Chapter 63 - Finally! The Answers

Luca lay in bed, a scowl on his face, his frustration simmering just beneath the surface.

"No one told me anything. Not about the consequences, not about the time, nothing."

His mind ran wild with guesses.

"Three days? Four? Surely not more than five, right? Please not more than five..."

The white ceiling above offered no answers. The sterile infirmary smelled of herbs and magic-infused ointments, too clean for his liking.

The hours passed slowly until golden afternoon light spilled through the window.

Just then, the door creaked open, and the healer stepped in with a clipboard floating beside him. He glanced over Luca and gave a small, satisfied nod.

"Hmm. Your condition is improving. That’s good," he said, gently adjusting the mana-monitoring bracelet around Luca’s wrist.

Luca leaned forward slightly. "When can I leave?"

The healer chuckled. "Eager to get out, are we?" He flipped a page. "Well, that depends. After tonight’s inspection, we’ll have a clearer picture. You’ve taken in quite a bit of strain, you know."

Just then, a polite knock echoed at the door.

The healer raised a brow. "You sure have a lot of visitors... though this one seems more mannered than the rest."

He turned toward the door and called, "Come in!"

The door opened smoothly, and in stepped Seraphina.

Her icy blue hair was tied into a neat bun, and her expression was as sharp as ever—cold, composed, unreadable. Her very presence quieted the room.

The healer blinked, then straightened. "Oh, Professor. In that case, I’ll step out." He paused beside Luca. "He’s still injured, so—"

"I won’t take long," Seraphina interrupted curtly. Her eyes remained fixed on Luca, her tone even as ever.

The healer gave her a small nod before slipping out, the door closing behind him with a soft thud.

Seraphina walked to the side of the bed, her presence composed and crisp as ever. She looked down at him, arms lightly folded.

"How are you feeling?" she asked, voice calm.

Luca gave a weak chuckle. "Apart from the headache and the fact I move like a half-frozen turtle? I’d say I’m doing great."

A small smile tugged at the corners of Seraphina’s lips. "You’ve gotten cheekier."

She paused, then let out a sigh. "You have no idea how many waves you’ve caused this time."

Luca blinked. "Waves? What happened?"

Seraphina’s expression hardened slightly. "You were already involved in the Blood Crystal incident... and now, not even a month later, another high-level anomaly occurred—and once again, you were at the center of it."

She stepped closer, her voice lowering. "More concerning, however, is the power you displayed. That final attack... it was on par with some of the instructors here. And you’re a first-year. Of course there was a price to pay for it."

Luca’s brow furrowed.

Was Moonslayer really that powerful? It defeated that monster, sure—but it didn’t feel like something world-shattering. I thought it was just... strong. Maybe a bit above average. But if everyone is reacting like this...

He glanced up. "You said there was a price to pay for it. Aurelia mentioned consequences too. What did you mean by that?"

Seraphina hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"I think it’s best if your master tells you herself. She’ll be visiting soon."

Luca’s eyes narrowed slightly in surprise. "Huh are you aware of that?"

Seraphina gave a slow nod. "Enough to be concerned. But it’s not my place to explain it."

She straightened, switching back to her professional tone. "Now, to the real reason I came. What happened in that cave isn’t just an isolated event. It’s directly tied to the dungeon incident and blood crystal. Because of that, representatives from various factions will come to question you soon—especially since you seem to have a knack for ending up in the middle of these things."

Luca grimaced. "You say it like that’s a

good

thing."

Seraphina allowed herself a wry smile. "Well, at least you’re practiced at giving statements by now."

She turned toward the door. "I’ll be heading out. We have to start preparations for the Beastridge Mountain expedition."

"Beastridge Mountain?" Luca echoed under his breath as she left.

Why prepare so early...?

The door closed behind her with a click, leaving him alone once again—with more questions than answers.

"Sigh... so many questions, but no answers."

Luca stared up at the ceiling, his mind buzzing.

The Blood Crystal, the price for Moonslayer, everyone’s reaction—what exactly happened to me?

He turned slightly, wincing at the movement. "No point overthinking it now. I’ll just ask Master everything when she comes..."

