Chapter 69: A different perspective. "Right," Noah replied with casualness, turning his attention back to Moon’s glowing leaves. "Well, since you’re here, do you want to buy something? Or are you just here for the free entertainment?" Two can play at this game. Lola’s smirk widened at his deflection, clearly recognising his improved resistance to her charm offensive. Instead of pushing harder, she seemed almost... pleased by his development. "Actually," she said, settling more comfortably against the wall. "I am curious about your new... companion." Her ruby eyes remained on the Demonica Moonburgh with genuine interest rather than seductive mischief. "I got it as payment for a loaf of bread and a glass of iced tea." Lola’s eyebrow arched with genuine surprise. "That’s a good deal, I must say." Her voice carried a note Noah hadn’t heard before, as if she was suspicious. "This species of demonica plants is quite rare. There’s only one person in Sin City who could supply you with this..." One person. That sounds ominous. Noah raised an eyebrow. He didn’t know that Vex was the only one who could supply this plant. "Viscount Vex gave it to me." It seems like that noble demon has quite the fame. The look of surprise on Lola’s face melted into something approaching mild interest. That reaction suggests Vex isn’t just some eccentric flower enthusiast. "Vex," she repeated slowly. Her ruby eyes darted between Noah and the Demonica Moonburgh with the intensity of someone reassessing an entire situation. "And he just... gave it to you? As payment?" The way she’s looking at me has changed. Like I just revealed something significant without realising it. Noah felt the familiar prickle of walking into information he didn’t fully understand. The plant continued its gentle glowing beside him, oblivious to the sudden tension its origins had created. "He seemed happy with the trade," Noah replied carefully, watching Lola’s face for clues about whatever landmine he’d stepped on. "He said his flower companion, Precious, insisted I’d appreciate quality flora." Lola chuckled softly, covering her mouth as if she’d found something genuinely amusing. "Oh, this is fascinating." "You really don’t know, do you?" Know what? And why does everyone in this kingdom speak in riddles? Lola laughed at his expression, the look of a man lost in an information desert without a map. "Vex owns an entire acre filled with rare demonica plants," she explained, her amusement evident on her face. "He treats most of them like his children. Powerful demons, wealthy merchants, even nobility come to him constantly, begging to trade for just one specimen." An entire acre. Of course, the flower-obsessed viscount has a whole farm filled with man-eating plants. "But he refuses them all, every single request, no matter how generous the offer. Those plants are his precious family." Noah’s mouth opened slightly. I casually accepted something that powerful demons can’t buy. "For him to give you one of his rarest species...he must really like you." ... Lola decided to buy her usual order of a loaf and a drink. The transaction proceeded smoothly. Lola placed thirty golden coins on the counter, and Noah retrieved the bread and iced tea without changing his established pricing structure. Despite my daily income jumping to fifty golden coins, keeping loyal customers happy matters more than short-term profit maximisation. The succubus had proven herself a reliable patron, and Noah’s business philosophy favoured relationship building over aggressive pricing strategies. Who knows? Perhaps this succubus might give me a valuable item, just like Vex. Lola uncorked the iced tea with a satisfying pop sound, taking a small sip that triggered the expected soft sound of appreciation. But instead of her typical seductive performance, she seemed more focused on the conversation. "So..." she began, settling into a comfortable position on the floor while breaking off a piece of healing bread. "I saw you practising magic earlier. It seems like you’re very close to becoming a novice mage." Right...Lola is a master mage; perhaps she could help me break through faster. Noah nodded, stroking Moon’s glowing leaves absently. "I’m working on my mana control, I can sense everything, feel the power flowing through channels, but actually using it...is still quite hard." He shrugged with mild frustration. "Mmm." Lola chewed thoughtfully, her ruby eyes studying his expression. "The barrier between sensing and manipulating is always the most challenging threshold for new mages." "Most people try to force their way through," she continued, taking another sip of the iced tea. "They grasp at mana like trying to catch flowing water with their bare hands. But this always ends up in their failure to attain it." Noah’s attention increased. This wasn’t just a theoretical discussion; she was offering practical advice based on actual experience. "What’s the alternative?" Lola smiled. "Stop trying to control the mana. Start thinking about becoming part of its flow." Become part of the flow. That’s... actually a good way of thinking about it. "Hmm...I had thought of letting it move through my consciousness naturally," Noah replied, curious about the distinction. "That’s correct...albeit, it’s only the foundation work," "What you are talking about is the essential basics, the basics needed to feel mana around you. But breakthrough requires understanding that mana isn’t separate from you." "It’s an extension of your will, think of it like it’s your life force, your very existence." She gestured toward Moon, whose leaves pulsed with absorbed magical energy. "You see your plant there?" Noah nodded, looking at Moon, glowing with energy around it. "It doesn’t control the mana it absorbs. It becomes one with it, integrates the power into its essential nature." "Similarly, the storage ring on your finger. It responds to mana that feels like part of its owner, not mana being forced into compliance. Hence, the reason that only the owner is able to use the storage ring and access its content." "Try this...Instead of reaching for mana during your next practice session, imagine your consciousness expanding to include the magical energy around you. Don’t pull it toward yourself—grow into it." She suggested, finishing her bread with obvious satisfaction.