Chapter 41 Magical Body Improvement!

Five gold, five bloody golds!

This is what it cost for Lizzy to get her alchemy License back. That was it, nothing else. Then they turned around and spent 200 gold on a Mandrake.

That move really baffled the concerned receptionist, who had offered them to pay five gold in installments. Were they rich or poor? Which was it?

Either way, Jack and Lizzy left the Alchemy Tower like thieves, rushing out. They felt like they had dropped a nuke on a children's playground to deal with a little bully.

Meanwhile, in the back…

"Pfft— Hahaha, kid! This was the greatest thing I've seen in my 500 years of (un)life! But with this, we have everything we need to make you STRONG!"

It was time to go back to the Flame Mansion!… and what awaited him was a hero's welcome. His foxes had even practiced human-like clapping for the occasion!

— Clap! Clap! Clap! —

"Woo! Woo! Woo!" (Master, Master, Master!)

Even from here, they could hear the hubbub as the crowds argued endlessly about the previous Alchemy Tower events, schadenfreude filling their hearts!

They had successfully pulled their greatest prank so far! Even now, they still remembered the panicked voices of the Guards trying to figure out where they had gone — Poof!

"Everyone, there's better news! We have successfully attained our first goal! Old Ghost, what should be done? It's time for a POWER-UP!"

Amidst a festive atmosphere, the foxes created the most intricate magic miracle Jack had ever seen. Most of the catalysts were turned into magical dust, used to write glyphs!

He could recognize some of the characters… but they melded with one another to create new esoterical meanings. It looked incredibly mystical!

"Great job! Kid, fire it up whenever you're ready!"

"I just have to insert Mana, eh?"

He poured everything he could into it. The energy went from his hand to the magic circle, lighting it up like a neon sign. He could feel the thing… coming alive?!

That's when his Mana changed color, turned into a black liquid, and started swirling like crazy. It was as if he was looking at a Maelstrom!

[Ding! Incredible Energy Detected!]

[Warning! Do Not Approach!]

The system was already going ballistic on his ass. This thing wasn't just dangerous. It had the potential to sink his body and soul alike!

"Step inside, kid, but be ready. It's gonna hurt… a LOT! Whatever happens, don't give in to the pain… or you'll be gone forever." Even the Old Ghost shuddered.

Amidst an orange sea of paws up, Jack went in!

— WOOSH! WOOSH! WOOSH! —

The pain came instantly! The corrupted Mana stuck on his body, trying to devour him, and it felt like he was submerged in acid! It HURT!

He was akin to a plastic bag drifting into… a hellish washing machine! He was freaking melting and being thrown around! It was the WORST!

This thing would have put the greatest torturer to shame. Yet by the side, everyone watched with enormous smiles. This was their Master/Student!

Jack didn't falter. He couldn't afford to. He needed to learn Magic to become stronger. He needed power to protect his people, he needed power to live a peaceful life, he needed—

"ARRGGG!" With an Earth-shattering roar, he resisted the Corrupted Mana's assault! His mind was akin to an impenetrable fortress, one fueled by his desires!

"Great, kid! Since the frontal attack failed, it will try to tempt you into serving it. Resist. You must resist! It will be near impossible, but you'll need to—"

— SCREECH! WAIL! —

Before the Old Ghost could even finish his sentence, Jack had resisted! The corrupted Mana had tried its best, but it had fallen short.

"Tch— Amateur!" Jack scoffed.

This was nothing compared to what he had been offered before Reincarnating! He hadn't submitted then, and he wasn't about to submit now!

Amidst the darkness, he turned toward the Ghost. The latter was staring, mouth wide opened as if witnessing a miracle.

"What comes next?"

"Y-you need to take control. Make it obey, and welcome it into your body… but while keeping control. Focus on a mental image of yourself, not to lose track of your identity!"

Focus on himself? Alright!

Instead of fighting recklessly, Jack actually sat down!

That's when the Corrupted Mana struck back! It invaded Jack's small frame, trying to take over him again. This almost gave the poor Ghost a Heart attack!

"Fool! I told you to focus, not to be defenseless! Crap, all of you, get ready to rescue your master! We're going i—" He suddenly choked on his words.

W-what the fuck was this?! This wasn't the reaction of the Magic taking over his pupil. No, it was as if it was voluntarily cooperating with him?!

"H-how is he doing this?!"

"Woo!" (Go, Master!)

Meanwhile, inside Jack's sea of consciousness, the strangest fight ever was underway. Actually, it wasn't much of a battle and more of a one-sided beat-down…

"Had enough yet, you slimy thing?!" A radiant-looking gorgeous woman could be seen trashing a poor, slime-like corrupted being.

As for Jack? He was on the side eating imagined popcorn as he chuckled. "Corrupted Mana, meet Lydia Bright, hehe!"

This was merely a fake, a mental image conjured from his memories, but it was plenty! This Dragon-of-a-woman wouldn't lose to something so weak!

Amidst monstrous cries of despair, Jack focused on his true identity, the face his mother had given him and the face that had accompanied him all his life.

Dark ever-messy hair, a slender but toned build, and playful blue eyes, he pictured the best goddamn version of himself, one he could be proud of.

"Yes, this is me!"

With resolve oozing out of him, he suddenly opened his eyes. Before him were tons of awe-struck foxes and a shell-shocked Ghost.

[Successfully Improved Your Body!]

[All Stats Have Significantly Increased!]

But just as he was rejoicing, he noticed something wrong with the spectators. What was up with their size? Weren't they a little too small?!

Never mind, they were the same as usual?!

He, on the other hand…

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Jack Bright (Classless)

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BODY 18 (STR 6/ AGI 6 / RES 6)

SOUL 45 ( MAGIC 8 / SENSE 18 / WILL 19)

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(NEW!)

- Evil God Body! (U) ????

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