Episode 6

Two weeks had passed since Yun died, and he’d regained his memories.

“Does the soul affect a body’s mana.? Why is it that only those who are descendants of gods can use sorcery? Where does divine power reside…?”

Odysseus used the best of his efforts to increase his strength. The obstacle called time restraint collapsed under his overwhelming desire to head to the Elysium as soon as possible.
He carried a book with him at all times, whether that was during meal times or when he was working, and he used Yun’s inheritance and Yul’s savings to purchase more knowledge. It was a showcase of selection and focus that amazed those around him.

“…How do you even eat while reading?”
“Is there any reason you can’t do that?”
“I just can’t for some reason.”
“Hm. That just sounds like you don’t want to do it.”

Lazy ass. Odysseus internally criticized Eugene’s weak will and flicked through the pages of his device’s hologram screen. He quickly flipped through screen after screen of the densely packed texts of information that he’d obtained with great difficulty with the Captain’s help. His incredible reading speed came from his days as a king.

“But why are you looking through sorcery now? You aren’t a descendant of a god, are you?”
“Who knows, maybe one of my ancestors is a god.”
“It’s meaningless unless they’re only about three or four generations up the family tree…”
“That is true.”

Sorcery was the ‘ability to create what one desires into reality using divinity and mana’.
Here, divinity or divine power refers to the power that gods possess. It was only obtainable either by being in the bloodline of a god or by a human becoming a god.

“…Where do you think divine power originates from? The body or the soul?”

Unlike magick, sorcery did not require any complicated equations or algorithms to use it. On the other hand, it was impossible to use sorcery if even one of the three criteria, ‘divinity,’ ‘mana,’ and ‘wish,’ were missing.
Whereas magick was completed with innate talent and acquired efforts, sorcery was something only determined by innate talent and lineage.

“Uh… I dunno.”
“Try thinking a little bit. Are you just going to say, ‘Uh, I dunno’ for the rest of your life? Are you a parrot, Eugene?”
“You know you’ve gotten a lot harsher recently?”
“What’s harsh is the state of your brain.”
“Hey.”

Now, here was the problem.
‘Odysseus’ was a grandson of Aeolus, ruler of winds, and a great-grandson of Hermes, God of Messages. ‘Yul’ was (likely) a pure Harmon who didn’t even have records of his family. Even if he did have a god amongst his ancestors, that bloodline had likely been diluted to the point that it was no longer relevant.
Anyhow, could it be possible to use sorcery in this state? In the first place, was divinity passed down by the body or linked to one’s soul?

“What do you think, Flag Hyung?”
“Huh? Me?”
“Yeah.”
“Uh… It’s probably with the soul, I guess?”
“Hm.”
“Huh, what’s with that reaction?”
“No, I was just wondering whether this was the majority’s opinion since you just said what was on these papers.”

The world had yet to reach a conclusion on this matter. One reason was that there just weren’t that many sorcerers left in the world, and the second was that divinity was not a concept that could be observed like mana.

“Well, that’s probably the case. If divinity was inside of the body, then they should have figured out something ages ago.”
“Oh… That’s actually a pretty good point.”
“The parrot finally said something useful.”
“Ah, not you too, Flag Hyung!”

Could that be why? The majority of scholars presumed that divinity was something that was engraved on one’s soul. Since there wasn’t much research done on the soul anyway, this hypothesis only gained more support.
This was no different from how back when the ocean had still been a mysterious region, people had treated whales and mackerel as fish just because they swam in the water.

“Well, thank you. That helped as a reference.”
“It did?”
“This?”
“Yes.”

But Odysseus thought otherwise. He’d wielded divinity in the past and was now inside of a body that did not possess the bloodline of a god.
He could figure out where divinity resided just by trying to use sorcery.

“I’m going to head out first.”
“Ah, all right.”

And after a week of research, he’d concluded that divinity resided with the body. He’d read through three papers that spoke about the relation between the soul and divinity, but that only proved as evidence of his opinion.
Divinity flowed through the body, and with mana at that. Perhaps mana could just be a single aspect of divinity.

