Chapter 29: Mother’s Gift

Chapter 29: Mother’s Gift

Ding...

[You have reached the First Realm of the Primordial Path. You have been rewarded with three choices...]

Ding...

[Your decision has been acknowledged by the system...]

The familiar mechanical sound echoed in my head, but I ignored it. I let it linger quietly in the background, waiting for a moment when the results would be worth my attention.

Seventeen choice rewards had already accumulated, yet I had not opened a single one.

Every reward so far had been mediocre, offering only low- or mid-grade skills.

Not a single high-grade ability had appeared.

Accepting them now would only make my growth suspicious in the eyes of others. Keeping the rewards sealed was safer.

If they never disappeared, I could eventually use them discreetly, once I was certain no one was watching.

The system rewards were not essential. Even without them, I had advanced quickly.

I was guided by a powerhouse who nurtured my foundation with care. With such blessings, there was no need to rush.

Who in this world would be impatient in my position?

“It is done.”

Szélanya’s whisper reached me, soft yet clear to my enhanced hearing.

“She has officially stepped into the Primaris Realm.”

Relief spread through me. Hearing her words eased the last of my doubts.

I had truly reached the True Primaris Realm. I had ignored the system prompt, but her confirmation left no room for doubt.

With my eyes still closed, I listened as Szélanya spoke to Lynn.

“Did you finish the barrier?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. No mortal will sense this disturbance.”

“Good. Humans may carry mana, but most cannot perceive it. Even without the barrier, they would never understand what has taken place here.”

So they had prepared a formation to keep everything hidden. That was wise.

I agreed with their caution, though I had already expected as much.

Considering how obsessed my mother was with me, such measures were no burden for her.

Even so, I understood their fears. I shared them as well, terrified that someone might discover the commotion.

Yet to my surprise, there was no terrifying wave of energy or uncontrolled overflow of mana.

Everything had been absorbed perfectly, fueling the metamorphosis of my body.

My old, charcoal-like skin had been replaced with new flesh, warm and radiant with energy.

The headaches and relentless suction were gone.

All pain had vanished.

I could still feel my child drawing mana from me, but it was nothing compared to before.

The quantity and quality of my mana had increased tenfold, and her absorption now felt like plucking a few strands from a flowing river.

My physique had also transformed. My healing ability, copying talent, and presence-erasure skill had all grown stronger. They were not yet high tier, but their quality was sharper, more refined.

My broken vitality had been restored. My thousand-year lifespan had returned. Even my divine eyes had evolved, allowing me to see the world around me clearly, even with my eyes closed.

Activating my divine sight, I studied the changes within my body. My lungs, kidneys, and heartbeat had all strengthened. My intestines, blood cells, and joints had become tougher, more active, and more commanding than ever before.

My bloodline too had become more potent and robust.

I could not yet define every change, but I sensed its seductive effects and intoxicating fragrance had deepened.

If anyone consumed my blood now, its power would far surpass what it once offered.

I could not afford to spill even a single drop. I had to remain hidden and cautious.

I needed to ensure that no attack ever reached me.

That was easier said than done. Even the strongest beings could fall. To claim I would never be struck would be arrogance.

Still, I vowed to try with everything I had.

The child in my belly had also benefited. Nourished by my transformed body, she was growing at a startling pace. Szélanya’s prediction that I would give birth tomorrow now felt entirely accurate.

A heavy sigh escaped me. This was troublesome. I could only hope the birth would not mirror the agony of the dying women I had once seen in a hospital in my previous life.

Shifting my divine vision outward, I observed the room. Szélanya sat calmly, sipping tea, while Lynn stood beside her.

- _ -

Beyond the window, the morning fog curled in the light.

Only then did I realize how much time had passed.

I had thought it had been barely an hour, yet it was already morning.

My breakthrough had lasted for several hours without me noticing.

It did not matter. Whether my perception of time had shifted or not, it was a small price.

What mattered was strength.

In a lighter mood, I lowered my gaze. To my shock, I was still floating mid-air, nearly disrupting the mana cocoon that enveloped me.

I had forgotten.

In this perfected state, mana bent to me as easily as my own hand. Floating mid-air was not shocking at all. Mana was everywhere, invisible yet boundless, waiting to be shaped.

With dense mana wrapped around the body and complete control, flight became natural.

The only danger was running out of mana. That would result in a devastating fall, something I would never recommend to anyone without complete control and limitless reserves.

I suspected the same was true for spirit energy and demonic energy. They all shared a common origin, so their functions must overlap.

Sword energy, however, was different. It originated from human will and desire, and flight was beyond its nature.

The only way to fight in midair was through mana. It was versatile, serving both for combat and escape, and it remained the most valuable tool in every tactical maneuver.

Now that I had stepped into this new realm, my desire to grow stronger burned hotter than ever. I knew it was the influence of emotions within such a state, but I had no choice except to suppress them.

Szélanya had warned me that as my realm advanced, my emotions would only intensify. In my condition, becoming obsessive or even insane was a very real possibility, and I could not ignore the danger.

Those who walked the primordial path understood that abandoning emotions was essential for stability.

Anyone who carried lingering emotions while advancing on this path would eventually lose themselves, and madness would claim them in the end.

Although the thought unsettled me, I resolved to suppress my emotions.

Szélanya was here for me, and I trusted she would find a way to resolve this problem.

