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n“Ugh… This is very uncomfortable,” he muttered as he rolled on the floor.

nHendrix tried to help him and put him on the bed. Elaine took his shoes off and let his body cool down. “Breath, Lord Bard. Breathe longer and deeper.”

nSylvester did so, but he felt his insides burning. Every vein in his body felt like molten iron was being pushed through them. It continued for so long that he likely sweated a bucket already.

n“I-It’s slowing down…” He muttered and started to feel relaxed.

n“Wait! It’s back!”

nThis time, Hendrix also panicked and started using his magic. Nobody knew what it was, but he created a large, metre-wide rune made of water element on the bed. With its intricate designs, words, and patterns, it remained underneath Sylvester.

n“Son, this is my first time seeing someone level up this many times. This is your third time… I will try to regulate your body temperature to ensure your brain does not melt.” Hendrix explained and used the magical rune.

nSylvester writhed in pain and awaited the misery to go away.

nOne long hour, that’s how long Sylvester gritted his teeth and tolerated the pain. Then finally, the pain started to subside and slowly went away completely. But, unfortunately, his body was completely drenched in sweat and smelled terrible.

nUsually, ranking up from one Wizard rank to another brings this much pain. But, in his case, even levelling up brought this much misery. It was understandable, however. Levelling up and ranking was basically all about having one’s body strengthened to hold more solarium. That meant many organs in the body would get stronger, and the veins would become thicker.

nHe breathed heavily by the end as his chest rose and fell. “It seems I’m now a Level Three Archwizard.”

n“That’s a big jump in power level, I must say. This makes you merely seven levels away from becoming a Grand Wizard… And you’re merely eighteen? This is madness in my eyes.” Hendrix committed in awe.

nSylvester sighed and sat up. ‘This is better. I still have seven years to at least reach the higher Grand Wizard rank. Then, even if the Pope doesn’t resign and let me rise, I can simply inflict my will on the world through my pawns running the various kingdoms.’

nHe got out of bed and prepared to leave. “I will leave you to it then. This room became smelly, so use a different one. Remember to use the servants if you need anything. Or if you wish to contact me, then tell a servant. I live in the Bright Mother’s building.”

n“Do you want me to come with you? Can you walk?” Hendrix asked him.

nBy now, Hendrix had his whole mind changed about Sylvester. Who wouldn’t after seeing a young boy growing so fast and facing so much trouble masterfully? It wasn’t that hard to see talent or who is bound for greatness. And in his eyes, too, Sylvester was no ordinary man.

nAs for Sylvester, he appreciated the concern as he smelled them. The worry was genuine. “Thank you, but I can manage. And I am deeply grateful for treating me, respected healer and Lady Elaine. I will still return to play with Daline; see you later.”

n“You’re always welcome, Lord Bard.” Elaine bowed her head.

nSylvester wasted no further time and left the Palace silently. The carriage was still waiting for him outside. So he took it and headed straight to his home.

n“I’m back.” He opened the door with the key and walked in. It was just evening right now, and the sun had not set completely.

n“Max?” Xavia’s voice came for him.

nSylvester followed and found Xavia in the big pool on the open balcony. Isabella was there, too, helping Xavia train her muscles. The contraption was very simple. Sylvester had created a metal frame around the wooden pool of three metres in diameter.

nThe metal frame also held a metal ring in the air, and from the ring was attached a small metal wheel along with a wire. Xavia would put on a harness around her body, and the wire would hold her up. The wire could then slowly be released to allow more pressure on her muscles. This way, Xavia could quickly increase her muscle strength with time.

n“Wait, I will jump in to help,” Sylvester said and first ran into the bathroom to take off his robe. Then he poured a lot of water on himself to get rid of the sweat and then returned to jump into the pool.

nWith his upper body completely exposed, he entered the pool and stood in front of Xavia. Isabella just walked to the side and silently watched with a blush.

n“Mum, hold my hand.” He extended both his arms to her.

nXavia smiled and did as her dear son asked. “Aurora said it would take a long time.”

n“Things went faster than I expected. So I decided to return, as I missed my dear mum.” He said to cheer her up. “So, how is your progress?”

n“Much better. I can now raise my knees much higher. But, it takes a lot of time.” She showed him by doing it.

nSylvester silently watched and made a few mental notes. ‘I should create a special supplementary diet for her as well. I can’t let her bones deteriorate from the lack of activity.’

n“Good. If it goes this way for longer, you will be walking like before by the end of this year. But, mum, we must focus on your strength as well. I need you to get stronger so no further attacks can occur.”

