Just after Celeste was brought to the other room, back at the office, the four men were having a discussion.

“Father, you're saying..."

“Hah... Those are the water spirit's words. The girl was given Undine's blessing. I had the pleasure of the experience,” Gideon nodded, repeatedly shrugging his hand. By this time, there wasn't even a trace of the previous frost on his sleeves.

“Then, do you think she might be prone to more unintentional mana discharge in the future?“ the wrinkles on Sacha's forehead became even more pronounced.

“Maybe a few more, but not as intense. Undine helped me take care of the first one,” Gideon replied.

“Ah! father, don't you think that it's similar to what mother wrote in her letter?” a piece of paper flapped about between Kyron's fingers. It was the letter with their family seal that Gideon had been reading earlier.

“Like your younger brother?” Gideon furrowed his brows, ”I have an inkling, but nothing concrete to back it up. For now, bring the child to Daerin. With the recent attack, the wall's not a good place for her.”

“But where would she stay? Should we let my daughter take care of her?” Sacha hesitantly suggested.

“Hah! Hey, big bro, how do you think mother would react when she hears father wants her to take care of a child that he 'found' outside of the wall?” Kyron chuckled.

“Hmm... That's alright, give our mother something to busy herself with,” a mischievous smile crept up from Vigril's face. Any other child would have been fine but Celeste had a peculiarity. One that was suspiciously similar to theirs.

“Hah...” Betraying his stern expression, Gideon's golden eyes gleamed as he listened to his sons' opinions. He paused for a brief moment before reluctantly acquiescing, a subtle change in his tone evident, “Sacha would be the one to take her to Rivelle then, since he is not of much use currently.“

“Tch. Boy, watch your it. It's been a while since I've seen my daughter, so I'll agree. But not because you said so,” Sacha agreed with a derisive click of his tongue but inwardly, he was delighted since he had long been wanting to visit his youngest grandson.

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“Let the girl build up strength, then you can leave for the city after a few days,” Gideon added. He stood up and dismissed them as the matter had been settled. Then the three had left to bother the little girl in the other room, and Gideon was left alone to ponder.

He rubbed the bridge of his nose, in front was a pen and a blank piece of paper. He was mulling on what to write to explain the situation to his eccentric wife.

...Four days later, Sacha Vinney returned to his office in high spirits to confront him with a request.

"—Say, Gideon boy... I've been thinking. How about taking little Celeste in as my adopted granddaughter?" Sacha suggested. Coming from the old man who frequently dotes over children, the suggestion roused Gideon's slight contempt.

Sacha spoke again before hearing his reply, "Look! She's a child, and needs to be with people the same age as her. What about enrolling her in the academy?"

"Hah... And? What does that have anything to do with adopting the little girl?"

"Tch. You know how the enrolment period for Daerin Academy ended a few days ago? The only way for her to get in is through a recommendation, and Vinney has a free slot."

Gideon began to rub the bridge of his nose, "Didn't we all agree to just send her to Rivelle? Have you even consulted the child?"

"Ah, she doesn't speak much, but it'll probably be alright with her. As for leaving her with my daughter...” Sacha's facial expressions alternated between disapproval and affection, “Keh! As much as I'd like to watch my daughter squabble with you, I'd do it through my own means. Little Celeste shouldn't be involved. Anyway, I spoke with her about staying at the main house before letting her stay with Rivelle.”

“Hmm...” Gideon considered.

The last few days, he and his two sons had been taking turns teaching Celeste how to perform mana circulation, to reign in the rampant growth of her mana roots. At almost every occasion, Sacha would visit with a bowl of food for Celeste as a way to earn her trust.

"He must have been aiming for this," thought Gideon, and asked, "Then what about your duties with your squad?"

"Ah... Well, you said it yourself. I'm not of much use currently,“ Sacha scratched his nose and spoke with slurred speech, “So... Why don't I take a leave of absence until the next dispatch?"

Gideon thought about it again. There was not much reason to disagree.

To the balding old man's rejoice, he filed the papers for Sacha Vinney's temporary leave of absence and gave him permission to return to Daerin with Celeste.