After writing down the final notes on his experiments, Martin barely had the energy to keep his eyes open. His mind was buzzing with information, and while he wanted to keep pushing forward, his body had reached its limit.
The constant use of the system's bronze tokens had taken a toll on him—his life-force was dangerously low, and any further usage could potentially put his health at risk, even if the effects weren't outwardly visible.
He was operating at less than a third of his optimal life-force capacity, a realization that forced him to confront the limitations of his power.
Setting his alarm for four in the morning, Martin didn't waste any time as he collapsed into bed. He needed sleep, and no amount of curiosity or ambition could keep him awake any longer.
The fatigue was overwhelming, both physically and mentally.
The next morning, Martin woke up to the sound of his alarm, groggy but determined to push through.
His daily meditation, a ritual he had adopted to maintain balance, felt like a necessity now more than ever. For the next four hours, he sat in silence, focusing on his breathing and clearing his mind.
Despite the lethargy that weighed him down, Martin pressed on. He needed to recover his life-force, and meditation was the only method he had found so far to gradually replenish it.
Once his session ended, he crawled back into bed, hoping to catch a few more hours of sleep. His body craved rest, and without hesitation, Martin succumbed to the deep, restorative slumber that followed.
At noon, the sound of his phone ringing dragged him back to consciousness. Groaning, he fumbled for the device, answering it without even glancing at the caller ID.
"Hello?" Martin's voice was hoarse, still thick with sleep.
"Martin! You're finally picking up my calls, son!" His mother's voice rang in his ears, ecstatic and relieved.
He froze for a moment, the realization of who was on the other end hitting him like a wave. His mother. He hadn't spoken to her in ages, not since everything in his life had taken such an unexpected turn.
A part of him had been avoiding her calls, unsure of how to explain the changes he'd undergone, but now that he had already answered, there was no backing out.
"Mom," Martin sighed, rubbing his temples as he sat up in bed, his body still heavy with fatigue. "Yeah, I'm sorry about that. I've just been... busy."
His mother's voice was filled with concern, but also warmth. "I can understand, but you can't just disappear on me like that! You know how I worry. Anyway, I'm calling because I want us to meet up. I was thinking we could go down to the countryside district, you remember that small town near the lake? I wanted to take you there to visit the urban market. It's been so long, and I think it would do us both some good."
Martin blinked, trying to piece together the town she was talking about. He vaguely remembered it—an area near the extreme end of the development lake district. It was a place that had once been considered rural but had gradually been absorbed into the provincial capital's influence as the city expanded.
The town was famous for its herbal specialties and traditional remedies, a detail that instantly piqued Martin's interest.
The timing couldn't have been more perfect. His recent studies on natural resources that could potentially replenish his life-force had left him with a desire to explore different remedies.
If this town was still known for its herbs and traditional practices, it might hold some valuable answers.
"Sure, Mom," Martin found himself saying, his mind already calculating the possibilities. "I'll go with you. I think it could be interesting."
His mother's delight was palpable through the phone. "Really? That's great! I'll come pick you up in my truck in about four hours. I'm so glad you agreed, Martin. It's been so long since we've spent time together."
After giving her his address, Martin hung up and stared at the phone for a moment. The conversation had been awkward, but it was inevitable.
He couldn't avoid his mother forever, and despite the lingering tension, he knew it was time to mend their relationship.
With four hours to prepare, Martin set about getting ready for the day. He pulled out casual clothes—nothing too fancy, just something comfortable. After all, this wasn't a business meeting, but a family outing.
He packed a briefcase just in case, a habit he had developed from his business dealings, and decided to prepare some sandwiches for both himself and his mother.
As he moved through the motions, Martin felt a mixture of nervousness and anticipation. It had been so long since he had seen his mother in person, and the weight of their past still lingered in the air.
But now, with his life taking such drastic turns, maybe this trip could be the start of something new, for both of them.
He had no idea what the day would bring, but one thing was certain—he was about to embark on a journey that went far beyond family obligations.
The herbal market held secrets that could potentially hold the key to his survival, and Martin wasn't about to miss out on an opportunity like that.
Four hours passed quicker than Martin had expected. In that time, he called his head butler to take care of the lizard, owl, and parrot.
The animals were to be transported back to the lakeside villa and kept securely in their cages. His instructions were clear: under no circumstances were the animals to be let out of their enclosures.
He also gave a command to the creatures themselves, ordering them not to cause any trouble. With their enhanced intelligence and loyalty, Martin trusted they would obey without question.
As for the husky, Martin decided to keep him close. The dog was already showing signs of heightened intelligence and loyalty, and it felt right to have him by his side for this reunion.
He had even taken the time to register the husky under the name Sky at the local animal care center, obtaining a collar with a serial number barcode that would help trace the dog back to him if it ever got lost.
The process had taken a good chunk of his time, but by the end of the four-hour window, everything was in place. He waited on the street down the apartment, Sky crouched by his feet.
Just as expected, right on time, his mother arrived in her old white Ford truck.
She pulled up alongside the curb and stepped out, walking around the vehicle to face Martin. The sight of her struck him in a way he hadn't anticipated.
Her mature beauty was still evident despite the wrinkles around her eyes and the tired smile she wore. The years had weighed heavily on her, and Martin couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt mixed with the remnants of old anger.
As she stood in front of him, her hesitation was palpable. She lifted her hands, as if to reach out and touch his face, but her fingers stopped just shy of making contact.
Eventually, she awkwardly rubbed her palms together and brought her hands behind her back, forcing a sheepish grin as her eyes trembled with suppressed emotion.
Martin stood there, at a loss for words. For so long, part of him had blamed his parents for the pain and chaos their divorce had caused in his life.
That tumultuous time had sent him on a downward spiral, and for years he had harbored resentment, blaming them for the struggles he had endured. But now, after everything he had experienced and witnessed, he understood that life wasn't always fair, and people had different ways of coping with their own pain.
The silence between them stretched on, and for a moment, Martin wasn't sure what to say or do. But then, as he watched his mother's fragile frame before him, the walls he had built around his heart began to crumble.
He took a deep breath and, without thinking too much about it, stepped forward and pulled her into his arms.
Her body trembled the moment he embraced her, and at first, she seemed unsure of how to respond. Then, her arms found their way around his waist, clutching at his back tightly as she pressed her forehead into his shoulder.
Martin felt her body shake as she let out a soft, suppressed sob, her hands gripping his shirt as if afraid to let go.
"I'm sorry, Martin," she whispered, her voice breaking with each word. "I'm so sorry... for everything. I never wanted things to be this way. I—"
Her apologies spilled out one after the other, her voice quivering as she struggled to keep her composure. Martin felt the wetness of her tears soaking through his shirt, but he said nothing. He just held her, allowing her to vent years of guilt and grief that had built up inside of her.
As the sobs gradually subsided, her words of sorrow turned into waves of gratitude. "Thank you for letting me be here... thank you for not shutting me out."