The red-haired man nodded and rose to his feet, carefully pushing his chair back with such precision that it barely made a sound. He turned to Mav and began to speak.

  "My name is Rio Kathar. I'm one of His Majesty's generals. I assume you've already recognized which guild I belong to, given my cape. But before I lost my arm in battle, I was the leader of the Red Flame Guild. Since then, I’ve entrusted the guild to someone who I believe is even more capable than me. If you saw the knights outside training with their colored capes, I’m the one currently in charge of them—a position granted to me by Her Majesty after I retired. For that, I am grateful. I’ve also been briefed on you before your arrival."

  Mav listened intently, absorbing each piece of information. "A general... and the former leader of the Red Flame Guild? He’s more important than I thought." Mav glanced at the man’s missing arm and immediately started to piece together why the King might have invited him here. While he wasn’t entirely certain, a small idea began to form. If things played out the way he suspected, he could gain not only leverage but also a valuable ally in the fight against the Daimoniki.

  The general interrupted Mav’s thoughts. "I’d offer to shake your hand, but, well,"—he gestured to the wide table between them—"it’s a bit of a stretch from here." He chuckled softly. "Anyway, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Mav Rose."

  Mav quickly stood. "The pleasure’s mine, sir Rio."

  "Just call me Rio."

  "Alright, Rio. You can call me Mav, then."

  With a nod, Rio sat back down, the room settling into a more comfortable rhythm.

  The King, seated at the head of the table, leaned forward slightly. "Mav, I assume you already have some idea why I summoned you here today. But to make things clear, I’d like to ask a favor of you—one you’re free to decline if you wish. I’d like you to heal Rio’s arm. Of course, you won’t be expected to do it for nothing, and you are by no means obligated."

  Mav stifled a sigh, the formality almost amusing. "The illusion of choice," he thought, "but I’ll play along for now."

  Before he could respond, Rio spoke again, his tone serious. "You truly don’t have to do this if you don’t want to, Mav."

  There was an honesty in the general’s voice that caught Mav off guard, and for a brief moment, he reconsidered his earlier skepticism. But before he could dwell on it, Rio continued. "That being said, I would be deeply grateful if you did. I’m most effective in close combat, relying more on my Red Armor than my long ranged skill. Since losing my arm, I haven’t been able to fight the way I used to. Of course, I'm not expecting you to do it for free. I'll be offering you a reward which we can talk about later."

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  "I’ll do it," Mav said after a moment. "But I’d like to ask a favor in return."

  A subtle smile tugged at Rio’s lips, barely noticeable unless one paid close attention—but Mav saw it.

  "What’s the favor?" Rio asked, his curiosity piqued.

  "I’d rather discuss it in private, after the healing."

  "Fair enough."

  The King smiled. "I’m glad you’ve agreed, Mav. By healing Rio, you’re not just helping him—you’re doing a service to the entire kingdom. His contributions are invaluable."

  "Indeed," the Queen chimed in. "I’ve only heard about your skill in passing, so I look forward to seeing it for myself."

  Adelfi, seated next to the Queen, had her eyes fixed on Mav, brimming with anticipation. She seemed eager to witness the power that had once saved her life.

  Even Lia, who had been quietly eating, now sat still, her eyes focused on Mav. "So she can get excited about something other than food," Mav mused, smiling inwardly.

  As he glanced around the room, Mav felt the weight of their expectations. Every pair of eyes was glued to him, their anticipation palpable. The pressure only fueled his determination. His heartbeat quickened, and a rush of adrenaline coursed through him. Standing, he locked his gaze on Rio, who sat across from him.

  "Why don’t we begin?" Mav said, stepping forward.

  "Do I need to prepare anything?" Rio asked.

  "No need," Mav replied confidently. "Just stay seated. My skill will handle the rest."

  "You ready?"

  Rio nodded. "Yes."

  Mav raised his hand toward the general. He took a deep breath, centering himself. This was a pivotal moment, one that could define not only his reputation but also his place in the kingdom. He felt the familiar energy building within him, a mix of nerves and excitement.

  "Dark Blue Miracle."

  In an instant, dark blue flames erupted from Mav's palm, enveloping Rio’s entire body.

  Where there had once been nothing but air, bones began to form from the elbow down, starting as a faint shimmer and solidifying before their eyes. Muscle fibers twisted around the bone, followed by veins, green and blue, pulsing with life. Finally, skin stretched over the newly formed arm, covering the grotesque display of regeneration.

  Rio stared in disbelief, his eyes wide with awe, as if he were afraid of the arm that was once again his. The formation continued, stretching into his wrist, then his hand, and finally, his fingers. Within seconds, he had a complete arm again—no sign of the old wound, as though it had never been severed in the first place.

  Silence filled the room. For a few heartbeats, no one spoke, the only sound the slow, steady breathing of the onlookers. Even Mav, who had performed this miracle countless times before, was momentarily speechless. The difference this time was how closely he had observed the process—the sheer wonder of seeing the body rebuild itself, piece by piece, in front of him. It was mesmerizing.

  Adelfi was the first to break the spell, clapping her hands together in delight. Her applause pulled Mav from his thoughts, and he blinked, coming back to reality.

  "Can you move your arm?" Mav asked, his voice steady once more. "Try flexing your fingers."

  Rio hesitated for a moment, still stunned by what had just happened. Slowly, he lifted his new arm, his fingers curling and uncurling as though testing the limits of their newfound strength.

  "It works," he murmured, disbelief giving way to joy. "It actually works."

  The tension in the room eased, replaced by admiration and quiet awe. Mav had done it—he had restored something thought lost forever.