Chapter 58: The Crimson Jade Stone’s Secret

To avoid the charging Nora, Hay swiftly moved aside, employing the skill .

Unable to halt their momentum, Nora, who had stopped too late, slid uncontrollably. They tumbled several times across the ground before finally coming to a stop.

Nora scrambled to their feet, their gaze fixed on Hay with an expression of utter bewilderment.

[“Why, why… why did you avoid me…?”]

Hay shook his head slowly. Approaching Nora, he gently stroked their large snout with the flat of his hand.

“If you charge into me with that massive body, I’d surely die.”

[“I would never kill you, Hay!”]

‘That much was certainly true.’

Seeming to enjoy Hay’s touch, Nora nudged their head against him, silently asking for more.

Hay nearly embraced Nora’s entire head as he patted them. Upon closer inspection, Nora was truly enormous.

“Can you, by any chance, shrink your size?”

Thea, for instance, could freely alter her size, shifting from a tiny puppy to a large wolfdog at will.

This made it easy to summon her and play, even in public. However, Nora’s current colossal size seemed to make such interactions impossible.

[“Of course!”]

Nora responded with clear enthusiasm and immediately began to shrink. As they did, the amount of spirit power consumed by their summoning naturally decreased.

It appeared that a larger size indeed correlated with a greater drain on spirit power.

Nora continued to shrink, stopping at roughly Hay’s waist height. While still as large as a wolfdog, it seemed this was their maximum reduced size.

[“Ta-da! I’m small now! What do you think? Do you like it? Do you like it?”]

A faint smile touched Hay’s lips at Nora’s excited demeanor. He patted the top of their head, a gesture of warm affection.

“Yes, I like it.”

[“Then hug me!”]

“Alright, alright. I’ll hug you.”

[“Woohoo!”]

Thrilled, Nora rose on their hind legs and draped their front paws over Hay’s shoulders, clinging to him. Their head now towered above Hay, who stood over 180 centimeters tall.

They truly looked like a magnificent wolf. Hay wrapped his arms around Nora’s waist, stroking their back, and buried his face in their black fur.

“Congratulations, by the way.”

At Hay’s words, Nora’s tail began to wag, a gentle sway.

[“It’s all thanks to you, Hay!”]

****

With spirit power still remaining, Hay spent a little more time with Nora by the lake before returning to the inn.

Unlike Nix, who was quiet and disliked bother, Nora was brimming with energy, and playing with them had left Hay feeling somewhat fatigued.

Since there was still time before Renki’s lesson concluded, Hay decided to catch a short nap in his room.

Usually, Renki would return and wake him from his afternoon nap, but today, Hay awoke on his own.

Looking out the window, he saw that twilight had deepened considerably. He yawned, stretching his mouth wide, then dressed again and left the inn.

Just then, Renki was emerging from Stan’s house, making his way back to the inn.

“Oh? Master! Didn’t you take a nap?”

Renki inquired.

“Were your lessons productive?”

“Yes! But Master looked incredibly tired. He said he got back at dawn, so he must not have slept.”

Stan’s fatigued appearance was hardly a new development, so Hay simply accepted it.

“Where’s Lorelai?”

“Lady Lorelai is roasting potatoes over the bonfire because she wants mashed potatoes today!”

“Oh really? And by the way, I evolved Thea into a High Spirit today. Want to come train by the lake after dinner?”

“Thea? Really? What about Sylph?”

“Sylph will be tomorrow.”

“I’d love to! So, is it chicken again today?”

“Today, it’s seasoned.”

Renki, clearly delighted, bounced once in place.

“Seasoned chicken! That sounds delicious!”

“If you understand, go inside and study. I have something to discuss with your master. We’ll eat when I get back.”

“Yes! See you later!”

Renki, probably excited about the chicken, grinned brightly as he ran past Hay and into the inn.

Hay proceeded to Stan’s house and knocked on the door. Knowing someone was inside, he expected it to open, but it didn’t. He knocked again, and only then did the door finally open.

