Chapter 032: Going Home (2)
“Huh? Mitchell’s last name is Wilson, though?”
Grant looked at Silvia as if he had no idea what she was talking about.
However, her gaze remained fixed intensely on Mitchell.
“The eldest son of the Kellion family, and the tragic genius Mitchell Kellion... I saw your face once when I visited the House of Kellion with my master.”
Mitchell felt a small wave of relief at those words.
If she had seen him at Kellion, it must have been at least five years ago.
He figured that someone who saw him in passing back then wouldn't be certain of his identity now that he was in his growth years.
Thus, Mitchell decided to flatly deny it.
“I don’t know who you’re talking about, but it’s fascinating that we have the same name and a similar face.”
“Exactly, the name Mitchell isn't that unique. You could probably find several Mitchells right here in Langa. More importantly, the House of Kellion is a family of Black Mages. Mitchell here has already opened his Aura Hole.”
“Brother, are you sure about that?”
“Yeah. Mitchell is a 4th-class Aura User. He’s been training in the Sky-Shattering Sword with me.”
Silvia fell silent at Grant’s words.
It was common knowledge that one could not handle Aura and Mana simultaneously.
“Since his Mana Hole was destroyed, it might be possible to open an Aura Hole...!”
“Silvia.”
Grant called out to Silvia in a low voice just as she was about to say more.
The goofy smile he wore moments ago was gone, replaced by the weighty presence of a 5th-class Aura User and the First Son of a Great House.
“Mitchell saved my life and helped our family overcome a crisis. He is not someone you can speak to recklessly based on unconfirmed information. We can discuss details later, so do not trouble our family's benefactor here.”
Silvia bit her lip at Grant's rebuke before eventually nodding.
“I understand...”
“That’s not enough. Apologize properly.”
“I apologize for being rude to the family's benefactor.”
Silvia gave a proper, formal apology. Mitchell accepted it.
With the matter settled for now, Grant sent Silvia up to her room and turned to Mitchell.
“I’ll come by your room later. Don't eat without me this time. We should at least have a drink to celebrate making it out of the Demonic Realm.”
Grant spoke while casually flicking his wrist and headed toward the wing where his sister's room was located.
Left alone, Mitchell let out a deep sigh.
He headed to his own room to cool his complicated thoughts.
About an hour had passed while he was resting in his room.
Knock, knock, knock—
Mitchell heard the knock and opened the door.
Grant burst into the room, holding a tray full of snacks and alcohol.
“Can I come in?”
“Why bother asking when you’re already inside?”
“It’s for the sake of manners. We finally got out of that hellhole; a celebration isn't complete without drinks and a friend.”
Grant placed the food and drinks on the table and handed Mitchell a glass.
“I’ll apologize again on my sister's behalf for her rudeness earlier.”
“I already received her apology. It’s fine.”
“Then consider this an apology representing the Lunei family.”
Grant stood still holding the bottle, as if he wouldn't move until the apology was accepted.
Mitchell had no choice but to nod and accept. Only then did Grant fill Mitchell’s glass and his own.
He didn't touch a single bite of the snacks he brought and simply kept draining his glass.
Silence hung between the two until a whole bottle was finished.
After the last glass, Grant spoke, his face slightly flushed from the alcohol.
“She only acted that way because she loves the family so dearly. She was so determined to help that at only thirteen, she headed to the Black Magic Tower just to learn magic that earns good money. She even threw away her success at the tower to return home.”
“That’s impressive.”
Mitchell truly meant it.
When he was thirteen, he was in the middle of training Soul Drain.
At that time, he had no thoughts of doing anything for his family.
He simply wanted to be the loved and noticed First Son of the Kellion family again.
Furthermore, Silvia was now nineteen and had walked away from being a rising star at the Black Magic Tower to return.
He could guess, at least a little, how special the House of Lunei was to her.
“Well, anyway, I’ve talked to Silvia, so don’t worry too much.”
“Talked to her about what?”
Mitchell asked back, wondering if Grant knew he was from the Kellion family.
However, Grant simply shrugged and spoke lightly.
“What else? I told her to mind her manners. How dare she interrogate the family's benefactor! Besides, it makes no sense for you to be a Kellion. Why would the First Son of the Kellion family come to a falling-down house like Lunei? Right?”
“...Right.”
As Grant laughed and put an arm around his shoulder, Mitchell laughed along. He tried his best to act natural.
“Plus, black hair and black eyes are common among nobles. People named Mitchell are even more common. So don't worry. I won't let some random misunderstanding trouble you.”
With that, Grant stopped talking about Kellion and began boasting about his martial arts.
He talked for hours about what he gained in the Demonic Realm before finally standing up.
“Mitchell, let’s talk more about techniques tomorrow. Whew, fighting that snake today really took it out of me. I'm exhausted.”
Thud—
As the door closed and Mitchell was left alone, he furrowed his brows.
‘Does he really not know?’
Based on Grant’s behavior, it seemed like he truly didn't know...
It was hard to judge.
Perhaps because his nerves were on edge, he found himself doubting even the smallest actions.
Mitchell shook his head and threw himself onto the bed.
At that moment, a voice echoed in his mind.
[What do you plan to do now?]
“I’m not sure yet. But wouldn't being adopted be out of the question now?”
