CHAPTER 554: CHAPTER D205: WIND GODDESS MAIDEN

Watching the Depraved Hero land lightly, then glancing at the Hero enveloped in Holy Light yet showing a panicked expression, father’s disheveled hair was lifted by the breeze, his eyes reflecting unfathomable emotions.

"Drink this."

Subsequently, under mother’s silent gaze, he took out a bottle of Magic Potion, then with a flick of his finger, the potion bottle floated gracefully to the Hero’s front, carried by the gentle breeze.

"What is this thing?" the Depraved Hero spat.

"Panacea," father replied impassively.

"Though it’s not as omnipotent as its name suggests, it can restore Magic Power and dispel fatigue."

[Panacea R5+: Restores below level 59 Status to full, proportionally restores above level 60.]

"What do you mean?" the Depraved Hero frowned.

"Daughter, drink it, then spar with me." Father’s gaze became increasingly focused.

"Regardless of win or lose, I will prepare a gift for you as your coming-of-age ceremony—just like when your brother received his Magic Wand."

Though father’s tone was calm, it made the Hero’s eyes widen.

Recalling that battle she [was absent from], her Emerald Eye flickered, and her gaze involuntarily fell on the bottle of Panacea.

1. Did not witness the battle (Hero’s First Attack)

2. Also watched the battle from the side (gained intelligence)♛

D2=d2(2)=2

Although humankind cannot naturally absorb Magic Element like demons to become stronger, they are also subtly influenced by the environment filled with Magic Element.

This influence has both positive and negative sides.

When human civilization was still primitive, young children were easily afflicted by illnesses or even perished due to changes in the Magic Element environment.

After reaching ten years of age, the risk of being suddenly taken by death gradually diminishes, and they are thought to be able to grow steadily into adults.

Therefore, according to the Kingdom’s traditions, eleven years old is seen as the first step into adulthood, allowing children at this age to be introduced to "adult" things like strong liquor and weapons.

Until modern times, as humans built magnificent cities and the number of Professionals increased, the Magic Power fluctuations emitted by the many Professionals gradually stabilized the Magic Element environment around cities and even within the Kingdom, reducing the infant mortality rate.

Although children can now grow healthily, this cultural tradition has not disappeared, merely undergone slight modifications.

After all, eleven is still a very young age, with neither physical nor psychological maturity, making it difficult to control the Strength of the Professional system.

In earlier times, when the Professional system was not yet complete, young noble prodigies became famous for completing their Reincarnation at a few years old, or even breaking through the Second Transformation by the age of ten.

However, as the Professional system matured, these so-called prodigies who understood only the basics of the Profession due to early education gradually faded away.

Because this method of forcing an early start only leads to a weak foundation, and ultimately, a lifetime with no hope of becoming Legendary, let alone reaching higher Palaces.

Unless they are Heroes, or geniuses beyond common understanding, the path of the Profession requires a solid, step-by-step approach.

This has become the consensus of the Six Major Guilds—perhaps with the exception of the Warlock Association.

Thus, even for those from noble backgrounds, after reaching eleven years old and stepping into adulthood, they still need to study in the academy for several years, steadily completing their Reincarnation before they can begin to inherit family businesses.

Therefore, among the Kingdom’s upper society, a new trend gradually formed: when children truly possess the ability to stand on their own and receive genuine recognition from their parents or other formal acknowledgement, a second formal coming-of-age ceremony is held for them.

This coming-of-age ceremony doesn’t have a fixed age; it can be held as long as the parents genuinely acknowledge it.

Of course, to avoid children becoming a laughing stock in social circles, most families traditionally complete this ceremony before the age of twenty. However, there are still extremely strict families who refuse to hold a formal coming-of-age ceremony even when the child is already a parent.

As for the brother, a true genius who was also strictly guided by father, he had his real coming-of-age ceremony in [] that year.

D5+13=d5(5)+13=18

At that time, brother was not only an outstanding Mage but also dared to face father—an examination by a Pantheon Mage.

Although eighteen is not particularly young, considering father’s strict standards, gaining recognition before twenty was impressive even to a Hero.

The Hero vividly remembers that year, she was also present beside her mother, witnessing the battle between father and brother.

Although brother was completely no match for father, the scene of their clash was mesmerizing to the little Hero back then.

In the end, though brother was beaten badly, he still won father’s approval. As a gift, he received his own Magic Wand from father, which he has been using ever since.

For the Hero, who lacked the talent of a Mage and had no other strengths, that was once an unattainable sight, believing she could never reach it in this lifetime.

Even earlier, when father mentioned passing the Noble Title to her, he didn’t bring up this matter.

The Hero originally thought it was because of her insufficient age, but now...

Mother’s eyes flickered slightly, but she didn’t say much, just quietly retreating to the side like brother.

Then, upon meeting father’s focused gaze, the Hero suddenly realized.

The person standing before her now, was the real him.

Not as a father, not as a Viscount, nor even as a Mage, but someone her present self could not yet understand—the truest face of father as a person.