The Elf Journey In The Western Fantasy World-Chapter 61: The Price of Power

So how could the background characters possibly awakened their ancient bloodline traits?

That’s simply impossible.

But could such a strange theory be spoken aloud? Absolutely not.

If he said it, others would just think Illiya had read one too many novels.

So what’s the point in saying it? There’s no need. To simply put, strange phenomena can just be chalked up to miracles.

Miracles mean anything is possible.

Illiya put on a serious face.

Tiana awkwardly dropped the idea and said, slightly regretful, "If it’s a miracle, then I guess there’s nothing to be done."

"But I did catch a familiar scent on my grandnephew—does that mean he’s reverted to the ancestral bloodline?" Tiana finally remembered the most critical point.

Eoryun nodded vigorously. "I don’t know if it’s because of the reversion, but my body can’t hold magic power anymore. I’ve already dropped from an Advanced Mage to an Intermediate Mage. If this keeps up, I’ll fall even lower."

Tiana fell into quiet contemplation after hearing that.

"It’s probably due to your bloodline," she said uncertainly. "Merfolk are capable of cultivating both magic and sword energy. Naturally born merfolk have very strong physiques. I’m guessing your body’s just too fragile."

Eoryun didn’t understand what his physical weakness had to do with his inability to store magic.

Aren’t those two completely unrelated things?

Illiya did understand what Tiana meant. "Being physically weak and being unable to store magic aren’t necessarily related," he said. "Sage Heptarune, for instance—his body wasn’t in great shape at all. He was the kind who’d pant after three steps and cough after five. But that didn’t stop him from blowing up a mountain with a single spell."

"Huh? If that’s the case, then it shouldn’t be a problem, right?" Eoryun looked completely confused.

Remembering the unique nature of the merfolk, Illiya sighed softly. "The problem lies in your bloodline. You’re reverted to the ancestral bloodline. You’ve inherited the blood of the merfolk."

Eoryun still didn’t get it. "What’s wrong with the merfolk?"

Seoryun paused for a moment, then his expression turned rather strange. "...The merfolk are a serious problem."

Eoryun: ????

Was everyone speaking in riddles?

Seoryun gently patted Eoryun on the head with a fond look. "The merfolk have extremely powerful bodies."

"Exceptionally powerful," he emphasized again.

Illiya naturally chimed in, "How should I put it... the physical strength of the merfolk is so immense that an ordinary forbidden spell could only scrape their skin."

Eoryun’s eyes widened in disbelief.

"The merfolk bloodline is extremely domineering—more so than any other bloodline, even more so than the dragons," Illiya explained. "From birth, aside from what they inherit genetically, all their cultivation efforts are prioritized to enhance their bodies. That means whether they train in magic or sword techniques, the final outcome is always the same—strengthening the body."

A bad feeling suddenly crept into Eoryun’s heart.

Illiya’s tone turned sympathetic. "So here’s the thing. You’ve inherited the merfolk bloodline. But you haven’t fully awakened it yet, and your body is still just a human body. In other words, you don’t even have the basic foundation of the merfolk. But the domineering nature of the merfolk bloodline is already forcibly initiating changes in your body. Which means..."

"It’s not that your body can’t store magic—it’s that all your magic is being used to strengthen your body!"

Illiya looked at him with an expression that said, "Aren’t you surprised?" which almost made Eoryun internally cough blood.

Eoryun had considered many possible reasons, but he had never expected something like this. frёeωebɳovel.com

Because reverted to the ancestral bloodline, his bloodline was on the verge of awakening, and because the human body was too fragile, it had caused his magic level to drop instead.

Help. How could life be so cruel?

Illiya tried to console him. "Don’t be so down. You only dropped to the level of an intermediate mage—that’s already pretty impressive. The merfolk bloodline is insanely domineering. To only lose one major rank over two years under that pressure? That actually says a lot about your potential."

"So cheer up!"

But bringing it up only made things worse. Eoryun felt completely devastated.

The magic level he had worked so hard to achieve was just gone. And now he had to somehow transform his body to be like the merfolk?

The more he thought about it, the more hopeless it seemed.

Help. Just thinking about awakening the merfolk bloodline made life feel like it suddenly had a bleak, definite end.

After learning the reason for the condition of his body, Eoryun fell into a deep gloom.

According to what Illiya and the others said, the merfolk’s body could withstand forbidden level spells with just a minor skin injury.

That alone showed just how terrifyingly strong their physique really was.

If that were the case, then comparing a human’s body to a merfolk’s would be like comparing an ant to an elephant—an unbridgeable gap.

So how could he possibly make his body that strong? Maybe if he reached the level of a Saint Mage?

Help. The more he thought about it, the more hopeless life seemed.

Even Illiya couldn’t bear to keep watching.

With a bit of thought, anyone could see that Young Master Eoryun’s situation wasn’t his choice.

The awakening bloodline in his body had forced him down this path.

Without his awareness, all his magical energy had been diverted to strengthening his body.

It really was a lot to bear.

Illiya shook his head with heartfelt sympathy.

Still, finding Tiana now, in a way, was a peculiar stroke of luck.

He cleared his throat twice, trying to get the attention of the now-shadowed Eoryun.

Eoryun reflexively looked up. His beautiful, peach-blossom eyes were filled with grievance, a misty sheen of tears over his black pupils, looking pitiful and heartbreaking.

But Illiya seemed to be naturally numb to such cues.

He couldn’t feel the emotion in the slightest and simply thought Eoryun looked a little miserable. "Don’t be so sad. Don’t you still have your grandaunt?"