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"Oh my goodness, what am I supposed to tell your mom if you die? That I couldn't take care of her son after her death?!" Denim exclaimed, his voice trembling as he wiped my forehead with a cold towel. My temperature was so high that my bed was soaked with sweat. My head throbbed with a nasty headache, and a constant nosebleed had left me weak and miserable.
Denim stood up abruptly, muttering something under his breath, and cast a Great Heal spell on me. The pain ebbed instantly, and a refreshing coolness spread through my body. Then, without a word, Denim left the room with cheeks redder than a ripe tomato.
I chuckled weakly to myself. "He's probably embarrassed," I thought. *"Why didn't I just heal him instead of fussing like some mother hen?"* he was likely grumbling to himself as he walked out. I shook my head, deciding to ignore his odd behavior. I turned over and closed my eyes, hoping to rest properly this time.
---
**A Few Minutes Ago**
Blood was pouring out of my nose like a broken faucet. My concentration shattered, and with it, the euphoric energy of the Mana spiral turned into unbearable pain. I screamed at the top of my lungs, the sound echoing through the cultivation room.
---
**Present**
I sighed, recalling the mess I'd created. *No wonder Denim seemed frantic earlier.* I had already slept enough but remained in bed, feeling too drained to move.
Denim returned with a tray of refreshments and set it down on the bedside table. His expression was unreadable as he sat on the edge of my bed.
"What happened back there," he began, "is called a Mana Overload. It happens when someone who has never experienced Mana before absorbs more than their body can handle. Once your concentration broke, the Mana rampaged through your body, almost tearing you apart."
I gulped, the memory of the pain still fresh.
"In fact, you're lucky you didn't explode into pieces," he added bluntly, shaking his head. "What we're doing here is dangerous, but it's the fastest way to ensure you awaken properly."
He leaned forward, locking his stern gaze on me. "The method I'm teaching you involves accumulating Mana in your body over time. When you turn fourteen, you'll begin suppressing it while continuing to absorb small amounts. This will prepare your body for a controlled awakening on your fifteenth birthday. It's risky but worth it."
Denim stood up and crossed his arms. "Make sure to recover well," he said with a smirk. "Oh, and for the record? I wasn't actually worried about you earlier. I just wanted to see your reaction when I wiped your forehead with a wet towel."
I stared at him, dumbfounded, as he strode to the door. "Good night," he said with a casual wave, and then he left, closing the door behind him.
I smiled faintly. Despite his gruff attitude, Denim was proving to be surprisingly reliable. I felt a pang of longing as I thought about my mother. *She'd be proud of him, too,* I thought before drifting off to sleep again.
---
**The Next Morning**
Training started early, just like before. While it felt slightly easier than yesterday, it still left me in an almost-dead state by the end of it.
As I collapsed onto the ground, my lungs burning, I couldn't help but think about Leah—the ever-cursing "mermaid."
*Why the hell am I thinking about her right now?* I scolded myself, shaking my head. Still, I couldn't deny a small part of me was excited to see her again.
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