Mitchell spoke calmly to Karian’s question.
[I suppose. Once the seeds of doubt are sown, the fact that you are a Kellion will eventually come to light.]
“Even so, I’ll teach them everything about the Sword of Death and the Sky-Shattering Sword before I go.”
[That doesn't matter. The family is the family, and you are a disciple of Lunei. Man, it’s frustrating being a ghost at times like this. If I had a physical form, I’d just tell them to accept you into the family and that would be that.]
Karian clicked his tongue repeatedly, sounding genuinely disappointed.
His actions showed not only frustration with the situation but also pity for Mitchell.
Mitchell, sensing that heart, simply offered a faint smile.
The next morning.
Grant, Silvia, and Mitchell were having an awkward breakfast.
Grant tried to lighten the mood with various jokes, but Silvia and Mitchell only gave him short responses due to the previous day's events.
As the meal was ending, the inn door opened and a soldier entered.
The soldier spotted the trio and walked straight over.
“General Gorkan says his business in the Demonic Realm will take longer, so he told you to head back first. He also said he would stop by the estate on his way back to the Imperial Palace once his task is finished.”
The soldier delivered the message from Grant’s uncle—General Gorkan—and turned away.
Seeing the marks of battle all over his body, it seemed monsters were still roaming near the entrance.
Grant watched the soldier leave before turning his gaze to Mitchell and Silvia.
“Well, let’s head out immediately then. Father must be waiting.”
Both agreed, and they quickly packed their things and headed outside.
Mitchell brought Nox out from the stable and mounted him, while Grant and Silvia set off in the carriage she had brought.
‘I’m glad there’s a carriage.’
It was a shame he couldn't travel at full speed, but he figured this was better than having to stare at Silvia’s face the whole way.
Though, of course, he still had to see her during their outdoor camps.
After traveling for several days, they finally arrived in Langa.
As Mitchell and the group passed through the elegant gates of Lunei and stood before the main building, Kayden was there to greet them, having heard the news in advance.
“Welcome back! I’m glad to see you’ve returned with Silvia.”
Kayden welcomed the three with a bright expression.
But that only lasted a moment before he glared at Silvia.
“I was already shocked by the news that the Demonic Realm entrance closed, and then I heard your sister headed straight there without stopping at home just to save her brother. You two siblings are equally good at making me worry.”
“I was just on my way there with Uncle anyway... But what about Brother? Is it because he entered the Demonic Realm?”
“Before that, he ran away from home—”
“Father! This son has wonderful news to share! Let’s head inside and talk!”
Grant cut Kayden off as soon as the words "ran away" were mentioned and hurried inside.
Kayden clicked his tongue and shook his head, but soon invited Mitchell and Silvia to follow.
A short while later, the four were gathered in the Family Head's office.
As soon as he sat down, Grant couldn't wait to continue the conversation.
“I learned the Sky-Shattering Flash and the Sky-Shattering Formation in the Demonic Realm.”
“What?! How did you learn those? Did you manage to restore the techniques?”
Grant had said it hoping to surprise Kayden, but Silvia was the first to shout.
Grant tilted his chin up and patted Mitchell on the back.
“Our benefactor here restored the Sky-Shattering Sword. It’s only up to the second move, the Sky-Shattering Formation, but I learned it alongside him.”
Silvia’s jaw dropped in shock, and Kayden’s eyes crinkled into half-moons of joy.
“Hahaha, you’ve already restored it up to the Sky-Shattering Formation. Thank you, Mitchell. Truly, thank you. I don't even know how to begin repaying this.”
“Not at all. I have already received so much grace, so you don't need to think of it that way.”
Mitchell gave an embarrassed smile, as he was technically just returning what belonged to Lunei.
However, Kayden shook his head, feeling differently.
“Then what would that make the House of Lunei?”
Kayden paused and looked directly at Mitchell.
The man who had been laughing and thanking him just a moment ago now exuded the dignified aura of a Family Head.
“While you were in the Demonic Realm, the results of the family meeting came out.”
“Regarding the adoption, you mean?”
“Yes. And our House of Lunei... has decided to take you in as an adopted son.”
“Ah...”
Mitchell glanced at Grant and Silvia at Kayden's words.
Silvia remained silent, while Grant enthusiastically slapped Mitchell’s back.
“We’re finally becoming brothers?! Oh, right, Father, there’s one more thing. Don't be too surprised.”
With a mischievous grin, Grant surged his Aura. An immense pressure spread throughout the room.
It was an energy that far surpassed the level of a 5th-class Aura User.
As Kayden looked on in shock, Grant told him about the Green-Scaled Ghost Snake’s Inner Core.
He also mentioned the deal he made with Mitchell to get it.
“Well now, based on birth dates, it’s only natural that he becomes your Big Brother.”
“Huh? Was Mitchell really born before me?”
“Yes. Though you were born in the same year, there is a six-month difference.”
“Aww, what? Mitchell, did you know this too?”
Grant turned his head but became confused when he saw Mitchell frozen in place.
Mitchell had no choice but to be stunned; he had never told Kayden his birthday.
That meant Kayden already had information on Mitchell.
“So you knew, Lord Kayden...”
At Mitchell’s question, the smile vanished from Kayden’s face.
