Warmth flooded through his body, overwhelming and deep, as though his skin was no longer a wall but a bridge — letting the hot water seep straight into his bones.
Sikth felt the chill that had clung to his chest for years slowly recede, drop by drop, as if the faint fire within him — one that had nearly died — had found something to awaken it once more.
He closed his eyes, his breathing slowing, surrendering to the strange new sensation he'd never known before.
Through the veil of steam rising from the bath, Arin caught glimpses of the walls — adorned with rare metals, shelves stacked with unfamiliar tools, and stones that glowed with quiet light.
The place radiated a luxury he was unaccustomed to.
This house was only a secondary residence that Mike owned in the city, one he rarely visited. Most of his time was spent high within the Magic Tower, devoted entirely to his research.
As Arin surrendered to the heat of the bath infused with Sun Essence Herbs, he heard movement behind him — then saw Mike's hand appear at the edge of the tub, tossing in a small, shimmering blue crystal.
It was tiny, yet the surge of pure mana it released made Arin's body tremble involuntarily, as though his very being were starving for it.
Mike's voice was calm — the tone of someone delivering a sacred instruction.
> "This isn't an ordinary mana stone. It's a Pure Mana Crystal. It'll amplify the effect of the herbs. Try to feel the flow of the medicinal bath and guide it through your body. When the herbs begin to fade, direct the remaining mana from the crystal inward. It'll save you the trouble of absorbing from the air — the concentration here isn't like in the tower's chamber. Don't let your body crack under the overflow of energy."
> "Isn't it… expensive?" Arin asked, his voice hesitant. He knew, from the story he remembered, how valuable such a crystal was.
Unlike common mana stones used for crafting tools and potions, Pure Mana Crystals — refined to absolute purity — were used as currency between high-ranking mages and warriors. They were treasures that directly increased one's mana or chi reserves through absorption.
Mike chuckled softly.
> "Don't worry. It's from Harvey. You heard us discuss it earlier, didn't you? Honestly, I don't know why he's so anxious about you — or so determined to have you join this year."
Thinking back, maybe they had talked about something like that. But at the time, he hadn't been listening — his mind had been elsewhere, occupied with planning for the future.
Now, though, the reason for Harvey's behavior was clear. He feared being punished by his mentor. But that wasn't the only reason… The truth was simpler: Harvey wanted to become his master's apprentice — just like Arin.
It wasn't strange.
My teacher is bound to ice and space, Arin thought. I inherited the ice. Harvey likely wants to inherit the space.
Even so, I can't deny — I owe him. He's helped me more than once.
And that's another reason I have to succeed.
Arin opened his eyes slightly. Beneath the surface, the crystal pulsed softly with light — like a second heart, beating in place of the frozen one inside his chest.
---
Half an hour passed.
The golden hue of the Sun Essence Herbs began to fade, and the water gradually returned to its normal color.
He knew what that meant. The time had come.
He reached into the water, grasped the crystal, and sat cross-legged at the edge of the tub.
Closing his eyes, he steadied his breathing.
He didn't need Mike's guidance anymore. With a Pure Mana Crystal in hand, this felt… almost natural.
He began to absorb mana slowly. The channels in his body received it eagerly, as though remembering something long forgotten.
The current flowed smoothly along his arms — up to his shoulders.
Here was the difference: before, the mana had always sunk like mud into a swamp.
But now… nothing blocked it.
As it neared his heart, the flow slowed again. The herbs' effects were fading.
He furrowed his brow and focused harder, forcing the mana forward — until it struck an invisible wall of ice.
Damn it… I'm so close. I can't stop now.
He hurled the mana against the sealed paths, his body trembling with pain. Blood dripped from his mouth. It wasn't working.
So he changed tactics — retreating, then surging again. Again and again, without rest.
Bit by bit, the wall weakened — until a small crack appeared.
It wasn't enough to form a mana core. But he didn't stop.
The pain ripped through him; sweat mixed with blood; yet he refused to yield.
Boom... boom...
Finally, half the barrier shattered. Mana burst through like a flood released from a broken dam, rushing straight toward his heart.
His body felt like it was falling apart, but he held on — compressing, shaping, forcing the mana into form.
A thin, unstable ring — a filament of power — began to take shape.
Fifteen minutes of agony.
Then…
He opened his eyes.
The water was dark with blood and black impurities. His chest was soaked crimson.
But the mana ring — it was there. Complete.
> "How do you feel?"
He lifted his head weakly. At the doorway stood Mike and Harvey.
The words that escaped his lips were faint, broken by exhaustion.
> "I hate… pain."
Then darkness claimed him.
Before he collapsed, Harvey caught him with a grin.
> "You've earned your rest, kid."
---
Thirty Minutes Earlier
In Mike's residence — Reception Room
> "What do you think? Will he make it?"
Harvey asked, watching his friend return quietly.
> "Hmm… Difficult to say," Mike replied. "You know as well as I do — most born with that kind of body never even begin their path as mages. As warriors? Impossible. No record of it, ever."
> "You didn't answer the question," Harvey pressed.
Mike sighed.
> "I think he'll fail. And I'll warn you now — don't go back on your word. I've done everything I could."
> "Relax," Harvey said, smiling, pulling out an old, weathered book.
Mike's composure vanished — he leapt to his feet, snatching the tome from Harvey's hand with uncharacteristic urgency, gripping it as if it might vanish into dust.
Harvey chuckled as Mike flipped through the pages without understanding a word.
> "Enough staring. You can't even read it."
Mike blinked, collecting himself, then set the book aside.
> "You underestimate me. Even if it's written in a forgotten tongue, I can recognize fragments. I believe it's from the Age of Extinction — maybe even the Age of Emperors."
(Author's Note: The chronological order of ages — Primordial Age, Age of Gods, Age of Calamities, Age of Emperors, Age of Extinction, Age of Humanity, and finally, the current one: Age of Saints.)
> "Oh, great. Then I made a bad deal," Harvey muttered.
Mike's gaze sharpened.
> "A deal is a deal. No backing out."
Harvey smirked.
> "Don't worry. I keep my promises. Just make sure to share the findings when you decipher it — call it compensation."
Mike nodded; he knew if he refused, Harvey would find a way to trick him anyway.
Then Mike shifted the topic.
> "And you — do you think he'll succeed?"
Harvey paused, thoughtful.
> "I don't know. I hate guessing without proof."
Mike gave a dry chuckle.
> "So that's not a guess, then."
Harvey smiled faintly.
> "He's gifted, no doubt. But his personality? It's… peculiar. Arrogant, a little too sure of himself — as if the world moves to his plans. Modest on the outside, but there's a look in his eyes… the look of someone who knows he won't lose."
Mike arched a brow.
> "That's quite the analysis."
Harvey continued after a brief silence.
> "But the real issue — he hates pain. I noticed it when he dropped the sword earlier just because it cut his palm."
Suddenly, a violent surge of mana exploded through the house.
The two men exchanged stunned looks — then sprinted toward the bath without another word.