Duke Terron sat at the dining table in his manor with his wife on the opposite side. There was no one else present, as the kids were off at school.
"So, how did the eting concerning the new Mana stone mine go?" she suddenly asked as they ate.
"Ah, the mine. It is located at the border town of our two Dukedoms, and so it gave us both equal rights to it. But their main town is farther away from the border town, and we are closer. So, it would cost them more to bring heavy-duty resources to the town to mine.
So, we have a deal that I will take care of most of the heavy-duty issues, and the cut would be 30 to 70.
At the end of the day, that's how it went, and I have to say it was a good thing," he said while cutting into the steak.
"I see, a Mana stone mine will really help the research developnt in the city. My team and I have been working on sothing very new, and it could help the military and daily lives. But the Mana cost requirent is exponential in the testing phase," she said.
"Hmm, you are one of the lead magical researchers in this kingdom. If you say sothing is worth it, even the king would listen. When the extra Mana stones start coming in, I'll make an allocation for your departnt," he said with a smile.
Suddenly, a knock ca at the door.
"Co in," Terron said. The door opened, and an armored knight with the Duke's crest walked in, holding a letter.
The knight walked over and handed the letter to the Duke. He saluted with a fist to the chest and then walked away, leaving the room.
The Duke undid the seal, took out the letter, and started reading. His face frowned after a bit, and then shifted to sowhat of a shock.
His wife watched him and beca curious, so she asked, "What's the issue, my Lord?"
"It's from the academy, Lady Matilda, the director of the academy. She is speaking of a first-year student that is quite unusual. She said the student scored the highest in the exams ever seen and has already defeated two third years.
I knew from the first day I t him long ago that he was talented because he was already a B-ranked adventurer at the age of twelve. I didn't think he would co to the academy and be this large of a nace. He is upsetting the balance," the Duke explained to his wife.
"Such a student exists? What's his na?" she asked out of curiosity.
"He is Silva from Ribest, a kid that stands out because he has white hair, which is uncommon with commoners," the Duke said.
His wife stood up with speed. "Did you say Silva?" she asked.
"Yes, do you know him?" the Duke asked, surprised by her behavior.
"No, nothing like that. It's just that he seems unique. I'd love to research this child, so may I have your permission to?" she asked, the eagerness in her eyes impossible to hide.
Thirteen years—it had been thirteen years, so long. A part of her had co to accept that her child may have already died.
The Duke saw the eagerness in her eyes and thought it was just eagerness to research, though that was misplaced.
"Alright, I'll send a letter to the director tonight. You can go there tomorrow," the Duke said.
"Thank you, my Lord. I'll take my leave now to prepare ahead of ti," she said and bowed.
She left the room in hasty steps. If not for the Duke, she would have actually run out.
She walked straight to her private room, walked in, and shut the door. She leaned against the wall and slid to the ground, tears streaming from her eyes.
She sobbed with a smile on her face, knowing that she would get to see her son again. But after a while, the realization hit her.
How would she explain it? What would she say? She had abandoned her son before he could even see properly.
What right did she have to be his mother anymore? She had failed right from the beginning.
But still, she didn't want to be far from her son anymore, even if it ant acting as his benefactor or anything—even if she could not tell him that she was his mother.
She decided she would see him, even if this would lead to issues along the line. She would still go tomorrow. She cleaned up her tears and got up.
She left the room and went in search of the maid she had handed Silva to all those years ago to take away. That was the person she trusted.
---
Back in the labyrinth, Silva was about to test the abomination heart. He asked Dark to search for a Mangledon.
When Dawn ca back with the Mangledon, Silva took out the heart as Dawn forced the mouth of the Mangledon open, and Silva allowed a drop of the blood to enter the mouth of the Mangledon.
Dawn let go of it, and it imdiately started thrashing around. The sounds of popping bones could be heard, and ripping flesh.
It continued for so minutes, and then it finally transford into an abomination.
It stood up and looked at Silva, doing nothing, just staring and making so growling sounds.
"Alright, let's go. I want you to hunt so of your forr kind for to see your strength," Silva said and led the way while Dawn and the abomination followed.
He used his vibration sensing to find their target, and he found one.
Imdiately, the Mangledon saw them, it charged at them. Silva pointed at it and spoke.
"Take it out."
Imdiately, the abomination charged like an arrow that had been fired. It went with a swing first with its fist.
The fist connected and completely disconnected the head of the Mangledon.
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