Chapter 570 - “Well unless you can fly away, space bird, You’re in hot water!”

Eric smiled with satisfaction after a very productive day indeed, his mind happily singing with all the beautiful spiritual insights still filling him with wonder after getting his first glimpse of pristine sigils he somehow just knew would be found at the most elite highland cultivation monasteries. And the Crimson Sigils sung to him with all the warm familiarity of an art he knew like the back of his hand. Only more so. So connected to blood that he knew that had he not awoken to his inner phoenix, the crimson path would most definitely be the one he would have walked just as far as it would take him.

It was only thoughts of the awful pulsating purple sigils with their mocking tendril swirls and smug eyeball apostrophe’s that left his stomach roiling, the acrid bitter aftertaste to what truly had been the sweetest of revelations.

Eric chuckled ruefully as the grand manor that pretended to be a humble country retreat came into view, the air alive with the wonderful scents of ripening fruit and a thousand brilliant blossoms waving in the final rays of the setting sun.

Eric’s heart filled with warmth as he ascended to his bedroom balcony, gently slid open the sliding glass door, and filled the air with words he never thought he’d say again.

“Just got home! I’ll freshen up and head downstairs.”

“Eric, is that you? Dinners in ten minutes!”

“And we’re having a chat after dinner, young man.”

“Ooh, he’s in trouble again.”

“Eric, you’re home!”

“Yes, I am! I’ll be downstairs to talk to you and Maja soon.”

His heart was filled with warmth as he took in the gentle trappings of his room, the freshly made bed with fluffy puffed up comforter and pillows… the study desk with notes he hadn’t gotten around to reviewing, the shower waiting for him that he made quick use of, wincing only slightly at all the blood and slime and other bits that he really should have cleaned off better before coming home. But he was glad that he had cleaned off, just in time to change into sweat shirt and pants that were both comfy and made him look like the harmless teen he never was. And then he was opening the door, smiling warmly into the scowling countenance of an irate looking Louise whose eyes abruptly widened, cheeks flushing.

“Hi sis, what’s up?”

Louise blinked, then stepped back, crossing her arms. “What’s up is that you’re supposed to be setting up the silverware!”

Eric grinned in apology. “Sorry, Louise. I’ll get right on that.”

“Good.” She gave him a concerned look. “Eric?”

“What’s up, my awesome cultivating sister?”

Louise couldn’t help beaming at those words. “Damn right, I am!” Her cheeky grin turned to a worried look. “Is everything alright, Eric?”

He nodded. “Absolutely! Sorry I’m late… I’m not late, am I? I tried to make sure to come home by sunset.”

Louise shrugged. “I think, um… you’d better talk to mom and dad? But, yeah… better than yesterday, I guess?” She shrugged. “Anyway, come on. Guess what? Sophia’s staying with us for the next few days! Isn’t that awesome?”

“Absolutely!” Eric quickly concurred as they made their way to the dining table.

Eric winced, taking in both an excited Ella and Maja, who raised over to be picked up, swung about, and carried back to her seat with a gentle head rub, a thoughtful-looking Sophia, and his adoptive parents who looked both pleased to see him, and at the same time, less than happy.

Eric smiled through the sudden tension in his gut as he took in the spread before him.

“Sushi and Peking duck? I love Peking duck! And the sauce and pancakes are just like what I remember. Looks like a ten out of ten, Aunty Hanna.”

His flattery earned a tolerant smile from the tired-looking woman. “I’m glad you like it, Eric, though you’re using an odd name for the sweet and crackly. Now, how was your day, dear?”

Eric paused in filling his plate, heaping egg fried rice, sushi, and plenty of duck meat for the fluffy rice pancakes. “Actually it was great. As intense as Professor Klein can be, the material’s sinking in pretty well, especially after reviewing my notes at home and making flow charts about how accounting principles work, here in NanDushi. And tomorrow we’re going to the local Jade Syndicate branch with the Westwind jade slip giving us entrance and rights to make us of the facilities… even if the school’s the one getting account credit, ha ha. Who cares if we can buy sweet toys with it. Am I right?”

