Shane hesitated, his lips parting, then pressing together as doubt flickered across his face. He worried the truth might bruise his son's pride, but he forced himself to answer, his voice gentle, "He was not bad; I only used ten percent of my aura. The people he was chasing weren't high level either; had they been any higher, they would not have died with my aura alone."
Alex nodded slowly; he was filled with admiration. He imagined himself standing tall and unyielding like the elf. Someone who was righteous and fought against evil. Suddenly, he slapped his forehead, scolding himself in silence, 'I forgot to ask his name.'
Noticing his son slap his forehead, Shane asked with concern, "What happened, son?"
Alex pulled himself out of his thinking and looked towards his father, who was looking worried. He smiled and answered, "Nothing, it's just that I forgot to ask the name."
Shane smiled at his son's silliness. He put his hand gently on his son's head and assured him, "Don't worry, don't make this mistake again."
Alex nodded with a fierce determination to never forget to ask someone's name again.
Seeing Alex determined, Shane and Sera smiled.
They all went back to their carriage and entered it one by one. The journey began once again.
Inside the carriage, Alex asked something he had missed before, "How did you know the elf was telling the truth? What if he was lying?"
Shane nodded at his son's question, satisfied by his curiosity, knowing that only through curiosity can one gain new knowledge.
Shane's eyes softened, a hint of approval in them. He answered, "They were so weak that they wouldn't have been able to deal with the beast. They didn't even say what kind of beast they were after. The leader's eyes darted around and grew unfocused as he was telling the story. He was likely making up the story at that time. They did not even have any suits or armor that an adventurer team would wear. Also, the elf was carrying some expensive treasures like that mask that concealed his voice; he is likely some high figure or at least a noble."
Alex nodded his head as he absorbed all the knowledge. He shifted in his seat, and through the window, he looked back at the place where the elf previously stood. He watched it grow smaller as the carriage moved forward. The only thing on his mind was how the elf had become so strong.
Deep in the forest, surrounded by lush green plants and trees, a hooded elf moved slowly, stumbling on his path. He used a tree trunk for support. Shane's aura had greatly affected him; though he managed not to show it before, now he could barely manage.
He bent down, resting his back against a tree. Clutching his stomach, he coughed and spat blood onto the ground, his insides in turmoil.
He uncorked a potion with trembling hands and slowly drank it, dropping half of it on his body. The canopy of leaves and branches allowed only small glimpses of the sky and little light to reach the forest floor. He looked back at his path and murmured, "We will meet soon."
- - -
Dusk fell as the carriage entered the Silverine state. The streets, paved with cobblestones and lit by mana lamps, glowed as night descended. People walked along the roadsides, most not sparing the carriage a second glance. They had seen plenty of grand carriages; every day, new ones arrived in Silverine, their occupants dreaming of joining the academy.
Alex and Ariana had fallen asleep. Shane and Sera, watching their children, reminisced about their own childhoods and their experiences enrolling in Silverine Academy.
A wave of melancholy and memories washed over them, reminding them how quickly time had passed. Once, they had been children themselves, excited to enroll in the academy—making friends, facing challenges, and mourning cherished ones who died before them. Now, they felt old, realizing a day would come when they'd leave their children behind in this world. Nothing is certain in this world, and the only certain thing is death.
Sera slowly reached for her husband's hand; in his eyes, she saw the same feelings she was experiencing. She rested her head on his shoulder, both of them reminiscing about the past and thinking of a future when they would no longer be there for their children to see them grow. A child must outgrow his parents, not the other way around.
Shane squeezed her hand, voice low but steady. "Don't worry, love. Our children will shine, even when we're not there to see it. They will grow splendidly and live a happy life."
Sera just hummed, her ears filled with tears as she dreaded a future in which their children would have to fend for themselves.
After a while, the carriage halted. Alex and Ariana woke abruptly and looked at their parents, and saw sadness in their eyes.
Ariana stood up, and her small hand reached for her mother's tears. She asked with her own eyes that had filled with tears, "Why are you crying, Mother?"
Sera lifted her head from her husband's shoulder, gently guided her daughter's hand to her cheek, and tightly held it. She answered, "What are you saying? I'm just feeling sleepy."
Ariana felt her mother's warm cheek, sensing the sadness behind a smile that barely reached her eyes. She said nothing, but a tear slipped down her own face.
Alex noticed everything and decided not to speak. He sensed something was wrong; he hadn't seen them this sad in years, except when he confronted them about his healing ability.
As the atmosphere grew more uncomfortable, Shane opened the carriage door and stepped outside.
Alex followed his father out. As he reached the carriage entrance, he paused and looked back at his mother and sister. Feeling his mother's sadness, he found himself rooted to the spot, unable to step outside.
Sera caught her son's hesitation and offered a shaky smile, her voice soft. She said, "Don't worry, my son. Go on."
Alex gave a small, uncertain nod, unable to shake his discomfort, "Hmm."
- - -
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