“Alicia, what are you doing here?” Leon asked, surprised.

  “Master,” Alicia murmured, her gaze lowered shyly, “I… I was wondering if I could sleep with you tonight.”

  “Of course,” Leon said, stepping aside to let her in. “Come in.”

  “Thank you, Master,” Alicia whispered, bowing her head.

  Inside Leon’s room:

  While fixing her pillow, Alicia spoke, “Master, your father talked to me this morning.”

  Leon sat at the center of the bed. “Oh? What did he say to you?”

  “He was so intimidating. I was terrified.”

  Alice y on the left side of the bed, facing Alicia, propping her head up with her hand. “What did he say?”

  “He just said ‘Speak,’ and fear ran down my spine. I told the truth about my retionship with Leon.”

  “How did he react?” Alice asked.

  Alicia sat on the bed. “He was happy I didn’t lie. After our conversation, I realized he wasn’t concerned about my retionship with Leon, but rather my honesty. He told me to remain reliable and trustworthy, and to never neglect my duties in the castle.”

  “Is that why you were waiting for me?” Leon asked.

  “Indeed, Master. There’s one more thing I need to tell you.”

  “What is it?” Alicia y on the bed and kissed Leon passionately.

  “Hey!” Alice protested.

  “Master,” Alicia continued, “st night, after you were finished, I felt so warm inside. An energy ran through my body. I can’t expin it, but it made me feel invigorated. Master, please do it again.”

  “Hey,” Alice said, sitting up. “What about me, Master?”

  “I think Alicia needs it.”

  “But what about me?”

  “You already have plenty of mana. Alicia, on the other hand, depends solely on me. I have to share some with her.”

  “Not fair,” she retorted.

  “Don’t worry,” he said, gently touching her soft, floppy ear. “After her, I’ll do you. Okay?”

  “Okay,” she replied sadly.

  A few minutes ter, Alice interrupted Leon’s concentration.

  “Master, are you not finished yet?” she asked impatiently.

  “Almost there,” Leon replied in a rushed voice. The appuse of their rhythmic movements echoed in the room.

  As his movements quickened, he warned, “I’m coming.”

  “I’m done,” he breathed in satisfaction, colpsing on top of Alicia.

  “Master, why did you take so long today?”

  “I don’t know,” he said, kissing her neck.

  “Master, I feel so good. I can feel it now, energy coursing through me. The energy you gave me was so strong.” After a brief pause, she continued, “Master?”

  “Yes?”

  “I feel so hot,” Alicia said.

  Leon noticed her temperature had risen to an abnormal level. “Indeed. You’re burning up.” He rose from her and slowly withdrew his manhood, making Alicia bite her lips.

  “I think I need to wash,” she said. She got out of the bed. “Master, I’m sweating.” A dark fluid oozed from her pores.

  “Oh, hurry! Take a bath. That’s waste from your body being purged by the master’s mana,” Alice expined.

  “Go to the bath, wash those impurities away, and come back here,” Leon instructed.

  Alicia went to wash herself in Leon’s personal bathroom.

  “I didn’t know mana could be shared like this,” Leon mused.

  “Should we tell Penelope?” Alice asked.

  “No, it’s too personal. But I believe it has something to do with my inherent skill.”

  “Oh, is that the ‘mana manipution’?”

  “Probably.”

  “That must be it. Maybe you unconsciously manipute your mana during the act, and your body shares it,” Alice suggested.

  “Alright, let’s try again then.” He positioned himself above Alice. “Oh, Master. Do you still have enough?”

  “I do. I have plenty more for you.”

  Half an hour ter…

  Leon colpsed on top Alice.

  “You’re too strong, Master,” Alice said.

  “How do you feel?” Leon asked, his voice muffled as he kissed her neck.

  “I feel amazing, Master. From the moment you entered me, through every movement, it felt wonderful.”

  “That’s not what I meant.”

  “Oh, yes Master. I felt it too. Your mana is coursing through me.”

  “So it’s true.” He lifted his head. “I can transfer my mana through this act.”

  “That must be why Alicia was so invigorated,” Alice said. “Master,” she continued. “Yes?” “Is it simir to our first mana training?”

  “Now that you mention it, I think you’re right. Let’s ask her ter.”

  “Master, aren’t you going to withdraw?”

  “No, I like it this way.”