nSylvester knew very well that Xavia was his weakness. But he was not coldhearted enough to leave her or just kill her. She was his mother, after all, and he was genuinely fond of her. She had fed him, cared for him and tolerated his shenanigans all the years, after all.

nXavia nodded firmly. “I understand, Max. I will work hard and reach my full potential in magic. I can become a Master Wizard. But, since I’m a healer, I never got the chance to focus on increasing my magic. I’m also amidst making a list of all the Bright Mothers around the world that we can count on for that web you wanted me to establish.

n“I have already made it in the Gracia Kingdom.” She revealed.

nSylvester had even forgotten about this. He had asked her to make a spy network using the Bright Mothers long ago. He never had any hopes, as he didn’t consider that Xavia’s reach could ever go that far.

n“You have? That’s brilliant. Let’s talk about that later. But, for now, I must report at the Pope’s Palace. He will be teaching me directly in the coming days.” Sylvester changed the topic as he didn’t want to discuss it with Isabella being so close. He didn’t trust her entirely at the moment.

nSo Sylvester helped Xavia exercise all the way. It lasted an entire hour. After that, Sylvester cooked a simple dinner consisting of rice, gravy of meat, vegetables and spices.

nAlthough he liked that the world had decent cuisine, and most of the ingredients were available. He was still bored by the lack of variety that was offered. For example, there was no such thing as noodles or some other dishes from Asia in his past life.

n‘Perhaps, slowly, I can bring new things into this world, and maybe a thousand years from now, they will all remember my name as the man who influenced the world the most. Hah, that doesn’t sound too bad.’

n“Why are you smiling?” Isabella asked him as they all ate dinner.

nSylvester coughed and focused on the meal. “Nothing. How about you? How is your School of Dawn going? I hope nobody is bullying you.” 𝙚𝙤𝙫𝙚𝒍.𝒐𝙧𝙜

nShe scoffed. “How could they bully me? On the first day of introduction, I announced that I am best friends with Lord Bard, and if they ever want to meet you, they must act good.”

n“…”

nSylvester didn’t mind and just chuckled. “Ah, the evils of capitalism are spreading. But I didn’t know that people think so highly of me there.”

n“You have no idea,” Isabella exclaimed. “You are a legend in the School of Dawn. You fought a Bloodling in your first year of school! You are famous for all the competitions you won while in school. There are so many portraits of you all around.”

nSylvester was genuinely taken aback by that knowledge. “What? I’m flattered, I guess. Perhaps I can go to school and give a few speeches to cheer them up.”

n‘If what she says is true, then the School of Dawn can be a budding ground for my cult.’

nHe soon put the spoon down and went to wash the plates. “I will meet the Pope after this, so go to sleep later. No need to wait for me.”

n“Be safe outside,” Xaiva muttered before she was helped to her bed.

nSylvester then headed outside in the night. Most of the activities had stopped, and the roads were empty. Only his horse’s trotting echoed as he made his way to the Pope’s Palace.

nBut, as he arrived at the Palace, he noticed a lot more activity than usual. The guards were there, even more than before. Some clergymen of high ranks also walked in and out of the building.

nBut he had a special order from the Pope, so he entered without waiting.

n“Ah! You’re here! Please follow me.” The clergyman at the entrance called him.

n‘Pope is waiting for me?’ Sylvester was confused, but he entered without asking any questions.

nSoon, the clergyman brought him outside the entrance of the Sanctum Council chambers.

n“Please, enter.”

nSylvester did so with little thought. He guessed the Pope wanted him to tell the council members about what transpired. Or perhaps something else.

n“You’re here!”

nAs soon as Sylvester entered, his feet froze. He looked at the big hall, which was full of many new faces. This was not a regular Sanctum Council meeting. That was clear.

n“May the Holy Light enlighten us!” He saluted everyone.

n“Young bard, come and sit at that chair.” The Pope ordered while pointing at a stone chair just behind his, on the right.

n‘Fuck! Why is he doing this? Does he want to convey to all that he’s now officially supporting me? But… I don’t want that! This will create a bigger mark on my back.’

nBut could he even reject the order? So, he silently walked over and took a seat. But, he noticed all the eyes on him, and many were filled with jealousy. The scents varied, but they terrified him as the negative scents belonged to men who could easily kill him.

nThe room was filled with the Sanctum Council members and the Guardians, ranging from the first, second, third, fifth, tenth, Aurora and a few more faces he had never seen before.

n‘This is not good… A little sapling can not survive the desert heat… At least wait for me to turn into a cactus, old man! This is too much heat for me.’

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n700 GT = 1 Bonus chapter.

n1 Super Gift = 1 Bonus chapter.

nApe Together Strong

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