Third Person's POV
"Mother, how old are you?"
Xironia arched a brow, setting her book down with a soft thud. "Where's this sudden curiosity coming from?" She patted the space next to her, inviting him to join with a mischievous smile tugging at her lips.
Alaric, never one to pass up an invitation, crawled over with exaggerated effort and flopped down next to her, the bed sinking under him with a satisfying pwoof.
"I’m around one hundred and forty-five," Xironia replied, poking his cheek, a glint of amusement in her eyes. Her voice dropped playfully, “Your mama’s ancient.”
“Terrible joke.” Alaric’s face remained flat, but he took her hand in his, turning on the charm with a gentlemanly expressioin. "From what I can see, my mother is as young and beautiful as a spring breeze."
Xironia chuckled softly, shaking her head, though she looked pleased.
“You do realize I am only one hundred and fifteen, right?”
“Old man,” Xironia chimed in.
“Old man,” Alaric echoed, the two turned their gazes in sync toward the voice, Novius was sitting near the window enjoying the cool night breeze.
He looked at their joint stares, "Hey, that’s not fair! I’m the ‘younger’ one, remember?" He threw his hands up in mock indignation.
Unfazed, Alaric crossed his arms, the stare between them unchanged, as if their silent accusation screamed, Old man.
“Father,” Alaric said with utmost seriousness, “men just get older and crankier. Ladies? They only grow more refined and stunning.”
Novius' deadpan stare lingered on his son for a moment, while Xironia, clearly delighted, snuggled closer to Alaric with a smug smile.
“Xironia, you’re not a good influence on kids,” Novius groaned, shaking his head as he walked over to the bed. His lips curved into a wicked grin, and he looked at Alaric with a look of playful malice. "And you."
Alaric barely had a moment to react before Novius pounced, fingers darting to his sides, mercilessly tickling him.
“Hahaha—st—stop!" Alaric gasped between helpless laughter, squirming and writhing under the assault.
“Look at you panting like an old man," Novius teased, continuing until Alaric could barely breathe.
Alaric’s breath came in ragged gasps, his chest heaving from the relentless tickling. The moment Novius released him, he collapsed back onto the bed, sandwiched between his parents.
"I’m going to slee—"
"Not so fast. You’re staying right here," Xironia interrupted, pulling him closer, while Novius shifted in, trapping Alaric between them. Any attempt to escape was quickly smothered by their embrace.
Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.
Alaric sighed, surrendering to the inevitable, and let his eyes flutter shut. Soon, the gentle rise and fall of his parents' breathing surrounded him, the quiet of the Athran manor settling like a soft blanket over the night.
[I told you the eyes weren't wrong.]
Alaric peeked by opening his eyes a bit, checking if both his parents were asleep before opening them fully.
‘You can’t blame me for double-checking. You don’t really act like someone who is a picture of reliability.’
[That’s only because you’re too weak to unlock my full potential.]
Alaric sighed, he was being called weak too much. He knew he was weak, he could tell that without those eyes. He groaned internally, his gaze flicking toward the hovering panels with mild frustration.
During the evening when he was being questioned, Alaric had decided to use [Eyes of Panoptes] and unlike last time, they worked.
[Name: Novius Athran]
[Age: 115]
[Title: The Strongest Blue Stage Cultivator]
[Core: Blue]
[Level: 69]
[Mana: 90]
[Talent: Peak]
[Vitality: ??]
[Strength: ??]
[Defence: ??]
[Speed: ??]
[Intelligence: ??]
[Stamina: ??]
[Host is too weak, [Eyes of Panoptes] couldn't scan the target.]
[Name: Xironia Athran]
[Age: 145]
[Title: Lady of the Night]
[Core: Yellow]
[Level: 58]
[Mana: 75]
[Talent: Peak]
[Vitality: ??]
[Strength: ??]
[Defence: ??]
[Speed: ??]
[Intelligence: ??]
[Stamina: ??]
[Host is too weak, [Eyes of Panoptes] couldn't scan the target.]
[Name: Valen Everhart]
[Age: 42]
[Title: Butler of Athran household]
[Core: Green]
[Level: 38]
[Mana: 40]
[Talent: Good]
[Vitality: ??]
[Strength: ??]
[Defence: ??]
[Speed: ??]
[Intelligence: ??]
[Stamina: ??]
[Host is too weak, [Eyes of Panoptes] couldn't scan the target.]
Alaric looked at the three panels hovering, he’d thought about testing it on more people in the room, but when his gaze drifted toward his grandmother, Aurelia’s narrowed eyes met his, sharp as if they’d caught him in the act. Her gaze was enough for Alaric to decide that it was enough for today.
'Not like I need stats for that. Granny is stronger than Mother obviously and weaker than Father.'
[Task: Master the Rank-1 skill [Fireball]]
[Reward: 10,000 Aurel Points]
'What do you mean 'Master', didn't i master it today? There is nothing else written in the book.' Alaric had completed everything the book had but this task was asking him to do something beyond that, or maybe something totally different.
[I will guide you in that tomorrow.]
'Woah, it is not a 'I can't tell you' this time. Finally planning to be useful, I see,’ Alaric muttered still interested in the task.
[╰（‵□′）╯ It's not that I am not telling you. I am simply not allowed.]
'Woah, emoticons.'
[Yeah! I just found out I can use these too, Anyways go to sleep, a young child like you needs sleep to grow.]
'Uh y-yeah, Alright.' Alaric turned the panel off before heaving a sigh.
"Huh, Al, are you still up?" Suddenly Alaric heard a voice and he jolted slightly, caught off guard.
"Mother, I just… had a bad dream," Alaric mumbled, hoping his excuse sounded convincing as he shut his eyes.
Xironia looked at him, a small smile appearing on her face and her arms that were wrapped around Alaric tightened, pulling him against her and she caressed his back, "Don't worry, Mama will always be here to protect."
Alaric looked up, his lips parted, but he saw the close-eyed smile Xironia had. Without thinking, Alaric wrapped his arms around her in return, her warmth and gentle embrace pulling him into an unexpected sleep, nestled between his parents.