Silvara finally exhaled and continued her explanation.

"That's because the mana you used during training was barely anything," she said. "Even if you felt like you were pushing hard, what came out of you was still extremely weak. At the tip of your Hoe, it only formed a thin layer—more like residue than real mana output."

Lucas blinked. "…Residue? That felt like residue to you?"

"Yes."

Silvara didn't sugarcoat it.

She tapped the flat of her sword against the ground.

"When you fight, your body controls how much mana it releases naturally. It won't let you exceed your limit all at once, so the strain is lighter. That's why you didn't collapse immediately."

Lucas frowned. "Then why was filling the Loticentra so different? I nearly passed out."

Silvara rolled her eyes as if the answer was obvious.

"That strange object—"

"Hey, it's my strange object," Lucas protested weakly.

"Exactly," Silvara replied. "Which makes this even more ridiculous."

She crossed her arms.

"That watering device—whatever it truly is—doesn't take mana from the surface flow. It pulls directly from your vital mana stream. The part of your mana that keeps you alive, moving, and functioning."

Lucas stiffened. "So you're saying—"

"Yes." She cut him off. "It drains you from the part you cannot afford to lose. That is why you felt instantly dry and weak when you used it."

Lucas stared down at his hands again, remembering the awful sensation.

"…So that little watering can is scarier than I thought."

Silvara huffed. "If you misuse it, yes. Very much so."

She glanced toward the tomato field.

"Stick to training with the surface mana. Much safer for a stubborn child like you."

Lucas groaned. "Can you not add the insult every time?"

"No," Silvara replied without hesitation.

Lucas rubbed his chin, thinking back to when Silvara used the Loticentra before.

"Wait. Then how come you didn't get drained when you used the Loticentra? You looked completely fine."

Silvara gave him a flat look, almost offended he even had to ask.

"Because I can control my mana flow properly," she said. "And unlike you, I can immediately draw ambient mana from the environment to replace what gets pulled out."

Lucas's eyes widened. "You can refill yourself that fast?"

"Yes." Silvara tapped her temple lightly. "That is what happens when someone actually knows what they're doing."

Lucas stared at her, genuinely impressed. "That's… insane. You can really do that on the fly?"

Silvara pressed a palm to her forehead, exhaling sharply.

"That's basic. Absolutely basic. Every half-competent knight learns this before they can even hold a sword properly."

She pointed at Lucas with the same expression someone would give a very slow student.

"The fact that you're impressed only proves how far behind you are."

Lucas slumped a little. "…I feel insulted."

"Good," Silvara replied. "Maybe it will help you remember it."

Lucas pushed himself upright, rolling his shoulders as if ready to continue. "Alright… since I've gotten the hang of it, let's keep training—"

Silvara cut him off immediately.

"No."

Lucas blinked. "No?"

"Do you want to die before the duel?" Silvara replied flatly. "Your mana flow has been a mess for the past ten minutes. One more swing with that Hoe and you'll be unconscious until tomorrow."

Lucas let out a long exhale. "…Fine."

"Good. We're going home now."

Silvara turned, but Lucas didn't move. She stopped, irritation visible in the rise and fall of her shoulders.

"What now?"

Lucas pointed at the field. "We still have to do the evening watering."

"We?" A vein instantly popped on Silvara's temple.

"Stop treating me like a mana bank."

Lucas raised both hands. "Hey, remember—this is for the Voss family's sake. Look at those tomatoes… You do want them to grow well, right?"

Silvara pointed a finger right at his face. "Somehow, you're not an idiot… you're conniving."

Lucas opened his mouth… then closed it again.

Silvara exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of her nose.

"…Fine."

Silvara crossed her arms. "When are we watering the field?"

Lucas looked up, estimating the position of the sinking sun and the sky warming with orange hues.

"In a little bit," he replied. "We'll wait for the sun to drop a bit more. Let's stay here for now."

Silvara gave a single nod. "Fine."

After that… silence.

Real silence.

The breeze drifted softly, leaves rustled faintly, yet the atmosphere felt like two strangers who didn't know where to stand. Lucas stole a glance at Silvara—who stood tall, expression blank, as if silence itself wasn't a problem for her at all.

Lucas, on the other hand, felt the awkwardness itch under his skin.

Good grief… how can she be this comfortable in silence?

He glanced around.

Even the wind seems scared to make a sound…

He muttered inwardly, feeling more and more as if this silence was an itch he needed to scratch.

Silvara just stared straight ahead, her face completely blank, as if nothing in the entire world was important enough to disturb her composure.

After nearly a full minute of torturous cricket… cricket… quiet, he finally decided to bring up the topic he had skipped earlier.

"Uh… Silvara."

Silvara turned slightly, one eyebrow lifting. "What?"

Lucas rubbed the back of his neck. "I want to know how you ended up living with the Voss family."

Silvara stiffened for a split second.

Finally, she thought—then shook her head internally.

Why am I… this eager?

Silvara let out a quiet, controlled breath, her posture shifting just slightly as if preparing herself.

"…Very well," she said at last. "I will tell you."

Lucas blinked.

For a fraction of a second—so brief it was almost invisible—Silvara looked… pleased. Happy. Like someone who had finally been asked a question she'd been waiting for.

Lucas frowned.

Why does she look… weirdly pleased about this?

Silvara didn't notice his confusion. She simply sat down beneath the tree, her movements elegant and controlled.

"Listen carefully," she said, tone returning to neutral. "The story isn't long. But it all started when—"

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