"Your mana is completely gone."
Thea's voice was low—horrified, yet certain.
I instinctively raised a hand to my head, running my fingers through my hair. Confusion, disappointment, denial—they all tangled together in my chest.
"I have mana. I cast Ignite! You saw me!"
My eyes searched Ethea's, silently begging her to validate my hopes—but she remained quiet. Frustration flickered across her face, not directed at me, but at herself—for not having the answers, for not knowing how to comfort me.
"Everything was normal until—"
I froze.
The book—Levites—had drained my mana last night before vanishing into thin air. I paused, piecing it together.
What if the book stole my mana?
"You realized something. Explain!"
Thea's voice snapped me out of my thoughts, leaving me with another problem. Should I tell her everything? Where would I even begin?
I could convince myself this was a fantasy world, where anything was possible. But even here, a beginner casting Portal would raise eyebrows. And that portal… it didn't lead somewhere ordinary—it opened into an unknown cave, hiding a book that drained mana. That was far beyond strange.
"I see… you won't tell me."
Thea spoke softly, disappointment seeping into her voice. She turned her back on me and called for a servant. She didn't hide the hurt—or the faint hint of betrayal—as she gave her instructions.
Guilt settled heavily in my chest. But all I could do was apologize. Even I didn't understand why I felt this way.
"I'm sorry. I want to tell you… but I'm confused too."
My sincerity seemed to catch her off guard. She only sighed and turned her attention to the servant.
"Can you ask Father if he can spare a moment? We have a problem."
Thea spoke calmly, then turned back to me.
"Father will know what to do. And if he doesn't, he'll find someone who does. I won't pry… but—"
She lowered her gaze, as if trying to hide her expression. Her voice was hesitant, yet hopeful.
"Promise me you'll tell me everything soon."
She held up her pinky.
I smiled and hooked mine with hers.
"I promise."
-----
few minutes later, Chris Avern arrived, slightly out of breath. It seemed he had run all the way from the Count's office. He took a moment to steady himself before speaking.
"The Count asked me to guide you to his office. Shall we?"
He gestured toward us.
"This is my brother's problem. He wishes to speak with Father alone. I'll visit Mother in the garden, so don't worry about me."
Thea waved us off.
Chris nodded, placing a hand on my shoulder. His sunset-orange eyes carried quiet reassurance.
"Shall we, young master?"
We made our way toward the Count's office. My chest tightened as our footsteps echoed through the halls.
Should I tell him everything? Would Father know how to fix this?
I quickened my pace, my expression darkening. Chris seemed to notice and matched my speed.
Soon, we arrived.
I entered first, Chris following behind.
Father sat at his desk, paperwork piled on both sides. He picked up a document, skimmed it, stamped it with the family crest, and placed it onto another pile.
He sighed at the mountain of work still remaining—but the moment he saw me, he stood and smiled brightly.
"My son! What brings you here?"
His warm voice filled the room. I felt my face heat up. Being called out to so affectionately felt strange… yet a part of me warmed to it.
"I have a problem. But… can we discuss it privately?"
Father nodded immediately and dismissed everyone, including Chris.
Soon, only the two of us remained.
I opened my mouth—but the words caught in my throat.
How much should I tell him? From the start of my coma? That I'm not the real Alan?
Am I not the real Alan?
My heartbeat pounded in my ears. I couldn't breathe. My gaze remained fixed on the floor.
Imposter.
The word echoed endlessly in my mind.
I couldn't see his expression. Was he worried? Was I causing trouble again?
Sorry. I needed to say sorry—
Before I could, Father pulled me into an embrace.
"You are my son. No matter what trouble or problem you may have caused, I will always be by your side."
For the first time in my life, I felt the warmth of another person. My vision blurred as tears streamed down my cheeks.
He continued patting my back in silence until my sobs finally subsided.
"Tell me what happened. Everything will be okay."
Even then, fear lingered.
But the emotions I felt—the panic, the guilt, the relief in Father's embrace… they were real. They were mine.
I told him everything about yesterday—the portal, the book, and the disappearance of my mana.
I didn't tell him about my past life. Not because I feared the outcome, but because I wanted to understand it first.
I am Alan.
The emotions I felt earlier were enough to stop me from doubting that.
So why had I been given memories of another life—one where this world existed only as a novel?
I couldn't shake the feeling that there was a reason.
Father listened patiently. When I finished, he paused before speaking.
"Your suspicions are correct. The book is the reason your mana disappeared."
He spoke as if this wasn't unheard of. I had thought I was the first—but maybe I was wrong.
"That book is a holy tome. Legends say they were gifts from the gods. But in truth… they are closer to curses."
His voice grew heavy.
"Three people died last year. Many more before that. Holy tomes drain mana—and then life force. Those without enough mana die almost immediately."
He placed a hand on my head, gently ruffling my hair.
I caught his wrist, stopping him.
"Then… some people survived? Do they just lose their mana like me?"
"Most do. But there are exceptions."
He stood and walked to the bookshelf. After scanning briefly, he pulled out a worn, leather-bound book.
Flipping through the pages, he stopped and placed it on the table in front of me.
A sketch stared back at me—a beautiful woman dressed in aristocratic menswear, carrying herself with effortless grace.
I didn't recognize her from the novel… yet something about her felt familiar.
"Who is she?"
"She is the founder of the Falan Empire."
My eyes widened.
"I do know her…"
"Canis Ortega."
I muttered the name.
Father's eyes lit up with pride.
"Correct! It seems you've been studying hard. I'm proud of you!"
I haven't been studying. It's because of my past life that I know her. Even then, she was barely mentioned in the novel.
I vaguely remembered a line:
'Canis Ortega holds the key.'
Amon's party had searched for it—and found it hidden within her statue. That key led to a secret chamber in the Demon King's castle.
So why was Father showing her to me?
Then it clicked.
No way… unless—
Father noticed my realization.
"She was the first anomaly."