Chapter 105
“You mentioned last time that it wasn’t possible because mages have their own inherent mana, didn’t you……?”
“I must not have explained properly.”
Killis adjusted the glasses he had received from me and began to clarify.
“Every human is born with a vessel capable of holding mana. Mages, however, are born with a ring that allows them to convert the ambient ether in the air into mana. Through this ring, they generate their unique mana.”
“And that mana accumulates in the vessel?”
“Correct. The longer mana accumulates, the more the vessel adapts to that specific mana. Since my vessel has already adapted to my mana, it rejects and pushes out yours. That’s why mages cannot become Guardians.”
“Then shouldn’t it also be rejecting my mana right now?”
“Normally, yes. But in emergencies, such distinctions can’t be made. Mana is similar—it’s been depleted, so it’s urgently absorbing even your mana to replenish itself.”
So this was a special circumstance.
Looking at Killis’s still pale complexion, I couldn’t feel reassured.
“Then if I give you more, will you be able to accept it?”
“That is true, but……”
“Take a little more. I’ll hold your hand for support.”
I had already grabbed his hand.
I clasped Killis’s cold hand tightly. I could feel him flinch, trying to pull away.
“It’s fine.”
“I’m not fine. You overexerted yourself because of me.”
“It will replenish soon enough.”
“If that were true, Evgenia wouldn’t have mentioned in the meeting earlier that you’d have difficulty moving for a while. It’s clear it doesn’t replenish quickly. So take some and recover before you leave.”
Even without Evgenia’s words, considering my own mana accumulation rate, it was obvious.
I could only accumulate about 5% a day. There was no reason to believe Killis would be any different.
Honestly, a kiss or deeper contact, as I had done with Isaac, would probably be more effective……
‘But that feels too much.’
Isaac was watching, too. While I could just tell him to leave, I didn’t want to go that far.
But then, why did Killis’s hand feel increasingly warm……?
Looking at his face, I saw that his previously pale complexion was now flushed red. His breathing had grown slightly rapid, resembling someone suffering from a fever.
Instinctively, I reached out and placed my hand on Killis’s forehead.
“……Your Highness?”
“You feel feverish.”
“It’s perfectly normal. My body is merely adjusting to Your Highness’s mana.”
I compared the warmth of his forehead with my own by touching my head. It definitely felt warmer.
“It feels like you have a fever. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yes. And you can let go of my hand now……”
I felt his fingers twitch as he tried to pull away. Though I understood his discomfort, letting him go in this state felt irresponsible. I gripped his hand even tighter.
“You need more. I know this is uncomfortable, but please bear with it.”
“Your Highness, I beg you…….”
Killis’s voice trembled slightly.
“Please let go. I’m begging you.”
His tone was filled with a desperate plea, so much so that I instinctively released his hand.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t think you’d dislike it this much……”
I had been overconfident, thinking his affection for me would override his discomfort.
“Did it upset you that much?”
“It’s not that. Rather……”
“……?”
Killis quickly denied it but didn’t finish his sentence, leaving me puzzled.
He bit his lip nervously before finally meeting my gaze, his expression resolute.
“Your Highness, what do you think of me?”
“What do you mean?”
“Do you love me?”
For a moment, my entire body froze.
The question was so sudden and shocking that I couldn’t immediately think of a response.
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