Later that day, Leon visited the monstrous library for some reading. He felt that he needed more research about Pangaea’s rules. Alice and Alicia, his personal maid, and partner as well, was assisting him. Leon moved and his companion move to the Grand Reading Room, a circur chamber bath in the soft glow of luminescent stones. Here, colossal bookshelves spiral upwards, their shelves filled with volumes of unimaginable sized. Alice reached the highest shelves ascending using the winding staircase while Alicia climbed the sturdy dder.

  Lalinia was incapable of remaining still for long. Her mind was a ceaseless vortex of ideas, constantly seeking stimution. Her eyes darted around the room, which was meticulously clean and tidy, almost unnaturally so. Intricate tapestries adorned the walls, depicting scenes from ancient worlds and fantastical ndscapes. A vast collection of books lined the shelves, their spines catching the soft light like polished jewels.

  A rge arched window dominated one wall, offering a breathtaking view of the sprawling castle grounds and the verdant forest beyond. Fresh air, carrying the sweet scent of pine and damp earth, wafted through the open window, invigorating her senses. As she gazed out, she saw silver-horned deer, E-rank monsters, grazing in the meadow alongside horned rabbits and boars. The melodious sounds of E-rank helkonost filled the air, and the distant mountains were shrouded in mist. For a moment, the scene stilled her restless spirit, but the tranquility was fleeting.

  Alicia’s words echoed in her mind: ‘The master’s favorite pce is the library.’ She’d brushed off Alicia’s insistent invitations, too preoccupied with other matters. Now, with time stretching before her, she found herself drawn towards the castle’s heart. This was no ordinary library. A byrinthine structure, a fusion of Gothic grandeur and arcane artistry, unfolded before her. Towering stone columns, etched with forgotten symbols, supported a vaulted ceiling that seemed to pierce the heavens. Sunlight, filtered through patterned gss, painted the countless tomes in a kaleidoscope of colors as she ran her fingers along their spines.

  Deeper within, a circur chamber glowed with the soft, ethereal light of Xycer Stones. A light that felt unusually gentle, considering the stones’ potential. A faint murmur reached her ears, a woman’s voice. Following the sound, she discovered Alice, standing near a shelf, speaking with Leon. Alicia sat nearby.

  She paused, retreating behind a corner, a hidden observer. A flicker of curiosity sparked within her, but it quickly waned. With a sigh, she stepped from the shadows and approached them

  “Finished with your little observation?” Leon asked, a slight smile pying on his lips.

  Lalinia stepped back, surprised. “How did you know?” she asked, confusion etched on her face. She was sure she’d hidden herself well.

  “I could tell you, but it’s rather simple. Would you like to sit?” Leon gestured towards the patterned seat opposite him.

  Lalinia began to curtsy, but Leon interrupted her. “Skip the formalities. Just call me Leon. My mother probably told you the same, didn’t she?”

  “Yes. She prefers her name. Your father, however, is fine with either.” Lalinia looked at Leon with curiosity.

  “You’re getting right to the point, aren’t you? What’s your burning question?” Leon asked.

  “How did you survive the training?” Lalinia asked, her voice intense.

  “I fought with everything I had.”

  “Where did that strength come from? And how?” Lalinia asked, her tone sharp. She wanted to hear the truth from him.

  Leon handed the tome he was holding to Alice. “Where do you mean? It came from rigorous training. And how? It’s called support. No one survives alone, unless they possess incredible strength. And we both know that’s not us, right?”

  “Lalinia looked away from Leon, focusing on the intricate patterns of the gothic table. She crossed her legs.

  “You know the dangers of this training, don’t you?” Leon asked.

  “Yes. My parents told me,” she replied.

  Alice returned a book and sat beside Leon.

  “So, how do you think you’ll fare?” Leon asked.

  Lalinia paused. Leon sensed her nervousness, though it was subtle. “I… I don’t know. It’s a gamble. It’s do or die.”

  Leon smirked. “You’re not pnning on backing down, are you? I admire your courage. But courage alone will only get you so far.”

  “What do you mean?” she asked, her eyes narrowing.

  “You need to push beyond your limits.”

