Chapter 254: Joy

Chapter 254: Joy

Seeing his parents again, Bran was excited, even a little carried away. But when faced with their questions, concern, and advice, he seemed distracted. Normal methods were useless against him now, and in Bran’s view, such worries were completely unnecessary.

If they couldn’t first restrain him at the mana level, just physical attacks were hardly effective anymore. But to achieve restraint at the mana level, one had to at least touch the edge of the Sea of Magic. Bran believed there weren’t many creatures like that.

And even rarer were those who could go a step further and step into the Sea of Magic. Only these creatures would pose a real threat to him. But the Sea of Magic was desolate, and Bran hadn’t found many traces of other beings. This meant it was still safe for now; he still had time to refine his own mana.

After entering and leaving the Sea of Magic several times, Bran recently began to experience some new changes. His once seemingly perfect Body of Magic now appeared somewhat mottled in his eyes.

After waking from his sleep within the Sea of Magic, Bran discovered his mana was becoming more refined. It wasn’t obvious at first, but as time passed, this change gradually accelerated. His mana began to renew itself from the inside out.

More importantly, after establishing a connection with the Sea of Magic, although the external environment could still affect him, it was difficult to truly suppress him, because he was no longer resisting alone using only his own strength.

He had become part of that Tributary within the Sea of Magic. The erosion not only brought harm but also brought power, which was why he was reluctant to break free from it.

Perhaps the erosion of mana had already affected his judgment, making it hard for him to resist the temptation of power. Bran shook his head, trying to convince himself again: I have long been one with mana; the erosion cannot sway my will, everything is just a choice—my choice.

His parents were still chattering nonstop by his ear, so Bran decided to put on a little show to set their minds completely at ease. He turned his head and grinned at them, an expression that instantly put Mr. and Mrs. Winchehil on alert.

“You really don’t need to worry about those swords and weapons hurting me.” As he spoke, Bran waved his hand at a rock by the roadside. Then, right before everyone’s eyes, the rock turned to dust. After that, it was reshaped and restored.

“Just like this rock, without the protection of mana, any weapons aimed at me would end up the same way.” Watching his parents’ wary eyes, the smile on Bran’s face grew more obvious. “And besides, what if they did hit me?”

With those words, Bran raised his hand and lightly patted his own head. Under the horrified gazes of his parents and brother, his head burst open with a puff, turning into a ball of gray mist. That ball of mist, under his control, gradually disappeared beneath his robes.

Bran now looked like a headless corpse, his neck as smooth as a mirror. That bowl-sized hole was pitch black, with no trace of flesh or blood. He stretched out his arms and hopped in place a few times, a strange, muffled laugh coming from his chest. Following the laughter, a puff of gray smoke shot out from his neck. After drawing a beautiful arc, it fell back into his chest.

Bran reached out and gently stroked the broken neck area, as if feeling that wasn’t convincing enough, he reached inside and poked around. Then he asked, “Now do you believe me? Nothing can hurt me.”

Only after his parents repeatedly promised did Bran reluctantly return to normal. The moment he was back, his mother pulled him into a hug, patting him down and checking him all over. After the check, she gave him a hard smack.

Mr. and Mrs. Winchehil, who had nearly been scared to death by Bran, were still pale-faced. They also warned him never to play like that again; it was too dangerous!

Bran blinked and explained, “Actually, in that state, I’m at my safest.”

Aki didn’t understand at first and stared at him, curiosity in his voice, “Without a head? Besides being a bit scary, I don’t see how that’s safe.”

Bran glanced at him and decided to open his eyes. So, under Aki’s watchful gaze, his clothes and armor fell to the ground and his whole body turned into a swirling gray mist that circled Aki a few times.

As Aki’s curiosity was satisfied, Mr. and Mrs. Winchehil smacked him at the same time. Aki grimaced and began to complain, “I didn’t make him change!”

The gray mist swirled and shifted, and Bran’s voice came from within, “Actually, this is better. It’s comfortable and safe.”

Mr. and Mrs. Winchehil almost said in unison, “Change back right now!”

“Okay.” With the reply, the ball of gray mist wrapped around the clothes scattered on the ground. After a wriggling motion, Bran reappeared there, his clothing disheveled.

Seeing Bran like this, Mr. and Mrs. Winchehil were both annoyed and amused and began straightening his clothes. Bran seized the opportunity to explain, “This armor and clothing are almost gaining a spirit of their own. I really can’t bear to break them down and rebuild them, so wearing them without exposure is a bit tricky.

But, well, I’ve had some ideas lately.”

“Take us into the city first. We can talk about that later.”

They had just met, and Bran had already given them a fright. They had a feeling that more trouble awaited them…

…

The arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Winchehil brought joy to many.

Mary felt her wedding was finally settled and wouldn’t be postponed again and again; the Delegation lingering in Northland City felt they saw hope, finally having someone to negotiate with.

Bran spent most of his time still holding Huahua and staring eye-to-eye with the Ancient Tree. He didn’t think his parents could really get involved in matters here. The Delegation could talk to anyone they wanted; he’d only watch the commotion. From the very start, he never intended to give any promises to these people or their countries. For him, that was the most advantageous choice.

The world was unpredictable, and Bran knew he had no great foresight. What he had right now was power, unmatched power. Any promise would only be a restriction on how he used that power.

Without promises, people would feel like a knife was constantly at their throats. Under pressure, most would only retreat again and again, and find reasonable excuses for their retreats.

Bran felt some things needed to be taken slowly, to slowly become habits. For example, letting these people bring gifts as tokens of regard every year or so. After a few years, all this would become the norm. These people would gradually get used to their subordinate status.