Isadora and her mother's laughter filled the room, yet her father remained silent and confused. He couldn't comprehend how that boy was not only alive, but uninjured. The bones that had been gathered in buckets by the servants were his, he was sure, after all, he had witnessed the beginning of all the chaos. And yet, from head to toe, Noah's body was intact. Perfect bones and strange muscles, as if they were twisting and knitting together.

  Is this boy still human...? He doubted it. But his face and body left no room for doubt. After all, could there exist such a cunning creature capable of transforming itself in this way? He knew none, and therefore refused to believe it.

  Noah's Qi seemed even more abundant and pure, so pure it was frightening. Was it possible to attain such purity? He didn't know. But it only served to demonstrate that his previous suspicion was correct and clearly, Noah had been hiding his real power. Perhaps not on purpose, but that did not make the fact any less true. It was impossible for him to have grown so much in a single night.

  Going from someone with only faint traces of energy scattered throughout his body, to a person of such power... How did this happen? Are the bones the reason? Like a transformation...?

  — Daddy, what's wrong, is he okay?

  — Huh..? Ah, yes. Yes...? I think so...

  — You think...?

  — Yes, there's nothing wrong with his body, I'm just... — he looked at Noah for a moment, holding his silence and doubts to himself — I don't know...

  Isadora and her mother looked at him, confused. They didn't understand what he meant. However, if the boy was alright, wasn't that good news? That's what they thought and hoped. And so the three of them stayed for some time, watching in case anything changed. Nothing happened until, suddenly, something on the bed moved, causing brief cracking sounds.

  Isadora moved closer with anticipation and her parents watched by her side.

  In the darkness, Noah began to see small, intense points of light. His eyelids would not fully open, and the pain of trying was immense, as if every muscle across his body moved in unison. He didn't feel good, for in addition to the pain that followed each attempt to move, a strange smell seemed to hang in the air. It was disgusting, enough to turn his stomach, or was it...? Sweet and pleasant... Desirable? His thoughts unraveled with no clarity or purpose. To want, yes. But what...? What did he want? He couldn't say.

  A strange sound came with unsettling sensations, like something sticky and long caressing him like tentacles. He should and wanted to tear them off. Should he...? Or did he not want to...? He wasn't sure. Soon he'd forget and return to focusing on the breathing around him, on the movement of the leaves in the wind, the grass, the footsteps, and—

  This is really strange...

  On the face that greeted him as he awoke, with tears in her eyes.

  But why is she crying? For me? A stranger? ...What a senseless family.

  Moving his lips caused intense pain, and it was worse when his jaw was required. Yet, as he suspected, it was necessary for his movements to return to full naturalness. The fingers he had kept moving since the moment his consciousness began to return no longer hurt or cracked.

  Scanning the surroundings with a quick glance, Noah observed the current state of the room which, when he arrived, had been immaculate. Even without remembering or knowing what happened the night before, he could guess, after all, he was the only variable.

  —...Was this caused by me? — he asked, letting his voice reach these people for the first time, surprising them with how different it was from what they'd imagined, colder, but equally beautiful as its owner — I apologize and promise I will pay for all the damage.

  The three in front exchanged glances. The voice wasn't the only cold thing, but also its user. Eyes that didn't waver even in his state. What kind of life had he led...? Isadora and her mother wanted to ask, to understand, for those eyes seemed to hold a pain that they could feel just by being in their line of sight.

  — There is no need. — Noah turned his gaze to the man who spoke — Our daughter's life is priceless. And it certainly isn't worth so little that we would bother about something so minor.

  — Even so... — he insisted. He didn't like being in anyone's debt — Then consider it help to pay for the damage caused to the city.

  — That... — Isadora's parents looked at each other. She nodded, and following her lead, he continued — If you insist... But you don't need to rush. Get better first, and then we'll talk about it.

  — Alright, but who are you...?

  The woman stood, drawing everyone's attention like a magnet. It was amazing how hypnotic all her movements were.

