While the Agaton festival drew closer, Mor and his father did what any good husband and son would do. They fled the house because no matter how soft Sophie is toward her family, this doesn't matter when the "battle" of the wives looms on the horizon.

Also, someone had to inform Dino about his guardians' absence, which, of course, could have been done remotely now, but another excuse to get away from the house was always good to have.

It is an old tradition that each family brings something, be it drinks or food, each year. Over the years, it has evolved into a fierce contest to see who brings the best or most, driving the women and some of the men into an outright frenzy.

So, after Sophie had barricaded herself in the small kitchen, she liberally used the men's flight and the new long-range communication spell to send her husband to fetch the things she might need.

Morokhan was on one of those "requests", accompanied by Mor when he asked, annoyed.

"Why is she always sending me? She could also ask you sometimes."

"Because mother can't communicate with me, you know that. Also, I'm coming with you to carry her order, so don't complain." Mor defended himself, and his father let out a sigh.

"Yes, I know, but why can't she?"

°That’s the big question.° The human commented.

"I don't know. It's a new spell, and we don't understand it completely. Maybe she has the wrong image of me in her mind?" Mor said, and his father nodded.

"She probably still sees you as her little baby boy."

The human snickered at that and continued the thought.

°It's possible and, in this case, plausible, but there are more limitations. For example, when we couldn't contact Clare. This means you either need to be in control of your own mind or need magic energy. Also, we lost contact when Dino traveled to us, which could mean you need to have a sense of where someone is.°

°Indeed.° Mor agreed and shared the human's musing with his father.

"Something for Dino and his royal court mages to find out. At least he had agreed to reveal this spell only after adding it to the school curriculum in five years." Morokhan said, remembering the heated discussion between Dino and the king.

"I thought he wanted to add it the year after next?" Mor asked, surprised.

"Indeed he did, but after revealing his plans to the king, the king wanted to keep it secret. Ultimately, they compromised on five years until this new spell was fully understood." Morokhan explained further.

°Understandable, until it is understood, that spell could be dangerous.° The human said.

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°And, of course, the nobles wanted to keep it for themselves. Dino has a real battle before him.° Mor added, and the human agreed.

°Yeah, but he will succeed, and we're in a good position to help him. We only need to find a way to go toe-to-toe with the high nobles.°

Their musings were interrupted when Morokhan let out a deep sigh.

"We need to hurry. Your mother wants to know why we're taking so long…"

After finishing their appointed task, the father-son combo raised their speed and hurried back home. This would repeat for a bit longer until finally it was time. Mor had invited his friends, and to no one's surprise, Saphine had declined, while Orth and Clare had agreed to come.

Everyone met and went to the Agaton festival together, followed by Sophie's monster of bread carried by her little whirlwind.

°This magic is really handy. No one has to carry that thing. I mean, look how huge that fucker is.° The human marveled.

°Yes, it's a weak spell, but very handy. Still, only someone with a strong wind affinity could carry that boulder.° Mor joked, and both of them sniggered.

"I'm very excited." Orth joined in on the silent conversation. "I never witnessed a commoners festival, and I really like the smell of what your mother has made." This plastered a triumphant smile on Sophie's face and drew a disgusted snort from Morokhan, but the human saw a chance for some teasing. The human told Mor something, and with a bit of confusion, Mor obliged.

"The human wants to warn you that wooing two women will never end well, especially if one of them is already married. Also, it's very rude to your girlfriend." He relayed the human's message.

"Clare isn't… I didn't… I mean… Don't get me wrong…" Orth stammered, turning bright red, as everyone except Clare burst into laughter.

Clare made a token effort of joining in, but her "fake" laughing was not very convincing. Still, it was enough to go right over Mors' head but not enough to trick the human, and so another "funny" plan was formed, with the working title "How to have as much fun as possible, with Orth and Clare" by the human.

When the group arrived at the festival, it was already crowded, and Orth and Clare were surprised at the number of people involved. Still, they followed the lead of their friend Mor, who strode into the chaos undaunted and just started mingling with everyone, like his parents did.

This went on until the new arrivals were found by Aero and quickly cornered.

"Sophie! Moro! Mor! I feared you wouldn't come!" He greeted the three Agatons.

"We promised to be here, so you didn't have to worry. We are just a bit late because of my little gift for the family buffet." Sophie said proudly, and Aero stared at the big bread thing.

"I can see that. It looks like we have a new record in size." Aero half praised the bread-thing before finally recognizing the other guests.

"And you must be Mor's friends from school." He greeted them warmly and then added, with a questioning look, "But shouldn't there be three of you?"

"Yes, Saphine didn't want to come. This is Orth and Clare, both of noble families, which probably doesn't matter, right?" Mor introduced his friends.

"Indeed, rank doesn't matter. Also, this year, we have many guests. Lots of the other kids have also brought friends. So don't be shy, you two. For now, I will help Sophie with her "little" gift, and you can already start mingling!" Aero declared, and Mor dragged his friends back into the chaos towards the gatherings of younger people with an agreeing nod.

They introduced themselves to a bunch of the other kids until Mor noticed a familiar voice and a shudder down his spine.

"Hey, Mor Agaton!" A familiar feminine voice called out.

°Why the fuck is she here?!° The human asked, but Mor couldn't give an answer.