Sophia smirked. “Getting a taste of the good life tomorrow, huh? Good for you. It’s an opportunity you’ll want to make the most of. Both for your own benefit, and your course’s.”

Eric dipped his head. “Agreed, Aunt Sophia. I’m very much looking forward.”

“And what did you do after class?” John asked, innocently enough.

Eric smiled between bites of his sweet and savory pancake. “I hung out with Rachel, Chevrain, and a few other classmates. We went to a diner and filled up on the yummies, shared a few beers and talked about life, our dreams after the academy, that sort of thing.”

John’s intent gaze softened. “Bonding with your fellow students and planning your future? Not a bad use of your time, Eric, save for one small problem.”

Eric suppressed a wince. “Okay… what am I missing? I came back home at a decent hour… or should I have come back right after class?” He gazed Hanna’s way, pinning him with those sad eyes of hers, breaking Eric’s heart with the pain he sensed underneath her smile. “Sorry if I dropped the ball there, Aunty Hanna. If you’d like me to come home right after class, and just hang out or go for walk-abouts around here… I do understand.”

Hanna’s eyes twinkled. “It’s not that, darling. We were sincere when we said that we understood if you wanted space to do your own thing, so long as you don’t forget where your home is.”

Eric flushed before the warmth radiating so clearly from her words, bowing his head. “Thank you,” he said, torn between calling her aunty… and mom.

She sighed, shaking her head. “No worries, dear. Although I’d love to see more of you during the day… you’re at an age where developing friendships is very important. Especially if it helps you integrate and find your place in your new home.”

“But no relationships!” Louise scolded, glaring at him. “You’re too young. And why are you drinking? Minors are only allowed to drink at home under adult supervision.”

Eric chuckled. “No worries there, Louise. Romantic relationships aren’t my focus, right now.”

She gave him an arch look. “Really? Does Rachel know this?”

Eric sighed. “She does now.”

Louise dropped her poking, her eyes filled with genuine concern. “Oh, I’m sorry… Eric, is everything okay?”

Eric forced a pained smile. “I… It’s not a big deal. I just let her know that I think we make great business partners, and to not risk confusing that with anything else,” he explained, sharing a look with his stepfather who gave him a respectful nod.

Louise blinked at that. “She’s a Domini, Eric. She was okay with you putting her aside?”

“She was when I showed her my ID.”

For some reason Louise blushed at that. “Oh wow. How old is she, anyway?”

“Nineteen.”

Louise blanched. “Eric, she’s three years older than you!”

“Yup! That’s exactly what my ID made painfully clear to her. That made it very easy for her to break up with me.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah.”

Sophia gave him a pointed look in between bites of sushi. “So, how the heck did one of the Domini clan heirs end up falling for you, anyway?”

Eric winked and flexed his bicep. “Who wouldn’t fall for these guns?” He declared, earning nothing but a wicked chortle or two for his troubles.

Eric couldn’t help flushing in a tiny bit of embarrassment, even if the entire point of the bulky sweatshirt was to be unremarkable and to look vaguely ridiculous or cute, but certainly not impressive.

“But yeah. I guess she just couldn’t handle my awesomeness, and now we’re just friends again.”

“Well, good. Messy breakups with powerful clan heirs is not something I want to be nursemaiding you guys through.”

Eric winced. “Ouch. Not good.”

Sophia nodded. “So. Wanna share why you smell like the sea?”

Eric grinned, suppressing his alarm. He had washed off pretty darn thoroughly. How high was her Perception, anyway?

“Sure! I was showing off my flashy magic tricks to a hidden coven of powerful cultivators teaching me all the juicy cultivation secrets that no one will, topside.” He winked at Ella and Maja’s horrified expressions when he whistled his words, though they laughed when he made the cards suddenly in his hand dance and spin.

“Ha ha, Eric. As if you need anyone else, with mom teaching us. All it takes is practice and talent, and you can break through, just like me!” Louise took a smug bite of her duck with those words.

“Yup! You did it, my soon to be immortal sis. So, like I was saying, Either I was showing off magic tricks to wild wujen, or I was collecting sea shells by the beach, enjoying some time to think after Rachel and I… you know.”

“Broke up?”

