Reborn With a Magic System

"I didn't," Damion said defending himself.

Technically it was true. When Theodore tried to probe Damion's magic core and read his mana, the Magic System took that as attempting to pry into its secrets and repelled him. Just as the Magic System had done by destroying the testing crystal Dean Thorn used when he had tried to test Damion as a child.

"Well, I didn't throw myself across the dungeon," Theodore spat back.

"I can assure you that Damion did not attack you," Arica said. She could see Damion did not want to explain to the whole party that he had a seal on his magic core and that is what likely sent Theodore flying.

"Then you explain it to me," Theodore said.

"I think it would be best if we all understood the situation," Christen added.

Arica looked to Damion to try and gage how much she should share.

"Go ahead," Damion told her. Arica did not know much, so he wanted her to relate what he had previously told her. This way he would not accidently let slip more information.

"Damion has a seal on his magic core to heal it and if anyone tries to interfere with it, it defends itself." Arica said hoping that her explanation would be enough.

"That is the stupidest thing I have ever heard," Theodore said.

Ethan and Christine merely looked at Damion each wondering if what Arica said was the truth or if there was more to this supposed magic seal that Damion and Arica were not sharing.

"Did you sense me using any magic or doing anything that could send you flying like that?" Damion asked.

Theodore froze for a moment and thought back. The only magic he had sensed from Damion was the magic running through his armor. He had not felt Damion do anything other than try to free his hand.

"I'll accept your explanation, since I don't have any theories of my own," Theodore said reluctantly.

"His knee," Arica motioned for Theodore to heal Damion's injured knee.

"If I heal your knee I'm not going to thrown back again am I?"

"Uhm… I don't think so," Damion hesitated. He had never been on the receiving end of healing magic, at least not that he could recall, except maybe as a baby. But he wasn't even sure at this point. "I think as long as you don't try and do anything to my magic core you should be fine."

"Your confidence inspires me."

Despite Theodore's sarcasm, he knelt down in front of Damion's injured knee and channeled white light onto it. Damion at first felt a bit of relief as the pain from the wound vanished. A moment later his knee felt itchy, and he was about to ask what Theodore was doing but Theodore stopped before he could.

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"All done," Theodore announced causing everyone to lean in and look at the fresh pink lines of new skin on Damion's knee.

"Thanks. I think we should probably take a break. Let everyone recover their mana a bit before we venture out." Damion suggested.

Damion of course was fine. He was a bit physically tired, but as far as his mana reserves, he was actually overfull, despite his extensive use in the recent fights. Mana Absorption might only be at E Rank, but it was still a great way to keep his mana capacity up.

"Agreed," Arica said looking around and seeing that both Christine and Theodore appeared to be low on mana.

Christine, Arica understood, since she had been using her magic bow to either injure or take down a number of the Demonic Beasts. But Theodore surprised her. He masked it well, but Arica could see his back was slumped and he had a few beads of sweat on his forehead. Arica at first could not understand how Theodore was running low on magic since the only person he had healed was Damion, but then she realized he had healed himself.

The blow from Damion's magic seal must have been much more powerful than any of them realized. Theodore must have been forced to use up a lot of his mana to heal whatever internal injuries the seal had inflicted.

While everyone else was resting and recovering their mana, Damion was focusing on compressing the extra mana he had in his magic core. Ms. Teft had told him in the past that mana rich environments were the best place to train and while he hadn't noticed it in the graveyard, this forest dungeon was teeming with mana.

All too soon, at least in Damion's opinion, the group was ready to move out. Christine and Theodore having recovered a good portion of their mana, they did not want to spend too much time resting in one place, when around the next corner might be something worth good money.

As the group continued to explore the forest dungeon, they found a number moderately valuable species of flora. Though, nothing that reached the level of the Beese Mushroom. The two most valuable plants they did come across were a Frost Orchid and a Spider Lily. Both of which were also ingredients in various healing potions.

The discovery of three separate ingredients for healing potions in one dungeon greatly excited Theodore, especially since the three ingredients found where the rarest and most expensive.

"This dungeon is going to turn into a gold mine. Man, I wish this dungeon was found near Rubrum."

"Do you think one of the White Zones will buy it from Saung?" Arica asked.

She was happy the dungeon had appeared near Saung, and that Damion would have access to a dungeon suitable for his level. But if it did turn out to be as profitable as Theodore seemed to think, it was likely one of the White Zone cities would want it for themselves.

"It is possible," Theodore said. "Though our report is going to reveal how valuable it is and if anyone wants to buy it from Saung, they will need to give up something of much greater value. Maybe even several E or F Rank dungeons."

"How much do these potion ingredients usually sell for?" Damion asked. He was sure Theodore knew what he was talking about, given how excitedly he spoke about it, but Damion was still in the dark of monetary value.

"What we have found today, other than minor parts we are missing, are the ingredients to make a dozen A Rank healing potions. Each one worth a hundred gold."

"Are you saying our haul today is already over 1,200 gold!" Damion exclaimed.

"Factoring in everything, we are probably pretty close 700 gold total. You have to remember; the price of ingredients alone doesn't determine the price of an item. You have to factor in manufacturing. In this case an alchemist, who usually doubles the amount he spent on ingredients when he sells the complete potion."

"That is some profit margin," Damion said in disbelief. He knew artificers made quite a bit making enchanted weapons and armor, but he had no idea that alchemists made so much.

"Tell me about it," Theodore said. "Why do you think I've been so excited to see these plants. I focused my study on alchemy at the academy. Once I reach S Rank as a mage, I'm going to sit back and crank out A Rank potions and enjoy retirement."

"As if you'll ever reach S Rank," Christine scoffed.

"I'm a healer. Everyone always needs a healer. Once I get to A Rank, joining parties Silver Spire sends into their S Rank dungeon will be a piece of cake."