Mother

With the Grimoire in his hands and the knowledge swirling in his mind, Zephyr suddenly remembered a more pressing concern: his mother. Lady Aeliana, despite her gentle spirit and unwavering love, had always been frail. Zephyr recalled from the novel that she fell ill not long after he started his studies at the Academy. The thought sent a chill down his spine. He couldn't, wouldn't, let that happen again.

He quickly focused on the System. System, is there anything you can do to help my mother?

[Analyzing… Scanning available functions… The Shop offers several healing items and spells. Please specify the nature of your mother's illness for a more accurate search.]

I don't know the exact nature of her illness, Zephyr admitted, feeling worried. She's always been delicate. In the novel, it was described as a wasting disease that weakened her over time.

[Searching for relevant items and spells based on the provided information… Several options available. Displaying results.]

A list of items and spells appeared in his mind, ranging in price and effectiveness. Some were simple healing potions for minor ailments, while others were powerful spells that could heal severe injuries. But one item stood out:

[Elixir of Vitality (Legendary): A powerful elixir that can restore the body to its peak condition, curing even the worst diseases and reversing the effects of aging. Cost: 5000 System Points.]

Zephyr's heart sank. He had only 250 System Points left after his recent upgrades and skill purchases. 5000 was far beyond his current reach.

System, are there any other options? Something less expensive?

[Searching… Displaying results.]

Several less powerful options appeared, but the System made it clear that they would only provide temporary relief or slow the illness, not cure it completely.

[Potion of Lesser Restoration (Rare): A healing potion that can mend minor injuries and ease some symptoms of illness. Provides temporary relief. Cost: 500 System Points.]

[Spell: Mend Wounds (Uncommon): A basic healing spell that can mend minor injuries and speed up natural healing. Provides temporary relief. Cost: 100 System Points per casting.]

[Herbal Remedy Kit (Common): A collection of herbs and poultices that can ease some symptoms of illness and promote general well-being. Provides minimal relief. Cost: 50 System Points.]

None of these were enough. He needed a permanent solution, a complete cure. He couldn't bear the thought of losing his mother again.

System, is there any way to earn System Points quickly?

[Completing quests is the main way to earn System Points. The System can generate daily and weekly quests based on your current situation and abilities. However, the rewards for these quests are usually small.]

Generate daily and weekly quests, Zephyr instructed.

[Generating daily quests… Generating weekly quests…]

[Daily Quests:]

[Daily Meditation (0/1): Meditate for one hour, focusing on deepening your connection to your Darkness and Void affinities. Reward: 10 System Points.]

[Physical Training (0/1): Engage in one hour of rigorous physical training, focusing on strength, agility, and endurance. Reward: 10 System Points.]

[Magical Practice (0/1): Practice your Darkness and Void magic for one hour, focusing on refining your control and exploring new applications. Reward: 10 System Points.]

[Weekly Quests:]

[West Tower Exploration (0/1): Thoroughly explore the West Tower, searching for any remaining traces of Eldrin Aurion's research. Reward: 50 System Points.]

[Mana Refinement (0/1): Cultivate your mana for a total of ten hours throughout the week, focusing on increasing your mana capacity and improving your mana control. Reward: 50 System Points.]

Zephyr frowned. These quests, while helpful for his growth, wouldn't earn him enough System Points to buy the Elixir of Vitality in time. He needed a bigger source of System Points.

System, are there any other quests available? Something more substantial?

[Scanning… No other major quests are currently available. However, the System can generate a high-risk, high-reward quest based on your current situation. Warning: The difficulty of this quest will be significantly higher than previous quests, and failure may result in serious consequences.]

Zephyr's heart raced. A high-risk, high-reward quest… it was a gamble, but it was one he was willing to take.

Describe the quest, he instructed firmly.

[Quest: The Shadow Market: Infiltrate the Shadow Market, a secret black market where rare and dangerous magical items are traded. Locate and retrieve a rare magical artifact known as the 'Sunstone Heart,' which has strong healing properties. Reward: 2000 System Points, Unlock Space Affinity Awakening.]

