Chapter 95

Chapter 95
## Chapter 95: Never Mind The Heir, I’ll Focus On Healing

Lion pressed the glowing mineral into the cavity he had excavated, packing moist earth tightly around its edges to secure it in place.

“There. It fits precisely.”

The soil held the luminous ore snug, giving the distinct impression it had rested there since the dawn of time.

Next, he arranged a series of smooth stones along the water’s edge, circling the delicate flame herb.

One stone. Two stones.

With the luminous ore positioned near the resting sprite, he extended a hand and summoned a gentle current of mana.

*Ugh- ung-*

The glowing minerals flickered to life, responding to one another in a silent cadence, radiating the thermal energy of the adjacent flame herb directly into the pool.

That was only the beginning.

The sweet aroma of the flame herb blossoms began to drift outward, carrying a subtle, pleasant perfume across the entire expanse of the woods.

*5 hours and 20 minutes remaining until completion.*

“Well, this is going to take a little while.”

Lion dropped down beside the sleeping form of Nature, exhaling a sigh of relief as he watched the springwater gradually absorb the creeping warmth.

The process had stretched to nearly three days instead of two.

Even now, word from Rikschel had yet to arrive.

*I only hope nothing has gone wrong.*

After a brief pause, Lion shook his head to clear the thought.

It was foolish to leap to grim conclusions when no bad news had reached him.

“You should head back and rest now as well. You have done more than enough running around on my behalf.”

Hearing these words, Freya, who had been observing from a short distance away, parted her lips in silent surprise.

*Can he possibly remain this calm?*

For days, Freya had stood by and watched the surrounding ecosystem transform before her very eyes.

The sudden metamorphosis of the freezing spring into a warm, fragrant pool felt nothing short of miraculous.

“Are you certain you will not return to get some sleep?”

“No. I intend to remain here a while longer just in case an unexpected situation arises.”

“Then I shall stay here as well.”

Lion cast a glance at the stubborn determination shining in Freya’s eyes.

*I appreciate the sentiment, truly, but…*

He reasoned that a young person in the middle of their developmental years ought to maintain a proper sleep schedule.

Furthermore, someone raised in absolute comfort and luxury could hardly find sleeping outdoors appealing.

Added to that was the tireless labor she had performed carrying out his errands over the last forty-eight hours.

“There is a task waiting for you back at the estate.”

And so, Lion opted for a gentle deception.

“W-what task?”

“When Rikschel emerges from the training grounds, escort him here along with Grandfather.”

“What?”

“A spirit master would be the quickest way to ensure a full recovery, would they not? He has undoubtedly been through a strenuous ordeal, so remain by his side and guide him here.”

“……”

Freya hesitated for a few heartbeats before giving a slow nod.

*With that terrifying woman and the ancient spirit present, things should remain under control.*

Besides, Patrick Asteri could always intervene if the situation demanded it.

“Understood. I will safely accompany your younger sibling back to this place!”

The Asteri household still held a formidable reputation, but a student had no choice except to obey their mentor!

Offering a final word of caution, Freya turned and departed from the silent woods.

—

Meanwhile.

“……”

Rikschel Asteri sat motionless with his eyes firmly shut.

He drew a breath inward, held it deep within his chest until the foreign mana fused with his own, and released it slowly.

He had long since lost count of the repetitions.

His tightly closed eyelids trembled from exhaustion.

His physical endurance was rapidly approaching its absolute threshold.

Instinctive echoes of instruction drifted through his mind, fragments learned long ago.

His focus narrowed inward until the outside world ceased to exist entirely.

The spiritual spring resting deep within his body. He gathered fresh mana there, slowly carving out a vast lake.

That inner lake transformed into a surging river, then an ocean, rolling in violent waves through the structured channels known as circles.

The rising vapor condensed into falling rain, soaking deep into his physical form before returning once more to the primordial spring.

*…Only then shall your true path and ultimate enlightenment be revealed.*

*Just a little further.*

Rikschel maintained his intense concentration, driving himself toward the formation of a fifth circle vessel.

Cross-legged against the howling gales, eyes sealed tight, he remained completely detached from the external environment.

The garments that had once been pristine were now shredded in numerous places by howling atmospheric blades and razor-sharp shards of ice.