  — I'd like to thank you for saving my daughter, but I'd rather not do so under these circumstances. — she said, bowing slightly, before straightening up — So, first, I am the lady of the Radiance family, Mirabel Radiance, and this is my husband, Undric Radiance.

  Feeling strange, Noah looked away. Something was wrong, he felt it. Yet his mind prompted him to keep looking, and so he did. A silence fell, with him absorbed in doubts that disappeared as quickly as they came. He had never felt so warm. Why...? He had forgotten. Was it because of them...? Maybe. A welcoming atmosphere where he didn't fit in created envy and made him relive old wounds. Did these feelings come from his interactions with these people? If so, he wished it would end. Or not...? Perhaps he should go on, get used to it.

  Get used to it...?

  Yes, it would be nice to live in such a place...

  Noah looked at them with some apprehension.

  — Can I ask something? — he asked, after much thought.

  The couple nodded in sync.

  — Of course, feel free. — Mirabel said, smiling kindly.

  —...Can I stay here for a few more days?

  If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  The Radiance family exchanged confused looks. For Isadora, the answer was obvious, but for her parents, the question sounded almost insulting. Did Noah think they'd throw him out at the first opportunity? It was ridiculous, almost to the point of irritating them.

  — Of course... Stay as long as you like. — said Undric.

  —...Thank you. — Noah said, in a strangely nasal voice. It was strange; he didn't know where those feelings were coming from or how to make them stop. The uncontrollable tears would not cease, and he didn't understand why — I... I will pay you for this...

  Taken aback, the three looked at each other, unsure of what to do. Isadora then took a piece of cloth and gently began drying the tears Noah could not contain.

  Mirabel left for a moment, saying she would get something for Noah to eat. She soon returned with a servant carrying the tray with the bowl. Even if she wanted to, she couldn't do it herself, as even a minimal effort would affect her body. As they watched Isadora feed him, to Undric's discomfort, she asked him:

  — What's your name, boy? It would be strange to keep calling you that whenever we address you.

  — Of course, I understand... My name is Noah... You can call me that.

  They found the delay he took to recall his name strange. After all, who forgets their own name? They said nothing, but all three considered the possibility that it was one of the symptoms, whether from the injuries he had suffered or the incident from the night before.

  — I see... — Mirabel continued — Sorry for the question, but... you're not from here, are you, Noah? — she asked, voicing what Undric wanted to ask but hadn't had a chance to. He straightened up in his chair, adjusting his posture.

  Noah thought for a moment, then replied:

  — No. Actually, this is the first city I've set foot in, and look how I ended up. I think it would have been better to have stayed in the forest rather than come out.

  A half-truth he didn't want to tell, but his mind wouldn't let him lie much more. As if something demanded that he be honest, even the thought of withholding information was hard. Why was that? He wanted to know... at least until the next second, when he forgot. This could also serve as a test, he told himself to feel better.

  — The forest...? You lived in a forest till now? — Isadora said, incredulous. Even though she had many questions in her mind, she returned to feeding him.

  That hesitation seemed strange as he nodded, because lying had never been so hard for him. It should be natural, trained to the level of a professional actor. But, for some reason, not this time.

  —...So how did you learn to cultivate? — Undric asked, taking advantage of the topic to satisfy his doubts, not that he fully believed every word Noah said.

  — Well, the forest I lived in wasn't exactly "normal," I guess... — he waited awhile, simulating hesitation — Do you know the forest beyond the southern mountains...?

  Perplexity spread across the faces of all three.

  — The Forest of Demon Beasts?! — they exclaimed together.

  Noah nodded, a bit bashful. His test had shown results. If they knew about something so far away, then perhaps coming to this city hadn't been a waste of time after all.

  Maybe they're not as "isolated" as I thought...

  — My uncle was Xing Mo..., a giant wolf with a blue glow covering his whole body. — after observing their faces and their changes, Noah went on — Do you know him?

  [Warning!]

  [Due to the great cunning of Noah Evil, a reward will be given.]