  “Fine by me. You can sleep on top of me.”

  A minute ter…

  “Oh, she’s back.” He rose from the bed and hurried toward her.

  “Master, I thought you weren’t going to move?”

  “How do you feel?” Leon asked Alicia.

  “I feel so light, Master. Like I could jump to the sky,” Alicia said.

  “That confirms it,” he muttered.

  “Confirms what, Master?” Alicia asked.

  “Come to bed with me.” Alicia y down, and Leon settled beside her.

  “I believe what I did to you is equivalent to basic mana training. We’ll test it tomorrow,” Leon said.

  “Really, Master?” Alicia was shocked, having never imagined receiving mana training in her life.

  “Yes,” Leon confirmed. “We should rest now,” he added.

  “Master, are you going to sleep holding Alicia?” Alice asked.

  “Yes.” He embraced Alicia, burrowed his manhood deep within, maintaining their intimate connection, then drifted off to sleep.

  Alicia looked at Alice apologetically. “I’m sorry, Miss Alice.”

  “What can we do?” she sighed. “I’ll have him tomorrow.”

  The first hint of dawn painted the sky with streaks of pale light. In the castle kitchen, Alicia moved with surprising speed and agility, working at undry while preparing breakfast for her masters. Her colleagues watched, astonished, as she darted around the room, leaping over obstacles with an energy they hadn’t seen before.

  “Alicia,” one of the older maids, Nena, called out, “why are you moving so fast?”

  “Am I, Elder Nena?” Alicia asked, pausing briefly.

  “Yes,” Nena chuckled. “You’re dashing and hopping around like one of those adventurers I used to see in my younger days.”

  “Oh,” Alicia said, a slight blush rising on her cheeks. “I didn’t realize. I’m sorry, Elder Nena.”

  “No, no, it’s fine,” Nena reassured her. “I was just curious. Perhaps you’ve been doing some training?”

  “No, Elder Nena,” Alicia replied. “I don’t think so. It just feels… natural. Anyway,” she added, thinking of the quickly cooling food, “I should get back to work.” She turned to resume her tasks.

  “Be careful!” Nena called after her, raising her voice slightly. “Don’t run into anything!”

  While rushing from the undry to the kitchen, Alicia nearly collided with Penelope.

  “Oh, Alicia, it’s you.”

  “I’m so sorry, Madame Penelope. I wasn’t being careful.” She bowed deeply.

  “It’s fine. No harm done. Why are you in such a hurry?”

  “I’m headed to the kitchen to help the chef prepare the food.”

  “Why? Where’s Alice?”

  “Alice is still with Master.” She caught herself too te. “Oh, I apologize. I didn’t mean to reveal that.” She lowered her head.

  “Don’t worry, I already know. I’m also aware you spent the night with my son.”

  “I’m so sorry, Madame. Please forgive me.” She kept her gaze down.

  “Well, it can’t be helped. My son has taken a liking to you. My only concern is whether he’s being excessive. How many times did he… st night?”

  “Well, I was awakened by his movements throughout the night.”

  “Oh my.”

  “He fell asleep while still… connected. He wouldn’t withdraw, just fall back asleep. But Madame, I have something important to tell you.”

  “If it’s that important, you can join our meeting today.”

  “No, Madame, it’s rather… personal in nature.”

  “Very well, tell me quickly.”

  “After he finished, I felt a foreign energy flowing through me. It invigorated me and made me feel intensely warm. Last night, my body temperature rose abnormally high, but instead of feeling ill, I felt vitalized. Then dark fluid began seeping from my body. I had to wash repeatedly until it stopped, which took about thirty minutes. Now, I find myself moving incredibly fast and covering great distances with ease.”

  “Fascinating. I’ve never heard anything like this before. I might need to include this in today’s discussion. Thank you for telling me. We can discuss this further ter,” Penelope said.

  The family gathered in the dining area for breakfast.

  “I’ve called this meeting,” Albert began, “to inform you, Alice and Leon, that your next phase of training will focus on physical enhancement.”

  “Is it advanced training?” Alice asked.

  “No, it’s still fundamental,” Albert crified. “But it will be more challenging because it emphasizes physical conditioning and strength.”

  “I have a question, Dad,” Leon said.

  “Go ahead, son.”

  “What’s the difference between mana training and physical training?”

