Nel wasn’t an easily excitable man, although he wasn’t a steady and calm type either. There were a few things that could rile up his emotions.

He was a human being, after all.

When Celpie claimed that he achieved the second stage of mana application, Nel’s first reaction was disbelief. That was the realistic way of handling an absurd claim. Yet, he couldn't help but have some hope.

Nel lost his composure.

The moment he closed his eyes, following Celpie’s advice, he realized his mistake. He believed in someone who could be his enemy and left himself vulnerable. Unfortunately, it came at a critical time when he couldn't do anything or risk making his mana go berserk.

He just hoped that they wouldn’t pull a fast one on him. Although there were people around as it was in the middle of one of Vedan's popular hospitals' waiting are, nothing was impossible for a hunter.

XXX

“Is he really?” Swan leaned to his side and whispered into Celpie’s ears. He, too, couldn't believe it either. Anyone awakened to mana can learn and practice Empowering. But, only a handful could advance to the next stage.

The projection stage wasn’t simply about discharging mana outside. It brings a qualitative change to the hunter’s battle prowess. Empowering can only affect the user’s body, but Projection influences the surrounding around its user.

It opens the doors to versatility and unpredictableness.

Celpie turned her head and squinted her face at her elder brother. “You think I’d joke about something like this?” She snorted. “I won’t do something that foolish, alright? I need his help to save big bro Bell.”

“Ohh!” Swan nodded his head and went back to observe Nel. Jealousy burned like fire, setting his heart ablaze.

Ever since he awakened, Swan had been training nonstop in all aspects of mana. In just two years, he mastered Empowering to its limit. Yet, he was far from reaching the Projection stage. Even having a Skill, which apparently increases the chances, didn't help.

He just couldn't begin to grasp the concept. There was no one to help him either. The life of a freelancer was not easy, and that’s a fact.

“Ahh!”

Celpie’s sharp intake of breath brought Swan out of his ugly thoughts. He found her staring at something and perfectly impersonating a fish out of water.

“Pfft!” He stifled a laugh and turned his head in the direction she was looking. He was curious about what could make this hard-to-impress girl behave that way.

What he saw was out of his wildest imagination.

Floating above Nel’s palm was a toothpick made out of pure mana. Swan squinted his eyes and looked closer only to gasp like Celpie. It was not a toothpick but a miniature replica of a spear. The astonishing fact would be how stable it was while floating above Nel’s palm.

It blew his mind.

“How- why is it so stable!?” Celpie’s voice was full of shock, and Swan found himself agreeing with her. He had never seen a recently promoted Projection stage hunter whose constructs were so solid. Granted, he hadn’t seen that many.

In fact, now that he thought about it, he had never heard of a hunter who reached Projection stage before achieving 5-star.

As a 1-star hunter, green-ranked dungeons were his limit. It wouldn't even qualify to be a 5-star hunter’s backyard. They usually hunt in Purple or Black ranked dungeons.

Swan had to change his opinion on Nel. Even in his wildest dreams, he had never expected to see someone from such a remote place would actually manage to achieve what was many hunter’s greatest desire.

XXX

The first reaction Nel showed at the miniature magic construct above his palm was an emotionless face. However, it was not because he was unimpressed but due to extreme shock.

His eyes widen slowly. The hairs at the back of his neck and hands stood up straight as goosebumps appeared. His heart was pounding miles per minute inside his chest.

Suddenly, the mana spear fluctuated and collapsed into tiny particles before fading into thin air. A light-blue-colored ring expanded out from the center of his palm before vanishing.

“Ah!”

Three pairs of gasp echoed at once as Nel, Celpie, and Swan stared at each other’s faces.

“What happened?” Nel asked, his brows knitting together.

“Ah!” Celpie was taken aback by Nel’s sudden inquiry. She narrowed her as a thoughtful look appeared on her oval face. Her fingers pressed against her cream-colored shorts as she tried to think of a reason. “It, it should be because you don’t have enough control over it yet.”

Nel nodded absentmindedly as he quietly walked over to the chair and sat down. He looked down, holding his head with his hands with elbows supported by his knees. A drop of tear fell on the pristine white floor of the hospital next to his boots.

XXX

Swan patted Celpie’s shoulders twice. “Let’s go.”

“Huh! What?” Celpie’s left eyebrow rose as she looked at her brother dazedly. “What do you mean?”

“Just come!” Swan pulled on Celpie’s shoulders, dragging her away from Nel against her furious protest. He went to the cafeteria located on the left side of the waiting hall.

“One Cafè mocha, please,” Swan asked the lady behind the service desk before turning to his sister. She was giving him a pointy stare as her mouth twisted into an ugly frown. “What?” He asked, raising his eyebrows.

“‘What!’? You seriously asking ‘what’?” Celpie hissed. She was like a cat with her tail stepped on by someone. “Did you forget we need his help to heal big bro Bell? I was so close to convincing him to help us!”

Swan smiled but didn't give her a reply immediately. He turned towards the counter, “one iced choco latte, please.”

“Don’t ignore me!” She stomped her feet as her glare intensified. Her face had turned red, as her nose flared. “And don’t try to bribe me with that!”

“Pie, sometimes a man needs some space.” Swan let out a heavy breath. Resting his left elbow on the counter, he leaned against the table and smiled at his sister. “Look at him.” He said, pointing his finger at Nel. “What do you think he is doing with his head down like that?”

Celpie followed in the pointed direction and saw Nel’s weird posture. Her eyes widened in disbelief. “He is… crying?” Her eyes widened as his jaw almost dropped to the floor. “No way!!”

“What do you mean ‘no way’? Can’t a man cry when he is emotional?” Swan flicked her forehead.

“Ouch!”

“Sir, your choco latte.” The woman with short brown hair smiled as she served the ordered drink on the table. Celpie blushed as she took the glass silently.

Swan laughed at her expense. He discreetly stared at Nel before turning them to Celpie. Even though he left him alone to give him some room, he still had his eyes on him. Because, as his sister said, their brother’s life depends on him.

“Big bro, is he really crying?” Celpie tilted her head as she sucked from the straw in the glass. It seems she still couldn't believe that someone that old would actually cry.

“He is!” Swan nodded. “You know how sensitive I am to liquids. I can’t be wrong.”

“I see,” Celpie nodded. She turned around and faced in Nel’s direction while enjoying her latte.

“Sir, your mocha.”

“Thank you.” He gave the barista a nod and carefully took the cup in his hands.

“Your welcome, sir.” The lady performed a half bow before going back inside to prepare other customers’ orders.