Love and its Cost

Chapter 9

Chapter 9: It Can Be

”YOU NO LONGER can practice magic... because of me.” Ryuen couldn’t stop her sobbing as she sat beside Paul’s bed. Right now, Paul was being treat and was resting at the Sky Crane Academy’s clinic. “Why did you not even forfeit?!”

Paul bitterly smiled as he honestly replied, “Darling, did you forget? You warned me to not do so. Being the obedient husband that I am, it was my pleasure to cater your request.”

Ryuen was given another reason to cry harder. It appeared to her that this incident took place because she threatened Paul to not give up the match. If only she didn’t make such an unfair request, the leakage on Paul’s mana core would have been prevented. The young lady of Grandeur Family was full of regrets on her actions.

“Darling, it’s okay. I don’t blame you.” Paul proceeded to grab Ryuen’s hands and gave it a kiss. His condition didn’t stop him from comforting the disheartened lover. “You can still marry me even though I can’t practice magic.”

“You still think of marriage after getting into this state?” The young lady wiped her tears and lifted her fist indicating her want to punch Paul.

“You’re still this violent even though I’m in my death bed, darling. It makes my heart whimper. Shouldn’t you give me a kiss instead?”

“Joking even at this state? What is wrong with you, Paul!” Ryuen told Paul.

“Mind shutting your mouths? The two of you are not the only people here,” interrupted Ryle who couldn’t contain it anymore. He was trying his hardest to get a good rest and the voices of the two rendered him from doing so.

Thereafter Ryle prevented the further leakage on Paul’s mana core using the myriad life particles, he consumed all of his mana reserves. In return, Ryle passed out due to mana exhaustion that was why Ryle was also brought into the academy’s clinic along with Paul. Ryuen, on the other hand, wasn’t injured; the reason why she was in the clinic was the fact that she skipped classes just so she could accompany Paul.

“While it is partly your fault, Ryuen, I guess you should not own all of the responsibility. The person or perhaps it was a group of people who made Paul deplete his mana reserves — they have also their fair share of the fault. Earlier, while I was stopping Paul’s mana core from more leakage, I found out that it began a day ago," added Ryle. "Yes, you did great on making it worse, but do note that it didn't begin on you."

Droplets of sweat was seen emerging on Paul’s forehead. He was trying his best so that Ryuen would not open the conversation about his mana being depleted, but then Jadren just brought it up. To be more precise, not just brought it up, but point out that the date that the leakage begin.

“Are you sure about this?” asked Ryuen.

“Well, I'm not so sure after I literally bandaged your lovey-dovey’s mana core. Please do question more my credibility.”

“I TOLD YOU hundred times already, darling. This is due to a training; there’s nothing for you to worry about.” Paul had been trying his hardest to make the angered Ryuen believe his words.

Ever since Ryle opened the topic, Paul and Ryuen had been having this conversation for how many hours now. Despite Paul claiming that training was the reason, Ryuen refused to believe it; the young lady knew that Paul was lying on her.

“Don’t give me that, Paul. It's obvious when you lie. There is also no way that you would exhaust your mana, let alone leak a mana core over a training. The only reason is you got into a fight yesterday!” exclaimed Ryuen.

“Please, let us not pursue this farther, darling,” pleaded Paul.

“Drop the name of who did it.” A serious expression was visible on Ryuen’s face. She was really mad right now. “I will make them understand how does it feel to no longer practice magic.”

“Tune it down. I can’t rest,” Ryle said in a breathy tone. He referring to the strong killing intent that Ryuen was emitting; it was the reason why he was awoken. “You’re making it appear as if a leaking mana core cannot be fixed!”

“And you’re making it sound as if it can be fixed!” Ryuen replied.

“Because it can be! Who doesn’t know that?” replied Ryle.