That thought offered the smallest comfort. Slowly, his eyes drifted shut, lulled into sleep by the lingering exhaustion that clung to his body like chains.

Time passed unnoticed. When he next opened his eyes, the world outside his window had dimmed. Night had fallen.

A familiar presence stood beside him—the healer, gently checking his vitals with practiced hands and a soft smile.

"Awake again, huh? That’s good."

Luca blinked the sleep from his eyes. "How long was I out?"

The healer chuckled. "Not long. But we’ll need to keep you here for at least a week."

Luca jerked up slightly—then immediately regretted it as a bolt of pain shot through his side.

"One

week

? That much time? Why?"

The healer raised an eyebrow, as if Luca had just asked whether water was wet. "Try circulating your aura. Just a bit."

Confused but obedient, Luca closed his eyes and drew his focus inward. The moment he tried to move his aura—

A

wave

of pain erupted through his chest, burning like fire under his skin.

His eyes snapped open, face contorted in agony. "Guh—!"

The healer gave a knowing nod. "See? You’re lucky we stabilized you in time."

He pulled back, tidying his tools. "Rest, eat, and don’t be stubborn. That’s the only way you’ll heal."

With that, he left, closing the door softly behind him.

Luca lay still, his body aching and heavy.

Just how bad is my condition?

What the hell happened to my body...?

His fingers clenched the bedsheet.

"I can’t wait for my Master to come... I

need

to know what happened."

The room was silent, dimly lit by the soft glow of the moonlight filtering through the infirmary window.

Luca lay still, thoughts spiraling—until a

soft creak

of the window breaking open startled him.

A cold breeze entered, followed by a figure dressed in flowing white. Her white hair shimmered under the moonlight, a veil hiding the lower half of her face.

She stepped through the open window as if gravity held no claim on her.

Luca’s eyes widened. His voice trembled with emotion.

"Master... you’re finally here."

She walked toward him with quiet grace. Placing a gentle hand atop his head, the Tower Master spoke in a serene, almost motherly tone.

"It’s good that you regained consciousness."

Luca stared up at her, so many emotions surging at once—confusion, fear, gratitude.

"Master... I have so many questions."

She nodded lightly.

"I know. Ask."

And the dam burst.

"First—everyone says my attack was too powerful. Why? They say there were consequences—what kind? What happened after I collapsed? And how long... how long have I been here in the infirmary?"

He finally stopped to breathe, chest rising and falling rapidly.

The Tower Master chuckled softly, the veil shifting slightly with her amusement.

"Calm down, child. I’ll answer them all."

Luca nodded, trying to settle the whirlwind inside him.

She sat beside the bed, hands folded in her lap, and began.

"Your attack was indeed too powerful. I suspected its origin... but I’m not ready to tell you that just yet."

Her gaze, though hidden, felt heavy with meaning.

"As for the consequences—" she sighed, then continued, "That technique... I didn’t think you’d be able to grasp it yet. That’s why I didn’t warn you. Your body simply wasn’t ready."

Raising a hand, she traced a glowing arc in the air. Luca’s own chest flickered with faint blue light in response, revealing internal mana channels that looked cracked and unstable.

"Your internal aura circuits—burned. Overloaded. Torn." Her tone turned grave.

"You forced power through a gate that wasn’t wide enough yet. And if you do it again, without mastering control..."

She paused, the silence pressing down on them.

"We may not be able to save you next time."

Luca swallowed hard. His heart thudded in his ears.

That much power... came at such a cost?

She stood up.

"Just rest for now, and recover. We won’t continue your training yet. After your return from Beastridge Mountain, we’ll begin again."

She turned to leave, her figure nearly merging with the shadows. But at the doorway, she paused, glancing back at him over her shoulder.

"Be careful at Beastridge Mountain, Luca."

He called out, voice uncertain.

"Master... wait. How long have I been unconscious?"

She blinked, then answered casually as if mentioning the weather.

"Oh... two weeks."

And then she was gone.

Luca sat frozen, mouth twitching, eyes wide with disbelief.

"T-two...

weeks

?"