After a long and thoughtful discussion, the three of them came to a final decision—Ignis would depart for Eldermere in one week's time. That would give him just enough time to finish his current potion supply and allow Evan to try and gather more mana cores for his training.
Evan crossed his arms thoughtfully and asked, "By the way, I never asked—how long did it take you to absorb that 1-Star mana core?"
Ignis replied, "Roughly half an hour. I focused completely and let my artifact do most of the refining."
Evan nodded, a thoughtful look in his eyes. "That lines up with the known progression. Typically, whether it's monsters or humans, each breakthrough doubles the amount of mana compared to the previous level. So, if I can get my hands on a 2-Star mana core, it should take you about an hour to absorb."
Ignis nodded again. "Yes, I read about that in the book as well. It makes sense."
"Good," Evan said with a faint smile. "I'll see what I can do. If all goes well, your training efficiency will double over this week."
Alenna, standing beside them, looked between father and son and smiled gently.
----
Evan wasted no time. As soon as the decision was made, he threw himself into the task of gathering mana cores for Ignis's training. While he traveled, he handed over the remaining stock from their storeroom—twenty 1-Star mana cores and two 2-Star ones.
It was enough to last Ignis for roughly two days of intensive training.
During those two days, Evan journeyed to various cities, searching through black markets, merchant guilds, and smaller private sellers to acquire as many mana cores as he could. But he was cautious—very cautious.
He disguised his identity with care, keeping a low profile and never revealing his name. Evan knew all too well how dangerous curiosity could be. If word got out that he was hoarding mana cores, rumors would spread. People might assume he was preparing a secret cultivation project—or worse, that he possessed a rare artifact or treasure. And where there were rumors, there would be people with sharp eyes, greedy hearts, and dangerous ambition.
He wouldn't risk it—not for himself, and certainly not for Ignis. His son's prodigious talent was something the world wasn't ready to know yet.
Mana cores weren't overly expensive, but their supply was limited, especially in this region. Monsters were rare in this part of the kingdom, and few hunters bothered venturing into these lands for cores. Still, Evan managed to gather what he could, carefully building up a stash for Ignis's fast-approaching departure.
----
Ignis continued his mana training with unwavering focus. Thanks to the mana cores, his absorption rate had doubled compared to when he drew solely from the ambient mana in the surroundings. He could feel the Hogyoku inside him rapidly filling with refined energy.
Letting out a breath, Ignis paused for a moment and muttered to himself, "If I can keep this pace up every day, I'll be able to fully charge the Hogyoku, trigger an evolution, and repeat the process. I'll need to do this four more times to break through to the level of a 2-Star Knight and Magician."
His gaze sharpened slightly, as if visualizing the path ahead.
"At this rate… I could complete the entire cycle in just nine months," he continued, calculating based on the current speed at which the Hogyoku was absorbing mana. "That's the same amount of time it took me to reach the level of a 1-Star Knight and Magician—but back then, I only had to evolve the Hogyoku twice."
A flicker of ambition crossed his face, but it quickly softened into restraint.
"No," he whispered, shaking his head slightly. "I shouldn't be greedy. What I have right now is already a gift many would dream of. Others have to struggle even harder without anything like the Hogyoku to help them. I should be grateful… and patient."
And with that, Ignis closed his eyes, steadying his breath, and resumed his training—determined, focused, and quietly grateful for the power at his fingertips.
----
One week passed since the decision had been made—Ignis would leave for Eldermere. Now, outside the gates of Evan's mansion, the morning sun cast long shadows across the cobbled path as the time for departure arrived.
Evan stood beside a tall, muscular black horse, gently placing his hand on its neck. "Ignis," he said, his voice firm yet warm, "this horse is a sturdy breed. It can cover sixty miles a day without tiring. If you keep a steady pace, you'll reach Eldermere in about four days."
He patted the horse's side before continuing. "It doesn't need to eat or drink often—just feed it twice a day, once in the morning and again at night. That should be enough."
Ignis nodded, taking a closer look at his mount. A padded leather saddle awaited him, and a pair of saddlebags hung on either side. Inside were a few sets of clothing and practical equipment—tools and gear once used by Alenna in her days as an adventurer. Though they were no longer of use to her, she had lovingly prepared them for her son's journey.
After a quiet moment, Ignis stepped forward and embraced both of his parents.
Alenna held him tightly and whispered, "Take good care of yourself, my son."
Evan rested a hand on Ignis's shoulder. "And remember, if anything goes wrong—anything at all—you can return home. Don't hesitate. We'll always be here for you."
Ignis nodded again, his eyes shining with a mix of determination and gratitude. Without another word, he climbed onto the horse's back, adjusted his grip on the reins, and gently tapped his heels against the horse's flanks.
The horse began to move, hooves echoing softly against the stone path. Ignis turned his head and waved.
Alenna and Evan waved back, watching silently as their son rode off toward the horizon. Though their hearts were heavy with worry, they knew deep down that this journey was necessary—for his growth, his dreams, and his future. And no matter how far he traveled, their hopes would ride with him.
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