Blake's eyes widened, his hand flying to his mouth in shock. "W-What? His Mana Core is… unusable?!" he asked, incredulous. "President Jun, is that really true?"
Jun lowered his gaze for a moment, offering a bitter smile. "Unfortunately… yes…"
At the confirmation, Blake took a step back, as if the revelation had struck him like a physical blow.
"I-I can't believe it…" he stammered, still in disbelief. "But how is this possible?!"
Jun sighed deeply, as if that breath could lighten the weight of his memories.
He had already sensed that the conversation would reach this point—and with it, that inevitable question.
So, after clearing his throat, he didn't waste time trying to change the subject and began to recount:
"Well, it all happened two years ago-"
"Wait a second!" exclaimed Mrs Rose, who until then had remained silent behind the trio.
With determined steps and barely concealed haste, she moved past the three youths and approached Jun, crossing the desk.
"President," she whispered in his ear, her tone a mix of concern and reproach, "are you really sure you want to reveal more than you already have?"
Jun raised a hand calmly, a measured but firm gesture meant to quiet both her voice and the agitated tone with which she had interrupted him.
"More than sure," Jun murmured, his voice low but loud enough for everyone to hear. "After all, Isaac and Ananya wouldn't be the first to hear this story, nor will they be the last. Let me remind you that sooner or later, this will become public knowledge. Perhaps in a few years, when I decide to retire, I'll announce it myself. Besides, rumors about this have been circulating within the Association for quite some time now. So, there's no reason to act as if this were some top-secret state matter. Besides, they've already figured out on their own that I can no longer use my Mana Core, so what I'm about to say won't change much: it will only serve to give some context and explain how I ended up in this condition. For all these reasons, I've decided to share my greatest secret and try to trust them…"
Mrs Rose pressed her lips together, visibly conflicted, but ultimately nodded, regaining her composure.
"I-I see… In that case, I apologize for interrupting," she murmured, returning to her spot by the door, her posture as impeccable as ever.
Jun leaned back in his chair, a shadow of bitterness crossing his smile. "As I was saying… Two years ago, I was called to lead a Raid in a Dungeon located on a volcanic island in the north of the Kingdom of Ardorya, in the Inner Sea: the Island of Thalor."
Mirac repeated the name silently, staring at Jun with renewed attention.
'Thalor Island? Wait, I've already heard about that Raid!'
At that moment, a newspaper article he had read some time ago came to mind, describing that mission as a complete success, an unprecedented triumph.
But now, listening to Jun, he realized that the truth was probably very different from the glossy version portrayed in the papers.
Most likely, the President of the Association was about to reveal important and painful details never shared with the world.
"That place," Jun continued, his tone darkening, "was infested with Varkhuls, creatures with shimmering skin, similar to reptiles but equipped with sharp claws and glowing eyes, capable of blending perfectly into the darkness and the island's rocky landscape. They were agile and intelligent enough to live in organized packs, making every encounter with them a constant danger. For this reason, the Raid proceeded with difficulty but without major issues, until we reached the Boss's chamber. When we crossed the threshold, we found ourselves facing an imposing creature, an ancient and massive Varkhul with a carapace of volcanic stone embedded in its skin and eyes of a deep crimson red. It was larger and stronger than its kind, and its attacks combined brute force with the manipulation of the lava present in the room, located deep within, near the volcano's magma chamber, forcing us to endure the extreme temperatures of that part of the Dungeon. However, none of this was an insurmountable obstacle for a well-prepared group like ours. Thus began a grueling battle, filled with heavy blows, chained spells, and precise strategies, and slowly we managed to weaken it and corner it. But then, just when victory seemed within reach, something unexpected happened: the Boss underwent a sudden metamorphosis! Its body began to twist and deform. Its reptilian features merged with an infernal form: bony horns, curved claws like blades, and blackened skin pulsating with malevolent energy. When the metamorphosis was complete, a terrifying creature stood before us: an aberrant hybrid between a Varkhul and a Demon!"
