Free Web NovelChapter 84: Lab of a Genius
Before, Frugeon and Bel thought Victor was just some old man, but after Victor showed them his insignia, they began to respect him a little, even if begrudgingly.
So the mood in the dining room became more relaxed. That is until Mari Dundragon, with her flaming red hair and large glasses, bit into a piece of pie and asked loudly, with her mouth full:
"How can you doubt Victor’s strength?" she asked, her voice sounding muffled by the pieces of pie. "He’s a he..."
Before she could finish her sentence, Luísa Selvarum intervened. With an elegant wave of her hand, a piece of strawberry pie magically flew into Mari’s mouth, silencing her instantly.
Mari Dundragon didn’t mind this, because when she tasted the strawberry tart she immediately forgot what she was about to say. She was a rather innocent girl and didn’t seem particularly interested in the ego-stroking that was going on among the others at the table, she just had a real doubt as to why the others were doubting a hero.
The looks of doubt on the faces of those present were replaced by amused smiles, while Luísa seemed satisfied that the matter had been settled peacefully.
At that moment, seeing the proud smile on Luísa’s face, he remembered how skilled she was with magic, even though she came from a family where swordsmen predominated.
As people finished eating, they left the table. First, Gracela Selvarum excused herself and left, then Bel and finally Frugeon, leaving only Luísa, Victor and Mari.
In this way, the tension of before gave way to a silent expectation.
Mari looked at Luísa and Victor alternately, noticing the serious looks on both their faces. "What’s up? If you want to talk alone, I’ll make a plate and eat downstairs."
Luísa, with her elegant posture and soft voice, nodded. "It’s not that, Mari. Victor and I would like to talk to you about something extremely important."
Mari swallowed the final piece of strawberry tart and replied with a tone of genuine interest:
"Of course. What’s it about?"
Victor, sitting next to Luísa, looked at her and nodded, showing that he was going to start. "Mari, I’ve been facing a problem for some time. Something I believe to be a curse, an enigma that I can’t decipher on my own, and I think you can. Can you help me with it?"
Mari’s eyes widened. She stood up, leaned forward on the table and asked:
"A curse on a hero? Of course I’ll help! Please tell me more details!"
At that moment, Luísa and Victor smiled, pleased that Mari had accepted the challenge without reservations. freēwēbnovel.com
Victor then accompanied Mari to the underground part of the Selvarum Mansion, where her laboratory was, but Luísa didn’t go with them, because she had realized that Victor didn’t want to reveal exactly what this curse was.
So Mari Dundragon took Victor to her underground laboratory in Selvarum Manor. The way there was full of secret passageways and magical traps that only family members knew about, a subtle demonstration of the family’s ability to protect its deepest secrets, but they were programmed not to activate with Mari or those accompanying her.
When they reached the underground, they discovered that the laboratory was a large room with so many eye-catching things that it was difficult to focus on just one place.
Victor was impressed by the amount of artifacts, potions and old books that decorated the place, or rather, cluttered it.
Mari’s laboratory was, as you might say, a reflection of her brilliant and inventive mind. There were sheets with magic circles all over the room, as well as others drawn on the walls and floor. In addition, glass jars containing magical ingredients lined cluttered shelves, while magical crystals sparkled amid the piles of discarded inventions.
"This is my realm of creation and discovery!" Mari explained, spreading her arms. "Here, I combine magic and science to create unique solutions to magical and non-magical problems!"
Obviously, even Victor was surprised by every detail of the laboratory. He saw a device that looked like a bird cage, but with runes carved into its shiny metal. On another table, a crystal sphere emitted a soft glow, revealing glimpses of other landscapes, such as the Capital of the Athina Kingdom with its great white towers.
"So, Victor," Mari began, addressing him seriously. "You said you’re facing a curse. Can you tell me more about it?"
Victor took a deep breath. "No, I can’t."
Mari was confused for a moment, but soon realized what was happening. "In other words, it’s a curse that doesn’t allow you to talk about it and its effects? That complicates things a bit, but it’s still not impossible to help you." She said, turned and started walking towards a table where there were lots and lots of scrolls.
She picked up a clean piece of parchment and began to draw a magic circle on it.
"What are you doing?" Victor asked.
"This is an archaic curse-tracing technique," said Mari, turning to Victor. "I can try to use it to identify the nature of the curse that afflicts you, but I’ll need your cooperation, Victor."
The runes and magical symbols being drawn by Mari were complex, indicating Mari’s deep understanding of magic, which was why Victor fully trusted that she could help him.
After a few seconds, she finished the magic circle she had quickly drawn.
"This circle will allow me to probe your soul to see what you’re up against," Mari explained in a calm tone. "However, Victor, I must warn you, this journey may reveal uncomfortable truths."
Victor understood the risks perfectly. "If it’s you, there’s no problem for me."
Mari was surprised, but pretended not to be and just smiled out of the corner of her mouth. "Hold this against your chest." She said, handing over the parchment with the magic circle. "Now, close your eyes and let your thoughts flow freely, without restrictions."
Victor followed the instructions, sinking into a state of relaxation. Mari then stretched both hands forward and began to inject magical energy into the magic circle, entwining Victor’s aura with hers, as if she were weaving a net between him and her.
Mari’s mind slowly merged with the magic of the circle, her eyes closed as she channeled her magical expertise. As the magic circle disappeared from the paper, overtook Victor’s shirt and embedded itself in his skin, images began to form in both their minds, fragmented visions that revealed flashes of Victor’s past, until finally the clear visions began.
What would they discover by navigating the memories of this old hero?
