The soft glow of the healing chamber enveloped Mordred and Neron as they sat facing each other, the air thick with tension and emotion. "Neron… it's too late for me, you know?"
"W-what are you saying…? Neron's brow furrowed with worry as he gazed at Mordred, who managed a weak smile despite the gravity of their conversation.
"Neron," The older man continued, his voice gentle yet tinged with resignation, "you need to understand that my condition isn't something that can be cured. It's a part of me, and it's not going away."
As the Grand Mage of the Kingdom, he had tried all the means possible—everything at his disposal—but none of it worked.
He couldn't be cured, neither could the damage done to his body be reversed. His condition would only worsen, until finally…
"With Magic, I'm sure we can find a way to do something about this!" Neron yelled out, finally displaying his childish self in the conversation.
But, the grim reality had to be uttered by his dying father.
"Even Magic… has its limitations."
Neron's eyes brimmed with tears as he shook his head defiantly. "No, I refuse to accept that," he insisted, his voice trembling with emotion. "You're strong, dad. You've fought battles that most people couldn't even imagine. You can beat this."
The boy was yet to forget his Mordred's display of overwhelming power when he unleashed his Original Magic. Even he had shivered once he turned things over using 'Inverse'.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64ce79d606107d003c23ea27", id: "pf-5140-1"})His father was the Supreme Battle Mage, the strongest human Mage in the world.
"There's no way… no way you can't beat this too!"
Mordred's smile softened at Neron's unwavering determination, but there was a sadness in his eyes that couldn't be ignored. "Son, I appreciate your optimism, I really do," he said gently, "but you have to be realistic. My body can't handle the strain of magic anymore. It's only a matter of time before..."
He trailed off, unable to bring himself to say the words aloud. The thought of his own mortality weighed heavily on him, but he knew that he had to face it, for Neron's sake if nothing else.
'I, more than anyone else should know.' The only thing Mordred could do for his son now was to find a way for the kid to live without him.
'I'm sure you'll make lots of friends in the Academy, and I'm sure the Crimsons will take very good care of you.'
And once Neron was of age, he would finally be able to inherit the legacy of the Kaelid household and take his rightful place as a Grand Mage of the Kingdom.
All of these were Mordred's expectations for his son.
But Neron refused to accept defeat, his voice rising with fervor as he pleaded with Mordred to keep fighting. "No, dad, you can't give up," he implored, tears streaming down his cheeks. "I'll find a way to help you. We'll find a cure, or... or something. I won't let you die."
Mordred reached out and gently took Neron's hand in his own, his touch a comfort amidst the storm of emotions that raged within them both. "Neron," he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper, " I need you to be strong, for both of us."
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64cc9e79c7059f003e4ad4b0", id: "pf-5109-1"})"N-no…"
And that was pretty much how the conversation continued between the two of them—with one side imploring the other of the possibility of his demise, while the latter refused to accept it.
Soon after, Mordred returned to sleep, while Neron watched him keenly.
He was determined to look after his father so he would be present in case of another episode. 'I won't let you die, dad…' He thought to himself and nodded. 'I won't let anyone I care about die!'
Not anymore… ***********
The sun hung low on the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over the open field where Mordred and Neron stood, the grass swaying gently in the breeze. It had been weeks since the incident that had nearly cost Mordred his life, and now, fully recovered, he had decided to give Neron one final magic lesson.
"You ready, kid?"
Neron's brow furrowed with concern as he watched Mordred prepare for the lesson, a mixture of anticipation and apprehension swirling in his chest.
"Are you sure you're up for this, Dad?" he asked, his voice laced with worry. "You just recovered from a near-death experience. Maybe we should take it easy for a while."
Based on what they knew about the Mana Burst Syndrome, if Mordred overdid it, things could get really bad.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "663633fa8ebf7442f0652b33", id: "pf-8817-1"})It was from this knowledge that Neron displayed concern.
Mordred chuckled, a mischievous glint dancing in his eyes as he turned to face Neron. "Come now, boy, where's your sense of adventure?" he teased, his voice light but tinged with a hint of challenge. "I'm fully recovered now, and I won't let a little setback stop me from teaching you one more time."
Neron bit his lip, torn between his concern for Mordred's well-being and his desire to learn from him. It was tempting, in all honesty.
"I know you're strong, Dad," he admitted, his voice soft with sincerity, "but I don't want to see you push yourself too hard. You've already been through so much…"
Despite saying this, Neron was smiling and taking his stance.
Mordred's smile softened at Neron's words, a flicker of warmth and gratitude shining in his eyes. "I appreciate your concern, kid," he said earnestly, "but I assure you, I won't overdo it. Besides, you've gotten pretty arrogant, haven't you?"
The Grand Mage's lips curled up as he displayed his teeth with absolute confidence.
"Do you really think you could ever push me to that point?
Neron's gaze hardened with determination as he met Mordred's eyes. "Let's see, shall we?" he replied firmly, his voice resolute. "I can always bring you back anyway."
With a nod of understanding, Mordred gestured for Neron to join him in the center of the field, where they would begin their final lesson together. As they stood opposite each other, their hearts filled with anticipation for an obvious reason.
They both wanted to see what the other could do!
