Second Life's Revenge

Chapter 74: Mana

"How do I activate my mana?" Laura asked herself as droplets of water dripped the tip-off her hair.

After deciding with herself, she decided to abandon to call for the High Priest and decided to use her mana instead. However, she had a problem, which was to activate her mana. 

She didn't know how to activate it or didn't know how to call Septus either, and she can't ask Erwin because he probably doesn't know how to do it since he's born with it. J quietly sat beside Laura, who didn't feel his presence at all.

J wanted to interrupt Laura's daydream session, but she looked focused, and so he decided to wait for Laura to snap out of it. Laura sighed out loud at the same time she turned her head and jolted, seeing J as he greeted her with a mischievous smile.

"Just when?" Laura said in confusion.

"Just now. Did I scare you? That was rude, I apologize."

"No, it's my fault for not noticing earlier. But you should at least called me and not have waited," Laura scolded as she crossed her arms together.

"I'm sorry, and so what were you thinking?" J asked.

"Various things. Right, I'm curious, were you born in here?" Laura said with eyes sparkling.

"You're that curious? Alright, I'll tell you. I'm not born here. I was brought here. You can say that I'm an orphan?" J laughs awkwardly. "I don't know who my parents are, but for sure, they had a reason why."

They were the same, and Laura understood how it felt. Maybe she shouldn't have asked, but at the same time, it might have been a good thing. Laura nodded her head and said, "I'm the same as you."

"But why did you join Marquess Rogen?" Laura frowned.

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"I didn't have a choice. It was either I join or die. Just look at Zeke. You probably know about his curse. That was his punishment for leaving," J said, still keeping the smile on his face. "But I stayed because I was a coward."

"You're not. I don't think you are a coward. You must have a reason to do so," Laura affirmed as her eyes turned serious. "There is always a reason for everything. Even if you don't want it to happen, it will happen. That is why don't call yourself a coward."

"A kid is giving me a lecture, and I don't mind," J joked, and Laura laughed along. A feeling struck into J. He felt Laura was much more mature and older than he was. It was strange but comforting.

"It's not like you can change the future with a snap," Laura continued. "I was naive to think like that."

J scoffed and added, "But it made you stronger in a way, right?"

For a while, Laura was left with her mouth slightly opened as she nodded her head, agreeing with what J said. Failure will always make you stronger. The more pain you experience, the stronger you become.

Though Laura still doubted some parts about herself, she needed to become stronger to overcome her fears. Tine was her fear, and she didn't know what to do about the engagement.

There must be a reason why Prince Winston did it.

"What about you?" J curiously asked.

"I'm an orphan if you got the idea earlier. Born with black hair, my life was a mess," Laura muttered the last sentence. "But I learned how to love the way it looks because who knows my parents have black hair?"

"Now, thinking about it, I have to apologize once again for making fun of you," J apologized, lowering his head while Laura shook her head, not minding it at all.

"It's fine. I don't really care what other people call me anymore."

Erwin walked into the cave holding a basket filled with edible fruits while Angelo held a dead bunny in his hands. Seeing the two getting comfortable with one another, Erwin didn't like what he was feeling.

But what can he do? Even if he wanted to possess Laura, he couldn't. After all, he wasn't still hers. 

J waved his hand, greeting Erwin and Angelo from their trip, and stood out to help them. At the same time, Laura took a glance at Erwin and avoided his eyes when it met.

It was still impossible to meet his eyes after that embarrassing moment, but it wasn't like she had a choice. Her eyes automatically look away. Even she doesn't like it. When Laura looked away, her eyes brought her to the unconscious Zeke.

'What can I do about you?' Laura thought, looking at her hands.

Healing is said to be one of the rarest magic to have and to be one of the few people who could use mana all the more, it was rare. 

With how inconsistent her mana was, she was not confident with herself; rather, she didn't know if her mana can even save Zeke's life. Curses are hard to remove as it can drain the person who tries to remove it.

Laura sighed out loud while Erwin bent his knees and poked Laura's cheeks. Laura slightly moved back, seeing the cheeky smile on Erwin. Just what is this guy doing? He isn't a kid to be playing pranks anymore. 

But it was good timing for Erwin to be here right now because she had questions. Though she doubts he'll not answer them seriously.

"Answer yes or no. Is it hard to active your mana?" Laura sternly asked.

"No, why would it be?" Erwin titled his head.

"Right, It's pointless to ask you," Laura muttered and asked another question, "How can I activate it?"

Erwin rubbed his chin as he thought hard about it. For Erwin, he could fully control it, and so he didn't have any idea. "I don't know."

"Useless," Laura clicked her tongue while Erwin couldn't catch the idea. "What do I do? I don't even know how to control my mana."

"Why are you that desperate?" Erwin asked.

"To free Zeke from his curse," Laura answered, stretching her legs. "I promised him, and I will fulfill it. I'm not letting him die without seeing the world."

Laura looked at her hands, feeling frustrated. There must be something she could do to wake herself up. Something that could trigger her like what happened back in the forest.

It wasn't the best way to activate it, but this was her only choice. What if she asks them to do something terrifying to her? Determined as she could be, she turned her body, facing Erwin, who had no clue what she had stored in mind.

"What if I ask you to do like a traumatizing event for me?" 

"No, I will not allow that," Erwin said in an angered tone.

Laura slammed her hands onto the ground and said, "Just do it!"

Erwin gritted his teeth, trying to hold in his anger, but he couldn't when he yelled, "Don't be selfish! Do you think I want to do that? I don't want to hurt you."

All eyes were on them, and Laura paused as she lowered her head. How can she forget about not being selfish? It was one of her policies to herself, and just now, she broke it.

"I'm sorry," Laura softly said.

"Don't say that again. I don't want you to remember something traumatic, and I don't want to see the pain on your face," Erwin said, cupping Laura's face. Erwin softly bumped Laura's forehead and begged, "Don't please."

Laura looked down the ground as their faces were close to each other. Her mind turned blank as her heart raced like a racing car. It couldn't stop beating fast, not until a loud clang echoed in the room and startled the two.

"You idiot," Angelo scolded, smacking J on the head. "I'm sorry, don't mind us continue what you're doing."

"I'm sorry I was also enjoying the moment, you know," J apologized to Angelo while rubbing the back of his head.

"Continue, please," Angelo demanded, pushing J out of the cave.

Laura and Erwin looked at each other, laughing out of embarrassment, and somehow the air surrounding them lightened. If Erwin didn't yell at her, she might be doing something that goes against herself.

It's great to have someone by your side, someone who can remind you of yourself and not lose track.

"Laura, promise me you won't think like that again," Erwin begged as he held the necklace around her neck.

"I...promise," Laura said and watched Erwin kiss the gem on the necklace.

Erwin released the necklace and stood up, dusting his pants. He couldn't express his happiness. He constrained himself from touching her because if not, he'll lose control over himself.

Erwin was about to walk out of the cave, he heard a person murmuring. It wasn't Laura or the two other guys. When Erwin lowered his head to look at Zeke, whose eyes were fluttering close and immediately called for the others.