Noah looked at the small stone in his hand. It seemed like nothing more than an ordinary rock—so plain, it was hard to believe it could awaken something as rare as a soul affinity.

He glanced at his master, frowning.

“How can this help me awaken an affinity? Especially something as rare as soul affinity?”

“You really know nothing about this world—or the ones beyond,” Elira replied with a sigh. “That stone was found in an ancient ruin. I nearly died retrieving it, so make good use of it.”

She paused, letting the weight of her words settle, before continuing.

“Don’t limit your perception. Not born with an affinity—or not the one you want? That doesn’t mean you’re stuck. You can gain one later—either through the Akashic Records or through rare treasures like this.”

“That’s why I want you to explore the world. The academy is useful for building a foundation, and the missions will help you learn more, but…”

She locked eyes with him.

“One day, go beyond. Be free. Unfettered. Discover everything.”

“Accomplish incredible feats. Make your name known.”

She smiled faintly.

“I want my legacy to reach the very top. So make it happen, dear disciple.”

Noah listened intently, then nodded with a serious expression.

“Don’t worry. I will.”

“And incredible feats? Please, Master—you know me by now. I’m already challenging the world’s chosen one. You think I’m afraid of a few achievements?”

He smirked.

“So how about this: stage one of spreading your legacy—defeating the champion?”

Elira returned his smirk. “I’d love that, dear disciple.”

They exchanged a devilish grin.

“Now awaken your affinity,” she said. “Just crush the stone.”

“Got it.”

Noah crushed it in his hand. Immediately, a strange force surged into his body.

His entire frame tensed. His limbs trembled. His eyes went wide as he began to see it—wisps of ethereal energy. Souls. Or at least, soul force.

Inside him, a new affinity was awakening. Compared to his others, it felt weak at first. Incomplete.

But his nature wouldn’t accept that.

[Your title “Limitless” is acting.]

His aura surged, wrapping around the fledgling soul affinity—stretching it, empowering it. Making it… excessive. Boundless.

Limitless.

Minutes passed.

Finally, the transformation ended.

Noah lay on his back, breathing hard.

“So,” she murmured, “what rank did you get?”

He glanced at the system panel and smiled.

[You have awakened the affinity: Soul (SSS rank)]

“SSS rank, it seems.”

Elira raised her eyebrows. “I expected SS at best… but I keep forgetting—you’re an anomaly.”

She pulled out a book and handed it to him.

Soulcraft: The Queen’s Gasp.

“This is my personal soul manipulation skill. I created it after hundreds of years of study and experimentation. Treasure it.”

“With this, you’ll be able to see souls, touch them, manipulate them however you wish. Your only limit… is your imagination.”

“Oh—and yes, it’s an SSS-rank acquired skill. Genius, I know.”

Noah tilted his head playfully. “Wait, did you just say hundreds of years? Master, how old are—?”

He stopped.

Because he felt the killing intent.

“You really got that from everything I just said?” she asked coldly. “Do you want to die?”

Noah swallowed hard. “I-I mean—you must be a timeless beauty…ageless, elegant…like an ancient moon goddess or something….”

He flashed the same sweet, innocent smile he used to give his mother whenever he’d messed up.

Elira clicked her tongue. “Start practicing.”

“You’ll train with me every night. Don’t forget.”

She sat down—seemingly in mid-air.

Noah tilted his head. “Uh…”

“It’s a space chair. You can’t see it because you’re too weak. Don’t bother.”

Noah wisely shut his mouth and started training.

But fatigue caught up with him. After everything he’d done today, exhaustion settled deep into his bones.

Not even an hour later, he fell asleep.

Elira walked over silently and knelt beside him. Gently, she lifted his head and laid it on her lap, making him more comfortable.

She gazed at his face for a while.

Noah was truly handsome. His features were soft, refined—he had a beauty you couldn’t ignore.

Then the voices started.

‘Are you falling for him already?’

‘Wow, Elira… this is fast. You’re not usually this sentimental.’

‘Is it just because he’s pretty? Don’t be ridiculous—you’ve seen better-looking men.’

‘Ohhh, maybe she just likes younger boys. I told you she was suspicious. Now do you believe me?’

Elira’s voice cut through them like a blade.

“Say one more word, Nicole, and I’ll trap you inside a puppet I’ll feed to a dog.”

Silence.

‘Wow. Shifting back to your vulgar side the moment he sleeps. Tsk tsk. I’ve failed as a teacher.’

‘Indeed you have.’

‘Told you to let me raise her. Now look.’

The voices kept bickering. Somehow, Elira tolerated it.

She tuned them out and focused on the boy in her lap.

She didn’t know why, but she was starting to like him. Fast.

Brave. Talented. Intelligent. Audacious.

He would do anything to reach his goal.

How could she not like someone like that?

She smiled softly.

“Grow strong, dear disciple.”

“I’ll protect you until you do.”

She gently brushed his cheek.

‘Damn, she really is a pedo—’

“Nicole,” Elira snapped. “Out. One week inside a puppet.”

A soul was yanked from within her—a man with beast-like features. Panic on his face.

“Wait, I was joking! Elira, stop—!”

She didn’t care.

“AH, FUCK—!”

Gone. Trapped in a puppet.

…

Elsewhere in the academy’s library, a girl sat at a table, face serious as she read.

You’d think she was studying forbidden magic or some world-ending secret.

But no. The title of the book was:

“How to act with your friend.”

It was Yuki.

She was reading the book intently, trying to figure out how to interact with Noah—her first, and only, friend.

Her teacher had told her friendship was sacred. Something rare. Something to treasure.

And Noah… was a good friend.

“He’s willing to teach me that incredible sword technique… just because we’re friends,” she muttered.

She nodded to herself, satisfied with her conclusion.

She was adorable.

Unfortunately, the book she was reading wasn’t exactly the best reference.

“You must hug your friend every time you see them.”

“Friends can hold hands.”

“You must not keep secrets from your friend. Be honest and transparent.”

“One best friend is enough. Never betray them by finding another.”

Yuki nodded along with every line.

By the end, only one thought remained in her head.

“Yes. Noah is Yuki’s only best friend. And I will never betray him by finding another.”

“Now I know how to act with him.”

She stood, proud of herself, and headed back to her room with a determined expression.

Ready to be the perfect best friend.

—End of Chapter 53—

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Madara Web Novel