“Ouch. I was going to say, parted for the day. Since we’ll be working on our business plan some more tomorrow.”

“Eric?”

“Yes, Aunty Hanna?”

“You do know that you had three other classes today, right?”

Eric’s pancake-filled hand froze on the way to his mouth. “Excuse we?”

Louise smirked at his wince. “You are in soo much trouble.”

“Your Social Studies and History combined class, and your Introduction to Athleticism course.”

Eric blinked at that. “I have an Introduction to Athleticism course?”

Hanna gave him a very pointed look. “Eric, have you even glanced at your schedule?”

Eric swallowed. “Um, yeah... about that...”

Hanna crossed her arms.

Eric shrugged sheepishly. “No?”

“That’s not the answer I wanted to hear, Eric.”

“Sorry.”

John gave Eric a pointed look. “Do you even have your schedule, Eric?”

Eric didn’t bother answering, lowering his head, pretending his cheeks weren’t heating up, and that Sophia wasn’t snickering at his expense.

“Oh, he’s perfect, Hanna! A wild little Netherworld boy who’s great at scraps but barely potty trained, doesn’t understand concepts like planning or schedules, doesn’t bother with anything not of immediate interest, enjoys stalking by the sea, and might come home on time on a good day. Congratulations, kung fu sister. You adopted yourself a wild stray!”

John snorted.

Hanna crossed her arms. “Anything you’d like to add to my sister’s assessment Eric?”

“Um… cats are kind of cool?”

“Are you a cat?”

“Bird, actually.”

“Really.” Hanna gave him an arch look. “And what kind of bird are you, darling?”

“The fourth dimensional space bird kind. You know, the kind far too cool to worry about schedules or classes or anything not of immediate interest. We like the bright and shiny things. Isn’t that right, Aunty Sophia?”

Sophia smirked, taking a fresh bite of sushi.

Louise crossed her arms and glared. “Are you actually a fourth dimensional space bird?”

“Maybe?”

“Then how are you an elf, modeling for an exclusive Domini clothing line?”

“That’s because I’m in my third dimensional elf boy shape.”

Louise glared. “Well, unless you can fly away, space bird, You’re in hot water!”

Eric chuckled. “Yeah, I guess I got that coming, huh.”

“Eric, if you’re going to make the most of this semester, you need to take your courses seriously!” Hanna urged.

Eric winced at the worry lines on her brow.

“Sorry, Aunty Hanna. I’ll try to do better.”

“Good.” She sighed, flashing him a forgiving smile. “It’s alright, Eric. To be fair, I only took you to two classes. Had we not made Louise our focus today, I would have been with you, Ella, and Maja during your shared course… and would have then taken you to your Introduction to Athleticism course. Fortunately for you, it truly was an introduction today, and you will all begin your actual training when you next meet up.”

Eric dipped his head. “Fair enough. Do I have any other classes I should know about?”

Louise scowled. “You seriously don’t have your schedule? Are you counting on mom to hold your hand every day this week, and just assume that next week’s classes will mirror it perfectly?”

“Um… maybe?”

Louise gave him the same look he gave the Hidden Eye sigils. “Are you truly that clueless?”

“Louise!” Her mother gave her a pointed look, before turning back to Eric, gentle smile firmly in place. “How were institutions of learning set up in your own realm, Eric?”

Eric shrugged. “Honestly, I was home schooled for the most part. Though I did try one semester at an actual high school… err… academy.”

“Oh? That’s wonderful! How did you like it?”

“If it weren’t for my best friend at the time who let me copy all her notes and all but dragged me to my classes… I would have failed right out of it.”

Louise snorted. “You’re an idiot.”

Eric smirked. “Idiot with a 46 in Scholarship, thank you very much.”

This earned confused scowls… and John spitting out his beer.

“Darling!”

But John was giving Eric a pointed look. “Seriously, son?”

Eric winced. “It’s not that impressive, believe me. I certainly didn’t deliberately put points in it. Just a few titles and things like that.”

