RMA 06

RMA

Posted by Fay, Released on September 1, 2025

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Chapter 6

#1

The annex, commonly called the “trash storage.”

That’s where the carriage carrying Nicolai and Lawrence arrived.

On the way, they attracted plenty of attention.
Everyone nearby must have known exactly who was inside that carriage.

Nicolai, worried about that fact, spoke to Lawrence as he was getting down. This place could easily turn dangerous if one wasn’t careful.

“Master, why aren’t you going into the main house? This place can be dangerous.”

“What’s the difference between there and here? If anything, I feel more comfortable here.”

“Hmm… If you say so…”

Lawrence smiled faintly.

It wasn’t just Nicolai’s imagination that the boy’s smile looked rather weary.

“If you’re really worried, come have coffee with me. Often.”

“I’ll do that.”

“Then…”

Without looking back, Lawrence stepped into the annex.

Watching his back, Nicolai’s heart grew heavy.

How much suffering must this young master have endured to carry himself so firmly, so calmly?
Perhaps only through hardship could he have become so composed.

I sincerely hope your future will be filled with nothing but good things.

After a respectful bow, Nicolai climbed back into the carriage.

He still couldn’t shake the image of the madness—no, the murderous aura—Lawrence had revealed during the magical evaluation.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes, sir.”

Now that he had shown his ability, he would have to endure all kinds of pressure from here on.
Nicolai could not even imagine how difficult that road would be.

Hearing the sound of the carriage’s arrival, Rachel ran out in a panic.

Seeing her young master return unscathed, her eyes brimmed with tears.

“Young master, you’re not hurt anywhere, are you?”

“I came back victorious.”

“R-Really!? H-how…?”

Lawrence raised his tiny fist before her bulging eyes.

Small though it was, that fist must have hurt plenty when it landed on children his own age.

At least Arthur Goldivane and the other branch family children would now fear it.

“I beat them with this.”

“No way…”

“Why, don’t believe me?”

“No, no, I believe you! Of course I do! You must be hungry. Come inside—I’ll make you something delicious.”

Believe me, huh?

Lawrence smirked and went inside.

Rachel fussed over him, checking him up and down, then somehow whipped up a meal to suit his taste despite lacking proper ingredients.

Meanwhile, Lawrence excused himself to head into the storage—now his workshop—and thought:

She’ll start moving soon.

He had to be prepared.

Medeia’s methods came to mind.

Regression truly had its uses—he had stored up an entire database on people.

“Poison. I’ll need to prepare for both poison and curses.”

That was exactly why he had left a slot open.

He just hadn’t found a catalyst or extract related to poison yet.

“Should I scout around the market?”

Medeia was not the type to confront directly.

Her specialty was tormenting people endlessly without finishing them off.

A body that refused to grow no matter how hard one tried.
Mana that refused to accumulate no matter how much one trained.

She was skilled at making time itself feel wasted.

Dragging both mind and body into a bottomless pit of despair—this was Medeia’s true expertise.

Was that how my mother died too? I have my suspicions, but no hard proof.

The thought alone made his blood boil.

Lacking strength, he hadn’t even been able to investigate, wasting away the years filled with resentment.

That was why he had to craft an artifact for this.

Once he gained strength, he would investigate properly.

#2

The next day.

“No matter how much I search, nothing…”

Lawrence had rummaged through the entire place.

Still, he found nothing useful. None of the materials here had anything to do with poison.

Just as he thought he’d really have to go to the market and check item by item, Rachel’s voice rang out.

At the same time, the usually quiet annex filled with noise.

“Young master! A carriage from the main house has arrived!”

“A carriage? What for?”

“Looks like food supplies, perhaps?”

“Oh… really?”

They’d claim the head of the house had sent them.

But the supplies would surely be laced with poison and curses.

The situation naturally played out in Lawrence’s head.

Hmm, what to do with this…

Well, since provisions had arrived, he might as well accept them.

He personally opened the annex door.

“The lord has granted you various necessities and foodstuffs as a prize.”

“Rachel, show them in.”

“Yes, this way please…”

The delivery went smoothly, the men dropping off the goods and leaving quietly.

Lawrence had expected some provocation, but they were surprisingly docile.

After confirming the carriage was gone, he and Rachel began checking the supplies.

The food was magically preserved meat, vegetables, fruits, and spices.

Even without artifacts, a simple preservation buff could keep them fresh for months.

Judging from the sheer volume, the two of them could easily eat for several months.

