“William, it’s time to stop. You have to return to the academy…”

Hearing the voice, William who had spent his remaining vacation days analyzing and deciphering the seal spell glanced up with bloodshot eyes.

“I’m sorry, Father. It seems I couldn’t crack it in time… I managed to fix it by a margin, but it’s nowhere near enough. I don’t think I should leave yet…”

Sighing, Malcolm approached and placed his hand on William’s shoulder.

“My son, you have already made remarkable progress… For now just return to your daily routine and work on this project on the side. I know well it’s important to Roia, but your health comes first for this old man…”

William's brow furrowed as he looked at his father.

“You don’t understand, Father. If I don’t fix… The seal is unstable, and it could break at any moment. I can’t just walk away from that.”

Malcolm’s expression shifted from concern to determination.

“And what good will it do if you collapse from exhaustion? You won’t be able to help if you’re too worn out to think straight. Trust me, you need to rest and regain your strength. I know you’re worried, but this old man here can keep it intact for the time being.”

William hesitated, torn between his sense of duty and the exhaustion weighing heavily on him. He ran a hand through his disheveled hair, feeling the strain of sleepless nights pressing down on him.

“Can’t you see how close I am? Just a few more hours—”

“No.”

Malcolm interjected firmly, his voice steady.

“You’ve pushed yourself too far already. I’ll help you with this project when you’re back in the academy. But for now, you need to take care of yourself.”

The sincerity in his father's eyes softened William’s resolve. He let out a shaky breath, his shoulders slumping as the weight of his worries pressed down on him.

“I just... I want to make sure I do everything I can.”

“I know.”

Malcolm replied, his grip on William’s shoulder tightening in reassurance.

“And you will. But you have to be in a position to help. I know your regression has changed you, but don’t forget you’re back into your young body. You are not in a state where you can spend days like this. Look after yourself, you’re not alone anymore.”

After a moment, William nodded slowly, the fight in him fading.

“Okay, you’re right. I’ll go back.”

Malcolm smiled, relief washing over his features.

“Great… Jerome is already waiting outside. It will take quite some time for you to arrive, so you should leave as soon as possible. Make sure to rest in the carriage…”

William nodded, though his mind was elsewhere. He gathered his supplies and notes and placed them into a dimensional storage device in the shape of a satchel. It was one of the finds he had discovered inside the room, along with many other useful things.

Reaching into the satchel, he pulled out the Water Crystal and stared at it, sighing deeply.

“Father, I think it’s best if you keep the Water Attribute Crystal. Use it in case anything happens.”

Malcolm raised an eyebrow, a mixture of surprise and concern flickering across his face.

“William, you know I can’t wield magic like you can. That crystal is far more useful in your hands.”

“I understand, but if the seal does break and you need to stabilize it—”

William paused, his voice thick with worry.

“You’ll be better equipped to handle any fallout if you have it. I don’t want to risk you being unprepared if something goes wrong. Plus, I think the demons will start moving again soon.”

Malcolm hesitated, his expression softening as he looked at his son.

“You’re thinking ahead, I appreciate that. But what if something happens to you while you’re at the academy? You might need it there.”

“I’ll manage.”

William insisted, tucking the crystal into Malcolm’s hands.

“Besides, you can keep it safe until I return. Just promise me you’ll be careful.”

Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

With a reluctant nod, Malcolm accepted the crystal, a sense of pride welling within him.

“Alright, I’ll hold onto it. But you have to promise me to take care of yourself, too. Your well-being is what matters most.”

“I will, I promise,”

William said, though he felt a twinge of guilt for leaving the project unfinished.

“It’s just… I wish I could do more.”

“You will do more.”

Malcolm reassured him, squeezing William's shoulder.

“Just not right now. Focus on your studies, and we’ll figure out the seal together when you come back. It’s best if no one known knows of the situation after all.”

As they made their way out of the study, the weight of his father’s words hung in the air.

William felt a knot of anxiety in his stomach, the uncertainty of Roia’s fate looming larger than ever. Stepping into the sunlight, he took a deep breath, the fresh air filling his lungs but doing little to ease his worries.

Outside, Jerome stood by the carriage, ready and waiting. His expression shifted to one of concern as he saw the strain on William’s face.

“Are you feeling alright, my Lord?”

“I’m fine.”

William replied too quickly, brushing off Jerome’s question.

“Just... a little tired. Let’s get going.”

Jerome studied William for a moment, his brow furrowed in concern, but he nodded and opened the carriage door.

“As you wish, my Lord. We’ll make good time to the academy.”

As William settled into the plush seat, he couldn’t shake the weight of his worries. He stared out the window, watching the familiar landscape of their estate slip away, the lush greenery blurring into a watercolor of greens and browns.

“You should rest, my Lord.”

Jerome suggested gently, breaking the silence.