Jun paused, his gaze drifting for a moment, as if reliving those memories.
Mirac took advantage of the brief interruption to process the President's last words:
'What?! A sudden metamorphosis that turned the Boss half Demon? But how is that possible?'
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed that Carmen was deep in thought as well—likely pondering the same unsettling detail.
"At that moment," Jun continued, "the Boss's power grew exponentially, and with it, the Dungeon's difficulty went from challenging to nearly impossible to face. Many in the group were severely injured by its Black Flames, a dark fire capable of corroding the flesh and spirit of any living being, and which could not be extinguished by any means. To protect my team and ensure our victory, I had to resort to my trump card: the most powerful fire attack I possess! At the time, I was already seventy years old, and that move—a technique I once mastered with ease—had become nearly impossible to execute with the same strength. Not only could I only use it once a month, but I never imagined I'd have to push it beyond the limit I had set for myself years earlier. But for the sake of my team, I didn't hesitate: with immense effort, I pushed the power of my attack beyond any limit I had ever dared to cross, risking it all. The blaze unleashed by my technique overwhelmed the Boss, annihilating it and saving my companions. In the end, victory was ours, but the price I had to pay was enormous: my Original Core suffered severe external damage, both from the superhuman effort that move required and from the Corrupted Mana of the hybrid creature, which managed to contaminate and damage my Original Core."
Blake let out a choked sound, his hand still covering his mouth. "C-Corrupted Mana?!"
From the tone of his voice, it was clear he knew nothing about it.
And so, with calm kindness, Jun offered a clear explanation:
"Corrupted Mana is a form of magical energy found exclusively in monstrous and demonic creatures. Their bodies and Core, in fact, convert the Raw Mana present in the environment into a toxic and unstable form. It's like an energetic poison: it contaminates everything it touches, damaging not only flesh but also the spirit and the very source of vital energy, the Mana Core. When it comes into contact with the latter, it can deform it, weaken it, and even corrode its essence, causing deep and often irreversible damage."
Jun's face was calm and composed, but not without a faint hint of a smile—a sign that betrayed a complete lack of regret for the decision he had made. "Fortunately, the lacerations caused by the Corrupted Mana were limited to the surface of my Original Core. They were deep, yes, but not enough to reach the Core's center. But luck alone wasn't enough: to avoid the fatal side effects, I had to do my part and contain the Corrupted Mana, keeping it confined to a safe area, away from vital organs, so it wouldn't spread throughout my body. At that point, an excellent Healer who had come with us managed—as immediate first aid—to remove the traces of Corrupted Mana that had infiltrated my Original Core. Later, the Core Surgeons were able to intervene just in time, suturing the tears in my Original Core with extremely complex techniques."
He paused briefly, as if replaying the moment he received the diagnosis in his mind.
"However, at the end of the surgical operation, they gave me a clear warning: I was never to use my Mana Core again! If for any reason I did, I would risk the Original Core's turbulence caused by Mana flows destabilizing the sutures, reopening the wounds. And if that happened… my Original Core—and thus my entire Mana Core—would shatter, condemning me to lose the ability to practice magic forever!"
Jun paused for a moment, his expression growing more serious as the three in front of him held their breath, fully aware of the gravity of the situation.
But before anyone could react and voice their shock, the President resumed speaking in a deeper tone, though still tinged with a subtle sense of relief:
"But again, I was lucky to come out of that situation alive: if that Healer hadn't been there to help me in the first place… or if the initial damage had penetrated deeper into my Original Core… then, due to the toxic nature of the Corrupted Mana that struck me, I would have died instantly! Or, in the worst-case scenario… I would have turned into an uncontrollable monstrous creature!"
Jun let his words fall like a boulder over the group.
No one spoke.
Their gazes were frozen, laden with tension and disbelief.
The silence that followed was almost reverent, as if everyone feared that even a single misplaced comment could metaphorically reopen those same wounds.
