Chapter 27 Father

My son... is amazing.

He is intelligent, creative, understands his two lacking parents, and... maybe he's a better cook than me.

And the most amazing thing about him isn't something small like that.

He has a goal!

Some young teenagers would not have any idea, what they are doing something for.

Why do we study? Why do we read and gain knowledge?

Why does a magician suffer so hard to learn those difficult things?

Why does a person wield a weapon?

Why do we want to get stronger?

'He has the answer for all of them.'

He is barely 6 years, yes... just a 6 years old child!

He said he wanted to protect us.

With straight eyes filled with unprecedented determination.

'I knew those eyes from back then.'

They weren't the eyes of a child. Definitely.

Only someone who has suffered in solitude and loneliness can have so much desire to protect a hard-earned place to belong.

'I know them somewhat because I was like that at one point too.'

But, I had anger driving me back then.

Just pure hatred and anger.

He, on the other hand, had hope in those sharp eyes.

A hope greater and more desperate than any other I had seen.

Hope for life.

A wish to live in present.

Something... that I found only after meeting her.

I still remember that first meeting and that soft hand.

That eventful day... was just precious.

He might be someone who has suffered more than me.

'Being ALONE and being LONELY are different things, and I know that very well.

But the sufferings in both of them.... are just as great.'

From fear to anger, everything hurts if it's piled up over and over.

I was saved but, he could have just ended with all of that.

Alone.

'I can't even fathom the coldness of that suffering.'

But, it was not something of the present.

Now, he is just my cute, little Eon.

An unparalleled magician, or more precisely, a never seen before [Magic Archer].

I put my right hand on his forehead, warmly looking at him.

He was sleeping like a baby.

He trusted me but there was still that accident.

'I had checked them beforehand but, to think they could be used in the way he was trying to use them... it was very amazing!'

What he tried was something like spell combining.

A technique that mages like me mainly use.

But he tried it with enchanted arrows.

And the result that could be achieved by it, was an equivalent force of an arrow powered with (tier-2) wind magic.

But...

'This foolish child could have gotten really hurt. He was reckless this time.'

Though he had his protective gear, if the spell had succeeded... and then backfired as a whole, then it would have been VERY dangerous.

A worried expression shrouded my face.

But, it was ok.

Nothing happened and... that was enough.

One more thing to notice about him was his rapid Mana gathering speed.

Though he had his auxiliary skill to thank, without his daily hard work, it would not be possible.

'He will... soon reach (tier-1).

Fastest for any human to ever reach that level.'

Yes... I was worried but, I was also relieved for a reason.

'Now, I will have real things to teach him.'

The magic truly started from (tier-1).

There were countless spells to learn and countless things to experience.

'Magic' would start from there.

'But, he still needs time.'

With a small smile, I creased his forehead and stood up.

Just as I turned around, I spotted my dear, lovely wife.

Happily watching us from the door.

With a small nod, we smiled and left the room.

***

In a dimly lit bedroom at the corner of the house, we were sitting on our bed, holding hands in the small gap between us.

My hand was a bit sweaty but her was warm.

There were traces of small bumps but... I knew they were from doing her usual paperwork.

There was a strange silence and tension in the room today.

I didn't want to talk about the accident but, what could be her reason for hesitation?

After a moment of silence, she broke the silence and started speaking.

"Grandpa Zhen visited in the morning."

The reason for her hesitation quickly dawned upon me.

A small smile appeared on my face as I asked while tightening my grip on her hand.

"So, it seems that... they gathered almost everything."

"Yes. It should take just two more months. And then..."

A warm smile clicked on her face.

She was desperate to quickly go back... and introduce Eon to everyone.

"Good."

No more words came out of my mouth.

And... that was enough for her.

Resting her head on my shoulder, she closed her eyes.

The room was calm again.

I thought that we would be like this all night but, pouring cold water on the calm... was her sharp question.

"So? When are you going to tell me what happened today?

I know it's about Eon. Hm...?"

She pushed me back on the bed with a terrifying smile.

