Lucavion leaned against the counter, his smirk softening into something more genuine. “How are the kids doing?” he asked, his tone quieter now, but no less curious. It was clear he meant Sena and Riken, the foxkin siblings he had brought to the Iron Matron’s care.
Liora’s face lit up with a smile, her usual cheerfulness returning. “They’re doing fine,” she said warmly. “Sena’s… well, she’s good at adapting. Quick to learn and eager to help out. She’s already made herself at home, really. But Riken…” Her smile dimmed slightly, though her affection remained. “He’s a little different. He still carries that look with him, you know? That closed-off expression. Some of the customers think he’s arrogant because of it.”
Lucavion nodded, his smirk turning into a knowing grin. “Men and women are different after all,” he said simply, swirling the drink in his glass. “Sena’s flexible—she’s adjusting. Riken? He’s got more walls to break through.”
Liora shrugged, her smile growing mischievous. “Maybe, but I still think he’s cute. You know, in his own brooding way.”
Lucavion raised a brow, his grin turning playful. “Cute, huh? Like a hamster?”
Liora groaned, her blush returning. “Shut up… You—”
Before she could finish, the sound of footsteps drew both their attention. The Iron Matron herself, Mariel Farlon, approached the bar, carrying Lucavion’s meal on a polished tray. Her imposing figure and sharp gaze instantly commanded respect, and Liora, who had been so lively moments ago, seemed to shrink into herself, standing a little straighter and quieter.
“Your meal,” Mariel said curtly, placing the tray before Lucavion with precision. Her gaze flicked briefly to Liora, who offered a sheepish smile and a quick nod, then back to Lucavion. “Enjoy it.”
Lucavion inclined his head, his tone casual but polite. “Thanks, Miss Little Bear.”
As Lucavion picked up his fork to begin his meal, Mariel’s sharp eyes caught the shattered remains of the glass on the floor behind the bar. Her brow furrowed, and she turned to Liora with a look that froze the young woman in her tracks. Liora lowered her head immediately, her cheeks flushing with guilt.
“Liora,” Mariel said in a low, firm tone that brooked no argument. She stepped closer, grabbing the girl gently by the ear and giving it a firm tug. Liora yelped, her face growing redder by the second. “What did I tell you about breaking things in my inn?”
“I-It was an accident!” Liora stammered, but Mariel wasn’t having it.
With a swift motion, she gave Liora a sharp smack on her backside, the sound echoing through the bar. Liora squeaked, jumping slightly, her hands flying to her now-throbbing rear. “W-What are you doing?!”
“Teaching you a lesson,” Mariel replied curtly, crossing her arms and giving Liora a pointed look. “And now, you’re going to clean up that mess in under two minutes. If it’s not spotless, you’ll get another.”
“Two minutes?!” Liora repeated, her voice pitching up in disbelief.
“Two minutes,” Mariel said firmly, her eyes narrowing. “And I’m counting.”
Liora scrambled to grab a broom, her movements hurried and frantic. As she bent down to start cleaning, she stumbled slightly, letting out a small hiss of pain as the sting on her backside made itself known.
Lucavion, who had been watching the scene unfold with barely-contained amusement, finally burst into laughter, nearly choking on a bite of food. “Oh, Liora,” he said, his voice shaking with mirth. “That stumble was priceless. Looks like the hamster bit off more than she could chew.”
Liora shot him a glare, her face a mix of fury and embarrassment, but under Mariel’s watchful gaze, she didn’t dare say anything. Instead, she muttered something unintelligible under her breath as she furiously swept up the glass shards.
Once satisfied that Liora was sufficiently occupied, Mariel turned her attention back to Lucavion. “So,” she said, her tone calm but curious, “you ordered another portion of food. That’s for the pink girl, isn’t it?”
Lucavion arched a brow at the nickname but nodded. “Valeria, yes. She forgot to eat before rushing off. Figured I’d make sure she doesn’t starve.”
Mariel tilted her head slightly, her sharp eyes narrowing with faint amusement. “An Awakened won’t starve so easily,” she remarked, her voice calm but edged with her usual no-nonsense demeanor.
Lucavion smirked, setting his fork down as he leaned back against the bar. “Unless…”
Mariel’s gaze flickered with understanding, her tone turning matter-of-fact. “They’re breaking through.”
“Yep,” Lucavion replied simply, the faintest hint of approval in his tone.