He hurriedly spoke on when John’s eyes all but bulged. “Honestly, in me, it just translates to a better memory, mostly? I mean sure, intuitive magic I’m not exactly slow at. But I still haven’t even bothered figuring out all the apps on my tablet. I’m certainly not the tech genius that Bunbun is, and I don’t think her intelligence is anywhere near mine. So basically... yeah. I’m pretty sure that attributes don’t work the same for all people. Or at least, the mental ones are more placeholders for me more than anything else.”

He winced at the incredulous chortle this earned from his foster dad. “Okay, sure. My thoughts felt sharp and clear for the first time when in got a handful of points at once… and it’s done absolutely nothing since I hit, well, whatever my personal maximum is. Maybe 15? Probably far lower than the ideal human maximum of 20, I guess.” He tilted his head thoughtfully. “Or maybe, just maybe, Conceptio’s being really considerate and cutting me some slack and not messing with my head nearly as much as I was afraid he might? A little better recollection, and that’s basically it. And I hate to say it, but that’s kind of what I prefer. I’m still myself, always myself, but I recall my life experiences much better, now.”

Eric ignored the disbelieving stares that all the adults at the table were now giving him, though he winced at the sharp scents of incredulity… and fear.

Then John broke off the unexpected tension with a snort. “And your physical attributes?”

Eric grinned. “Yeah… No complaints there, Uncle John. Not from me, anyway.”

“Not from you,” Sophia dryly noted.

Eric chuckled. “You’d better believe that a certain orc tribe would have been clocking major complaints right along with most of the galaxy’s goblins, if they could.”

Louise furrowed her brow. “But wait, I thought the goblins went extinct?”

“Exactly.”

Louise crossed her arms. “No, Eric. You are not taking credit for eliminating a race of underworld contract demons!”

“Okay.”

Her scowl deepened. “Did you actually slaughter some hidden clan of demons or something?”

Eric winced. “If the way pops is looking at me is anything to go by… no. No, I did not. I’ve never raised my hand in violence against anyone, and I’ve just been gaslighting you all for dinner fun. I’m very sorry that I cut those classes, and I’ll try harder to follow my schedule, as soon as someone hands me one.”

Hanna’s eyes crinkled with the tiniest of smiles. “Alright, Eric. I’ll make sure you have a copy of your schedule. And no, I do not mind helping my adorable stray cat, or wild bird of a foster son, get comfortably acclimatized to both his home and his school. So, we’re going to have a wonderful day, tomorrow. And Eric?”

“Yes, Aunty Hanna?”

“Thank you for coming home in time for dinner.”

Eric was surprised by how much those words warmed his heart, even if his grin wilted with Sophia’s snort.

“Very good. Stick to positive reinforcement training, sister. It’s the best way to teach a stray how to behave.”

“Ha ha, so funny, Sophia. So very, very funny.”

Sophia grinned. “And no flash of anger or heat. I’d expect a stray to be growling warning, by now.”

Eric’s bemused smile hardened. “Sorry, Sophia. I’m not going to lash out at my family, just because you like goading me. I’m not that much of an asshat.”

Sophia chuckled. “Fair enough, Eric. Fair enough.” Her eyes twinkled with amusement. “Still, I wouldn’t mind trading pointers with my sister’s oldest foster child. Just to make sure you can handle yourself, in case trouble ever does come knocking at your door.”

Eric laughed. “As if we’d ever need to fear anything with an awesome high level former merc for a foster father who always has his family’s back.”

John smiled, though it didn’t quite reach his cool gaze.

Sophia’s smirk didn’t waver. “And what if John is on assignment? Taking an extended contract, or otherwise indisposed?”

Eric sighed, putting down his own glass of red, ignoring the solemn gazes of all three of his sisters. “Are you saying we should actually be expecting trouble? Because if so… why are we bothering with this academy crap?” He smiled at his oldest foster sister, giving credit where it was due. “Because Louise is right. I can learn so much, just by staying here with Aunty Hanna and learning all the cultivation secrets that she cares to share with me.”

Louise gave her dad a worried look. “Daddy? Is something wrong?”

John sighed. “No, dear. Sophia’s just joking around, much as Eric was, earlier.”

“Well, I don’t like these jokes. Can we talk about something else?”

“Absolutely, darling.” Warm violet eyes smiled his daughter’s way. “I’d love to hear all about my eldest daughter’s first day as an immortal.”

