The morning sun filtered weakly through the small windows of Hilda's lab, bathing the room in pale gold.
Ah, yes. It was another day of training and even before a lot of people in the estate could make it out of bed, training had begun. Although though Raiden had dragged Kent along with him once again, his plans for the day were different.
Hilda stood with her usual calm expression, her long sleeves tied back, while Raiden sat cross-legged before her.
Kent leaned against the wall, his arms folded, pretending to be disinterested but keeping his eyes fixed on everything keenly. He had no intention of letting his little brother sneak around unchecked.
"All right, Raiden," Hilda said gently. "You've made improvements in regulating your mana output over these past few days. Today, I want you to focus on stability rather than strength. Healing isn't just about pouring everything you have into a wound—it's about balance."
Raiden nodded with grave seriousness, though his thoughts were already racing ahead. He'd overheard Kent whispering to their mother the night before about how he couldn't wait for another round of fish soup. Raiden had made up his mind right then and there: Not today. I'm not letting you freeload again.
Hilda drew out a small fish from a bucket and set it gently on the table. Its scales glimmered faintly in the light, its tail flicking anxiously as it flopped against the wood. With ease she'd developed over the years, Hilda drew a shallow cut across its fin. The fish bled lightly, wriggling.
Raiden leaned forward immediately, his hands already glowing with the faint green shimmer of [Healing Touch].
"Here we go again," Kent muttered from the side. "Let's see how long you drag this one out before we end up with soup."
Raiden smirked inwardly. 'Oh, you're not eating this one, brother.'
Unlike the previous attempt, where he had purposely stalled, this time Raiden focused properly. He controlled the mana flow carefully, neither too rushed nor too sluggish. The glow spread evenly from his palms to the fish's fin.
And much to Kent's surprise, the cut began to close gradually, the flesh knitting back together seamlessly until the fish stopped flailing and lay still, breathing calmly once again.
Hilda's eyes widened slightly. "Well done, Raiden! That was nearly perfect."
Kent's jaw slackened. "Wait—that's it? He's done already?"
Raiden dusted his hands and leaned back with a satisfied grin. "Yup. No soup for you today, big brother. Guess you'll just have to be satisfied with breakfast."
Kent scowled, muttering under his breath. "He only healed it because he didn't want me to eat it…"
"Exactly," Raiden cut in cheerfully. "I'd rather spare the fish and let it live than watch you freeload again. Think of it as my contribution to your diet."
Hilda stifled a laugh behind her hand, shaking her head. "You two… Honestly, I've never seen siblings bicker like this in the middle of healing practice and I doubt I ever will."
Raiden crossed his arms proudly. "Mission accomplished. The patient lives, the soup doesn't happen."
Kent glared but said nothing more. He knew his little brother had purposefully robbed him of his prize this time, and Raiden looked far too smug about it.
By early afternoon, Hilda declared the session over after Raiden ended up healing a frog as well. "You've done enough for the day. Rest your mana heart and body. Even with your stamina, too much healing in a single day can result in a backlash."
Raiden hopped to his feet at once. "Gladly! See you tomorrow, Miss Hilda."
Kent trailed after him as they left the lab, grumbling. "You ended early on purpose."
Raiden glanced back with a mischievous grin. "Of course I did. I told you, Kent—no soup."
Kent groaned, rubbing his temples. "You're insufferable."
"And you're craving fish soup." Raiden replied, wearing a grin on his face.
"Tch, I'm off to do a little reading. Do more healing in your spare time." Kent said as they closed in on the main building.
They parted ways at the main building, Kent heading for the library while Raiden returned to his room. As soon as the door shut behind him, Raiden flopped onto his bed with a sigh.
The truth was, he hadn't cut short the training just to annoy Kent. He had another reason. His training with Hilda was useful, sure, but it wasn't giving him the one thing he craved the most. Skill points.
He summoned the shimmering blue interface of his Skill Draw System and scrolled through his current stats. He still had a modest stash of points, but it was nowhere near enough to upgrade or purchase the skills he had set his eyes on. His last spree of buying and fusing had almost drained him dry.
"I need more points," he muttered, tapping his chin thoughtfully. "A lot more. But how?"
The system remained silent for a few moments, as if mocking his impatience. Then, just as Raiden considered dismissing the panel, a new notification blinked into view.
Ding!
[New Mission Available!]
[Mission: Broaden Your Arsenal]
[Objective: Successfully use five different skills in practical, real-world situations outside of training.]
[Reward: +40 Skill Points]
[Bonus Reward: Chance to unlock a unique passive skill if all five skills are used in creative ways.]
[Time Limit: 48 Hours]
Raiden sat up instantly, eyes gleaming. "Finally!"
This was exactly the kind of opportunity he'd been waiting for—not just training in isolation, but one that actually tested him in ways that mattered.
Forty points was a hefty reward, and the chance of a unique bonus passive skill made his blood race with excitement.
"Five skills, huh? Easy. I've got thirty-plus just lying around. I'll pick the best ones." He rubbed his hands together, already plotting his next move. "And since Kent's been tailing me so closely, maybe I'll drag him into this, too. Let him see just how much of a genius I am."
The grin on his face widened.
For once, ending training early had been the perfect move. Not only had he kept Kent away from another soup victory, but he had also set himself up for his next big leap forward.
Tomorrow, it wouldn't just be another usual day of practice. It would mark the beginning of his next mission.