The Fate X Dungeon
Ch#11 - Mana Madness

Actually mana is the result of aether balancing that is not used by the body. Each individual has its own capacity to manage the Aether, so which one is produced will be different depending on the person.

But because no one is aware of the existence of Aether, everyone assumes that which is a gift given from birth. Though there are cases out there that make mana dangerous for someone, because of the overflow of mana so that the body can not withstand it. Eventually the body will disintegrate after mana gets out of control, and the body fails to dispose of the mana that continues to overflow.

Cases where people lose control because of Mana are very rare, but that does not mean it never happens. Even in ancient records the case of people whose control was lost became a plague in ancient times. If not wrong, they call it Mana Madness.

“No doubt. Judging by how many times, it was a symptom of mana madness.” muttered as I looked at his mother who did not want to remove Filo from the embrace.

Due to deliberately speaking slowly, no one in the room heard my words, other than Sella of course, because her position was indeed standing right near me. It was also the reason why only he had changed his expression.

“Ap... What do you want.... here?” ask the owner of the brownish black hair. From my ear it sounded like it was stuck in my throat. His face was pale as he looked at me, as if confused by the action to be done.

Even as I walked closer, the look on his face became even more desperate. He subconsciously gave a stronger energy when he hugged Filo's body, making the little girl's expression in pain. Filo himself did not understand the attitude of his mother, but did not dare to ask.

Then, as our gaze aligned as I crouched before him. A question I asked when our gazes met at such a close distance.

“Could that curse make you have trouble talking?”

There's no answer. Even his golden pupils seemed to shrink, and his trembling mouth just moved made no sound at all.

Replacing the mother, Filo, who thought I was threatening her mother, grabbed my shoulder and said.

“Uncle, why do evil to mother? Uncle should have taken mother's curse, right?!”

Wiggling my shoulders with a force that was not what I thought, Philo whined at me. Knowing that the little girl was just misunderstanding, I intended to calm her down by extending my hand to rub her head.

But not to touch Filo's head, my hand was pushed aside by his mother firmly.

It looks like he thinks I want to hurt his daughter.

Although from the beginning she was scared of me, but her instinct as a mother was still able to make her act quickly to prevent me from touching her daughter.

“...Grisha!?”

“Mother?”

Not just me, it seems like Dorran and Filo are just as surprised about it.

Afterwards, knowing that Dorran seemed to want to say something, I raised my hand to ask her not to speak. The old man nodded briefly once he understood my point.

Right now, I understand that the woman that the village chief called Grisha really thinks of me as an enemy. The feeling of fear towards me has been completely replaced by a very strong hostile attitude.

His eyes glared as if he wanted to swallow me that second as well. When I let our eyes meet once more, he started yelling at me in a high voice.

“Although you are the king of demons or the king of darkness, Filo will not I hand it over to you!”

I asked myself inwardly, as Grisha shouted like that.

“I think you misunderstood.” I said flat.

“No, you must be one of those swindlers!” sahut Grisha fast. He seemed to hold fast to his thoughts. I felt desperate to help him.

Watching his mother behave like that made Philo's sweet face become riled up. He who does not know what to do, can only try to calm his mother.

“Tu-Uncle just want to help mom... Why did mom get weird like this?” ask the girl who has the same eye shape with a raucous voice.

“Don't worry, Filo. I will definitely take care of you.” Grisha replied with a gentle smile to her daughter. Even in these circumstances, she still tried to devote the love of a mother to Philo.

Too bad the tenderness shown even had an inverse effect on Filo. The little face of the girl now looked desperate as it ran out of sentences to persuade her mother. So Filo turned his face away before finally asking me once more.

“Uncle... please don't be mad at mom, she just acted weird today.”

Hearing the words directly from him, I more or less understood that Grisha had never been excessive to others before.

Right now, I can only smile a little at him and decide to end this situation my way.

“Filo, don't want terti—”

“Sleep!”

Luckily, my position was quite close to them. I was able to quickly instill magic suggestions to dispel his consciousness.

Grisha instantly went to sleep as I touched his forehead with both fingers, index and middle when he wanted to speak. I greeted with my right hand as her body collapsed losing strength.

It could be seen if Filo seemed anxious to see his mother suddenly fall. As much as possible, I explained to her that this was all my magic.

“'Don't worry, Filo. Your mother will be fine.” as soon as she heard my words, she nodded obediently without asking any more. “So... could you please take me to your mother's room, so I can check it.”.

Then I carried Grisha's body to take her to a more comfortable place. Guided by Filo, I walked into a room that should have been his mother's room. The anxious-looking village chief, followed by Sella, walked behind me.

I slowly lowered Grisha into her bed. With her daughter I stood by the bed. Filo stared at his sleeping mother while pulling my clothes.

“Uncle... how about mom...?” ask the girl worried. So, I pat her head gently to calm the child once more.

Next, I tilted Grisha's body to look at her back. Then, without thinking any longer, I pulled the back of his clothes to tear, revealing his naked back.

Everyone was shocked at first by my unexpected actions. However, finding what Grisha had hidden on her back, they were unable to comment.