Chapter 19

Chapter 19

Kiiiiing-!

A low, guttural growl emanated, resembling the sound of a heart in turmoil.

A distinct message reverberated within the ears, clear and resolute.

The rotation of the Circle abruptly reversed.

The mana contained within the Circle slot awakened.

The ten liters of liquor housed within the slot resonated with the mana, their energies entwined in perfect harmony. And then, with a surge of power, they were unleashed.

[The substance stored in the Circle slot is launched.]

Magnified and intensified.

Intensified and compressed within the confines of the Circle slot.

It erupted forth from the heart.

It raced through the pulsating veins.

And at last.

Boooom-!

A concentrated torrent of ten liters of liquor erupted forth, instantaneously expanding. It collided with pinpoint precision, striking the Second Prince Theodor square in the solar plexus.

Cough!

In an instant, everything changed.

Theodors eyes widened in sheer disbelief, but there was no time left to respond.

Ah

Was this the sensation of being struck in the solar plexus with an enormous hammer? His strength drained rapidly from his limbs. His body folded inwards involuntarily, and even his feet lost contact with the ground.

I have to fight back he struggled to think.

Yet, it was an impossible feat.

Through his fading vision, he caught a glimpse of his fallen sword. The trusty practice iron sword he always wielded was slipping from his grasp, descending towards the ground.

He desperately wanted to reach for it again.

But he couldnt.

I am his last thought trailed off.

And just like that, the consciousness of Second Prince Theodor was abruptly severed. His body, struck by an unforeseen concoction of spirits, was violently hurled and tumbled five paces away.

Clatter! Bang!

The fallen Second Prince and his abandoned iron sword cast a haunting silence across the vast arena. The only sound that echoed was the hushed murmurs of disbelief. Every voice seemed to have been stifled by the overwhelming shock that engulfed the spectators.

The hundreds of nobles present.

The thousands of citizens gathered.

Even the Emperor himself.

No one dared utter a word.

What is this?

A collective realization dawned upon them. Something was amiss. It was inconceivable that the Second Prince, rather than the fragile Crown Prince, had succumbed to defeat. Yet, some even entertained audacious thoughts, desperately trying to rationalize the unexpected turn of events.

Yes, that must be it. Ive heard the Second Prince is both diligent and considerate. He must be orchestrating this momentary setback to grant his brother the honor of a struggle. Isnt it obvious?

Ah, that sounds plausible.

Perhaps he will rise unscathed, as if nothing had occurred, and assert his dominance over the Crown Prince?

Exactly!

It makes perfect sense. If he were to win too easily, one-sidedly, he might feel remorse for his brother, the Crown Prince.

Yes, indeed.

Our Second Prince is undoubtedly different from us. A man of intellect and deep contemplation.

Their murmurs swelled, each individual constructing their own narrative to make sense of this unprecedented situation.

This reality cannot be real. There must be a grander purpose behind it, an explanation for this bewildering situation. Everyone conjectured, inferred, and convinced themselves in their own unique ways.

However, there was one exception among themthe Emperor himself. His eyes widened in sheer astonishment, unable to comprehend what had just transpired.

What was that could it be the Grand Articulation? Emperor Asterions eyes twitched with disbelief.

He couldnt fathom it. Not only had he witnessed it firsthand, but he also sensed the resonance of mana through the Asrahan Core Technique, amplifying the unfathomable nature of the event.

The surge of mana was undeniable.

It undeniably erupted from Raciel. However, the force it carried surpassed any typical mana eruption he had ever encountered.

I have never heard of such a thing. No, the only semblance is to Explosion.

Explosion.

That technique was an immensely powerful and advanced aspect of the Asrahan Core Technique. It involved a cataclysmic amplification of mana by colliding multiple Circles and channeling it into a concentrated point of release.

Yes, it was akin to Explosion. But Raciel? The Emperors brow furrowed deeply.

He couldnt comprehend it.

To execute Explosion, one must possess at least three Circles. Two are collided, while the remaining one safeguards the heart from the recoil. But does Raciel possess a triple Circle?

No, it was inconceivable.

The Emperor shook his head.

The last known user of a triple Circle was the Emperor two generations ago. Yet, Raciel, who had endured a chronic illness for over two decades, displayed such transcendent abilities. It seemed utterly impossible.

Moreover, if what Raciel employed truly was Explosion, Theodors body would not have been hurled away.

The Emperor pondered, considering the implications.

Instead of being flung aside, it would have been impaled instantaneously. Regardless of armor or any defense, his body would have been pierced through, leaving a fist-sized hole. Thus, what Raciel used just now was not Explosion.

The Emperors contemplation deepened as he sought the answer.

What exactly did you do?

A faint tremor coursed through the Emperors eyes as he observed Raciels actions. Raciel, within his line of sight, moved forward with measured steps.

Step by step,

He dragged his weary body, one step at a time.

Raciel drew closer to the fallen Second Prince.

The eyes of the nobles and citizens fixated on this scene gleamed with anticipation. Their gazes shimmered with misconception. They believed they were about to witness a heartwarming spectacle. The Second Prince, who had pretended to be struck by a surprise attack to save his brothers honor. And the elder brother, approaching the younger sibling who had willingly taken the fall for his sake.