  “Mana training strengthens you internally by harnessing the elemental forces of nature. Your body absorbs and stores this energy in your core, then circutes it throughout your body. The more mana you circute, the more energy you can utilize. This energy is responsible for the rapid changes you’ve experienced. You can jump higher, run faster, can’t you?”

  Both Leon and Alice nodded.

  “That same energy also influences your physical development. Alice, you’ve noticed an increase in your mental acuity, haven’t you? And Leon, you’ve grown taller and broader in a short time, experiencing accelerated physical maturation. You’ve become more physically active, haven’t you?”

  Leon was silent while Alice nodded sheepishly.

  “Now, while mana training involves interacting with elemental forces, physical training focuses on interacting with physical resistance. Have you seen Leonidaz and his men?”

  “Yes,” Alice replied. “Though I’ve never actually seen them training,” she added to herself.

  Leon nodded.

  “They exemplify physical training. Your training, however, will differ. Before I expin further,” Albert said, turning to Alice, “I want to know if you’re comfortable with this type of training.”

  “If it makes me stronger, I’m willing,” she replied.

  “And you, Leon? Do you prefer a woman who’s soft and delicate, or are you alright with someone a bit more… robust?”

  “I don’t mind,” Leon said. “I’m fine with someone who’s physically capable.

  “Excellent. Now that we’re all in agreement, I’ll continue,” Albert said. “The physical training has two components. First, conditioning. You’ll train to adapt to increasingly challenging environments, building stamina and pushing your strength to new levels. This will make you significantly more resilient. The second component, reconstruction, is the most demanding. It consists of four parts: blood revitalization, bone strengthening, skin hardening, and brain awakening.”

  Albert paused. “Speaking of which,” he continued, “I’ve heard about Alicia’s… newfound energy. Her colleagues are concerned she might have an accident. I understand the reason for this change, Leon, and I want to be clear: I expect you to be responsible and never abuse your inherent skill. Do I make myself clear?”

  “Yes, Father,” Leon replied.

  “Good. Because of Alicia’s… transformation, her duties will also change. She will no longer be a maid of the castle.”

  “But…” Alice began, a worried expression on her face.

  Leon remained composed.

  Albert raised a hand, silencing her. “I’m not dismissing her,” he crified. “I’m reassigning her. Alicia will become Leon’s personal attendant. This means she’ll no longer be responsible for general castle duties, but will instead focus solely on Leon’s needs. This will not only prevent any further incidents but also ensure her safety.”

  “Elgard,” Albert called out.

  “Yes, Master?” Elgard responded, appearing from behind.

  “Please bring Alicia here.”

  Elgard reyed the order to the guard stationed outside the door. The guard opened the door, revealing Alicia, who was waiting just outside.

  Alicia entered the dining room, visibly nervous. “You called for me, Master Albert?” she asked, her head bowed.

  “Alicia, stand beside Leon,” Albert instructed.

  “As you command, Master,” she replied, moving to Leon’s side.

  “Leon,” Albert said, his gaze shifting to his son, “you have two remarkable young women at your side. Do you feel confident in your ability to guide and protect them?”

  “With the wisdom and guidance you and Mother have instilled in me, I have no doubt,” Leon replied confidently.

  “Good,” Albert said. “Alicia,” he continued, turning back to her, “you’ve been relieved of your general maid duties. You are now Leon’s personal attendant. I trust you will fulfill this role with diligence and kindness. Do not betray my trust.”

  “I will, Master,” Alicia said, her head still bowed. “Your words are wise, and your command is just. I will always strive to follow your counsel.”

  “Now, Leon,” Albert said.

  “Yes, Father?”

  “I wanted to ask about your pns for Alicia. Do you intend to bring her on your journey?”

  “Yes, I do,” Leon confirmed. “In fact, I was wondering if she could train alongside us.”

  “Coincidentally,” Albert said, “Penelope has offered to instruct her in the basics of mana manipution.” He looked at Alicia. “What do you think, Alicia?”

  “I’m nervous, Master,” she admitted, “but I’m also eager to try. I don’t want to be left behind when Leon and Alice embark on their journey.”

  “Good. Your courage is commendable. Keep it up,” Albert said.

  “Thank you, Master Albert,” Alicia replied, bowing her head.

  “Elgard!” Albert called. With a knowing gnce, Elgard signaled to the maids waiting nearby. They efficiently cleared the breakfast table.

