Chương 76: Guardian Spirit

Later that night, Charlie sat alone in his room. His Regalia rested in one hand. The golden chalice overflowed with glowing purple wine, its intoxicating sweetness filling the air and drawing him toward it with every breath. Charlie took another drink.

"Tomorrow, I fight Leo." He lowered the cup and laughed quietly.

"I still can't believe how absurd this is." His fingers tightened around the chalice.

"But I have to win." The World Core fragment burned within his palm. Heat spread through his hand and crawled along his veins, flaring throughout his entire body. Charlie winced. Dark circles had formed beneath his crimson eyes. He had not slept in two days. Every time he closed his eyes, the fragment grew hotter, filling him with restless energy and refusing to let his body settle. Even the alcohol no longer helped. Charlie raised the chalice and drank again.

The moment the wine entered his stomach, the flames within him surged. Every trace of alcohol burned away before it could affect his mind. He could not even get drunk anymore. Charlie stared into the chalice.

"How cruel." A soft knock came from the door. Charlie quickly dismissed his Regalia.

"Come in." The door slowly opened. Mars stood outside with a bright smile on his face. He held a small green orb with tiny wings between both hands. It floated above his palms, glowing with a gentle light. Charlie's eyes widened.

"Is that…" He rose from his chair.

"A spirit?" Mars nodded eagerly. Spirit Summoners were exceptionally rare. They were mortals directly blessed by one of the four Primordial Gods— The Lord of the Spirit Realm. Through rituals fueled by mana or blood, they could call upon the souls of the dead from either Nirvana or Gehenna. A talent that rare could guarantee someone wealth, status, and influence for the rest of their life.

"It is." Mars lifted the glowing orb higher.

"I'm not sure why, but this Guardian Spirit really wanted to bond with me." Charlie stared in disbelief. Guardian Spirits were among the rarest and most powerful spirits in existence. Rather than serve as weapons, they devoted themselves entirely to protecting their chosen partners from harm, illness, and curses. Charlie crouched in front of his son.

"That's incredible." Mars grinned.

"With a spirit like this, you're practically guaranteed admission into the Heroes Academy when you're older." Charlie's exhaustion disappeared beneath a proud smile.

"My son is going to become a famous Spirit Summoner." He pulled Mars into a tight hug. Mars laughed and wrapped his arms around him.

"Yup." The green spirit floated happily around them.

"I'm going to get a fancy job in the capital." Mars pulled back and smiled up at him.

"Then I'll make enough money so you never have to work again." Charlie blinked.

"You always looked so stressed because of work," Mars continued cheerfully.

"So when I'm older, I'll take care of everything." Charlie's smile remained. But his eyes began to sting. He tightened his embrace around his son. The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

"You're far too kind to your useless father." Mars frowned.

"You're not useless." The World Core fragment burned within Charlie's hand. He ignored the pain and smiled.

"Just promise me you'll take care of your sister too." Mars nodded.

"Though I'm sure June will manage just fine on her own."

"She'll probably become a gladiator or something." Mars grinned.

"Spend every day beating people up for fun." Charlie laughed.

"She's plenty intelligent." He rubbed the back of his neck.

"Just a little impulsive."

"And loud."

"Energetic," Charlie corrected.

"And violent."

"Passionate." Mars giggled. Charlie shook his head.

"I'm sure she'll find a perfectly respectable job when she gets older."

"Sure." Mars clearly did not believe him. The green spirit fluttered above his hands, circling them with a soft hum.

"Anyway…" Mars straightened proudly.

"I want to give you a blessing." Charlie raised an eyebrow.

"A blessing?"

"So you'll do well tomorrow." Mars smiled.

"I really want you to win." Charlie placed a hand against his chest.

"It seems both you and June are desperate to see me beat up your uncle." He sighed dramatically.

"Poor Leo."

"For once, I'm stealing all the attention from him."

"Yup." Mars nodded without hesitation.

"I know you're going to win." The certainty in his voice made Charlie's smile soften.

"But just in case…" Mars lifted the spirit higher.

"So you don't get hurt." The green orb began to unfold. Two delicate wings stretched from its sides, expanding until they were wider than Mars himself. Emerald light spilled throughout the room as the spirit floated toward Charlie. He remained still. The wings wrapped gently around his head. Then the spirit pressed itself against his forehead, almost like a kiss. A voice whispered within Charlie's mind. Soft. Distant. Impossible to understand.

Emerald light flowed through his body, washing over the World Core fragment and quieting its flames for the briefest moment. Then the glow faded. The spirit returned to Mars and settled above his hands. Mars smiled proudly.

"A blessing of protection." Charlie touched his forehead. The warmth remained.

"Now you're guaranteed to win." Charlie looked at his son. At the excitement in his eyes. At the complete faith he placed in him. Then Charlie smiled.

"Well…" He clenched his burning hand.

"I suppose losing is no longer an option." The Guardian Spirit fluttered happily around Mars.

"Though I almost feel bad for Leo." Charlie laughed to himself.

"This is starting to feel like cheating." Mars pushed his glasses up his nose.

"The rules of this tournament are vague and poorly written anyway." A grin spread across his face.

"So who cares?" Charlie burst out laughing.

"You're right." He shook his head.

"That idiot Ars couldn't plan his next meal if it were already inside his mouth." Mars covered his mouth, trying not to laugh too loudly.

"Alright, kiddo." Charlie stood and placed one hand on his son's shoulder.

"Let's get you back to bed. You'll need plenty of energy if you're going to watch Leo and me fight tomorrow." Mars nodded. Charlie carried him back to his room and tucked him beneath the blankets. The Guardian Spirit settled beside his pillow, its emerald light gently illuminating the darkness.

"Good night, Dad." Mars's eyes slowly closed.

"Good night." Charlie remained beside the bed until his son's breathing became calm and steady. Then he quietly returned to his own room. The flames that had constantly burned through his body no longer hurt as much. Mars's blessing had softened them. Quieted them. For the first time in two days, Charlie felt as though he might actually be able to rest. His gaze drifted toward the golden chalice resting on the table. His Regalia.

With the flames weakened, the alcohol might finally remain inside his body long enough to intoxicate him. Charlie stared at it. Then looked away.

"Not tonight." He climbed into bed.

"If I arrive hungover, I might lose." The thought made his chest tighten.

"I need to win." He closed his eyes, but the words continued repeating inside his mind.

"I need to win." Not merely because of his agreement with The Crows. But because he wanted this victory. For himself. For June. For Mars. For the children who still believed their father could be a Hero. Charlie raised one hand above him. The crimson symbol of the sun glowed within his palm.

"I'm tired of living beneath the overwhelming light of the Crimson Moon." The mark pulsed once. Then slowly dimmed. Charlie lowered his hand. Tomorrow, he would face the brother he had never surpassed. The man who had always been stronger, more talented, and more admired. But for the first time, Charlie did not fear standing across from him. His breathing slowed. The flames grew quiet. And beneath the protection of his son's blessing, the Rising Sun finally drifted to sleep.