Infinite Mana > Anything Else?

The glow of the Halo of Merit might have faded, but the ripples it left behind were far from settling. The Lionheart manor, usually steeped in muted judgment and routine, now hummed with an energy I'd never experienced. Servants stopped what they were doing when I passed by, their eyes darting away as though I might summon another divine phenomenon if provoked.

It was... odd.

The whispers hadn't stopped since the duel. Damien's defeat was enough to turn heads, but the second heartbeat and that celestial halo? That had transformed me from a source of ridicule into an enigma. Even Father seemed more attentive than usual, his gaze lingering a second longer whenever we crossed paths. Not that he said anything. Not yet.

The most surprising change, though, was Mother.

I caught her watching me from her usual perch by the windowsill, her expression unreadable. Once, I would've thought her interest was out of disdain or annoyance, but now? I wasn't sure. Her silence wasn't harsh anymore; it was calculating, like she was trying to piece together a puzzle she hadn't known existed.

I wasn't sure how I felt about any of it.

Ariana, of course, was as bubbly and affectionate as ever. She'd taken it upon herself to remind me every five minutes that I was "the most amazing brother in the world," which would've been sweet if it didn't also come with random hugs and smothering affection.

"Lloyd, you've got to teach me something cool," she said as we strolled through the garden that afternoon.

I laughed, shaking my head. "Magic isn't exactly a hobby, Ariana. Besides, you're already plenty talented."

"But not like you!" she insisted, tugging on my sleeve. "Come on, just one spell? Please?"

"We'll see," I said with a smirk, ruffling her hair.

Her grin widened, and for a moment, I let myself enjoy the normalcy of it all. It was strange, almost surreal, to walk through the same garden I had so often trudged through with a sense of dread.

And then there was Seraphina.

Her letters had become a constant, and I found myself looking forward to them more than I cared to admit. She hadn't minced words in her last one, calling my public display "the boldest thing she'd seen in years" and warning me that "half the nobles will want to recruit you, and the other half will want to kill you."

I wasn't sure if she was exaggerating, but she didn't seem the type to joke about things like that.

That evening, I retreated to the woods, seeking solitude. The Second Heart pulsed faintly in my chest, its presence an ever-present reminder of what I'd achieved—and what it meant.

It was time to see exactly what this new addition could do.

I closed my eyes, focusing on the rhythm of my breaths. The first heartbeat thrummed with familiar energy, the endless flow of mana coursing through me like a steady river. But the second heartbeat was different—sharper, more forceful.

I concentrated, channeling energy toward it. A warmth spread through my body, growing stronger until it radiated out like a second pulse.

And then I felt it.

Not mana. Something denser, heavier. Aura.

I opened my eyes, exhaling slowly. My senses felt sharper, the world around me clearer. The subtle rustle of leaves, the faint hum of distant insects—it was all so vivid, so... real.

I flexed my fingers, marveling at the newfound strength in my grip. The fragile bones and delicate skin I had always despised were gone, replaced by something stronger, sturdier. I was still me, but better.

I crouched low, feeling the tension coil in my legs like a spring. The presence of my Second Heart thrummed in my chest, a rhythmic beat just slightly out of sync with my first. Each pulse sent ripples of energy through my veins, filling me with a power I had never known before.

The forest stretched out ahead, its towering trees and dense undergrowth forming a natural obstacle course. Perfect.

I exhaled slowly, focusing on the flow of aura emanating from my second heart. It wasn't infinite like my mana, but it felt alive—raw, unyielding, and potent.

"Let's see what you've got," I whispered.

With a burst of energy, I launched myself forward.

The world blurred as I sprinted through the forest, each stride covering impossible distances. My feet barely touched the ground, yet every step felt stable, precise. The wind howled in my ears, branches whipped past my face, but I adjusted instinctively, weaving through the trees with ease.

I pushed harder, channeling more aura into my legs. The ground beneath me blurred further as I felt the energy surge, amplifying my speed. I reached a fallen tree, its thick trunk barring my path, but I didn't slow down.

A single leap carried me over it, my body soaring effortlessly through the air.

When I landed, there was no jarring impact, no stumble—just a smooth transition back into my sprint. The strength, the control... it was exhilarating.

I slowed as I approached a clearing, my breathing steady despite the strain I had just put on my body. My eyes fell on a massive boulder, its rough surface dotted with moss and cracks.

"Alright," I muttered, stepping closer.

Placing a hand on the boulder, I focused on my second heart. The aura shifted, pooling in my arms as I willed it to reinforce my muscles. The warmth spread quickly, a dense, heavy energy that made my veins feel like they were humming with power.

I tightened my grip and heaved.

For a moment, the boulder resisted, its weight digging into the earth. But then, with a groan of shifting stone, it lifted off the ground. My arms burned slightly from the effort, but it wasn't unbearable.

A grin spread across my face as I held the massive rock aloft, feeling its weight bow to my will.

Setting the boulder down carefully, I took a moment to catch my breath. The aura in my second heart ebbed slightly, its flow steady but not limitless. It was clear that while my Second Heart could channel aura, it wasn't an infinite resource. That was fine—its potential was still staggering.

Curious, I activated [Analyze], focusing on myself.

[Analyze Result]

Name: Lloyd Lionheart

Mana: Infinite

Aura: Moderate (75%)

Physical Strength: Enhanced (x3)

Speed: Enhanced (x4)

I raised an eyebrow at the numbers. Enhanced strength and speed were impressive enough, but the ability to control that power precisely was even more valuable.

"Alright, let's test the limits," I muttered.