Henrry lay back on his bed, staring blankly at the wooden ceiling above him. His mind, however, was far from still.
He found himself thinking of Mclery — wondering what he might be doing now, how much his life must have changed.
Then, slowly, Henrry's thoughts shifted to Ronnie.
In a strange way, Mclery and Ronnie seemed alike — both fearless, both talented, both moving faster and stronger than Henrry ever could.
But there was one difference: Mclery never mocked him. Where Ronnie teased and pushed, Mclery offered quiet support, like an older brother Henrry never had.
Henrry smiled faintly, then sighed.
They're both the same, he realized. Both stronger than me. Smarter. Braver.
No matter how far he came, it still felt like he was that same scared boy — the boy who had frozen in fear the day he saw Ozarak.
The boy who couldn't even move — saved only because Mclery had been there, fearless even against death.
And now there was Ronnie — doing everything so easily, laughing as he dodged dangers Henrry couldn't even react to.
Henrry's chest tightened. Am I still that weak boy?
The question haunted him as his thoughts blurred into dreams, and soon, exhaustion pulled him into sleep.
Morning arrived with a soft golden glow seeping through the windows.
Henrry woke first, earlier than anyone else.
He sat up sharply, determination burning in his veins.
I can't stay behind anymore, he thought fiercely.
I have to catch up. I have to surpass Ronnie. I have to be stronger.
Without wasting a moment, he grabbed Noxumbra, feeling its familiar weight settle in his hand.
Henrry picked a small stone again, the same size as yesterday.
He took a deep breath, feeling the mana within him — gathering it, shaping it.
Holding Noxumbra steady, he aimed toward the stone, focusing hard.
He released the mana.
But this time, something went wrong.
The mana, wild and unbalanced, surged uncontrollably through Noxumbra.
A blinding burst of energy shot out — a sharp blast that shattered the stone instantly, then raced forward in a devastating wave.
The blast struck the nearest tree, slicing through it cleanly. Then the next. And the next.
Fourteen trees fell, split apart like paper under a storm.
The ground shook violently.
A deafening boom echoed through Bruiser Land, sending flocks of birds screeching into the sky.
It sounded like an explosion — like a battle had erupted.
Henrry, caught by the recoil, was thrown backward.
He crashed hard against the outer wall of the house, pain flaring through his head and arms.
The world spun, and everything went black.
Conrad, half-asleep, sprinted outside, instincts alert.
Ronnie, alarmed by the explosion, rushed to Mia's room.
What Conrad saw froze him — devastation.
The field looked like a warzone.
The trees were ruined, torn apart as if by giant claws. The air shimmered with leftover mana energy.
Then Conrad's eyes found Henrry — lying unconscious a few meters away
"HENRRY!" Conrad shouted, racing toward him.
Mia and Ronnie ran outside too, Mia hands flying to her mouth in shock.
Conrad bent over Henrry quickly, checking his breathing.
"He's alive," he muttered, relief flooding him. "But he's hurt."
Conrad's eyes fell on Noxumbra, still clutched tightly in Henrry's hand, its surface faintly glowing.
Ronnie and Mia turned to Conrad, desperate for answers.
Conrad breathed. "This is the power of an 8th-level wand?"
Ronnie gently lifted Henrry onto his back and carried him inside, laying him on the bed carefully.
Mia hovered near, her face pale with worry.
"What happened?" Ronnie demanded.
Conrad exhaled slowly. "I had a feeling yesterday, when Henrry easily split that leaf and moved that rock... it wasn't normal. I should have realized it then."
"What do you mean?" Mia asked, voice shaking.
"Noxumbra is not just a beginner's wand," Conrad explained. "It's an 8th-level weapon. It amplifies mana several times over. Henrry was able to perform feats far above his level because Noxumbra helped him — not because he had full control."
He looked down at Henrry's unconscious form, guilt gnawing at him.
"He's still too inexperienced to handle this much power. Today's accident… it happened because the wand's amplification overwhelmed him."
Silence fell over the room, heavy and uneasy.
Mia reached out, brushing a lock of hair from Henrry's forehead. "Will he be okay?"
"He's just unconscious for now," Conrad assured her.
Conrad turned to Ronnie, his voice sharp. "The explosion was loud. If anyone was nearby… they'll come to investigate. We must be ready."
Ronnie's eyes hardened. He nodded once, swiftly.
"I'll stand guard outside."
Without another word, he slipped outside the House.
Inside, Mia and Conrad sat silently by Henrry's side, waiting — for him to wake up, and for whatever dangers the explosion might attract.