Even without anyone saying it, one could sense that the Emperor's body was undergoing change—a change that diverged unexpectedly from predictions as soon as it was recognized.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Yuder shouted, "Commander, protect the Emperor's vessel with your power!"

Kishiar's ability involved pulling and pushing energies, and so, right after his own awakening, he could instinctively protect his vessel. However, the Emperor's situation was different this time. His body was shaking more precariously than ever as it transformed under the flow of a mysterious power, becoming an Awakener.

This was not a favorable situation. If the Emperor's vessel could not withstand this shaking during his awakening, it might just shatter, Yuder thought. To avoid such an ominous circumstance...

'We must work together to protect the Emperor's vessel by using Kishiar's ability as soon as possible to attract some of the red energy that has begun to condense in the Emperor's body.'

Although this diverged slightly from the original plan, the task was the same. A conviction that this moment could not be missed overwhelmed Yuder.

Simultaneously with Yuder’s shout, it seemed Kishiar had the same thought and began to exert his power. The connection between Yuder and him tightened, and the power began moving towards the Emperor's vessel. As it did, blood started to flow anew from Yuder's eyes.

Despite feeling as if the insides of his eyes were being shredded with a knife, Yuder remained unfazed and concentrated his utmost effort.

However...

"The red energies in His Highness' body are too resistant to being pulled together," Kishiar murmured as he exerted even more of his ability. It was just as he said; despite the immense effort, the red energies inside the Emperor weren’t being pulled as smoothly as before.

Even if Kishiar was incredibly powerful, he was still human and had his limits. How long could he endure this, and could the Emperor’s unstable vessel withstand until he fully awakened?

'No,' Yuder decided calmly. Although time was of the essence and the situation perilous, Kishiar’s words helped him regain his composure. No more thoughts of failure. In that fleeting moment, Yuder sifted through every possibility and memory, finally stumbling upon something useful. Clinging onto this glimmer of hope, he spoke up immediately.

"Commander, stop forcing the Emperor’s internal energy for now."

"And then?"

"I’ll infuse him with some of my own pure energy. We’ve successfully done this before, have we not?"

"..."

A faint furrow appeared between Kishiar’s brows, which had been exerting power continuously.

Of course, Yuder knew that the situation with Kishiar back then was entirely different from the Emperor's current state. Despite the purity of the energy Yuder had absorbed, it wasn't safe to assert that this would pose no risk to someone who was not only not awakened but also had a cracked vessel, vulnerable even to the slightest disturbance.

Previously, they had not considered this method to expedite the Emperor's awakening. However, the Emperor was in the process of becoming an Awakener, and there was a 'connection' active between Kishiar and Yuder that vividly transmitted both senses and emotions. It was worth taking the risk.

Kishiar seemed to have a good guess of what Yuder was thinking, yet he didn't readily agree.

‘He must think it's dangerous because I'm using too much of my power.’

The fleeting emotions flowing through his eyes were clearer than ever, thanks to the shaky connection between the two.

‘But in this situation, I can't just look out for my own safety.’

Prioritizing my own safety could provide a moment's respite, perhaps. But here and now, the one exerting more power and taking greater risks wasn't Yuder—it was Kishiar.

Kishiar had plunged into this peril, risking his recently regained health for his sibling. Excluding the Emperor, he had been the most stable pillar in an incredibly unstable situation. Even the Empress, the chief attendant, and finally, even Yuder had relied on his steadfastness; it was no exaggeration to say so.

Although he must've had a strong desire to save his family by any means, the man in front of him didn't show it. Instead, he worried about Yuder, who had suggested a plan.

Who else should he act for, if not for this man? For him?

Not trying everything he could now would result in a lifetime of regret, far outweighing a moment's safety. Yuder wished, more intensely than ever, to achieve something for him.

Even if it meant draining all his remaining energy or bursting his eye, it didn't matter.

Within their exchanged glances, full of this resolve, a few seconds felt unbearably long.

"Will you be alright?"

Finally, Kishiar quietly asked. The short question carried myriad implications. Yuder sensed that Kishiar had read his emotions, and he nodded his head slowly, yet firmly.

"Yes."

"Understood. Let's do it together."

