"Kanae!

" Kevin dragged the girl out of the lake as Kanae didn't seem to be able to stand inside anymore. He was unsure about what had happened to Kanae, but he didn't want to take any risk.

On the grass, Kanae curled up her body with her hand holding her head. The pain became even more unbearable. It felt as if her mind was breaking to pieces, but her body was still intact. Laying on the ground, she didn't utter any words as her attention was solely on the pain inside her head.

Kevin held Kanae in his embrace, trying to soothe the pain. He was not sure about the pain she experienced because he didn't feel anything. Except for warmth, the lake didn't cause him any kind of pain. This made him rather conflicted because he knew that she should have experienced it because of the lake.

"You're going to be alright,

" Kevin murmured in a soothing tone.

The girl in his arm still curled up her body. He felt rather useless because he didn't know how to help her. Even if he tried to call a doctor, they wouldn't know what had happened to this girl. The thing inside the water was something unexplainable.

Time passed swiftly.

Kanae didn't know how much time passed when the pain in her mind subsided. Without the pain, she could feel the strength inside her body. It felt as if she was brimming with strength, completely different than before.

"Are you alright?

" Kevin asked when he noticed that the young girl had stopped shivering.

Kanae raised her head and nodded lightly.

"I think I have become far stronger right now.

"

"Want to test it?

"

"How?

"

"Punch me,

" Kevin replied lightly.

Kanae shifted her position when she realized that she was only wearing her underwear for her higher half. Her face turned beet red as she moved to the place where she put her shirt. With a swift movement, she had worn her clothes once more.

Kevin watched amusedly. Secretly, he was glad that she realized it soon. If she didn't change her clothes soon, he might not be able to control himself because a certain part of his body has started to be aroused after she has recovered. Previously, she was in pain, so his mind would not wander. But now, things were completely different.

"You're far quicker now,

" Kevin remarked.

"Am I?

" Kanae didn't pay any attention. She tried to move to the side once again and realized that Kevin's words were true. Her movements have become swifter and quicker.

Her eyes widened in amazement.

"I think I have just experienced my second awakening just now.

"

Kevin eyed Kanae with confusion. From what he knew, they had to experience pain to stimulate their mind. However, the awakening process that Kanae experienced didn't require her to experience any kind of stimulating pain. This made him rather perplexed.

"I'll return back to the water.

" Kevin moved back to the water.

Kanae nodded her head as she stared at the water. It was only now she realized that the water's volume had decreased. Right now, it could only reach Kevin's waist.

"Did you drink them?

"

"I didn't,

" Kevin replied shortly.

"It seems that the water also surged inside our body when we're inside.

"

"I see,

" Kanae lowered her hand and dipped it into the water. It no longer felt warmth for her but cool. Her eyes widened in amazement for the changes that she experienced from the water.

"Just wait for a while. I'm sure that I will experience the same thing with you.

"

"Ok.

"

Kanae chose to explore the place as Kevin stayed in the lake. This place was not that big, but it was filled with numerous kinds of plants. From the way it looked like, she could guess that there were many types that no longer existed in the real world.

'Are these plants the source for the water or the opposite?'

Walking around, Kanae inspected every area in this place. There was nothing special except for the fact that there was only one way out of this place. No matter how much she searched, there was no other pathway.

After lingering around for some more, she returned back to the lake. There, she saw Kevin was sitting inside the lake that didn't seem to be like a lake anymore. Even when Kevin was sitting, the water only reached his chest, meaning that most of the water had dried up.

As Kevin was closing his eyes, Kanae could guess that he experienced the pain. She walked closer and hugged the man from behind. Even though she didn't know what she could do to help him, she chose to do the same thing that he did. When she felt pain, she also felt comfort around her, so she thought that he might be able to experience the same thing.

Time passed as she stayed in the same position.

"Kanae,

" Kevin's voice woke her up.

Kanae tilted her head.

"Have you finished?

"

"Yes, thank you for accompanying me,

" Kevin nodded his head strongly. He could feel power brimming inside his body. It was as if he had sucked dry everything that left from the lake.

"That's not a problem at all,

" Kanae grinned.

Standing up, Kevin stretched lightly. Even though there was a newfound strength in his body, he was not sure that it could match Ferdinand. Looking at the water around him, he sighed slightly.

"Even if we want to bring someone inside, the water level won't be enough for them.

"

"I think you're correct,

" Kanae giggled.

"We should go back.

"

As they left the place, Kanae found out that she could sense better in the dark. It was strange that her senses developed so quickly, but she realized that she was not the only one. Previously, Kevin walked carefully, but now, he walked full of confidence.

It was clear that he could sense his surrounding far better than before, allowing him to act as if they were under the light.

"It feels great to see the sun again,

" Kanae exclaimed as she stretched. Even though they felt that they had stayed inside for hours, the sun position told them that they were only inside for two hours. It was the time for lunch.

Kevin took out his phone and made a call to Lou.

"Lou, is there anything important happening around the two representatives?

"

"There's nothing, Boss. They're only strolling around and asking the people about the progress in this city.

"

"That's good,

" Kevin remarked.

"How long have I gone?

"

Lou arched his eyebrows when he heard Kevin's questions. Did his Boss forget about time?

"It's around two hours, Boss.

"

Kevin didn't reply back. It felt as if time was working at a different scale when he was inside the cave. The long hours inside became nothing more than a few minutes outside.

"Boss?

"

"Continue watching, I'll return to my position soon.

"

"Yes, Boss.

"

Kanae peered to Kevin's face with curiosity.

"Is there anything wrong, Kevin?

"

"I just think that the time is a bit weird,

" Kevin replied calmly.

"Let's head back and grab some lunch. Afterwards, we're going to train our body a bit before visiting Teacher Charlie.

"

"Yes!

"