The next day I mustered my courage and went to knock at Violet’s office at the Academy, the clerk had confirmed she was in.

「Violet: Come in.」

Her voice invited me in so I walked inside. She was sitting at her desk, reading a book.

DON’T STARE AT THE CHEST. I reminded myself how to not get killed.

「Allen: Greetings ma’am Violet.」

I said, bowing to the sexy archmage.

She pierced me with her cold blue eyes.

「Violet: Allen, what brings you here? How are your sessions with Grohm proceeding?」

She inquired, putting down the book.

「Allen: Very well, despite my low level in the Arts. I’ve introduced him to the basic concepts of my knowledge.」

I gave a short report on our exchanges.

「Violet: I see. Is that all?」

She asked me and I hesitated a little.

I wanted to propose an idea I had, but I didn’t know if wasting her time was the correct option.

「Allen: No… uh… I actually came for another matter.」

I said, fidgeting a little.

「Violet: Hmmm?」

Violet looked like she wanted to incinerate me on the spot so she could resume reading her book.

「Allen: I ah… heard that many farms have been attacked and their harvests destroye–」

She cut me short.

「Violet: I’m not allowed to disclose details about that matter, I’m sure you can understand.」

She gave me a colder than usual glare.

「Allen: No, I have a proposition about it but I don’t know who else to contact…」

She stared in silence. I felt the cold sweat rising on my skin.

「Allen: Hmmm… are you aware of the concept of vertical farming?」

I watched various videos on the internet about it. And about many other things.

A man has to do something during those dead times, the news websites could only write so many articles a day. That I cared about, at least.

「Violet: No.」

She slightly shook her head.

「Allen: Well, basically…」

I began explaining. At first I was gesturing with my hands along the explanations, but I stopped myself and switched to illusions.

Yes, I can do geometric stuff well enough!

「Allen: … crops like lettuces could be grown indoors, on vertical pillars or layered shelves, using water mixed with nutrients instead of soil, magic light instead of the sun and heat to maintain the ideal environment…」

I relayed all that I remembered from those videos and tutorials.

「Allen: It’s certainly more expensive, but it can be done during winter. I’m only suggesting it in case of emergency…」

I said, concluding the explanation. Violet sighed.

「Violet: Growing crops indoor… are you certain it’s feasible?」

She was tapping her fingers on the desk. My gut feelings was telling me she was running out of patience.

「Violet: Many magicians have tried to grow plants without sunlight, it has never worked. Not even with magic lights. You’re not wasting my time, are you?」

She narrowed her eyes as she said that.

「Allen: I-It’s all about finding the right light, intensity, and duration of exposure for the plant. I’m not sure about the exact details, but I know it’s possible.」

Violet dropped her gaze while thinking and I felt the pressure relent. I snuck a peek to her chest for a microsecond.

I’m living on the edge.

「Violet: I see. Let Grohm know about it, I’ll contact some acquaintances to see if there’s any interest.」

She put her hand on her book.

「Violet: If that’s all, you’re dismissed.」

There was a sound of finality to her voice. I didn’t dare push my luck.

「Allen: Yes, ma’am.」

I bowed and walked away, leaving Violet to her book.

First step in saving myself from starvation, check.

The next step was Grohm’s office. When I mentioned him the idea he first complained about what a boring and wasteful effort it would be, but then came around as we started discussing the magical side of the implementation and the details, how to make the magic lights efficient and stuff like that.

After that, I resumed my magic practices.

My control of mana has been steadily increasing, but the total mana I could build up in my body was still disappointing.

I’ve been diligent, doing the meditation exercises I’ve been taught, but the only thing I’m increasing is mana absorption and efficiency.

I wonder what’s the trick to raise the bar, to level up my mana reserves…

I should have asked Violet earlier, surely an archmage knew all the tricks. But, I had annoyed her enough for the day.

I fully understood how aggravating it was to interrupted by random people while doing something, only to be showered with questions or talks about stuff you don’t care about, and you’re there, nervously shaking your leg hoping they will go away soon.

Maybe I can try at the library.

I went there and asked the librarians for books about increasing mana.

It turned out to be a waste of time, all I got were books talking about what I already knew.

Next step, Gregoris.

I greeted the scholar who smiled and invited me inside.

「Gregoris: Allen, it’s been a while. What can I help you with?」

He gazed at me with an appraising stare.

I hadn’t visited him much lately, he keeps pressing for me to teach him more of my language but I’d rather stop that.

What if someone ends up figuring out what my curses mean?

I want to swear freely without restrictions, risks or moral judgments. It should be a basic right for programmers.

「Allen: Hi Gregoris. Sorry, I’ve been quite busy. This time I’d like to inquire about your scholarly knowledge of magic. You’re the most knowledgeable person I know.」

I said, attempting to sweet-talk him. His eyes lit up.

「Gregoris: Magic? What do you want to know? As long as it is theoretical stuff, I’m confident in my knowledge.」

He said confidently, letting out a proud smile.

「Allen: I’m looking into ways of increasing my mana reserves. So far I’ve found only about ways to increase efficiency and absorption.」

I laid down my problem. Gregoris averted his gaze, deep in thought.

「Gregoris: Increasing mana… well, the simplest way is to bring charged mana crystals as an extra reserve, otherwise you could increase your mana density. The latter increases naturally to a slight degree as you practice breathing in mana…」

Gregoris went into lecture mode, stroking his beard as he talked.