Each time his mental discipline faltered even slightly, the bitter, biting gales of the private training grounds lashed violently at his skin.

To lose concentration here meant certain death.

Absolute stillness was required alongside unyielding focus, yet he dared not drift into sleep.

Without an active stream of mana defending his flesh, the winds would tear him to pieces.

*Sshh! Ting!*

A flurry of jagged icicles pelted his mana-shrouded frame, bouncing away before shattering into glittering dust.

Even those remnants dissolved into sparse wisps of mana, absorbed smoothly back into Rikschel’s frame.

*Gulp.*

*Terrifying.*

It was a hazard he had confronted countless times before.

In truth, a cold shiver ran through his heart with every single trial.

Yet, such was the inherent nature of this grueling regimen.

To push past every known limitation and forge peril into personal strength.

To secure the fragile vessel forged in the crucible of near-death.

It could easily be classified as a barbaric method.

*Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t even have felt fear.*

Rikschel had entered the world gifted with extraordinary talent.

Obstacles had been virtually nonexistent, allowing him to claim whatever goal caught his eye.

His preparation as the designated heir had followed the exact same trajectory.

Which was precisely why he had resolved that upon mastering the fourth circle, he would breach the fifth right here in this isolated chamber.

After all, danger was merely the toll paid for achievement.

At the time, it had struck him as an entirely logical choice.

Because he possessed a clear, unwavering grasp of his own exceptional worth.

However…

*Looking back now, I was entirely mistaken.*

He had considered the process rational, remaining utterly blind to everything he stood to lose.

He simply had no idea.

He did not know that there were living souls genuinely terrified for his safety.

He did not realize that to them, he was valued as a cherished person rather than a mere political successor.

His arrogance had blinded him.

*If something were to happen to me in a place like this…*

They would grieve.

His family.

He understood that reality now.

He knew how deeply the Family Head—no, his grandfather—worried over him.

And his older brother as well.

The mere thought made his chest ache heavily, yet a profound warmth blossomed within the freezing expanse of the chamber.

It felt akin to bathing in gentle, heated waters.

*I want to return.*

Even so, Rikschel had been compelled to walk this path.

*The assassins.*

The moment his older brother departed the territory, a swarm of hired killers had descended upon him.

Granted, Elvia and the underworld coachman had stepped in to stabilize the situation, but the underlying truth remained glaringly obvious: he, the chosen heir, had proven far too weak compared to the Family Head.

Rikschel could not swallow that humiliation.

And so, the moment the assassins were dealt with, he had marched straight into this trial.

His underlying objective had never wavered.

To shield his family and his people.

To grow into a magnificent figure resembling his grandfather and protect his older brother.

*I want to see them soon.*

A faint smile touched Rikschel’s lips despite the brutal environment surrounding him.

He wished to earn even more praise, to sit down and devour every dish they prepared to his heart’s content.

*My desires are not particularly grand.*

Honestly, grand titles like the successor to a supreme magic lineage held zero appeal for him.

He simply wished to remain by his older brother’s side.

He only desired to fulfill his natural duty as a younger brother to his sibling and the youngest grandson to his patriarch.

Indeed. He had no wish to rule in isolation.

Nothing enduring ever grew out of absolute solitude.

He wanted them together.

He missed them terribly.

His older brother, his grandfather, every single one of them.

*… !*

Right as that thought crossed his mind.

The chaotic torrent of mana, previously rampaging wildly through his meridians due to the absence of a stable inner vessel, suddenly began to converge in a steady ring around his heart.

Mana that finally discovered its proper anchor yielded instantly to a definitive will.

*Paat!*

As Rikschel slowly unsealed his eyes, the dark cavern illuminated brilliantly, and the swirling tempest of magical energy died down instantly as if extinguished.

And thus, long before reaching the age of majority.

A pristine fifth circle etched itself permanently across Rikschel’s chest.

It was a milestone capable of sending shockwaves throughout the entire empire… but.

For Rikschel himself, the achievement of the fifth circle barely registered as an accomplishment.

The singular priority occupying his mind at that exact moment…

“He likely has not returned yet, has he?”

Was whether Lion had successfully made his way back.

Rikschel sprang upright without hesitation, striding rapidly toward the exit of the training grounds.

