Aodhán dismissed the spear immediately and moved to hug Aldric, but somehow, by some mystical sorcery, Synové beat him to it. She launched herself into Aldric's open arms, and he spun her around like a child.

Synové laughed, clinging desperately to her eldest child with so much joy that tears fell from her eyes. “Oh, how I've missed you.” She cradled Aldric's face in her palms the moment he placed her back on her feet, and he smiled. “I missed you too, mom.”

Synové hugged him again, squeezing tightly, and Aodhán let them have their moment. Unrid was next, and when they finally pulled apart, Aldric grinned and waved him forward. "Hey, Sparky, won't I get a hug?”

Aodhán hugged him tightly, and as he breathed in Aldric's familiar scent, he realized just how much he’d missed his nonchalant brother. In the few weeks they'd spent together in the Warren, Aldric had been there for him, from helping with his meditation to helping them escape the army, and as he pulled back, he wondered if this break was the right time to tell him about Eldridge's demise.

“Ah, if it isn't our very own superstar.” Aldric laughed. “The press must have been a menace if you were ready to skewer them with lightning.”

Aodhán groaned and shook his head. “I promise, I only wanted to scare them to death.”

Aldric laughed and turned to the final member of the family. “Hello, little brother. Have you missed me?”

Daruk shrugged, smiling. “I'm not quite so little anymore.” There was a beat of silence before Daruk lunged into his brother's arms. The family laughed as Aldric spun Daruk around, and when they finally came to a halt, Aldric grumbled. “Oh, I miss when you used to get dizzy from that.”

“Like I said earlier, I'm not quite so little any more.” Daruk smiled, and Aldric frowned. “I can't see that; a lot has changed in the past month. You've somehow changed your affinity; Aodhán is now a celebrity; also, is it just me, or are mom and dad looking a lot younger than they should be?”

Synové chuckled and grabbed Aldric's arms. “Oh, a lot has happened, and I can’t wait to tell you all about it.”

She pulled Aldric to the living room, and he whistled as he took in the house. “Woah, this place is beautiful, and mom, I see you've added your unique touch.”

“I'm glad you love it, honey.” Synové grinned and shot Aodhán a victorious glare before rushing to the kitchen to bring more food.

“So, how was your journey?” Unrid asked as they all sat down, and Aldric began narrating his journey. While Aldric spoke, gesturing wildly to describe being attacked by a group of pirates and murderous fish, Aodhán observed him carefully.

Aldric had changed drastically. His dark hair now fell past his shoulders, and a thick, unpleasant-looking beard framed his jaw. Aldric had always been taller than him, but now he was just as tall as Unrid, perhaps even taller.

His arms bulged, evidence that he had begun working out, but what surprised Aodhán the most was Aldric's core, which blazed brightly to his senses and emanated a pressure roughly at the 24th tier. Aodhán focused his core sense on Aldric's core, and his eyes widened when he sensed the telltale shimmer of a glimpse within it.

“I see academy life has been good to you.” Aldric said to Aodhán after he finished his story, and Aodhán shrugged. “It hasn't exactly been pleasant, but I guess it hasn't been terrible either.”

“That's the understatement of the year.” Aldric chuckled. “Dude, you gained a familiar! Surely, life's been great. You have so much to tell me about your advancement, the academy, your familiar, and—

“Okay, slow down.” Aodhán chuckled while Daruk shook his head in amusement. “I'll tell you everything.”

“No, wait! Don't start without me.” Synové shouted from the kitchen, and they all laughed.

“You're early though; we weren't expecting you till evening at the very least.” Unrid said to Aldric, who shrugged. “Our stop at the 8th sector got cut short because of the war and all, but I'm glad I get to spend a few more hours with you guys.”

“Awwn.” Synové smiled as she emerged from the kitchen and placed a large bowl of porridge in front of Aldric. “I'm not glad about the war, but I'm happy you're here.”

“As annoying as that beard is, I'm glad to see you too.” Daruk added, chuckling, and before long, laughter and the clinking of cutlery filled the air as they chatted and bantered.

Synové passed around another tray of mashed potatoes, and Aodhán eagerly piled a generous portion onto his plate.

“I can't believe you guys found an inheritor's trial.” Aldric shook his head in amazement. “Those thimgs are incredibly rare.”

Daruk nodded in agreement and raised his cup in Aodhán's direction. “I would never have found it on my own. In fact, I would have failed the trial if it weren't for Aodhán.”

