"M-Mom..."
In a panic, Azriel dropped the dagger. With a loud clank, it hit the floor, making him flinch as the sound echoed through the room.
Azriel looked down at the dagger, about to crouch and grab it hurriedly, but before he could, his mother moved.
Suddenly, she was right in front of him, gripping his left hand tightly with a cold expression.
"What is the meaning of this?"
Azriel gulped, looking at her face. There wasn't a hint of humor in her tone—it was serious.
"I-It's not what it looks like, Mom! Don't misunderstand. I was just... testing something."
"And what exactly were you testing that required you to harm yourself?"
"A... skill," he mumbled.
Aeliana narrowed her eyes at Azriel, who looked back at her, his face pale.
"A skill?"
Azriel nodded quickly, desperate to convince her.
