Reincarnation Of A Swordsman: The Omni Mage

The group focused their attention on the massive pile of beast carcasses scattered across the battlefield, particularly the Tier 1's.

"Well, we can't just leave all of this here. We need to begin harvesting their mana cores," Lina suggested.

"Yeah," Finn nodded in agreement, bringing out a set of tools from his space pouch. "The mana core is usually located near the chest, just behind the sternum. It's the source of their power, like a heart but far more valuable. Let's get to work."

The group began retrieving their own cutting tools, preparing to extract the mana cores. Kyle unsheathed his katana, using its razor-sharp edge to make precise incisions in the beasts' thick hides.

But as they began dissecting the beasts, something unexpected happened.

"Wait," Celine said with a voice filled with confusion. She had been working on a large wolf-like beast, but upon reaching its chest cavity, "There's… nothing here."

"What do you mean, nothing?" Zina asked, pausing her work. She walked over to see for herself and Celine held up her hands, showing her empty palms, and pointed to the hollow space where the mana core should have been.

Kyle checked the wolf he had just opened. Again, no core. He moved to another beast and repeated the process. Still nothing. The same results were echoed by the others as they checked more carcasses.

"This doesn't make any sense," Celine said, "Every mana beast has a core. It's how they channel their energy and grow stronger. How can all of these be missing?"

"This isn't normal," Finn muttered, looking genuinely unsettled. He turned to Kyle. "This is serious, Kyle. Mana beasts without cores? Do you know what this means? It could cause massive problems for our society. No cores mean no resources for mages, no power for enchanted artifacts, no—"

"Yeah, I get it," Kyle interrupted. He gulped, trying to suppress the guilt bubbling inside him. 'What have I done?'

Void, who had been seemingly quiet the whole while found the perfect opportunity to attack Kyle. [Congratulations, genius. You've single-handedly rewritten nature's rules. Bravo.]

'Shut it, Void, Kyle snapped mentally. 'That isn't helping.'

[Oh, but I am helping] Void retorted smugly. [At least someone has to point out your brilliance.]

Before Kyle could mentally retort, Lina's voice pulled him back to reality.

"So, what do we do with all these… junkyard of beasts?" she asked, gesturing to the hundreds of carcasses littering the field.

Kyle snapped out of his internal conversation and looked around. The battlefield did resemble a kind of "beast junkyard," with bodies piled up as far as his eye could see. He thought for a while before replying:

"We'll take one each for ourselves, and I'll keep one to study. Finn, you can take one back to the academy for research. As for the rest…" He glanced toward the nearby village. "We'll give them to the villagers. They can use the meat and hides."

The group agreed, and Finn stored a single beast in his space pouch. Kyle, not wanting to reveal his infinite inventory, opted to carry only ten, lying to them that he had a very high tier space ring.

The others stored one each in their smaller space rings. It wasn't long before the villagers, hearing of the group's efforts, began emerging from their homes to help.

Men and women alike joined in, bringing carts and tools to transport the beasts. Kyle and his teammates were grateful for the assistance, and they all worked together to move the carcasses to the village square. As they arrived, the square was buzzing with excitement.

The villagers were overjoyed at the bounty before them. Children ran around the piles of beasts and their laughter echoing through the air, while the adults discussed how to best utilize the resources.

The celebrations continued until the village head, Hendrick, emerged from the crowd, his face bearing a very proud smile. "You have saved us, brave warriors," he declared. "To show our gratitude, we will hold a grand feast tonight in your honor!"

Everyone began cheering and clapping at Hendrick's declaration. The group exchanged smiles and their exhaustion was momentarily forgotten.

The villagers wasted no time and began setting up for the celebration. They began skinning and butchering the beasts, with Kyle and his team joining in to assist.

Kyle meanwhile used the Frozen Claw to expertly slice through the tough hides of the Tier 1 beasts.

The ice enchantment made the process easier, freezing the edges of the cuts and preserving the meat. Lina used her flames to sear away stubborn fur, while Finn's earth magic created sturdy tables for the villagers to work on.

Celine and Zara also helped out by taking over the cleaning and sterilizing of the meat, their magic making it very easy for them.

[From mighty warrior to part-time butcher. Truly inspiring]

Chapter Experience:

'Quiet, Void,' Kyle thought, focusing on his work.

As the sky turned dark, the preparation shifted to cooking. Kyle and the others found themselves in the village kitchen, a bustling outdoor area filled with large pots and grills.

Lina took charge of the fires, her flames precise and controlled, while Celine used her water magic to clean ingredients.

"Pass me those spices," Lina called, stirring a bubbling pot of stew. "And don't skimp on the salt, Kyle!"

Zina rolled his eyes but complied, handing her a pouch of seasonings. "You're bossy, you know that?"

"And you're slow. Keep up!" Lina shot back with a grin.

The atmosphere was lively, filled with laughter and camaraderie anx the villagers worked alongside the team, sharing recipes and stories as they prepared the feast.

Kyle found himself enjoying the sense of community and a rare moment of normalcy amidst the chaos of their mission.

Finally, as the stars began to dot the sky, the feast was ready. Tables were set up in the square, laden with roasted meat, hearty stews, and fresh bread.

Hendrick stood at the head of the main table, raising a mug of ale. "To our heroes!" he declared. "May their bravery and strength inspire us all and may we achieve more victories and drive the tide away!"

The crowd erupted in cheers, and the feast began. Plates were piled high, and the air filled with the sounds of clinking mugs and happy chatter. Kyle sat with his teammates, savoring the food and the rare sense of peace.

"You know," Lina said, tearing into a piece of roasted meat, "This might just be the best meal I've ever had."

Celine nodded, her eyes twinkling. "It's not just the food. It's everything—the people, the atmosphere. It feels… special."

Kyle glanced around and observed the atmosphere. He was truly happy. This was why he had chosen this mission—to get along with people and he was loving every moment of it. This felt like something worth remembering.

As the night wore on, the villagers brought out instruments, and the square transformed into a lively dance floor. Children twirled in circles, their laughter infectious, while adults clapped along to the music.

Even Kyle found himself pulled into the festivities. For a brief moment, the weight of their journey lifted, replaced by joy and celebration. Kyle allowed himself to relax, knowing that tomorrow would bring new challenges. But tonight, they had earned their victory.

As the stars shone brightly above, Kyle looked up and whispered to himself, "Maybe… this is what we're fighting for."

As the night wore on, the festive atmosphere gradually began to wind down. The music slowed, and the villagers, weary but content, started heading home. The square, once bustling with laughter and dancing was now filled with quiet voices as people bid their farewells.

"That was exhausting, but I can't complain. The food was worth it," Lina said with a yawn.

Celine chuckled softly. "And the people too. It's rare to see this much joy in a time like this."

"We should get some rest. Tomorrow's going to be another long day," Finn suggested and with everyone in agreement, the group made their way to the cottage assigned to them.

It didn't take long for everyone to settle in upon reaching the cottage. The day's activities had drained their energy, and soon, the cottage was filled with the soft sounds of their breathing. Kyle lay on his back, staring at the ceiling as he mentally commanded his system.

'Wake me in two hours, just in case.'