NOVEL NEXT Ch. 24
Through Rozelite’s explanation, Russell gained a rough understanding of how 【Skills】 worked in this world.
First, most 【Skills】 could be learned through normal means. “Learned” wasn’t exactly the right word—more accurately, by deepening one’s understanding of something, that knowledge could solidify into a 【Skill】. In other words, it was essentially the act of mastering it.
Rozelite’s 【One-Handed Sword Mastery】 was a good example.
She had studied the one-handed sword earnestly, and her instructor had taught her seriously. Since Rozelite wasn’t stupid, she had indeed grasped the basics of swordplay.
She just… wasn’t very strong at it.
Second, 【Skills】 were divided into two categories—those that required mana and those that didn’t.
For example, 【One-Handed Sword Mastery】, 【Ballroom Dance】, 【Poetry Recitation】—these could be used anytime once learned, without the need for mana. But skills like 【Magic】, 【Whirlwind Slash】, 【Stealth】, 【Eagle Eye】—these required mana to achieve supernatural effects.
On top of that, some consumed mana continuously, others only once per use… but that was a detail for later.
“Were you born without mana?”
Russell asked.
“Eh?”
Rozelite blinked.
“No mana… what do you mean?”
“That energy everyone uses—whether for magic or other skills. Every person has it. Except you.”
Russell explained carefully.
But Rozelite only frowned. She couldn’t explain why.
She knew what mana was, knew it was required for magic and many skills, and understood its importance. Yet until Russell pointed it out, she hadn’t realized she lacked it entirely.
Which, Russell thought, was normal. Asking someone born blind to understand sight was already cruel. And Rozelite was no ordinary “blind person,” just as he wasn’t a normal man anymore.
“In short, your teachers weren’t wrong.”
Russell said plainly, “You really can’t use magic. And not only that—you also can’t use most skills that require mana.”
Rozelite’s small face fell instantly.
“But… how could I have no mana?” she whispered.
“Hey, don’t get discouraged.”
A tentacle reached out, patting her head comfortingly.
“Even without mana, it won’t affect your daily life. You’ve lived just fine up until now, haven’t you? So your future won’t be any different.”
“No! It’s not the same!”
Rozelite shook her head hard.
Biting her lip, she spoke bitterly.
“Father told me that all members of the royal family must attend the Rhine Royal Magic Academy for three years after turning fifteen. Only if they graduate successfully can they return to the royal house. Otherwise…”
“…”
Russell froze.
The Rhine Royal Magic Academy.
The very name made its focus clear—it revolved around magic.
Magic required mana.
And Rozelite had none.
No matter how one looked at it, she couldn’t possibly graduate.
Until now, Rozelite had believed that even if her talent was lacking, diligent study at the academy would allow her to master magic. At the very least, she thought graduation was achievable.
But without mana, that was impossible.
No amount of effort, no amount of sweat, could change that.
“…”
Silence settled over the room.
Russell slowly extended a tentacle, hesitated, then patted her shoulder.
“At this point… let’s just eat first.”
…
…
After dinner, Rozelite returned to her room, but she didn’t immediately rest.
True, she still needed to heal, and they had to wait for the caravan before leaving the city. But that didn’t mean this time had to be wasted.
“You want to grow stronger?”
Russell asked in surprise.
“Mhm!”
Rozelite nodded firmly, her expression serious.
“What brought this on?”
Russell rubbed her head with a tentacle—ever since he could extend them from her back, he had developed a fondness for it, almost like petting a cat or dog.
“I thought about it carefully. Whether escaping the labyrinth, arriving in this city, dealing with people, or fighting… everything was handled by you, Mr. Slime.”
Her lips pressed into a thin line.
“I don’t think that’s right. It makes me feel useless. So! Even if I can’t learn magic, I want to become stronger in other ways!”
“Kid, you really are useless.”
Of course, Russell kept that thought to himself.
“Oh, right.”
Something occurred to him.
“After you woke up, did you notice anything different about your body?”
“Hmm?”
Rozelite tilted her head.
After a moment’s thought, she pointed to her back.
“There’s a hole now.”
Russell: “...Aside from that?”
Rozelite shook her head.
That shouldn’t be.
Every time Russell gained a new skill, he felt it distinctly.
It was like gaining a new organ… no, more like a keyboard suddenly sprouting a new shortcut key, one that could execute a macro instantly when pressed.
【Name: Rozelite Othinus】
【Race: Human】
【Level: 16】
【HP: 95 / 3790】
【Status: Severely Injured】
【Skills: Court Etiquette Lv.6, One-Handed Sword Mastery Lv.5, Ballroom Dance Lv.6, Poetry Recitation Lv.4, Instrument Proficiency (Harp) Lv.5, Death Mark Lv.7, Mana Enhancement Lv.2, Dagger Mastery Lv.2, Weak Point Targeting Lv.1, Tracking Lv.1, Stealth Lv.1】
Russell scanned her panel, his gaze lingering on 【Death Mark】.
The only Lv.7 skill.
Its effect wasn’t obvious from the name. Rozelite herself didn’t seem to know what it did either.
No point dwelling on it now.
His eyes moved to 【Mana Enhancement Lv.2】.
This skill was ridiculously common. Both the S-rank adventurers they’d met before and the guards at the city gate had it—everyone did. The only difference was in their proficiency.
Thanks to devouring those two bandits, both he and Rozelite now had it as well.
He had tested it while Rozelite was asleep. The effect was straightforward: by consuming mana continuously, the body’s physical abilities were enhanced, with the strength of the boost scaling with level.
Unfortunately, when a slime used it, the results were… unimpressive.
He only felt a little sturdier.
If he had to compare: before, he was like a rubber ball. Now, he was like a soccer ball.
That was the extent of the improvement.
But for humans, it should be different.
Members of the Blue Falcon party didn’t know magic, yet they could fight S-rank monsters. The answer likely lay in this universally widespread skill.
Rozelite, however, couldn’t use it.
Though she had forcibly acquired the skill through 【Insatiable】 and 【Symbiosis】, she couldn’t feel it at all. (T/N: Bottomless Apetite > Insatiable)
The reason, most likely… It was simply that she had no mana.