Chapter 19: A Mother's Education
Inside the Oracle Headquarters, silence reigned.
Mabel Cross sat at her desk, golden eyes scanning a holographic report hovering in the air before her. Her expression was calm—too calm.
Then—
Boom. Boom. Boom.
The entire floor trembled as cracks spiderwebbed across the reinforced walls.
The report vanished.
"So that's why you haven't been calling," Mabel said softly.
Her fingers curled.
"I suppose I'll have to visit you myself."
The shockwave echoed through the headquarters. Staff froze in place, whispers spreading as they turned toward the Guild Leader's office.
Only one person approached the door.
Her assistant.
Carefully, the woman pushed it open.
The inside looked as though a bomb had gone off—walls fractured, desk split cleanly in two, mana still lingering in the air.
"Guild Leader," the assistant said cautiously, "are you alright… or do you require something?"
Mabel turned.
Her gaze was sharp. Focused.
"Prepare the car," she ordered. "I'll be out for a while."
The assistant straightened instantly. "Yes, Guild Leader."
She hesitated for half a second. "May I ask where you're going?"
Mabel's lips curled upward.
Not a smile.
"I'm going to educate one of my children."
The assistant swallowed and bowed deeply.
"I'll prepare everything immediately."
She left without another word.
The assistant moved quickly through the halls, issuing orders, her mind focused entirely on the task.
So focused, in fact, that she didn't hear her name being called.
"Amy."
No response.
"Amy."
She blinked and turned.
"Sorry," Amy said quickly. "I wasn't listening. What do you need?"
"Are you alright?"
Amy's breath caught.
She was standing in front of Veronica Cross.
"…I was asking where my mother is going," Veronica said casually, though her eyes were sharp with curiosity.
Amy straightened instantly. "Miss Veronica—I don't know the details. Guild Leader Cross mentioned something about… educating a child."
Veronica's lips curved upward.
"Oh?" she said. "That's interesting."
She crossed her arms. "Since it's a family matter, I think I'll tag along."
Amy hesitated—but said nothing.
Ding. Ding. Ding.
The elevator doors opened.
Mabel Cross stepped out.
Her eyes immediately locked onto Veronica.
"Why are you here?" Mabel asked coldly. "You should be training."
Veronica flinched under her mother's gaze.
"I was just taking a short break," she said quickly. "I'll go back now."
Mabel stared at her for a long moment.
Then—
"No," she said. "Follow me."
Veronica froze.
"And call your other sisters," Mabel continued. "We're going to pay your brother a visit."
Veronica's eyes widened.
"Yes, Mother."
Ring. Ring. Ring.
"Yo, what's up, V?"
"Mom wants a family meeting," Veronica said. "She's mad at Xavier."
There was a pause.
Then—
"Oh, that should be fun," Mira replied cheerfully. "She sent the address, right?"
"Yeah."
"Perfect. Rachel and I will be there."
Rachel's voice chimed in. "If Xavier really pissed Mom off, maybe we can get him to cook for us again."
Mira laughed. "Worth it."
Back at Magical Delivery LLC, Xavier shivered.
A cold chill crawled down his spine.
"…Something's wrong," he muttered. "I've got a bad feeling, Serena."
Serena didn't even look up from the cards in her hand.
"I don't care about your fake intuition," she said flatly. "Hurry up and play."
Xavier hesitated.
Then sighed. "You're right. Probably nothing."
He placed a card down.
Far away, a car engine roared to life.
And the Cross family began to move.