The thought alone made Ethan seethe. That old man—had he been enjoying his misery all this time?
He snapped, "Damn it! Was it fun, playing weak this whole time, only to reveal your true strength now?"
Uncle Jed took a slow swig from his wineskin, his gaze sliding lazily to Ethan before returning to his drink. He didn't bother answering. Julian, sensing the tension thick in the air, hurried to mediate.
"These past few years... Uncle Jed's been fighting off every last Deathstalker Scorpion in the entire Southwest Domain. All for the sake of a life-preserving elixir—so you could stay alive. You were unconscious for three years. No food, no water. How else do you think you survived?"
Ethan froze. His anger evaporated, replaced by quiet confusion. "That weird stuff Crystal fed me...?"
