Chapter 2089 Ailments
The next morning, Emery summoned Hardy, the Kaleos noble to meet him in his private hall.
As he presented the new pill and explained his intentions, Hardy could only muster a deep sigh. "Master... I am moved by your efforts, but I really don't think it would work," he expressed with a heavy tone.
Despite Hardy's evident pessimism, he respected Emery's dedication and agreed to consume the pill.
Within minutes, a noticeable transformation began to unfold. Hardy's demeanor shifted as vitality coursed through his veins, his spirit force steadily climbing beyond 100. He ascended to the level of a rank 5 acolyte, and the surge continued, almost propelling him to the threshold of rank 6, a bridge between Earth's realm and the Skyrealm. Yet, just before reaching this coveted milestone, the progression abruptly halted.
It seemed that Emery's new pill was effective, but the outcome mirrored the previous two attempts. Within a day or two, Hardy's cultivation would inevitably regress to his previous rank 4 state.
"Maybe it will be different this time," Hardy remarked, forcing a smile as he expressed his gratitude for Emery's efforts. However, before he could take his leave, Emery surprised him by insisting that he stay.
Hardy, taken aback by this request "Master... it will take a day or two... let me just come back after," he suggested, but Emery remained resolute, instructing Hardy to remain by his side.RêAd lateSt chapters at novelhall.com Only
As time passed, the situation grew increasingly uncomfortable for the Kaleos noble. Hours went by, and the other acolytes began to wonder why Hardy was spending so much time alone with Emery. Even Klea, noticing the unusual circumstance, approached to inquire.
Despite all the prying eyes, Emery remained focused, observing Hardy closely for any subtle changes, even as night fell and a new morning dawned.
For another full day, Hardy found himself compelled to remain seated beside Emery, his thoughts drifting as he pondered why this renowned magus would invest so much time and effort on his behalf. As the sun began to set again, and Hardy realized that Emery was prepared to endure another night, he couldn't help but bow his head in frustration.
"I apologize for misleading you both," Hardy confessed, his voice heavy with regret.
Hardy began to recount the intricate web of political intrigue within the Kaleos faction. Born into aristocracy and possessing rare talent in time spells, he was a prized asset, coveted by many. However, lacking reliable allies to safeguard him, Hardy found himself vulnerable.
In a bid to ensure his safety, Hardy's mother had imparted to him the knowledge of the secret time seal before her mysterious demise.
Since that fateful day, Hardy had donned the guise of a disabled individual, his true potential hidden beneath a veneer of feigned vulnerability. His every action, every word was carefully calculated to perpetuate the illusion of weakness, shielding him from the prying eyes of those who sought to exploit or eradicate him.
The supposed poison detected by Emery was, in reality, Hardy's own creation—a ruse to make it appear as though he had fallen victim to one of the many political adversaries.
Once again, Hardy articulated his sincere remorse for misleading them, acknowledging the depth of gratitude he harbored for Emery's earnest attempts to assist him. However, despite the genuine appreciation he felt, Hardy preserved resolute in his decision to refrain from unveiling his true talents or actively participating in the affairs of the academy.
"I hope for your understanding,"
Despite Emery's inability to delve into Hardy's mind due to the academy restriction, he still gleaned a sense of authenticity from Hardy's demeanor.
Emery acknowledged Hardy's decision, though not without a word of caution.
"Keep in mind, you can't hide forever,"