Out of all four, Derek looked the most stunned. ’What’s happening? My power’s supposed to be sealed... so how did I break the orb again?!’ he thought in disbelief.
Florence was also frozen in her seat, her brows furrowed. ’It broke again... but I can’t sense anything. Why?’
Daisy, who was still dazed, blinked. "Little one, you sure like breaking Miss Elowen’s orbs, huh?"
Hearing that, Derek didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Martha turned to Florence. "Miss Elowen, didn’t you say you couldn’t sense Derek’s power anymore? Then how did this happen again? The orb shattered... just like last time."
Florence opened her mouth, "Well, that’s..." but then paused. She was genuinely at a loss for words.
After thinking for a while, Florence started again, slowly. "I think his power was sealed somehow. Sealed or unsealed, the power once awakened will be detected by the orb no matter what. But if sealed, it can’t be used and can’t be detected either."
’Huh! That explains it. I didn’t bother learning these minor details in my past life,’ Derek thought.
"So what you’re saying is... my brother’s power, which he didn’t even get to learn or use, is already sealed somehow?" Daisy asked.
"Yes. I can’t find any other reasonable explanation," Florence said.
"That means my son isn’t just an ordinary cultivator. That’s what you’re saying, right?" Martha asked after a while.
"Yes. He has some kind of power inside him. But right now, it’s sealed." Florence said calmly.
Hearing that, both Daisy and Martha’s eyes lit up... only to fall silent again.
"I don’t know how it happened, but maybe he never knew about it and never tried to use it. So... is there a way to unseal it?" Daisy asked expectantly.
Florence didn’t answer right away. She fell into a brief silence, lost in thought.
Derek turned to look at her, his eyes narrowing slightly after hearing Daisy’s question.
’I know the risks. The moment this power is unsealed, the demons will start coming after me again. But without it... the world will end anyway. So I really need to know if there is a way to unseal it.’ Derek thought to himself.
Martha and Daisy also looked at Florence, eyes filled with anticipation.
But Florence’s next words poured cold water on their hopes.
"It’s almost impossible," she said quietly.
Both Martha and Daisy’s expressions darkened immediately.
But Derek didn’t give up so easily. He narrowed his eyes slightly. "Miss Elowen... you said almost impossible, not entirely impossible, right? So... though difficult, there is a way, right?"
Hearing his words, both Daisy and Martha perked up again and turned their eyes to Florence.
Even though Derek wasn’t born as a mage or an auran, they still loved him, cared for him, and would continue doing the same no matter what. But they had always wanted the best for him. So now... knowing that he might actually possess some hidden power, a spark of hope had been reignited in their hearts.
Florence looked at Derek. For a while, she didn’t say anything. She seemed hesitant, as if torn between not wanting to break his heart and not wanting to give him false hope either.
After a long pause, she finally spoke. "Yes... There is a way. But..." She paused for a second before continuing. "It’s as close to nothing as it gets." Find the newest release on NoveI-Fire.ɴet
Derek’s eyes sharpened as Florence continued.
"Sealing and unsealing magic is almost like a separate magical aptitude. Like how someone born with an affinity for fire can manipulate it, bend it to their use, similarly, those who have an aptitude for sealing magic can use it in different ways for their own benefit. But this particular aptitude... is extremely rare. In an entire generation, if you’re lucky, you’ll find just one. And if your luck is average? You might not find even a single person who can use it."
She paused, then added with a complicated expression, "And now comes the twist. I have both good news... and bad news."
Derek leaned forward slightly. Martha and Daisy could also barely hold their emotions.
Florence looked at each of their face one by one and then spoke. "The good news is... someone like that does exist. In the last fifty years, there’s been exactly one person known to possess sealing magic. It’s his second magical affinity, actually."
"And...?" Derek pressed, sensing the catch.
Florence sighed. "But the bad news is... even if you beg him, he won’t help you."
"What? Why not?!" Derek’s voice shook. The existence of a way had sparked real hope in him but now it felt like it was slipping away again.
"He’s... extremely religious. He believes that whatever happens in life is part of a divine plan. That everything, good or bad, happens for a reason. Because of that belief, he rarely intervenes. He spends most of his time in seclusion. Occasionally, he’ll teach magic theory or technique, but that’s about it."
"What?!" Derek, Martha, and Daisy all exclaimed at once.
"What does believing ’everything happens for a good reason’ have to do with refusing to unseal someone’s power?!" Daisy blurted out, completely baffled.
"Well... you can go and ask him what logic he uses," Florence said with a tired sigh.
Derek took a deep breath, steadying his emotions. "And this person... where can I find him?"
"You’ll have to go to the Arcadia Hunter Academy. He’s an occasional guest lecturer there, but he lives on the campus permanently."
"Arcadia Hunter Academy?!" Derek’s eyes widened.
’Is that why Vanessa asked me to join that academy? Sure, there are other huge benefits too... but this can’t just be a coincidence, right?’ Derek’s thoughts spun as realization slowly clicked into place.
After that, Derek, Daisy, and Martha didn’t stay long in Florence’s chamber. Before they left, Florence gently wished Derek the best of luck.
On the way back home, Derek remained mostly silent. ’I need to get admitted to that academy as soon as possible... and then, I have to meet him. Let’s just hope I can change his mind and make him help me.’