Three hundred people!
At first glance, it seed like a daunting number. However, if she chipped away at it consistently, she could finish within a few days. Thinking of it like a repetitive in-ga quest, 300 checks isn’t that bad.
Feeling generous, Ayra hugged Pebble and gently patted it. “What a good little Pebble. Such a good one.”
With a soft pop, the flattened Pebble instantly returned to its original shape, raising its tiny pebble-sized fist in triumph.
Since the new quest was active, Ayra decided to postpone her nap. There were too many experints she wanted to run regarding her ability. The prospect of fresh research made her a little excited.
“I wonder—can I still see a Stat Window even if the target isn’t in my line of sight? And if not, what defines ‘out of sight’? Would closing my eyes make the ability stop working, even if the target was right in front of ? If this ability isn’t purely reliant on vision, would vocal activation work as well? If so, then this could serve as evidence supporting the Parallel Dual Existence Theory—where magic simultaneously exists as both a physical and non-physical force. A potential thesis! What do you think, my dear Pebble?”
Pebble blankly opened its mouth in a tiny triangle shape before shaking its fist. That probably ant it was cheering her on.
Imdiately, Ayra began her experints, docunting the process and results in a clear, structured format.
1. Purpose of Experint
Investigate the activation conditions, range, and duration of the Blooming Magic "Stat Window" used by Mage Solar Sing Ayra.
2. Related Theoretical Background
Parallel Dual Existence Theory of ManaDelpestofra’s Theory of Mana Wave Chains
3. Experint Procedure
Use Blooming Magic on residents of Solar Estate as test subjects.The experint concludes when mana consumption reaches 90% depletion.
4. Results
(1) Five knights training, observed from the far-right tower on the 4th floor
Notable Finding: One knight, nad Bloom, turned to look directly at the observer while his stats were being checked. Unclear whether he sensed the skill activation or rely noticed the observer’s gaze.
(2) A single resident, observed from the central tower on the 5th floor
Notable Finding: Even at a distance where the figure was barely discernible, the Stat Window still activated successfully.
(3) Hess Lu Jinas, encountered in the main hall corridor
Notable Finding: Received yet another warning not to tamper with any part of the estate’s structure, including floor tiles. Will attempt again after officially inheriting the title of Lord..
.
.
(12) Artificial Spirit, Pebble
Notable Finding: Stat Window does not appear. It remains adorably round. Consider adding floating tendrils for aesthetic improvent.
(13) Observer, Solar Sing Ayra
HP: ???
MP: ???
Physical Attack Power: ???
Magic Attack Power: ???
Favorability: ???♡
Notable Finding: Why can’t I see my own stats? Lack of comparison samples? Requires long-term monitoring following level-ups.
5. Observations & Further Considerations
A telescope may be required to test the ability’s range on farther targets.Further observation is needed to determine whether individuals can detect the use of "Stat Window."A slight variance in mana consumption between individuals suggests further study into potential influencing factors.
6. Conclusions
(1) Formula for Mana Consumption Increase Based on Number of Targets:
Aℵ = ∆(B.N^ -2.345)⁶ⁿ₈₉₄⅓ ĿŁ⦓4₪-⅕ↂ⦔ = ⦕2340ĿŁ ⅚Ŧ⥁⦖
(2) While there is mana consumption related to Stat Window duration, it is negligible.
(3) Mana consumption does not increase with distance.
(4) Even when not actively viewing a Stat Window, a small, intermittent mana drain continues.
.
.
.
(28) Blooming Magic is not "Data Recording"—it is "Mind Reading."
After finishing her observation report, Ayra stored it in her subspace inventory. For a mont, she felt deeply satisfied with her work. However, that satisfaction quickly faded as a shadow passed over her face.
The more she studied this ability, the clearer it beca—this was not sothing anyone else could know about.
I can see it now.
Her Blooming Magic was Mind Reading.
Literally.
At first, she had thought it might be so kind of sensory docuntation ability, where she could visually record and categorize information. Even that alone would have been useful. But after checking multiple people’s Stat Windows, she realized sothing unsettling.
The system revealed full nas and family lineage, even of people she had never t before.
Because...
It was reading their minds.
The most conclusive proof was the Favorability stat.
How else could it asure how much soone liked or disliked her?
This is an incredibly dangerous ability.
Ayra suppressed her excitent, forcing herself to think logically.
Blooming Magic had always been a transcendent class of magic, surpassing normal human capabilities. Records spoke of Blooming Mages who prophesied the future, resurrected the dead, or even turned back ti for a few minutes. The idea that mind reading existed among such abilities wasn’t impossible.
She just couldn’t believe that she was the one who had developed it.
Now, it all made sense.
The hazy, disorienting mory of her Awakening—the unsettling sensation she had felt at the ti.
