The Mana's Toll

As James and Frederick raced their horses to get to the crystal mines, the clouds began to darken and the people in the City began packing up their things and taking shelter as the rain started to drip until it Rained heavily in the Region.

James and Frederick arrived at the mines with their Clothes wet from the pouring rain entered the mines leaving behind their horses in the Entrance of the mine.

Your Highness, we should go to the academy quickly before you catch a cold here. said Frederick worrying that James would catch a cold. 

No... let us go deeper and reach the Crystals Count. "I'm not as weak as you think that I could catch a cold from that haha". James responded while going down the mines.

Frederick hearing what James said, responded with.. I am not underestimating you, my prince... It's just our clothes are fully wet and... never mind sir let's continue...

An hour later they reached an Area wide enough for a mansion to be built, this area was filled with Mana crystals..... A big piece at that...

Your Highness... Is this thing real?? They are shining so brilliantly!! Your Highness, please tell me... are we gonna be rich!? asked Frederick as he could not believe what in the world he was seeing.

Yes, Count, It's real you are not imagining things haha.... Wow, what a sight to behold... 

Count, can you do me a favor and go to the Military Academy? 

Yes, Prince just tell me what is it and I'll go...

Well, Can you go to the Academy and gather some trainees? then send them here, I'll be waiting, commanded by James while smirking.

As you command! Your Highness, Frederick quickly went out of the mines and headed to the Academy.

James left alone in the Area, went in the Center and quickly activated his Endless cycle breathing technique... With the activation of the technique the atmosphere became heavy condensing all particles forming a void in the stomach of James.

Ding!! Successfully absorbed a mana crystal x1

Successfully absorbed a mana crystal x1,Successfully absorbed a mana crystal x1, Successfully absorbed a mana crystal x1.

This pop up continued to appear in the systems notification minute after minute.

Half an hour later James reached the Intermediate level in the system 

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MP: 200,000/200,000

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Reaching the Intermediate level brought a toll on James body as he absorbed a large amount of pure energy for half an hour, exhausting his mental strength and passing out.

Meanwhile, outside the mines Frederick just came out of the Entrance and readied his horse when suddenly a surge of wave bursts came out of the entrance, Throwing out Frederick and his horse 10 meters away... Frederick realizing that the wave burst came deep inside the Mines sweat, recovered himself and ran hurriedly into the mines while also wishing that nothing should happen to the prince.

Half an hour has passed since the time James passed out and Frederick having reached the Area found that the Mana crystals were gone, wondering what happened but the thought of it was pushed away as he focused more on the safety of the 3rd prince. 

Frederick began searching for James, even shouting out his name hoping that James would respond.

Your Highness!! Where are you!? 

Your Highness!!! Where are you!? Frederick continued shouting while scanning the area until he found the 3rd prince in the Center lying on the dirt.

Frederick quickly approached him and checked for his pulse, but James' pulse was weak his breath slow. 

Prince!! Wake up, please!! Prince!! fear took over Frederick while feeling James' pulse...

Frederick quickly carried James onto his back although he is already old he still forced himself to carry James' body.

The urgency of the situation made Frederick not think of the future consequences his actions would bring to his health, determined to save him he poured all his strength into quickly reaching the exit, and upon reaching the exit he carried James again onto the back of the horse putting him in front before saddling the steed and departing to the Military Academy.

On his way to the Academy, the count continuously prayed to the gods.

O gods and ancestors, please let not anything dangerous happen to the prince.

At the gates of the Military Academy, the Guards saw a silhouette of a person riding a horse, going to the direction of the Academy.

Hmm!? Who could be visiting the academy at this time? asked Roy a guard to the other guard.

I don't know... The Vice-captain did not announce any possible visitors today". responded by the other guard while also keeping an eye out.

As the silhouette of the person on the horse became more increasingly visible the guards also heard a shout.

Open the Gates!!! Open the Gates!!! Shouted Frederick as he approached the Academy's Gate.

Oh oh, open the gates!!! shouted the guard in the watchtower, Roy and the other guard down the gates quickly opened it as they realized that the approaching person was the Count.

Creeeks* the sound of the wooden Gate being opened...

The count passing the gate with his horse quickly jumped down when he reached the Medic area, carrying the prince in both of his hands while walking towards the Tent.

Hey!! Sargeant!! summon your Vice-captain here and bring me the medic!! 

R...Right away Sir! the sargeant ran towards the main camp and notified the Vice-captain of his arrival.