—

*Sniff, sniff!*

The crisp, revitalizing aroma of deep, verdant foliage drifted gently into Lion’s nostrils.

Lion slowly fluttered his eyelids open, feeling his mental exhaustion and physical wear melt away under the influence of the soothing scent.

Dense canopy leaves filled his immediate field of vision.

“Uhm.”

Lion shifted within his sleeping bag, pushing himself up to a sitting position.

He had intended to keep a watchful eye on the remaining countdown timer, but exhaustion had clearly gotten the better of him.

“Ppii!”

“Hm?”

Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Lion snapped completely awake at the familiar, welcoming cry.

“Nature?”

“Ppippi!”

Nature, which had previously been plunged into a deep, restorative slumber, was now fluttering about in peak condition, perching proudly upon his shoulder!

“You are awake! Are you feeling entirely well now?”

Nature puffed out its chest ostentatiously, preening its glossy feathers with a sharp beak.

The gesture practically screamed that it was far too proud to let anyone worry over its condition.

“Thank goodness.”

A profound wave of relief washed over Lion. He had harbored a lingering anxiety that the sprite might have dangerously overextended its limits.

Wait a moment. But…

His shoulder felt noticeably damp.

Come to think of life, Nature’s wings also appeared slightly ruffled and wet at the edges.

*Could that mean—?*

Lion whipped his head around, fixing his gaze straight ahead.

“…It is finished!”

The floating text box displaying the remaining time had vanished completely!

Lion hurried forward toward the edge of the steaming hot spring.

*Plop!*

He dipped a hand into the crystal-clear fluid, and an instant, pleasant warmth coursed up his fingertips.

Seizing the opportunity, Lion grabbed an empty potion flask, scooped up a sample of the liquid, and inspected its properties.

*Deep Mimir Forest Hot Spring Water (★★★)*

*- Clear and pristine water! Infused with a refreshing, natural aroma that appeals to anyone.*

*- Bathing within this spring accelerates physical stamina recovery significantly.*

*- The frequency of bathing heightens the subtle sensation that fortunate events are bound to occur.*

“Oh.”

Merely dipping a single flask yielded a three-star rating.

That guaranteed a dramatic boost to stamina recovery.

Lion debated whether to indulge in a long soak immediately, but ultimately shook his head.

Tired as he was, experiencing the hot spring together with the others held far greater meaning.

“In that case…”

Lion stretched his arms overhead, scanning his surroundings.

Fortunately, it was still early morning, meaning Freya had not yet completed her journey back to the Mimir Forest.

*I should prepare a few snacks.*

Freya had delivered a diverse array of goods, leaving him well-stocked with ingredients.

Among them, Lion had a specific recipe in mind…

“This is the obvious choice, of course.”

Lion picked up a smooth, bluish egg.

*Cheonggyeran (★)*

*- Larger than standard eggs, distinguished by a striking blue-tinted shell!*

*- The longer it is chewed, the richer and more savory the flavor of the yolk becomes.*

“Roasted eggs.”

Lion dropped a generous batch of eggs into the alchemy pot, topping them off with a generous measure of the freshly gathered hot spring water.

He added a pinch of salt before snapping the lid securely into place.

…An alchemy pot functioned as a pot all the same, so this should work out fine, right?

Besides, adjusting thermal output was a simple matter of control.

*Think of it as a high-end automated cooker.*

Lion dialed the internal temperature to a precise level before reaching into his pocket to retrieve a handful of Mellow Grass.

*Should they feel fatigued after enjoying the hot spring, a sweet treat will hit the spot.*

Morning had just broken, but they were expected to arrive around midday, meaning the timing would align perfectly.

Lion placed the Mellow Grass berries onto a bed of flame herb leaves, roasting them evenly.

Moments later, the snow-white exterior of the Mellow Grass shifted to a delicate golden-brown, slowly softening.

*Now!*

Lion laid the roasted Mellow Grass berry onto a crisp cracker, topped it with a square of rich chocolate, pressed another cracker over the top, and quickly assembled a series of neat sandwiches.

While he remained thoroughly absorbed in preparing portions for his returning family members…

“Older Brother.”

A familiar presence brushed against his senses, accompanied by the exact voice he had yearned to hear.