“How'd you get on the island anyway?” Aldric asked, and Aodhán stiffened. It was only for a moment, but Aldric caught the motion, and Aodhán sighed in resignation. There was no point in lying to Aldric. How could you lie to someone who could read your emotions as easily as breathing?

Daruk glanced at him, as if waiting for his go-ahead, but Aodhán decided to respond instead. “We encountered an origin plane breach that destroyed the ship and took the lives of some people.” Aldric gasped, horrified, and Aodhán hastily continued. “Fortunately, we were very close to the island, so it wasn't too much of a big deal.”

Aldric's eyes narrowed, but before he could ask any more questions, Unrid interjected firmly. “Enough with the negative topic. This is the first time we're having dinner as a family in more than a month; we should celebrate it, you know, talk about beautiful things.”

Aldric nodded and turned to Synové. “Speaking of beautiful things, is it just me, or have you both grown younger since the last time I saw you?”

Synové blushed, and Unrid chuckled. “We have Aodhán to thank for that too.” He ventured into the garden story, and Daruk rolled his eyes in amusement as Unrid exaggerated the story.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

“I assure you that the spirit of nature didn't make an appearance.” Aodhán corrected Unrid in between laughter.

“Are you sure?” Unrid asked, genuinely baffled. “I thought I saw something.”

“I have to agree with the children on this one.” Synové chuckled. “I doubt there's even such a thing as the spirit of nature.”

“There's isn't.” Daruk laughed. “At least, as far as I know. Nevertheless, the swirl of nature and electricity essence was beautiful.”

“Damn, you've got to do another one so I can see.” Aldric complained. “I can't believe you guys wrecked it just minutes before I arrived.”

Synové snorted and glared at Aodhán. “You better fix my garden.”

Aodhán laughed. “I promise. I'll even water your spinach if need be.”

Their conversation continued, moving to much lighter topics. They spoke about everything and anything, from their bloodlines to the Forge challenges and then to Aldric's life in the 12th Academy. Synove and Unrid watched on proudly, only interjecting to encourage them or mention something they'd either forgotten or neglected to mention.

It was towards the end of the dinner, while they were discussing how annoying and invasive the press was, that Daruk mentioned Ludacris's offer, and Aldric exclaimed in shock. “Bloody ashes! You gave up a dozen credits to remain in the 5th academy? It's not even the best academy in the kingdom!”

Aodhán sighed dejectedly as Unrid shook his head sadly and took over the story.

“A dozen credits lost!” He said when he finished. “I almost fainted where I was standing, but you know how these things are; the Mythic would have frowned at my intrusion even if it was in his favor.”

Aldric didn't seem to be listening and stared at Aodhán with wide eyes before shaking his head in incredulity. “Fucking credits! Bloody—”

“Okay, that's enough swearing, Aldric.” Synové cut in before Aldric could continue. “Aodhán is a man of integrity, and we should be applauding him instead of scolding him.”

“But mom, we're talking about credits here.” Aldric protested. “Friggin' credits.”

Unrid shook his head sadly, while Synové glared at the two of them. “So does this mean the both of you would give up your integrity for credit? Unrid, would you give me up for credits?”

Unrid sputtered, his eyes going wide as Synové fixed him with an intense glare, and Aodhán hid a smirk as he settled back to watch the drama.

“That's not what I meant; it's just—Syn, we're talking about credits here.”

“Yes, mom. Totally not the same thing.” Aldric replied, rushing to his father's aid, but their response only sparked Synové's ire. An argument quickly erupted, and Daruk shook his head while Aodhán nonchalantly helped himself to another serving of mashed potatoes. The argument lasted for nearly half an hour, and as expected, it concluded unfavorably for Aodhán.

Resigned, Aodhán moved to the basement to pick out a few things to decorate his room. As unpleasant as it was to be judged by his own family for his supposed 'bad decision’, Aodhán consoled himself with the fact that they were unaware of the real reason he'd rejected Ludacris's offer.

Still, it hurt, and Aodhán wanted to spend the next few hours decorating to lessen the sting of their judgment. When he arrived at the basement, he found several buckets of unopened gray paint, and after placing them into his spatial storage, he began making a list of all the things he needed to buy. After that, he made his way back to his room and began painting.

While he worked, his mind drifted back to their dinner conversation. Aldric and Unrid were mistaken, yet he couldn't blame them for being disappointed in him as they were ignorant of his deal with the principal or his identity as a transmigrant.

He soon pushed the thought out of his mind and proceeded to spend the next few hours painting. He wasn't exactly an expert, but he wasn't terrible either, and after several hours of work, he stared at the light gray room with a satisfied smile. There were still a few places that he still needed to touch, though, and after sending another message to Lupin, he resumed his work.

