Finn took a deep breath. “… How unfortunate.”

Lei frowned. “What…?”

“I have these… special powers, but I don’t know where they come from or why I possess them. That’s the truth, Patriarch.”

“… Tell me about these ‘powers’.”

“I would, but it’ll be much easier if I show you instead,” Finn replied, then turned his head in the direction of the door. “Please call Nurse Yang or Elder Hua back.”

Of course, he could simply tell Patriarch Lei through words, but this was a perfect opportunity to gain a free new Angelica. He was at his wit’s end — lying to Lei wasn’t going to work anymore, so he might as well make the most of this situation.

Lei was skeptical, but complied anyway and left the room for the time being, leaving Finn alone.

[… You’re planning on telling him the truth?] Zelestria asked curiously.

‘He’s sharp. I don’t have much of a choice,’ Finn responded. ‘I’m just hoping I can obtain Nurse Yang or Elder Hua’s Angelica out of this.’

[The majority of Elder Hua’s power doesn’t come from her Angelica, but rather something else. That nurse, though, has the Healer Angelica, which is quite a rare and powerful one. Fufu~ let’s see how good your luck is, darling~]

Finn was curious as to what that ‘something else’ was, but he figured it would be better to ask about it tonight as the door slid open and Patriarch Lei entered once more. Behind him, Nurse Yang followed, slightly confused.

“I brought her here since Elder Hua is staying with the others at the library,” Patriarch Lei explained. “Now… care to show me what you mean?”

Finn nodded. “Come closer.”

Nurse Yang looked at Patriarch Lei, who nodded in return, and she did as told, standing right beside Finn’s bed.

“Give me your hand,” Finn instructed.

“E-Eh? My hand…” Nurse Yang blushed slightly, thinking he meant something else, but tenderly reached out anyway. Finn wasn’t bad looking by any means even though his eyes were scarred, after all.

Finn took her hand with his and Nurse Yang flinched a little. Black essence began leaking out of Finn’s body, engulfing Nurse Yang immediately, whose eyes widened in shock.

“Ngh… what is this…” She tried freeing herself from Finn’s grasp, but he held on tightly. Patriarch Lei watched intently, not making a move to interfere. To him, discovering Finn’s powers was more important than even the life of one of his subordinates.

“Ah…” Nurse Yang felt her eyelids become heavy and body become shaky. She began losing balance, wobbling back and forth within the black mist extruding from Finn’s body, and finally collapsed onto the bed by Finn’s side.

Slowly, Finn took his hand off of hers and returned to his original, calm position, as if nothing had happened. Then, suddenly, a bright flash of green energy surrounded him, along with a white plus sign hovering above his head.

Patriarch Lei’s eyes widened in shock.

“This… this can’t be…”

Finn canceled circulating the newly-obtained mana in his body and crossed his hands.

“That’s about it.”

“A-And you can still use your other Angelicas…?” Lei asked hesitantly.

Finn nodded briskly as Lei rubbed his forehead, trying to figure out what to make of what he just saw.

“Someone using multiple Angelicas at the same time, stealing them from others… I have never heard of such a thing happening before.”

“Neither have I,” Finn replied calmly. “But like I said… I discovered this power of mine by chance. I don’t know how I am able to do this either.”

Lei closed his eyes. “That’s enough. I get it.”

“… Are you going to tell others of this power?” Finn asked after some hesitation.

“No. If you went through the trouble of lying to me, I can safely assume you don’t want to be found out. I will respect that.”

Finn nodded in thanks. “You have my gratitude, patriarch.”

“However,” Lei continued, a sharp gleam in his eye. “Starting tomorrow, you’re not going to train with the others anymore.”

“… What?”

“I will personally teach you to hone your Stormbringer Angelica. It’s a very common one, but very few can use it to its maximum potential — and I believe you are one of those very few. You are a sharp blade in the making, Finn. All you need is the right forge.”

Finn fell into thought momentarily. ‘… Hm. That was unexpected, but…’

“I accept. Looking forward to studying under you, Patriarch Lei.”

“Good.” Lei nodded in satisfaction, then glanced down at Nurse Yang’s unconscious figure. “About her…”

“She’s fine,” Finn confirmed. “When she wakes up in an hour or so, she won’t have any memory of what happened here.”

“I see… well, for now, you can stay here and continue to recover your mana. Elder Hua should come back to pick you up when it’s time for dinner.”

“Understood.”

“Rest well, Finn. Starting tomorrow, I will work you hard.”

Leaving these words behind, he left the infirmary, leaving Finn and a still-unconscious Nurse Yang in the room.

“…” After some hesitation, Finn got out of his bed and lifted Nurse Yang up, setting her on the bed next to him and pulling the covers up for her. Had the distance between the beds been a bit further, he may have accidentally dropped her on the floor, but luckily that didn’t happen.

Returning to his own bed, Finn laid down comfortably.

‘Zelestria.’

[Hm~?]

‘Tell me. Why did you have me cast that Lost Art earlier?’

[Fufu~ I said I’ll explain tonight, didn’t I~?]

‘I have some free time to spare right now anyway.’

After some hesitation, Zelestria spoke quietly, vastly different from her usual personality.

[… Would you believe me if I said I was jealous?]

‘… What?’

[You care about that girl, Iris, so much… but only come to me when you need answers. Am I just a tool to you, Finn?]

‘So is Iris. I need her as I am right now. Nothing more, nothing less.’

[Ara~ is that so?] She giggled lightly. [Then…]

[… What if I told you I could be your eyes instead~?]