Chapter 12: Breakthrough — Part 2

— Madam, could you explain what exactly you mean?

Hearing the word madam, Edora frowned slightly, though she still answered.

— When you were absorbing mana, its density was so high that I noticed the surrounding mana starting to naturally flow toward you. And since Chuck was standing closest to you, part of that mana forcibly entered his body, — she explained.

— But then how did I even break through?! — Chuck interrupted her, fear clearly audible in his voice. — My body shouldn't have been able to survive that! You know what it feels like when we reach our limit! What if I suddenly explode right now?!

— Calm down, — Edora said calmly before continuing.

— I think the density and quality of the mana were simply so overwhelming that it shattered your limit by force. And because you were unconscious, your body had enough time to gradually adapt and reconstruct itself to handle the new amount of energy... Though this is only a theory, — she added at the end.

— A theory, huh... — Chuck muttered while staring at his hands, which now looked like the hands of a young man.

After that, he shifted his gaze toward Nor and slowly began walking toward him.

What? Why is he coming toward me?..

Nor thought nervously as his body instinctively tensed.

But in the very next moment, Chuck stopped in front of him, lowered his head, and bowed deeply.

— Thank you!

— But I didn't do anything... — Nor answered awkwardly.

— It doesn't matter. Thanks to you, I'll be able to spend more time with my family. For that alone, I will remain grateful to you for the rest of my life, — Chuck said sincerely.

Hearing the word family, Nor suddenly remembered the smile on his grandfather's face when he once stole Nor's candy, ate it in one bite, and then happily ran around the house laughing like a child.

— Family... — Nor whispered softly.

A wide smile slowly appeared on his face.

— I'm glad I could help.

— I'm really happy the two of you managed to have such a touching moment, — Orlan suddenly said as he dropped onto the bed Nor had been lying on earlier, — but I think we all need some rest. Today was way too exhausting.

— Take your shoes off, — Edora immediately said.

— This is literally my room... — Orlan muttered without even opening his eyes.

— Well then, I'm going to rest too, — Edora said while leaving the room and rubbing the bridge of her nose.

— Hey, you two! — Orlan suddenly shouted, pulling Nor and Chuck out of their thoughts. — Get out already and let me sleep!

— Understood, — Nor and Chuck answered at the same time before quickly leaving the room.

Once he was alone, Orlan abruptly opened his eyes.

He stared at the ceiling.

But the usual playful look in his eyes was gone.

What remained instead was a terrifying resolve.

The next moment, he vanished from the room.

After stepping outside, Nor and Chuck noticed that evening had already begun to fall.

After a brief silence, Chuck looked at Nor and spoke.

— We meet tomorrow at eight in the morning. Same place.

— Huh? We're continuing the training? — Nor asked in surprise. — But I only paid for mana lessons...

— Of course we are. At this point, even I want to see what you're truly capable of, — Chuck said as he patted Nor on the shoulder.

After that, he slowly walked away until he eventually disappeared from sight.

— Thank you! — Nor shouted after him with a bright smile on his face.

Afterward, he also decided to return to the inn.

Meanwhile, inside the palace of the Miron Empire.

Emperor Klaus sat calmly behind a massive desk, staring at the document lying before him.

At the very top of the paper, only two words were written.

Nor Verner

— And this is all? — Klaus asked, slightly surprised by how little information the report contained.

— Yes. That is everything we were able to find, — Roy answered calmly.

Klaus rested his chin against his hand thoughtfully.

— So... he truly was telling the truth, — he muttered quietly.

Everything about Nor pointed toward the life of an ordinary village boy.

Nothing suspicious.

No connections.

No hidden organizations or ancient clans.

Absolutely nothing.

A few moments later, Klaus shifted his gaze toward Roy.

— Keep an eye on him.

— Yes, Your Majesty, — Roy answered shortly.

In the next instant, his body dissolved into darkness, leaving Klaus alone in the office.

— Nor Verner... Interesting, — Klaus muttered.

After those words, a small, almost unnoticeable smile appeared on his face.