Emil passed out immediately after the refining process was over, only to wake up to his usual six hours of torture.

Once the six hours passed, he could take a proper look at the changes in his body.

Lying in the ice cold bathtub, he closed his eyes and examined his insides.

Light-gray bones, perhaps twice as thick as before.

He didn't know what to make of them.

On one hand, the tempering process seemed to have been successful, on another hand he was left with an unusually colored set of skeleton.

One thing he did know though, was that he wasn't feeling any immediate pain or side effects whatsoever.

In fact, he was feeling stronger than ever. But he wasn't sure if that was a natural consequence of the Bone Tempering Elixir, or if it had something to do with the unknown energy now mended into his bones.

Opening his eyes, he sank deep into the bathtub and let out a breath, bubbles forming on top of his head as he did so.

It seemed like there was nothing wrong with his body, yet. He could only test out any potential side effects brought by the unexpected change when he got the chance.

For now, he just wanted to catch a break, and enjoy the cool water hugging his body.

"What!"

Emil's eyes, which were wandering over his legs shot wide when he noticed something.

He jumped out of the bathtub and rushed to a mirror.

"Holy moly..."

Emil, originally five foot four inches tall, was now standing at a staggering five foot nine, or so his eyes told him.

A five inch increase in height, overnight!

He couldn't recognize the person in the mirror.

Even his facial features had slightly shifted for the better.

He looked like he'd aged two years in a single day, it was surreal.

The awakening age was around the same age as your growth spurt, so it wasn't weird to see male and female students reaching adult heights.

It was only Emil who was an oddity, looking like a pipsqueak depsite almost being fourteen.

But now that all changed.

He wasn't the tallest guy around the campus, but hey. He wasn't the shortest anymore either.

"Hohoho."

Emil smiled from ear to ear while looking at the mirror. He realized how most of his height went to his legs, giving his physique a unique aesthetic.

After getting over his excitement though, he was reminded of something.

"Hold on a minute..."

He took out his badge and started skimming through his books.

"Found it!"

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

He studied the effects of the Bone Tempering Elixir in detail, but there was no such recording of gaining five inches in one night.

Most people didn't experience an increase in height while those that did so, only gained one to two inches at best.

Emil could only attribute this peculiarity to one element.

The intervention of the unknown energy!

So there were side effects after all, but not bad ones. At least none yet.

Wasting no time, Emil took out Emerald Reflection to test the change in his strength.

"Whoa."

He was surprised with how much lighter it became.

It was still heavy by all means, but holding it didn't feel like a chore anymore.

Unfortunately, he couldn't test out exactly how much stronger he'd gotten. he didn't have the required instruments.

Regardless, the Bone Tempering Elixir's main effects weren't increasing your strength. It was increasing your bones' durability.

This ability, Emil was sure to test it out when going against Magical Beasts.

For now.

*Growl*

He was planning to have breakfast.

***

"Pahahah, that Pashmak did that?"

Arne's hearty laughter could be heard within the office.

He was sitting around the table with Emil and Piers, delicacies and beverages laid over the place.

You could tell he's been drinking from his slightly flushed cheeks.

Why wouldn't he? This was an event to celebrate. The little rascal went ahead and won the entire competition while he was away. when should they celebrate if not now?

"Yeah he did it right after uncle Piers gave his ruling. I think he might've forgotten about the river part. Either way he looked annoyed, and a bit embarrassed."

Arne listened attentively as Emil laid out the events during his absence.

"What happened next? Did anyone else have any complaints?"

Emil shook his head.

"No, not for the fourth and fifth stage.

But then everyone started shouted 'Disqualify'. They thought I passed stage two unfairly."

Arne's spiky hair started flaring up in anger.

"Hmph, those little pricks. I bet they wouldn't do half as good as you if they were in your place yet they had the gall to want you disqualfied!

What happened next?"

Emil deliberated before looking over at Piers.

"I think uncle Piers would be able to tell better. He and the judges had a lengthy conversation."

Arne turned towards Piers.

"Well spit it out, what did the others have to say."

Piers stroke his chin before starting to speak.

"Me and Miss Grimald voted against the disqualification, but Osric and Miss Olbrecht decided otherwise.

Nesta was probably the one who felt most responsible because the problem was caused by his formation so he came up with a proposition.

We don't disqualify Emil, but at the same time have it so it's not unfair to the other participants by having two first rank winners instead of just one."

Arne's head bopped up and down as he filled his empty wine glass.

"That's not a bad solution, not a bad solution at all.

Nesta that guy, he may seem like a cold and distant person but his head is in the right place."

"Yeah." Piers nodded in agreement.

"I have to say though, Emil would've been disqualfied had Miss Grimald not voted in his favor. We owe her a thanks as well."

Arne's ears perked up at the mention of Miss Grimald.

This action didn't escape Emil's eyes.

With a wide green, and eyes squinted, Arne gave Piers a long stare.

"What? Why are you looking at me like that?" Piers asked, rolling his eyes.

"You know damn well why, don't act clueless."

A sigh escaped Piers' mouth.

"Arne, please stop making scenarios in your head, she's just a co-worker like everyone else."

Arne's smile remained in place. "Or is she?"

His grin slowly faded into a serious face.

"Brother, I'm saying this for your own good.

Find yourself a woman. I lived most my life alone, not realizing the joy of having a partner until I got married.

You're not gonna sit around til you're both old and wrinkly are you? Ask her hand in marriage if you fancy her. I've seen the way she looks at you, it's the same look my wife gave me when we were still only lovebirds hahaha."

Arne's hearty laughter filled the room, ringing out in everyone's ears like a bell.

Piers slyly dropped his and shook it, unable to help but crack a smile.

"Boy, look at your uncle, miserable at this age and still too afraid to ask a woman out."

Grabbing Emil's attention, the uncle began lecturing him.

"Find yourself a wife, the sooner the better.

Better yet, find yourself two wives.

Hell, find yourself three wives! The more the merrier!"

Arne's words got through Emil's left ear and exited through his right.

He wasn't having any of it, he was shook.

He'd just received critical news unintentionally.

'Miss Grimald likes Uncle Piers...Nooooo :('

All his fantasies, all the plans he had for their future, it was gone! All for nothing!

After a few minutes of mourning, he raised his head and looked at Piers with glistening eyes.

'it's alright, better my uncle than someone else.'

He flashed the man a thumbs up, and gave him a supportive look.

'i'm rooting for you Uncle, you have to succeed, for the both of us!'

Piers caught Emil's antics from the corner of his eye, and couldn't help but raise a brow confusion.

What was the boy doing?