Mariel crossed her arms, nodding slowly. “Then it’s best she isn’t disturbed tonight,” she said firmly. Her sharp gaze locked on Lucavion. “I’ll keep an eye on things myself. Just in case.”
Lucavion’s expression softened into something almost polite, a rarity for him. “That would be helpful,” he said with a respectful nod. “No one should bother her. This is important.”
Mariel scoffed lightly, her lips curving into a faint smirk. “With me here, who would dare?”
Lucavion chuckled softly, raising his hands in mock agreement. “You’re right. Anyone dumb enough to try would deserve whatever you’ve got in store for them.”
Mariel nodded in satisfaction, her presence commanding as always. With a glance over her shoulder at Liora—who was still furiously scrubbing the floor—she turned back to Lucavion. “I’ll make sure everything stays quiet. You, finish your meal. And Liora…” Her voice rose, drawing a startled yelp from the girl. “Time’s almost up!”
“Yes, ma’am!” Liora squeaked, her hands working even faster.
Lucavion watched the scene unfold, his smirk returning as he picked up his fork. “I feel safer already,” he murmured under his breath, thoroughly entertained by the Iron Matron’s commanding efficiency.
******
The soft glow of moonlight filtered through the thin curtains of Valeria’s room, casting pale silver streaks across the wooden floor. The room was quiet, save for the faint crackle of energy in the air as she made her final preparations. The mana stones she had gathered earlier pulsed faintly on the table, their light reflecting in her focused eyes.
Valeria took a deep breath, steadying herself. She had arranged everything with meticulous care: the herbs for stabilization, the mana stones to fuel the process, and the array she had drawn—a complex weave of lines and symbols designed to guide her mana’s flow. At the center of it all sat her mana ore, humming with the power she’d spent weeks accumulating.
‘This is it,’
she thought, her heart calm but resolute.
‘No distractions, no hesitation. Just focus.’
She seated herself cross-legged on the floor, centering her mind as she placed her hands over the mana ore. Its warmth radiated into her palms, and as she exhaled, she let her consciousness sink into the energy within. Slowly, deliberately, she began to guide the flow of mana into the array, her breathing synchronized with the ebb and flow of the power surging around her.
The process was familiar—forming the three fires was something she had practiced countless times. Yet, it was also where she had always faltered. No matter how she approached it, the fires never fully aligned. Something always felt incomplete, a missing piece she could never grasp.
Tonight, though, was different.
The first fire ignited in her core, its heat a comforting, steady presence. It represented endurance, the unwavering strength she had honed through years of discipline. The second fire sparked to life moments later, its energy sharper, more volatile—a testament to her determination and drive. The third fire, however, was always the hardest. It flickered weakly, as if uncertain of its place, and Valeria’s brow furrowed as she fought to stabilize it.
‘Why?’
‘Why can’t I make it work? I have the endurance. I have the determination. What am I missing?’
Those were the thoughts that would have been appeared in her mind before. But today….
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It hit her.
Resolve.
The fires weren’t just about power or control—they were a reflection of her essence, her will. She wasn’t merely trying to accumulate mana or stabilize her core; she was shaping the very foundation of who she was. Endurance and determination were meaningless without the clarity of her resolve, and the ability to face her fears and move forward without hesitation.
Her heart steadied, and she exhaled slowly, letting the truth sink in. The third fire flickered again, but this time, she didn’t try to force it. Instead, she embraced it—her doubts, her fears, her vulnerabilities—all of it. The fire grew brighter, and steadier, its flame merging with the others in perfect harmony.
Beneath the blazing fires, her core began to shift. The heat intensified, spreading through her body in waves as the fires condensed into a singular point of radiant energy. And then, just beneath them, something new emerged—a faint, pulsing glow. It was warm yet unyielding, a solid foundation beneath the flames.
Her core was adapting, and evolving.
Valeria’s eyes snapped open, a soft gasp escaping her lips as the energy surged through her. The room was bathed in a faint golden light, her mana ore now dim and spent, its energy fully absorbed into her core. She felt lighter, yet stronger, as though the weight that had held her back had finally lifted.
Her breathing steadied, and she closed her eyes once more, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
‘Resolve,’
she thought, the word resonating deep within her.
‘That’s what I needed all along.’
For the first time in what felt like forever, Valeria felt truly aligned with herself, her path no longer shrouded in doubt. The fires within her burned bright, and beneath them, the solid glow of her newfound core promised endless possibilities.