Chapter 345: A black heart

"Can I get some training?" Eldrian asked, realizing that while they could not teach him about magic, at least not directly. They could teach him about the spells and the best uses for them. More than that, they could properly instruct him how to fight. 

His case might be unique, he might have a great deal of stats over most his level and now even some over his level. That did not mean he could slack down and Eldrian found that he truly needed some training in close combat fighting. 

His spars with Vivian had always been useful, but he was certain now she would no longer be faster than him. She also had limited experience, having only practiced alone most of her life. 

"Training?" Pelaros echoed, unsure what Eldrian meant. 

"Yes, specifically spear training." Eldrian replied, "I have mostly been surviving, or rather managing due to my unique use of magic. I need to have that become a hidden card, not my only card."

"If possible, I would like to get a few manuals on skills specific for spears or generally body enhancements skills, on top of the training."

Pelaros paused, knowing that he was not the best person for this. For something like this it would have to be a human, demi-human, or royal. He fitted into the last category, but he had little true fighting experience. Much like Vivian he had reached his level through peaceful training. 

"We can certainly see what can be arranged," Pelaros said after going through all the people he knew who were not just strong, but also had the experience to back it up. Far too many only considered a person's Tier, he had too. 

His recent defeat had made it clear that experience was more important. His not considering that the strange undead would be capable of surprises had nearly cost him his life. He still did not know why it had decided to let him live. 

"Also," Eldrian paused, unsure if asking for more would be too much. Telling himself that no venture would mean no gain. "I also really need some proper armor."

Looking at Eldrian Pelaros nodded, the poor elf was still in plain clothing. Well... His clothing was not plain, it was in fact quite an interesting design. It seemed comfortable, but it also lacked nobility. 

"That is much easier to organize, but first follow me."

Doing just that the two headed for the command tent. Inside Katania and Thesolis were in a heated argument. Stopping when they realized someone was coming in.

"I should apologize. I had you prove to me that you were capable of helping with the research, yet after that we had forgotten about you."

"No, it is fine." Eldrian quickly replied, not even having noticed as he used every spare second he had training. 

"It isn't. You had more than proved you were capable. Your insights on auras were unique and it had helped us learn more about our enemies. We should not have forgotten about you."

Eldrian wanted to say again that it was fine, but he realized the apology was not for him. Pelaros apologized to remind himself to not forget the smaller things. Even when he was in the midst of a war. 

"Katania, please show him." 

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, it is the closest thing we have to the corruption. We need to give him the chance to see what he can find. We will discuss after."

Nodding, Katania moved to the table and opened an intricate silver box. As she did a terrible smell filled the air, in her hands a beating black heart. There was no blood and it made no sense that the heart would beat and pulsate, yet it did. 

"What on earth?" Eldrian mumbled as he recognized the familiar feeling of lethargy, "Is that a revenant's heart?"

"Yes, we have no idea why it is still beating." Katania nodded bringing the heart closer to Eldrian. It resembled a human heart almost completely, only the veins and arteries were pitch black and the flesh a gray red. 

"How? How did you get this?" Eldrian asked as he took the heart from Katania. Feeling its coldness and the strength of its beats shocked him, reminding him of the heart in his soul. 

Not patient enough to first wait for answered Eldrian used mana sense without trying to limit its functions. He had learned quickly that this was generally not a smart idea, his mind quickly overloaded by the information he received. Prepared this time.

The first thing he managed to organize was the basic information on the heart's owner. An Unwilling Revenant, one who had been Tier 7 in life but limited to Tier 5 due to his will. 

The next thing Eldrian had to sort through was what he was seeing. The heart was filled to the brim with mana, so densely packed that it made the mana in him look like dripping water compared to a waterfall. 

The center of the heart resembled a black hole, and in fact, it also seemed to function as one. The left side of the heart pulling in mana from the surroundings, which quickly became lost as it entered the heart.

The right side instead sent out some mana out, appearing gray but actually the darkest black. Not nearly as much as was being taken in, and most likely the cause of his lethargy and the smell. 

"How is it still beating?" Eldrian asked, having completely missed the fact that Evale had given the heart to Pelaros upon her return. Needing to store it in a magically sealed box to keep the aura from tiring everyone in the nearby location. 

"We have no idea. We tried many tests, but the best we can come up with was that somehow the heart can convert mana into sustenance for itself."

Eldrian nodded, that much was clear. How however was the question. 

Organizing through the rest of the information he had gotten, Eldrian tried to come up with a reasonable explanation. 

[The beating heart of an Unwilling Revenant.]

[The source of their power, death, and undeath. For an unwilling, as this man was, it is born through a curse and indeed it is a curse. A curse that targets the soul. Pulling it apart and deforming it to fill it with hatred for those it once loved.]

[It is quite poetic that the spell's target is the heart. If this is by design or by accident is not known. However, it is where the curse lies.]

[A revenant does not die till its soul is destroyed. Meaning they do not die till their heart is destroyed. Their curse will live forever, consuming the mana in their surrounding. Even pulling the life force from the living to feed its anger.]

[The heart alone however is far weaker than a complete revenant. Beware as the heart will try to corrupt the minds of those it can reach, fighting to turn them in a new host for the curse.]

[Item: Beating Revenant Heart]

[Rank: Epic | Tier 5]

[Usage: The heart is an infinite source of undeath power, while weakened and limited, it can be used similar to mana crystals.]

[Death-mana: 8.2k/8.2k]

[Alternate Usage: Absorb the mana and try to unlock the legacy of a revenant.]

Eldrian was extremely tempted upon reading the last part, barely stopping himself from attempting something dumb without any planning.

"Did you find something?" Thesolis asked after Eldrian finally seemed to come to himself again. Clearly, he had been going through something.

"I did, but I am not sure if it is true or not." 

"Care to share?" Pelaros asked, curious what Eldrian could find. He had expected that the Chosen would find something, having been shocked more than enough to now expect things he would not expect from others. 

"The curse used to create unwilling revenants are focused on the heart. Also, it seems that the only way to truly kill a revenant is by destroying its heart."

"That can't be right, when I fought the revenant I had pierced its chest. It was what had led to it turning into a full revenant."

"Maybe they can move their hearts?" Eldrian replied with a shrug. 

"That isn't all... Is it?" Pelaros did not know Eldrian well, but he had gotten used to how Eldrian shared his discoveries. He generally started with the least impressive things first. 

Eldrian nodded, "The heart is still alive because the revenant is also still alive. I should rather say the curse that was used to turn him is still active."

Thesolis's eyes flew open in shock, "You mean?"

"Yes, I think it can try to revive again. Actually, I recently gained a new ability. This is what that ability told me."

"New ability? What ability?" They all asked at nearly the same time and in the same manner. Curious what ability would give so many details.

Magic Inspection had only allowed them to see the dark concentrated mana, Mana Examination that the surrounding mana was being absorbed. Observe and Inspect had given them no additional information. 

"Mana sense, and it seems to be a mix of all the observation and inspection spells and skills," Eldrian replied, trusting those in the tent to not pry for more information. "However, it does more than just those, it is more than the sum of their parts."

"Then what else does it tell you?" Katania asked, wondering if this was a blessing from the gods or due to Eldrian's dedication. She had seen him, always practicing, always training. It seemed to be his whole life.