THE GENERAL'S DISGRACED HEIR

The female workers' quarter was dimly lit by the pale glow of moonlight filtering through tall, arched windows. Shadows flickered along the stone walls, cast by the soft glimmer of a few dying magic crystals scattered throughout the room. The vibrant colours of the once elaborate tapestries adorning the walls appeared muted in the moon's gentle light, their intricate patterns fading into the quiet gloom of the night.

The chamber, though spacious, carried an unmistakable air of loneliness. Narrow beds lined one side of the room, each one neatly made with deep crimson blankets folded at the foot. The dark wooden frames, though elegantly carved, showed the wear and tear of years of service. Above, the ceiling arched high into the shadows, creating a sense of vast, empty space that only deepened the room's silence.

In one distant corner stood a desk, cluttered with papers, quills, and a half-burnt candle—an echo of the workers' nightly routines. The heavy, intricately carved wooden door remained shut, offering a sense of privacy and seclusion from the rest of the estate. Nearby, shelves stocked with worn books, simple trinkets, and various tools gave a quiet testament to the workers' lives beyond their daily duties.

Normally, this room would be buzzing with the lively gossip of the female workers, their laughter filling the air with warmth. But tonight, a somber quiet had taken hold, the usual chaos replaced with palpable tension. The women stood gathered around two beds, worry etched into their faces. Shay and Vivian, two of their own, lay motionless, their bodies radiating a strange, otherworldly glow. Their breaths were shallow, their faces pale.

David entered, his presence immediately noticed by the workers. Two maids who had earlier rushed to fetch the headmaid now flanked him as he moved through the cluster of scantly dressed women. His sharp eyes ignored the shocked stares and startled gasps that followed him. He had no time to spare for formalities; his heart pounded with worry, the weight of the situation heavy on his chest.

Pushing his way through the gathered maids, David's eyes landed on the glowing forms of Shay and Vivian, lying side by side on the narrow beds. The eerie glow from their bodies pulsed softly, casting a strange, ethereal light around the room. His throat tightened at the sight of them.

Without hesitation, David knelt by the beds. His mind raced as he tried to piece together what was happening. The system had warned him of the sudden awakening, but the reality of seeing the two women in this state was overwhelming. He glanced over at the others, his expression firm and determined. He knew he couldn't afford to let fear or doubt cloud his mind.

"Everyone, step back," he commanded, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside him.

The maids obediently moved away, their eyes filled with fear and confusion. David reached out, his fingers brushing the faint glow surrounding Shay and Vivian. The warmth of the light was unexpected, and he felt a pulse of energy surge through his fingertips. Whatever was happening to them was far beyond anything he had ever encountered before.

After a moment of careful thought, David made up his mind. The best course of action was to take both Vivian and Shay to the castle's infirmary, where the rogue saintess could examine them and hopefully explain what was happening. He also felt confident that Seraphina, being sharp and quick-witted, would come to the same conclusion and bring Katrina along. They would likely all meet at the infirmary.

As David approached the unconscious forms of Vivian and Shay, he paused. While he could carry them himself, he wanted to do it carefully and respectfully. The thought of dragging their bodies like sacks of grain didn't sit well with him. There had to be a better way.

Suddenly, an idea came to him. He recalled browsing through the system's store earlier and coming across a peculiar item that might be perfect for the task. Without wasting another second, David opened his status interface and navigated to the familiar "[Weapons & Armor]" section. Rows of high-grade, incredibly expensive items appeared before his eyes, as they always did—powerful relics and equipment that were beyond his reach.

He quickly searched for the item he had seen: the "[Voidshaper Sleeve]." As the details filled his vision, he remembered its unique ability.

The description read: "The Voidshaper Sleeve grants the ability to manipulate and control matter within a specific radius, allowing the wearer to levitate, push, pull, or crush objects and enemies using telekinesis. The force can be fine-tuned for delicate tasks or unleashed for devastating effects."

However, there was a catch. The Voidshaper Sleeve was not yet complete. The current version allowed basic telekinesis, but it was far from its true potential. Every time it was upgraded, it would unlock new powers, inching closer to its full, legendary form. Still, even in its incomplete state, it could serve its purpose. David knew it would come in handy in other situations as well.

The price was steep—400,000 Dimension Coins. David stared at the number for a moment, realizing that was all he had. His stomach twisted, but this wasn't the time for hesitation. He needed to act, and this was the best tool for the job. With a determined thought, he made the purchase.

The Voidshaper Sleeve materialized in his hand, a sleek, dark glove etched with faint, glowing patterns that pulsed with an otherworldly energy. Slipping it on, David felt a surge of raw power course through him, as though the very fabric of reality bent to his will. The telekinetic abilities were waiting just beneath the surface, eager to be unleashed.

He extended his hand toward Vivian and Shay, focusing his thoughts. The Voidshaper Sleeve responded instantly, a soft, invisible force wrapping around their bodies and gently lifting them into the air. They floated beside him, supported by the delicate telekinetic field. He could feel the sleeve's limitations—it was still far from reaching its true form, but it was more than enough for now.

David turned to the two maids, whose eyes were wide with awe at the sight of the women hovering in the air. "Let's move quickly, lead me to the castle's infirmary" he instructed, his voice calm yet urgent.

With Vivian and Shay gently levitating beside him, David walked briskly out of the female workers' quarters. His heart pounded with concern, but at least now he had a plan. All he could hope was that Katrina, too, would be safe and sound once they reached the infirmary.

David moved swiftly through the dimly lit corridors of the castle, his steps guided by the two maids who led him toward the infirmary. Shay and Vivian, still unconscious in his telekinetic grip, began to emit faint traces of mana, small wisps of energy flickering around their bodies. The soft, blue light shimmered like distant stars in the night, their radiance growing stronger with each step closer to the infirmary.

David's heart raced, his mind swirling with worry and uncertainty. He didn't fully understand what was happening, but the intensity of the mana being released from the two women concerned him deeply. The Voidshaper Sleeve, wrapped snugly around his forearm, hummed faintly in response to the surrounding energy, as if it was resonating with the power emanating from Shay and Vivian. It was a reminder that the weapon, incomplete as it was, would need to be upgraded if he was to handle more powerful situations in the future.

As they reached the infirmary door, the atmosphere shifted. The maids exchanged nervous glances, unsure of what awaited them inside, but David's resolve remained firm. He gently pushed open the door, the creak echoing in the still air.

The castle infirmary was a stark contrast to the rest of the darkened hallways. The room was large, with high ceilings and tall windows draped with heavy curtains that were currently drawn shut. Despite this, the space was well-lit, thanks to several glowing orbs of soft, white light that floated near the ceiling, casting a serene glow over the room. Rows of beds lined the walls, each with crisp, white sheets and small tables beside them for the healers to place their tools.

At the far end of the room, David saw Seraphina, her dark hair cascading over her shoulders as she stood beside a bed. Katrina lay there, her face pale but peaceful, her body resting under a thin sheet. Standing beside Seraphina were the Earl and Mage Marvel, both deep in conversation, their expressions serious.

David approached quietly, placing Shay and Vivian on the beds beside Katrina with the utmost care. The mana surrounding the three women pulsed lightly, and he could feel its warmth even from a distance. He stepped back, his gaze shifting to the trio standing near the bed.

The Earl was the first to notice David's presence. He turned, his sharp eyes studying the young man with an air of amusement. A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he approached. "Let me guess," the Earl said, his voice rich with a mix of curiosity and suspicion, "this incident involves you, doesn't it?"