Sam Alves

Chloe sat cross-legged on the floor, her eyes closed and her breathing steady as she immersed herself in meditation. A soothing energy coursed through her, wrapping her in its warmth. But as the sensation began to fade, she opened her eyes and glanced at the Beast core in her hand. Its faint glimmer flickered for a moment before the core crumbled into fine dust.

"I guess my absorption rate has improved," she murmured, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

Beside her lay a burlap sack, brimming with beast cores of various sizes and hues. She untied the sack and poured its contents onto the floor. The crystalline cores spilled out, their soft, colorful glows casting shimmering patterns across the walls. Carefully, Chloe arranged them in a wide circle around herself, the light dancing on her determined face.

"This should be manageable," Chloe thought, her gaze unwavering, a flicker of hope in her eyes. "It's been so long since I've truly felt ether... Not since I got pregnant. Maintaining my mana became nearly impossible. It's common for women to lose their mana during pregnancy," she muttered to herself, trying to reassure herself.

Drawing a deep breath, Chloe closed her eyes again and focused, allowing her body to absorb the ether once more. Streams of energy flowed into her, coursing through her veins and gathering at her core—a small, ruby-like structure nestled within her abdomen. With every passing moment, the gem pulsed brighter, greedily devouring the mana she fed it.

But Chloe's curiosity soon got the better of her. Eager to push her limits, she began absorbing the mana at a reckless pace. The crystalline cores disintegrated one by one, releasing torrents of energy that engulfed the room. Her body began to levitate, an ethereal bluish aura wrapping around her. The air grew thick with pressure, so intense it seemed to warp reality itself.

Nearby, Joan struggled to maintain her footing as she shielded the cradle holding Alex, Chloe's infant son. Sweat beaded on her brow as she reinforced the protective barrier around the child.

"Why did she have to meditate here of all places?" Joan muttered through clenched teeth. Her voice was strained, her arms trembling as she poured every ounce of her strength into maintaining the shield. "If this keeps up, Alex might…"

She didn't finish the thought. The pressure in the room doubled, forcing her to her knees. Chloe's glowing blue eyes snapped open, panic flashing across her face.

"No… I can't break through here," Chloe whispered, her voice shaking. Her gaze darted toward the cradle, her heart hammering in her chest. "If this continues… I'll lose my baby."

Joan grimaced, her arms quivering under the strain. "I can't hold on much longer..." Her voice cracked, her knees buckling as the oppressive mana pressed down on her. "Please, someone—"

A sudden, overwhelming presence filled the room, silencing her plea. The pressure around them vanished in an instant, replaced by a commanding aura that radiated calm and control. Joan's eyes widened as she looked up, meeting the figure standing before her.

Without hesitation, she knelt, her voice respectful but strained. "Greetings, Grand Elder."

Sam, Chloe's father, stood before her. His posture was casual, though his presence was unmistakably powerful. His expression was unreadable, but the sheer weight of his aura was undeniable. He exuded the quiet confidence of someone accustomed to power.

With a soft grunt, he muttered, "Of course, she couldn't wait until the training hall." His tone was dry, tinged with a hint of exasperation. "Such a hassle."

Sam moved toward his daughter with deliberate, measured steps. His movements were precise, almost effortless, but his every action spoke of a terrifying control over his surroundings.

Raising a hand, Sam released a pulse of mana that flowed outward like a controlled torrent. The energy merged with Chloe's chaotic storm, quickly stabilizing it. At the same time, he siphoned off the excess mana, absorbing it effortlessly. The oppressive pressure in the room began to dissipate, and the atmosphere became serene once more.

But just as the situation seemed to calm, a final, supernova-like burst of energy erupted from Chloe's body. The explosion rippled outward with devastating force, threatening to obliterate everything in its path.

Sam's eyes narrowed. His movements were precise—his hand shot to his sword, unsheathing it in a single, fluid motion. With one clean strike, he tore through the fabric of space, the explosion vanishing into the void.

A profound silence followed, broken only by Chloe's soft, rhythmic breathing as she descended gently to the floor. The air around her cleared, leaving a heavy sense of stillness in the aftermath.

She blinked, her vision gradually returning. Her first instinct was to rush to the cradle. Scooping Alex into her arms, she cradled him close, tears streaming down her face.

"Thank goodness you're safe," she whispered, her voice trembling with relief. Her breath hitched as she kissed Alex's forehead, her shoulders shaking with the weight of her fear slowly melting away.

Sam cleared his throat, his voice dry and pragmatic, cutting through the silence. "You're welcome, daughter."

Chloe looked up at him, her cheeks flushed with both gratitude and embarrassment. "Father? What are you doing here? I thought you were in seclusion."

Sam raised an eyebrow, his gaze flickering with a mix of amusement and irritation. "I was. But then I broke into the Dominion Lord Realm, decided to stretch my legs, and stumbled across your little mana-absorption fiasco. The Matriarch and your mother probably felt it too."

Chloe's face reddened further, and she stammered, "I… I guess I overdid it."

Sam sheathed his sword with a sharp, resounding click. His gaze softened slightly, though his tone remained firm. "Next time, meditate somewhere safe. Your room wasn't exactly built to withstand a mana storm."

Chloe nodded sheepishly, clutching Alex closer to her chest. "Thank you, Father."

Sam waved her gratitude away with a casual gesture. "No need. Besides, I came to meet my grandson." His expression softened for a brief moment as he glanced at the baby, then quickly turned. His voice was nonchalant, yet his presence still commanded attention. "Now that everything's settled, I'm heading out."

Chloe watched him leave, a wry smile tugging at her lips. "He really did break into the Dominion Lord Realm," she murmured, shaking her head in disbelief.