After a night of deep sleep, Nolan woke up with the same routine in mind. As the sun began to light up his room and his body was used to getting up early to exercise, something stopped him.

As he got out of bed, stretching his sore muscles, he bitterly remembered that he wouldn't be able to practice his time magic.

Reality hit him like a bucket of cold water.

It was pointless to stick to his routine now, unable to test his theories or push the limits of time magic.

Frustration suddenly overwhelmed him, and with a growl of anger, he punched the wall of his room.

The impact resonated, and the pain that shot through his wrist was as sharp as the ache in his soul.

Yet the physical pain paled in comparison to the helplessness of being trapped in a dead end.

He had come so far in his research, had exceeded everyone's expectations... and now he couldn't move forward.

Revealing the secret of his time magic was a huge risk, especially if he couldn't use it at will.

He felt vulnerable, on the brink of a discovery he might never be able to share with the world.

With his heart racing, Nolan hit the wall again, this time with more fury.

Each blow was an attempt to release the anger that gnawed at him.

He kicked the nearest piece of furniture, feeling frustration escalate with every passing second.

Then, a soft knock on the door interrupted his storm of emotions.

It was his staff, concerned about the noise.

"Sir? Are you okay?"

Nolan, trying to hide his agitation, took a few deep breaths before responding in a weary voice:

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"Yeah, I'm fine."

He looked at his sore wrist, the skin reddened from the blows, and realized he wouldn't be able to exercise that morning.

Not only was his body hurt, but his mind was a chaotic mess of thoughts.

Due to the lingering pain in his wrist, he decided to skip his routine. He headed to the bathroom, hoping the cold water would help clear his mind.

A noble's bathroom, like Nolan's, was anything but ordinary.

The room was adorned with marble and polished stone details, each surface shining with discreet yet imposing luxury.

In the center stood a large bronze tub, filled with warm water that gave off gentle steam. Delicate fragrances floated in the air, mingling with the oils used for his bath.

The soaps, with fine essences, were not common in the streets; they were crafted with care, scented with lavender and exotic herbs.

The warm water slowly enveloped him as Nolan sank into the tub, but the scent of the soap, though pleasant, didn't provide the peace he sought.

Submerged up to his neck, his mind kept returning to the same question.

What would he do now?

It was impossible to move forward without endangering his own life and secret.

He remembered the girl he had met the night before, the shy young woman who would likely come looking for him.

'What time will she come...?' he thought distractedly as water droplets fell on his face.

Though his mind returned to her, he couldn't escape the deep abyss he felt he was falling into.

He looked at himself in the mirror, water droplets sliding down his skin.

What he saw made him stop.

Though he hadn't yet turned thirty, his reflection looked back at him like someone much older.

The last years, devoted entirely to his research and the war, had stolen something essential from him.

It seemed like life itself was slipping through his fingers, taking his opportunities with it.

Nolan finished his bath as quickly as he could, unable to bear the sight of himself any longer.

He dried off and chose his outfit for the day.

Nolan dressed with the elegance befitting a noble, though he preferred simplicity when he could. This time, he opted for a fine linen shirt, white as snow, paired with a dark vest that accentuated his shoulders and waist.

The pants, made of soft yet sturdy fabric, were a muted gray, while his polished leather boots were ready to withstand the pace of his walks.

Finally, he put on a dark blue cloak, fastened with a silver clasp depicting his family emblem.

As he dressed, he couldn't ignore the pain in his wrist, which was beginning to swell. But he pushed it aside, gritting his teeth. There was no time to worry about that.

Nolan left the room quickly, not offering much explanation to his confused staff.

He wanted to walk.

He wanted to clear his mind or find some direction for his life.

As he walked through the halls of his residence, a memory came to him.

He had to continue with his treatment.

Visits to the church had been recommended to help him manage the effects of his mana core, and although he considered it more of a burden than a solution, he couldn't afford to ignore it.

'I just hope I don't run into any trouble...' Nolan thought as he stepped out of his mansion.