Syn hesitated, the knot in her stomach tightening and coiling like a snake as she stood in front of Nyk's house. She dreaded going inside.

It had been two weeks since the battle with Garoth, and her heart still pounded like a war drum when she thought about it.

It also had been two weeks in which Nyk hadn't woken up.

Her father had and was slowly recovering from his injuries, but nothing they had tried had worked with Nyk. Minda, Zosimos and Val had attempted common remedies and used potions and herbs, but he had remained in a deep, unyielding sleep. A 'coma,' as his grandmother had called it over a week ago.

Guilt weighted like a heavy stone on her conscience, thinking of how little she could do for him. Despite the guilt, her eyes shone unwaveringly. I will learn how to help you at the academy, she thought, clenching her fists.

Today was her last day in Talorin, and she was here to say goodbye.

A letter had come just three days after Taizhen left, confirming that she was expected at the academy. After a brief chat with her father, in which she had avoided mentioning what he'd said while asleep, he had reticently agreed to let her go. She wasn't planning on mentioning anything about her mother, at least until she knew more about where she could search for her.

The letter mentioned that she was a prodigy, blessed by mana. But, if that had ever been true, she suspected it was not anymore. Her connection to mana had been severed, she had felt it that day at the cave, and doubts plagued her as she wondered how she would manage without that instinctual feeling guiding her path.

She had decided to go nonetheless. After her heartfelt conversation with Val, she knew she had a responsibility. She would repay favors and carve a path for Nyk, earning a green card for when he awoke.

Here we go. With a deep breath, she steeled herself and pushed the main door open, stepping in.

As she entered, she realized the house was eerily quiet. She was still scanning through when she heard a faint noise upstairs in Nyk's room.

Is Nyk awake!? She dashed toward his room, opening the door just a crack to peek inside.

Nyk was in his bed, but still as a fallen log. Val sat next to him in the lotus position. The old woman had her eyes closed, and her hands were tinted blue, the same color as a powder-filled bowl resting at her side.

Syn spied from the doorway, feeling like an intruder. She remained quiet, unwilling to interrupt but unable to tear herself away.

As she studied the scene, she noticed the woman's sweaty clothes clinging to her form, hinting at the sculpted muscles underneath. She held an increasingly glowing hand over her grandson's heart, slowly moving it toward his forehead.

How could I ever think she was just a crazy herbalist? Syn thought to herself, astonished.

She repeatedly blinked as she observed Nyk. Though still unconscious, he seemed more muscular and taller. His previously flabby arms now showed signs of muscles rippling beneath the skin.

Suddenly, Val's body tensed, her brow furrowing in concentration, and a wave of energy shuddered through the room. The curtains danced uncontrollably as green energy pulsed through her body, concentrating on her chest. The woman's muscles seemed to shrink, and the ethereal glow coursed through her arm toward Nyk, his brow furrowing and body tightening, only to immediately relax under the energy that permeated him.

Syn's jaw was wide open when she heard Val speak.

"Just another moment, dear. I'm almost done," Val murmured without opening her eyes, beads of sweat rolling down her forehead.

Syn frowned, puzzled. How did she—

Val opened her eyes as the last blast of energy entered Nyk's body, and the curtains stilled. "You can come in, dear." She looked exhausted.

"S-sorry, I d-didn't mean to... W-what were you... W-will he... be fine?" said Syn, stumbling over her words.

"I'd be lying if I told you I know," Val admitted, tremblingly reaching for a glass of water next to the powder bowl. "I've been trying to stabilize his body, but he—No, something is not letting me."

Syn was at a loss.

"I have tried to bring him to my cultivation space to help him heal," Val explained, seeing her confusion. "But for some reason, I can't pull him." She said, taking a second sip.

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"Your... c-cultivation space?"

Val nodded, shakily standing up, "You'll soon learn about it. It's a space where you can train and reflect."

"D-does it has a... t-tree? With c-colored fruits?" Syn guessed.

Val blinked, "Maybe you are indeed blessed by mana," she said, a smile forming on her lips, "Not necessarily a tree, but yes."

Was that what the golden-haired girl—Lyra—had done? Bring her to her cultivation space to heal?

"And you cannot bring him to yours?" Syn asked curiously.

"Surprisingly, no," Val replied, her breath still coming in short gasps. "I can't even check what wounds his body has. With no information, I'm unsure how long it'll take him to recover or if he will ever wake up," she said, her face furrowing.

"If this was me, h-hed be screaming in joy." Syn said, melancolic.

Val looked at her and raised an eyebrow.

"B-because s-seeing secret techniques in action and learning about cards was all he wanted to do," Syn hurried to explain.

