The night had passed quietly, leaving only the faint scent of warmth and candle smoke in the room. Rina lay asleep, her breathing soft and even, a faint peace on her face that Ethan hadn't seen before. He quietly adjusted the blanket over her shoulders, taking one last look before slipping out.

As he stepped into the corridor, silence hung in the air. The moonlight spilled across the floor as Ethan made his way back to his own room.

When he entered, he saw both Ray and Miranda sleeping soundly. He exhaled in relief. Whatever had happened tonight, at least his children were safe and unaware.

Morning came faster than he expected. The first rays of light brushed across his face, and when Ethan opened his eyes, his entire body jolted awake as if struck by lightning.

"What the— Holy shit… Am I dreaming?" he muttered, sitting upright. His vision flickered, and a bright blue system panel appeared before him.

[Host's partner has Mage aptitude of B-rank and is at the late stage of Advanced Mage.]

[Host has obtained B-rank Mage aptitude and rank of late stage of Advanced Mage .]

Ethan's eyes widened. "What the hell?" he breathed, staring blankly at the glowing screen.

He rubbed his temples, trying to process what he was seeing. He remembered faint notifications during the night, but he had dismissed them as he was too engrossed in the act.

But now…

"Late Advanced stage?" he said under his breath, disbelief rising in his tone. "And that too as a Mage…"

He stood, pacing across the room, confusion written across his face. "How did her power stay hidden all this time?" he muttered. Then it hit him. "The artifact… it must have something to do with that. But even then… B-rank potential?"

He exhaled sharply, stunned. "Out of everyone, this is the first time I've seen such a huge leap," he whispered. "Just what kind of woman is she?"

A quiet thought flickered in his mind .

Every beauty hides a shade of thorns.

He frowned, remembering the calm look in Rina's eyes, the way she had spoken, the weight behind her words. She wasn't ordinary.

Whatever lay beneath that composed exterior, it was powerful and dangerous.

Still, his curiosity overpowered his doubts. Ethan clenched his fists. "And with such a gift," he murmured, glancing at the glowing panel again, "how can I let it go?"

He took a deep breath. "Collect."

The moment he spoke, a blinding light erupted within his mind. His vision blurred as a flood of magical knowledge poured into him. His body trembled as if struck by an invisible wave.

A searing sensation filled his chest, but it wasn't painful. It was… awakening. The energy spiraled through his veins, hot and fierce, rising from deep within his core. Ethan could feel his spiritual energy shifting, expanding, and breaking through invisible walls that had held him back for so long.

His breathing quickened. His senses sharpened. He could hear the faint hum of mana in the air, and feel the flow of energy beneath the ground. It was as if the entire world had become clearer, brighter, and more alive.

The transformation continued, and Ethan could feel his soul trembling under the pressure. The energy condensed inside him, then expanded again like a storm breaking through clouds. His inner world reshaped itself like runes glowed faintly in his consciousness, and his spiritual sea widened until it felt infinite.

When it finally settled, he gasped for air, his shirt clinging to his skin. His heartbeat steadied, but the sensation that followed made him shiver. The mana inside him now flowed smoother, denser, and stronger than ever before.

He clenched his fist, and a spark of green light flickered between his fingers.

"Let's see," he muttered. Raising his hand, he whispered, "Wind Shield."

A gust of air burst forth, forming a transparent barrier that shimmered faintly. The force of it alone made the curtains flutter violently. Ethan stared, astonished.

"This… this is on a completely different level," he whispered.

He stretched out his other hand and cast another spell. "Ignition."

A small flame sparked at his fingertip, then roared into a blazing sphere of fire before he even poured much energy into it. The heat washed over the room. He quickly waved his hand to disperse it before it could scorch the walls.

Ethan stood still, breathing deeply, his lips curving slightly in awe. His body felt lighter and stronger, his mind sharper, his magic faster. Even his control had improved; the flow of mana responded instantly to his will.

He looked down at his hands, the faint traces of light fading away. "So this is what it means to reach the late Advanced stage," he murmured.

"This power… it's overwhelming."

"A knight and Mage…It's gonna be a terrific combo."

...…

Ray, Miranda, and Ethan were taken for breakfast, but when they arrived, they noticed the host's seat was empty.

"Huh? Where is Aunt Rina?" Miranda asked curiously, glancing around. Her innocent question made a few servants cough and look away awkwardly.

"She was working hard yesterday, so she's sleeping," one of them replied quickly.

"Yes, she worked very hard and needed some rest," Ethan added calmly, trying to sound casual.

Miranda blinked and tilted her head. "But how did you know that?Weren't you with us since last night"

Ethan froze for a second as Ray's eyes narrowed suspiciously. He cleared his throat.

"Cough! Because I was the one who gave her the job. It was about business. Now just eat."

He forced a small smile. "I'll check on her later," he said, trying to disperse the awkwardness in the air.

...

Rina slowly opened her eyes. The morning light streamed through the curtains, warm and soft. Her head felt a little heavy, but her body strangely relaxed. She turned her gaze toward the window and let out a small breath.

"It seems I slept quite heavily," she murmured. "It's been a while since I slept so peacefully."

She tried to sit up but winced at the soreness that lingered through her limbs. "Ahh, it hurts," she muttered under her breath.

Then a calm voice spoke from across the room. "You shouldn't move too much yet."

Startled, Rina turned and saw Ethan sitting by the table, quietly buttering a piece of bread.

He looked at her with a faint, composed smile. "You were exhausted yesterday. Rest a bit more," he said gently, pouring her a glass of water and juice. "Here. Drink this and regain some strength."

Rina nodded quietly while her face softened as warmth touched her eyes.

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