Alix pulls a small vial from his coat—a deep violet liquid swirling inside like smoke caught in water. He unstoppers it and presses it gently to her lips.
"Drink," he orders.
Karnessa obeys without question. The potion is bitter, sharp—like metal and herbs mixed with fire. But within seconds, warmth spreads through her limbs. The shaking slows. The chill fades. She breathes more evenly.
Her voice comes weakly. "That… was a mana potion?"
Alix nods once. "A high-grade one. You needed it."
Karnessa watches him, silent for a moment. Then she speaks, her voice low, almost hesitant.
"…Master, why?"
Alix looks at her.
"Why are you helping me?" she asks. "I'm… I'm a monster. My whole life, I was treated like something to be shackled or sold. This is the first time I've ever seen a human treat a slave monster like this."
Alix doesn't answer immediately.
Then, slowly, his hand rises—and brushes across the side of his face.
The illusion fades.