‘It is clear that this body doesn’t have divinity, but I keep getting a strange feeling that I might be able to use sorcery. Although, I can’t use it one bit when I actually try to.’

Odysseus bit into the piece of pizza that he’d snatched up when he got up from the table as he passed through the corridors. He’d decided to do some stretching ahead of time rather than wait for Flag to finish eating.

Snap.
However, he gathered mana in the hand that he wasn’t using to hold the pizza. The mana spun in the palm of his hand, splitting into more pieces and then bunching back together at will. This was a movement invisible to the naked eye and could only be sensed through one’s mana responsiveness.

‘It’s about time I start studying the magick formulas I bought.’

He’d already not just memorized, but even figured out the theory behind the research papers that Horn had given to him. It was just a matter of how he was going to apply them to actual, real-life situations.

‘If only I had just one more formula of the same type…’

The significance of formulas in magick lay in their ability to produce a consistent result. Just as how 1+1 always equaled 2, a formula was an established method so that a certain effect would happen when a certain amount of mana was applied.
However, just like it was in mathematics, where 1+1 equaled 2, but 1×2 and 4÷2 also equaled 2, just because the answer was the same didn’t mean that the same formula was used. Therefore, even if something resulted in the same effect, the formula itself could be different depending on the person.
No, in reality, they were mostly different. Magick was not identical to mathematics, and because these damned magicks users only encrypted these formulas in ways that only they could understand every time they found a new formula, this became even more so true.

‘I can’t even start to look into the Elysium or the whereabouts of the Compass to the Underworld because these magick documents cost so much… Damn it. The cost is the problem. Is there any fast way to get a large sum of money?’

So there wasn’t much he could do about the situation. Without even the basic knowledge about magicks, he had no choice but to buy the books. Cultivating one’s skill was only possible when there was land to build the foundation on.

“Ah, you’re here, Mister Magic User.”
“You don’t have to call me that.”

Anyway, he arrived at the training grounds. Now, he had to stretch out his body until Flag arrived.

Odyssia: Freedom usually had three hunting groups operating on rotation. Monday mornings were Team 1; afternoons were Team 2. Tuesday mornings were Team 3; afternoons were Team 1. Wednesday mornings were Team 2; afternoons were Team 3… and so on.

It sounded like a tough schedule, but that wasn’t really the case. It was just a repetition of going out two days in a row and then resting one day.
Not only that, but they took Sundays off for maintenance. That meant every team got three days off every week. Though only a few, they had several reserved odysses who could take their place, so they could take vacations right away if something urgent ever came up.
Considering that this field of work considered it natural to juice the people to make money, this was a reasonable system like no other. This had been one of the reasons why Odysseus decided it was a good idea to stay here until he grew more in power.

“Yul will be participating in the odyssey the day after tomorrow.”

Anyway, the group that Captain Songha led was Team 1. Currently, it was Tuesday night, and the team had gathered for settlements after returning from their odyssey.

“…Do you really mean that?”
“You think I don’t?”

He wondered why they called him in during the team’s settlement, but this must have been the reason. Odysseus listened to the conversation he’d been half-anticipating and leaned back in his chair.

“But Captain, Yul is…”

Just then, an odyss of Team 1, Lanal, raised his hand to speak. He’d occasionally helped his training with Flag, although the most he’d done was give a few words of advice.

“I’m ready.”

But Odysseus raised his head and cut the man off. He didn’t really care, as the most they could say was, ‘He’s only been training for two weeks’ or ‘It seems a bit early to include him in real combat.’
He’d already prepared for every situation. Even if it didn’t seem like that to the others, that was the case.

“That’s what Yul’s saying.”
“…Shouldn’t he still train for at least a month?”
“I don’t know; he already seems ready enough to me.”
“Hey, Captain. He’s a magicks user… if he gets hurt by any chance…”
“Yeah. We know that… uh… Yul is trying his best… But isn’t it a little early?”

However, even in an age where people could switch out their entire body with mechanical parts, people still easily judged others based on their appearance and age. He knew that this could not be helped as a Harmon, but it still was saddening to see.

