The Hidden Extra: The Lazy Prince Refuses to Ascend The Throne Chapter 713 Fainted

The intricate design of the human body, a marvel of convergence with thousands of blood vessels leading to the heart.

Yet, in this realm, certain individuals are endowed with extraordinary gifts like magic, swordsmanship, and other potent abilities.

A majority of these gifted people possess a peculiar nexus near their heart, widely recognized as a power center.

From this core, mana streams forth, empowering mages to cast incantations and enabling swordsmen to unleash strikes with awe-inspiring force.

It is this power center that grants a swordsman like Evalyn her exceptional physical prowess, lightning-fast reflexes, and resilience far exceeding that of an ordinary person.

This very nexus, Nolan had intentionally subdued. Now, Evalyn found herself reduced to a fragile, helpless woman.

And this vulnerability was precisely the catalyst needed to push her body beyond its perceived limitations.

"Hah… Hah… Hah…"

A distant echo of Evalyn's strained gasps could be heard. Her complexion was alarmingly pale, as if all lifeblood had been leached away.

Her legs quivered uncontrollably, and a sheen of perspiration clung to her form-fitting attire, subtly outlining her physique—her torso and bust—beneath the damp fabric.

"What troubles you? Growing weary already? You've only completed eight circuits, mind you," Nolan quipped, his tone laced with playful mockery.

"Hah… Hah…" Evalyn yearned to offer a sharp retort, but her breath came in too ragged a rhythm to even form a single coherent word.

Ultimately, after ten grueling laps, her physical reserves were utterly depleted, and she succumbed, collapsing onto the ground.

A sudden jolt of alarm shot through Nolan, and he rushed to her side without delay. A swift examination of her vital signs confirmed his suspicion: Evalyn had lost consciousness.

"What? She fainted?" Nolan's eyebrows lifted in mild surprise. He swiftly maneuvered her body and placed his right palm firmly against her chest.

Thankfully, her heartbeat persisted, albeit erratic and rapid.

"Master, what happened to Sister Evalyn?" Eira's voice, tinged with concern, drifted from behind them.

Nolan turned, a gentle smile gracing his lips. "Fear not. She merely overexerted herself."

Scooping Evalyn into his arms in a princess carry, he declared, "Let us return indoors. You must be famished, no? I shall instruct the servants to prepare some refreshments."

The mere mention of 'food' elicited a bright spark in Eira's eyes.

"Mhhm! Let's eat!"

***

"Nolan, what is your ambition?"

A young maiden posed the question to the handsome young man beside her.

He stroked his chin thoughtfully for a brief moment before responding with characteristic calm, "My aspiration is to find repose."

"Repose? Do you mean… idleness?" The girl inquired, her eyes wide with innocent curiosity.

"Precisely! I wish to be idle," the boy affirmed with conviction. "Being a prince entails such tiresome duties and immense burdens. Thus, my dearest wish is to simply recline in a sun-dappled meadow, feeling the gentle caress of the breeze."

His gaze drifted upwards towards the vast expanse of the cerulean sky, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"That would indeed be blissful, wouldn't it?"

The girl gazed into his violet eyes, momentarily captivated, before her face broke into a radiant smile.

"Then, I shall ensure your dream becomes a reality!" she declared, rising gracefully and spreading her arms wide. "I will ascend as the new champion of this era and usher in an age of tranquility for this world! That way, no peril shall ever disturb your peace. What do you think?"

Nolan appeared taken aback by her fervent declaration. He met her earnest, round gaze and then responded with a broad, genuine smile.

"That is a most intriguing notion. Let us seal it with a pinky promise."

He extended his left pinky, and the girl swiftly entwined hers with it.

"A promise spanning a millennium," they vowed in unison. "By this pact, we are bound, and we shall see it fulfilled one day."

Their eyes met, and shared laughter bubbled forth.

The melodious sound of their mirth resonated through the air, carrying a warmth that felt profoundly harmonious.

***

"Ugh…"

Evalyn slowly peeled open her heavy eyelids, her gaze alighting upon the familiar ceiling of her chamber.

