Chapter 19: Don't feed alcohol to children!

“This is the 'Mana Void.' Any mage in the world relies on external elemental replenishment to recover mana; it is simply a matter of varying conversion efficiency and strength.”

“If the elements are drained, a mage will lose their means of mana recovery.”

“Of course, one can supplement it by consuming mana recovery potions... but potions are ultimately limited, and excessive consumption can also place a burden on the body.”

“But the Mana Void.”

“Is not subject to such restrictions.”

“No matter where you are or what kind of environment you are in, you can continuously recover your own mana.”

“Because your mana... comes from the Void.”

It was indeed incredibly powerful.

Currently, Lu Cang's mana capacity had increased to 70 times his limit.

And it was still continuously growing.

The mana recovery speed...

Lu Cang estimated that he could recover 2% of his mana in a single breath.

This far exceeded his total capacity at his limit.

Feeling the miraculous circulation within his body, Lu Cang couldn't help but ask curiously, "But why does mana come from the Void? And how was the Void formed?"

But once the words left his mouth, he suddenly realized.

Regarding these principles... Iz had said that he might not even be able to understand them.

Lu Cang learned spells very quickly, but he had read very little pure theoretical knowledge.

Iz stroked Lu Cang's hair, a helpless smile on his face. "I want to tell you very much. My desire to share this knowledge with others is perhaps even stronger than your thirst for knowledge."

"However, this is what I call forbidden knowledge."

Iz fell silent for a moment.

It seemed as if he were contemplating what he should say.

Finally, he took a sip of hot tea.

He said softly, "I can only tell you this: what comes from the Void is not just mana."

"Phew... do you want to go for a stroll in town?"

Lu Cang kept its response in his heart, knowing this was knowledge beyond his current reach.

He didn't force the issue and simply nodded in reply, "Yeah, I'd like to."

...

This was the first time since arriving in this world that he had truly gone out for a stroll.

Three days.

In these three days, how many times had he lost consciousness?

He passed out from drunkenness on the first day, fainted from excessive spellcasting on the second, and then, due to the "trial" set by Iz, he fainted again on the third day.

Thinking about it carefully, it seemed he lost consciousness once every single day.

At this realization, the corner of Lu Cang's mouth twitched slightly.

Don't tell me... I'll faint again tomorrow?

It felt like he hadn't been unconscious for very long today; the sun had only just set.

Night had just fallen over Rain Town.

It was still brightly lit.

Iz first took Lu Cang to the Adventurers' Guild.

They settled the commission.

The reward for the commission was 1 gold.

Afterward, Iz gave the collected loot to Shili, and Shili settled the reward for the loot directly with Iz.

The final profit that ended up in Lu Cang's hands was 2 gold and 26 silver.

After extracting the loot from that giant snake, its value was only about 70 silver.

Iz did not take the 1 silver that belonged to him.

The reason was simple.

He had failed in his duty to protect, so he didn't need the protection fee.

Lu Cang sat at a wooden table in the Adventurers' Guild.

This place was not only a hub for taking commissions but also a tavern.

Adventurers gathered here to boast, and they couldn't just be boasting about nothing; a large portion of the Adventurers' Guild's income also came from its tavern business.

Lu Cang held up his coin pouch. "So this is the profit from clearing a Tier 2 dungeon..."

"2 gold."

Iz reminded him, "Most adventurer parties consist of four or more people, including at least one physical attacker, a magic caster, a healer, and a defender."

"Therefore, this profit is often split equally among the four members."

Lu Cang calculated, "That would be about 56 silver each."

"No, if they have a gatherer, it would be closer to 90 silver per person."

Iz: "But in reality, exploring a dungeon requires purchasing supplies."

"A medium-grade life healing potion costs 10 silver and can recover moderate injuries for a Level 2 warrior."

"A medium-grade mana recovery potion costs 5 silver and restores about 30% of a Level 2 mage's mana."

"Equipment wear and tear requires repairs from a blacksmith."

"Furthermore, our harvest included an extra drop of a Dark Crystal that shouldn't have appeared. Even if there is a gatherer in the party, it won't double the profit from the Dark Crystal."

"So, the profit from a normal party clearing a Tier 2 dungeon, when distributed per person, is roughly 75 silver."

"After deducting expenses like supplies, the actual profit is only about 20 to 30 silver."

Hearing Iz's calculations, Lu Cang gained a general understanding of the adventurers in this world.

They earned much less than he had imagined.

In fact, there were still things Iz hadn't mentioned... such as the fact that exploring a dungeon doesn't necessarily mean clearing it in one go; sometimes it takes two or three trips, which makes the costs even higher.

"Yo, little Lu Cang!"

Suddenly, a hand dropped onto Lu Cang's shoulder.

He turned his head to look.

It was the red-haired warrior, Chicheng.

Two questions surfaced in Lu Cang's mind... Where did he come from? When did he arrive?

"Oh oh, little Lu Cang! I heard you soloed a Tier 2 dungeon today and made a killing!"

"Haha! You just changed classes to a Level 1 mage yesterday, and today you can solo a Tier 2 dungeon without relying on Iz. You truly are the magic genius praised by Iz!"

Chicheng's voice was very loud.

The adventurers drinking in the guild heard his shouting and all turned to look this way simultaneously.

Even though they were drinking, their ears were very sharp.

Coupled with Chicheng's completely unshielded way of greeting, almost the entire Adventurers' Guild heard him.

"Just changed classes yesterday?"

"Is that the kid Iz brought this morning? I heard he's only 8 years old."

"8 years old? Isn't the regulated age for changing classes 16?"

"Changing classes that early... won't there be an excessive backlash?"

"I heard the one who presided over his class change was Kumironi."

"No way? Kumironi presided personally?!"

"I heard even the kingdom's princes are begging Kumironi to preside over their class changes... just to step onto the professional path a little earlier."

"If Kumironi is presiding, then 8 years old is indeed no problem..."

"But, Chicheng seems to say he soloed a Tier 2 dungeon today."

"A magic prodigy even recognized by Iz..."

Lu Cang felt as though every gaze in the room was converging on him.

Right now, he only wanted to make a quick escape; he didn't want to attract too much attention.

However, with Chicheng's arm around his shoulder, he couldn't move at all.

"How about it! Want to have a celebration feast!"

Wait...

Why does this plot sound so familiar?

Before Lu Cang could even express himself, Chicheng raised Lu Cang's hand!

"Alright! It's decided!"

"Let's throw a celebration feast! Tonight, everything will be paid for by the direct disciple of our very own Izparut, the magic genius, little Lu Cang!"

Lu Cang: "Huh? Wait!"

However, before he could even speak, the adventurers present all raised their wine glasses high!

"Yo!"

"Little Lu Cang!"

"Little Lu Cang!"

"Little Lu Cang!"

The adventurers shouted Lu Cang's name in unison; Lu Cang had already become the protagonist of the banquet.

Damn...

How did it suddenly become his turn to pay?

That was his hard-earned 2 gold and 26 silver!

Chicheng leaned in and whispered in Lu Cang's ear, "It's okay, if you don't have enough money, big brother will lend you some."

Get lost!

Who wants your loan!

You were the one who made the decision to treat everyone!

But Lu Cang wasn't even given a chance to complain.

Chicheng had already raised his glass: "Let us toast to tonight's protagonist, the conqueror of the Shadow Cave, the magic genius—little Lu Cang, on his first great victory!"

"Cheers!"

*Clink—*

Hey... you guys, don't go forcing alcohol on a child!

(End of Chapter)