  “Now that we’ve concluded that matter,” Albert continued, turning his attention to Leon and Alice, “I need to expin the next phase of your training. Blood revitalization is… intrusive. Mr. Altrocious, the head of the boratory, will be injecting you with the purified blood of an S-rank monster.”

  “What?!” Alice excimed, her eyes widening.

  Albert held up a hand. “I have a sample of Blood Dragon blood here.” He nodded to Elgard.

  Elgard gestured, and a trolley covered with a white cloth was wheeled into the room. He removed the cloth, revealing a rge vial filled with a shimmering blue fluid, flecks of white crystal swirling within.

  “This is the blood of an S-rank Blood Dragon,” Albert announced.

  “Why is it blue?” Alice asked, her voice trembling slightly.

  “Because it’s pure psma,” Albert expined.

  “Father, how does it work?” Leon asked, his expression serious.

  “After the injection, your body will need to adapt. It must recognize this foreign blood as its own for the Blood Dragon’s blood to take effect. If successful, your regeneration will increase dramatically, and you’ll become immune to all known human diseases. You’ll also develop a significant resistance to poisons.”

  “And if we fail?” Alice whispered, her face pale.

  “You’ll die,” Albert stated bluntly.

  A gasp escaped Alice’s lips.

  “Father,” Leon said, his voice steady despite the gravity of the situation, “what can we do to ensure success?”

  “That’s where your mana training comes in,” Albert expined. “Ordinary individuals couldn’t survive this procedure. But you’ve both undergone basic mana training, which makes you eligible. You’ll need to utilize all your mana—everything you have. You must exert complete control over your body, commanding it to accept the new blood. If you feel your body resisting, push your mana to its absolute limit. Your body will obey. Any questions?”

  “If there are no further questions, I’ll proceed,” Albert said. “The next step is bone strengthening.”

  “Elgard,” he called.

  “Coming, Master,” Elgard replied. He gestured, and another trolley, also draped in white cloth, was wheeled out from the same door. Elgard removed the cover, revealing a rge vial filled with a shimmering silver fluid. He handed the vial to Albert.

  “This is a concentrated bone nutrient extracted from an S-rank Cyclops,” Albert announced. “It will be injected directly into your bones.”

  A chill ran down Alice’s spine, every fiber of her being recoiling at the thought.

  “Your bones will then need to assimite these nutrients,” Albert continued.

  “If successful, your strength will increase exponentially. You’ll be able to shatter boulders with your bare hands, and your bones will remain intact. With sufficient strength, you could even demolish solid obstacles without risking fractures.”

  “And… if we fail?” Alice asked, her voice barely a whisper.

  “Your bones will become brittle and useless,” Albert said bluntly. “You’ll be… reduced to a mass of flesh, without skeletal support.”

  Alice looked away, a wave of nausea washing over her.

  “Father,” Leon asked, his voice steady but ced with concern, “will we use the same approach as before?”

  “Yes,” Albert confirmed. “Mana circution is key. You must once again command your body, forcing every cell to obey. Push your mana to its absolute limit if necessary. Your body must comply. Any questions?”

  Silence hung heavy in the air. No one dared speak.

  “Skin hardening,” Albert announced. “This is arguably the ‘safest’ of the procedures.”

  “You mean we won’t die?” Alice asked, a flicker of hope in her voice.

  “Not immediately,” Albert corrected. “The consequences are… less immediate. Failure means either death or a lifetime pgued by aggressive cancers.”

  “Absolutely not!” Alice excimed, recoiling.

  “Elgard!” Albert called.

  “Coming, Master,” Elgard replied. He exchanged a knowing gnce with a subordinate, who then wheeled out another trolley covered in white cloth. Elgard removed the cover, revealing a rge vial filled with an inky bck fluid that emanated a faint, unsettling aura.

  “This,” Albert said, holding up the vial, “is liquefied bile extracted from an S-rank Seraphina. This fluid is one of the most potent toxins known to Pangaea. Even a minuscule amount is enough to kill a fully grown adult. It’s also highly corrosive; contact with skin will cause severe burns.”