Louise all but squealed, happily recounting her day learning at her mother’s and Sophia’s feet, and discovering what it truly meant to be a cultivator. Even if, contrary to her excited hopes, she shouldn’t expect to ascend another step along her immortal path for at least a year’s time.

“But a year’s so long!” She moaned, earning a snort from her mother and a good-natured chuckle from her father.

“Well then, best we get to training and lock in as many cultivation techniques as I can show you in the time we have together. Wouldn’t you agree, disciple?” Sophia suggested with ice-cold eyes and a teasing smile.

Louise flinched, before bowing her head. “It will be as you say, master.”

“Aunty in the house is fine, darling. I only expect absolute obedience when you’re in your hanfu robes on the cultivation array laid out specifically to match your affinities in the backyard gazebo. Are we clear, kung fu niece?”

“Clear, aunty.”

“Good. I’ll see you in fifteen minutes.”

Louise’s eyes bulged. “Fifteen minutes?”

“Normally I give my disciples five minutes for spot cultivation sessions. But seeing as you just ate, I thought I’d allow you ten extra minutes to digest, niece.”

Eric’s foster sister all but burst into tears.

Maja and Ella’s grins were as wicked as Eric’s when he translated with a whistle.

Louise scowled. “Not funny!”

Eric bowed his head. “We laugh with love, admiration, and maybe just a spot of envy. Please don’t be too hard on us, honored immortal.”

Louise snorted. “I would so challenge you to a spar, if I didn’t have only fifteen minutes!”

“Fourteen. Best hurry, dear.”

Louise whimpered and dashed off.

Hanna sighed fondly as her daughter fled. “Oh, her expression brings back so many memories.”

Sophia smirked. “You were a handful yourself. The elders despaired of you ever breaking through.”

“But we did. Both of us. In record time.”

Sophia nodded, gently squeezing her cultivator sister’s hand. “We did indeed.” Her gaze filled with concern. “How are you feeling?”

Sophia forced a smile. “Good! Of course it’s been an eventful day, with my daughter’s breakthrough, thanks to you. But I know I’ll feel refreshed and recharged as I ever have, after my morning session.”

“Is there anything you need, love?”

Hanna smiled warmly into her husband’s worried gaze. “I might need you to take the girls to school for me tomorrow, and of course a good back massage tonight… but I’ll be fine, darling. Same as always. You know that.”

“Of course dear,” John said, yet the worry still in his gaze was a spike of dread in Eric’s gut.

He glared down at the plate of scrumptious food he no longer had an appetite for.

He was puttering about too fucking much. It was time for him to get serious and get back to work.

Because he already knew what he had to do.

He lifted his gaze to meet Sophia’s own. “I don’t suppose I can join you and Louise for your cultivation session?”

Sophia’s eyes filled with gentle sympathy, but she slowly shook her head. “I apologize, Eric. But these techniques will do absolutely nothing for your own situation… to say nothing of the oaths that bind me from sharing these techniques with anyone lacking my clan’s bloodlines.”

Eric winced, then nodded. “Of course. Forgiveness. I didn’t mean to press.”

“It’s alright, Eric. I’ll do what I can to help you with your own situation. You know that.” Her pointed gaze made it clear that she had kept faith with him, not revealing the particulars, yet, but his solemn nod hopefully conveyed that he had meant every word this morning, and was able and willing to pay quite the large sum for the help he needed.

He would follow up with her, after Louise’s session. Besides, he had material of his own to study.

“Thank you for the delicious meal, Aunty Hanna, but I think it’s time that I tackled my assignments. Can I help you with the dishes?”

“Why yes, that would be lovely, dear. Thank you.”

Hanna’s pleased smile was a tiny balm to Eric’s worries, and he couldn’t deny that it felt good, earning John’s approving nod. Still, time was precious and he really didn’t need to overhear a certain conversation that nearly threw him off when the air rang with the crack of a broken dish.

“Eric?”

“Sorry, my fault! I’ll clean it up.”

“You sure you don’t need any help?”

“Nope, I’m good,” he said, his ears still ringing with Sophia’s words.

