The sun had just risen, and Ace would’ve long since gotten up to start his morning training with Lance on an ordinary morning, but after last night’s activities, his body was still far too sore to move as he would’ve liked.

As such, all he could do was meditate in an attempt to further his comprehension of the profound laws of fire.

Beside him was Leonel, who was the one to carry him outside on his back before closing his eyes and also entering a deep state of meditation, along with Killian.

After waking up, Ace felt a need to explain in detail everything that happened so this ‘little brother’ of his didn’t bear any resentment towards Arianna.

After hearing Ace’s explanation, Kil felt more than a little upset on behalf of Milianna, the woman who effectively raised him like he was her own, but unlike Lance, he didn’t feel like Ace was in the wrong. In part because he would also do whatever it took to cure her of her illness, but mainly because he still had unwavering trust in Ace.

All three of the demonic trio were training just outside the cabin when Ace’s eyes suddenly opened, and he feebly rolled to his feet.

“It’s alright,” Ace said when he saw both Kil and Leo turn towards him. “You guys stay here; I need to speak to my mother.”

Hearing that, Leo went back to his meditation whilst Killian went back to practising his axemanship, understanding Ace’s need for privacy.

Ace had just reached the first step to the porch when Milianna opened the front door, her eyes relaxing slightly when she saw her son on his feet – albeit just about.

Although Lance had already told her that Ace was okay, her concern wouldn’t dissipate until she saw it for herself.

Still, Ace couldn’t help but feel a hint of surprise as he assessed his mother’s state. He already knew that she wouldn’t be as frantic and needy after the improvement of her soul last night, but still, seeing the calm expression on her face still took him by surprise.

If this were two days ago, after seeing Ace with such horrifying injuries, she would be all over him, suffocating him with love and affection, but now…

“I’m glad you’re okay,” Milianna said gently as she looked at her son with a calm yet loving expression on her face.

“I wouldn’t exactly say “okay”,” Ace smiled helplessly, grunting as he stepped up on the porch to approach his mother.

“And whose fault is that?” Milianna questioned with a hint of admonishment before continuing with a sigh. “You and Master should’ve told me exactly what you were planning.”

“Don’t blame Arianna,” Ace interjected. “Everything that happened last night was my idea. If not for my insisting, she never would’ve agreed to take such a risk.”

“You think I don’t know that?” Milianna asked, her angelic voice laced with sarcasm as she shook her head helplessly.

Ace stared at his mother speechlessly. Although he could still feel her usual gentle warmth and love, he wasn’t used to her admonishing him for anything.

“Master would never choose to take such an unnecessary risk voluntarily,” Milianna continued, not paying any attention to her son’s reaction. “That decision could only come from a reckless idiot.”

“Mom…” Ace said hesitantly as he looked down with guilt and shame.

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“A reckless idiot who would do anything to help his mother,” Milianna said as she gently raised her son’s lowered chin so they were making eye contact. “A reckless idiot who believed in his mother’s ability…

My reckless idiot!”

Ace was once again rendered speechless as he saw the radiant smile on his mother’s face. He couldn’t detect even a hint of displeasure or blame, only appreciation and love.

“Thank you for believing in me, son,” Milianna continued. “But from now on, you aren’t to make any more unilateral decisions that concern both of us on your own; we work together.

Understand?”

“I… I understand,” Ace voiced, looking at his mother as if she was a completely new person.

“Good,” Milianna nodded. “Because that means when you go to the O’Brien Empire to challenge their students, I will be coming with you!”

“What?! No! Absolutely not!” Ace stated directly.

Although Ace’s decision seemed reckless, since awakening his [Conqueror’s Haki], Ace finally understood what it meant to be born with the qualities of a King. The belief he had in himself was unwavering!

Had his mother not already shown that she had the same ability, the plan from last night never would’ve crossed his mind, but since she had, he knew that she had those same qualities; they just needed a jump start, and judging by his mom’s current state, he had been completely right.

Still, a calculated risk like that was nothing compared to what his mother was proposing. She wanted to follow him into the lion’s den, where anything could happen.

Unfortunately, Ace wasn’t the only stubborn one out of the two.

“I refuse to watch the little boy I gave birth to repeatedly put himself in danger to quite literally save my soul whilst I, your mother, sits back, does nothing and watches from the side-lines,” Milianna said, her voice radiating a calm resolve.

“What if you’re recognised?” Ace asked back, unable to stop himself from thinking of the worst possible outcome. “What if O’Brien appears?”

“Then we face him together,” Milianna stated.

Ace watched as his mother’s body trembled. She tried to hide and suppress it, but the fear that man instilled in her wasn’t so easy to get rid of. Still, the look of resolve in her eyes spoke volumes about who she was.

Even though Ace knew she had the qualities of a ‘king’, this was the first time she was truly exhibiting them, and as much as he wanted to keep his mother safe, Ace knew this was just as much her fight as it was his, if not more.

A look of hesitation flickered across Ace’s mind as he looked at his mother. Till now, Amira was the only person who knew the truth about his reincarnation, and although he felt guilty about hiding it from her all this time, he also knew how fragile she was and how much that fragility was linked to their relationship.

If he told her the truth and she went on to feel like he had lied to her or if he wasn’t really her son, it may be the straw that broke the camel’s back, but now…

In her current state, he felt as though there was nothing she couldn’t handle.

“Mom, there’s something I need to tell you…”

He had told himself all this time that he had only kept it to himself so as not to hurt her, and whilst that was true, it definitely wasn’t the only reason – the other reason was fear!

He had gone the whole of his previous life without experiencing the love of a parent, and the thought of losing it in this life was petrifying.

As Ace explained the truth behind his reincarnation, he also made sure to shut off his [Observation Haki]. He needed to get it all out without distractions, and sensing her emotions could end up being the biggest distraction.

“… And when I opened my eyes, I was in your arms,” Ace concluded, still too scared to look up.

“Huh… Mo… Mom?” Ace stammered as he felt himself being tightly embraced.

“I’m sorry you had to go through all that, my poor boy,” Milianna whispered.

“You… You’re not mad?” Ace asked softly.

“Mad?” Milianna asked back. “Of course not!

The matriarch of my former orphanage once told me that after death, all the souls of the dead go to heaven, where they are wiped clean before being reincarnated.

I used to believe she had just said that to keep us from mourning her after she passed, but it appears she was right.

I don’t know why or how you were able to keep your memories after being reborn, but it doesn’t change the fact that you are now and always will be my son in this life.”

Hearing her words, Ace’s eyes couldn’t help but well up with tears.

“I know it must’ve been hard keeping it to yourself all these years, not wanting to make things any harder on me, but thank you for trusting me now,” Milianna said gently, wiping the tears threatening to fall from her son’s eyes. “And I promise, from here on out, I will be the type of mother you can lean on!”

“I don’t doubt it,” Ace nodded, flashing a happy and relieved smile.

“Good,” Milianna replied before stepping back and raising her palms out in front of her. “Now, let’s see if we can heal you a bit more before the competition begins. [Luminous Life]!”

As she said that, Ace felt a warm and soothing energy coursing through his body, easing the pain his body was in from his breakthrough.