Half an hour later, he sensed Aldric coming towards his room, and he turned to the open doorway, just a second before Aldric arrived.

Aodhán raised a questioning brow, and Aldric sighed as he leaned against the door frame. “Eldridge is dead, isn't he?”

Aodhán didn't bother lying; instead, he put down the paintbrush and nodded. “He was struck by lightning. He didn't make it.”

Aldric smiled sadly. “That fool; I knew something was wrong when I received no letters from him.”

“I'm sorry.” Aodhán began. “I know he was your friend.”

“Former classmate.” Aldric corrected with a small smile, which soon morphed into a frown. “Why do you feel guilty about it, though? I know you and Daruk haven't told mom and dad the whole truth about what happened that night—”

“And I'd prefer we keep it that way.” Aodhán cut in, his voice firm, and Aldric raised an eyebrow in surprise before chuckling. “Okay, I can keep a secret.”

“I know.” Aodhán sighed. “I just—I just want to forget about it.”

Aldric nodded slowly and observed him for a moment before sighing. “I was a little rude earlier about the offer you turned down.”

Aodhán snorted and resumed his painting. “Trust me, it was not an easy decision for me to make, but I don't blame you all for being mad at me.”

“Daruk isn't mad at you.” Aldric replied and walked slowly into the room. “He sympathizes with you, which is weird because he's usually very logical, so I'm inclined to believe that something else is going on.”

Aodhán paused and turned to find Aldric smiling at him. Their gazes locked, and after a moment of hesitance, Aodhán sighed. “I forgot how hard it was to live with you.” When Aldric didn't respond to his attempt at deflection, he sighed once again and said, “You're right, I can't leave the 5th Academy. Principal Zatya won't let me.”

Aldric's eyes narrowed protectively. “Is she bullying or harassing you? Because if she is—”

“You can do absolutely nothing about it.“ Aodhán smiled. “She's a Mythic remember? Besides, she isn't harassing me yet. It's something else.”

“And you're not ready to talk about it either.” Aldric smiled, sensing his emotions, and Aodhán nodded. Rather than leave, though, Aldric picked up a spare paintbrush and moved to the opposite wall to help him.

“Something else is bothering you, though. I can sense it.” Aldric said a moment later, his sly smirk now back in place, and when Aodhán glared at him, he shrugged. “I can parse your emotions more easily than before.”

Aodhán snorted. “No shit. It'll be weird if you couldn't considering, you know, Tier 24 and all.”

Aldric's eyes widened in surprise, and he asked. “How do you know that?”

“I can sense your core, remember?”

“Oh, yeah. That bizzare ability of yours.” Aldric smiled and waggled a finger at him. “I won't let you distract me, though. What exactly is bothering you?” Before Aodhán could respond, Aldric narrowed his gaze in warning. “And don't tell me it's the reporters.”

Aodhán laughed. "No, it's not the reporters, although they're really high on my worry list too. I was ready to skewer someone when I opened the door earlier.”

Aldric laughed. “I know that, and for a moment there, I was scared, but you're hotstuff right now. I saw several newspapers about you in Norbuik, and although most of the headlines weren't exactly flattering, no press is bad press.”

Aodhán scowled. “Ugh, I hate it. Don't get me wrong, I love being noticed, and if they just wanted me to take pictures and smile, I'd be fine with that, but no, they want to dig out my secrets.”

Aldric chuckled. “Isn't that their job, though? To dig out secrets and expose them to the world.”

Aodhán sighed. “I just can't wait for it to blow over so things can finally return to normal.”

“Well, good for you. Now stop deflecting and answer my question. What the fuck is bothering you?”

Aodhán groaned in frustration and amusement. “You do not give up, do you?”

“I'm a dog with a bone.” Aldric chuckled. "Now, answer the

question.”

“Fine! I was going to ask for your help anyway." Aodhán chuckled and moved closer to Aldric. “So, here's the thing: I made a sort of trainer-student deal with principal Zatya, and she's issued me a mission I can't refuse.”

Aldric paused, his gaze narrowing in curiosity. “What sort of mission?”

“A foolhardy one.” Aodhán scoffed. “She wants me to steal something from the Blackwell's mansion when I attend their event this Friday, and I have absolutely no idea how I'm supposed to go about it.”

Aldric dropped his paintbrush, his eyes alight with excitement, and with a mischievous smile, he asked. “So, what are we stealing?”