LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 41: Breeder (1)
Hector came to apologize to me the very next day. He was covered in bandages, having been thoroughly pummeled by me in my rampaged state.
At first, I mistook him for a mummy, but recognizing the bronze skin and large build, I realized it was Hector.
"Sivar. This man has no intention of fighting you any longer. So don't attack him, okay? Do you understand?"
When Hector came, Luna made me promise not to attack him, reminding me that now was not the time for fighting and Hector meant no harm.
I simply nodded without replying, wary that if I made eye contact, another admonition might come flying.
Then Hector, despite his discomfort, stood resolutely in front of me and slowly kneeled, planting his head firmly on the ground.
"I'm sorry."
"…"
"For using brute force without considering other methods. It's all my fault, so…"
Swoosh-
Before Hector could say anything more, I extended my hand.
Feeling the gesture, Hector slowly lifted his head from the ground, looking at me with round eyes.
He probably hadn't expected me to reach out first. After all, it must look as if I was forgiving him even though Hector attacked first.
Everyone else seemed to share the sentiment, showing a variety of pleased expressions.
Amidst this, Hector looked at my offered hand, his face a mix of emotions, and hesitantly reached out his own.
Thump!
But I dismissed his hand carelessly. Both Hector and those happily observing were taken aback.
A verbal apology from someone who hasn't grown spiritually is meaningless. With such a restless heart, what kind of apology could it be, really?
So, better to speak my mind now. There's only one thing I want.
"Axe."
"…What?"
"Axe."
Hector appeared bewildered when I asked for the axe, as did everyone else.
However, a promise is a promise. He nodded and then handed over the axe that had been strapped to his back.
It was sizeable, closer to a firefighter's axe, and distinctly heavier than a one-handed hatchet.
I'll be making extensive use of this – at least until I set foot in Tatars.
Kara, seeing Hector actually hand over the axe called Ragnarok, asked worriedly,
"…Are you sure it's fine?"
"A promise is a promise."
"Sigh… Okay then."
After giving me the axe, Hector apologized again, not just to me but also to Rod.
Rod merely laughed it off, although his face was still angry. Probably because of the hassle from yesterday's incident, it was understandable.
Anyway, with troublemaker Hector gone, only familiar faces remained in my residence.
The atmosphere was slightly awkward, but I didn't pay it any mind. I was too occupied inspecting the axe.
‘It's really cool.'
Hector may be oblivious to many things, but he has a knack for design. The axe, Ragnarok, was no exception.
From what I remember, Ragnarok was originally an axe used for sacrificial rites.
It was used to offer tributes to Gulak when one day it was struck by lightning.
Normally, Hector should have been electrocuted, but curiously, only Ragnarok surged with electricity.
"How do you use that, sister? It seems like a pretty good weapon."
While I was examining Ragnarok, Luna inquired to Kara. She had figured it out – that it was no ordinary weapon.
Kara, her expression complex, paused before explaining kindly,
"It's a good weapon. It was the only thing that could withstand my father's lightning. Anything else would burn up the moment it stored lightning."
"Lightning? You mean the God of Destruction, Gulak, right?"
"Yes. Besides, it’s inscribed with a weapon recall magic, so there's no risk of losing it."
Faith has no meaning for me. What I want is the weapon recall magic that Kara just mentioned.
In Soul World, weapons are often dropped in battle. Conversely, players can also disarm their opponents' weapons.
In such cases, recall magic allows for easy retrieval of weapons, so it's standard to inscribe it on a favored weapon.
‘But how do I actually use it?'
In games, you just press a button, but reality is different. I can't remember the settings.
I set Ragnarok on the ground and stepped back.
My actions prompted curious looks from everyone, but I ignored them.
"…"
I stretched out my hand like Hector, but Ragnarok didn't return.
Using magic didn't change the outcome. It just lay there on the floor.
"Kara."
"Yes?"
"This. Axe. Fetch!"
In the end, I had to ask Kara for help. Now that I could utter brief words, things were less complicated.
Kara let out a chuckle, seemingly amused by my use of body language, and then she spread her hand.
Ragnarok, lying on the ground, quivered and then flew straight into her hand.
Thump!
"This is what you meant?"
"Yeah."
"Is it the inscription… would you understand if I explain it that way?"
For reference, magics stored in weapons or specific objects are called ‘inscriptions.' As mentioned previously, there are artisans who specialize in inscriptions.
After a moment of contemplation, Kara held out the axe to me.
"See these characters? Can you read them?"
"…"
I looked at the engraved letters on the axe handle. They were foreign to me.
It was written in the Tatars' own script, which meant I couldn't read it.
"You probably can't. It's in the Tatars' language. The name is Ragnarok. Translated to the common tongue, it means ‘Fate of the Gods.'"