Val's lips curled into a melancholic smile. "Daydreaming about secret techniques and cards...Yeah, I guess he gets that from his father."

Syn's eyes widened in surprise. She had never heard anything about Nyk's father. Nyk himself didn't know much about him. She waited, but Val didn't elaborate. "What was he like?" she asked, unable to contain her curiosity.

Val's eyes glistened. "He was just like Nyk. Indomitable. Curious." The old woman didn't say another word, and her gaze faded into the distance.

"Well, t-today is the day," Syn said, quickly changing the subject.

"Is it? You're leaving today?" Val said, her mind seemingly returning to the room.

"Y-yes, I'm here to say my goodbyes."

"Good, good. It won't be easy with just a green card, but I'm sure you'll pull through," Val said comfortingly.

"Y-yeah, j-just a s-single good old g-green card," Syn echoed as guilt washed over her.

Val picked up a tiny box, "Take these pills. They're Zosimos'" she said, handing the box to her. "I've given them a little boost. Take two before the entrance exam, one hour before, with plenty of food," she said with a mysterious smile.

Syn's eyes lighted kindly as she clutched the blue pills tightly. Now that the subject of the card had been raised, she hesitated, feeling the weight of the secret she had been carrying since the incident. She knew it was crucial to get some answers, but she couldn't just blurt out her questions.

"V-val, c-can I ask you s-something?"

"Anything, dear"

"W-would you h-have an idea of h-how I b-bonded with the card?"

Val's eyes narrowed a flicker of interest in her gaze.

"W-what I m-mean is... w-why did it h-happen? I t-thought you could only bond with a card v-voluntarily."

Val nodded, "Normally, bonding with a card is a voluntary process." She remained pensive momentarily as if choosing her words. "But we don't yet understand how the array works, and it's not unheard for someone to bond with a card under unusual circumstances. I personally must've heard of a dozen of rare cases. Who's to say yours isn't just another one?"

Syn frowned, "R-rare cases?"

Val nodded, "Even history is full of them. The most ancient one I can think of is when gods first bestowed the power of cards onto a group of unsuspecting humans. According to the legends, the few survivors of the process emerged holding great power and the ability to absorb the beasts' life force. Perhaps the array reacted to something within you, a hidden potential and somehow granted you a card."

Syn listened intently, wondering if the mysterious circumstances surrounding her bond with the card were somehow connected to these ancient heroes.

"But that's just a legend, right?" she asked, her voice wavering with uncertainty.

Val gave her a knowing smile, "You'll learn there is often truth hidden within legends," She said with a wink.

Syn considered the implications of what Val had said. She had indeed lost her mana-sensing ability.

Val smiled, "I'm sure you'll have plenty of time to learn about your green card at the Academy."

"Y-yeah, the g-green card is a m-mystery... W-what d-did you say a-about... a-absorb...ing the beast's life force?" Syn ventured.

Val studied her intently. "I wouldn't take that part too seriously, dear. Part of this story may hide the origin of cards, but other bits are likely to be adornments to make it more enticing."

Syn nodded absentmindedly, "S-sure. T-that's probably it."

The distant sound of a ship's horn echoed through the air. Her ship was reaching the docks.

"Is there anything else you want to ask me?" Val inquired gently.

Syn looked toward the window, worried. "M-maybe next time..." Syn stuttered.

"Next time," Val agreed.

"Can I have a moment alone with Nyk?" Syn asked, her eyes begging.

The old woman smiled affably. "Of course, dear. Say your goodbyes," she said, giving her a brief hug and leaving the room.

Syn waited until the sound of her footsteps disappeared and sat on the chair next to Nyk, staring at him silently for a few seconds, following his rhythmic breathing. She had prepared hundreds of ways to say goodbye, but now, none felt right.

"I know, I should've said more," she blurted, scowling as she looked at his face. "You would have."

"B-but I'm trying to catch up! It's not easy to be as trusting as you are. I'll practice for when you wake up, Ok?" She whispered, her hand idly playing with Nyk's hair. "L-let's make a deal; wake up soon, and I swear to you that the next time we meet, I'll tell you about my second card as soon as I see you."

Syn approached him and enclosed him in a tight embrace. Nyk's rhythmic breathing continued uninterrupted.

Once again, the ship's horn blared in the distance, signaling her time to leave.

She stood, wiping away her tears, and made her way downstairs. Val was there, idly cooking something that made her mouth water. Hadn't Nyk always mentioned she was a lousy cook?

"Please take care of him," she implored, her voice wavering with emotion.

"I will," Val promised, her expression solemn yet reassuring.

Barely holding back her tears, Syn turned around and ran toward the port.