Even the fact that she had instinctively created an Artificial Spirit to act as a diator for her Blooming Magic.
Reading people's minds would never be a pleasant experience.
Even just overhearing gossip or criticism could wound a person. To be able to see every unfiltered thought soone had about her? That was an unimaginable kind of tornt.
And she knew for certain—her mind was not strong enough to handle that.
In the end, she had unconsciously created Pebble to offload the ability—to filter and buffer the thoughts pouring into her head.
She gazed at the little floating spirit before her.
“I was right, wasn’t I?”
The fact that she could see her own Stat Window ant that Pebble could read her thoughts.
Pebble bobbed up and down—nodding.
So that was its purpose.
A filter. A way to process the endless flood of information into sothing manageable, sothing that wouldn’t drive her mad.
Right now, it only showed basic things like nas—but if it leveled up, who knew what else it could reveal?
How fascinating... Even though it’s my own ability, it’s an incredibly interesting research subject.
More importantly, this would be an invaluable tool in governing her territory.
I’ll never run out of things to study for the rest of my life.
A radiant smile spread across Ayra’s face.
Watching her, Pebble trembled slightly.
❄
“Shinje, may I co in?”
Knocking politely, Ayra called out.
Shinje was her personal guest—having even attended the funeral. As a matter of courtesy, she wanted to check in and ensure he was comfortable.
“Co in.”
The response ca imdiately. When Ayra pushed the door open and stepped inside, Shinje closed the book he had been reading and looked up. She spoke in the warst tone she could manage.
“How are you feeling? Is everything comfortable?”
“It’s just fine. Thanks.”
“You ca all the way here with , so I should be the one thanking you.”
...That aside, I haven’t gathered any samples from other mages yet, have I?
“How’s the food? Is it to your liking? Are you cold at all?”
“The food is great. It’s a little chilly, but it’s manageable. You, though... you look cold.”
Shinje’s gaze swept over Ayra’s thick layers of clothing, and his expression turned slightly sympathetic. In fact, it wasn’t just him—nearly everyone in the castle seed to look at her that way. Clicking his tongue lightly, Shinje’s eyes drifted toward the small Pebble perched on her shoulder.
“...Are you casting magic on right now?”
“Huh? Do you feel sothing?”
“Not really, but your mana is moving.”
Since Shinje didn’t seem to have a surna, his Stat Window remained almost identical to when she first checked it.
So even mages don’t really notice anything?
Ayra stored that valuable piece of information with a pleased smile, only for Shinje to narrow his eyes in suspicion. She quickly averted her gaze, feigning innocence.
“You experinted on before too, rember?”
“Well, yeah, but...”
His words trailed off, likely because he had just recalled a particular incident—the one where Ayra had ended up growing gills and had to live subrged in a bathtub until a nullification spell could be cast.
And of course, Shinje didn’t let it slide.
“Don’t act like you’ve never done the sa. Rember when you gave Arak that ‘health drink’ you got from the estate?”
“Oh yeah, that made his skin turn transparent. We could see his organs. But honestly, it was useful for dical examinations.”
“The problem was that he wasn’t just turning transparent—he was disappearing! Arak almost died that day.”
Ayra pursed her lips, trying to suppress her laughter—but in the end, she couldn’t hold it in. A series of absurd and hilarious magical experint failures flashed through her mind.
Shinje, too, eventually let out a snicker.
“Hah... yeah, that was a real ss. But if it weren’t for that potion, Arak wouldn’t have even known he had organ displacent syndro. That idiot.”
“He was supposedly born that way, but I’m convinced it was one of the side effects from an older experint. And almost died? Please—his blood just turned a little too transparent. It only looked like severe blood loss.”
In the Mage City: Labyrinth, almost everyone was a mage. Naturally, most test subjects were either themselves or another passing mage. There was an unspoken rule that everyone was fair ga for experints, and if you got caught off guard, that was your problem.
Of course, when things got truly out of hand, a senior mage would step in, clean up the ss, and scold the perpetrator. But even as they were being punished, they would already be planning their next experint.
Reminiscing about those chaotic yet fond mories, Ayra asked,
“By the way, when do you plan on heading back?”
“Hm... I think I’ll stay a little longer. It’s been nice to take a break, and this is my first ti in such a cold region. It feels refreshing.”
“Stay as long as you’d like. ...Oh, right.”
Ayra reached into her subspace storage, pulled out a quill and a scrap of paper, and scribbled sothing down—a temporary pass allowing Shinje to freely explore the estate.
“There are so decent books in the castle’s library. Stop by if you get bored.”
“Perfect timing. I needed sothing to read—thanks, friend.”
Friend.
He had co all the way here for the funeral. There was no need to reject the sentint. And considering how much his Favorability had risen, Ayra simply smiled and responded,
“Yeah. Anyti.”
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