As he walked down the long corridor, he encountered Benjamin Yefisnon, who was just emerging from the training room.

The boy, with his quiet and seemingly shy demeanor, saw Hay and offered a slight bow in greeting.

Watching this, Hay felt a distinct discomfort and awkwardness. Even though he was currently pretending to be a commoner, it was unusual for a noble to bow before him.

Hay quickly returned a brief nod, intending to pass him by. However, his gaze caught on a painting tucked under Benjamin’s arm—a painting he’d seen every time he visited this house.

Hay abruptly halted his steps.

“That painting…”

It depicted a burning mansion.

It was a painting Lorelai had created.

“This painting?”

Benjamin spoke. Hay had heard his voice a few times before; though it cracked due to puberty, it carried a surprising weight for a boy his age.

“Lady Demonic gave it to me.”

“Lorelai?”

Hay felt a touch of bewilderment.

“Yes. She said I could have it because she was going to hang a new one in the living room.”

“It seems you liked it.”

“Yes, I do.”

While it was undoubtedly a well-painted piece, Hay found it quite peculiar for a noble’s taste.

With that, Benjamin offered a final nod and exited Stan’s house.

Watching the door close, Hay made his way towards the potion manufacturing room.

Stan was slumped over a table.

“What is it?”

He asked, without even lifting his head.

“I have a question.”

“What is it? If it’s about the kid’s lessons, can’t we talk later? I feel like I’m going to die; I haven’t slept properly in two days.”

“I’ll just ask one thing.”

Hay reached into his pocket for the Crimson Jade Stone, then paused.

A single letter, spread open on the table, caught his eye.

He hadn’t intended to read it and quickly averted his gaze. However, having already glimpsed it, the words on the letter remained vividly imprinted in his mind.

“What did you want to ask?”

Stan finally lifted his head.

Hay tucked the Crimson Jade Stone back into his pocket, shaking his head.

“Never mind. You look incredibly tired; let’s talk later.”

“Just ask now, it’s fine.”

“I only wanted to ask about Renki’s lessons. It’ll be two months in a few days. As you know, we’ll be leaving at the end of the Water-Rising Moon, and I was wondering if Renki’s training would be completed without a hitch by then.”

Stan’s expression immediately turned to one of annoyance.

Clearly on the verge of collapsing, he roughly ran both hands down his face, letting out a deep sigh.

“There won’t be any issues. If you’re worried because I missed a few days of lessons, set your mind at ease. I’ll make up for the lost time. From now on, I won’t be absent until his lessons are completed.”

“That’s a relief then.”

“Did you really come here just to ask that?”

“Yes. By the way, are you alright? You look unwell. Should I give you some healing water?”

“I have potions too, you know.”

“Spring water would be better, though.”

“Ah, I heard you ranked up. And that you evolved Kelpie into a High Spirit. I thought it wasn’t easy for spirit users to raise their rank.”

“Thea evolved too. Tomorrow, I’ll evolve Sylph.”

“Oh? Well, congratulations regardless. Your efforts over the past two months have certainly paid off.”

Hay nodded indifferently.

“It seems my efforts were worthwhile. Thank you, anyway. More importantly, don’t just stay here like this; go inside and rest. Open a potion. You’ll die if you don’t.”

“You think I’ll die just from not getting some sleep?”

“You will.”

Hay turned his back and walked towards the door.

“Wait, I have a question too.”

Hay paused, turning back to face Stan.

Stan rubbed his eyes, then spoke without looking at Hay.

“About Renki. Do you know when he became a s*ave?”

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?”

Stan’s bloodshot eyes widened.

“I’ve never asked.”

“Why haven’t you asked?”

Hay simply shrugged.

“Regardless of when he became a s*ave, it’s bound to be a painful memory. I didn’t see the point in needlessly stirring it up. He’ll tell me when he wants to.”

“Huh.”

Stan wore an expression of mild astonishment. Paying him no mind, Hay resumed his walk.

“I’ll be going now.”

Stan remained silent.

