118 Leaving The Nightshade Sanctum Part-3
"Don't worry, just let me try it once." Stepping forward, I reached out for Blaze. However, he hissed like an actual cat, resisting my approach.
"Nya!!!" he exclaimed in protest, but it was futile. I scooped him off the ground with my left hand and held him firmly, grabbing his small jaw. Despite his relentless clawing, it had no effect on my grasp.
'No, no, no! Don't do it!! I'll die! It's not possible for you to recharge me!!!' Blaze pleaded, fear permeating his voice.
Yes, I intended to replenish his mana core using my newfound control over pure raw mana.
Replenishing one's own mana core was possible, but attempting it for others posed a significant risk. The introduction of raw mana directly into their mana core without proper compatibility could result in instant death. It would require me to act as a conduit between Blaze and the ambient raw mana, and the harmonization of our powers was not guaranteed. He could potentially explode like an overfilled balloon.
Yet, I had to try...
Taking a deep breath, I embraced Blaze's protests and pleas that echoed in my mind. His palpable fear only fueled my intrigue regarding the possibility of replenishing his mana core through my newfound control over pure raw mana.
"Trust me, Blaze," I assured him, my voice oozing determination. "I've been practicing this technique, and I genuinely believe it can work. Just give it a chance."
*Scratch*
Blaze continued to struggle, his tiny claws scratching against my hand, but I remained resolute. I focused my energy, channeling the raw mana that surrounded us. It swirled and shimmered around my fingertips, eagerly awaiting my command.
As I channeled the raw mana towards Blaze, my focus shifted to the intricate anatomy of a cat, particularly the pathways through which mana traveled within his body. Just like humans, cats possessed a network of mana veins that coursed through their form, enabling the flow and distribution of magical energy.
Aware of the delicate nature of this process, I paid close attention to the mana veins, ensuring that the stream of mana I directed and followed the correct path. It was crucial to avoid any missteps, as diverting the mana to the wrong vein could disrupt the equilibrium and potentially lead to disastrous consequences.
'Stop!! I'll-Agh' Blaze's shrill echoed through my mind.
"!?"In a moment of distraction, my concentration wavered, and the stream of mana almost veered off course.
'Shit!'Panic gripped me as I noticed the dangerous trajectory, where the raw mana threatened to stray towards Blaze's heart, a vital organ that must remain untouched by such energy.
Gulp*
A bead of sweat trickled down my forehead as I instinctively refocused my attention and redirected the errant flow.
'Focus, focus...'With meticulous precision, I gently pulled the stray strand of raw mana back to its intended path, guiding it away from Blaze's heart and ensuring it resumed its journey towards his mana core. The cat's well-being relied on my ability to control and channel the mana correctly, adhering to the intricate pathways that intertwined with his internal structure.
The moment of crisis passed, and a sense of relief washed over me as I witnessed the mana seamlessly reintegrate into the intended flow. Blaze's mana core continued to absorb the replenishing energy, gradually expanding and recharging under my watchful guidance.
Throughout this intricate process, I marveled at the complexity of a cat's anatomy, how its mana veins intricately intertwined and functioned within its body, much like the delicate network of magical conduits in any other creature. It was a testament to the wonders of creation and the interconnectedness of magical energies within all living beings.
As the mana coursed through Blaze, I sensed his surprise and awe. Fear slowly dissipated, replaced by a comforting warmth and a renewed vitality. His struggles ceased, and he willingly allowed the mana to infuse his being. Gradually, his mana core expanded, recharging before my eyes.
Minutes passed, and I slowly withdrew my hand, releasing Blaze from my grasp. He stood before me, his black fur radiating with a newfound luminosity. His eyes glowed with gratitude and a touch of amazement.
'I... I can't believe it,' Blaze murmured, his voice brimming with wonder. 'You actually did it. You replenished my mana core.'
"It's good, isn't it?" I asked. I had been planning to do this ever since I discovered my ability to control pure mana.
"Yeah, it is! Now I don't have to worry about running out of mana in the middle of a battle," Blaze chimed in, relieved to have a steady mana supply.
"Well, that just means you're still a parasite," I teased, reminding him of his earlier spirit form.
"Yeah, yeah. Just wait until I get the hang of this form. Don't forget, I'm the first beast that can use two elements simultaneously, so I can do anything," Blaze boasted with grand aspirations.
"But what was the point of doing this now? Shouldn't we be focused on escaping this place?" Blaze questioned, puzzled by my decision.
"Huh?" I stared at him, taken aback by his lack of understanding. "You... can't you connect the dots?" I asked, surprised by his confusion.
"?" Blaze tilted his head, still unable to grasp the situation.
I pointed at him and explained, "You... you are going to get us out of this damn place."
"What? Me? How? Eh!" Blaze's eyes widened in shock.
"We're going to fly above the clouds so that the storm won't harm us," I revealed my plan.
"Heh? Hehe, you're joking, right?... right!?" Blaze grew flustered, unable to believe what I was suggesting.
"Yep," I replied with a smug look on my face.
"You dumbass human! We can't! We won't be able to make it even halfway across the ocean... no, not even one-third of the way! Before I go back to my energy-conserving form, a cat! You know, a frickin' cat! And cats can't fly!!" Blaze shouted in my mind, his frustration evident.
"I'll continuously channel mana into you," I assured him, confident in my plan.
"And you'll run out of mana very soon! I know you're all smug about having a slightly larger mana pool than before, but let me tell you, you're not a fully-fledged phoenix yet, and that mana pool is not enough at all!" Blaze complained, pointing out the limitations.
"I won't run out of mana," I stated firmly, determined to prove him wrong.
Blaze sighed, his feline eyes filled with pity, "How?"
Fush*
"See this," I said, creating a small vortex above my outstretched hand.
"And what about it?" Blaze asked, still uninterested.
"Haa... listen, this right here is not my mana. It doesn't come from my own core," I explained, handling the vortex and extending my other hand towards a dried palm tree on the beach.
"That's... not possible. You can't control raw mana until you pass it through your core," Blaze expressed his doubts.
"I don't know why I can do this, but I can, and that's the important thing," I said, absorbing the vortex into my palm and channeling the raw mana veins to my other hand's wrist.
*ZSZSZS*
The vortex transferred seamlessly from one palm to another, bypassing the mana core.
"And now I can be a conductor with no limit to raw mana transfer from atmospheric mana into anything else. I won't have to worry about filling my core to conduct mana into something," I explained, aware of the limitations but also recognizing the versatility of this raw mana.
"You know, Princess, you are weird," Blaze chuckled as he transformed into his Winged Pardus form.
I climbed onto his back, realizing that he was large enough to carry two people easily.
"Just make sure I don't feel your... uh, private parts rubbing against my back, or else I'll throw you off," I warned him, taking a step back as Blaze spread his wings.
"!" With a powerful flap of his wings, we ascended into the air.
[After a few minutes]
"Why can't we go home without all this drama?" I questioned my existence, pondering why unexpected challenges always seemed to arise and complicate my understanding of this world.