"My room?" she murmured, a slight furrow creasing her brow.

An attempt to sit upright sent searing pain coursing through her entire being.

As she pushed herself further, the discomfort intensified, eliciting a sharp hiss of pain.

"What transpired? How did I come to be in this state?"

Her recollection was fragmented, a hazy blur. Gradually, however, the events began to surface in her mind, causing her eyes to widen in recollection.

"I collapsed earlier!" she exclaimed in astonishment. A glance downwards revealed her attire had been replaced with a soft nightgown.

"Did Nolan handle this?"

The mere contemplation of that man attending to her clothing sent a jolt of nervous excitement through her heart.

As her thoughts drifted to an imagined scene of Nolan undressing her, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed from the hallway.

The door creaked open, admitting Nolan, who entered carrying a tray laden with a comforting bowl of corn soup, a plate of savory stir-fried meat accompanied by crisp vegetables, and a refreshing glass of water.

"Ah? You have awakened? What a fortunate coincidence. I've brought you something to eat."

He carefully placed the tray upon the bedside table.

Evalyn jolted back to the present, her whisper a soft apology, "Thank you."

She attempted to rise again, but her body remained stubbornly unresponsive to her commands.

Nolan swiftly approached her, taking her right hand in his. With his other hand supporting her back, he assisted her in sitting up. Though still painful, the discomfort had lessened significantly, and Evalyn could finally maintain an upright position.

Once she was propped against the headboard, Nolan retrieved the bowl of corn soup and offered it to her.

"Is this soup?" she inquired, her gaze falling upon the contents of the bowl.

Evalyn accepted the bowl, a hint of surprise flickering in her eyes as she observed the thick, yet invitingly sweet-smelling soup.

"Corn soup," Nolan responded succinctly.

"You made this?" Evalyn asked, tilting her head slightly as she looked at him.

"Who else would have?" Nolan let out a soft chuckle. "Come now, spare me the questions and just eat."

Evalyn nodded in agreement. Picking up a spoon, she took a tentative sip.

The taste was a delightful balance of sweet, savory, and a hint of saltiness. The flavors melded harmoniously, creating an experience that was both delicate and invigorating.

"It's delicious! Your cooking is always amazing!" Evalyn exclaimed with genuine praise.

It had been four years since Nolan frequently visited the Lionheart family, often preparing meals for her to sample.

Initially, Evalyn had harbored doubts about his culinary skills. However, she was proven wrong; Nolan's cooking was consistently exquisite.

"I'm glad you think so. By the way, how is your body feeling? Is the pain still severe?"

Nolan sat on the edge of the bed, his eyes scanning Evalyn from head to toe with a meticulous intensity.

"The pain persists. It feels as though my very bones are being ground to dust," Evalyn replied, her voice weak. "Speaking of which, what exactly happened to me? You never truly explained the situation, did you?"

This was the very first time she had ever felt so utterly vulnerable. The sensation of being physically weak—completely devoid of strength—was a terrifying one she had never anticipated.

"I have sealed your power center," Nolan stated, gesturing towards the center of her chest. "You are now no stronger than an ordinary person... in fact, you are even weaker than that."

Evalyn took another sip of soup, her thoughts turning inward.

"Then what is the purpose of this training?"

"It is to push past your body's inherent limitations," Nolan answered with directness. "Your cultivation has always been dependent on your power center. Consequently, your body only achieved strength through its support. Without it, you are, in reality, weaker than an average individual. This deficiency must be rectified."

A power center, it was known, could vanish without warning due to unforeseen circumstances or accidents. While such occurrences were rare, the possibility remained.

"So that's how it is..." Evalyn murmured, a sense of understanding dawning upon her.

She lifted her head, a gentle smile gracing her lips.

"Thank you, Nolan."

"It's too early for thanks." Nolan lightly tapped her forehead with his index finger. "Eat well now, and make sure to get plenty of rest. We will resume training tomorrow. The contest is fast approaching, and we have limited time."

With his final words, he rose and departed, leaving Evalyn by herself.

Evalyn gazed down at the bowl of corn soup in her hands, whispering to herself, "What a cold man..."