As if they had made a pact, both unleashed their powers simultaneously. Yuder recalled the time he had infused his pure energy into Kishiar and drew upon his power. A crimson vein rapidly spread across the back of his hand, snaking up to his neck and jaw. It felt as if fire, rather than blood, flowed beneath his skin.

The moment the red aura seeping from his fingertips coalesced, Kishiar's power precisely captured and pulled it. The two energies entwined smoothly, then burrowed into the Emperor's inner self.

The Emperor's body shuddered slightly. But the result that soon revealed itself was…

"It worked."

Yuder watched his own pure energy, guided by Kishiar's hand, flow upwards through the Emperor's inner self. It easily glided over the unstable vessel without mixing with the Emperor's other energies. The amount was too insignificant to even mention, but a success was still a success!

A wave of intense joy and relief brushed through his mind, yet it was only the beginning.

Yuder continued to send his power towards Kishiar. The drained energies were pulled and started to form a thin protective layer over Emperor Keilusa's unstable vessel.

"It's still... not enough."

The Emperor's vessel, caught in Kishiar's red aura, had regained some stability, yet it was still pulsating dangerously in sync with its heartbeat. More energy seemed necessary, but the limit was rapidly approaching.

Yuder's face had turned ashen, his concentration reaching an extreme level. Drops of nosebleed trickled down, as his trembling fingers sucked the energy out of him and his vision flickered in and out. Unbeknownst to him, he had almost collapsed; it was only when Kishiar grabbed and steadied him that he realized how close he had come.

"Yuder."

"Ah, I apologize."

"It can't go on like this."

"No, we can't stop now. The vessel is not yet complete."

"You're putting yourself at risk."

"No, I am…"

Yuder's gaze shifted to the almost completed Emperor's vessel. It was radiating with red energy, similar to Kishiar’s. It was so close to being fully shielded that he couldn't afford to stop now.

Yuder clenched his teeth in regret, thinking, if only I could harness the pure power of the red stone better, more efficiently.

'Just a little more!'

Just a bit more power to save the Emperor and Kishiar.

Whooooo…

That's when it happened.

Yuder sensed a familiar yet new energy tapping into him. Looking around, he saw a red glow emanating from a basket on the Emperor's desk not too far away.

Realizing what the mediums inside the basket could do, he shouted, "Commander! Please bring those stones over here!"

Kishiar immediately reached out. Driven by an invisible force, the stones flew from the overturned basket. Yuder caught one in mid-air, gripping it tightly.

As soon as he did, the red power inside the stone flared, absorbing into his palm like a bolt of hot lightning. Yuder, gasping for air, exclaimed, "These stones can amplify the power, and I can absorb it. Commander, you too, hurry…"

The drained energy began replenishing, his body feeling as if it were set ablaze. Yet, it didn’t feel painful. Yuder was relieved to see that even Kishiar, holding a similar stone, seemed far stronger than before.

The red energy that had drained them both finally completed the Emperor's protective shield.

As the shield stabilized under Kishiar's influence, the Emperor’s vessel solidified, signifying the Emperor's transformation into an Awakener.

Yuder dumbly watched as Emperor Kailusa’s lips twitched and his eyelids began to flutter open.

This moment felt incredibly special, even to him who had changed so much in his previous life and the present.

Perhaps it was because of Kishiar, who was unable to take his eyes off the Emperor’s disheveled face, just like Yuder.

"Faria…"

"Ah... Ahh…"

With a cry that wasn’t quite words, the Empress burst into tears, burying her face in the Emperor’s embrace. The chief attendant, guarding the door, fell to his knees, unable to lift his head before this miracle. The Emperor, with dazed eyes, looked at his wife and eventually moved his trembling fingers to embrace her.

Moments later, his gaze slowly shifted towards Kishiar and Yuder sitting on either side of him. His cracked lips twitched faintly. Although he made no sound, Yuder easily understood the word he wanted to say.

Thank you.

As if to celebrate the moment, a loud explosion echoed from somewhere outside the room.

And then there was silence.

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Surviving as a Mage in a Magic Academy

Graduate student Yi-han finds himself reborn in another world as the youngest child of a mage family.

– I’m never attending school, ever again!

‘What do you wish to achieve in life?’

‘I wish to play around and live comforta-‘

‘You must be aware of your talent. Now go attend Einroguard!’

‘Patriarch!’

My future would be guaranteed once I graduate. For my future!