Still, I refused to rely on her completely. If I ever found an opportunity to heal or protect myself, I would seize it without hesitation. Dwelling on fear now would only stir my emotions further.

What I needed most was to prepare for survival when the time came to give birth.

Just last week, I had felt my daughter kick inside my belly.

I chose to see it as a sign that our preparations were not in vain. If anything was lacking, I could only depend on Szélanya to provide it.

Nodding at the simplicity of my plan, I opened my eyes and slowly descended to the wooden floor, controlling my mana with perfect precision.

Rising carefully, I supported my swollen belly with one hand and stood steady, free from the painful side effects that had plagued me earlier.

When my gaze met my mother, Szélanya, her delighted smile greeted me.

“Congratulations, my dear daughter. I am so glad you made it through safely.”

It is all thanks to you.

That was what I wanted to say, but I knew such words would shatter the careful mask I had built. It felt out of character to reveal that much vulnerability. Instead, I softened my expression and replied calmly.

“Thank you for saving me, Mother. I am truly grateful. One day, I will repay your kindness, no matter what.”

“Aw, Nerine, you really are so sweet. Hahaha… very well, I will be waiting for that day.”

“Thank you.”

Seeing her unable to hide her joy, I responded with warmth and went along with her happiness.

Afterward, we spoke of my gains and her coming absence. She would not be able to visit me for a long time, and the hours slipped away as we talked.

Dinner was peaceful. I ate with Szélanya while Lynn, my maid, busied herself with cleaning.

The floor had become a mess of blackened skin that had fallen from me, so brittle and dark it almost resembled stone.

Shattered wood fragments were scattered beneath the floorboards as well.

Yet Lynn worked tirelessly to restore order, sweeping dust and debris with care.

Her clean and meticulous nature had not changed, and I felt grateful for her diligence. It only made me want to keep her by my side even more.

“Nerine…”

“Yes?”

I answered absentmindedly, chewing the meat and vegetables from the luxurious meal Szélanya had brought.

I turned my gaze toward her as she continued.

“You already know what awaits you tomorrow. Do you think you can endure it without me?”

I nodded slowly.

“I will do my best. It saddens me to give birth without my mother by my side, but I will endure and give everything I have.”

“Good. Just in case something unexpected happens, I will give you a few things.”

Szélanya reached into her pouch and placed something on the edge of the table, gesturing for me to take it.

“A… ring?”

“Yes. But not an ordinary one. This is an unknown artifact, discovered in a mysterious realm along with its copies.”

The ring glimmered like a flawless diamond band, elegant and precise in design. Yet it carried no mana, no energy of any kind. Not even natural energy lingered within its form. Its emptiness unsettled me.

What exactly was it?

Seeing my confusion, Szélanya smiled knowingly.

“Amazing, is it not? This is an unidentified artifact with the possibility of being Ninth Tier or higher. It is called the Origin Returning Ring, and only ten exist in the entire world. Take it as my gift to you.”

I stared, startled by the revelation. Its value exceeded even the sixth-tier herbs she had given me before.

To offer me something rarer and more precious than that made my skin crawl.

Just how wealthy was she, to hand me such a treasure so casually? If only ten copies existed in the world, how could she possess one without others trying to kill her for it?

“But Mother, this is too valuable. What if I lose it?”

“Do not fear, my dear. Even if the Archmage herself returned, famed for her sight and gift of discernment, she would never unravel its secrets. Not even a mythical being could.”

“What? Truly?”

Her boast carried weight, and I began to believe her. If even mythical beings could not perceive this ring, then it was indeed extraordinary.

“But what exactly does it do, Mother? Why is it so necessary?”

“It is necessary because it protects you. This silver ring, adorned with diamonds, allows powerful beings to conceal their strength. It erases every trace of their presence.”

I frowned.

That explained part of its worth, but why was it so rare, especially while looking like a wedding ring?

With a sigh, she continued.

“I am not finished. These rings hold many functions. Yet only one awakens when worn. The rest stay sealed, no matter how powerful you become. I cannot guess what kind of strength is needed to uncover their secrets. Even Zach failed, which makes it nearly impossible. But do not be afraid. This ring’s primary ability is more than enough. Your mana will vanish. Your aura will fade. Even your intent will be erased. To others, you will seem like a fragile mortal. Yet your strength will remain the same.”

My breath caught.

Mother… no, Szélanya.

You are truly insane.

To give such a priceless artifact to someone of uncertain origin meant she must be obsessed with me beyond reason.

Yet as unsettling as her actions were, I understood.

By hiding my strength, she was protecting the birth of my child from drawing catastrophic attention.

My daughter was extraordinary, and she had already planned far ahead to safeguard us both.

I could not refuse this. I would not. I wanted it for myself.

"There was no way I could miss such an opportunity," I thought quietly.

Then, with calm resolve, I said, “I accept it, Mother. Reluctantly, but I accept.”

“Good. I am glad you understand. Think of this as my gift in advance. I will not be able to return for a long time after today. That is why, before I leave, I must tell you the conditions and steps required to advance to the next realm. You may not need them now, but in the years to come, they will be vital to you.”

Her eyes lingered on me with tenderness, reluctant to part yet bound by duty.

I knew her obligations to Zach’s household were heavy, and it might be years before I saw her again.