As the midday sun climbed higher, the typically reticent middle-aged maid entered with a rare verbal message, "Young Master, the lady summons you."
Eddie followed her to the outer hall, where a tender and sorrowful scene unfolded before him.
The woman, usually the epitome of strength and cheer, was now wrapped in a tender embrace with a somber young girl clad in black, both shedding silent tears.
At the same time, little Frost, who usually buzzed around like a bee, was now seated quietly at the table.
she attempted at angelic decorum betrayed by her messy eating.
The young girl in black, with features strikingly similar to the woman but marked with the innocence of youth, caught Eddie's attention.
Her red-rimmed eyes, stained with the residue of recent tears.
A pang of understanding hit Eddie.
In the Dragonrise Continent, a black veil often signified a profound loss - widowhood.
This must be Sophia Yew, the woman's eldest daughter. Known for her early accomplishments in bonding with a Summoning Tome, Sophia was nevertheless overshadowed by a culture that favored her male relatives, relegating her own formidable talents to the sidelines.
Despite her potential, she was often overlooked in a family of celebrated male warriors.
Sophia, the seventh in the Yue family's younger generation, was a hidden gem. While her elder brother and cousins basked in glory and recognition, Sophia's affinity for the less glamorous plant-based summoning went largely unnoticed, save for the interest from the female-centric Lingxian Pavilion.
Eddie's heart went out to her, understanding the unfair constraints she faced, just as he sympathized with the original Tommy's grim fate. Standing there amidst the complexities of family and tradition, he couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of purpose.
With Sophia's plight and the family's intricate dynamics weighing on his mind, Eddie resolved to navigate this new world with the sensitivity and insight it demanded, ready to face whatever came his way.
People often say comparison is the thief of joy, a lesson the original Tommy learned the hard way when his betrothed left him, pushing him to his tragic end. Sophia, however, faced a different sort of tragedy.
Not due to being jilted, but because her fiance, a promising youth from the leading Feng family, had been unexpectedly slain by a wandering Golden Sovereign Beast during a trial three years ago. This cruel twist of fate left her a young widow before she even had the chance to marry.
In the superstitious world of Dragonrise Continent, Sophia's unfortunate circumstances led many to whisper that she was cursed, a husband-doomer. Despite her talents and her status as a member of the prestigious Yue family, no suitors dared approach, fearing they might share the same fate as her late fiancé.
"Congratulations, Third Brother," Sophia murmured, her voice barely above a whisper as she gently disentangled herself from her mother's embrace, ready to retreat to her room.
"Nonsense, Sophia. You don't need to eat alone. We're family," the woman insisted, firmly seating her back at the table.
With a slight hesitation, Sophia finally acquiesced, lowering her veil and joining the meal, her movements measured and graceful. Then, curiosity piqued, she turned to Eddie, "What type of Guardian Beast did you bond with, Third Brother?"
"An elemental mist," Eddie replied, realizing he hadn't uttered a single truth since his arrival.
"I'm not familiar with elemental types; I specialize in plant-based beasts," Sophia confessed softly, a tinge of resignation in her voice. "Maybe I can teach you about the Spitthorn Bloom, a low-tier but easy-to-summon plant beast. But it would take up one-tenth of your Tome's capacity."
"That's fine," Eddie assured her, knowing well the power of his own shadow and the Innate Disembodied Sword Qi. While he appreciated her offer, he knew the specifics of his Summoning Tome's capacity weren't his primary concern.
Yet, he decided to learn from her, partly to appease the woman and partly to familiarize himself with the basics of summoning arts, which might come in handy one day.
Sophia nodded silently, returning to her meal, while little Frost stood on her chair, stretching across the table for the farthest smoked fish. Watching her precarious balance, Eddie couldn't help but worry for her safety.
The woman playfully reprimanded Frost for her lack of manners, but the little girl, triumphant with her prize, straightened up, her face glowing with pride, and playfully stuck out her tongue at Eddie.
In a dramatic tumble that seemed to unfold in slow motion, little Frost lost her balance, her chair wobbling dangerously.
She let out a startled cry as she began to fall, but Eddie, quick as a flash, dove forward with the agility of a seasoned athlete.
His arms enveloped her, cushioning her fall, and they slid across the floor in a controlled skid. Despite the chaos, he managed to keep her safe and unscathed in his protective grasp.
"Big brother Eddie, you're my hero!" Frost exclaimed, her initial shock quickly giving way to delight as she clambered onto him, her embrace tight and joyful.
When the woman, Mother Grace, moved to scold the little mischief-maker, Frost was already darting away, her laughter trailing behind her like a melody.
"Are you alright, Eddie?" The woman's voice was laced with concern as she offered a hand to help him rise.
"Yes, I'm perfectly fine," Eddie assured her, quickly regaining his footing.
He was silently astounded by his own reflexes.
Could this be the benefit of his recent foray into the Innate Disembodied Sword Qi?
The thrill of this revelation pulsed through him, promising a future brimming with untapped potential.
Sophia, meanwhile, observed him with a quiet sense of wonder. "You've been practicing some form of martial arts, haven't you?"
she asked, a note of respect coloring her voice. "I dabble in combat arts myself, but your reaction was something else.
Imagine what you could achieve by pairing a strengthening beast with your elemental 'Mist'—your combat skills would soar."
The woman listened, her expression a complex tapestry of pride and maternal worry.
"Eddie, while I admire your dedication to martial arts," she said, serving him a tender piece of rib, "don't lose sight of your primary path.
Summoning is where your future lies. Diversify your skills, by all means, but remember where your true potential lies."
Eddie offered a nod of understanding, keeping the depth of his secret cultivation to himself. He appreciated the societal reverence for summoners and acknowledged the comparative view of martial arts in this world.
It was clear; summoning was the revered path of the elite, and he was keenly aware of the prestige and power it promised.
Post-lunch, Sophia led the way back to his living quarters, ready to share her academic insights with her newfound brother. For Eddie, every shared secret and imparted lesson was a step closer to mastering this world's mystic arts.
He was more than ready to embrace the wisdom and challenges that lay ahead, his heart set on unraveling the full breadth of his new life in Dragonrise Continent.