  Seraphina is a humanoid monster, mostly female. It is a stunningly beautiful creature with shimmering scales that glisten like precious gems in the sunlight. And in night, it shimmered like moonlight on water, shifting from pearl white to deep ocean blue. Its luminescent wings are as delicate as butterfly wings, and its piercing eyes are twin pools of cosmic darkness, held the power to mesmerize and command. Long, flowing hair, as bck as the void, cascaded down its back, and adorned with bioluminescent strands that pulsed with an otherworldly glow.

  Beneath its delicate exterior, y a strength that rivaled the Ancient Monsters. Its body, a marvel of biological engineering, could regenerate from the most grievous wounds. Yet, this power came at a terrible cost. Its body, a toxic elixir, was as corrosive as acid, capable of dissolving even the hardest substance. A single drop upon a mortal flesh, would leave a searing mark and skin cancers.

  Ancient Monsters are believed to exist from the very beginning of Pangaea Ultima millions of years ago.

  “How will we use it?” Alice asked, her voice ced with apprehension.

  “The liquefied bile will be applied to your skin repeatedly during meditation,” Albert expined. “This will cause intense, constant burning. Your task is to absorb the fluid, filtering out the harmful components and retaining only the beneficial elements. This process will be repeated two more times to amplify the effects, making you even more resilient than the Seraphina itself. If successful, you’ll gain significant resistance to physical attacks, poisons, heat, and cold. A blow from even the sharpest bde, one that would normally be fatal, will leave you unscathed, and your regenerative abilities will be dramatically enhanced.”

  Albert paused, his gaze sweeping over them. “However,” he added, his voice hardening, “this resilience is not absolute. A sufficiently powerful strike can still kill you instantly, or inflict a fatal wound. Your enhanced durability has limits.”

  “How will we know which components are beneficial?” Alice asked, her brow furrowed.

  “Your body will tell you,” Albert replied. “One more thing,” he added, a hint of a smile touching his lips. “If you survive this ordeal, your skin will become exceptionally beautiful – clear, vibrant, and fwless.”

  “Now we’re talking!” Alice excimed, a touch of excitement in her voice.

  “Any further questions?” Albert asked. “If not, I’ll continue. Elgard!”

  “At once, Master,” Elgard replied. With a flick of his wrist, a man in a tuxedo entered the room, carrying a covered pte like a waiter. He pced it carefully before Albert and lifted the lid. Inside y a syringe filled with a viscous, brownish-gray fluid that pulsed with an unsettling energy.

  “This,” Albert announced, his voice grave, “is a concentrated, refined, and liquefied extract of the full brains of three SS-rank Dark Demons, known as the Voidweavers. It will be injected directly into your spinal cord during meditation. You must guide this fluid to permeate every part of your brain without any resistance from your body. Failure will result in instant death.”

  “How… how are we supposed to do that, Father?” Leon asked, his voice tight.

  “This is why it’s the final stage,” Albert expined. “After blood revitalization, bone strengthening, and skin hardening, your body should have minimal resistance. Your mana will also be accustomed to the introduction of foreign substances. If you succeed, your visual acuity will be dramatically enhanced. You’ll perceive movements with incredible slowness, giving you ample time to react. The same will happen with your hearing. You’ll be able to hear sounds from great distances, even the faintest whispers. Your reflexes and sense of vibration will also be drastically improved.”

  “That’s… incredible,” Alice breathed, her eyes wide with a mixture of awe and apprehension.

  “I’m not finished,” Albert said, raising a hand. “There’s one final benefit. If you survive all of these trials, your lifespan will be dramatically extended. You could live for over a thousand years.”

  “A thousand years?” Alice excimed, her voice filled with disbelief.

  “Master?” Alicia interjected, her tone earnest. “If it’s possible, I would also like to undergo the body reconstruction.”

  “Then you must dedicate yourself to rigorous training,” Albert replied.

  “Follow your mistress’s instructions without fail, and you may succeed.”

  “Thank you, Master,” Alicia said, bowing her head. “I will work harder than ever and do whatever is necessary.”

  “Any further questions?” Albert asked, his gaze sweeping over them.

  No one spoke.

  “Then this meeting is adjourned,” Albert announced. “There will be no training today. Your training begins tomorrow. You will be informed of the location ter. Dismissed!”

  Once the others had left, only Penelope, Albert, and a few trusted advisors remained in the room.

  “Hon,” Penelope began, her voice ced with worry, “are you truly certain about this?”

  “It will work,” Albert affirmed, though a flicker of doubt crossed his face. “The procedure has an 80% success rate.”

