"Your mana core is failing due to excessive and uninterrupted use of magic," the priestess replied, measuring each word carefully. "You will o undergur treatments to stabilize it, but if you don't, you risk losing it pletely…"

  Nohe ground disappear beh his feet.

  His entire life, his goal, everything he had pursued since he was a child depended on his ability to manipute time.

  If he lost his magic, he wouldn't just lose his power; he would lose his reason for being.

  Non nodded silently, uo find words to respond, ahe church with a feeling of emptiness gnawing at him from within.

  The sun was beginning to set as he walked through the city streets, aimlessly.

  His mind was engulfed in despair, repeating the priestess's words over and over.

  Around him, life tinued as if nothing had ged: merts sold their wares, children ran through the squares, and citize about their daily routines.

  However, for Non, the world no longer had color.

  He noticed how his body, worn from years of effort and intensive use of his magio longer responded as it used to.

  Three years ago, when the war ended, he felt strong, invincible. But now, with each step he took, he felt a dull pain in his knees and tension in his lower babsp;

  Non stopped at a nearby ben a park and sat dowing out a long sigh.

  The sharp pain in his joints was a stant remihat his youth was beginning to fade.

  In front of him, a group of children pyed, ughing and running, oblivious to the weight of the world that had yet to reach them.

  Non watched them in silence, remembering the times during the war when his rades would ask him when he po marry and start a family.

  He had always dismissed the idea. His mission, his desire to return to the past, was all that mattered.

  What more could he do now that he couldn't use his magibsp;

  The future he had imagined was crumbling little by little.

  With anh, Non leaned ba the bench, almost like a vagabond, allowing his mind to wander while the pain in his body kept him in the present.

  The sky ainted in e hues as the sun began to hide, and it was then that his stomach growled, reminding him that he haden all day.

  Non stood up, feeling the creaking in his joints, and decided he would go buy some bread. It was something he hadn't done in years, as his mansion had always been filled with servants ready to attend to his needs.

  As he walked along the cobblestoreets, he noticed how people began to close their stalls, preparing for the night.

  Near a small bakery, a girl tripped over a stone while carrying a basket full of fresh bread.

  By instinon used his magic to slow down time.

  The girl's movements became sluggish, and he was able to quickly approach her, preventing her from falling and spilling the bread on the ground.

  When time returo its normal pace, the girl looked at him with wide eyes, surprised.

  "I'm so sorry…" she said, nervously, in a sweet, trembling voice as she tried tain her bance. "I almost dropped everything…"

  Non stared at her for a few seds, uo respond immediately.

  The girl was young, with long light brown hair, rge bright greehat seemed to reflect the spring forest.

  Her skin was smooth and slightly tanned, with delicate features and a shy smile that revealed her he simple dress she wore was a muted blue, typical of vilge girls, but something in her demeanor, in the way she moved, made her stand out.

  Yet, what struon the most was the warmth of her presence, a warmth that seemed to ignite something within him.

  "Don't worry," Non finally replied, his voice softer than he had intended. "I'm gd you're okay."

  Without saying more, he stepped aside, but he had barely taken a few steps when a sharp pain pierced his chest.

  Non frowned, letting out a small groan of pain as his hand instinctively went to his chest.

  The girl, who had already begun to walk again, stopped immediately upon hearing him.

  "Oh no!" she excimed, armed. She quickly set the basket of bread down on the ground and approached him. "Are you okay?" she asked, her voice filled with as she gently pced her hand on his shoulder.

  The moment she touched him, No an ued relief.

  The pain in his chest, which had tormented him just moments ago, almost pletely disappeared.

  Non took a deep breath, surprised, as relief washed over him.

  "Yes…," he murmured, his face still tense from surprise, but with the pain already dissipated. "I'm fine… now."

  The girl let out a brief ugh, lightening the atmosphere a bit.

  "Well, that's what matters, right?" she said with a smile, and her ughter, though short, carried a warmth that Non hadn't heard in a long time.

  Before he could respond, a shout echoed in the distanbsp;

  "Emily!"

  An older woman, frowning, was quickly approag, scolding the girl.

  "Why are you leaving the basket on the ground like that?! You o be more careful! If we sell those dirty loaves, we'll ruin our reputation!"

  Emily lowered her gaze, visibly embarrassed, without saying a word. Non, seeing the sadness in her eyes, decided to intervene.

  "There's o worry about that," Non said, stepping closer with a polite tone. "In fact, I would like to buy the entire basket."

  Both women looked at him, surprised.

  The older woman sed him from head to toe, notig his fine clothes despite his weakened appearance. She quickly realized she was in the presence of someone important.

  "Oh, my lord," she said, f a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Someone like you deserves something much better than these simple loaves. Allow me to reend…"

  "No," Non interrupted her again, with unwavering courtesy. "I would like to buy this basket. How much does it cost?"

  The older woman fell silent, taken aback by Non's insistence. Emily, for her part, looked at him with even wider eyes, unsure of what to say.