I knew at that point... it was too late now.

With a cracking voice, I unconsciously tried to explain... just to hear something I definitely expected.

"No-Nolen... I-I can explain everything..."

"Oh, you defiantly will... after I'm finished, that is."

She sat on top of me with that same terrifying smile.

***

With dawn slowly approaching, the horizon was preparing to be dyed in the morning hue of the beautiful rising sun.

Watching this from a large balcony of a huge see blue mention, was a middle-aged figure.

With short hair which perfectly complimented his long and finely braided beard, he looked somewhat intimidating.

But... the aura around him was very different him his large frame.

Though he was tall and had a VERY strong build, he felt strangely approachable.

You would feel like talking to him by just being around him.

It was a strange feeling but, anyone in the empire would know this figure just with a small glance.

"Master."

Turning around, a shadow started to materialize in a human form.

It reflected in his stoic, deep blue eyes.

After a few seconds, the shadow took a form of an old man in a butler uniform.

He had white hair but, his eyes weren't that of an old man.

Although the old man looked very tired with sweat falling from his forehead, he stood straight in front of his master.

Walking back inside the house and motioning the old man to sit, a voice filled with emotions came out of the middle-aged man.

"How were they? Did you see him? How was he doing?"

Though he asked many things at once, the older man understood every single word.

"They are happy and healthy.

Nothing other than young master Eon is just worrying them.

But, well... that's the fun of being parents.

You get to worry about small things while also rejoicing over the same facts."

He was happy seeing the two parents doing so well.

There was joy in his eyes, the joy of a grandfather seeing his grandchildren.

"But, young master Eon is... more amazing than you told me, master.

His eyes and his perception... they ARE good."

A shocked expression appeared on the middle-aged man's face.

Then, it slowly turned into a big smile.

"My little grandson is more than amazing.

He is awesome! Looks like this aging body will have one more person to teach in the future..."

Then, as if to remember something, he punched the table before him.

"Oh! Wait... he is also a mage.

He also has a [Origin Skill].

Hmm... looks like he will have three more people to teach him once he gets here."

He looked at the old butler with a grin on his face.

"Zhen, you will have a student.

After such a long time, you will have someone to really teach something."

The old man laughed heartily.

Seeing his master behave like a grandfather, was something he enjoyed very much.

And, hearing about him being a teacher... was something new.

Something very new that he hadn't done in decades.

Being a teacher... was the same as being a parent.

He was happy. It was displayed with his bright smile.

"Now... we wait.

And when the time comes..."

His eyes took a sharp turn.

The same eyes which were happily laughing were now cold.

As cold as the ancient northern seas.

Something similar was going on with the old man as he too had anger in those wise eyes.

"You can go now."

The middle-aged man closed his eyes as he sat still.

The old butler bowed and left the room.

Now, the large room was left silent, again.

The silence was only broken by the sound of the doors' crack opening.

Two small eyes looked into the room from the half-open door.

The eyes were as blue as the sky. Same as the middle-aged man.

Looking inside was a little girl with bright red hair.

"Carla..."

A smile appeared on the middle-aged man's face.

This meant that it was time.

"Umm! Grandfather caught me again!

You weren't even looking this time~!"

She shouted and ran towards her grandfather.

He stood up and picked her up.

She was a child, maybe around 6 or 7 years old from her size.

Her neatly tied red hair was as beautiful as blood.

She was wearing a training outfit with a sheathed wooden sword hanging around her waist.

"I got up early today!"

Her cute voice was very sweet and there was excitement in her voice.

"You look happy, little one? What's the occasion, hm?"

He asked with a smile but the answer he got was unexpected.

But, it widened the smile on his face.

"Mom said aunt and my little brother, whom you praise so much, will be back soon.

I will spar with him and defeat him.

So... I have to train a bit more."

Laughing, he started walking towards the door.

"You will have to work hard to beat that one, little lady."

Seeing his granddaughter fired up was very cute.

"Oh... that, we will see," she chuckled.

She had an evil smile which, too, looked cute to him.