“Yul.”
“Yes?”
“As you’ve just heard, the members of Team 1 have their doubts about your participation. They don’t know whether you’ll be helpful… or just get in the way.”

In that sense, Captain Songha was someone who left him at ease. The reasons were that she was not one to leave her assets unused, and she concentrated more on the essence or qualities of a person rather than their outer appearance.
Aside from the fact that she couldn’t put down her cigarette even during a meeting, she was a natural-born commander.

“So, prove yourself. You won’t have a second chance.”
“As you say, Captain.”

A capable superior must always be treated with respect and utmost loyalty by their subordinates, assuming that they fulfill their duties, of course.
Following such principles, Odysseus straightened up and obediently, yet seriously, followed Captain Songha’s command.

“How should I prove myself?”
“In any way you can. Show them that you at least won’t get in the way.”
“Hm.”
Proof without a set method, you say. Odysseus thought for a moment, then stood up from his chair and approached the Captain. The boy’s hand snatched the dagger that had been hanging from her belt.

“Wait—”

Someone attempted to speak up, but Songha stopped them. Odysseus spun the dagger in his hand, though it was more of a showy trick than something of actual use.

However, when that trick diverted everyone’s attention, Odysseus leapt onto the table in the meeting room.
The first target of his dagger was the odyss closest to the Captain, Lanal.

“You—”

As expected from one of the more skilled members of the odyssia, Lanal tipped the chair back using his body weight, then rolled onto the ground to dodge.
This had been within his calculations. Odysseus stepped on the corner of the falling chair and then kicked off of the table.

In that process, he was briefly reminded of the raid on Ismarus, but quickly dismissed it with a thin smile.
Although there were no guns during that time, the Cicones who lived in Ismarus were much more fierce and dangerous than those here. It was almost a disgrace to compare the two.

Anyway, when his mana-enhanced foot collided with the edge of the table, the table fell towards the people sitting on the other side of it.
Though none of them were seriously wounded, the table seemed to have hit its mark. A series of choked gasps rang out from several of the seated members.

Around the same time, Lanal’s chair had completely fallen over. The back of the chair made a dense thump as it hit the carpeted ground.
Even at that moment, Odysseus had balanced his body to keep his foot on the front corner of the chair.

Not stopping there, Odysseus twisted his ankle around and aimed for the person who’d been sitting next to Lanal. Like the odyss they were, their reflexes kicked in on time for them to get up from the chair before the blade had gotten close.

“What in the—?”

However, they were too late in comprehending the situation. Putting his back to Lanal, Odysseus pounced on the man. The odyss reflexively raised their guard, but he hadn’t planned on swinging the dagger in the first place.
Odysseus grabbed the arm that they raised as a guard and pushed their body into the air. The meeting room was not that large, and there wasn’t much space between the chairs and walls, so the boy’s foot came in contact with the side wall.

He sprang off of the wall. Odysseus’s small body spun halfway around the odyss. In the process of doing so, he’d kicked the person who’d been sitting next to the odyss he was holding onto, which he had also been aiming to do from the beginning. Using his body weight, he pulled the odyss onto his back.
In a way, it seemed like he was stuck, but since he’d enhanced his body and prepared ahead of time, it hadn’t knocked the wind out of him.

“That’s one dead.”

Immediately after, Odysseus used the dagger in hand to slice the throat of the odyss that he toppled over. He’d used the back of the dagger, though, only imitating the act.
Of course, this may have still scared the victim a little.

“Yul, you—”

Now that one was down, it was time to move on to the next person. Odysseus pushed away the person on top of him and rolled under the table.

With a body enhanced to the level of a full-grown Harmon male, he tackled the leg of one of the people on the other side. Wasn’t it about time they noticed what he was up to? He shelved that thought.
One of the odyss, who barely recovered from the hit to their guts, swayed as they took a couple of steps back. Their body tilted a bit, threatening to fall over, but they managed to hold their ground thanks to the wall behind them. That was the end of their luck, though.

