The moment it touched Henry's tongue, a wave of pure and soothing mana spread through his whole body.
"Ah…" Henry moaned, a pleasant expression on his face.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. The Mana Nectar drop replenished the natural accumulation of mana within his body. With this, he would be able to become a Simple-class magus in no time.
Felicia looked at him in shock and incredulity. She could feel a soothing feeling from that white drop. It was like a breeze of fresh air within this damp cave. It was absolutely captivating.
"You can take the next one," Henry said and smiled.
He stood to the side.
Felicia walked in front of the hole and waited. She repeatedly looked back at Henry as nothing was coming out. He kept motioning for her to wait.
After a few minutes, a white droplet suddenly gathered. It emitted a more substantial wave of mana compared to the previous one. Felicia didn't hesitate and let it drop into her mouth.
"Mmm…"
A wave of pure mana washed through her whole body. Black oils seeped out of her pores, making her smell putrid.
"What happened?" Felicia asked Henry in disgust at herself.
"Your body used the pure mana to rid itself of impurities. It seems like your talent is not that bad…"
Henry sized up Felicia. This was the first time he did so. He wasn't looking at her body parts, but at the amount of black substance that exited her pores. Only he could tell from them about her talent.
"..."
At this moment, Felicia suddenly became silent. She lifted her head and stared at Henry. A clear and determined look appeared on her face.
"Who are you?" Felicia asked in a heavy voice.
A conflict of emotions was visible on her face. She was grateful to him, but she also felt alienated. He wasn't her son anymore. This wasn't the Henry she was familiar with.
"Heh." Henry chuckled.
He looked out to the place they came from, and his eyes became unfocused.
"Henry… your son, and also, Henry of the Glorious Sparkasm Era."
A sharp gaze appeared within Henry's eyes. He glanced at Felicia, and a chill ran down her spine. Those eyes were not of her son's. It was of someone else.
It was the gaze of Henry of the Glorious Sparkasm Era, the master of many magi and the only being who succeeded in chanting that magic before his death. If only he could remember his past glories, he would have a sharper gaze.
Felicia gasped at the realization. She realized that a greater power was at play here. Her mind shook, and she instinctively took a step back.
"What… What happened to my Henry..?" Felicia's eyes started watering.
"I was supposed to keep my memories when you gave birth to me, but I didn't. Recently, those dreams I was having were the signs of my awakening," Henry answered and kept standing still.
"What…"
Felicia was flabbergasted at this revelation. Her son was the reincarnation of a great figure from the past. It was hard for her to swallow. Just like swallowing a bug, it made her uncomfortable.
"Mother…"
An ache pierced Henry's heart as he looked at her acting like this. He still remembered his memories with her. He truly saw her as his mother. Lately, it was just overshadowed by his past memories.
"..."
Felicia looked at him complicatedly. She wanted to go over and hug him, but he also seemed like an unknown person at the same time now that the news was revealed to her.
"I promise, I will protect you, Mother. I won't let that incident happen again," Henry iterated solemnly.
His gaze warmed, and the sharp gaze he had softened. He took a few steps forward and embraced her. Felicia didn't resist and felt Henry, who didn't mind her putrid smell.
"My son…"
Felicia could tell that Henry was her son. She knew because she was his mother. She knew him very well.
His past and his present overlapped in her mind. He was the same Henry she loved and cared for, except he was more mature and goal-driven.
"I'm sorry you had to find out this way. I'm genuine, Mother," Henry whispered and tightened his hug.
"Dear…"
Felicia returned the tight hug and cried a little. Somehow, she became more relaxed now that she knew he had the capabilities to stand in this world. It wasn't that she doubted him before, but he was simply too new as a magus to be that effective.
The mother and son hugged for a long time. Felicia took this time to know her son once more through body contact. It might not be obvious, but you could tell people by the way they hug you. He was a little different, but the care he gave her was the same.
"Henry… Your name. Did your previous mother name you that too?" Felicia asked as she separated from him.
"Yes. My memories of my past life are shattered, but I know it instinctively that she named me that."
Henry didn't hold back in answering her question. He didn't want his mother to distrust him. As her son, that would be heartbreaking.
"Your mother must be good to have a son like you. Ahahaha…" Felicia laughed self-deprecatingly.
She had no pride in herself, especially after she lost her dignity to a hobgoblin. Her only solace in this world was her dream to see her son succeed.
"You're a good mother too. Your sacrifice was worth my respect. As your son, I will repay that several times fold by leading you to the path of magic," Henry sincerely said.
His gaze was calm, loving, and honest. Felicia wiped her tears away and nodded her head. She knew he knew her night job, and it was a stain on their relationship. She became happy as he recognized her hard work and sacrifice.
"I will take the next drop, Mother."
Henry smiled at her and put his mouth under as the white droplet formed again.
This time, the pure mana invaded Henry's body and left his pores while simultaneously taking lots of impurities with them. As a result, he smelled putrid just like Felicia.