Within the magical academy, as Robert and Constantine left, the guardian and Claire fell into silence. After a while, the guardian was the first to speak, "I apologize for attacking you before, but I've given up on leaving the academy. If there's anything about your abilities that you don't understand, you can ask me. And I suggest you stay within the academy…"
"After all, the academy, if nothing else, is protected by magic formations that can buy us a bit of time. Even if Valentine really comes here, I won't be completely unaware and will be able to communicate in time… uh, communicate with Constantine. I don't seem to know what he's called yet…"
"A Saiyan, a human superhero!" Claire looked at the guardian and said.
"A superhero?" The guardian raised an eyebrow, not expecting Robert to have such an identity, but quickly he regained his composure and said to Claire, "I need to know your level of acceptance of the supernatural world and the amount of training time you can accept…"
"Since I've stepped into the supernatural world, I naturally won't miss out. I've already entered, so why retreat?" Claire's expression became serious as she looked at the guardian, "After all, this is a completely different world. Although I was very uncomfortable at first, I don't want to miss the wonders of this world now…"
"Then you'll need to put in more effort!" The guardian looked deeply at Claire and said, "The lineage of Shadow Hunters was once very powerful, but with the decline of their bloodline, they are no longer considered formidable in the supernatural world…"
"The reason Valentine chose to integrate demon blood was precisely because of this, and of course, because his ambitions were too great…"
"However, you're special. I can sense that your powers have just awakened and are already stronger than many Shadow Hunters. Perhaps this is related to your past awakening and subsequent amnesia, but you might indeed have the potential to restore the glory of the Shadow Hunter lineage!"
As the instructor of the Shadow Hunter lineage, once the guardian gave up on leaving the magical academy and decided to guide Claire's growth, he started to habitually offer encouragement, inspiring confidence in his students to persevere during uncertain times. This was something he excelled at!
"I'll do my best!" Although Claire wasn't too keen on the Shadow Hunter lineage, she was still encouraged by the guardian's words.
"Claire…" Just as Claire was about to ask the guardian more about her abilities, Jocelyn's voice rang out. She walked out with Luke, who looked somewhat weak, although no longer in grave danger. Luke's condition wasn't great because the guardian's healing speed was too fast, preventing Robert from intervening. The guardian's healing abilities were far inferior to Robert's.
"Are you leaving?" Hearing Jocelyn's voice, Claire turned to look at them, paused for a moment, and then asked with a complex tone.
Previously, when Claire heard Jocelyn was in danger, she rushed home without hesitation. Even after learning she had stepped into the supernatural world and couldn't easily save Jocelyn, Claire had no intention of giving up.
But Claire never expected that Jocelyn would seal her memories for the Holy Grail, essentially sleeping through the crisis and leaving everything to her, seemingly without considering Claire's safety...
Thus, Claire felt conflicted. She was definitely dissatisfied, but the genuine affection she had for Jocelyn over the years was real. Even without knowing why her past self agreed to let Jocelyn seal her memories, Claire must have still loved her mother, Jocelyn, otherwise, she wouldn't have made such a sacrifice...
"Sorry, child, I should have considered more…" Jocelyn took a deep breath and looked at Claire apologetically, "I didn't think too much at the time. I just wanted to hide the Holy Grail by any means necessary, so Valentine wouldn't find it. But I ignored your feelings then and now…"
"It's all in the past, don't worry. If there's no danger, I won't give the Holy Grail to Valentine!" Hearing Jocelyn's words, Claire gradually regained her composure and said, "I'll visit you when I have time. After all, with the teleportation portal, it's convenient for me to go there, and I wish you both happiness…"
"It's almost Christmas…" Jocelyn and Luke said, opening their mouths. After going through these events and breaking the last barrier between them, they wanted to spend a happy reunion with Claire, especially since Christmas was an important holiday for them. They hoped Claire would join them.
"I want to master my abilities as soon as possible, especially since we don't know when Valentine will return…" Claire paused, then shook her head and said softly, "For so many years, I've been the third wheel by your side. It's time for you two to have your world."
"Alright, come back and visit if you miss us…" Jocelyn looked regretful, and after Luke patted her shoulder in consolation, he nodded at Claire and spoke softly.
Soon, Jocelyn and Luke left. The Shadow Hunters, who had been holding back, finally came forward. Honestly, since Jace brought Claire, Robert, and Constantine to the magical academy, the developments had confused them. They needed the guardian to explain what had happened.
"Sorry, kids, I've let down your trust!" The guardian looked at the gathering Shadow Hunters with a hint of guilt in his eyes, sharing his previous desire to leave the magical academy.
Hearing the guardian's words, the Shadow Hunters' expressions changed dramatically. The impact on them was no less than what Claire had experienced because, in their hearts, the guardian was no different from a parent or life mentor.
"The guardian has protected our academy and its students for generations. It's normal for him to be weary and yearn for freedom, isn't it?" Eventually, Jace, who was somewhat prepared, stood out and spoke to his companions.
