Master from the Council

After a while, Eldrin joined the group with Thalorin as they discussed the duel with Lindarion's mother, Vaeliron, and Sylveris.

Luneth remained silent, simply observing with her deep, unreadable eyes—like a specter drifting at the edge of the conversation.

Then, without warning, a firm hand settled on Lindarion's shoulder. He turned his head to see Thalorin staring down at him before shifting his gaze to Eldrin.

"Then Eldrin, mind if I steal the boy for a bit?" Thalorin asked.

A flicker of unease stirred in Lindarion's chest.

'What does he want now? Didn't he say we'd talk later?'

Eldrin looked at his son, then back at Thalorin, before giving a slow nod.

Lindarion's mother's lips pressed into a thin line, and her gaze flicked between the two men. Eldrin met her eyes with silent assurance—whatever this was, he deemed it safe.

The Silverleaf family, along with several other nobles, exchanged subtle glances as Thalorin led Lindarion out of the building. Their curiosity clung to his back like a heavy cloak.

Thalorin guided him into a private chamber, and at first glance, the room felt… wrong. It was too clean, too empty, as if no one had ever truly lived in it.

The air carried the faintest trace of something sharp—like ink mixed with old parchment. The walls were painted an almost sterile white, devoid of any decoration.

Not a single personal touch, just a lone table and two chairs.

Then, without warning, Thalorin tapped the table with his palm. A glowing white circle materialized around them, a faint hum vibrating through the air.

'What the—?'

"A sound barrier." His voice cut through the silence.

"Keeps unwanted ears from eavesdropping. No one outside this room will hear a word."

His expression was calm—too calm. He gestured toward the chair across from him.

'So it's going to be one of those talks…'

Lindarion sat down, but before Thalorin could say anything, he got straight to the point.

"What do you want from me?"

A deep chuckle rumbled from Thalorin's chest.

"Straight to the heart of the matter, huh? No dancing around it?" His fingers stroked the edge of his beard as if considering something amusing.

"You really are your father's son."

Lindarion didn't respond. He simply held Thalorin's gaze, his silence sharper than any blade.

Thalorin's grin widened.

"Fine. Let's not waste time." His tone shifted—still casual, but carrying an underlying weight.

"My full name is Thalorin Evernight, and I want you to become my apprentice."

'Is he serious?'

For a moment, Lindarion just stared at him. He had prepared for a lot of possibilities—an interrogation, a veiled threat, maybe even a cliché assassination attempt under the Council's orders. But this? This felt… unexpected.

A test? A trap? Or something more?

Thalorin didn't give him time to dwell on it. He leaned forward slightly, his gaze sharp with amusement.

"Before you refuse, let me explain what that means."

He steepled his fingers, his voice dropping just enough to feel conspiratorial.

"I am one of the most powerful and influential members of the Council. That means I can offer you a degree of protection from them—at least to some extent. I'm also the principal of the Evernight academy."

Lindarion's fingers curled slightly.

'Protection? Why would I need protection from the Council unless…? And seriously? This guy is the principal?'

Thalorin saw the flicker of realization in Lindarion's eyes and smirked.

"And if you plan to enroll in my academy, we can ensure that the process is seamless in a few years. Your talent alone guarantees it."

Lindarion exhaled slowly, keeping his expression unreadable. 

'He's not just offering an apprenticeship. He's offering leverage—connections, security, influence. But why?'

Then, Thalorin's next words hit harder than the rest.

"You are the youngest in our history to awaken a Mana Core at such an age. And I can tell—you're already close to your next breakthrough, aren't you?"

Lindarion stiffened.

'His eyes are too damn sharp.'

Thalorin leaned back, satisfied with Lindarion's reaction.

"So tell me, Lindarion," His voice was softer now, almost coaxing.

"What will it be?"

For a moment, Lindarion just stared, frozen in place, unable to form a response.

'System, will this affect my relationship with Ouroboros?'

[A mere mortal like this holds no interest to Lord Ouroboros.]

