Chapter 24 - Deviants

The lightning crackled around my brother and covered him in a golden shroud while his auburn hair stood on end.

"What the..." My Father faltered, too shocked by this sudden advancement. Using the moment to his advantage Arthur dashed behind him leaving charred land in his wake and executed a lightning-infused hook.

A loud explosion followed a clash of fists causing my father to be blown back.

After gaining his bearings and staring down at my brother for a few seconds he lunged at him with incredible speeds and performed several precise jabs. Which were each evaded by him with minimal movement. The fire and lightning mixing together as he kept dodging the blows which were becoming more precise by the second.

But suddenly his jabs started to become more dull and sloppy. Seems like the electricity was doing its job of numbing his arms.

Ducking under a particularly sloppy swing he went for an uppercut, but before he could strike Father placed his knee under his jaw putting them into a stalemate.

Father clasping Arthur's shoulder with his hand and eliciting a surprised yelp dissipated the tension.

Arthur dispersed his electricity allowing Father to pick him up.

I guess the toll was too much because as soon as Dad put him back down he collapsed again.

"...surprise," he said waving his arms up and laughing weakly.

"D-Deviant!" Vincent broke the silence.

"My God..." Tabitha sighed, astonished at what just transpired.

"So, when did you learn that little trick." My Father asked, more curious than bewildered.

"Quite recently actually. I can barely maintain it though." He admitted grinning sheepishly.

"What about you Fay? Care to show us what you learned?" Dad said looking towards me

"Sure you don't want to take a break?" I ask with a smirk framing my face.

"Nah your old man has some more juice in him."

"Fine by me," I said as I replaced Arthur in the backyard.....the now ruined backyard.

My father got into the same stance as before.

"How about we forego all that? You see I'm a conjurer unlike you and Art, so I don't have many defensive tricks although I do know hand to hand combat."

"Alright then. I would tell you to be careful but upon seeing what Art was capable of you should be at a similar level or higher." He said as he ignited his fists.

"Ready," He asks.

"Let's go!" I reply as I conjured Twin swords of pure lightning.

He rushed towards me with the same speed he used against Art, but I still had enough time to perform a few swings and send multiple arcs of lightning his way, forcing him to dodge and slow down.

[Thunder arc]

This gave me enough time to create some distance between us and prepare mana for more spell casting. Unfortunately, those few arcs drained my swords and had them dissipate. I still need to work on that.

I conjured a bigger than average [Fire Ball] in one hand and a [Thunder Bolt] in the other and bring them together to form an amalgamation of scarlet and yellow before shooting it at Dad.

(Like final flash but smaller)

"Shit!" I heard him curse as he desperately looked for a way to avoid it but only managed to evade a portion of it while the rest assaulted him head-on.

He's still standing. With half of his clothes at fire and his movement sluggish he dashed towards me.

Fine then, have it your way.

I sprinted forwards with wind blowing behind me enhancing my speed while forming another sword. Aiming for his neck with the lightning weakened so as to not harm him too much. But it never hit him. My sword dissipated before I could strike him and I fell face first

Was I out of time already?

Damn, I didn't even notice through all the adrenaline.

Now that it's over I feel how stiff my body is.

"Haha! You nearly had me there Fay. Also what was that little mix attack." My father said as he helped me up.

"That was a mixture of a [Fire Ball] and a [Thunder Bolt], I like to call it [Ember Bolt]"

"D-deviants, both deviants," Vincent spoke up.

Oh calm down will you? You haven't even seen our beast wills and you're already hyperventilating.

The others just looked in stunned silence. Other than Ellie that is, although that is because she doesn't understand what we pulled off.

Are you okay Dad?

Yeah, I'm fine don't worry.

We went back inside and got seated around the dining table.

"Do you understand what kind of future your sons have Rey? At the age of 8, they are already superior to a veteran B-rank adventurer." Vincent spoke barely concealing his excitement.

Scratching his head my father spoke, "This is insane. I thought them awakening at 3 was terrifying but to become deviants as well...."

"They awakened at three!" Tabitha said bolting up.

"And managed to blow up part of the house in the process." Mom chimed in.

Dad and Vincent leaned back in their chairs and let out a sigh in sync.

"Are yoo okay papa?" Eleanor asked poking Dad's cheek.

"Haha, your father's okay Ellie." He

Vincent abruptly got up, stretched his arms on the table, and spoke looking seriously at us, "Rey, What if we enroll them in Xyrus academy."

"You can't be serious Vince, they're only eight." My Father said sitting up as well.

"I think your sons are overqualified to attend Xyrus," Tabitha spoke up this time.

"I thought only the noble geniuses were allowed to attend Xyrus Academy?" My mother asked, concern all over her face.

Excitedly, Vincent voiced out, "I can manage that! I do a lot of business with the Director of Xyrus Academy, so she'll be lenient in the enrollment process."

"B-But the school fees are too expensive for us to handle," Mom still argued, not liking the idea of sending us away.

"That should be the least of your worries, Alice. We'd gladly pay the fees for them. Who knows what he will achieve one day? I'm you could find nobles that would beg to sponsor him." Tabitha said holding Mother's hand in her own.

I could see Arthur was about to lash out at them, and for good reason. We just got back after four years and He's wanting to send us to a school where the youngest are 11-12 while we are still 8.

"Excuse me. Seeing that this might affect our future drastically, do you mind if I have a say in this. Since we have just reunited with our Family today we would prefer to spend some time with them before leaving, yet again, to attend this academy." Arthur said, all the while gazing at Vincent.

"O-Of course, you're right. I guess I got a bit ahead of myself." He sank back laughing weakly.

Striking a smile he replied, "Thank you."

Turning towards mom he said, " Mom where do I sleep?"

"Actually I'd like to know that too, that spar took more out of me than I had initially thought." I chimed in.

"Oh yes! You'll have your rooms in the left-wing next to Eleanor's. Come on I'll show you the way."

Eleanor had already fallen asleep during our conversation and we all got up agreeing that it has become quite late.

Mom and Dad took us to Art's room first. Gotta say if my room is anything like his it'd be perfect with the homey feel to it and enough space to train.

Arthur put Sylvie down and sat down with our parents sitting on either side of him and me standing in front of him.

"We'll take you shopping tomorrow. You need new clothes. Both of you." Mother said running her fingers through his hair.

Father looked at us seriously and spoke, "Arthur, Fayden it doesn't matter if you're a genius, your still my sons, and I'll be proud of you and love you till the day I die. No matter the circumstances." It was....nice knowing that whatever happens we will be their sons first before anything else and I can't help but let a smile creep up on my face.

Before getting up he gave us an evil smile before saying, "Besides you really thought I didn't notice you holding back? We'll have a rematch soon, count on it."

"Alright, but you don't get to hold back either." I reply.

"Do any of you think about something other than fighting." Mother chortled at us.

"Your Father is right though, no matter how much of a genius you two become you'll still be my baby boy."

"Mom! I am eight and a half now can't I be your adolescent boy?" He said grinning ear to ear.

"Nope! You can't."

Figured as much.

"Get some rest now, come on Fay let me show you to your room."

"Yeah, coming." I reply as I go out muttering a 'goodnight' to my brother.

Sure enough, my room was near identical to his.

"Goodnight Mom, Dad." I say as I flop down on the bed.

I barely heard them reply in kind before the realm of sleep claimed me.