  “But that statistic is based on non-humans,” Penelope countered. “The doctor have indicated a success rate of only 60% for humans.”

  “Our son is different,” Albert said firmly, “I have faith in him.”

  “As do I,” Penelope admitted. “But couldn’t we bypass Altrocious’s… reconstruction procedures and move directly to advanced techniques? You could even begin teaching Leon advanced mana training now.”

  “We must make him strong, Penelope,” Albert insisted. “This is the only way to ensure his survival once we… release him into the world.”

  “But those particur trials seem so… extreme,” Penelope argued. “We never underwent such rigorous training, and we’re hardly weak.”

  “I understand your concerns, my love,” Albert said, his voice softening slightly. “But my decision is made. I have high hopes for them.”

  “I suppose I can’t change your mind,” Penelope sighed, a note of resignation in her voice. “At least… let me stay with him, day and night, until… it’s all over,” she pleaded, her voice thick with emotion.

  “Of course, my love,” Albert replied, taking her hand. “Do whatever you need to do. But you must promise me: don’t reveal anything about the true nature of these trials to Leon, or to anyone else.”

  “I promise,” Penelope whispered, her eyes filled with a mixture of love and dread.

  Mr. Altrocious, known simply as “the doctor,” was the twisted genius behind the experiments. He was discovered during a raid on an illegal drug manufacturing operation, cowering in a barrel alongside the body of a deceased woman he referred to as his “girlfriend.” He pleaded for the woman’s safety, unaware that she was already dead. During the subsequent interrogation, Albert recognized Altrocious’s twisted ingenuity and imagination. A pn was devised to fake Altrocious’s death, and he was brought into Albert’s service. His hidden boratory, deep beneath not so far away from the castle, was known to only a select few. Altrocious was votile and had a morbid fascination with dangerous research. He would often converse with his deceased “girlfriend” for hours, seemingly seeking inspiration. These conversations could range from calm discussions to furious arguments, fueled by his delusions. His “girlfriend” now resided within a transparent, sealed vessel in his b.

  Later that day, Penelope hurried after Leon.

  “Son, where are you headed?”

  “To my room,” he replied. “Why?”

  “Just curious,” she said casually. “What are you pnning to do?”

  “I’m going to write my weekly letter to Erica,” he expined.

  “Have you told her about your new training regimen yet?” Penelope asked, a hint of concern in her voice.

  “Yes,” Leon said. “I’m expecting a reply sometime today or tomorrow.”

  “How is she doing? Did she mention anything interesting?” Penelope inquired.

  “She’s currently on another commission,” Leon replied.

  “What kind of commission?”

  “She’s gathering information about the sudden disappearance of sheep belonging to a wealthy farmer.”

  “Does it involve any combat?” Penelope asked, her brow furrowing slightly.

  “That’s what I was worried about, too,” Leon admitted. “But she assured me it’s just an information-gathering task. The Adventurers’ Guild only needs a reliable expnation for the disappearances, so I’m relieved.”

  “That’s good to hear,” Penelope said. “Have you mentioned… your new woman to her yet?”

  “That’s actually what I’m going to write about in today’s letter,” Leon said as they reached his room.

  “Son, may I come in?” Penelope asked.

  “Of course, Mom,” Leon replied.

  Leon sat at his writing desk, which faced a window overlooking the garden. He dipped his quill in ink and began to write. Penelope settled onto his bed. She noticed a faint, sweet fragrance in the air, but it definitely wasn’t Leon’s usual scent.

  “Leon,” Penelope said softly.

  “Yes, Mother?” he replied, continuing to write.

  “Your father and I… we’ve had a disagreement,” she began, her voice trembling slightly.

  Leon stopped writing. “Did you and Father have a fight?”

  “Not exactly,” Penelope said, her voice catching. “But… it’s weighing heavily on me. My heart aches.”

  Leon put down his quill and turned to his mother. He looked into her eyes, and the sadness there confirmed his fears. He stood up and sat beside her, gently rubbing her back. Penelope embraced him, burying her face in his shoulder and sobbing quietly.

  “What happened, Mother?” he asked, his voice filled with concern. “Tell me. Did Father hurt you?”

  “No, son,” she said, her voice muffled by his shoulder. “Your father would never do that.”

  “Then what is it? What’s wrong?”

