Alec wasn't sure what to say. That's why he remained quiet. His expression was dark because the others looked like they were at a funeral.
They looked like they were at a funeral because they understood what Moira's words meant.
It wasn't that Alec didn't understand. More people willing to risk monsterification for mana meant more people turning into monsters. He got that part.
The part he didn't get was why they took it so seriously.
Sure, it wasn't great if people turned into mindless monsters. But they brought it upon themselves, didn't they?
However, he could only have such carefree thoughts because he had never seen a human monster before, especially not one who had been a mage or warrior before transforming.
"Everything we've talked about today stays between us, okay?" Reina said with a voice that didn't allow them to do anything but nod.
So, that's what they did.
"Of course."
"That was the plan," Alec added with a nod. It wouldn't do him any good if anybody found out he had eaten a monster, in the first place. This just meant their secrecy was even more important.
Reina and Basra looked at Alec. They could tell that he didn't quite get the magnitude of the situation. But it was understandable. He was a kid who hadn't even seen a fraction of the world yet. He had a lot of growing up to do. He was also probably lucky enough not to have encountered a human monster so far.
He would understand in due time. There was no use explaining. Besides, he understood well enough that he shouldn't blabber to anyone.
With the weight of the matter hanging above them, the four sank into silence, contemplating what their future was going to look like. However, there was one tiny problem.
"So, uh, what do we actually do about this?" Basra asked, breaking the silence.
"And what do we do now?" She followed up quickly.
Her questions stumped Alec and Reina.
They knew what the problem was. It was the fact that Alec had eaten monster meat. To fix that, they had to both figure out how monsterification worked and a way to stop it. But that was easier said than done.
Currently, their only way forward was using Scan while Alec ate to solve his hunger problem.
But Alec was still a bit away from being able to use the spell. Even if he could, what would they do if it didn't reveal anything? And if it did reveal anything, what was their next step?
"Right now, this moment, I don't think there's a lot we can do," Alec eventually answered with a slight frown souring his face.
"At least not regarding the monsterifiication. But I also wanted to ask you guys about a way to improve willpower or like mental fortitude?" Alec asked hesitantly. He wanted to increase his Resistance stat, but he wasn't sure how to explain it to the others without going through the whole System and transmigration-related explanation.
Reina, Basra, and Moira glanced at each other.
"There is plenty of stuff that does similar things, but there's only one that comes to mind," Basra started saying.
"The Poem of Neverlasting Wisdom," Reina finished for her.
"What's that?"
"It's a relic of the Bjerion civilization," Moira answered in a low voice.
Alec's eyes widened. He had read about that. He hadn't found many details. But it was an ancient civilization that far predated the Vongrad Kingdom he was currently visiting. It was a powerful civilization, and it was thanks to the bits and pieces that Vongrad picked up from its remains over the years that Vongrad was in its current glory days.
"Umm…" But if it was a relic of the Bjerions, how was he supposed to use it?
"No need to look so hopeless. The Poem is written on a stele in one of the training grounds we use for first-years. As soon as we have enough first-years with their circles, we'll start sending groups there," Reina explained.
"I see." Alec nodded.
"Why do you need something like that anyway?" Basra suddenly asked.
Alec put a hand over his stomach.
"This hunger is about to drive me insane, so I figured if I had a stronger mind, that wouldn't happen."
"That's…smart of you," Basra said with a hint or two of amazement.
"There's no need to say that like you're surprised I managed to think of something like that."
"Let's eat!" She changed the subject.
Alec sighed and went along with it since he was starting to get hungry again.
While they ate, they plotted and planned. They didn't have all the answers, but they knew in which direction to walk, even if they had to wait for Alec's first circle or for Reina to learn Scan before they could take their first step.
Once they had done that, Reina took her leave, and Alec and Basra trained.
Basra once again put Alec through the wringer. She was concerned that it took more than usual, though. Just a couple of days had gone past, and Alec had already improved by leaps and bounds.
It wasn't just mana that grew by eating monsters. It seemed to have a positive effect on the body as well. Or maybe Alec was in the initial stages of monsterification already, and his improved physical condition was a result of getting a part of the ridiculous strength that monsters had.
Basra sighed deeply when she looked at Alec's slouching back as he hobbled back to the dorms.
She returned to the greenhouse.
"Do you think he's going to survive?" Moira asked when she entered.
"I want him to. He's interesting."
"Indeed. Despite being an orphan with a predictably rough childhood, he still came and asked us for help with his whole heart." Moira mirrored Basra's frown.
"It's a wonder he's survived this long when he's that naïve. I mean, we're just teachers. What kind of teachers has he had before this to think that we have any obligation to help him with something like this?"
"You have been helping him train."
"That's totally different." Basra slumped against Moira's shoulder as she sat down on Basra's lap facing her.
"But you're still going to do it."
"I am."
"I knew it. You're weak to puppydog eyes."
"I am."
"Do you want my help?"
"I…He probably needs it, but I am not sure he wants it."
"I'll ask again, Basra. Do you want my help?"
Basra was silent for a long while before nodding.
She hugged Moira, burying her head in her neck. She did not want to see Moira's expression.