40 Heinz

Austin remained sitting against the tree for two more hours. His body was depleted of mana from activating his Magical Eyes and needed time to recover. The best way to do this was to not move too much and exert minimal energy.

Because Austin was still a Bronze Class Mage, his total mana was not very high and his energy is easily consumed. This was especially the case when using his Godly Grade skill Magical Eyes. To be able to see through all Magic is a nature-defying power and the expenditure of using it must be naturally high.

Depending on what he was using Magical Eyes on, the mana used also increases. For example, he was only able to last half a second when analyzing the necklace Elizabeth gave him. Meanwhile, he could maintain Magical eyes for around five seconds when looking at Maya's body and checking her Attributes, indicating the level of Magic between the two.

For Austin, who has comprehended all five Rank 0 spells to 100%, the purity of his mana is already as high as it can be, being leagues above any other Bronze Class 0 Star Mages. Since mana purity is a measure of a Mage's mana storage and recovery rate, Austin is similarly top-notch in these aspects as well.

Nevertheless, Austin was still at the bottom of Fantasia in terms of strength, and this was brutally shown when they were ambushed. Although he managed to take down one of the assassins, it was only a consequence of their carelessness and a large part due to luck. In the end, he was not able to prevent the current circumstances at all. Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please click www.novelhall.com for visiting.

Bram's wellbeing is unknown, Elena is stuck in a concerning state of unconsciousness, and they are in completely unknown territory. Austin knew that the Royal Nation was the only place on the continent that was truly safe. It was the first time they had been outside of it and neither Bram or Elena with him.

Unless it was the weakest Rank 5 Nations, every other Nation was a victim to war by a lesser Nation aiming to claim its territory.

Austin couldn't remember the last time he felt so weak and vulnerable with someone he needed to protect at his side.

"Autin..." A tired voice murmured, breaking his thoughts.

"Are you awake this time?" Austin chuckled, teasing Maya for her earlier action of waking up and falling asleep again straightaway.

If Maya was not here, he would be worrying a great deal more. Her warmth provided some peace of mind and comforted him, like cradling a sleeping baby in one's arms.

"mm, yes!" she said loudly, meeting Austin's eyes with curled lips. Her fierce expression showing her dislike of being made fun of.

Austin couldn't resist patting Maya's head with how lovable she looked.

Maya was easily appeased. Dropping her little bout of anger, she unconsciously closed her eyes and smiled, enjoying Austin's gentle touch.

Austin could tell Maya tried to be strong on the outside but was rather really lonely. Without any parents as a child her age, she must have received very little affection in her life. Seeing how happy she became, clearly Maya had always been longing for some form of love.

However, Austin had a strong belief that even if Maya continued to grow up in this place of solitude, she would never become someone cold and uncaring. From the nervousness she felt for Elena, who was a stranger she had never met before, Austin saw a kindness that could not be faked, it was part of her very nature.

But what Austin couldn't understand was why Maya was living in the woods here where no one else stayed. There wasn't anything wrong with her health, and she did not have problems being around anyone else either. This was obvious from how easily she talked and opened up to him. Rather, she seemed to have always wanted to have someone else to talk to judging by the anxiousness in her introduction. She had definitely spent time practicing saying her name, age and like for water, perhaps by using her reflection in the clear pond.

Just as Austin was about to prepare something to eat knowing they would both be hungry, he abruptly felt a hostile vibe, immediately drawing his attention.

Maya still sat between his laps before she jumped up, seeing the person who had arrived.

"Brother!" She excitedly ran forwards and into his arms.

"Maya! I was worried because you weren't at home. Good thing I found you here..."

The newcomer was a young boy who was a little taller than Austin. His age had to be no less than ten. The boy had an amiable expression as he turned to him, but Austin felt something wrong in his gaze, almost like it was being forced.

"I'm Heinz, Maya's brother. Looks like you've been taking care of her, thanks. I've never seen you around here before."

Heinz's greeting was warm but Austin felt the same irregularity in his voice that was in his eyes.

Before he came over, Austin saw Heinz quickly scan over the place and take note of Elena's position. He tried to do it stealthily but of course, Austin would not miss it.

Since Elena's safety was at risk, his alertness had never dropped since arriving.

"Hello, I'm Austin. We ended up here yesterday by accident because my Mother got hurt." Austin pointed to Elena to show Heinz she was here. Heinz glanced over and his eyes flashed, nodding as if he had just seen her. "She hasn't woken up for a while and Maya has been helping me take care of her."

"Yep!" Maya nodded. She was in a cheerful mood with Heinz here.

Heinz had midnight black hair of the same fineness as Laura's that almost reached his eyes and seems to not have been cut in a long time. He was definitely related to Maya as they had similar facial features, but the brownness of his eyes was a lot darker in comparison, bordering on black. As he was still smiling, Austin could see some straining on his face, implying he did not smile often.

Austin could not help but feel something was odd. If it wasn't for him playing close attention, he might have missed when Heinz had already seen Elena laying on the grass earlier. Half her figure was blocked by the tree and the other half by Austin so it required one to purposely look and have keen eyes to spot her. He was clearly still a child yet nearly bypassed Austin's acute awareness.

"Brother! Help us carry Auntie to our house so she can sleep on the bed!" Maya excitedly requested. Now that Heinz was here they would be able to move Elena. Maya's bright eyes showed that she hadn't stopped worrying about Elena.

"Yes, of course. Let's do that."

When Heinz looked at Maya, his smile became a lot more natural.

Most likely catering to Maya, he then added. "You should stay at our house until your Mother wakes up. I think Maya would like that as well," There was a weird glint in his eyes as Heinz said this and he seemed to grasp onto Maya tighter.

Maya kept nodding her little head up and down like she was the most excited she had ever been.

"Sure, thanks a lot." Taking two seconds before voicing his response, Austin agreed. He couldn't keep Elena in her state on the ground after all and he trusted Heinz more than any other random stranger. Although that trust mainly came from Maya...

The three of them reached a conclusion and got to work. Austin went to support Elena's shoulder first, letting Heinz carry her legs. He made sure to keep Heinz in his vision the entire time but it seemed normal Austin's gaze was trained in his direction.

"Autin, Brother! You can do it! Gogo, our house is very close!"

Maya tried carrying Elena in the beginning but quickly realized she was not able to help at all and her expression turned very sour. She decided to cheer them on instead and worriedly looked at them from time to time.

It was a very slight difference, but Austin could see Heinz putting in more effort when Maya turned around.  Even more obvious, was the smile that broadened each time.

Austin thought back to the murderous intent he felt before Heinz arrived...