Cyan, at that moment, began to piece things together.
"Serafina… someone who possesses two elemental affinities… if she feels this weak right now, then there are only two possible reasons."
"First, she didn't originally have those two affinities. She must have obtained them later, somehow."
"That's highly unlikely. After all, unless someone is a protagonist or royalty, something like that is extremely rare."
"In this world, there are indeed cases where one can obtain affinities externally."
"The first is by defeating a World-class monster. I know that clearly from the Tyrant incident before."
"It's like inheriting power."
"The second is through gods or demons. I've heard of it, though not in detail—only that holy or demonic affinities can be granted in certain ways."
"But those are special cases. They don't really apply here."
"The third is reaching King-tier purely through one's own effort without an innate affinity. At that point, you gain an affinity nearly as strong as a natural one… but that's practically impossible for anyone who isn't the protagonist."
"I don't know if there are other cases… but none of these seem possible for Serafina."
"Then the second possibility…"
"Her situation is similar to mine. In reality, I'm the only one who can see detailed information about myself through the system interface."
"She's still weak at this stage because it's too early for her affinities to fully manifest. Without understanding her own abilities, it's only natural she'd feel discouraged."
"That's also why someone like Cyan—despite having great talent—ends up becoming a 'failure' later on… someone who gets manipulated and possessed by a demon."
"But Serafina isn't like Cyan. She keeps her determination and eventually becomes incredibly strong."
"If that's not it, then…"
A new thought crossed his mind—something he had never considered before.
"These two magical affinities… they might be conflicting with each other."
"Unlike mine—neutral and lightning—they coexist smoothly."
"But the combination of pure beast-type and earth-type… isn't that simple."
"I realized this when I tried learning water magic. I couldn't grasp anything at all—it wasn't just 'difficult,' it was outright incompatible."
"If I'm right, these two affinities are suppressing each other… preventing Serafina from developing properly."
"…And yet, that makes her even more incredible. I only went a short time without sensing mana and I already felt frustrated."
"She reached mid-tier mage level despite all of that."
"Once her mana core fully stabilizes and her affinities manifest… she'll become the powerful figure described in the original story."
Even so, Cyan looked at Serafina—
Her face still filled with sorrow, her small frame weighed down by visible despair.
"My presence… might have altered her growth, even if just a little. I should do something."
Feeling responsible, Cyan spoke.
-I know you've tried your best. And I know you're truly strong… you've just been training in the wrong way.
Serafina looked at him, confused, her voice trembling with disbelief.
-Are you serious…? Don't say things like that just to comfort me…
-I, Cyan Von Velton, swear on my family's honor that I am not lying or joking in the slightest.
She was startled by the unusual seriousness in his expression.
Cyan extended his hand toward her, speaking gently.
-Let me help you train. If you feel like nothing improves, I'll allow you to break the engagement—and I'll compensate you within my ability.
Serafina's eyes widened in shock.
Seeing such an uncharacteristically flustered expression on her younger self, Cyan smiled inwardly.
"If I could show this to the cold, composed Serafina from before… I wonder what face she'd make."
Hesitantly, she reached out and took his hand.
-I… I… I'll trust you this time.
-Close your eyes first. Focus on sensing the flow of mana inside your body.
As he spoke, Cyan placed a hand on her shoulder, hoping to give her strength and reassurance.
-I'll… I'll try!
Serafina closed her eyes, concentrating deeply.
Meanwhile, Cyan quickly drank the rest of his mana potion.
He focused, sensing the flow of mana within her body.
What he intended to do—
Was create a dual core for her.
He carefully traced each current of mana within her, witnessing the constant clash and conflict between the two opposing streams.
"So this is what she's been enduring…"
Filled with determination, Cyan began separating the two conflicting flows.
Unlike lightning magic, which required attention to conductivity and stability—
Earth magic required transforming certain body atoms into ones more compatible with earth properties, balancing trace elements, enzymatic catalysts, and structural traits similar to plant matter.
Cyan reconstructed a unique, harmonized atomic structure.
He replicated this pattern across countless atoms—like an automated production system.
Then, compressing them together—
He formed a perfectly refined secondary mana core within Serafina's heart.
Serafina immediately felt the change.
Her mana flow stabilized—
The two energies finally had somewhere to belong.
The newly formed core absorbed earth mana, while her original core continued circulating her beast-type mana.
For the first time—
Both energies coexisted in harmony.
-Good. Now, try casting two mid-tier spells of different elements at the same time!
Surprised, Serafina still followed his instruction.
But before she could even fully form the intent—
Both mana streams surged into her hands.
One glowed with a rich brown light.
The other shimmered white with a hint of blue.
-Wow… I did it… I really did it! I cast both without any issues!
Cyan observed closely.
"Of course… the two elements are no longer fighting over the same core. There's no interference anymore."
"…Silent casting? She's already awakened it? Why does this ability feel less and less special today…"
Even so, he felt satisfied.
But then—
The hand resting on her shoulder began to lose sensation.
His vision blurred.
His legs gave out.
"What… is happening to me…"
Serafina panicked, kneeling down and grabbing his face.
-Cyan! What's wrong?! Can you hear me?! Wake up, Cyan!!!!!
But Cyan—
Had already lost consciousness.
There was no mana left in his body.