Chapter 38

Chapter 38

Restlessness consumed court magician Zanetis as his pupils bounced anxiously.

Me?

Yes.

Why?

Zanetis was astounded. The sudden intrusion of the Crown Prince into his quarters in the middle of the night was absurd enough, but the favor he was asking for

He wants me to use lightning magic to zap his back?

Why?

For what purpose?

No matter how much he pondered, he couldnt fathom the reason. Instead, more question marks filled his mind, along with memories of his conversation with the Emperor the previous day.

Raciel, that boy has been acting peculiar lately. Its strange what hes up to.

He remembered the grumbling voice of the Emperor. The Emperor added something like this.

Hes doing all sorts of things. After the royal festival, who knows what strange things hell do next.

The Emperors sigh at the end of his words lingered in Zanetis thoughts. Certainly, those words were filled with complaints and lamentations, but something felt off. Despite the complaints and sighs, the corner of the Emperors mouth was subtly raised.

As someone who had served the Emperor his entire life, Zanetis understood the Emperors moods quite well.

He must have been satisfied, despite his grumbling, Zanetis thought.

The Emperor was proud of the Crown Prince. He took pride in his son, and the ruler of the empire could barely contain his desire to boast, [My child has changed.]

Yes, all parents become like that when they have a child. But Your Majesty, you said the Crown Prince has changed. But is this what you meant by change?

Zanetis raised his head, finding Crown Prince Raciel standing before him. Tears welled up in Zanetis eyes at the sight.

Why would I have to hurt you, Your Highness?

Huh?

Did you need my life that you came in the middle of the night?

Oh, no, thats not it.

Then

Wait a moment. There seems to be a misunderstanding. When I asked you to zap my back with magic, I didnt mean I want to die. And I definitely dont want to be roasted to a crisp.

Then what is it?

Zanetis asked with a bewildered expression. Raciel smiled faintly.

Its not a strange request, so dont worry, Zanetis. What I mean is, can you provide me with a consistently gentle electrical stimulation, similar to static, for at least three hours?

Pardon?

Do you think you can do it?

Zanetis remained speechless.

Electric magic was typically a highly destructive offensive magic. It was challenging to cast, but if successful, it could decimate the surrounding area without much difficulty. Particularly when wielded by a high-ranking magician like himself, electric magic became a small-scale disaster in its own right.

Yet now he was being asked to diminish it to the level of static electricity and sustain it consistently for three hours.

Your Highness?

Hmm?

Do you realize how incredibly difficult what you just asked for is?

Yes. Thats why I came to you, didnt I?

Raciel responded as if it were obvious. And indeed, it was obvious.

Its difficult. Very difficult. Controlling inherently destructive magic, reducing its power, maintaining it for an extended periodits truly challenging.

It demanded exceptional precision in mana control.

For instance, consider Hellfire magic that reaches temperatures close to 5000 degrees Celsius. Firing ten blasts of that Hellfire versus adjusting the flame to a mere 40 degrees Celsius and firing one shotthe latter is overwhelmingly more difficult.

If one were to compare it to everyday life

It might be akin to driving a vehicle.

Pressing the accelerator all the way was easy. But dividing the acceleration into 10 or 20 levels and maintaining the RPM as intended was relatively more challenging. This was the principle that brought Crown Prince Raciel to seek court magician Zanetis today.

Zanetis, you are the most renowned wizard in the empire. Thats why I came to you. Its not easy to find someone who can perform such delicate and stable mana control. Its a task I can only entrust to someone like you.

, Zanetis remained silent.

What do you think? Have your concerns eased a bit?

Ahem, yes, Your Highness. However, may I inquire why you are making such a request of me?

No.

Im not trying to do anything harmful. Im doing this to save a life. So, will you do it or not?

Raciel asked, and Zanetis stroked his pure white beard with a puzzled expression.

Ahem! Ahem! To be honest I am starting to feel intrigued by the challenge, Your Highness. However

However?

Just in case

What if something goes wrong with me?

Yes, Your Highness.

Zanetis expressed his unease.

Raciel chuckled softly.

Raciel raised his head, feeling the tingling of electric magic throughout his body. He spoke as his body twitched continuously.

Ststopstop!

Court magician Zanetis looked at him with a puzzled expression. He couldnt understand what Raciel was saying.

Raciel cried out again.

Stop it!

Do you mean stop shooting?

Ye Yes! Sto Stop!

Zanetis was startled, realizing what was being said. He immediately interrupted the magic casting. The successful experiment had come to an end.

Now, it was time for the actual treatment.

When Raciel returned to the Star Palace, it was dusk, and morning was approaching.

So, from now on, it might sting a bit.

Sting?

Yes.

Raciel nodded.

Perhaps due to the strange atmosphere of the Star Palace, Georges expression showed a hint of tension.

I wont tell you not to be nervous. Medicines are bitter, and treatments can sting. I wont sugarcoat it.

Is it very stingy?

Hmm, just a little?

How much?

Like a playful pinch.

Uh, I dont like being pinched.

Have you been pinched a lot?

By Lily.

A friend?

No.

Then?

My girlfriend.

Raciel suddenly felt a twinge of sadness.

Hoo. Betrayal.

Pardon?

Uh, nothing. Should we lie down first?

He gently laid the child down.

He retrieved Kozumi.

Kozumi, sorry for disturbing you this morning. Can you give me just one white spine?

Kooo!

Pop!

He received a pure white spine. George, the child, stared wide-eyed at the sight of the spine.

That

Its okay. You wont cry just from a little prick with this, right?

It looks painful

If you cry, Ill tell Lily.

Why? Whats wrong?

And you were already pricked.

Pardon?

Just now, you were pricked. Didnt you notice?

Raciel grinned. It wasnt that the needle wasnt there; it had already been discreetly placed in the childs neck, targeting the RenYing acupoint while they were chatting.

See? I told you it doesnt hurt.

Initially flustered, the child finally felt reassured. Raciel shifted his gaze and saw Court Magician Zanetis there.

Now. Lets begin.

He signaled.

Zanetis nodded. The electric magic he had prepared was released in Raciels direction.

Pafzzt!

A tingling sensation traveled down Raciels spine.

Simultaneously, he activated the Asrahan Core Technique.

However, even then, Raciel had no knowledge of what was to come. He had no idea that the micro-nerve stimulation surgery he performed on the child that day would lead to an unexpected achievement.