In the governor's office of Dreville, Baron Aritz Erkhan shouted at his subordinates:
—Hurry up! Finish preparing the lodging as soon as possible, or you'll face the consequences.
The subordinates rushed out, running to get everything ready, fully aware they had one hour to deliver good news.
Andrea, Aritz's daughter, tried to calm her father:
—Father, don't get so angry. It's not that urgent.
Aritz replied with frustration:
—And you, go hide in your room and don't come out until that Douglas leaves this place.
Andrea was surprised and asked:
—It sounds like some kind of demon is visiting us. Why are you acting like this?
Aritz explained seriously:
—You don't understand, you fool. That young lord can do whatever he wants here, and I can't say a word against it.
Andrea tried to reason:
—Father, we have 2,000 soldiers and you are a loyal subordinate of the king. If that boy misbehaves, you just need to detain him and inform His Majesty.
Aritz sighed and shook his head:
—You definitely don't understand, you're too young. That young lord is coming with 300 soldiers, and if what I've heard is true, Duchess Sofía assigned her best guards to protect her son, all of them Lord-class or higher. With our soldiers, we won't be able to defeat them, much less detain him.
Andrea frowned:
—Lord-class? What exactly does that mean?
Aritz looked at her patiently and explained:
—Look, Andrea, all warriors have a power level that indicates their strength and magical abilities. From 1 to 19, they are amateurs—beginners with no real experience. From 20 to 39, they are legionaries, more trained and reliable in combat. From 40 to 59, they are still legionaries, but with greater experience and discipline. From 60 to 69, they are Lords, capable of leading troops and facing dangerous situations without hesitation. From 70 to 79, they are Magisters, experts in tactics and advanced magic. From 80 to 89, they are called Champions, fearsome warriors known throughout the kingdom. And from 90 to 99, the Omicron—practically living legends, whose strength and abilities border on the impossible.
—So, if Lusian's guards are Lords or higher —Aritz continued—, that means we're talking about combatants level 60 and above, trained, with magic and tactics that far surpass our soldiers. That's why we cannot face them directly.
Andrea nodded slowly, understanding the magnitude of the problem.
—Then… it's not an exaggeration that you're this nervous.
Andrea was surprised to hear that, as she knew the strength of their territory's army. She asked:
—Father, we cannot offend that lord. By the way, what is that young man's name?
Aritz answered seriously:
—Lusian Douglas The Mondring.
Andrea recognized the name:
—I've heard of him at the academy. He's a first-year in Class A and was among the top 15 of the academy. He's also the one who beat Prince Leonardo.
Aritz seemed satisfied that Andrea finally understood the gravity of the situation:
—Well, now you get it. Now go to your room.
At the entrance of Dreville, Iker Erkhan, the governor's son, waited for the unpleasant guest.
—Good morning, my name is Iker Erkhan. On behalf of my father, I welcome you —he said, trying to maintain courtesy.
Leónidas Kash, Lusian's representative, responded kindly:
—A pleasure to meet you. My name is Leónidas Kash. Please guide us to the place where my lord will be staying.
Iker led Lusian and Emily through the building his father had prepared for them. As they walked through the halls, Emily commented:
—It's quite a nice place, isn't it, Lusian?
—Yes, it is —Lusian affirmed—. I'm sorry for forcing you to come.
Emily smiled calmly:
—Don't worry, I understand. But tell me, why did you want to come to this place?
Lusian decided not to reveal his true motives and answered naturally:
—I wanted to get some fresh air and relax, to get away from the noisy city.
Emily caught a nuance in his response and added:
—It seems like you also want to get away from your family.
—Not exactly —Lusian admitted—. It's complicated. Let's just leave it at that. What do you say we take a walk around the town?
The town of Dreville had 15,000 inhabitants and was protected by a solid wall, built to defend against monster attacks. Among its treasures was a healing waterfall descending from the mountain, whose waters mixed with a flow of mana.
Emily admired the scenery as Lusian commented:
—But we need to be careful. Staying too long in these waters can be dangerous; the body absorbs mana up to a certain limit, and if it exceeds it, it ends up poisoning itself.
—Wow… —Emily said, intrigued—. I've never heard anything like that.
Lusian smiled slightly:
—It's one of those details that make this world so unique.
When they arrived at the waterfall, Adela stepped forward toward Lusian:
—My lord, allow me to verify the safety of the waterfall.
—Don't exaggerate —Lusian replied—. It's just water. What danger could there be?
Albert laughed:
—Let her be, it's better this way.
Lusian sighed, somewhat frustrated:
—She's going to be this intense the whole trip, isn't she?
Emily observed Adela with curiosity:
—You two seem quite close. How long have you known each other?
—Since Adela was ten years old —Lusian explained—. My mother tested her magical affinity and decided to take her as a disciple. Since then, she has spent a lot of time training in the castle… and she also gave her that tiger that accompanies her.
Emily nodded, understanding:
—I see… she looks quite excited.
—Yes —Lusian added with an ironic smile—. She's playing at being a great escort… and she's becoming unbearable.
As they approached the water, a guard appeared in front of them:
—Welcome —he greeted—. I am a waterfall guard. If you wish to enter, please listen to the instructions before going in.
—Is that necessary? —Adela asked.
—Of course —the guard replied—. Your life depends on it.
—Is it that dangerous? —Adela insisted.
—If you listen and follow the recommendations —he explained—, there will be no problems. The duration of immersion depends on each person's strength. Exceeding it can be fatal. If you feel dizziness, headache, stomach pain, numbness, tremors, or pain in the chest around the mana core, you must leave immediately; these are signs of mana poisoning.
Adela returned to Lusian and informed him of the warnings. He looked intrigued.
—I'd like to try it —he said.
Emily didn't hesitate:
—I want to try too!
—Yes —Adela warned—. It's dangerous if you overdo it, but when used correctly, it purifies mana and helps heal wounds.
Emily put on a robe and entered the waterfall, enduring only four minutes and fifty seconds before stepping out. When she came out, she approached Lusian, who couldn't help but blush when he saw her with the wet robe. He quickly offered her a towel:
—Change… I don't want anyone to see you like that.
Then Lusian stepped into the waterfall and managed to stay for five minutes and twenty seconds. Adela and Aureus entered together and lasted four minutes and forty-five seconds. Albert was next and surprised everyone with a duration of seventeen minutes and thirty-five seconds. Lusian muttered in resignation:
—How annoying to have to wait for Albert.
Charles took the opportunity and endured fifteen minutes and ten seconds, making it clear that some members of the group had truly impressive mana control.
During dinner, while everyone ate calmly, Charles suddenly clutched his chest and almost fell from his seat. Leónidas reacted immediately and held him, while alarm spread across the table.
Albert, calm, intervened:
—Relax, everything is fine… Charles has just advanced to Magister. Congratulations, although it took you a bit longer than usual.
Lusian frowned, concerned:
—What happened to Charles?
Albert explained:
—Don't you remember, Lusian? It happened to you as well a couple of times when you advanced in class and your mana core expanded. It's painful at first, but once it stabilizes, everything returns to normal.
Lusian nodded, pretending to remember:
—Ah, right… when that happened to me, it was exactly because I advanced in class.