"Ruah, as all of you know, is the physical manifestation of one's life energy."
Lirien's voice echoed within the class.
Her long blonde-green hair, tied into a sleek ponytail, swayed gracefully as she moved across the front of the class.
"Its properties vary among those who wield it," she continued, a note of pride lacing her words. "Of course, only the elves have mastered its full potential."
Gazing around the elves, she continued. "Now, don't confuse Parna with Ruah. Unlike Ruah, which cos from within, Parna is the manipulation of external life energy—plants, animals."
Walking to a large diagram of a universal body structure plastered next to the board, she gestured to the intricate markings.
"Typically, there are five primary life energy points within the body," she explained, pointing to the diagram.
"They align along the spine, corresponding to the center of the brows, throat, heart, solar plexus, and pelvis."
Her finger traced a line connecting the five points.
"This line," she said, "is what we call the Life Source."
Her piercing erald eyes returned back to the class.
"The more points you awaken, the more adept you beco at using Ruah," she said, leaning back on her desk while looking at everyone until her gaze landed on... .
"Hier Himl," she said with a smile on her face. "How many points have you awakened?"
I shrugged, leaning casually in my chair. "I don't know. Probably one."
"Of course, it's only one." Her reply was instant. "Lesser beings always struggle to grasp the true essence of Ruah."
A mocking laugh echoed within the room.
The elves who hate —every elf here—were enjoying her trash talk.
It's a daily occurrence anyway.
"Sure," I replied, smiling slightly. "But doesn't that make it worse for you elves—being led by a 'lesser being'?"
"How dare he!"
"No one wants to be led by you!"
"Lady Mariam made a terrible mistake."
Ahh.
The chaos in the class.
My smile grew as I looked at them, glaring daggers at .
I don't know why, but I really like poking them.
They reminded of angry little monkeys, screeching and flailing about.
"Enough!" Lirien's sharp voice cut through the noise, her hand slamming against the desk.
The class fell silent at once.
"The Segyal Highbloods are nothing compared to what they once were," she spat, glaring at . "What's a king without his subjects? You're a prince to no one."
"Whatever you say," I replied smoothly. "I'm still the adoptive grandson of a demigod. That alone makes more than a nobody."
"Flaunting Lady Mariam's power only makes you look pathetic," she retorted with a scoff. "I can't believe you are chosen to be worthy enough to replace Ragnar."
My smile died down.
I really hate when soone compares with that fucker.
Noticing my expression, she continued. "When Ragnar was your age, he had already unlocked three points. And here you are, struggling with just one."
I leaned back, rubbing my chin as I observed her. "Don't you belong to the Gerald Highbloods?"
She puffed up with pride. "Of course. They're superior—"
"You're aware of Ragnar's promise, aren't you?" I interrupted calmly.
Lirien trembled subconsciously, a look of fear creeping onto her face.
The students looked at her confusedly as she drew in deep breaths to calm herself.
And I couldn't help but smile.
The fear of death is really a great thing.
It can crumble and break anyone's spirit.
RINGGG!!!!! The bell rang, ending the class.
Without a word, she stord out of the class, leaving the students dumbfounded.
I stretched my body as I stood up from my seat.
The last class ended.
And...
The ti to et Yennefer has arrived.
I made my way out of the class, noticing a group of timid half-elves trailing behind .
"Um, excuse ," one of the girls said hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper.
I turned, tilting my head. "Yes?"
"Please… be careful," she said, fidgeting nervously with her hands. "There are weird rumors… about you."
My brows furrowed. "Rumors?"
"Yeah," she murmured, casting a quick glance over her shoulder before hurrying away. "Just… be careful."
A sigh escaped my lips as I resud my walk.
Rumors, huh?
My worst enemy.
[]
'....Hmm.' Taken aback by her words, I couldn't properly reply.
But she isn't wrong.
I need to at least keep my reputation neutral.
Who knows, it might co in handy.
For now, let's just focus on Yennefer.
******
"...."
"...."
Yennefer's office room remained abnormally silent as I kept on staring at the girl sitting in front of .
With her black hair with a pink undertone fully opened, flowing behind her.
She ate cookies in her hand while her ember eyes glared at .
"What's she doing here?" I asked, spinning idly in my chair to face Yennefer.
Yennefer just smiled as she kept on doing her work.
"Why can't I be here?" Zenith replied from behind. "It's my mother's office."
I turned back towards her. "But it was supposed to be private ti between us."
"What private ti?" She snarled, glaring at . "This is all work-related."
"It is now?" I smiled mysteriously.
Zenith's mood plumted imdiately.
When I'd asked Yennefer to help with my runes, I'd made her promise to keep the details private.
And despite Zenith's countless attempts to know what is happening between us, she kept her mouth shut.
Only replying with—it's work-related.
"Stop giving my daughter strange ideas," Yennefer scolded lightly from behind.
