Chapter 34: Near Breakthrough
After a few more minutes, Lian’s body stopped radiating heat. A sigh escaped his lips as he pondered what to tell Seline, his mind racing to balance truth and secrecy.
"So?" Seline asked, her green eyes piercing into him, urging the truth.
"It’s... part of my talent. I can absorb mana faster. That’s why I’m advancing so quickly." His voice was steady, but his heart was not.
Seline stared, her eyebrows slowly arching. "Faster? In what way?" She was not letting it go, her curiosity as sharp as her spells, a trait that defined her.
"I do not know how to explain it," he replied, trying to sound more confident than he felt. "It’s just part of my talent. I can absorb Mana Cores... that’s why I’m close to Bronze 2, even though I awakened just days ago." His words were a half-truth, carefully chosen.
"No one can absorb Mana Cores directly. Are you sure you’re okay?"
Thankfully, she calmed down. Damn, why are all the girls I meet so intense? Lian thought, glancing at Seline. But she is really beautiful... I wonder who’s prettier, her or Sera... His thoughts wandered, caught in her allure.
"Yeah, I’m fine, do not worry," Lian said without thinking too much. After all, he had zero chance of winning over either of them. "And you? What’s your talent?" he added, genuinely curious.
Seline smiled, a glint of pride in her green eyes. "My talent? Every spell I cast takes a sharper form, so to speak. It is not just water—fire, wind, earth, they can all be cutting. I just have a better affinity with water." Her voice carried a quiet confidence.
Lian’s eyes widened, impressed. "Water that cuts through anything, huh? I saw how you handled yourself in battle. You were amazing!"
"Thanks," Seline said, a hint of embarrassment in her tone. "You were pretty good too." She winked, and Lian felt his face heat up, his heart skipping a beat.