I'm a Immortal Tavernkeeper, But My S-Rank Daughter Doesn't Know That!

"Magicules are basic magical particles that permeate our world," Mari explained as she picked up a thick book from a shelf filled with several others. "Magicules are believed to be the essence of magic, the source of power that magicians and wizards manipulate to perform extraordinary feats."

She opened the book and showed Victor a simple illustration of a magicule, depicted as a small glowing sphere surrounded by a vortex of energy. The structure was similar to the atoms Victor Shieldman had seen a few times at his school on Earth, but the core was intensely bright, like a ball of light.

"Magicules are practically ubiquitous, though their concentration varies from region to region. In areas with a high concentration of magicules, we find a greater presence of monsters and supernatural phenomena. For this reason, the depths of the ocean, where the moon squids live, are rich in magicules, making it a fertile environment for magical life and for the creatures that live there, which are so magnificent, powerful, and large."

Victor frowned, taking in the new information. "So the seabed is a place full of these particles... That explains why the Nightmares of the Seas are so large and abundant in the open sea."

"Exactly," Mari confirmed. "However, it would be too easy for us humans if the most dangerous monsters were only in the sea. Many forests, mysterious mountains, and even deserts are somehow ’cursed’ with the presence of powerful creatures because they are places with a high concentration of magicules. That’s why explorers and hunters find so many challenges in these regions."

She closed the book with a delicate gesture and looked back at Victor.

"Magicules, though essential to the existence of magic, are mostly invisible to the naked eye and extremely difficult to study. However, with the brain of a creature as powerful as a Moon Squid, I will better understand how magicules organize and interact in highly complex monsters, and with the Moon Squid’s unique magical ability, I will test the reactions in its body."

Victor leaned forward, his eyes fixed on Mari. "And how are you going to do that?"

If the magicules were so small that they were invisible to the naked eye, even though they were everywhere, Victor knew that it would be impossible to study them in such a rudimentary world.

"I have a special device that I’ve been developing for the past two years, a sort of magicule condenser. It allows me to isolate these particles and study them with my own magicules."

"I always knew you were brilliant, but if what you say is true, you’re truly extraordinary."

Mari’s eyes widened when she heard Victor say that.

"You have no idea how much this means to me..." She blushed, mumbled, and turned away so she wouldn’t have to look him in the eye.

It was a great honor to be called ’brilliant’ by a hero.

"But tell me, is there anything else you can tell me about these magicules?" asked Victor, wanting to understand even more about this fascinating concept.

The concept of Magicules was very similar to the concept of Den, especially the part about being everywhere, but Victor was sure that the two things weren’t the same for two reasons.

Firstly, the use of Den, although it was a source of supernatural power, was not similar to the use of magic, as magic was more related to an individual condensing, shaping, and releasing something from their own body, whereas the use of Den was a way for an individual to shape and transform their surroundings.

Second, the ability to condense magicules in one’s body was probably also the same categorical explanation of magical energy, indicating that as far as hereditary factors went, talents and gifts given by gods, such as priests, were the only ways to practice normal magic. Most of these things had nothing to do with Den, except perhaps genetics.

The differences between these two concepts of life energy were immense.

"More about magic? Uh... Ah, yes, I don’t think I’ve talked about this yet: magicules can manifest themselves in various ways besides their ethereal presence in the environment," she began in a voice. "One of the most impressive forms is as crystals. In the depths of ancient caves, where the concentration of magicules is incredibly high, these particles solidify and form magicule crystals, which can provide an absurd amount of energy for artifacts."

"Crystals? Wait, are you talking about those blue crystals that are so highly valued in the market? What’s inside that artifact you just showed me?"

Mari nodded. "Exactly. However, gathering Magicule Crystals is a dangerous and challenging task. The caves where these crystals form are often inhabited by ferocious monsters and protected by natural barriers that make exploration difficult. Nevertheless, the benefits of obtaining a Magicule Crystal go far beyond its use as a source of pure energy for enchantments and potions!"

She paused and took a breath.

"But there’s an even rarer and more powerful form of magicule: liquid magicule. Let’s say it’s the most correct form of condensation of these particles, and therefore the rarest, found only in regions of extreme magical concentration. Some people believe that the bottom of the sea holds entire rivers of liquid magicule."

Victor’s eyes widened. "Liquid magic? How... how does that work?"

Mari smiled, obviously excited to share her knowledge. She turned and walked over to a shelf in a corner of the lab and pulled out a small glass vial. Inside was a viscous, shiny substance that reflected light in all the colors of the spectrum, like a miniature rainbow.

"This, hero Victor, is Liquid Magicule. It took me months to replicate this substance in a controlled environment. It was hard work, but I succeeded. Just a few drops of this liquid can help a wizard replenish his magicule reserves quickly and efficiently."

Victor took the bottle carefully and looked at the substance with fascination. Mari’s explanation made it sound like the liquid magicule was like an MP potion. Victor believed that there was no such thing in this world, at least not yet.

"And what are the risks? They exist, right?"

Mari turned serious. "Well, that’s the tricky part. Although it’s a valuable resource, the liquid magicule must be administered with extreme caution. In small doses, it can revitalize an exhausted mage, but an overdose can be fatal. An excess of magicule in the body can overload the magical channels, leading to devastating side effects, including death from magicule poisoning, which occurs when there are more magicules in a person’s body than they can handle."

Victor frowned. "What if someone like me, who has no magicules in his body, took it? What would happen?"

"Honestly, I don’t have a definitive answer. Some theorists say that the magicules would be ignored because it would be like swallowing light, but I have no way of confirming that."

"I see. So how would studying the magicules in the Moon Squid’s brain cure me of my curse? I still don’t get it."

At that moment, Mari smiled and replied: "Reverse effect."

"What exactly does that mean?"