What kind of touching and uplifting moment would unfold between them? Perhaps the elder brother would lift the fallen prince, a gesture of gratitude for his selfless act. The younger brother would respond with a warm smile, continuing the fierce yet reverent competition between them.

At least, thats what everyone assumed.

But then

SLAP!

What is this? I I

Only moments ago, he had been drowsy, as if under the influence of alcohol, experiencing bouts of dizziness. The pain in his stomach was unbearable, as if it were being turned inside out.

Yet, now, that discomfort was swiftly fading away. His mind grew clearer, and the fog of intoxication lifted. It was all thanks to the Crown Princes soothing foot rub and the purging of his stomach contents.

Startled, Theodor sat up.

Excuse me, I am

Shush.

The Crown Prince looked at him with a peculiar smile.

Wait. If you want to alleviate your hangover properly.

Hangover, he said.

What could that mean?

Theodor hadnt consumed a drop of alcohol, yet moments ago, he had stumbled about as if intoxicated. And why did the Crown Princes hands, currently massaging his foot, bring both pain and relief? Could it be the flow of mana he sensed coursing through them?

In an instant, Theodors eyes widened.

Excuse me, brother, is this possibly Asrahan

Yeah. Right.

How on earth

How? Just a late bloomer in utilizing it.

Only now did Theodor cautiously survey his surroundings.

His gaze fell upon his trusty sword, lying far away, its hilt marked by his own sweat. It was unmistakably his own sword.

Beyond that, he saw the guards rushing toward him. Behind them, a crowd of onlookers stared in disbelief. The Emperor himself clenched the armrest of his throne, his expression tense.

An eerie silence hung in the air.

As if no one could fathom the situation. The atmosphere was pervaded by an overwhelming stillness, a profound tranquility.

And then, realization struck Theodor like a lightning bolt.

Did I by any chance, lose consciousness?

Why? Is it hard to believe?

Its okay. Honestly, I cant believe it either.

Excuse me

Yes?

Brother, theres blood on your forehead.

This? Ah, it was from the inside of the shield, when you struck me with your sword earlier.

Are you alright?

Yeah, better than you, I guess.

The Crown Prince casually wiped the blood streak from his forehead with his sleeve, his smile faint. In that fleeting moment, Theodor caught a glimpse of the immense weariness concealed beneath that smile. Others might not notice, but Theodor, facing that smile directly, could discern it.

My brother fought with all his might.

Finally, a sense of embarrassment washed over him.

Was it because he was defeated by the Crown Prince, despite the latters inherent fragility?

No, that wasnt it.

The Crown Prince, despite his weak constitution, had poured his entire being into the fight, exerting himself to the fullest for the sake of victory. And how had Theodor approached this duel?

I was arrogant.

Just like everyone else.

He had been completely certain, without a shred of doubt, that victory would be his. He had carried himself as if success were predestined.

All he desired was to spare his brother the humiliation before everyones eyes, to salvage whatever dignity and honor remained. He had been consumed by arrogance and pretense, believing he could swiftly bring an end to the match.

Never once did he entertain the thought of his own defeat.

So, thats why I lost today.

There was no room for excuses.

The more he looked back, the more embarrassed he felt.

His brother had fought pouring everything he had with his frail body. He did not even boast after his victory.

He embraced the pain of the loser rather than tasting the joy of the winner. Before declaring his victory amidst cheers, he chose to take care of him, who had collapsed unconscious.

He himself massaged his foot.

Something he could have ordered his subordinates to do.

He bestowed his kindness without any hesitation.

I was

A person far inferior to the Crown Prince, no, his brother. And he didnt even realize that he had been unconsciously belittling his brother all this time.

The second Prince Theodor felt truly repentant and embarrassed. He had no choice but to acknowledge the Crown Prince.

He conceded in his heart and got up.

To uphold the honor of the victor.

To preserve the dignity of the defeated.

He got up with his still staggering body and knelt on one knee. He bowed his head to the Crown Prince in front of everyone.

I, Second Prince Theodor Palermo Magentano, formally acknowledge that I have been defeated in the duel with Crown Prince Raciel Adria Magentano, in front of His Majesty the Emperor and all present today.

His declaration was filled with genuine respect and gratitude. In that moment, as Theodor directed his earnest proclamation towards Raciel, an unexpected message appeared before Raciels eyes.

Ding Dong!

[Your patient, Theodor Palermo Magentano, who received your hangover treatment, is sincerely expressing his gratitude.]

[You have successfully treated someone other than yourself.]

[This small yet significant first achievement gives you a new skill.]

[Medical Billing skill has been unlocked.]

[Skill name: Medical Billing Lv.1]

[It automatically activates when you have successfully completed treatment for a patient. You can extend your expected lifespan by receiving a certain proportion of lifespan that has increased due to your treatment. This settlement rate will increase as the skill level rises. (The lifespan being settled is not deducted from the patients expected lifespan, but is an additional bonus lifespan.)]

[Current settlement rate = 2000 : 1]