After what felt like hours, the door to Avince’s hospital room creaked open once more. His parents stepped inside, their faces lighting up with a mix of relief and joy. Ashna rushed to his side, wrapping her arms around him tightly, while Erwin followed closely behind, a proud smile plastered on his face.

“There’s my brave boy,” Ashna said softly, pulling back to look him over. “How are you holding up?”

“I’m okay, Mom,” he replied, grateful for their presence. It felt comforting to see their familiar faces. “What happened? Why am I here?”

Erwin exchanged a glance with Ashna before settling down in the chair beside the bed. “You had quite an adventure, son,” he said sarcastically with a chuckle, though the concern in his eyes was unmistakable. “You collapsed after using your ability. The doctors said you pushed yourself too hard. You were unconscious for a while.”

Avince absorbed this information calmly. A sense of dread didn’t wash over him, nor did panic grip his heart. Instead, his thoughts shifted to the events that had transpired in the dungeon—the guardians, the fruit, and the overwhelming urge to escape. He decided then and there to keep that experience to himself. No need to worry them further.

“Is everyone okay?” he asked, genuinely curious. “What did you do after I used my ability?”

His mother looked at him, eyes filled with concern, but her voice was steady. “You collapsed, and we called for help right away. The doctors took you in and have been monitoring you ever since. We were so worried, but we’re just glad you’re awake now.”

A sense of warmth spread through him at their concern. “I’m really sorry for worrying you,” he said softly, guilt gnawing at him. “I didn’t mean to.”

Erwin shook his head, waving off Avince’s apology. “You don’t need to apologize, son. We’re just happy you’re back with us. That’s all that matters.”

After a moment of silence, his father’s expression turned serious. “So, what does your ability do? Have you figured it out yet?”

Avince hesitated, the urge to share battling with the instinct to keep his experience private. “I’m not sure yet,” he replied, glancing at the floor. “I think I need more time to understand it.”

His mother nodded understandingly, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. “That’s alright. You can keep it a secret for now until you figure it out. Just remember, we’re here for you, no matter what. If your talent turns out to be detrimental, we’ll find a way to help.”

The reassurance from his mother enveloped him like a warm blanket, grounding him in a moment that felt more like a family reunion than a hospital visit.

“Thank you,” he said, the gratitude swelling in his chest. “I appreciate it.”

Ashna smiled and squeezed his hand. “Now, you need to rest. We’ll be right here. Just focus on getting better.”

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With that, they took their leave, leaving Avince alone in the dimly lit room once again. He watched as the door closed behind them, the weight of their concern settling in.

Once the silence wrapped around him, he decided it was time to explore his abilities further. He closed his eyes and focused inward, searching for that familiar connection to the energy he had felt before. A gentle pulse resonated within him, guiding him to the storage space he had discovered earlier.

To his surprise, it was still there—a pocket of energy waiting for him to explore. He opened his eyes, his heart racing with curiosity.

What else is in there?

He willed himself to delve deeper into this newfound space, surprised to see an orb of shimmering light coalescing before him. The familiar shape emerged, revealing the mana-enhancing fruit that he had acquired during his encounter in the dungeon.

Could it be?

He reached out, pulling the fruit closer to inspect it. Its surface glowed enticingly, and the memories of its sweet, invigorating smell flooded back to him. It was exactly as he had hoped—a rare fruit that could enhance his affinity for mana.

Avince recalled everything he had learned about the fruit, the stories of its effects. He quickly checked the details with his phone that his sister had brought earlier, confirming that it held no negative side effects, that it was indeed what he hoped it to be.

With a mix of excitement and caution, he decided to consume it. He had nothing to lose and everything to gain. He focused his will, and the fruit appeared in his hand once more.

Taking a deep breath, he took a bite, the sweet and tangy flavor exploding in his mouth. A wave of warmth coursed through him as he swallowed, spreading from his stomach to the tips of his fingers.

The sensation was soothing, like a gentle tide washing over him. It felt as if the mana around him was responding to his presence, swirling in harmony with his heartbeat. The effects were immediate and profound.

He closed his eyes again, allowing the feeling to envelop him. The mana flowed through him, clearer and more potent than before. He felt a heightened awareness, as if he were more attuned to the world around him. The hospital room seemed to fade away, replaced by the vibrant colors of the forest he had once encountered in the dungeon.

I can feel it!

With newfound clarity, he sensed the energy vibrating in the air, a symphony of life coursing through every fiber of his being. It was exhilarating, like a dormant part of him seemed to have awakened, fully alive and aware.

But then, a troubling realization struck him—an ominous thought that cast a shadow over his exhilaration. The fruit... it draws you in. The desire for the fruit, the way it glowed and pulsed with energy—it was intoxicating, almost like a siren’s call.

He remembered the way he had been compelled to take it in the dungeon, how the fruit had glimmered with an allure that was hard to resist. It wasn’t just the power it offered; it was something deeper, a beckoning that clouded the mind and lured people toward it.

Could it be? Avince’s heart sank as the implications settled in. The dungeon uses the fruit to attract unwary travelers, drawing them into the depths where the guardians wait. It made perfect sense—the fruit was not just a reward but a trap, ensnaring those who sought its power and leading them into danger.

Before he could dwell on the grim realization, the door swung open once more. Ashna peeked in, a warm smile illuminating her features. “How are you feeling, Avince? We brought you some food.”

“I feel great, actually,” he replied, the energy still coursing through him.

“That’s wonderful!” she exclaimed, entering the room and setting the food on the bedside table. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”