Blake, the most shocked and incredulous of all, murmured: "Th-That's awful…"
Jun gave a bitter smile. "Indeed, but there's nothing we can do about it…" He made a vague gesture with his hand, as if brushing the thought away. "I never revealed it to anyone to prevent unscrupulous individuals I know from exploiting my condition to try and oust me. After all, my position as President of the Association—an institution that spans nearly the entire continent—is coveted by many who are eager to greedily expand their influence. And if the news about the damage to my Mana Core were to leak to the whole world… well, it would surely raise doubts about my suitability to hold the role of President, fueling dangerous ambitions among those just waiting for an opportunity to take my place."
Jun let out a long sigh, as if with that breath he wanted to leave behind an invisible burden.
He paused for a moment, his face becoming more composed and determined, then resumed speaking in a more measured tone:
"Regardless of the intrigues and power dynamics, the story I just shared about the Varkhuls' Dungeon explains why I use Erman Leaves: they allow me to tap into an alternative source of Mana to my damaged Core, exactly like a Mana Crystal—or any other similar object that serves as an external resource of magical energy. During today's battle, in fact, all the Mana I used for my fire attacks or enhancements came directly from that fake tobacco rolled in the cigar."
Mirac examined Jun carefully, while frantic thoughts raced through his mind.
Now everything made sense!
Their victory was not only the result of their skill but the outcome of a series of favorable circumstances that had played to their advantage, without them realizing it at first.
First: they had fought two against one. The President, powerful as he was, found himself at a significant numerical disadvantage—a decisive factor in any duel, especially when opponents manage to coordinate effectively.
Second: Jun had deliberately chosen to use a spear instead of a sword, a weapon he was known to excel with. As a former legendary swordsman, such a familiar weapon would surely have greatly increased his effectiveness in battle. But, facing two swordsmen at the same time, he preferred to adopt a more versatile and defensive style. This strategic choice, though sensible, inevitably affected the outcome of the clash.
Third, and perhaps most importantly: his Mana reserves were limited. Unable to draw from his damaged Core, Jun had been forced to rely solely on the Mana released by the cigar containing Erman Leaves—a temporary resource destined to run out. Consequently, once the cigar was completely consumed—and with it his magical support—he would inevitably have been left vulnerable, unable to sustain further spells or enhancements. And Mirac, who had sensed this, deliberately aimed for the President's cigar with his dagger, cutting it off sharply to anticipate that critical moment.
'As I thought: I shouldn't get cocky just because we won!' Mirac thought, clenching his right fist.
Jun coughed lightly, breaking the silence that had settled in the room.
"Anyway," he said, straightening in his chair, "I didn't call you here just for the recommendation letter, to congratulate you, or to share my secrets. In truth, there's another reason I summoned you, and it concerns the three demonic creatures you faced yesterday…"
Mirac stifled a gasp. 'Is he going to question us to gather clues and information about the Rogthars?' he wondered, yet maintained—like Carmen—an impassive demeanor.
He chose not to interrupt, letting the President continue, confident he would explain everything more clearly.
"I assume you're already aware of the implications of sighting demonic creatures believed extinct for over a thousand years," Jun said, a note of unease in his voice. "Therefore, I will avoid unnecessary preambles and get straight to the point…"
As he spoke, he picked up the handkerchief left on the desk, carefully wrapped the cigar that had been cut during the fight against Isaac and Ananya, and placed it back in the drawer from which he had taken it earlier.
A brief, almost solemn movement, before he returned to fully focus on the conversation, speaking the following words in a calm yet authoritative tone:
"Ananya, Isaac… I would like you to participate in the upcoming Raid on the Rogthars' Dungeon."
At that moment, a dense, almost tangible silence fell over the room, like a curtain descending in a theater.
Jun's words, the President of the Intercontinental Association Against Dangers, seemed to hang suspended in the air.
Mirac and Carmen exchanged a furtive glance, their thoughts intertwining without the need to speak.
Neither of them said a word, yet a shared thought struck them like lightning: that proposal was an unexpected opportunity, a stroke of luck that would make investigating the mysterious appearance of the Rogthars much easier!