Standing with unwavering poise above the boy Nym was Lady Flora, her knight-servant beside her. In the corner, curled into herself and asleep, sat Gina.
Flora focused intently on the flow of world-essence coursing through Nym's body as it reshaped, repaired, and strengthened itself—cleansing him from within. From beneath him, a viscous mass seeped through his pores—frozen impurities tinted in a deep violet hue, or something close to it.
She addressed the knight beside her:
"His bond with his natural element is… beyond belief. Look—his body is so cold that the impurities freeze the moment they leave him."
"It seems that his body and his element are working in perfect harmony, cleansing him without causing harm. I suspect the reason lies in the core—it still carries fragments of his father's emotions and will. It's as though he wishes to remain with his son… to help him, even in death."
Flora paused, then continued, her voice quieter:
"For his core to be absorbed by his own son… I can't imagine a more fitting end. It's better this way. His will shall guide the full consumption of the core, preventing any of it from escaping or going to waste."
She lowered her gaze, voice tinged with guilt.
"Maybe it was selfish of me not to tell him… but he needed to be in a state where he wouldn't fear the risk. Only then could he absorb it without hesitation. Believe me—I've done this with many boys and girls… but it's always for the sake of the city. For them. So we may grow stronger—and they as well."
"They'll be angry at first. Furious. But later… their hearts will soften with gratitude and shame for ever doubting me. They'll understand—I didn't do this for amusement. I did it for their own good."
"I showed my daughter this side of me, too. Someday, she may have to do the same for someone else. I wanted her to be prepared—to not be shocked by what we sometimes must do. That's what I tell myself, at least… maybe it's a flawed method. But it's fast—and effective."
"And that's what our city needs. We don't have enough Lords to face the dangers ahead. And the Merged? Even fewer."
"They call us walking disasters… but that's only because they haven't seen what real disasters look like, beyond these walls."
The knight's deep voice interrupted her.
"My lady, Princess of Darkness… you need not burden yourself further. I know what you're doing—it's a matter of quality against quantity. You're doing your best. You always have. Don't forget that."
"This effort… all of it—is to lift the curse. To erase it, if we can."
"And this boy… he carries the spark of ascension within him. A flicker of greatness. Hope for the city."
"Perhaps… he will become more powerful than any of us imagine. But for now, he must be protected. So he may grow. So the cub may one day become a wolf."
Swoooosh… swoaaaash.
A fierce, freezing wind swept through the room, flurries of snow swirling with it. It streamed toward Nym's body—through his pores, his nose, his mouth—permeating every inch of him.
And the core absorbed it all.
Flora stood stunned.
This isn't natural… she thought.
No beginner Bound should be capable of influencing world-essence like this—forcing it to mimic his element and flow into an unfinished core to build it. And yet… this was exactly what she was witnessing.
She peered closely, her gaze fixated on the swirling storm gathering at Nym's navel. Her breath caught in her throat.
It wasn't just a storm—it was the core. And it was forming in layers, each one twice the size of the last, building a construct five times the size of an average person's core.
Even Flora, with all her pride and unmatched talent, had only managed to form a core twice the average size.
And now… she felt shame. Envy.
At that moment, Nym opened his eyes. Slowly, he placed his hand on the ground and sat cross-legged. His gaze met Flora's.
His expression was peaceful—like that of a sleeping infant. And in his icy blue eyes… there shimmered a quiet gratitude, and deep contentment.