Each box Rachel opened drew a delighted “Wow—!” from her.

“Young master! From lunch today, I’ll make you so many delicious dishes!”

“Hold it right there.”

“Eh?”

Her hand, about to grab some meat, froze midair.

Silly girl—did she not know how dangerous it was to grab whatever strangers gave?

“You don’t know the rule—never accept food from strangers?”

“But… it was from the lord himself…”

“Doesn’t matter. Until I give permission, don’t touch any of this. Got it?”

“Uuuh… okay. I trust you, young master!”

Though her face was full of curiosity, she obediently nodded.

Or maybe… there’s some deeper meaning?

She pondered it but came up with nothing.

Lawrence chuckled at the supplies.

Medeia Montemere.

He knew she was powerful, but he hadn’t expected her to be so quick in execution.

“As expected of the lady of the house.”

But too bad for her—he had eyes that could see through everything.

Lawrence gazed at the traces of mana floating above the meat.

Ominous energy cloaked the supplies.

That could only mean one thing—poisoned.

The Dragon’s Eye.

The Guardian’s eyes could see through all things.

And something was happening that Medeia, full of malice, could never imagine.

[Poison-infused meat – Engraving: Negative Energy]

To think I could extract something even from a piece of meat.

Lawrence’s lips curled into a wicked grin.

[Negative Energy].

A magic that converts poison and curses—negative mana—into one’s own strength.

The unique mana cultivation of the Venoman Family, the technique that made them a legendary clan of assassins.

By transforming negative energy into mana or physical strength, they returned it to their enemies as dreadful curses and toxins.

This was the source of their rise as a peerless family.

Even in this world, where artifact techniques had fallen into ruin, the Venoman stood as one of the few families capable of similar feats.

Of course, the effect would weaken with age, so it was best used while young.

And right now, Lawrence was at the perfect age.

Maybe that meat came from their stock? Whatever the case, jackpot.

Indeed, this was a priceless opportunity.

Negative energy was deadly to mages, knights, and ordinary people alike.

But if he could convert it into positive strength, he’d never again need to fear poison or curses.

With such a rare extract secured, all he needed now was a proper catalyst.

Luckily, there were also “necessities” among the supplies.

“I should find a catalyst among these.”

Lawrence smirked.

They thought they had thrown garbage into the trash heap.

Never would they imagine that what they considered garbage would become treasures beyond compare to him.

“You’d better brace yourselves.”

They wished for him to remain weak.

They wished for their own children to grow strong.

But too bad—what they handed him was nothing less than an elixir.

Lawrence’s steps grew lighter.

Meanwhile, Rachel kept staring wistfully at the pile of foodstuffs.

“I just wanted to cook you something tasty…”

Her regret echoed through the annex.

Lawrence opened the box of necessities.

“Found it.”

It didn’t take long to locate the catalyst.

In fact, Medeia’s schemes only helped him.

Once again, she acted exactly as expected.

Dark mana clung to the household goods like tar.

What kind of curse was this time?

[Catalyst: Cursed Plate]
[Poison and curse effects increased by 20%.]
[Matches well with the chosen Engraving.]

“Wow, she really layered on the curses. Was this pre-prepared?”

How could she have cursed so many items in less than a day?

Then again, with Medeia’s network, it wasn’t impossible.

Crackle—

As Lawrence picked up the plate, black mana seeped into his body.

Immediately, words appeared before his eyes, describing his state.

[Dangerous mana detected]
[You are beginning to be cursed.]
[Curse: Weakness]
[Suppresses overall physical growth.]

What curse could be deadlier to a growing child?

But it didn’t matter.

All this poison and curse would soon become nourishment.

He headed straight for his workshop.

“Rachel! Do not touch the food or supplies under any circumstances, got it?!”

“Eek! Y-yes sir!”

He made sure to warn her thoroughly.

Even with Negative Energy, one could never be too careful.

Better safe than sorry.

“Well then… let’s begin.”

[Extracting Magic Circle]
[Engraving: Negative Energy]
[Engraving Grade: 2nd Circle]
[This is a degraded version. The full power cannot be drawn, but the mechanism works identically.]

Still, this is already amazing. I can make a stronger one once I’ve grown.

The magic circle appeared.

Lawrence picked up his pen confidently and began inscribing it onto the plate.

Scratch, scratch—lines of the magic circle took shape.

“Ah, this is fun.”

He truly was born to create.