"Oh, what's up, Jona?" Percival responded.

"It's been a while, hasn't it?" he added.

"Yeah, brother, I haven't seen you in years," Jonathan responded.

To which Percival said, "Well, I have been quite busy these several years.".

"I just haven't gotten the time to come and meet my brother," he explained to him.

Jonathan chuckled and replied, "Don't worry about it."

"It doesn't matter how long you leave.".

"You will always be treated like family every time you come back.".

Percival grinned and said, "I am glad to hear that, brother."

Xavier gazed at Jonathan and Percival, not knowing what was going on.

Jonathan, observing this, introduced his twin brother, Percival Ashford, to Xavier.

Which completely stunned Xavier, as he had no idea his father had a brother, let alone an identical twin.

Perical then approached Xavier and gave him a chocolate box as a gift because he had heard he loved vanilla chocolate.

Xavier eagerly accepted the chocolate treat, thanking Percival for the gift.

Just then, Violet, Jason, Jupiter, Princess Misaki, and the rest of Xavier's friends poured into the room, eager to talk to Xavier.

Everyone was taken aback when they saw someone in the room who looked exactly like Jonathan and was also really attractive.

Violet greeted her father but was completely stunned when she met her uncle Percival, whom she had not seen in a long time. She then rushed to Percival and hugged him fiercely with joy while he struggled to breathe.

"I've missed you so much, Uncle Percival," Violet exclaimed with delight.

Percival responded with a smile: "I missed you too, Violet."

Percival then greeted Xavier's friends and Princess Misaki with a noticeably brighter expression. He was particularly warm toward Jupiter, offering a more genuine friendliness and cheerfulness than before.

Percival then asked Jonathan if he wanted to go out to lunch together so they could leave Xavier to spend time with his friends.

Jonathan enthusiastically agreed, and they exited the hospital room, bidding everyone farewell.

Violet hugged her younger brother, Xavier, expressing her excitement at finally being able to see him after so long.

Xavier shared the same sentiment, stating, "Yeah, it's been a year since we last saw each other.".

Violet responded with confusion, "A year?"

"What are you talking about, Xavier?".

"It's only been 7 months since you were gone.".

Xavier said, perplexed, "What??"

He then asked them what date it was, to which Princess Misaki answered, "September 3, 1808."

Xavier, completely perplexed, responded, "It's only been 7 months."

"That's insane".

And Violet followed by stating, "You were spotted only a week ago, by the imperial soldiers, when you railed up to the shore of the kingdom's ship dork.".

"I would have sworn it had been a whole year," Xavier replied.

Jason inquired, "And what made you think that?".

Xavier responded, "Well, that's because I was fighting the varmint."

"It grabbed me and dragged me into the portal it used to come to our world.".

"I was eventually able to break from its clutches. But I was thrown into another dimension."

"Where I spent a whole year living all alone.".

Everyone was shocked to learn that the varmint had taken Xavier into its portal.

"You survived going through the varmint's portal of despair?" Elowen asked Xavier, surprised.

"Yeah?" Xavier responded.

"That's awesome, Xavier!" Elowen shouted in astonishment

Xavier couldn't figure out why everyone appeared so horrified. Princess Misaki stated to Xavier that they were shocked that he survived the portal of despair because, during the countless conflicts, the four great races were against the varmints.

There were several accounts of soldiers being taken into the portals the varmints came from and never seen again. That's why they were so startled to learn that he survived being pulled through the doorway of despair.

As Xavier sat there awestruck, Jupiter jokingly stated to him, "I see you've grown strong, Xavier".

"To which Xavier replied, "Of course!"

"I achieved my expert core and even mastered it.".

Everyone was startled when they discovered that Xavier had acquired his Expert Core in just a few months.

Jupiter was speechless when he inquired, "You mastered your Expert Core already?"

And Xavier responded, "Yeah, I did!"

Jupiter replied disappointedly, "I just got mine not too long ago," with Jason and Princess Misaki thinking the same thing.

Violet then caressed Xavier's head, beaming with pride at her younger brother's achievement. "That's amazing, little brother."

"Big sister is very proud of you," she said with a big, happy smile on her face.

