mijia Ka’s gentle profile.

Then, lying motionless on the experiment table, Anya felt a slight sting on her arm, and after that… deep darkness slowly devoured the world of light.

“Mijia Ka… I like you…”

Without fear or unease, in this moment Anya felt that even if haunted by nightmares, she could still sense the warmth of the magical furnace, feel the softness of the velvet beneath her, and experience… a hint of sweetness like tasting forbidden fruit for the first time.

Even as she fell unconscious, Anya remained at peace, because she knew that handsome mage named Mijia Ka… was right by her side.

(End of Chapter)