"Don't worry, our Zenith is smart," I replied, dodging the cookie Zenith hurled at . "She won't misunderstand."
"Our Zenith?" Yennefer repeated with a quiet chuckle.
"See, Mother?" Zenith grumbled, turning to her. "He's obviously not a good person."
"Nobody asked for your opinion, shorty," I shot back, only to feel a gentle pat on my head.
"She's not short," Yennefer chided as she walked past . "Don't call her that."
I ruffled my long hair while Zenith grinned widely.
"How was your day, Zenith?" Yennefer asked as she picked up a notebook.
"Good," Zenith replied, stealing a glance at . "It would've been better if soone hadn't been annoying all day."
I leaned closer and whispered just loud enough for her to hear.
"Shorty."
She glared daggers at .
"Have you done all the preparation for the trip?" Yennefer asked, looking at her daughter.
"Yeah." She replied. "I already packed most of my belongings."
"Are you not going with us?" I asked, looking at Yennefer.
"I wish I could," she said, smiling gently as she held up her notebook. "But I have work to finish."
I sighed. "You can do that later—"
"No." She firmly cut in my words. "We can't delay it. This is affecting your health."
"Yeah," Zenith chid in, pouting slightly. "My mom's been working all night since she t you."
"...."
I quietly looked at Yennefer.
Even though I didn't say a word, she understood in a glance.
"Don't worry about ," she said with that sa gentle smile. "I'm doing this for myself as well."
I sighed, leaning back on the chair.
Why?
Why is she pushing herself so hard?
She doesn't even know ....
"Anyway, Zenith, it's ti for you to go," Yennefer said, turning to her daughter. "We have work to do."
"Why can't I be here?" She grimaced.
"He's going to be naked," Yennefer replied nonchalantly, pointing at . "Do you want to see that?"
Her words startled both of us, though I quickly composed myself.
Zenith, however, turned to with wide eyes.
I smiled and began unbuttoning my shirt.
She blushed bright red, jumping to her feet.
"I hate you!" she shouted, storming out and slamming the door behind her.
"Will she be alright?" I asked, looking back at Yennefer.
"She'll be fine," Yennefer assured with a small smile. "Now, get undressed."
I nodded and removed my shirt, sitting with my back to her.
Her warm hands touched my skin, and I tensed slightly, holding my breath.
"No matter how often I see them, it's always fascinating," she murmured, her voice filled with awe. "How did you manage to engrave three of them?"
"It's not that hard." I whispered back.
"It is hard. You don't understand what you have achieved." She replied, patting my head.
I shook her hand off with a slight scowl.
"How was your day?" she asked while carefully examining the runes on my back.
"Sa old." I replied, shrugging. "That elven bitc—I an professor kept on irritating ."
"...."
I confusingly looked back at Yennefer.
She stood there with her arms folded, looking at sternly.
"What?"
"Why do you talk like that?" She asked. "Sarcastic, dismissive—always trying to provoke people."
"I do not—."
"You do, mister." She interrupted. "I haven't seen you have a single normal conversation with anyone."
"...."
Now that she ntioned it.
I do talk like that.
And it's not like I can do anything about it.
Since childhood, I have been trying to keep people away from .
It had beco a habit for to talk in such a way that people co to hate .
"Why do you do that?" Yennefer asked again.
"I don't know." I replied, looking away. "I just do."
"Hmm." She ruffled my hair gently. "You should try speaking more politely.
Combined with that handso face of yours, you'd probably beco a dream boy for young girls."
"Who'd even want that?" I muttered, brushing her hand away.
"Still, try to be gentle," she insisted. "Rough words don't suit you."
I nodded. "I'll try."
Yennefer returned to her seat in front of with a satisfied smile.
"Anyway, I've made so progress on your runes." She said, looking at . "And I have so good news."
"I am all ears." I replied, leaning closer to her.
"Like I said before, there are only two ways to heal you." She said. "One of them was diverting the mana to sowhere else."
I nodded. "I also asked for a way to make use of that extra mana."
"Yes." she said, showing a detailed sketch in her notebook. "While looking into rituals of ancient tis, I found sothing."
I observed the drawing she had in the notebook.
And....
I didn't understand shit.
But I still nodded with a serious look. "I see."
Yennefer gently poked my forehead as if looking through my façade.
"I found an ancient ritual that can mimic the Segyal Highbloods' bloodline ability," she explained. "If perford correctly, it could resolve your problem."
"What's the catch?" I asked, knowing it couldn't be that simple.
She smiled wryly. "It'll take at least six months to prepare."
"Six months?" I groaned, leaning back. "That's forever."
"It's hard to mimic their subspace." She replied. "Otherwise, I would have started working right now."
"Wait, you said subspace?" I asked, tilting my head.
"Yeah."
My lips curled up.
This might work.
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