"Umm, why?" Mrs C who was genuinely confused since she found out that not reading Muku's mind was more fun asked.

She expected him to shout at her for distracting him before. At the very least she thought he would demand compensation for the incident. He was that kind of person after all.

But yet, there he was, giving her a hug. And it was probably the most genuine hug he had ever given her.

" There's no need to act I know you read my mind to find out about my inner turmoil or something like that. Exactly what one would expect from a mother without boundaries..." Muku replied.

He didn't answer her question directly though. However, his words were enough for Mrs C to realise what was happening.

"I... Oh... Umm, that was the last time I read your mind I promise!" Mrs C instantly confessed.

What she was talking about was a very delicate matter actually. It all happened on the day Muku told her about his encounter with the Earth Dragon in the past.

While he spoke stoically at that time. She, who felt that there was something wrong peered into his mind. And what she found surprised her greatly. There was a chaotic storm going on in Muku's mind.

He actually regretted his actions which led to the Earth Dragon's death. As for why, when he literally kills and eats beasts for breakfast, only he knew. She didn't pry any deeper.

Anyway, as a good mother, she obviously wanted to make her child feel better. And how could she do that? Well, obviously she had to bring the beast back to life and have him settle scores with it and move on. There was a point in his Rank-up journey when a clear mind was paramount. So, she wanted him to be in perfect condition for that day.

After all, her biggest desire was for him to reach the peak without any hindrance. She couldn't do anything about his other problems but she could do something about the Earth Dragon issue.

And so she put her plan into motion. The first part was to cancel the initial plan to have him move on to the second floor. He had to take care of his heart demon first...

It was pretty easy to get him on board since he was used to her randomness and unreliability too. This kinda stung her inside that he thought of her like that but such was life...

Anyway, she had achieved the goal she set out to do. She even got thanked for it which was unexpected. But it was a pleasant surprise she accepted wholeheartedly.

"It's okay, there's no need to panic I'm happy you did that" Muku replied as he let go of her and stepped back.

She felt that it was too bad and almost refused to let him go but she held herself back in the end. She didn't want to be seen as a crazy and clingy mother after all.

"Really? Well... I'm glad I could help then. Can you tell me why its death bothered you so much despite everything? It was literally replaying over and over in your head. As you know, I stopped reading your mind. So, I have no Idea" Mrs C asked curiously.

"Oh, that. Thank you for respecting my boundaries again. As for the reason why... It's rather embarrassing actually. But, I will tell you since you helped me so much. The reason why it was playing over and over in my head as you said is because I felt that I had wronged it... You see, ever since I soul-linked with Raya I have found myself seeing beasts a little differently from before. Unlike before when they were just walking KP to me, now I see them as entities on the same level as humans"

"Which was a late realisation considering how many were already as sentient as us even before Raya. But I ignored all that, after all, I had no stakes in the game"

"However, after Raya, my eyes were cleared. From then on... Of course, I didn't become a vegetarian or stop killing them, that would be detrimental to me. However, I did stop killing for fun. I only kill when I need to kill. If I don't, I won't"

"Which is like a tribute to my partner. She also doesn't kill randomly. Which has always been her way of life"

"Anyway, for that reason, when that beast was killed because of me, I guess I was struck with as much guilt as one would feel if they got an innocent person killed"

"While I'm also not a saint to humans. I never hurt the innocent. Let's just say my character shifts based on who I'm interacting with. Which I feel is the way to live in the current world as well as the world before the apocalypse. People can't all be treated the same way..."

"Anyway, for that reason, getting the Earth Dragon killed really didn't sit well with me. It felt quite terrible, which was more than what I could say after my first human and beast kills. Those felt like a simple business transaction to me. So there was no need to involve my emotions. So yeah, I'm really grateful for what you did. Hearing those words from it really set me free" Muku practically poured out every lingering emotion left in his heart with his explanation to Mrs C.

She didn't interrupt him or laugh. She just quietly listened like any good mother when their child tells them about their worries.

"Well... Considering that there is nothing in the soul link which makes one see beasts differently, I think you just used Raya as an excuse to live how you had always wanted to. Somewhere along the lines you realised that other than appearance, beasts and humans aren't too different. In fact, beasts might be a little better than humans in some departments like truthfulness. Unlike humans, most beasts won't stab you in the back. If they hate you they will come at you from the front. Unlike that Area fellow who ambushed you before. Anyway, I'm happy for you son. One really should have a balance. You can't be too nice and you also can't be too cruel. It leaves you with room to adapt to whatever situation comes your way. It's how you reach far on the road to the peak and even beyond if you're talented enough" Mrs C replied.

She expressed her pride in how Muku turned out as well as gave him a little motivation. She even indirectly said that she treats beasts the same way. Not as inferiors but equals. They were different from animals after all.

"I'm glad you agreed with me... Though it's quite odd for me to express myself like this..." Muku replied awkwardly. As a manly man, he had never done that, but Mrs C just made him feel safe. He was spewing out everything before he even realised it.

Maybe that was a mother's ability. She can disarm you completely without even doing anything.

"What? No. It wasn't odd. Look at me, son. I said look at me. That's right, no need to be shy... There's no shame in pouring yourself out to your mother. Even if you get a wife... And a few more in the future. You can still come talk to me about things you're too embarrassed to talk to them about. As your mother, I won't judge you at all. I'm always here for you son. I hope you know that" Mrs C poured a little of herself out to make Muku few better about himself.

And it worked... However, it kinda made him blush. He was literally 21! The way she spoke to him made him feel like he was 12 instead. It even made him blush a little. And so....

"So, since you admitted that that wasn't the real trial. Does that mean I still have to go through the real thing?" Muku switched the topic.

"Well... Let's talk about that after Raya is done with her battle. Don't you want to see her in action? You managed to finish the trial before her this time. Which was quite unexpected" Mrs C went along with what he wanted without making it obvious that she knew what he was doing.

"Oh yeah, Raya. That snake partner of mine. However, can you not say it like I won fairly? We both know that using Force was illegal. It shouldn't have even worked in a mana trial. So you pretty much gave me a cheat I shouldn't have. There's nothing to celebrate about in such a victory" Muku replied in a matter-of-fact tone as he exposed another one of Mrs C's conveniences.

She had set everything up from the start. When he was about to kill the beast before resolving anything, she got involved. When he was losing faith in winning the fight, he realised he could use force.

Which was supposed to also be locked in a mana trial. But hey, there was no way he was going to complain when his a*s was getting burnt off. A win is a win. Though he wouldn't be proud of it.

"Oh... You figured that out too. And here I was hoping you would realise after we've separated with all that's going on. Sigh. Yeah, I let you keep your Force. However, it was supposed to be of little assistance. I didn't know you were so proficient in it to the point that you could retrain and use it so well in such a weak body. You truly are my son! I'm so proud!. However, in the real mana trial. It won't be a thing. So, you better be ready when the time comes" Mrs C confessed.

"Oh, okay. Don't worry. I'll be ready" Muku accepted her confession and the duo then turned to a screen.

On it, Raya could be seen standing in a desert with her eyes closed. Her body was bruised and battered. As for what had happened. Muku didn't know yet.

But the shaking in the sand showed promise of an answer soon enough...