「Gregoris: … beginners mistakenly think that overbreathing mana would give better results.」

He shook his head. Yeah, I tried that. No use, the mana just leaks back outside.

「Gregoris: Alas, it’s not so. The reason is that they lack the advanced knowledge necessary to keep their aura in check. Without such skills, the extra mana is simply dispersed through the natural barrier…」

The natural barrier is what prevents magic from interfering directly inside the body, there are exceptions to beneficial magic.

I suspect the spirit body evolved this way through natural selection. From what I read, mana is poisonous unless it’s your own, also the lack of barrier would allow any magician to just cook your brain on the spot. A scary thought.

I’m glad the Creator did not forget about that when he sent me here.

「Gregoris: Instead with aura control, in addition to being able to hide your aura, you also seal the mana inside. Only once you’ve sealed the dispersion, can you overbreath successfully.」

Gregoris nodded as he finished the explanation.

「Allen: So, I just need to learn aura control and I can get to it, right?」

I asked, scratching my chin.

How hard can it be? I wondered.

「Gregoris: Not so fast…」

Gregoris warned, raising his right hand in warning.

「Gregoris: There are dangers involved in overbreathing mana, if done incorrectly you might damage your own natural barrier. There’s a reason these skills are only taught to high-level practitioners. Worst case scenario you might even become mana dead. Do not take this lightly, Allen… and before you ask, no I don’t have books about aura control.」

Me, taking things lightly? I’m a serious person.

I shrugged in reply.

「Allen: Too bad. Mana dead, what does that mean exactly?」

I asked the scholar.

「Gregoris: Yes, that’s what happens when the spiritual body is damaged beyond repair. You lose the natural barrier along the ability to control mana. You also become weaker and more prone to catch diseases…」

He said in a grave tone.

「Allen: Ah…」

Gregoris turned on the side looking outside the window.

「Gregoris: Forcing someone into a mana dead state is one of the harshest punishments against mages. It’s usually done to those who abuse their power. There is no known cure. Once you’re mana dead, there’s no turning back.」

「Allen: I see.」

I said nodding my head.

So if the spirit body dies, adios magic. I thought the spirit body was a byproduct of living physical bodies. But this makes it sound instead like a separate thing. A symbiotic mana-based being?

Interesting.

「Allen: You made me think another question… if the natural barrier were to be damaged, would it be possible to store magic constructs directly inside the body?」

Gregory turned his head back to me and took a deep breath.

「Gregoris: Hmmm… yes it has been tried, but enchantments are destroyed once the spirit body regenerates. There have been also experiments on mana dead people, but it was declared taboo. The magic stored inside seemed to act like poison to the body. I can’t tell you anything more about that. Research on that topic has been forbidden.」

He said apologetically. Something in the other room caught his attention.

「Gregoris: Ah, sorry I was brewing an infusion of dried skalari flowers, would you like some?」

He asked me. I had no idea what that was.

「Allen: Sure, thank you.」

「Gregoris: Please, take a seat while I bring a couple of cups.」

I nodded and did so. Soon he came back with a tray with two cups and a pitcher.

I accepted the cup of infusion and sipped it. It was bitter, with a fruity aroma. It could’ve been better with a spoon of sugar, but alas, processed sugar wasn’t a thing in this world. Yet.

Another question arose in my mind.

「Allen: What about curses? Aren’t they similar to storing mana spells directly into the body? What’s the difference?」

「Gregoris: Curses… they’re different. A curse is like a living thing, a parasite that attaches itself to the spiritual body of the target. I only have a cursory knowledge of them. What I can tell you is that they can happen both naturally and artificially…」

He took another sip and continued.

「Gregoris: It’s also common for strong magicians to launch a curse on their killers, on the verge of death… something about intent. For more information you should ask an experienced healer, they are trained to recognize and dispel them. It’s unlikely you’ll find anyone openly admitting to knowing curse casting. It’s kind of a frowned-upon topic and for good reasons.」

「Allen: Why?」

I wondered aloud. Gregoris sighed and answered.

「Gregoris: To put it bluntly, if it’s known you can cast curses, people will harbor suspicions and blame you for every single curse happening in the city. It’s not taboo… but close.」

He poured some more infusion into his cup.

I can always rely on Gregoris for my info-dumping needs. I smiled.

「Allen: Thank you Gregoris, I can always count on your extensive knowledge.」

「Gregoris: Thank you. I am a scholar, after all, this much is expected.」

He said with a hint of false modesty.

Well, gotta give him a reward before he starts asking about my language.

「Allen: Ah, it would be bad of me to waste your time without nothing in return… so I brought you a bunch of ravioli and a sauce to cook them with.」

I untied the pouch from my belt and handed it over to him.

「Gregoris: Ah, so this is one of your secret recipes? I’m honored. I hope to see these foods available at a restaurant soon.」

He smiled, gladly accepting the pouch.

「Allen: Heh, sooner or later.」

I stood up.

「Allen: I have to go now. Bye and thanks for everything.」

I said, saluting Gregoris before going back home.

I was hoping to avoid relying on enchanted items and just enchant my own body into an indestructible death-machine, but it looks there no viable options at this time.

I wonder if I could do something with curses… parasites on the spiritual body, huh? So even the spirit is vulnerable to spiritual diseases.

Are blessings just like positive curses, then? I read they’re granted by gods. If they work on the same principles you could call them symbionts.

I can’t wait to do irresponsible magical experiments like a true wizard.