Raiden had made solid progress—mastering six of his thirty-eight skills over the past week. However, his training sessions had come at a cost—they had taken a toll on him.
The exhaustion hit harder than he expected.
Each morning, he woke up later than the last, and every night, his body demanded more rest. The previous day, Kent's growing suspicions over Raiden's extended disappearances had reached a peak, leading to a tense confrontation.
Raiden had brushed him off, but he knew Kent wasn't the type to let things go easily.
This morning, as Raiden woke up and tried to sit up, a wave of soreness coursed through him. He winced. Every muscle in his body throbbed, and his throat felt raw, as though he had swallowed hot coals.
The [Echo Voice] ability, after hours of training, had come with an unexpected backlash. He barely managed a whisper. 'So this is what overdoing it feels like,' he thought wryly, rubbing his throat.
Raiden considered using some of his skill points to purchase a healing skill—he had enough points saved up. But healing skills, even at the lower ranks, were notoriously expensive.
'Not worth it,' he decided, pushing himself out of bed. His first steps were slow and clumsy, his body protesting every movement. After washing up and dressing, he came to a simple conclusion: he needed help.
And there was no better place to go than his mother's room.
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Lady Elise's private chambers stood in stark contrast to the rest of the house. While Lord Cedric had transformed his private room into a study, Lady Elise's was a masterpiece of elegance and beauty—a sanctuary where she could relax and entertain female guests.
The walls were painted in a deep black and rich purple, her favorite colors, and the hues extended to the furniture: ornate shelves lined with rare trinkets, elegant chairs, and even the heavy velvet curtains that draped the tall windows. Every inch of the room spoke of refinement, taste, and a touch of mystery. Every time he entered the room, Raiden felt awed.
He knocked on the door softly.
"Come in, Raiden," came a gentle voice from within. She always seemed to know when he was near.
Pushing open the door, Raiden stepped inside and greeted his mother, his voice barely more than a rasp.
Lady Elise turned, her brows arching in alarm. "Raiden, what happened to your voice?" she asked, her voice laced with concern as she opened her arms to him.
Raiden wasted no time rushing into her embrace, savoring the warmth and comfort. He needed to lie—and make it convincing. "I… I was singing yesterday," he croaked, feigning embarrassment. "I tried reaching high notes. Maybe I shouldn't have."
Lady Elise burst into laughter, the light, melodic sound filled the room. "You tried singing? Oh, Raiden." She cupped his face in her hands, smiling fondly. "Next time, leave the singing to your sister—she's much better at it." Her expression softened. "You poor thing. We should summon Healer Hilda right away."
Raiden quickly shook his head, forcing himself not to smile. He needed to convince her to leave the room. "Mother, what if we go to her instead? It'll save time."
Lady Elise tilted her head. "Why?"
He hesitated, but only for a second. Earlier that morning, the [Skill Draw System] had issued another mission…
[Mission: Get healed by a healer.]
[Reward: 50% discount on healing-based skill purchases.]
[Time Left: 00:44:50]
The timer ticked down mercilessly, reminding him he had less than forty-five minutes to complete the task.
"I just think it would be better if we went to her. Besides, I need some fresh air," Raiden said, trying to make his plea sound genuine. Lady Elise studied him for a long moment before finally nodding. "All right, let's go. But you must promise me not to strain yourself further."
Raiden gave a solemn nod, carefully hiding the wave of relief that washed over him.
Together, they left the room and made their way through the corridors of the main building. Lady Elise's hand rested gently on his shoulder, offering support as they made their way to Healer Hilda's lab.
_____
The walk wasn't long, but Raiden relished every step. The halls were bustling with activity—guards trained in the courtyard, maids moved from one room to the other, and the scholars occasionally passed by with a stack of scrolls in their arms.
To Raiden, it was a comforting sight—a reminder of the life he was determined to protect, even if it came with mischief and chaos.
As they reached Healer Hilda's lab, the familiar scent of herbs and strange medicinal concoctions filled the air. The space was an organized mess—glass jars crammed with powders, bundles of dried plants dangling from the ceiling, and potions bubbling in glass containers.
Raiden had always found it fascinating, though it was a bit overwhelming.
Healer Hilda turned at their approach. She was a tall woman with striking features and a calming presence. Her eyes widened slightly when she saw Raiden's condition.
"Lady Elise, Raiden." She nodded in greeting, then looked more closely at Raiden. "What happened?"
Raiden exchanged a glance with his mother before stepping forward. "I… might have overdone it," he rasped, pointing to his throat. "Can you help?"
Healer Hilda's lips curved in a knowing smile. "You and your antics. Come here."
Raiden stepped closer, and she placed her hand on his throat, her touch warm and soothing. A faint glow spread from her palm, and Raiden felt a tingling sensation spread through him.
Gradually, the soreness subsided, and his voice returned. "Thank you," he said, his voice clear once again.
Healer Hilda gave a gentle nod. "Be careful next time. Your body has limits."
Raiden offered a sheepish smile, his relief evident. But inside, he was buzzing with excitement.
As the [Skill Draw System] chimed again, another notification blinked into his view.
[Mission Completed: Get healed by a healer.]
[Reward: 50% discount on healing-based skill purchases.]
"Thank you, Hilda," Lady Elise said, her tone warm. "We'll be more careful from now on."
Raiden nodded along, echoing her words. But in his mind, he was already planning his next steps
With the rate of healing skills now slashed in half, he could invest without draining his skill points too heavily. He was now one more step closer to becoming stronger.
As they turned to leave the lab, Lady Elise placed a hand on his shoulder. "Promise me you'll be careful, Raiden. No more reckless behavior."
Raiden met her gaze and nodded. "I promise, Mother." But his thoughts were already racing far ahead. There was still so much more to learn, so many skills to master. He couldn't afford to slow down.
"Let's go home," Lady Elise said with a smile and squeezed his shoulder. "You've had enough excitement for one day."
Raiden let her guide him back. He smiled, but in his heart, he knew the truth—this was only the beginning.
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A/N: Please support us with your stones. That's all I ask. Currently preparing for my final exams so my update schedule is complete in shambles. I apologise for that but I'll get it up to speed soon enough.
Please bear with us. Thank you very much!!