Chapter 22: Mana Transfer

Ahead in the dim passage—five human figures emerged from a hazy, wavering light.

We kept our guard up as we advanced slowly. As the distance closed, it became clear that they were, in fact, people.

“Are those… people?”

As I murmured the words, Carnelia nodded, her face grim.

“No doubt about it. That’s the Altmegia uniform. But something’s off about them.”

Before us was a party of what appeared to be five academy students.

They were covered head-to-toe in mud, their clothes were torn in places, and some of their equipment was broken.

Several were leaning against the wall, sitting slumped and gasping for breath.

“Are you all right?!”

Elena’s worried voice cried out as she rushed toward them.

“Onee-sama, is it alright if I use my healing magic on them?”

Elena looked back at me, her eyes moist as she asked.

“Yes, of course.”

I replied with a smile. “You’re so kind,” I said, patting Elena on the head. A soft, happy smile spread across her face.

“Ah, thank you… That brooch… I can’t believe we’re being saved by first-years…”

Though his face was contorted in pain, one of the five—a slightly tall boy with light brown hair—spoke in a voice mixed with surprise and relief.

“We’re second-years from Altmegia. I’m Kyle Grandire, leader of <Seal of Magistos>.”

“This is our healer, Tina. The other three are Jin, Marco, and Airi. …We’re all in the same party.”

The four who were named gave weak nods.

“I am Michelle Starium. A first-year.”

I introduced myself and offered my hand, which was met with a trembling grip.

Elena held her staff up in front of her face and began to chant quietly.

“—Second Echelon, Agapeperichelis.”

A dazzling light shot forth from the tip of Elena’s staff, pouring down on the second-years’ battered team.

“Second Echelon?!”

Kyle cried out in shock, having witnessed Elena’s incantation.

First Echelon magic can be used by anyone with talent after a few years of training. But Second Echelon is another story entirely. It is the mark of a fully-fledged mage, something that can only be mastered after many long years of study.

Particles of light healed their wounds and soothed their fatigue.

Ichinose, who had been watching the scene unfold, suddenly spoke up.

“Those wounds. What happened to you all?”

Kyle flinched under Ichinose’s sharp gaze.

“The truth is… we were attacked by a snake monster on the 19th floor. It’s not a monster that should be on this level. It’s supposed to live on much, much lower floors…”

He said, forcing the words out.

His voice was a mixture of terror and confusion. His face grew pale, as if he was reliving the desperate situation.

“Hmph. I see.”

At his words, Ichinose’s eyes glinted slightly, narrowing as if she were sizing up her prey.

“Onee-sama, I’m finished.”

Elena reported with a sigh. A light sheen of sweat dotted her forehead.

“You did a great job, Elena.”

“Mh-hmm… Ehehe.”

Elena gave an embarrassed laugh, her eyes narrowing as if she’d been tickled.

While stroking her head, I turned back to Kyle.

“We will investigate this monster.”

Kyle’s eyes widened at my words.

“What?! Were you listening?! That thing is not something students can handle!”

He desperately tried to stop us.

“We are heading past the 19th floor anyway. We are merely going to take a look while we’re at it.”

“Right. It’s on the way. We might see something interesting.”

Ichinose agreed with me.

A curiosity for an unknown monster had taken root in her.

“Hmm, I think we should probably stay away…”

Carnelia folded her arms, a sour expression on her face.

“I’m not good with snakes…”

Prefa’s ears twitched with fear.

“Now, now, it’s not a guarantee we’ll even run into it. Let’s just go and see.”

I said, attempting to placate everyone.

“But before that, I will share enough of my mana for you to be able to leave the dungeon.”

I had noticed that Kyle’s party had almost no mana left.

I proposed it without hesitation, as we had learned in our academy classes that mana transfer was an emergency measure for when one was completely depleted.

“Wha-?! T-that’s…!”

Kyle’s face instantly turned bright red.

“W-wait a minute, Michelle?!”

Carnelia tugged at my sleeve, her voice filled with panic.

“It is quite all right. I possess a vast amount of mana.”

I declared it plainly, a confident smile on my face.

“Th-that’s not what I mean… A mana transfer is, you know, a super… private act…!”

“…Eh?”

Mumbling with a beet-red face, Kyle tried to explain.

I tilted my head at his reaction.

Why would he be so flustered over a simple transfer of mana?

(…Oh, that’s right!)

And then, I remembered.

In this world, the sharing of mana holds a heavy social significance.

And above all, the act of giving and receiving mana is said to be accompanied by a powerful pleasure, born from touching the very depths of another’s spirit.

For me, with only the knowledge of my past life, it was a sensation that I couldn’t comprehend in the slightest.

“It is an emergency, and a small amount should be fine.”

“You’re awfully generous. But honestly, that’s a huge help.”

With that, Kyle gave a relieved smile and consented to the mana transfer.

“Noblesse oblige.”

I smiled, flicking my hair back with a flourish before extending my hands.

“Here I go.”

I stood before the five of them, holding my hands out. As I focused my power, I could feel the mana flow from my palms, and I saw their expressions instantly go slack.

“It’s so warm…”

One of the second-year girls murmured, her expression blissful.

Color slowly began to return to the faces of the students who received the mana.

This should be enough for them. I made my judgment and cut off the flow.

“With this, you should have no trouble returning.”

A faint look of relief washed over all of their faces.

“Thank you. Be careful if you’re going deeper. We’ll report this to the academy. We’ll thank you properly once we get back.”

Kyle and his party bowed deeply, then turned and began their journey back, still unsteady on their feet.

We watched them go before turning once more toward the dungeon’s depths.