At the entrance of the mansion, the Videno family bid farewell to their hosts, the Ostheno family. The servants helped load the luggage, while the knights prepared their horses.
"Thank you for your hospitality, Lord James. Our family will never forget it." Jonathan extended his hand and shook James's firmly. The braided man smiled, returning the handshake just as firmly.
"You're welcome. I'll make sure you and your family return safely. My knights will also escort you at least until you're near the border."
Dianne, Connor, Lucas, and Laurene each said their goodbyes. "See you again at the Academy, Big Sis Dianne!" Laurene said cheerfully, Dianne nodded firmly. Lucas and Connor chatted lightly about something. "You're getting stronger even though you've only just recovered, Connor." The red-haired boy was a little embarrassed by the compliment.
Melissa and Dorothea also said their goodbyes. "Please take care on the way, Madam Dorothea." The woman with black hair bowed respectfully, thanking the Ostheno family for all their help.
Jonathan then asked something after looking around, "Is—is he still asleep?" James let out a big sigh and apologized. "Pardon me, but unfortunately, yes. Even though the servants tried to wake him up, he didn't open his bedroom door at all."
"It's fine, Lord James. I don't mind. On the contrary, I'd like to thank him again…" A wistful expression crossed his face, the two of them were talking about Eric, who wasn't present.
A few moments later, the Videno family began to leave the mansion, walking along the mansion's path. Connor looked out the window of his carriage. He wanted to also say goodbye to Eric.
But then he spotted someone standing and watching his family's departure from inside the mansion—more precisely, from the third floor. Connor recognized the figure, so he waved his hand, which piqued his family's curiosity.
"Who were you waving at, Connor?" Dianne asked curiously. The figure kept watching the carriage until it left the mansion grounds, and Connor fell silent after seeing the figure with satisfaction.
"It's nothing, Big Sis," Connor replied, closing his eyes. Dianne just shrugged and didn't press the matter further. Nothing happened during the rest of the journey, and once they entered Videno territory, Connor remembered something.
"Father, Mother, Big Sis…" The three of them looked at him, and he continued. "I want to ask for one thing…"
***
Night fell, and after dinner, James called Eric into his private office to ask him something. Eric knocked on the door and heard a voice from inside.
"Come in."
Eric walked right in. As always, he saw his father busy with something, as if the man in front of him didn't know the meaning of a day off. "Do you need something from me, Father?" Eric cut straight to the chase.
James put down his pen and looked at Eric. He seemed confused, unsure where to begin. "It's about your power…" Eric immediately understood why the man was confused.
"Where did you get that ability? As you know, Connor's condition isn't something ordinary. Even the Radiant Church couldn't handle the case affecting his body."
"Hmmm…" Eric muttered aloud, "What if I won't tell you the source of my power, Father?" Eric gauged his father's reaction. The man with the braided hair stared at Eric sharply, but Eric didn't flinch or show any fear. Instead, he stared right back at him.
Letting out a groan, James finally stepped back. "I won't do anything, then. I just… want to know where your power comes from and how it works."
Eric smirked at that, "Oh? I thought you'd threaten me and challenge me to a fight to figure out my power." James clicked his tongue, his expression growing slightly irritated. "I'm not some immature teenager, Eric. And after seeing what you can do with that power, I'd just end up looking like a fool if I forced you."
Eric was secretly impressed, he sensed that James wasn't afraid after witnessing what Idle Transfiguration could do, but rather respected Eric and his decision. He shrugged his shoulders and said casually, "Suit yourself, Father."
He continued, "As for why even the church couldn't handle it, the condition Connor was experiencing was, more accurately, a problem in his soul."
"His soul?"
Eric nodded. "Ever since that incident, his soul has been nearly shattered, which is why he can't walk or use magic. Even if you throw every kind of medicine and healing magic at him, he won't recover..."
He paused, "...unless healed with magic that can influence the soul. And here, Father surely knows what kind of magic is associated with manipulating the soul."
James furrowed his brow and exhaled. "Necromancy..."