Like an agile animal, Odysseus sprang out and jumped, slitting their throat with the back of the dagger. “Two.” His next target was one of the people who were still coughing in their seats. “Three.” Stepping on the top of the chair’s backrest, he switched the dagger into his other hand and tapped the person’s throat. The sharp-eyed Captain would have noticed that this was a stab.

“This little brat…!”

Now that the situation had progressed this far, there was no longer anyone who didn’t know what was going on. Although a bit bewildered, no one was going to hand over their throats defenselessly anymore.

So what?Odysseus utilized his small build to dodge the grabbing hands coming his way while also jumping off the walls to overcome his difference in height. Somersaulting almost as if performing a stunt, the boy stepped onto the table and swung the dagger with the handle toward his chest.

“Four.”

The back of the blade slid past the throat of the odyss who tried to grab him. They must have been pricked by the tip of the dagger as a droplet of blood formed on their skin.

“…It’s no doubt that he’s Yun’s younger brother. Look at just how much of a scene he’s making just to prove himself!”

His next opponent was Lanal. Perhaps to play along with his game, he gripped a knife of a similar size.

“Hahah. But there is no other way to do it.”

But did he really have to bother with fighting Lanal? He was one of the best fighters in this room. Why should he?
As a warrior, who had enough of his share of battles, Odysseus made a decision. He would avoid fighting Lanal. There wasn’t a single reason for him to fight the man.

So, after Odysseus clashed blades with Lanal, he dropped to the ground and rolled back under the table. This was only possible because his body was smaller, and the adults would have a harder time following him under here.

“Wait, hey!”
“There is no waiting in a real fight.”

Rolling away, he moved to the very back of the room.

“There you are!”

Of course, since the other members were also not fools, they also tried to capture him when he appeared. The only problem was that they were slower than Odysseus.

“Five.”

Odysseus twisted the arm of his opponent only to the point it wouldn’t hurt, then dug into range and lightly tapped their chin with the dagger. Although he’d lost most of his muscles, this was one advantage of becoming young again. Without the worry of straining his joints or breaking any bones, he was able to accomplish the moves he wished to make with ease.

“Gah—”
“Six.”
“Agh!”
“Seven!”

Nothing much changed during the following minutes, either. Odysseus fought to the best of his abilities within the limit that he’d set. As a result, he managed to mark two-thirds of the odysses in the room as dead and the rest as either critically wounded or minorly wounded before being neutralized by Lanal.
Captain Songha, the only one exempted from the mess, extinguished her cigarette and let out a deep sigh.

“I did tell you to prove yourself… but not make a complete mess.”
“Mmm, but the Vice-Captain told me that knife fighting is one of the basics.”
“She’s not wrong, but…”

Due to the nature of the United City of Tessenia, which was surrounded by the ocean, hunting odysseys usually took place within the confines of the Air Boats and Air Bikes. In the worst-case scenario, they would have to engage the enemy in close combat.

“The best situation is no fight happening at all, and the second-best scenario is being able to shoot off the enemy’s heads with a gun… but those were hard to prove in here.”

Choosing to fight dirty had been a decision made with this in mind. A choice to show them that he would not be a bother, but an asset within a limited space.

“…Very well. This should be enough to convince those guys, too.”
“Right?”

So, it was an… inevitable sacrifice that the conference room table was partially splintered and two of the chairs had been crumpled. He’d already been exerting so much effort trying not to hurt anyone. Odysseus smiled, one that disguised him as an innocent, harmless child.

“But I will still ask, just in case. Does anyone oppose this decision?”
“…You think there would be?”
“All right. It seems we’ve come to a conclusion.”
“Then?”
“We’re leaving at six o’clock in the morning on Thursday. We’ll leave you if you’re not out by five-fifty.”
“Yay!”

That was also why the Captain let him off the hook like this. Because she knew that he did his best to hold back.

“Lastly, Yul. Hand over my dagger, and know that the cost of the damaged items will be taken from your weekly pay.”
“Huh? Why?!”

She knew… maybe.