"Rag. Na. Rok?"
"Yes. Remember that squinty-eyed professor's class? Language has enormous latent power. Inscription is, ultimately, magic that utilizes the power of language."
Ah, right. That was the concept. It hit me after listening to Kara's explanation.
Like Godin explained, this world does have a common language, but each nation has its unique tongue.
When casting spells, using one's native language is more effective than the common tongue.
Think of the common language here as similar to English on Earth.
It's designed so learning it isn't too difficult, enabling even those from the rural outskirts like Luna and Ellie, and even me, to pick it up easily.
"Inscribed magic varies in priority depending on how accurately you pronounce it. Moreover, Ragnarok has a deep connection with Lord Gulak, so the deeper your faith, the higher the priority, and the further its retrieval range."
"Oh…"
"Do you want to test it? You don't have to say it out loud, thinking will do. Go ahead."
Kara placed Ragnarok on the ground and slyly stepped back, possibly anticipating the unexpected.
I looked at the axe lying there, stretched out my hand, and quietly called its name in my mind.
‘Ragnarok.'
Thump!
As soon as I said its name, Ragnarok was back in my grasp with a satisfying click.
"What? You succeeded straight away? I thought our language was hard to pronounce."
Kara showed surprise, not expecting immediate success on my part.
I can't speak, but mentally articulating isn't difficult for me. How hard can it be to just say a name?
"No, wait. Ragnarok is five letters long, but Sivar can only speak two at a time. How's that possible?"
Luna, sensing oddity, voiced her concern. Indeed, I could only articulate two letters.
To her, me recalling Ragnarok seemed inexplicable.
"It shouldn't matter. Language, at least, places emphasis on pronunciation. Speaking sporadically doesn't erase the meaning within."
"Is that… so?"
"Of course. Otherwise, mages wouldn't strain to recite spells when injured. Even the tiniest injury could prevent spellcasting."
Just as Rod explained. Mages will always continue casting spells, no matter what.
Even if it loses some of its effectiveness, the spell itself isn't canceled once the word is finished.
Language plays a truly important role in this world.
Thump!
I began tossing Ragnarok to the ground and recalling it repeatedly, finding amusement in the satisfying sensation.
Getting accustomed to it is key since I plan to use it frequently.
‘Where can I throw it?'
Holding Ragnarok, I scanned the area, eventually spotting the open ceiling.
It was gaping due to Hector's preemptive attack, and since it's the weekend, no proper repair had taken place.
Seizing the opportunity, I readied my throw.
"Wait. Where are you throwing it…"
"Just leave it. The ceiling's already broken, what's the harm."
"What if he gets into bad habits? That's not a toy, it's a weapon."
"He's just curious. His interest will wane eventually, and he'll manage himself."
While Kara and Luna bickered, I paid them no mind. Rod just clucked his tongue at the hole in the ceiling.
Whoosh!
I threw the axe perfectly through the hole in the ceiling. The axe's weight necessitated a bit of force.
I aimed for the forest to avoid any unfortunate events, and thus Rod refrained from interfering.
After a while, I thought it was time and called for Ragnarok in my mind.
"…"
"…"
"When's it coming back…"
Just as Ellie started to speak, puzzled by the lack of Ragnarok's return,
Crack!
A foreboding sound was followed by
Crash!
Ragnarok returned, shattering the window pane.
The situation was already a major mishap, but a bigger issue loomed.
Right between me and the broken window was Luna. She had turned her head at the sound of breaking glass.
"Uh…"
Her face displayed impending doom; if nothing changed, she'd collide with Ragnarok and get seriously hurt.
But we had someone by our side whose mere presence is a reassurance.
Thud-
Moments before Ragnarok hit Luna in the head, Rod lightly pushed it aside with his sword.
When he had drawn the blade was a mystery, but that light motion alone altered Ragnarok's trajectory.
Soon after, Ragnarok narrowly missed Luna’s head, showcasing Rod's agility.
Thwack!
No sooner had I reclaimed Ragnarok than I began to stealthily look around.
Luna still had a stunned expression, and Rod's face was filled with annoyance.
Unintentionally, I had almost caused a mishap. No, the fact that I shattered the windowpane means I had already caused one.
"…Sorry."
Thus, I apologized cautiously. This incident was largely my fault.
Ellie, who had been observing, gave a knowing smile at my apology before approaching me.
She patted me lightly on the head, affirming good behavior, then quietly comforted me.
"It's, it's okay. Things like this can happen. You apologized sincerely, just like Mr. Hector did earlier."
"…"
"You don't need to be too downcast. Luna, you'll forgive him, right?"