  Lalinia paused, considering his words.

  “Have you been practicing your mana manipution?” Leon asked.

  “Yes, but I’ve hit a wall. I can’t advance to the second meridian,” Lalinia replied.

  “Oh, that’s a problem,” Alicia said, her brow furrowed.

  “Indeed,” Lalinia said. She csped her hands together and rested her chin on them. “Without it, I fear I may not survive.”

  “I understand,” Alice chimed in, her voice filled with empathy. “That training is brutal.”

  “Leon,” Lalinia said, gncing between Leon and Alice, “I need to know exactly what kind of training you endured.”

  “Alice exchanged a gnce with Leon, who nodded. Alice then recounted the horrors of their training, from beginning to end. But she didn’t dwell solely on the horrors; she also spoke passionately about the rewards. Lalinia’s spirit waned as she listened, but she clung to her resolve. Her mind raced, each scenario ending in failure. Driven by desperation, she began peppering Leon, Alice, and Alicia with questions. She gleaned fascinating details about their experiences. But then, an unexpected revetion occurred when she questioned Alicia.

  “Alicia, you’re going there, aren’t you?” Lalinia asked.

  “Yes.”

  “When?”

  “Actually, I should have already left. But your mother asked me to wait for you, since you’re also going.”

  “But the problem is, I can’t form a second meridian. I nearly died st time. I’m only here because of my father’s scroll,” Lalinia said, her frustration evident.

  “Lalinia,” Alicia said, sensing her distress, “Has your mother spoken to you about anything specific?”

  “About what?” she asked. Her mind raced, but she couldn’t grasp what Alicia meant.

  “I’m not sure I should tell you,” Alicia said.

  “Why not?” Her eyes narrowed, unblinking.

  “You and your mother should talk,” Leon interjected.

  Lalinia sighed. “Alicia, aren’t you afraid?”

  “Yes, I am. But I’ve made my peace with it. Besides…” Alicia took Leon’s arm and held him close. “I have my master to keep me strong. And I promised him I’d succeed.”

  “Yes, failure is not an option.” He gently cupped Alicia’s cheek.

  Lalinia left the library, her mind too preoccupied to focus on reading. She went straight to her mother’s room, but it was empty. Anxious to speak with her, she asked everyone she encountered about her mother’s whereabouts. As she hurried toward the castle’s annex, she encountered two middle-aged maids whispering to each other.

  “Excuse me, have you seen my mother?”

  The two maids bowed. “Yes, Your Grace. We just delivered food and amenities to them.”

  “Them?” Lalinia’s brow furrowed.

  “Oh, Your Grace, we’re so sorry. We assumed you knew,” one of the maids stammered.

  “Knew what?”

  “Your mother is with the Duke,” the other maid blurted out, before being elbowed by her companion.

  “Please forgive us, Your Grace,” the first maid said, bowing deeply.

  “It’s alright. Thank you for informing me. You may go,” Lalinia said, maintaining her composure.

  “Thank you, Your Grace,” the maids said in unison.”

  Lalinia stood outside Albert’s room.

  “Mother, are you done?” she asked, knocking on the door.

  “Oh, Lalinia,” her mother responded breathlessly. “Just wait a minute.”

  “Alright,” Lalinia said, shifting uncomfortably.

  Monica emerged wearing her golden dress, still damp with sweat. She cracked the door open slightly. “Daughter, what brought you here?”

  Lalinia tried to ignore the muffled moaning sounds and cpping coming from inside the room. “Mom, I need to talk to you.”

  “Right. Just give me a moment.” Monica closed the door. A few minutes ter, they walked to Lalinia’s room.

  Lalinia sat on her bed, watching her mother’s back. Monica stood by the window, lost in thought. Lalinia stood up and joined her, the Helkonost’s song a soft backdrop to the tense silence.

  “Mom,” Lalinia began, “You wanted to talk to me about something, didn’t you?”

  “Lalinia, my daughter, you know I’d do anything for you,” Monica said, her voice strained. “I can’t bear the thought of you… dying. You know your chances are slim.”

  “Yes, Mom. Twenty out of a hundred.”