  [The knowledge of the creation of all pills.]

  [Would you like this information to be transferred now?]

  There's this sort of function too...? He gave a discreet smile, leaving the Radiances puzzled by his random gesture.

  If it was true, he figured maybe it could be an opportunity, if only he could understand how it worked when he got the chance.

  [No, this decision was made by me.]

  [I was simply impressed by how deceitful you appear, lying so blatantly to people who never intended to harm you and are truly grateful and just want to help you.]

  ...Turn this off.

  The words unsettled him, making him forget the opportunities he'd previously considered.

  [Are you sure?]

  [I can make this a permanent function, if you want. In case you still plan to deceive innocent people in the future.]

  There was no answer.

  Noah noticed Undric clearing his throat, preparing to say something, and turned his gaze to him.

  —...Are you talking about the Stellar Demon Wolf?

  — I don't know... I'm not used to how people call him, so I'm not sure.

  — You... — Isadora offered him another spoonful of soup — Have you always lived there...?

  What was that look: pity or empathy? He couldn't tell, but he felt the weight. It was strangely heavy and influential, making him feel guilty for lying and wonder if he should tell the truth. He closed his eyes and nodded.

  — It wasn't that bad, I think... at least I was never in this state while I was there. — he said, resisting his own mind which seemed to act more and more strangely.

  [Impressive...]

  [You don't even hesitate.]

  With an empathetic look, Mirabel stepped forward.

  — It must have been hard... — she said. Noah felt stunned for a moment, astonished as he looked at her face and saw the pity in her eyes.

  — No... He's my family, after all.

  Undric and Mirabel were the first to leave the room; he left saying a doctor would come to examine Noah to check his condition. Meanwhile, Isadora continued feeding him until the soup was gone. She left only to take the bowls to the kitchen.

  Will this be quick? If it's just a few minutes, you can start.

  [Warning!]

  [Transfer of the knowledge on the creation of all pills has begun.]

  Wait, you didn't even say how long—!

  Pain filled him, along with all the information. He endured it in silence, letting out only a few groans from time to time.

  [13%]

  He knew everything about every herb or useful part for concocting pills, as well as the backs of his own hands.

  [79%]

  However, Noah soon noticed a problem. A special flame was required to create higher grade pills derived from demon beasts with intrinsic control over such elemental attributes. The more powerful the creature, the more unique and proficient its flame would be.

  [100%]

  [The transfer is complete.]

  Resting with a deep sigh of relief, Noah ignored the pain caused simply by relaxing his muscles after their complete contraction, which ran through his body.

  ...How do you acquire a demon beast's bloodline? Is it possible to have two, since I have both a phoenix's and a semi-dragon's body to use?

  [The most common method is to kill the creature and bathe in its blood.]

  So I already have one? And would have two if that sword hadn't drained all the phoenix's blood... Is it also possible to get the bloodline by eating the beast's flesh?

  [For some people, yes. But you also already possess the phoenix bloodline, so you don't need to do that.]

  [The drop that reached your hand was the one containing the phoenix's entire essence, while the blood the sword absorbed at most contained a bit of Qi.]

  It flowed...? Enduring the pain, he raised an arm and stopped his palm in front of his face. So that wasn't a coincidence... This "essence" has its own consciousness, I suppose?

  [...Yes.]

  Noah couldn't help but laugh, even as the pain spread from moving his arm back down.

  The semi-dragon certainly foresaw I would do that, and that's why he asked me to look after his son. But what about the phoenix...? Even in that decayed, likely dead, state, she still had enough awareness to keep away from the sword and notice my approach? Should that be weird or scary, I really don't know anymore... I guess her patience is worthy of applause given how long she must have waited, ha.

  The door opened again after some time, and it was Isadora coming with the doctor. There was nothing to be done, the doctor concluded. Noah's body was in perfect condition and there was no apparent reason for the pain he claimed to feel. Isadora accompanied the doctor to the exit, then returned.