  “I’m worried about you, my son,” she confessed, pulling back slightly to look at him, tears streaming down her face. “Did you hear what your father said about the consequences if your training fails?”

  “We heard him loud and clear,” Leon replied. “But this is necessary to advance, right? All adventurers have to go through this kind of training to become strong. Even you and Father did, didn’t you? That’s why you both look so young.”

  “But it’s still so dangerous, son!” Penelope excimed, her voice rising in panic. She pulled away from him, her eyes pleading. “If you change your mind…”

  “Mom,” Leon interrupted gently, taking her hands in his. “Please stop worrying. You’re making me worry, too. I’m going to be fine. I promise.”

  “You promise?” Penelope whispered, her eyes searching his.

  “Yes, Mom,” he said firmly. “I promise.”

  “Alright,” she said, then hesitated. “But… I have a request. I don’t want to sleep with your father tonight. I’d like to stay here, with you.”

  “That’s fine with me, Mom,” Leon replied. “But you know Alice and Alicia sleep here too, right?”

  “I don’t mind,” Penelope said. “As long as I’m near you.”

  “How long will you be staying?” Leon asked gently.

  “If you’re worried about… things,” Penelope said, a slight blush rising on her cheeks, “don’t be. I won’t disturb you.”

  “No, it’s not that,” Leon said. “I was just wondering how long it would be before you and Father… reconcile.”

  “Until your body reconstruction training is complete,” Penelope replied, her voice firm.

  Leon paused, a flicker of understanding in his eyes.

  “That’s why,” Penelope continued, her voice softening, “just… do whatever you need to do with… your women, even if I’m here. That’s not my concern, son. Please… understand.”

  “Alright, alright,” Leon said soothingly, rubbing her back. “Rex now. I hate seeing you cry. It makes me nervous. I’ve never seen you like this before. Please… just rex.”

  Nautical dusk.

  The door opened, and Penelope greeted them warmly. “Hello, girls.”

  “Oh, Penelope,” Alice responded. “What brings you here?”

  “Good evening, Madame Penelope,” Alicia said, offering a quick, respectful bow. “I hope we aren’t intruding.”

  “Come in,” Leon invited.

  They entered, and Alicia closed the door behind them. The two young women stood beside Leon as he expined his mother’s emotional distress. Alice and Alicia listened attentively, quickly understanding the situation. They sat on the bed together, chatting about various topics. Some conversations bored Leon, but others piqued his interest.

  “Alicia,” Penelope asked, “are you truly sure you want to do this?”

  “Yes, Madame,” Alicia replied earnestly. “I want to become stronger, too. But more importantly, I don’t want to be left behind. If Leon and Alice are going to live for centuries, I want to share that longevity with them.”

  “But you’ve heard about the risks, haven’t you?” Penelope asked, her voice gentle but concerned.

  “I’m aware of the dangers,” Alicia said, her expression resolute. “But I have to take the chance. I don’t want to cower in fear and regret it ter. I’ve made my decision.”

  “I understand,” Penelope said, nodding slowly. “Very well. Just be sure to be ready early tomorrow. You’ll need to be there before dawn.”

  “Yes, Madame,” Alicia confirmed.

  “Good. Let’s get some rest now,” Penelope said. “Son, come here. I want you close tonight.”

  “Alright, Mom,” Leon replied.

  Penelope gently embraced her son. As she closed her eyes, a single tear escaped and traced a path down her cheek. Minutes ter, she and Leon were asleep. Alice and Alicia, however, found it difficult to drift off, itching for Leon. For the first time, sharing a room with Leon made sleep elusive.

  Penelope awoke very early. She left the room quietly, careful not to disturb the sleeping trio. As she walked down the corridor, she opened her left fist, where she had collected a sample. Cautiously, she touched the tip of her tongue to it, immediately noting an unfamiliar taste—oddly sweet and funny.

  This is different from what I know, she thought, intrigued.

  She tasted it again. The substance was oddly sweet with a peculiar quality she couldn’t quite pce. Taking a rger amount, she swallowed, and immediately felt as if she’d consumed a sphere of pure energy. The sensation traveled from her mouth, down her throat, and settled in her stomach, spreading an alien energy throughout her body.

  So this is it? she wondered, eyes widening. Impossible!

  Unable to resist, she licked the remaining traces from her fingers, experiencing that strange sensation once again.