"Yes, yes? Oh… Yes. I'm not hurt."
"What does The Principal think?"
To Ellie's question, Rod hesitated, then glanced towards the window which now lay in ruins.
While Hector's action with the ceiling could be overlooked, the window was an entirely different matter.
He appeared pensive for a moment, then nodded, indicating his forgiveness.
"Apologizing means you recognize you've done wrong. Since Luna has accepted it, I shall forgive you too."
"That, then…"
"However!"
As Rod emphasized ‘however,' I couldn't help but involuntarily flinch. His voice carried an authority that was a little frightening.
Ellie comforted me by patting my back, her presence always reassuring and lessening my fears somewhat.
Rod then looked at me earnestly and began speaking in a stern tone.
"You'll be without candy for some time."
"Huh?"
The dumbfounded reaction wasn't mine, but Kara’s. It was a look of one questioning if they had misheard.
Since she didn't know me well, it was understandable. She must be thinking, ‘Is just withholding candy enough?'
"Candy. None?"
"Yes."
"Until when?"
"Until the window is fixed."
For me, this was quite a blow. I was already addicted to sweet candy, and now to have it withheld, what an absurdity.
While I sank into despair, Rod instructed the guardians with paternal rights.
"The same goes for all of you. No giving Sivar any treats such as candy until the window is repaired."
"But… Mr. Principal. Sivar apologized, and Luna accepted it, isn't this too severe…"
"I am aware. However, even if the involved parties reach an accord, there's a need to instill awareness that their actions have consequences. After all, society operates on laws."
This appeared to be related to what the doctor mentioned before. Although my intellect was normal, my social skills were severely lacking.
To Rod, it seemed like a judgment call to foster sociality, but to me, it felt like an unduly harsh punishment.
"I… I just don't know if that will work."
Kara, who had been listening quietly, murmured in disbelief. Her words reflected a genuine doubt about the effectiveness of the method.
But contrary to such doubts, for me, it was bound to have an impact.
‘I have no money.'
Because I didn’t have money, I couldn't buy anything, after all.
I understood the concept of money, but never really had the need to utilize it properly.
I hadn’t felt the need for it since I had been supported with various things. But now, it was a different story.
‘I need to earn money.'
Whether it meant hunting or collecting herbs, I now had a reason to earn money.
Coincidentally, Luna and Ellie were planning to venture into the forest to gather herbs on the weekends. That would be an opportunity for me to join.
Oblivious to the scheme I was devising, Rod sighed heavily, his gaze fixed on the shattered window.
"Haah. With so many other concerns on my plate already, how will I manage this one…"
I'm sorry.
You'll have more trouble because of me.
******
Though Sivar was the cause of the accident that broke the window with Ragnarok, time moved swiftly on.
During the weekend, Luna had various dialogues with Sivar at his residence before heading back to her dormitory.
The duel was over, so perhaps by tomorrow, she would be able to access the points. To be honest, the points didn't overly concern her.
‘How does Sivar comprehend language?'
A curiosity she had set aside until now. Sivar had shown on several occasions that he seemed to understand speech even before learning words.
His intelligence was normal, yet contact with people was presumed nonexistent.
Yet, he had no difficulty in understanding language. As if he'd comprehended it from the start.
‘Ragnar… ack, this pronunciation is difficult.'
Although it was a detail she had easily glossed over, witnessing how effortlessly he retrieved Ragnarok had raised doubts.
He showed a surprising speed in comprehending language, yet he was incapable of articulating it.
It was paradoxical and left Luna with a tangled web of thought.
‘Hector was also defeated…'
Luna was aware of Sivar's strength. But that was when he was rational; once his frenzy was triggered, all bets were off.
She had kept her distance during the fight with Ratatosk, aware only of his power from afar.
She hadn't expected he would be capable of defeating Hector, the destruction king.
‘Speaking of which…'
Images of the cave paintings she had seen suddenly sprang to Luna's mind. They were assumed to depict ‘the future.'
One had shown an individual hoisting an axe with thunderbolts striking down around it.
What could that signify? Currently, Hector's weapon was in Sivar's possession.
‘I don't know.'
However much she pondered, no clear answers came. It seemed she had no choice but to ask Sivar directly.
The issue was there seemed no chance for her to be alone with Sivar. Even Kara had now become a guardian.
During classes, Kara stuck by her, and after classes ended, it was always either Rod or Ellie who was by her side.
‘What can I do…'
Luna felt her eyelids gradually growing heavy.
With so many events happening, both yesterday and today, she was mentally exhausted.
‘How could I… be alone with Sivar?'
It was a question ripe for misunderstanding in many ways.
‘I wish someone would tell me…'
Unaware of her fatigue, Luna closed her eyes.