Even Ishary was helpless against his authority and at the same time, surprised by his sudden appearance.
"So, speak, and tell me if your audacity is justified in my presence," the old man said again, locking eyes with Lux, his gaze cold and piercing.
Lux couldn't help but remain quiet at the intensity of the man's presence. It felt as though the sword could sever his life in an instant.
He quickly realized the gravity of the situation.
However, instead of succumbing to panic, Lux's demeanor remained surprisingly calm and collected. A measured, mature voice escaped his lips as he prepared himself to explain the events that had unfolded.
"While it may be true that I acted deviously, I did not do so without reason. Perhaps, Miss Clareth, you should have avoided provoking me if you wished to prevent this situation," Lux calmly replied and looked in the direction of Azu's daughter, his words calculated and deliberate.
As their gazes locked onto Clareth, both Ishary and the old man turned their attention in her direction. The intensity of their piercing stares made Clareth's heart sink. She could almost feel their silent demand for an explanation as if they were waiting for her to speak up and justify herself. This was an entirely new experience for her, a wave of intimidation crashing down on her from a parental figure, especially from someone out of her family range.
Nonetheless, whatever she feels right now does not matter, in fact, regardless of the reason, she won't be in trouble if she is not guilty. Only if she is not guilty.
On the other hand, Ishary and Felix displayed remarkable composure as they anxiously awaited her detailed explanation of what had occurred here. They understood the importance of obtaining further clarification to fully grasp the situation.
Upon listening to Lux's explanation, both Ishary and Felix quickly realized that holding him responsible for his actions would be unjustifiable if he indeed possessed credible reasons for his conduct.
Despite holding the position of authority within the bloodline, Felix couldn't help but feel a surge of anger at witnessing the aftermath of his grandson's actions, he recognized the need for fairness and refused to jump to conclusions without the other party presenting their side of the story - the side that could potentially prove their innocence.
Feeling overwhelmed, Clareth began to speak with an indecisive tone. "I... I... Did..."
Thud...
However, as she struggled to utter another word, the instigator of all the chaos suddenly crumbled to the ground with a resounding thud, leaving those nearby utterly perplexed including Azu who was struggling a little bit to get on his feet back.
"..."
The silence hung heavy in the air. All eyes were now fixated on the fallen figure with confusion in their expression.
It was like a branch of a tree that fell on the ground inside the deep forest.
***
1 month later...
Chirp... Chirp... Chirp...
As the sun began to rise, its warm rays gently pierced through the curtains of Lux's room, casting a soft golden glow on the walls. In response to this radiant light, the sound of birdsong swelled in intensity, as if a chorus of feathered creatures had gathered just outside Lux's window.
With the melody of nature's orchestra seeping into every corner of the grand mansion, the morning energy permeated Lux's room, like a lively breeze blowing through an open field. The delicate trills and harmonious chirps reached Lux's ears, gradually pulling him out of his slumber.
"It's been a month, huh?" Lux mumbled with a yawn, his tiredness evident on his face. Despite taking some rest, the exhaustion seemed to linger, as if it were waiting for a solution to present itself and fade away completely.
His exhaustion seemed to persist, It was almost as if the burden he carried would not dissipate until it was completely resolved.
"There's no use thinking about it. The reality is already right in front of me." Lux said to himself as he stretched his body to prepare for today's event.
Lux had been confined to his bed for over two weeks following the incident. Though he regained consciousness after three weeks and bore no physical injuries, his body had not fully healed after surpassing its limits. Therefore, the doctor who's in charge of Lux's recovery deemed it necessary for him to rest for an additional three weeks, extending the total recovery period to more than a month.
Nonetheless, if it were not for Ishary's potion, the recovery process would have been much longer and none of this progress would have been possible. The household physician is undoubtedly skilled, but the lack of resources is a crucial obstacle at the moment. Unfortunately, they have run out of the necessary ingredients to recreate the same potion that Ishary had concocted.
And today marks the day, after an extended period of waiting and longing, the day has finally arrived for Lux to step out and see what lies beyond these walls.
For the past few weeks, since Lux regained consciousness, his days have fallen into a boring routine of sleeping, eating, and finding ways to entertain himself. This cycle seems to keep repeating itself. At the same time, Lux's mind is filled with numerous unanswered questions and an insatiable curiosity to uncover the truth of his current situation. Despite the overwhelming desire to seek answers, Lux understands that patience is paramount for now.
Lux came to a definite realization that mere thoughts alone won't bring forth the desired answers. He understood that he needed to experience things firsthand in order to truly understand and unveil the truth. Recognizing the limitations of speculation, Lux made a conscious decision to temporarily embrace this approach in his current circumstances.
Knock... Knock...
As Lux pondered his next course of action, his thoughts were abruptly interrupted by a resounding knock on the door. Just as he was about to rise and answer it, the door swung open forcefully, revealing a procession of individuals.
Leading the group was none other than Lux's grandfather, Felix Vin V Dracar the head of the household. His presence exuded authority and a sense of responsibility. Following closely behind Felix was Lux's recently arrived uncle, Carl V Dracar, who had returned from an intriguing event in a far-off land. The air seemed tinged with an air of mystery around him as if he carried tales and secrets from distant lands.
Bringing up the rear was the doctor, accompanied by a retinue of maids. Lux's heart was motivated at the sight, recognizing their purpose. It was clear to him that they had gathered to assess his current condition and determine if he was fit enough to move his body. The weight of their presence filled the room, leaving Lux with a mix of curiosity and apprehension as he awaited their evaluation.
