[TKOSINM] 256 – Inherent Power

“You can certainly do it. But this time, we are going to do things differently. Instead of using the ring’s power, I am thinking of infusing the Duchess’ power into the ring, which means borrowing some help from your inherent strength.”

“Pardon? I do not understand.”

Irene spoke with trembling eyes whilst the old wizard pulled Noel apart from Irene, leaving only a few words of encouragement, assuring that she could do it. He then drew his sword at Noel, declaring.

“You must do it to protect your husband. If Madame cannot do it, the Grand Duke will be seriously injured.”

As the tip of Mulliman’s sword pointed towards Noel, Noel looked at Mulliman, confused. Meanwhile, Irene’s whole body stiffened on the spot.

“Then I will do it.”

Not giving her a single chance to grasp the situation, Mulliman charged at Noel with his weapon aiming straight at him. The moment Noel looked at Irene, his eyes grew wide.

Mulliman swung his sword at Noel assertively.

I can’t do it half-heartedly.

Besides, he knew Noel’s skills very well. Even if Irene failed to spread the shield, Noel would be able to avoid the sword.

But the Duchess doesn’t know that.

Mulliman ran toward Noel as he side-glanced in Irene’s direction. Her eyes and body were trembling nonstop.

If she really unfolds her shield.

The destructive power of the attack magic before was truly terrifying. It could never be seen as the sheer power of the ring.

Then there was no doubt…

The inherent power within her must have been manifested along with it.

That would never have applied to an ordinary person. Just like a feeble electric current flowed through the human body, magical power was also the same. However, it was so small that it could not be manifested or exerted. Of course, there were some extraordinary cases among the norms, but they all learned how to use magic and took on the sorcery path.

Still, just because they were wizards, it did not mean that they could master their power right away. Only through years of training could they be capable of using magic. Even Mulliman’s pupil, Ryun, who was a sorcerer who entered the Magic Tower at a very young age, had to train for nearly twenty years.

This was the case with Ryun, a training worthwhile of two decades. But inexplicably, Irene, who had not undergone training, could, in fact, conduct spells and perform her ability well. Not only did Irene use attack magic with tremendous destructive force, but she also specified Ryun’s surrounding area to mitigate the damages.

It’s actually an incredible control skill.

Maybe she was born with an even greater ability than himself, who was called the genius of the century.

So, if she were to use her inherent power instead of the rings to spread the shield...

My hypothesis is confirmed.

A hidden power that has not yet been manifested was often referred to as potential. Sometimes this potential would unfold unconsciously. That was when they would be pushed into extreme situations.

-Though it’s somewhat an excessive way.

Mulliman sought to use Irene’s beloved Noel to unleash her potential capability.

And as a result, his method worked.

BANG!

“Urgh!”

“Master!”

Just before Mulliman’s sword reached Noel’s neck, Mulliman’s body was blown away as if something had blocked his front. When he fell to the ground, the startled Ryun rushed to him. Noel, too, looked alternately at Mulliman and Irene with round eyes, confused by the whole situation.

“Huff…”

Irene stood still, breathless. After a while, she slumped to her seat, and Noel hurried to support her.

“Irene? Are you okay?”

At his urgent worrying tone, Irene smiled softly and nodded.

“Yes…Is Noel…and Sir Mulliman all right?”

“I am okay. And as for Sir Mulliman... It’s the natural consequence he deserves for his action.”

“Haha…”

Irene laughed awkwardly at Noel’s harsh words and approached the old sorcerer with Noel’s help.

Mulliman, who was standing leaning against Ryun for support, was fortunately fine. He seemed to have counteracted the clash with a defensive spell before he bounced off.

“...are you okay?”

When Irene asked, at a loss for what to do, Mulliman shook his head lightly.

“I am fine. Regardless, that was amazing. I mean the Duchess’ potential power.”

“Potential?”

At his sudden words, Irene blinked blankly.

“Yes, the reason I suddenly pressured the Duchess was for her to overstep her limit. That way, there might be a chance she subconsciously awakes the true potential that lies deep inside her. Apart from merely using the power converted into the ring, the ring itself can also be used as a medium to release the user’s power.”

“Uh, um…”

Hearing Mulliman’s explanation, Irene cast her eyes around nervously. It was somewhat unrealistic, but the most questionable thing was…