'…You could've just said no, it would have been enough..'

Lindarion exhaled a quiet sigh before speaking.

"How will this affect my relationship with my family? I mean… I won't have to move away or anything, right? You don't live in our kingdom."

At his question, Thalorin let out a deep, amused laugh.

"Kid, I doubt you know this yet, but once you reach your third Mana Core—the 'Stable Core'—you can start acquiring affinities."

Lindarion frowned slightly, the words clicking into place but leaving him with more questions. Seeing his confusion, Thalorin continued.

"I have a spatial affinity. Distance means nothing to me. So you don't have to move away yet."

'Yet huh?'

Thalorin's grin widened slightly.

Lindarion gave a slow nod, absorbing the information.

'So affinities unlock at the third core… that's good to know.'

"My second question—how will training work?"

'If it's not a huge change from what I'm doing now, then—'

"You'll be fighting monsters. Low-level dungeon creatures, among other things, to build real combat experience."

Lindarion's thoughts stalled for a second.

'Monsters…? There are dungeon creatures? Could that be why my parents kept me locked in my room for so long?'

He let the realization settle before nodding.

"Alright, I accept your offer."

Thalorin extended a hand toward him, and Lindarion took it, clasping it firmly. The moment their hands met, a strange weight settled in the air—almost as if an unseen contract had been forged.

Then, Thalorin stepped back and said something that made Lindarion instinctively raise an eyebrow.

"Turn around."

'Is he secretly a pervert?'

"I'll help you break through your Mana Core."

His voice was calm, but his eyes carried the certainty of someone who had done this before.

Lindarion hesitated for only a moment before turning his back to him.

Almost immediately, he felt the pressure of Thalorin's palm pressing against his back through his suit, right between his shoulder blades.

"Start guiding your mana toward your core."

Thalorin's tone was sharp and instructive, leaving no room for hesitation.

Lindarion obeyed, channeling mana through his body. It responded to his will with flawless obedience—like a well-trained child eager to please.

The energy swirled toward the core in his head, but then—

A foreign mana invaded his body.

A sharp pain erupted in his skull. His hands clenched into fists, nails digging into his palms as his jaw tightened.

Sweat dripped down his forehead, trailing down his temples as the sensation grew—an unrelenting pressure, like an axe splitting through his mind.

Then, just as suddenly as it started—

Ding!

Thalorin's brows shot up in surprise but then changed back a second later, masking his surprise immediately.

[Mana Core Breakthrough Successful!]

[New Mana Core Rank: Lesser Core (Low)]

Thalorin removed his hand and pressed his fingertips lightly against Lindarion's forehead. In an instant, the lingering sweat evaporated, his hair and clothes returning to their pristine state.

'That's… useful.'

"Congratulations, Lindarion."

He gave a slow clap, the kind one would give to a child who had just learned to walk.

"Now then—any questions, my young apprentice?"

His voice carried an unmistakable amusement.

Lindarion didn't hesitate. "As a member of the Sunblade family, what will my affinity be?"

Thalorin's smirk deepened as he met Lindarion's gaze.

"Since the Sunblade family wields the Radiant Sword Style, your affinity will almost certainly be tied to either light or fire."

Thalorin fell silent after that, simply watching Lindarion.

Lindarion let the answer sink in before asking his next question.

"And… what's the academy like?"

A chuckle rumbled from Thalorin's chest. "Ho ho, now that's something I can't put into words, kid."

He leaned back slightly, eyes glinting with something between pride and nostalgia.

"But if I had to sum it up in one word—it's magical. Absolutely extraordinary."

His excitement was clear.

'A bit egotistical, isn't he?'

Lindarion held back a small chuckle of his own.

Then, Thalorin's expression shifted back to calm authority.

"Come, Lindarion. The other nobles are surely waiting for us."

With a simple tap of his finger, the sound barrier shattered like glass, the hum of the outside world rushing back in.

And just like that, Thalorin led him out of the room, back to where the others waited.