Chapter 20: A Mother's Test
"You're really bad at playing cards, Serena."
Xavier leaned back in his chair, grinning.
"That's impossible," Serena snapped. "You cheated. There's no way you beat me again."
Xavier shrugged. "You're supposed to be good at everything. It's okay to be second best at cards."
"Shut up, you cheater!" Serena slammed the table. "Since you're so good, let's fight!"
"Nope. Absolutely not."
The two had been bored for hours. No customers. No dungeon calls. Xavier had suggested cards to kill time, and now this was the result.
"We can do something else that doesn't involve violence," Xavier said quickly. "What about video games?"
Serena opened her mouth—
Then Xavier froze.
From outside the building came the sound of multiple engines, tires crunching against pavement.
"…You hear that too, right?" Xavier asked.
Serena's expression sharpened. "Yeah. I hear it. Let's see who it is."
They both stood and walked toward the front.
The moment Xavier stepped outside, his stomach dropped.
Two cars were parked neatly in front of Magical Delivery LLC.
Cars he knew very well.
"…Shit," he muttered. "This is worse than an intruder."
Serena glanced at him. "Worse how?"
"My mother," Xavier said flatly. "And my sisters."
Serena blinked. "You have siblings? You never told me that."
"You never asked," Xavier replied. "And you never questioned why I somehow knew what clothes you'd like when you came to Earth."
"…I thought you were just creepy."
Before Xavier could respond, the car doors opened.
First out was Mabel Cross.
She wore an all-black outfit—simple, elegant, and suffocatingly authoritative. The air itself seemed to tighten around her presence.
To her right stepped Veronica, one of Xavier's younger sisters, wearing an outfit only she could pull off: a red shirt, pink pants, and white shoes, looking more like she was heading to a café than confronting family drama.
Xavier forced a smile and walked forward.
"Hi there, Mom," he said carefully. "What brings you here?"
Mabel looked at him.
She smiled.
Not impressed.
"Don't 'hi there' me," she said calmly. "Did you really think I wouldn't know you awakened?"
Xavier's smile froze.
"I was going to tell you," he said quickly. "It's just been—"
"Busy," Mabel cut in. "Yes. I'm sure."
She took a step closer. "You don't need to worry. You can explain now."
Her gaze sharpened.
"You awakened, Xavier. What's your class?"
Xavier felt pressure from behind as two more figures approached.
Mira and Rachel.
His remaining sisters.
Mira waved lazily. Rachel smiled like she was watching a show.
"I awakened about two months ago," Xavier admitted. "But I've really been busy."
Mabel's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Two months," she repeated. "Then you were already awakened when I called you that day."
"No," Xavier said. "It was the next day. After I quit my job to open this place."
Mabel looked past him at the building.
"This business?" she asked.
"What is it?" Mira asked, peering around. "It doesn't look half bad."
"It's a delivery service," Xavier said. "I deliver whatever you need. For now, mostly food."
Mabel studied him in silence.
Finally, she spoke.
"I can see you're doing well," she said. "And that's all a mother ever wants."
Xavier let out a breath of relief—
"But you didn't think this was over," Mabel continued, "did you?"
Xavier stiffened. "No, I just—"
"You just what?" Mabel asked.
Xavier opened his mouth.
Closed it.
He knew looking to his sisters for help was pointless.
"Here's the deal, son," Mabel said calmly. "You're going to tell me everything anyway."
She turned slightly, mana pressure rolling outward.
"But before that, I'll see where you stand."
Xavier's eyes widened. "You want me to fight you?"
Mabel shook her head.
"Fight?" she said. "No."
She met his eyes.
"I'll be on defense the entire time. I'm angry at you, yes—but I would never hurt my child."
Xavier swallowed.
"…Okay," he said. "It's not like I have a choice."
"Good," Mabel replied. "Then let's not waste time."
The air trembled.
[Ding]
[New Mission Detected]
[Survive for 10 Minutes]
[Reward: Unknown]
Xavier clenched his fists.
Survive, he thought.
Against my own mother.
This was going to be hell.