Hay swiftly exited the potion manufacturing room and left Stan’s house.

As the front door closed, he stood motionless outside for a moment.

The smell of burning wafted to his nose. He looked up to see wisps of black smoke curling upwards from above Stan’s house.

Lorelai had mentioned she was roasting potatoes.

Hay glanced briefly towards the corner of the building leading to the backyard, then continued his walk back to the inn.

Upon returning to his room, he found Renki diligently studying. Renki looked up at Hay, then tilted his head.

“Did you argue with Master?”

“No?”

He couldn’t understand why Renki would ask such a thing.

‘Did my expression look bad?’

Hay idly ran a hand down his cheek, then took off his shoes and sat on the edge of the bed.

“Renki, some tea, please.”

“Yes, just a moment.”

Renki immediately rose from his seat and poured water into the teapot.

He replaced the lid and turned the lever, which was adorned with a small magic stone. Moments later, the water began to bubble and boil.

Hay quietly observed the back of Renki’s dark head as he prepared the tea.

Perhaps sensing his gaze, Renki turned his head. Hay, feigning nonchalance, shifted his eyes towards the terrace.

Stan’s question, it turned out, was still bothering him.

He recalled what Renki had said long ago in Nudan.

Renki had expressed a desire to punish the people who had abandoned him.

Lorelai had claimed to have exacted her revenge with Kasa’s fire.

The painting Benjamin had taken today might well depict the day she sought that revenge.

“Ah, we’re out of tea leaves again. No jasmine either. I’ll just run down to the first floor for a moment.”

Renki said, shaking an empty container. When Hay nodded, Renki quickly exited the room.

Only then did Hay take the Crimson Jade Stone from his pocket.

In truth, his visit to Stan had been to inquire if the man knew anything about the Crimson Jade Stone.

He had assumed that a Great Archmage like Stan would surely possess some knowledge. He also intended to ask about Dylan, Lorelai’s friend.

He believed that two mages of similar skill would undoubtedly know each other. However, he had a reason for not asking despite going all that way.

Hay rose from his seat and walked to the wardrobe.

From the duffel bag stored within, he retrieved the Flame Messages he had received, unfolding two of them.

One was from Helheim. It contained information about the Crimson Jade Stone.

[Son, the Crimson Jade Stone is the seed of Sol, the great fire who will become the next king. Since you possess it, I must tell you this.

Whoever owns it can wield the power of fire, but the extent to which the Crimson Jade Stone’s power can be manifested varies wildly depending on the owner.

Some might only be able to conjure enough flame to light a campfire, while others could summon fire comparable to that of a Spirit User of the Emperor class.

It can also burn the user to death, regardless of whether they have a Mana Lord or not. Here, ‘burn’ is not merely a metaphorical expression.

There have been those who, having abused the Crimson Jade Stone’s power, spontaneously combusted and burned to death. Those with a heart close to fire can even become spirits.

You little brat, if you truly have the Crimson Jade Stone, do not use it. For those unqualified, it is more likely to cause harm than to provide aid.

If you wish to burn to death or become a spirit, then by all means, try using it.

Well, that’s not to say you, a mere fledgling, are necessarily unqualified. As stated at the very top, the Crimson Jade Stone is ‘the seed of the great fire who will become the next king.’

The phrase ‘great fire’ itself refers to Sol.

It is an artifact that burns the soul of one truly worthy of possessing the Crimson Jade Stone into the purest fire, allowing them to be reborn as a Spirit King.

I don’t know what kind of bastard this Dylan is, or how you came to obtain it, but keep a few things in mind.

No one must know that you possess the Crimson Jade Stone. Especially not the mages of Arkaviya or the fairies of Srahanila.

It was stolen. If you’re caught, you might at least die.]

The other message contained Lexa’s ramblings.

Hay reread the last part of Lexa’s message, recalling the letter that had been on the potion manufacturing room table.

The same handwriting, the same signature.

[Wishing good health to our dear senior brother, I bid you farewell!]

Lexa Morgenstern was Stan’s junior sister.