“We’ve found no trace of the kraken, sister. Not by seer, nor by inquisition, and the Black Sea Clan is being stubborn as usual, claiming that they don’t know a thing.”

Hanna snorted. “Those sorry excuses for cultivators, tainting their foundations to oblivion. What fools they are.”

“Yes, sister. Wild, dangerous fools who infuse their bodies with arts alien and strange. Fools who have accrued such power in an area of such poor Spiritual Energy density in terrain no one else wants or has an affinity for, that no highland clan bothers with them.”

Hanna sighed. “I’m not saying we need to purge them. But is it wise having them on our doorstep, so tempting to all the lowland clans desperate for a path forward?”

This earned a snort. “I notice that your husband is keeping his mouth carefully shut. Because our silly debate isn’t worth marital bliss. Isn’t that right, John?”

“I have absolutely no comment on that.” John calmly asserted.

“Has your crew had any trouble or encounters with them?”

John audibly sighed. “Encounters, yes. Courtesies extended and answers received. Trouble? Only once. And the worst thing was, it was all based on a simple misunderstanding. A misunderstanding that led to the destruction of two pristinely calibrated Mark III blaster rifles, a priceless set of power armor, and almost cost Marcie and Narl their lives.”

Hanna hissed. “Husband, when was this?”

“Years ago, darling. We’ve had cordial relations since then. They’ve even helped us with an investigation, once or twice… for a steep price. But only a fool would underestimate just how fast and powerful they are. They moved so damned quickly that I could barely track them, and hit so damned hard that their fists cratered our strongest hyperpolymerized alloy, second only to mithril fibers. Captain Dominus pinged them to be at least Bronze Rank 40, in System terms.”

Eric jolted at those words, the air ringing with the sound of another plate shattering to oblivion.

“Eric?”

“Sorry! Got it!”

You have successfully placed 2 shattered plates into your ES Space.

Flesh Sculptor modified skill check: Critical Success!

Blood Mastery skill check: Critical Success!

Repair skillcheck: Critical success!

Repair is now Rank 3!

You now understand the molecular nature of these plates INTIMATELY! Enhanced with a blood lattice utterly infused with the essence Dominion (and Resilience) now means your new favorite plates will never break again! And you hardly feel your closest friends at all! (And after hanging out with squid-brain enhanced cultivators and trying to learn their secrets and sigils that yes, do look like blinking eyeballs and WERE most definitely looking back at you when you tried to imprint them upon your brain... you’re still worried about us?)

You have summoned forth 2 plates enhanced with Runes of Resilience and multiple synergized skills!

Your Crimson Lacquered plates now enjoy Extreme Resilience!

“Eric? Is everything alright?”

Eric, thoughts racing as he stared dazedly at the pair of crimson veined plates enhanced with a glossy veneer that would resist even his surprisingly clumsy fumbling, flinched at the sound of John’s voice, so many truths abruptly coming to light.

Eric swallowed his suddenly parched throat, heart pounding in his chest.

“Eric?”

And there John was, looking at Eric with such concern as he stood there, hands trembling, holding a pair of indestructible plates in soapy hands as the sink water ran on and on.

“Eric, what’s wrong?”

Eric squeezed his stinging eyes shut. Only in that moment appreciating just how fragile was the dream that he embraced.

A dream that could pop like a soap bubble with a single poorly thought question, if he wasn’t damned careful.

A dream that a tiny part of him now didn’t feel worthy of embracing at all.

“John.”

“Yes, Eric?”

“Did you ever go by the name Red?”

He thought the words, ears ringing with the memory of a power-armored asshole of a mercenary who ruthlessly cut down a handful of struggling kids. With a Perception so exquisite, that Eric knew it would be effortless, just by tone and inflection, to ping that voice, even when no power armor was worn at all.

The voice of a father both strong and tender who adored his family and had acted with nothing but honor.

This time around.

He clenched his eyes tight once more, not having the heart to ask that question.

“Did you say you worked for a man named Dominus?”

