Need more mana

DK slept deeply, his body demanding recovery after days of relentless strain. When he finally opened his eyes, the sunlight streaming through the ornate curtains told him he had been out for far longer than he anticipated. He tried to sit up, groaning at the stiffness in his muscles, and noticed his surroundings were familiar yet imposing—the large, elegantly decorated room in the Lin estate.

Before he could fully process where he was, voices reached his ears, sharp and distinct. As his vision cleared, DK saw Lady Anne and Lord Jason standing at the foot of his bed, their expressions stern but tinged with curiosity. Behind them stood Lucy, her head bowed slightly, as though she had just been reprimanded.

DK blinked, unsure whether he was still dreaming. "Lady Anne? Lord Jason? What's going on?"

Lady Anne stepped forward, her arms crossed as she fixed DK with a penetrating gaze. "What's going on," she began sharply, "is that you've been unconscious for two days. And when you finally wake up, you're going to tell me why my son decided to risk his life doing something so dangerous."

DK winced. He had known this conversation was inevitable, but it didn't make it any easier. "Two days?" he muttered, mostly to himself. "I didn't think I was that tired."

Lord Jason, standing tall and composed, chuckled dryly. "Exhaustion is what happens when you run headfirst into danger without considering the consequences. I hear you've been up to quite the adventure."

DK shot a questioning glance at Lucy, who avoided his gaze, clearly uncomfortable. Lady Anne noticed and sighed. "Lucy explained everything," she said. "At least, after Viktor came snooping around."

Lady Anne began pacing, her long gown trailing elegantly behind her. "Yesterday, that man—Viktor—arrived at our estate asking questions. He seemed particularly interested in Lucy and someone named DK. Naturally, Lucy claimed DK was just a random adventurer she partnered with in the dungeon."

Lord Jason smirked. "Being a noble household, Viktor couldn't press too hard without stepping on the wrong toes. He left, but Lucy came to us afterward and told us the truth."

DK stiffened, his pulse quickening. "The truth?"

Lady Anne stopped pacing and turned to him, her expression softening slightly. "Yes. About the dungeon. About your Nexus Core." She exhaled, her sharp tone giving way to something more maternal. "Aiden—" she caught herself, correcting, "DK, do you realize how reckless you've been?"

DK shifted uncomfortably under her gaze. "It wasn't exactly by choice," he muttered. "It was either that or not making it out of the dungeon."

Lady Anne's expression hardened again, but this time there was a flicker of worry in her eyes. "And that's supposed to make me feel better? You nearly destroyed yourself! Do you have any idea what we've been through these last two days, waiting for you to wake up?"

DK had never seen this side of Lady Anne before. Her scolding was fierce, but it was laced with genuine concern. It surprised him, though he didn't have much time to dwell on it. Lord Jason clapped a hand on his shoulder, his grin wide and unbothered.

"Reckless, sure," Lord Jason said with a chuckle. "But effective. You've managed to awaken your Nexus Core—something that I have been trying to do with you for years and wasting a lot of resources. It might be dangerous, but it's also impressive. Clearly, you have the Lin blood running strong in your veins."

Lady Anne shot him a sharp look. "Don't encourage him, Jason."

Lucy, standing quietly in the background, couldn't help but watch the exchange with fascination. Later, when the moment allowed, she would pull DK aside and comment on how different Lady Anne's motherly concern was from the cold nobility Lucy had expected. For now, she stayed silent, absorbing the familial dynamic.

Lady Anne's sharp rebuke softened as she moved to sit on the edge of DK's bed, her expression still stern but now tinged with concern. Lord Jason stood tall beside her, his enthusiasm for DK's newfound power barely contained. Lucy remained quietly in the background, her gaze flicking between DK and his parents as if she were witnessing a side of the Lin family she'd never expected.

"We need to test your abilities," Lord Jason said, his tone matter-of-fact. "Your Nexus Core is active, and with it, you've unlocked a potential most people can only dream of. But without knowing its affinity or strength, you're as much a danger to yourself as you are to others."

DK straightened, the faint glow of the Nexus Core in his chest pulsing gently beneath his shirt. "What do you mean by 'testing'?" he asked warily, already sensing where this conversation was headed.

"The Core Testing Center in Stormwind," Lord Jason replied, his voice laced with excitement. "It's the finest facility in the region. They specialize in evaluating and honing core affinities in a private, controlled environment. I'll handle the fees and ensure it's done discreetly—premium access. No one will know who you are."

DK shook his head, unease creeping into his voice. "Stormwind? That's practically the Adventurer's Association's backyard. Do you have any idea how quickly Viktor or someone else from the Association would find out? I'd rather not put myself in their crosshairs again."

Lord Jason opened his mouth to argue, but Lucy stepped forward, cutting him off. "He's right," she said firmly. "Stormwind is too risky. If the Association gets wind of DK's Nexus Core, they won't just leave him alone. They'll want to control it—or worse, take it."

Lady Anne frowned, her worry deepening. "If not Stormwind, then where? The testing is crucial. Without it, Aiden—DK—is working blind."

Lucy paused, clearly thinking hard. Then her eyes lit up with an idea. "Dragondale," she said. "It's farther away, and the Adventurer's Association doesn't have as much influence there. It's a neutral territory—mostly independent guilds and small kingdoms. DK would be an unknown there, and we'd have more freedom to gather information."

Lord Jason tilted his head, considering the suggestion. "Dragondale, huh? The facilities there might not be as advanced as Stormwind's, but it's a solid option. And with the right resources, we can make it work."

Lady Anne didn't look entirely convinced. "And what about the risks along the way? Dragondale is far, and the roads between here and there are notorious for bandits and rogue mercenaries."

"We'll take precautions," Lucy said quickly. "We'll travel lightly, avoid drawing attention. Besides," she added with a small smile, "DK has me to keep him out of trouble."

DK smirked despite himself. "You mean into more trouble."

Lady Anne sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "This is madness," she muttered, though there was no real heat in her voice. "But if it's the only way…"