  Monica sighed, a flicker of irritation crossing her face. “Please, don’t repeat that.” She turned back to the window, her gaze distant. “I’ve found a solution.”

  “Really?” Lalinia asked, her voice ced with cautious hope.

  “Have you heard the rumors about Alicia?”

  “No… But speaking of her, I spoke with her earlier. She mentioned something… something only you could expin.”

  “That’s what I wanted to tell you. Alicia wasn’t an adventurer at heart. She was content. But since she became Leon’s fiancé… her power surged. She opened her second meridian. You understand what I’m saying, don’t you?”

  “You want me to become Leon’s fiancé?” Lalinia asked, her voice barely a whisper. “But it can’t be that simple.”

  “No, it’s not.”

  “So, how did Alicia get her… boost?”

  Monica hesitated, her voice dropping to a near whisper. “Through… coitus.”

  Lalinia’s heart skipped a beat. The possibility crystallized in her mind – of all her deductions, this had to be the answer. It was the final piece in her careful calcutions.

  “I thought perhaps Leon was simply training his lovers secretly. But how certain are you about this, Mother?” she asked, her fierce eyes demanding an irrefutable answer.

  “I knew you’d ask that. You’re too analytical for your own good. But believe me, I’ve confirmed it myself.”

  “What?” Lalinia excimed, eyes widening. “You were making love with the duke’s son?”

  “Of course not,” Monica said with a pyful smile. “But I did obtain the source of this mana surge.”

  “How?” Lalinia asked, eyes narrowing as she studied her mother’s expression.

  “With Alice’s help. She collected Leon’s essence in a medium size container,” Monica said, her gaze drifting to the window. “The container was quite full. The substance had a sweet scent and an unusual taste. But most remarkably, it emanated pure energy – like a concentrated ball of mana. Once consumed, it amplifies one’s magical power.”

  “So that’s the mechanism?”

  “Yes. Though Alice cims it’s more potent when received… directly to your nether,” Monica said, resting her elbows on the windowsill and cupping her cheeks. “I wonder about the experience…”

  “Mother, you have Father and Albert,” Lalinia chided.

  “I know. But you could pursue this. I’ve noticed your attraction to Leon. Don’t worry, daughter—he’s honorable. He would treat you well.”

  “I’m uncertain,” Lalinia whispered.

  “Don’t deceive yourself,” Monica said, gncing sideways. “You’ve already decided.”

  “That’s not it. I’m unsure if my feelings run that deep. To cim otherwise would be presumptuous.”

  “Those feelings will develop naturally. What matters now is surviving the training ahead. I want you to live, to grow strong and endure.”

  Lalinia sighed.

  Monica straightened, gripping her daughter’s shoulders. “Steel yourself,” she said firmly. “Don’t let fear rule you. If others can endure this, my daughter certainly can. I’m doing this for you, and you’ll do it for yourself and your future. I want you to become stronger than either your father or me. This world shows no mercy, daughter. Weakness leads to death, and death to grief for those left behind. That’s the cycle of this world. But you don’t have to accept it. Fight back! Rise against it. Never surrender. And remember—you’re not alone.”

  Tears streamed down Lalinia’s cheeks as they embraced. “Thank you, Mother. I know you and Father are always with me.”

  “Times are changing, my daughter. You won’t always be by our side. Soon you’ll face the world alone. You need someone trustworthy. Someone who will protect you. And that person is here.”

  Helkonost are born with beautiful voices, their songs becoming truly resonant when they learn to fly. Though their nguage is incomprehensible to humans, their melodies are deeply soothing. This changes when they reach C-rank. They cease their melodious rituals, becoming territorial, aggressive, and solitary. Their primary weapons are their talons.

  Naturally wild creatures, Helkonost begin to think independently at C-rank, especially when there are no males in the group. This independence leads them to wander, making them vulnerable to hunters, illegal traders, and monsters. Bandits and traders often capture and sell female Helkonost for pleasure or servitude.

  At B-rank, their bodies mature, with distinct feminine characteristics. As they ascend in rank, their intelligence increases, and they gradually learn the common tongue. Some exceptional Helkonost even find mates among humans and beastkins.

  Later that day, at astronomical dusk.