"That's right. So, in short, what I did was correct Connor's twisted and damaged soul back to its original state. Though, as you can see, the process is so painful that he's screaming."
Eric stared straight at James, "But don't get me wrong, my power has absolutely nothing to do with necromancy, what I possess right now can only affect living beings."
James tapped his table repeatedly, "You know, if word of this gets out, the whole world will be fighting over you—and that's no exaggeration. You're capable of healing someone even the Radiant Church couldn't."
Eric gave a wry smile at that, "They can try, but I won't just stand by and watch."
A flicker of rage flashed in Eric's eyes, and James could see it clearly. "Don't worry, as I said, the Ostheno and Videno families who know about this will keep our word. As for those who witnessed your battle in that underground cave, I've already told them that you found a strange artifact that allows you to cast real-time shapeshifting illusion…"
Eric realized that James had apparently been doing a lot behind the scenes, "I appreciate it, Father."
James still wasn't satisfied and asked again. "How… did you do it back then? I mean… the whole monster thing…"
Eric exhaled and raised his right hand. He formed his fingers into something as sharp as a knife.
"It is said that the soul and the body are one, so the true extent of my ability is to manipulate the souls of the living, including my own at this moment. My 'monster form' back then was part of this technique."
James watched as Eric retracted and reformed his right hand back to normal. He tried to process it, but no matter how he looked at it, what he saw was extremely strange. So he decided not to overthink it, as long as Eric was back and acting like his usual self.
"Just one last question. That power... it has nothing to do with Demons or other evil forces, right? It doesn't have a dangerous influence on you, right?"
"Pfftt. Of course not, I'm still myself. The usual Eric from the Ostheno family—brave and handsome!" Eric boasted, but deep down he cringed a little at himself.
James shook his head, then said to Eric, "As long as you don't cause any trouble, Eric…you can go now." Eric simply nodded and walked away from his father's office, leaving him to deal with the paperwork.
Back in his room, Eric could finally relax and look forward to the time when he would return to the Academy after this vacation ended.
***
The next day, as usual after finishing his daily physical training, Eric slipped out and stopped by Grandma Seeva's Little Twister. This time, the old woman taught him how to make candy with mixed flavors, which, of course, turned out weird.
"What the hell is this!? You butchered my recipe!!"
"You're the one who doesn't make yourself clear, you damn old woman!"
Grandma Seeva grumbled and told Eric to clean up the kitchen. Eric wiped the sweat from his brow and went to the living room, sighing as he recalled the unexpected incident where the candy he'd made at Grandma Seeva's request had turned out way too sweet.
The old woman emerged from the kitchen, as usual carrying jars filled with snacks. Then she broke the silence, "I heard the rescue of that Videno boy was a success."
"Yep."
"And you were involved too. "Wow, I didn't expect that."
"If you want to praise me, feel free to do so, old bones." Eric smiled mockingly. Grandma Seeva shook her head, responding to Eric's words. "The world is about to end because you, the arrogant and pompous young master, decided to help someone! Bahaha!!"
Eric clicked his tongue, "Yeah, yeah. Whatever."
"So, what's next? Do you want to be a hero and defeat the Demon King?" Grandma Seeva's teasing was starting to irritate him, but Eric just sighed. "Waiting until my vacation is over. I'll be heading back to the Academy, old bones."
"Ah, you're right." Grandma Seeva nodded slowly. She gazed at the sky, as if looking far into the distance. "I can't believe this winter is almost over… time flies so fast."
Eric fell silent, closing his eyes. "Does Millie still come here often?" he asked, leaning back fully in his chair.
"Ohoho, she still visits me. Even though I told her she doesn't need to bother coming here anymore." The old woman chuckled, remembering that. Then this time it was Eric's turn to annoy her. "You sure don't want to cure that back pain of yours? Heh." said Eric, wiggling his fingers.
Grandma Seeva scoffed. "Keep those disgusting hands off me, brat. Or else, you'll feel the consequences," the old woman replied, tapping her cane. Eric smirked playfully, "Sure, sure. So scary."
And so, Eric spent his days until finally winter had passed and spring was about to arrive.