2000 System Points… that was a big step toward his goal. And unlocking his Space Affinity would greatly boost his power.

Accept the quest, Zephyr commanded without hesitation.

[Quest Accepted: The Shadow Market.]

[Objective: Infiltrate the Shadow Market, locate and retrieve the 'Sunstone Heart.']

Zephyr knew this quest would be dangerous, but he was determined to succeed. He would do whatever it took to save his mother.

He would use all his skills, power, and cunning to navigate the Shadow Market and retrieve the Sunstone Heart. He had a debt to repay, a debt of love and gratitude that he could only repay by saving the woman who had given him a second chance at life. He would not fail.

The decision was made. Zephyr would infiltrate the Shadow Market. The risk was high, but the reward—both the System Points and the chance to save his mother—was worth it. He knew he had to prepare carefully. This wasn't just a training exercise; it was a real mission with serious consequences.

Before he ventured into the Shadow Market, Zephyr wanted to spend time with his mother. He had been so focused on his training that he had neglected her. He owed her his time, attention, and love.

He found her in the gardens, a place she often visited. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the lawns, making the colorful flowers glow in a warm light. Aeliana sat on a stone bench, a book of poetry in her lap, her gaze lost in the beauty around her.

Zephyr approached quietly, his footsteps soft on the grass. She looked up as he got closer, a gentle smile spreading across her face.

"Zephyr, dear," she said, her voice soft and sweet. "What a nice surprise."

He sat beside her, taking her hand in his. Her skin felt delicate, a reminder of her fragile health.

"I wanted to spend some time with you, Mother," he said sincerely.

Aeliana's smile grew, her violet eyes, so similar to his, shining with warmth. "That's very kind of you, dear. I've missed our talks."

They talked for hours about small things and deeper subjects. Zephyr shared stories about his training with Master Elian, carefully leaving out the more dangerous parts. He talked about his studies, the history of the kingdom, and the wonders of nature. Aeliana, in turn, shared stories from her childhood, her love for poetry, and her hopes for Zephyr's future.

As they talked, Zephyr watched her closely, looking for any signs of her health getting worse. He noticed a slight paleness in her face and a hint of tiredness in her eyes. The knot of worry in his stomach tightened. He had to succeed in his mission.

He also realized something important. Despite her frailty, Aeliana had a strong spirit. She faced hardship with grace and kindness. He understood that his desire to save her was not just about duty; it was about protecting the woman who had given him a second chance at life.

"Mother," he said softly, "I promise I will always be there for you."

Aeliana's eyes filled with tears, and she squeezed his hand gently. "I know you will, dear," she said, her voice trembling. "And I will always be proud of you."

The next day, Zephyr began preparing for the Shadow Market. He consulted the System for information about the market's location, security, and known traders.

[Searching… The Shadow Market is a mobile black market that operates in various locations throughout the kingdom. Its current location is estimated to be within the port city of Porthaven, a bustling hub of trade and commerce. The market is known for its tight security and its clientele of dangerous individuals, including smugglers, mercenaries, and dark mages.]

Porthaven… Zephyr remembered the city from the novel. It was a place of vice and intrigue, where anything could be bought or sold for the right price.

He also looked through Eldrin's Grimoire for any relevant information. He found several entries about how to hide one's magical signature, create disguises, and navigate dangerous places. He studied these carefully, committing them to memory.

With his preparations complete, Zephyr activated his Shadow Cloak and slipped away from the Aurion estate unnoticed. He traveled quickly and quietly, using Shadow Step to cover large distances, arriving in Porthaven under the cover of darkness.

The port city was chaotic and lively, a mix of different cultures and backgrounds. The streets were crowded with merchants, sailors, and travelers, the air filled with the smells of salt, fish, and spices.

Using his enhanced senses and stealth training, Zephyr navigated the busy streets, searching for clues about the Shadow Market's location. He listened to whispers in taverns, watched suspicious transactions in alleys, and followed faint traces of magical energy in the air.

Finally, after several hours of searching, he found it. The entrance to the Shadow Market was hidden behind a plain door in a rundown warehouse at the docks. A faint aura of dark magic came from within, confirming its identity.