"Now, how about you children come here and have a drink with this old man," he added, his voice sharp. "It's been a long time since I had a drink with my eldest son, don't you think so, Elio?"

Ruele stepped in before Elio had a chance to reply. "I'm sorry, Father, but we're kind of in a hurry right now. Maybe in an hour or so," she said. "Come on, Elio, we need to hurry up."

"R-right, let's move," he followed right behind his wife.

"Hahaha, that's nothing new coming from you two, but this time," Elio's father boomed as his hearty laughter echoed loudly. "I'm afraid things won't go your way this time, little kids," he said with a sardonic smile.

As they entered the forest, Elio turned around to check on his wife. "Ruele, we need to—" But in a fraction of a second, the scenery changed, and both of them found themselves sitting in rusty chairs facing Elio's father.

"Now, now. What's the rush? Is this how you treat your old man now that you're the family head?" he roared at Elio in a mock-serious manner. "My old heart can't take this coldness from my own son anymore," he continued with a playful grin, his delivery reminiscent of a third-rate actor.

Elio knew better than almost anyone else about his father's space manipulation abilities. But he couldn't fathom why his father was there, and most importantly, it seemed like he knew what was going on with Jayden.

"Father, I won't beat around the bush. Jayden ran away from home, and most probably he's going to Grandfather's place," Elio rushed to explain, hoping his father would let them go. "I don't have time to explain; he's alone right now, and something bad could happen to him."

"Oh, I'm aware of that. I saw the little rascal running around the forest," he said nonchalantly, as if it wasn't a big deal. "But I daresay, the kid is one of a kind. Who knows, maybe he'll step up to his grandfather one day, hahaha!" he cackled maniacally.

Ruele couldn't contain her anger any longer. "If you saw Jayden, why didn't you stop him? What if something terrible happened to him in the forest? Are you insane?" she spat the words with fiery indignation.

"Ah, getting schooled by my 'lovely' daughter-in-law. This never gets old," he stopped laughing, but the mischievous glint remained in his eyes.

"But fret not. This old man not only took care of his grandson, but I also aided him with a strengthening potion to reach the forest faster. So, you should thank me. Come here, give your father a hug," he said with open arms, a strange mix of playfulness and veiled threat in his voice.

"Y-you, you did what?! You helped him reach the forest faster? That's it, I'm not staying here anymore," she yelled, attempting to stand up from the chair. "Elio, let's go!"

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

Wanting to leave and being able to leave were two different things. A sudden, overwhelming pressure descended upon them both. Elio and Ruele felt like a mountain had been placed on their shoulders, rendering them barely able to lift a finger.

"W-why are you doing this? Don't you care about your grandson?" Rule pleaded, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Oh, but I do care about my grandson," he answered casually. "That's why this old man will keep you here for a drink. Don't you even see how lovely the weather is outside? Just enjoy it with me for a little, hahaha!" He erupted into another fit of manic laughter.

"Father...I don't understand!" Elio yelled, straining to channel his power to resist the crushing pressure.

"Hoh? You don't understand, you say?" He watched Elio with a chilling smile, then rose from his chair. "Then let your old man refresh your memory a little."

"Pow!"

The sound of a resounding slap echoed through the clearing as Elio's face was nearly caved in by his father's sudden attack. He flew like a bullet from the makeshift stall, crashing through several trees in the process before coming to a stop, facedown, on the forest floor.

"Elio!" Rule screamed, witnessing the horrific scene before her. But no matter how hard she struggled, she couldn't move an inch. Tears streamed down her face, a mixture of fear and fury. Her gaze darted between her almost unconscious husband and his father, who approached Elio with a cold, calculating look.

The playful facade had completely vanished. In its place was a man radiating an aura of raw power.

"Ten years ago," he growled, each word laced with venom. He reached down and grabbed Elio by the collar, hauling him up effortlessly. Elio's head lolled lifelessly, it was an sickening sight.

"Ten years ago, you disregarded thousands of years of sacred traditions of this family," he continued.

Elio's eyelids fluttered open briefly, revealing a haze of confusion and pain. He tried to mumble a response, but a fresh wave of nausea washed over him, forcing him to shut his eyes again.

"You defied everyone when you married this girl and you knew that," his father roared, slamming Elio against a nearby tree. The impact sent a fresh wave of pain through Elio's body, a choked groan escaping his lips.

"You stood against our traditions, our family, and you didn't back down from anything, just to marry the woman you loved.

Ruele screamed, a primal cry of anguish and defiance. Witnessing her husband being brutalized filled her with a desperate rage.

"But with all that," the father continued, his voice cracking slightly, "I, as your father, stood beside you and fought against anyone and anything, silencing every voice in this family that was against you."

He paused, his eyes filled with a flicker of a forgotten emotion, perhaps regret.

"You fought, trained like a madman, and proved everyone wrong with your own powers, and finally you received the recognition you deserved." He clenched his fist, his knuckles turning white with exertion.

"And now, your son wants to stand above his peers, wants to train so he can fight and protect everyone when he grows up," he yelled.

"But his stupid parents are too blind to see that. Isn't it funny how tides are turned? Years ago you stood against your father, and now, your son is doing the same thing to you!"

Elio stirred once again, a flicker of defiance igniting in his eyes. "F-father, it's not—" he croaked, blood trickling down his chin.

"Shut your mouth, you bastard!" His father roared, unleashing a torrent of blows upon Elio. Each punch and kick landed with a sickening thud, the sounds echoing through the silent forest.

Ruele's screams turned into choked sobs as she watched her husband being pummeled. Tears blurred her vision, but she refused to look away.