Chapter 20: Chapter 19 - Reunion
What a beautiful day.
The sun is shining, the wind is blowing and the birds are soaring free in the sky.
Those birds look strange you say?
Well, that's because they're not real birds at all.
After several months of practice, I've finally achieved what I set out to do.
In the sky are a flock of a dozen wind birds flying in a figure eight, created by yours truly.
Now I'm able to conjure one within a second, while less complex spells like wind blades or discs can be cast almost instantly. Another benefit of using the moulding method is that it makes continuous casting even easier.
Before I would have to create each spell individually, but now the only thing I need to create is the mould, which means to cast the same spell twice all I need to do is fire off my first spell and once its done simply replenish the spell with mana. Sort of like emptying a cup and refilling it.
However, this alone isn't the reason why I'm feeling so happy.
The other is that I've managed to make a breakthrough in cultivation.
After six and a half long and arduous years on this planet I've achieved tier 1 cultivation rank.
Even though it's a small difference quantitatively between 9% and 10% mana capacity, though perhaps not as small as others when considering for my large mana sea, I can feel a huge jump in the qualitative difference. It's hard to describe, but somehow I can tell that my mana regeneration, efficiency, and cultivation speed has increased.
I wanted to hide it at first, but unfortunately things don't always go as planned. During my first lesson with Serena after my breakthrough, she could immediately tell that I was no longer at tier 1.
Perhaps it's because the difference in tiers between her compared to me is so vast that it can only be described as insurmountable.
Despite the fact that my family, Annette and Alexandra all seemed to take it in stride, Serena was shocked. I guess she was under the impression that I'd only begun cultivating after having my visit to the Magic Association.
Eventually, after trying to get everyone else to be as shocked as she was to no avail, she gave up and stopped caring.
Although, I thought I heard her mutter words like, "Am I going crazy? Or is it this family that's crazy?", to herself once she'd given up on convincing them.
Is that what a reasonable person's reaction looks like?
Soon, everything returned to normalcy, and my life is still as calm and relaxed as ever.
While I'm lying back watching the birds with Alexandra, her ears perk up and she gives me the signal that someone is approaching. Thankfully the spell duration is about to expire, and the birds are transparent enough to not be visible unless someone looked very closely.
A few seconds after they disappear into wisps of air, Annette turns the corner and sees us looking up at the sky. I pretend not to notice her until she calls out my name.
"Young Master, Miss Alexandra, please follow me to the reception room."
How unusual.
Despite thinking so, I obviously won't refuse, so we follow closely behind Annette as she leads us to our destination.
As we arrive, the door is already open. Inside I can see Abraham sat behind his desk, facing a person in a hooded cloak. As my father sees me, the cloaked person notices his shift in attention and turns around.
"This is my son Cain, the one whom I was telling you about."
Seeing how courteous Abraham is treating this person, I have to do my best not to leave a bad impression.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Cain Dubois."
I give him my signature bow and introduce myself accordingly.
"Cain, where is Alexandra?"
Hm?
Wasn't she right behind me?
I turn around and see her hidden out of sight behind the corner of the doorway. I guess she's still too shy to show herself to strangers.
I wasn't going to force her to do something that would make her uncomfortable, so instead I just waited.
Eventually it seemed that she'd made her mind up and timidly skittered over, doing her best to try and use me as a shield. Sadly since she's three years older than me, it's getting harder and harder for her to do so. Not to mention most adults tower over us anyway and can see her from above.
"Alex... Is that you?"
A deep baritone voice comes from underneath the hood which would normally make me think of a tough-as-nails warrior, though due to the wavering of it I can only imagine them as a fragile old man.
Hearing it, Alexandra seems to forget about her shyness and pops her head out fully.
"Father?"
'Did she just say father?'
Before I can tell what's going on, the masked man has disappeared from his seat and I can feel his presence from behind me.
I turn around in reflex and see him hugging Alexandra, holding her to his chest. His personage is now revealed as the hood hangs at the back of his neck and on his head sit distinct black pointed ears, similar to those of Alexandra, though a few streaks of grey can be seen glistening in the light.
"Father!"
For the first time ever, I witness Alexandra cry.
"Fa- *hic* father. I'm sorry *hic* I was a bad girl. I *hic* I'm sorry. Please *hic* don't be mad."
She can barely make a sentence out through her sobs. Her wails echo throughout the house as she wipes her eyes only for them to be drenched in tears once more.
Even though I can't see her father's face, from the trembling of his shoulders and the sound of whimpers I can tell he must be crying too.
Annette and Clarissa, who was with my father in the reception room, are doing their best not to let out a cry as they hurriedly wipe their eyes.
"No darling, it's not your fault. Everything's going to be fine. I'm not mad."
I can hear from his voice that he's also doing his best not to let his emotions overwhelm him as he whispers the words into her ear as if they were his last, uttering each sentence between belaboured breaths.
After a few minutes, Alexandra goes quiet, her chest steadily rising and falling whilst her father caresses her head in his embrace.
"My apologies everyone."
"No worries Mr. Schwarz. We all understand. We're just happy to see Alexandra finally reunited with her family", Abraham quickly reassures Alexandra's father.
Nodding to my father in acknowledgment, he stands up, carrying Alexandra like a princess as her turns to look at me.
"Thank you, young Cain, for looking after my daughter for all these years", he says as he bends his waist to an almost inhuman degree.
Though that's not surprising considering how fast he moved earlier.
I wonder how strong this man is?
While I appreciate the sentiment, I can't possibly accept something as weighty as this. Flustered, I hurriedly move to stop him.
"There's no need for that Mr. Schwarz. If anything, Alexandra has been the one taking care of me."
Thankfully he doesn't make it too awkward for me and raises his head, giving off a melancholic smile.
"Thank you for those kind words, young Cain. My name is Karl Schwarz, but please, call me Karl. I can tell that my daughter was not mistreated here from the way she acted around you, and for that you have my gratitude."
Seeing that he was finished with his introduction, my father quickly interjects.
"It must have been a long and arduous journey here Mr. Karl, why don't you take a rest and we can continue our chat once you've rested up."
"Thank you, Mr. Dubois."
Abraham then looks to Annette who bows and leads Karl off to a guest room, Alexandra still held close to his chest.
Since I'm not really in the mood to continue practicing magic, I spend the rest of the day training swordsmanship.
I find that with magic I have to keep my mind active, while swordsmanship helps me stay calm.
The next morning, all six of us are sat in the living room. For once Alexandra isn't next to me, instead she's sat by Karl's side.
"I thank you for all the kindness you've shown our family, however it's time for us to be leaving. I plan to take Alexandra home with me today."
"NO!"
For the second time in two days, I witness something I've never seen before.
Alexandra screaming.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone