Jerry stared at him, his respect for Ethan reaching new heights. He had seen strength, courage, and even madness in his king before, but this... this was something different. It was calculated brilliance wrapped in raw power.
"Rest?" Harley asked skeptically, her hands on her hips. "You just burned through a crazy amount of mana and almost set the sky on fire with that display. Are you sure you don't need medical attention?"
Ethan chuckled softly, his weariness evident in the slight sag of his shoulders. "I'll be fine. Primogenitor regeneration has its perks, remember?"
Harley gave him a pointed look, her concern unmasked. "Perks or not, you're still mortal, Ethan. You can't keep pushing yourself like this."
"I know," he replied, his voice softer now. "But I had to do it. They're all counting on me, Harley. I can't let them down."