John furrowed his brow, before giving a rueful chuckle. “A Contender’s hearing. And even if you haven’t mastered game theory, with all the forces arrayed to make sure natives never have the chance to achieve any sort of efficient build before they and their ascending worlds are completely subjugated… of course you wouldn’t leave such a crucial stat utterly neglected.” The man’s gaze then turned wry. “I can only hope you’re selective in what you listen to, Eric.”

Eric smirked. “Sorry, can’t hear you over cleaning the dishes. What was that, again?”

This earned a wry look.

Eric sighed. “Sorry, Uncle John. But that name really stood out, even if, most of the time, I try to respect people’s privacy.”

“Which isn’t always easy with a hundred Perception, is it, Eric?”

Eric shrugged innocently. “I never said it was a hundred, but… no. Not always.” He swallowed. “Not when I was almost dating a girl who… you know.”

“Happens to be from the Dominus branch of the Domini Clan, as is Lord Domini, my employer?”

Eric suppressed a shiver, still unable to believe just how small, and ironic, the multiverse truly was. “Pretty much, yeah. Exactly that.”

John gave Eric a sympathetic clap on the shoulder. “Come on downstairs, Eric. It’s been a few days and I think we could both use a workout, and a talk.”

Eric swallowed, feeling oddly anxious, but nodded gamely enough. “Sure, John. I’ll be ready in five.” He dared a quick grin. “Faster than Louise, I promise.”

“Ha. Louise is already practicing with her aunty, near the gazebo. But sure. See you in five, Eric.”

The workout was surprisingly refreshing, and this time around, Eric didn’t resist going all out with the muscle tension exercises, finding he really did have a lot of energy and racing thoughts to burn away. And using his Finesse to hide any clue as to his true nature was just part of the challenge of it all, he decided.

Of course it didn’t hurt that John, also changed into workout t-shirt and briefs, was hardly focused on Eric at all. He was grimacing with exertion, veins and muscles popping as he pressed fist to palm and worked his shoulders and pecs to the utmost.

Eric gamely followed suit with everything his foster father did, and although it wasn’t cultivation per se, he couldn’t wipe the grin off his face when he found himself actually panting for breath with the final clenches. The only thing more surprising than the tingle of muscles truly pushed to their limit, was the completely unexpected interface message.

You have pushed your muscles as hard as you ever have, after leaving Junk Town! Your entire body glows with a workout coached by a Bronze Professional, who clearly has no idea about the monster he’s welcomed within his innermost sanctum.

Congratulations! You have earned 1 point of Strength! (less than 1/40th of 1% of your total Strength) Subject to all attribute modifiers!

Your new Strength Total is 4077!

(Spiritual Energy remains unchanged.)

John was giving Eric an incredulous look. “Eric! Did you…”

Eric couldn’t quite suppress his cheeky grin. “Yup. Strength just got a baseline boost of 1 point.”

John shook his head, a look of awed disbelief upon his features. “I didn’t think the System had any power in this realm. None whatsoever.”

Eric quickly raised up his hand, alarm bells ringing in his head. “Please don’t blow it out of proportion, Uncle John. I think it was simply because this workout plus the last workout was enough to push me past. And even if my subconscious recalls happy interface dings a bit too well… it was my own body paying me back for the sweat and effort. I’m almost certain of it.”

John crossed his arms, giving Eric a pointed look. “Really.”

Eric waved the man over, whispering hyperspeak in John’s suddenly tense ear.

“And what if certain overbearing personages from on high caught wind of even the possibility of that? Never mind that it has absolutely nothing to do with them. If they’re as paranoid as they are in all my isekai novels…”

Eric stepped back, carefully noting the shift in John’s expression. Lips pressed tightly together eased in a smirk.

“One would hope that there’s absolutely no concern whatsoever, what with the gauntlets regularly called. Contestants, namely Contenders, summoned forth by those very elders. But no need to pull the tiger’s whiskers, right?”

“Right,” Eric said, happily taking the Fizzy that John passed him.

“Damn, that’s refreshing after actually pushing myself.”

“Isn’t it?” John took a thoughtful sip. “I don’t suppose you want to tell me just how high your Strength stat is, now?”

Eric nearly spat out his Fizzy. “Um…” He looked guiltily at his foster father. “Could I take a rain check on that?”

John gave him an arch look. “That high, huh?”