"After all, we've killed so many demons and wanted to rest. Why wouldn't the guardian want his own life?"
"Moreover, the guardian has now come to his senses in time, without causing any harm to anyone in the magical academy. He could have continued to lie to us, but he chose to tell us the truth. Can't we forgive him?"
Silence fell upon the Shadow Hunters as Jace spoke, their feelings complex. While they couldn't return to the state before the guardian's actions, they managed to maintain the current situation of the magical academy.
However, as the guardian continued to guide the Shadow Hunters in the academy with all his effort, they would eventually choose to gradually forget this incident...
Soon, as time passed, Christmas arrived as scheduled, and the Kent and Danvers families began their holiday trip, this time including Lana. The atmosphere wasn't awkward because Lana was already familiar with the Kents.
As for the Danvers family, their relationship was excellent, and Lana got along well with everyone, even taking the initiative to chat and bond with Kara and Alex, leaving Clark somewhat neglected during the day.
Alex has basically given up on her career at the DEO. After so much effort, she realized some things don't yield results just because you work hard.
Alex maneuvered through the Order of the Eye, trying to secure more benefits for the DEO, but
ultimately gained nothing. She even discovered the DEO had become a retirement spot for some, with people trying to bribe her to get others in, seemingly her only power...
Thus, Alex gave up. Going to work was easy and paid well without having to manage anything. What's wrong with that? After all, she couldn't handle the affairs of the supernatural world anyway.
After giving up, Alex's mindset became much more peaceful, and her overall state improved as if she had shed some shackles.
Unbeknownst to Alex, her work status was always observed by the Martian Manhunter. Honestly, seeing Alex hit so many walls made the Martian Manhunter uncomfortable, feeling his death might have been too much for her.
But the "Mr. Bones" persona the Martian Manhunter used at the DEO had lost its usefulness. Now, his new identity had climbed higher, even overlapping with Mr. Bones' functions, forcing him to abandon the persona, unaware of the significant impact it had on Alex.
Fortunately, Alex seems to have moved on, at least giving up futile persistence at work, which relieved the Martian Manhunter.
As for her life after work, the Martian Manhunter didn't pry, as he lost to Clark and promised not to spy on Clark's family. Alex's work was one thing, but once she returned home near the Kent farm, the Martian Manhunter couldn't look any further...
Honestly, the Martian Manhunter had been quite busy for a while and now wanted to rest. After all, dealing with demons wasn't just up to Clark and Robert; if not for many superhumans stepping in, Clark might have been flying around the clock.
Let's put aside the Martian Manhunter's matters for now. On Christmas Day, as the Kent and Danvers families continued their trip, as if by fate, the cocoon in space finally broke open, and Valentine's figure appeared in space.
Valentine now looked balanced, with angelic wings symbolizing angelic power on his back and demonic horns on his head pulsing with dark, evil demonic power. At least now, Valentine wouldn't trigger anyone's OCD.
The powers of angels and demons mingled within Valentine, two entirely opposite, natural enemy forces not clashing but making him increasingly powerful...
However, Valentine didn't immediately wake up. When his angelic wings suddenly glowed, it seemed a consciousness hid within him, and Valentine's aura became more peaceful, suggesting he was nearing awakening.
And on the first day of his eighteenth year, Robert woke up to find something off about his body...
"Hmm?" Robert paused, then looked at his hands, noticing they were larger than before. In that moment, he understood something, a hint of joy flashing in his eyes as he leaped up.
"I grew taller? How magical, I didn't even notice. Just one night's sleep and my genes and cells changed?" Robert carefully felt his body, murmuring, "My Qi and combat power haven't changed much, but my body has become more perfect, and my cells and power are more harmonious! How tall am I now?"
"Robert! Time to get up!" As Robert was feeling the changes in his body, Kara burst into his room, shouting, "Let's try something different today. We're going to a buffet. I know a place... Ah?! Robert, you've grown? Oh my! So big... I mean, so tall!"
Following Robert's instructions, Kara hadn't peeked or eavesdropped before entering, so she was surprised and then blushed upon seeing the grown Robert, instinctively lowering her head but unable to resist looking at him again.
Even though Robert kept saying he would suddenly grow taller at eighteen, Kara had never fully believed it, thinking it might be Robert's way of saving face.
Of course, Kara had considered Robert's height issue, but she felt as long as she remained youthful and beautiful, it wouldn't matter much if Robert didn't grow taller.
"Why did you enter without knocking?" Although Kara had seen Robert through her X-ray vision many times before, for some reason, he felt somewhat uncomfortable being seen directly this time. Upon seeing Kara enter, he quickly conjured clothes for himself and glared at her, dissatisfied.
"Hehe, it's not like I haven't seen it before, although this time it's different. You look really good like this..." Kara giggled shyly, her eyes sparkling as she happily looked at Robert.
Eighteen, huh? Suddenly, it seems so far away...
___________________
(Support with power stones, comments or reviews)
If you guys enjoy this story, In support me on Patreon and get access to +200 advance Chapters
Read Ahead
Patreon.com/INNIT