Smiley

Sylvia had finished with her tests, she gave Matheson back some bodily control. Not all of it, but some.

Matheson had sensed mana by himself for the first time, despite all the pain and mental trauma, he couldn't help but grin madly, his eyes still bloodshot.

“...Why are you smiling?” Sylvia asked, seeming genuinely concerned this time.

Matheson only leant his head back and smiled, holding onto the feeling of mana sense and imprinting it in his mind.

“...Ok smiley. I'll be back later.”

Matheson ignored her as she left, but couldn't help but repeat what she said...

“Smiley....” he grinned madly, “Smiley.”

Some part of him, deep in his heart was filled with joy.

It was his new name.

Smiley sat there, accepting his new name and continued to focus on the mana, remembering the teachings that Viladore ruthlessly hammered into him.

- - -

[Your skeleton has died]

[Your skeleton has died]

“What the fuck?” Jay stopped meditating.