As soon as the doctor saw Lux, he immediately checked his condition without asking permission from Felix.
Felix seems unlikely to be bothered by his behavior either this shows how highly confident the physician was with his skills. He believes that the head has already acknowledged his skills.
"..."
In the quiet of the room, a moment of suspense hung in the air. As the doctor diligently attended to Lux's well-being, Lux's thoughts churned restlessly. 'Just declare me fully healed already!' he silently implored, feeling the impatience bubble within him.
In his past life, Lux had once been the strongest in Kangho, a fact that endowed him with a perceptive gaze capable of discerning truths with a single glance. Armed with this knowledge, he exuded confidence in his own assessment, causing his self-assurance to soar. Yet, he also understood that the course of events must unfold according to their natural order, acknowledging the inevitability of things.
While Lux found himself devoid of excitement in this new world he had been thrust into, curiosity raged within him, eager to explore the unknown that lay ahead.
"..."
As soon as it was finished, the doctor carefully examined and explained his condition.
Felix and Carl maintained their expressions of seriousness as they listened intently, taking matters seriously.
as Lux had suspected, the physician confirmed that his body had fully recovered implying that there was no need to isolate him in that room for recovery.
Felix nodded as if he had expected this and directly questioned the physician. "...I understand, his body has fully recovered, but is there any additional information that I should be aware of? Specifically, regarding his mana flow?"
At the mention, everyone in the room fell silent.
"..."
After a while, the physician shook his head with a look of dissatisfaction. "I'm afraid this case won't be solved easily."
Felix nodded with a calm face. "I'd at least expected you'd say that." and then added. "Let's go there are still matters that I need to take care of"
Having said that, Felix promptly left the room without uttering a word asking his grandchildren if he was feeling okay.
Carl sighed at the act, he could only see the back of his father with a sense of understanding.
Wearing a concerned expression, Carl turned his gaze toward Lux and asked the maids to extend a collection of gifts he had prepared beforehand.
"Take these gifts. They will prove useful to you in the days to come," he said, his voice gentle and accompanied by a warm smile. Subsequently, Carl left the room, following the path his father had taken.
Lux didn't question their actions but was rather relieved that the two had a sense of comprehension. However, this doesn't mean that they have forgotten what Ishary had told them about the power he'd discovered. Although they already left the mansion for personal reasons.
'There come a day that this power will be revealed so I better come up with a reasonable excuse' Lux thought after analyzing the future events that may unfold.
Then, looking at the pile of gifts he received from Carl, he had no other choice but to question himself again.
'is this real?'
...
Knock... knock...
"...Come in"
Creek...
The door slid open as Carl went in.
There was a momentary silence inside the room before he tried to speak.
"...The man who stood at the pinnacle of swordsmanship and the man who killed thousands of demons, Sword Saint Felix Vin V Dracar...," said Carl with a chuckle, reflecting on the remarkable achievements of his grandfather. "It seems that congratulating his grandchildren for his recovery and outstanding accomplishment, which will only occur once in a century, was the hardest thing to do."
As Carl contemplated his grandfather's incredible feats, even in a peaceful era, he couldn't fathom him engaging in such kind acts. He sighed, feeling a profound sense of pity.
"..."
While looking at the window, Felix's expression remained unchanged.
Yet after a brief moment of silence, he finally spoke up... "This time, our family has achieved something that nobody else could, and it's all thanks to Lux. As his grandfather, I am proud to have him in our family. Unlike you all who have succumbed to their desire, I'd finally got myself a true successor."
Carl was dumbfounded by his grandfather's sudden words. He almost forgot that he was talking to his grandfather, not the clowns he had encountered in a certain village.
"Huh, wait a minute. Weren't you the one who encouraged us to follow our desires and do whatever we wanted? And now, just because your grandchildren have achieved something, you're..."
"However, our utmost concern lies in preserving the confidentiality of this information from the prying gazes of the outside world. If the truth were to be exposed, we would find ourselves powerless to protect him against the avarice of other nobles. Moreover, due to the recent incident which unjustly implicated us in a specific matter, resulting in a sense of wariness within the royal family towards us, we are unable to broach the topic for extra protection against the neighboring countries. It would be wiser to maintain exclusive control over everything, keeping it within our own grasp." said Felix, showing no hesitation in disregarding Carl's words and feelings on the matter.
"..."
Carl's breath hitched, his eyes widening in disbelief. To witness the sight of his usually stoic grandfather acknowledging someone, left him utterly speechless. Although not clearly shown, Carl could vividly imagine the face of his grandfather smiling behind that serious expression of his.
"Indeed, I have just returned from our meeting to provide you with a report on the matter... and unfortunately, there has been no response from the royal family that suggests their agreement with our position thus far. Sister (Lux mother) is working hard to protect her side too," said Carl, and then added. "Leaving that aside, Father, I heard that you were present when Azu and Ishary witnessed the new form of energy with combat potential. I'm curious to know how it went. According to Ishary even with her enhanced eyes, she couldn't exactly tell what it was so I'm curious as to how you felt back then when you saw it"
"I... don't know," said Felix, his expression is serious more than ever.
With this reply, Carl's mood changed drastically. The response was genuine, and upon contemplating it, Carl couldn't find any plausible reasons for his father to deceive him either. This suggests that there must be more to the situation than what was initially conveyed to him.
"Also... Based on what I saw that kid will become a monster someday." He added putting more pressure on the atmosphere.
"..."
Carl was utterly speechless.