First Legendary Dragon: Starting With The Limitless System
Chapter 148: Slave Seal of Seraph

Each breath felt easier than the last, each mote brighter, purer, and more responsive. His concentration sharpened, awareness expanding effortlessly.

Feeling confident, Orion decided to progress to the next stage of the technique: the refining process—which he had yet to do even before.

He visualized the gathered mana circulating slowly in tight spirals inside his SoC, each spiral refining and condensing the mana further, filtering impurities, enhancing clarity, and deepening potency.

The process felt pleasantly warm, reminiscent of basking in the gentle heat of the sun. Each loop of the spiral was methodical and precise, leaving Orion feeling lighter, yet inexplicably stronger, as if his entire being was slowly becoming clearer, purer, and more robust.

His breathing remained steady, synchronized precisely with the gentle rotations of refined mana. Within the clarity of his consciousness, Orion marveled at the meticulous efficiency of the training method devised by his grandmother.

As time passed unnoticed, Orion sank deeper into the meditative state. He was completely attuned to the flow of mana, his senses fully absorbed in the process.

The boundaries between himself and the mana around him blurred slightly, leaving him feeling connected to a vast, seemingly infinite reservoir of power. The sensation was both humbling and exhilarating.

He felt what vast amount of mana the world held—in comparison, his own mana was nothing but a firefly in front of the sun. Yet this also told him the untold potential he had for evolution.

Throughout the process, Lumi remained uncharacteristically quiet, letting him train his SoC in peace. She observed silently, careful not to disturb his focus.

After nearly two hours, Orion sensed that all the mana inside his Sea of Consciousness and mana channels had been refined to the limit, and there was no place for more left.

Recognizing this signal, he gradually slowed the intake of mana, allowing the final spirals inside his SoC to settle gently, stabilizing the mana he had absorbed.

The warm sensation lingered for a moment, soothing and comforting, as he carefully withdrew from the meditative state.

Orion slowly opened his eyes, his vision sharp and clear, the room around him brighter and more vivid than before. He inhaled deeply, feeling refreshed, invigorated, and closer to the next level than ever.

[You did amazing, Master! Your control and refinement of mana have improved significantly just from this session. (≧▽≦)]

Orion chuckled faintly, stretching slightly to ease his limbs. 'Yeah, this training method is really impressive. I managed to fill my entire SoC in just this session. I think it's also due to my Affinity Rune. It increased the rate at which I absorb mana.'

[Master is now one step closer to Tier 2!! (๑˃ᴗ˂)ﻭ]

'Well, I need more details about Tier 2 then,' he chuckled, and just as he stood up, he heard a gentle knock on the door, followed by Rina's cheerful voice outside.

"Master~! It's morning already! Time to wake up!"

Orion chuckled lightly at her bubbly tone, walking towards the door and gently opening it to reveal both Rina and Fiora standing patiently outside.

Both maids widened their eyes slightly in surprise, clearly not expecting him to open the door so early in the morning.

"I'm already awake," Orion said, smiling softly at their astonished expressions. "I was practicing the mana breathing technique Grandma gave me."

Rina quickly recovered, her bright smile returning immediately. "That's wonderful, Master! Lady Selene's technique truly is the best. Now, shall we prepare your bath?"

Orion nodded lightly, following them towards the bathroom, where Rina and Fiora carefully prepared a relaxing, fragrant bath.

The warmth of the bathwater and gentle ministrations of the two maids washed away the residual fatigue from his intense mana training, leaving Orion fully refreshed.

After drying off and changing into fresh clothing, Orion headed towards Seraph's room. Knocking on the gate twice and telling her about his arrival, he waited for a moment before entering.

Inside, he found her sitting at her usual spot beside the window, the gentle morning breeze rustling her soft green hair.

'Is she a statue? Does she just sit there always?' He couldn't help but wonder, seeing that he had always found her sitting there while staring out.

"Ahem, here is your breakfast, Seraph." Orion calmly approached, taking out the porridge bowl and Moonberries in front of her table.

She slowly turned her head and stared at the food.

He pulled over a chair and gently observed her, "Now that you seem to be in better health, how about we increase your diet?" he asked.

She raised her head and looked at him in the face. Her eyes held a myriad of emotions, yet she couldn't convey a single one.

Orion softly smiled, seeing the complicated look in her eyes. His voice softened, "You know, there's no need to have such a high guard against me. I've already told you my motive, and as you've seen in the last few days, I've not treated you harshly nor made any outrageous demands with the slave seal on you."

Her body slightly flinched at the mention of the slave seal, finally reacting to the truth that she had been sold into slavery—as if she hadn't registered it before.

He shook his head, "Don't worry, I don't see you as a slave. Or if you want, I can remove the slave seal from you right now."

She stared intently into his eyes, looking for a hint of a lie—yet all she found was sincerity. But due to her past, she couldn't just trust anyone now. So she slowly nodded her head, asking him to remove the slave seal.

Orion smiled lightly and nodded his head, "Yes, good. Learn to speak up for yourself."

Saying that, he slowly raised his hand and gestured for her to extend her hand toward him.

She hesitantly forwarded her hand. He didn't hold it but just drifted her hand closer before focusing his will on it.

Before she could react, a burning scarlet flower materialized on her hand. Orion's eyes sharpened—he sent a stream of his fiery mana into his hand before trying to destroy the contract from his end.

Only he could have done it so easily, as without his will, the Burning Scarlet Flower wouldn't have even materialized—and even if it did, only he could have interacted with it.

Seraph's eyes widened in disbelief, seeing that Orion was actually destroying the slave contract with her—BOOM!

The flower burst apart with beautiful flaming sparks. She stared at the scene with wide eyes.

While Orion looked at her with a soft smile before withdrawing his hand.

"So? Now do you trust me?" he gently asked.

'…' She quietly nodded her head, still in disbelief at the current situation.

"Good. Then I'll have Rina or Fiora send food to you three times a day. I heard elves eat only veg food, so they'll take care of that. You should eat in peace now, I also have to go out."

Without giving her a minute to process what happened, he stood up and bid her farewell, leaving her mind a mess.

***

Orion walked calmly through the grand hallway, his footsteps echoing softly against the polished marble floors.

A pleasant warmth lingered in Orion's heart, a sense of accomplishment still fresh after successfully removing Seraph's slave seal. His expression held a satisfied and content smile, one of genuine relief and joy at having freed Seraph from such a burden.