Lusian extended his hand, and seventeen spheres of dark energy materialized around him.

  His body tensed; the Basilco flesh he had consumed continued to strengthen his magical core. He could feel the power coursing through his veins.

  Albert arched a brow, amused."Interesting… show me how much you've learned."

  Without hesitation, Lusian hurled the spheres at his opponent and followed with a frontal strike. The impact made the air tremble, yet Albert stopped it with a casual sweep of his arm, smiling.

  Then Lusian activated his new spell.

  A blade of dark mana spiraled around him as if it possessed a will of its own. Each time Albert shattered it, the sword reformed instantly, attacking from every angle. It was an area spell—relentless, continuous, inexhaustible.

  Albert narrowed his eyes, finally forced to take him seriously."So this is your new creation? Fascinating."

  For thirty minutes, the hall blazed with flashes of light and ringing steel. Albert dodged, blocked, countered—but Lusian did not relent. Every strike grew faster, sharper, more desperate.

  At last, Lusian's mana ran dry.

  The spell collapsed, and he dropped to his knees, gasping for breath.

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  Albert, still smiling, approached at an unhurried pace.

  "What an intriguing spell," he said, studying him with genuine curiosity."So that's why you kept the sword materialized in the forest."

  Lusian exhaled in frustration.

  "Yeah… but it didn't work. I couldn't touch you even once. I tried to recreate a spell I saw in an anime—where the mage summoned hundreds of swords. I only managed one."

  Albert burst into laughter.

  "Keep refining that peculiar spell of yours. If Jean were in any condition to fight, she'd show you just how devastating it can be. Congratulations, boy—you've given me a thoroughly entertaining half hour."

  Exhausted, Lusian let himself fall beside Jean, who was still sprawled on the floor.

  "How are you holding up?" he asked with a faint smile. "Can you stand yet?"

  Jean stared at the ceiling, unfocused.

  "No. I think I'll be staying here all day. But… I managed to watch your training. That spell of yours… it's terrifying."

  "Really?" Lusian raised an eyebrow. "It doesn't seem like much to me."

  Jean offered a weak smile.

  "Maybe not against a mage. But against a swordsman? That spell is a nightmare. They wouldn't be able to get close to you without being cut down."

  Lusian fell silent, considering her words. Then he joked:

  "I see… would you mind if I stayed here on the floor with you all day?"

  Jean glanced at him, amused.

  "Can't feel your legs either?"

  Lusian sighed in resignation.

  "Nope. Can't feel them at all… damned Albert."

  Jean let out a soft laugh. After a few seconds of silence, she spoke quietly.

  "By the way… I wanted to ask you a favor, if you don't mind."

  "Sure," Lusian replied without opening his eyes. "Ten cents per granted wish."

  Jean smiled faintly.

  "It's about Isabella. She's really worried about everything that's happened.Could you… help her?"

  Lusian slowly opened his eyes, thoughtful.

  "I don't think I can do much. My relationship with my father is a disaster… But I can speak to my mother. Maybe she can intervene."

  Jean nodded, a glimmer of hope returning to her gaze.