Jon had spent six years in Aeloria believing that keeping secrets would be enough to keep himself safe. Ren's attack, motivated only by greed, reinforced this idea: if no one knew of his differences, he could live peacefully. However, the recent assassination attempt showed the opposite. This world was ruled by force. The surface might dress itself in laws and order, but in the underground, power and influence always prevailed.
He was not afraid within the Academy, not because he was invincible, but because he understood how the hidden gears that kept things moving worked. However, unlike him, his family did not have the same protection. Riverwood was in an area that, in the future, would be taken over by the opening of the Abyss Passage, and the simple idea of leaving them exposed was unbearable. Jon wanted to create a plan that would help as many people as possible, but above all, protect his family.
Now, he had cards to negotiate. The first one was before him: Seraphine.
The Rank S healer was sitting in a lotus position, her gaze fixed and penetrating, as if she could see right through Jon. There was a hint of excitement in her eyes, despite the serene expression she maintained.
"Boy, how confident are you?" She repeated the question for the second time, her voice filled with expectation.
Jon, seriously, handed her a set of notes. The papers were filled with symbols, precisely drawn mana flows, and detailed process descriptions.
"If you follow the described steps, with my help guiding your mana, you can get close to one hundred percent success," he said, his voice firm, without a tremor.
Seraphine narrowed her eyes, taking the sheets as if holding something sacred. Since Jon created his mana core, he had dedicated time and effort to understanding every detail of the process. He discovered that one of the fundamental prerequisites was refined mana control in the body. Seraphine, as a Rank S healer, possessed exactly this mastery. If anyone could replicate his experiment, it was her.
"Ready?" Jon leaned slightly, his gaze fixed on the elf. "Let's finish this quickly so we can continue our conversation."
Seraphine took a deep breath, crossing her arms. She didn't seem convinced, but she didn't back down either.
Jon took advantage of the opening and took the next step. "I want you to accept me as your disciple."
The silence that followed seemed to weigh in the air. His words were not just a proposal for learning, but a pact. Jon was not only seeking instruction, but also Seraphine's protective shadow.
He took a deep breath and completed, without wavering: "In addition, I need your patronage. And, if possible, protection for my parents."
Seraphine's eyes widened in surprise, but before she could speak, Jon continued.
"It's not just for convenience. I know you are a partner of Elara's family. All their potion recipes come from you. When I discovered this, I was happy. I always wanted to establish something with them, but my age and position delayed any step in that direction. With you as a mediator, it will be perfect. An agreement that would benefit all of us."
She studied him in silence for long seconds. There was disbelief in her expression, but also a spark of respect. After all, it was not common to see someone so young speak so clearly about alliances, protection, and business.
Jon remained serious, but inside he thought bitterly: *'In this world, surviving alone is suicide. If I need to negotiate, let it be with someone who can truly change the rules in my favor.'*
The air felt heavier inside the room. Seraphine had not yet given an answer, but her posture indicated that she was seriously considering it. Jon didn't blink. He didn't waver. This was the moment to establish his first true alliance in Aeloria.
Seraphine's POV
From the first moment that boy stood out in the Academy tests, something about him caught my attention. I clearly remember the initial exam, when he tried to unite the class, giving orders naturally, as if leadership belonged to him since birth. I had seen many young people with promising talents throughout my 210 years, but none showed so much initiative so early.
Then came the makeshift battlefield, a group of disoriented students facing an enemy they shouldn't have had a chance to defeat. He not only stepped forward, but guided the others like a true commander. And, as if that weren't extraordinary enough, he ended up defeating a Lich alone. To this day, part of me hesitates to believe I actually witnessed that.
The following days only reinforced my impressions. The absurd talent in magic, the awakening in alchemy, and yet, no arrogance. Unlike so many prodigies I met, Jon did not boast. He just trained. Always. Before dawn, before any student or professor even woke up, I already saw him in the academy courtyards, moving with tireless discipline. Not once did he miss a session. I had seen brilliant youths burn out too quickly, lost in vanity. But Jon… Jon was different.
And now he was before me, holding my hands seriously, ready to share something I never imagined I would see outside of records.
"Are you ready?" he asked, his voice calm, but firm.
"Yes. Let's begin."
His touch on my hands sent a shiver up my arm. I took a deep breath, forcing myself to focus. I was no longer a child to be distracted by such simple gestures. But, as his mana began to flow through my body, guided by him, something unexpected happened. A deep, almost spiritual connection blossomed between us. It was as if his essence touched me directly, crossing any barrier. My cheeks warmed instantly.
Jon, oblivious to the turmoil within me, began to instruct naturally. "Focus on the navel as a reference point. That is where the flow should begin to rotate."
I swallowed hard. "It's easier said than done," I admitted, feeling the mana spread irregularly inside me.
He smiled, that confident and irritatingly calm smile. "Then allow me to help."
Before I could question, I felt the touch of his finger on my navel. My whole body tensed, the shock of the sudden intimacy almost breaking my concentration.
"Don't lose focus," he said softly, but firmly.
I tried to ignore the heat rising on my face. I closed my eyes, but this only intensified the sensation. His finger channeled mana like an anchor, pulling mine along. It was different from any training I had ever experienced. The sensation was so intense that, for a few moments, I lost control of the flow.
"Concentrate, Seraphine," his voice sounded too close, deep and determined.
"I… I'm trying," I murmured, unable to prevent the tremor in my voice.
The mana began to spin, more stable now, following the pattern he demonstrated. The pressure in my abdomen grew, painful and pleasurable at the same time, as if something was about to rupture. Every moment my cheeks burned with shame from the contact and proximity, Jon's strength pulled me back, preventing me from losing the rhythm.
There were small stumbles. A slip of concentration here, a wave of heat from his touch there. But, in the end, the flow stabilized. I felt the vortex spin, a small but dense core beginning to form.
My body gave way. Exhaustion was immediate, draining every ounce of energy from me. When I realized, I could no longer maintain an upright posture.
But I didn't fall.
Jon held me. Firmly, he lifted me as if I weighed nothing. The warmth of his body enveloped mine while my weak arms could barely hold on. I was carried in his arms to the sofa, laid down carefully, as if I were a princess from ancient tales.
My heart pounded, beating so fast that I feared he could hear it. Being cared for by a young man like him, at my age… the shame almost made me lose consciousness.
But, before my eyes closed, only one thought echoed within me: *'Jon… you really are different from all the others.'*
And, against my will, a small smile formed on my lips, even if hidden by the shadow of fatigue.