Chapter 56

As the training continued, the ripple effect of Haruna's awakening became apparent. The other heroes, inspired and determined, began pushing themselves harder.

"Come on! We need to catch up!" one of them shouted, sparking a wave of enthusiasm that spread like wildfire across the training area.

Zoth stood silently, observing the scene before him.

'I thought humans were just pathetic mortals... But...' he mused, his gaze sweeping over the trainees giving their all. Their sheer determination, their refusal to stagnate, sparked something unfamiliar within him.

'To think they can muster such a spirit and determination.'

A small, genuine smile tugged at the corners of his lips, surprising even himself.

Maria, standing beside him, noticed his expression and followed his gaze to the heroes.

"Fascinating, isn't it?" she said softly. "To think one can grow beyond the boundaries set by gods."

"Yeah," Zoth replied, but his thoughts lingered inwardly.

'To me, it's not their power that fascinates-it's their unyielding drive to grow, to push against the impossible. That... is something truly unique.'

---

As Zoth took a step forward, Haruna suddenly grabbed his hand, stopping him in his tracks.

"Huh? What now?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I think... I think I can help," Haruna said, her voice hesitant but resolute. "I can share my mana with them too, so you don't have to wear yourself out."

Zoth chuckled, his voice rich with amusement. He gently pulled his hand away.

"Interesting thought! But how about you observe me first?"

"Why?" Haruna pouted, crossing her arms.

"There are some things, kid, that are beyond one's limits," Zoth said, his tone firm but kind. "You'll understand what I mean by watching. For now, just sit back and learn."

"O-Okay..." Haruna mumbled, stepping aside.

---

Zoth moved forward, raising his hands. His presence seemed to shift, commanding the very air around him. Slowly, a faint glow enveloped the training area. The exhausted heroes began to feel reinvigorated, their drained mana reserves replenished as if by a boundless well.

"How does he do that..." Maria muttered, her eyes narrowing suspiciously.

But Haruna, now attuned to the mystical threads of mana, froze as she watched Zoth in action. Her eyes widened in terror, her face draining of color.

"H-H-H..." she stammered, unable to form coherent words.

"Haruna?" Maria asked, her brow furrowing in concern. "What's wrong?"

"M-M-Ma'am..." Haruna finally managed, her voice trembling. "I-I can s-s-see i-it."

"See what?"

Haruna pointed a shaking finger toward Zoth, her voice a whisper. "Mister Z-Zoth... He's being supported... by something."

Maria's expression turned serious. "What do you mean?"

Haruna swallowed hard, her gaze locked on the sight before her. "There's a... a large hand behind him. It's massive, absorbing all the mana around it and producing even more mana to give to Mister Zoth. It feels... divine. Like... like a god."

The word struck Maria like a lightning bolt. Her breath hitched as her mind raced.

"Really? A god, you say? What does it look like?"

"I... I don't know," Haruna replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's just the hand. It's so big it barely fits in the room... I can't even imagine how large the full figure must be."

---

Maria turned her gaze back to Zoth. To her, he looked the same-calm, composed, and infinitely determined. Yet Haruna's revelation stirred something deep within her.

She remembered Zoth's earlier words: "You will have your chance too."

The memory brought a smile to her lips. Maria crossed her arms, her determination flaring like the heroes she had been observing.

"Now I seriously want to meet this goddess of yours, Zoth," she muttered under her breath, a beaming smile spreading across her face.

As the glow surrounding Zoth slowly faded, the heroes cheered, reinvigorated and ready to push even further. Zoth turned, his gaze meeting Maria's for a brief moment, and she could swear she saw a flicker of knowing amusement in his eyes.

Whatever mysteries surrounded him, one thing was certain-Maria's resolve to uncover them had only grown stronger.