“The academy will be there when you arrive, and I can’t recall a time when you were this fatigued.”

“I can’t afford to rest, there’s too much at stake. If I don’t return quickly, it could give the demons time to advance their plans.”

William muttered, his eyes still fixed outside.

“True, but if you collapse, what good will you be to anyone?”

Jerome countered, his tone calm yet firm.

“Even the brightest mind needs rest. The academy will still be there when you return.”

William sighed, running a hand over his face.

“I know. I just... I feel like I should be doing more.”

“Then do what you can, but do it well. You can’t help anyone if you’re too exhausted to think, I’ll handle things on this end while you’re at the academy. Just focus on your studies and regain your strength.”

Reluctantly, William allowed his head to lean against the carriage’s cushion, closing his eyes for a moment. The gentle motion of the carriage was soothing, but the thoughts swirling in his mind wouldn’t let him relax completely.

“I’ll be fine, I promise, I just need to gather my thoughts for a bit.”

He said after a few moments of silence, forcing a lightness into his voice.

“Of course, my Lord.”

Jerome replied, allowing the quiet to settle back in, a subtle smile playing on his lips.

A few seconds later, William had fallen asleep, while the carriage smoothly traveled through the terrain. It was a long journey which would take 2-3 days.

----------------------------------------

By the time William awoke night had long fallen.

The carriage wheels creaked softly in the quiet of the night as William blinked himself awake, his mind foggy from the unexpected rest. Outside, the moon cast a pale glow over the countryside, bathing the passing fields in an ethereal light.

“Awake, my Lord?”

Jerome’s voice was a gentle prompt in the dim carriage.

William sat up, rubbing his eyes, surprised at how much time had passed. The fatigue he’d carried for days had lifted slightly, but a lingering urgency still tugged at his thoughts.

“Yes… though I hadn’t meant to fall asleep.”

William murmured, glancing out the window at the vast, open landscape. The academy was still days away, but each moment was a reminder of the weight he’d left behind at home.

“Have we made good time?”

“We’re progressing well, my Lord.”

Jerome assured him.

“We’ll arrive at the academy on schedule if we continue without delay.”

William nodded, feeling a fresh resolve settle within him. The brief rest had calmed his mind, allowing him to consider his next steps with greater clarity. Though the academy wasn’t his preferred place to be, it provided resources he couldn’t afford to ignore. Time, after all, was his most valuable asset, and he intended to use it wisely.

“Thank you, Jerome.”

William said, his gaze fixed on the distant stars.

As dawn began to paint the sky in pale hues, the carriage pulled off the main road to rest at a well-known inn just outside the Dalaman Sultanate's capital. William stretched, his mind already alert despite the remnants of sleep weighing on him.

Jerome climbed down first, reaching up to open the carriage door with a respectful nod.

“We’ll take a brief respite here, my Lord. It’ll be midday by the time we continue.”

William stepped out, glancing at the stone-and-wood structure, familiar from his past journey. The inn was modest yet bustling, catering to merchants, travelers, and nobles alike who frequented the trade route to the Thearchy of Bazilarar. Its location, on the edge of the Minotaur-controlled Dalaman Sultanate, was strategic—ideal for weary travelers passing between nations.

“Nothing has changed.”

William murmured as he adjusted his satchel. His gaze swept over the other travelers, lingering on the Minotaur guards stationed at the perimeter. Tall, powerful figures, their beastkin features marked them unmistakably as guardians of the Sultanate’s capital.

Inside, the inn was abuzz with patrons. Among the guests, a few beastkin from the Sultanate were scattered about, most enjoying hearty meals before venturing further into their territories. Though the decor was simple, intricate tapestries depicting battles and ancient beasts hung along the walls, adding warmth to the stone hall.

Jerome gestured toward an empty table.

“Shall I order breakfast, my Lord?”

William nodded, settling down and taking in his surroundings. The capital of the Dalaman Sultanate was a fascinating fusion of traditions—its customs and symbols blending the fierce pride of the beastkin with elements of human trade.

William observed the inn’s lively patrons with a watchful eye. His mind was always running, piecing together fragments of information.

As Jerome returned with a modest meal, William’s gaze settled on a group of cloaked figures in a corner of the room, their quiet whispers contrasting sharply with the usual cheer. Among them, a flicker of silver caught his attention—an insignia belonging to the royal family of the Dalaman. William didn’t say anything and just glanced at his plate with disinterest.

“Jerome.”

He spoke, his voice casual.

“how long do we have before resuming?”

“A few hours, my Lord,” Jerome replied, leaning in slightly. “Enough time for you to gather yourself.”

William nodded, tapping his fingers thoughtfully on the table. He had been too preoccupied with the seal to check on the rest. He had to make sure to contact Pandora soon, he had a bad feeling about the current state of the world.