Clara's eyes narrowed slightly at the offer.
"And what exactly do you intend to show me?"
Julian's voice remained steady.
"Mana," he said.
A clear hint of interest flickered across Clara's face. She studied him for a moment longer, then gave a small nod.
"Go on."
Julian's smile deepened just enough to be noticeable.
"You must have wondered, haven't you, Aunty?" he said. "How someone as weak and filthy as I once was managed to break through to the Arch Mage realm."
Clara did not answer immediately. The title still sounded strange, but the question itself struck closer to the truth than she liked. She looked away for a brief second, then back at him.
"Yes," she admitted at last. "I did wonder."
Her voice carried a strange edge.
