Mushoku Tensei:The Successor Arc

In the end, it was just a plant-type monster. A single fire spell should be enough to burn it down. But...

I didn't immediately throw the fireball. Instead, I hesitated, looking at the large flower in the center. It seemed... the threat level wasn't very high?

Lara looked at me and nodded. "It seems, Lug, that you and I are thinking the same thing."

"If this mist can be made into a magic tool or a spell, it would probably have great practical value."

"That's true. I'm also very interested in this flower."

A mist that can interfere with perception, has a misleading effect, and can even disrupt magic. This thing is precious; it would be a huge waste to just burn it.

"I hope there are seeds or smaller ones inside. The one in the middle is too big..." Lara said as she walked to the edge of the garden. Then she aimed her staff at the center.

[Frost Nova]

Like rain, countless water droplets appeared in the surroundings, then quickly scattered forward. Immediately after, any raindrop that touched a flower began to freeze. In a short while, a full third of the flowers were completely frozen. What an impressive display.

"Having a large mana pool really lets you do whatever you want." My tone was a bit envious. If I were to use that spell once, my mana would be instantly depleted.

But I think I probably know how to use this spell. So far, I haven't encountered a spell I don't really know how to use. Even for ones I don't understand, I can almost grasp the principle after seeing it once. I suspect I could probably even use Emperor-Rank magic. But the tragedy is my insufficient mana capacity.

"My mana capacity is actually just about average. Compared to my old man, it's just a drop in the bucket." Lara nodded with satisfaction, a proud look on her face. Now's the time to knock her down a peg.

"The speed of the water droplet generation was a bit slow. Also, for this spell, the finer the droplets, the better. And the timing of the freeze-casting was too rough... The mana consumption could be reduced by at least thirty to forty percent."

This level of magic control, in my eyes, is only barely passable. Leaving aside mana conservation, the casting speed alone was too slow.

"During a real battle, please refrain from picking on me," Lara gave me a helpless look.

A real battle? I didn't really feel it. This kind of plant doesn't fight back at all.

...

After the freezing spell was cast, we reached the center of the sea of flowers unimpeded. The stench I imagined didn't come; instead, there was a faint fragrance. A fragrance? My expression changed slightly.

"Lara, be careful, it might be poison—"

"Mmm, the taste is a bit astringent," Lara suddenly said.

Huh? What did she just say? She seemed to be chewing on something. I froze for a moment, then my eyes widened.

"What are you eating??!!!"

This girl is eating that thing directly???

"A flower. Don't make such a fuss. I've already divined it; there will be no life-threatening danger on this adventure." She looked completely unfazed.

Is it because you know the outcome that you're so reckless? But tasting it directly is a bit too crude. You could give me a hundred guts, and I still wouldn't dare do that. Is it really okay?

Whatever. Lara isn't a completely thoughtless person. I'll trust her for now.

"Since Lara says so—"

"Huh? Lug, when did you learn how to make clones?... Mmm, don't shake me..."

No, I don't know any shadow clone jutsu, nor am I shaking you. Why do I feel like Lara's eyes are getting blurry? Is she really okay?!

"Lara, this flower is very likely poisonous! I'll use detoxification magic right now..."

"Trust me... the divination result said nothing would happen at all—"

Plop.

She collapsed. Leo quickly caught her with its body.

"Woof woof?"

...

I held my forehead, speechless. "This girl, what is she doing...?"

I should use detoxification magic quickly; otherwise, it'll be troublesome if I'm too late. If it's a particularly potent toxin, its spread could damage her organs. You have to know that even God-Rank detoxification magic can only neutralize toxins; it can't bring a dead body back to life.

...

Mmm? Why do I know the effect of God-Rank detoxification magic? I couldn't help but frown slightly. ...Who was I before I lost my memory?

I shook my head. If I can't figure it out, I won't think about it.

...

First, I have to save Lara. I can't use God-Rank detoxification magic because the incantation is too long—I don't think I've ever memorized it. Was my past self this lazy? Can't even memorize a magic incantation. But I do know King-Rank detoxification... never mind, not enough mana.

After a brief thought, I decided to preserve some mana to deal with emergencies.

[Advanced-Rank—Detoxification Magic]

It was chantless. In fact, I can't even remember the chant for this spell right now. Luckily, I know how to cast it without one.

...

I wiped the sweat from my forehead. Advanced-Rank magic is a bit draining for me, costing a full third of my mana.

"Woof woof!"

"Don't worry, she should wake up soon. This poison isn't that strong." In fact, its hallucinogenic effect is just a bit on the stronger side.

After calming the big dog, I continued to look at the giant flower. Then I slashed out several times. A flash of blades, and a stamen landed in my hand. It seemed to still be faintly releasing some pollen and magical mist.

"This thing has research value." Magic nullification, sense of disorientation—these functions are all particularly good. Of course, I'm not going to taste it directly with my mouth. Otherwise, I'll end up like Lara.

...

After some time, she began to groggily open her eyes. I waved my hand in front of Lara's face.

"Can you talk? Do you still recognize me?"

I hope this thing doesn't have an amnesia effect. Otherwise, that would be fun. I can't take care of two amnesiacs.

Lara opened her eyes with some difficulty and said weakly, "Mmm... I think I saw my dead father waving at me from the other side of the river..."

"Please don't say such scary things."

She didn't actually take a trip to the gates of hell, did she?

...

After confirming that Lara hadn't lost her memory, I looked back at the giant flower again. After thinking for a while, I didn't do anything to destroy it. This forest has the effect of blocking monsters for the city and has become a part of this region's ecosystem. It's best not to get rid of its function. And this mist, even if you burn the flower, it's not certain it will dissipate immediately.

But speaking of which, how are we supposed to get out? We keep getting turned around by the mist...

"Um... Lug... Big Bro."

Lara's voice came from behind me. It was the first time she had called me 'Bro'. This was the prelude to her asking for a favor.

...

I turned my head strangely. She was still in the posture of leaning against Leo.

"What's wrong?"

"I... I don't have any strength in my body."