Eric sighed. “High enough that I’m almost ashamed that I let things go on with Rachel as long as they had, when her own Strength is a hell of a lot lower than 201.”

“No chance she’s pregnant, I hope?”

Eric’s eyes bulged, and this time the floor definitely had a bit of Fizzy on it.

John wordlessly handed Eric a damp rag and he got to cleaning.

“No, Uncle John. Not unless a kiss or two… or three, and very sensitive horns equates to conception in this world.”

John smirked. “No, it doesn’t, Eric. And I’m glad to hear that you’re playing it smart.” He then gave Eric a curious look. “But there’s more to it than that, isn’t there?”

Eric sighed, dipping his head, knowing he should have expected that a two century old professional would be able to outfox nuances he’d rather keep hidden. He didn’t have his social perks in play, but was savvy enough to go for a truth openly. Because getting ahead of things and putting the best spin on them was a hell of a lot smarter than acting cagey, which would to a gentle fatherly interrogation along even more uncomfortable avenues.

Eric got them both a fresh brew, clinking bottles as he chose his words carefully… but not any more than any teenager trying to put his best foot forward.

“Well, it just so happens that when I went to class the other day, a man was waiting for me.”

John’s bemused smile transformed to something hard and cold. “Did a stomper threaten you?”

Eric sighed. “I’d like to say that it’s more like… we had a friendly chat, and came to a mutual understanding. Even if it did give me a lot to think about. But please, don’t worry about it, Uncle John. Because the guy, who I wasn’t really afraid of, did make a solid point. Me and Rachel really shouldn’t be dating, for the reasons you, who actually have my best interests at heart, made painfully clear. And the thought of hurting an innocent girl, because I don’t know my own Strength…” He shuddered, lowering his gaze. “Yeah. I fear that far more than I do any polite stomper putting his best foot forward.”

John took a thoughtful sip, giving a slow nod of his head. “Alright, that’s probably the best case scenario. All parties are getting the result they ultimately wanted. But that doesn’t make it okay that stompers, even a single polite one, were permitted access to Westwind for the purposes of intimidating a minor. And considering that it was the daughter of my employer’s cousin that brought this on… when her father clearly didn’t do any due diligence, or seek more diplomatic channels to assure a mutually satisfactory resolution… I’ll have words, Eric. Politely, of course, and make sure that we have an understanding with my employer’s clan.”

“It’s really not necessary, Uncle John,” Eric hastily assured. “Everything’s been resolved, I don’t think anyone’s interested in making any more waves, and Rachel at this point is just my class partner.”

John’s measuring stare was a weighty thing, Eric was surprised to find.

“If you’re sure, Eric.”

Eric dutifully nodded. “Absolutely. No need to make any more waves.” He forced a chuckle. “I really think I’m best off dating girls who can handle my Strength, and considering that almost all the students I’ve met at Westwind have mortal attributes, even if a few clans cultivate to increase their Spiritual Energy reserves on the down-low… I don’t think I’ll be dating anyone for at least awhile.”

“And that might be the best thing for you, Eric. Focus on school. On family. On figuring out what you really want in life. Then, when the time is right, you can choose your path.”

“Agreed. And who knows? With Hanna helping me open my peripherals, that path might even include the highlands above.”

“That’s the spirit, Eric,” John said approvingly. “Now, how about we freshen up and join the girls for some evening family time? I know Ella and Maja both miss you, and as proud as we are of their growing comprehension, a couple hours bonding with their brother who can translate their daily concerns and adventures would be good for them.”

Eric smiled and nodded, accepting that it would be a few hours before he got to practice and consolidate his mastery over two entirely new sigil dialects… and at least struggle through learning even one self-aware sigil of pulsating thoughts and alien eyeballs that he really, really didn’t want to touch… but might be the only way to keep certain future rituals of his own from the prying eyes of who knew how many factions that might one day be more than eager to claim his head.

But for now, he would cherish and focus on what really mattered.

Forging bonds of warmth, friendship, and love with the family that had cared enough to foster a wildcard Contender like him.

They deserved to see him at his best, and he’d do everything he could to be worthy of them opening their hearts to him.