As they all chatted, Princess Jasmine entered the room, carrying various gifts for Xavier.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

Seeing Princess Jasmine, Xavier blushed. And everyone noticed this and proposed that they all go shopping together. They all nodded in unison, content to let Xavier spend some alone time with Princess Jasmine.

As everyone said their goodbyes to Xavier and Princess Jasmine, Princess Jasmine greeted Xavier, expressing her contentment to see that he was doing well.

Xavier said nervously, "Yeah!" I'm glad to see you, too."

Princess Jasmine then cautiously approached Xavier, offering him many gifts she bought for him as a welcome-back gift.

Xavier gratefully took her gifts, and his face turned even redder because Princess Jasmine was now so close to him.

Princess Jasmine then congratulated Xavier for being so daring to face a varmint on his own, protecting not only his companions but also his colleagues.

Xavier giggled, embarrassed, and said, "It wasn't a big deal.".

"I only did what was necessary for the safety of others.".

Princess Jasmine then kissed Xavier on the forehead, saying, with a beautiful grin, "A kiss for a heroic knight.".

This caused Xavier's face to heat up, while his entire body froze motionless like a statue from shock and disbelief.

Princess Jasmine, concerned that Xavier was not moving, inquired, "Is everything alright, Xavier?"

But Xavier didn't respond, remaining motionless like a frozen statue. And Princess Jasmine inquired again, this time in a more concerned tone, "Xavier, are you alright?"

"Xavier!" she exclaimed.

A few hours later, Xavier was seen walking with his father, Jonathan, after being allowed to go out of the hospital and walk around for his health.

Walking together, Jonathan asked Xavier how he was feeling. And Xavier replied, stating he was fine, just a little dizzy.

Jonathan went on to tell Xavier that everyone was worried sick about his safety after hearing about the incident involving the varmint at the Forest Crown Hunt event.

And they were even more concerned and distressed when they couldn't find his whereabouts for several months, despite searching for him all over the world with his grandfather's assistance.

Xavier felt horrible and apologized to Jonathan, stating he was sorry for making him and everyone else so worried and stressed about them.

However, Jonathan patted Xavier's head, assuring him that everything was fine and that he didn't need to feel guilty about it. Because it is very normal for someone to be concerned about the safety of someone they care deeply about.

Xavier smiled, reassured, and as they walked further, he then joked about how he had never imagined his father had a brother.

Jonathan laughed and apologized to Xavier for not telling him he had a brother because he and his Percival rarely saw each other. So he never considered telling him about his brother.

Xavier reassured Jonathan that it was alright and asked him about their youth with excitement and curiosity.

Jonathan, realizing that Xavier was intrigued by his childhood, began telling him about his youth.

About how he and his twin brother Percival never got along as children up to their teens, since they would always fight at any given moment.

But what set them apart from each other was that he was a rebellious type, quite violent as a teen, whereas Percival was more of a genius and a playboy when it came to women.

"Uncle Percival was a playboy." Xavier inquired, surprised.

Jonathan replied, laughing, "Yeah!"

"And he'd be with a different girlfriend every week," he added, laughing.

Jonathan, wiping away tears of laughter, then explained to Xavier how Percival was born gifted and with extraordinary abilities.

But what set him apart from other gifted people was his super-genius level of intelligence, which could not be quantified.

And Xavier was in awe that his uncle Percival was also gifted like him and his older brother and sister.

As Jonathan concluded his story, they continued strolling until Xavier asked a startling question:

"Father, who are my real parents?".

Shocked and taken aback, Jonathan inquired, "What do you mean by that, Xavier?"

To which Xavier responded, "You don't have to lie to me anymore, Father."

"I know that I am an adopted child.".

"Since I never looked like you or my older brother and sister, let alone my grandfather,".

Jonathan was speechless and heartbroken that Xavier did not consider him his father. But when Xavier realized Jonathan was wounded by his question, he apologized. Explaining to Jonathan that all he wanted to know was who his parents were before he was adopted and where he originated from.

Recognizing that Xavier was naturally curious about his origins, Jonathan told him that he and his siblings found him in a shipping container when he was very small.

But they had no idea why he was there; all they knew was that the ship on which he arrived in the United States had come from the Imperial Kingdom of France.

Jonathan went on to inform Xavier that they couldn't find any information about his parents, family, or where they were. So they took him in as part of their family.

After some deep thoughts, Xavier added in a more gloomy tone, "I'm from France, huh?"

"I would have never guessed.".

Jonathan hugged Xavier tightly after noticing how heartbroken he was and how hard he was trying to keep back his barely visible tears.

Jonathan then said to Xavier, "It doesn't matter where you came from.".

"Or even if we are not blood-related.".

"Because you will still and forever be my beloved Xavier.".

With tears in his eyes, Xavier questioned Jonathan about why he had such profound affection for him.

Jonathan responded, claiming it was due to "love.".

Xavier then asked his father why he constantly spoke about "love" and what made it so extraordinary to create such a kindhearted person.

Jonathan grinned and added, "Well, my son, love is a very complicated concept.".

"To put it into words, love is kind and selfless; it is not arrogant or prideful; it does not envy those around them but rejoices when it sees people succeed.".

"It does not hold grudges, nor does it wish to instill revenge.".

"It lets go of the heavy burdens it carries, and it wishes to give up its own will for the wellbeing of others.".

"It can overcome everything in its way, never giving up when things get tough."

"And last of all, it is the missing piece in becoming a real man and a good human being".

Xavier stood in astonishment as his father explained to him something he'd never comprehended or understood.

Jonathan took a deep breath, looked to the horizon, and stated, "Xavier, the reason I always talk about love is that I want you, your brother, and your sister to be happy."

"I want you guys to use your gifted powers to help others and be good-hearted people to those in need".

"Because in this world you live in, there are many gifted people who hold great pride.".

"Thinking they are superior and better than everyone else.".

"And so they do many evil and wicked things out of their pride and selfishness.".

"But I don't want you, nor your brother or sister, to turn out like that.".

"So that's why I have always been teaching you and your brother and sister how to love because it is the light of the world.".

Xavier followed with a question: "Why should I want to save others? It's not like anyone is going to be there to save me when I need it.".

Jonathan, taken aback by what Xavier said, grinned and answered, "Well, my son, you don't have to worry about that, because in life, you reap what you sow.".

"So if you go about helping others and showing love and goodness to them, they will eventually come back and show you the love and goodness you've shown them.".

"But my question to you, my son, is, Who will you be?"

After considerable thought, Xavier then declared to Jonathan with a bold expression, "I want to be a knight.".

"A knight?" said Jonathan, perplexed.

"Yes, a knight," Xavier replied.

"But not just any knight, but a heroic one," he added.

"Because I want to do what you said.".

"Saving others, not giving into pride and selfishness, and being the light that protects and guides people in need".

With a more serious appearance, Jonathan informed Xavier that becoming a knight, let alone a good person entails struggle and suffering. So, if someone chooses to be a knight, especially a heroic one, he must be prepared to suffer beyond imagination throughout his life.

Jonathan proceeded, asking Xavier whether he still wanted to continue and become a knight.

Xavier replied with utter confidence and with a big smile, "Yes, I do!"

Jonathan took up Xavier with a delighted and proud smile on his face, adding, "If that's what you want to be, I'll cheer you on from the sidelines, my son."

Xavier burst out in joy and excitement, overjoyed to hear his father's support for his ambitions.

As Xavier and Jonathan strolled together, Aleksander, who was carrying beautiful flowers and gifts to give to Xavier in his hospital room, was speechless to see Xavier healthy and fine walking alongside Jonathan.

Xavier happily hugged Aleksander, emphasizing how much he missed his older brother.

Still surprised that Xavier had awoken from his coma, Aleksander set down the flowers and gifts and immediately hugged him with a more relieved face.

Concerned for his older brother, Xavier asked Aleksander if he was okay and feeling well. And Aleksander responded, telling Xavier that he was OK and feeling well and that he was just relieved to know his precious little brother was okay.

Xavier was surprised, grinned as he realized his brother cared deeply for him, and told Aleksander that he was well and stronger than ever.

Aleksander chuckled happily and stated, "Oh, how about we do some sparring later on since you seem fine now?"

Xavier said, horrified, "Nah, I'm fine."

"What why?" Aleksander asked, puzzled.

To which Xavier said, "I just don't want to die.".

Flustered, Aleksander gently smacked Xavier on the head, saying, "Relax; I won't hurt you."

"So don't ever say something awful like that again.".

Xavier giggled and responded, "I know, I know.".