Chương 85: Family Drama

"Talk to me, son. Why do you want to keep the egg? Ignoring your mother isn't a good idea," my father said.

"I know it doesn't make sense. It isn't the most optimal decision, but there is a connection between me and the monster inside the egg."

"That is the result of the ritual. Think logically."

"So, you agree with her?"

"Not completely. A strong monster companion can provide great synergy in combat. But the risks are just as high. It isn't your power, your status. It is something else that isn't you."

"But people use swords. And there is a risk of removing the skill."

"A sword doesn't think on its own, unless something has gone very wrong with a sword. Ultimately, it is your decision. But having a pet is a burden. If someone targets the pet, they will also target you as the bond deepens. It creates a gap in the defenses that your soul creates. It would be a risk removing it, but we would get the best System Priest and Healers. But if we are going to do it, it needs to be soon."

"But I could train the monster to be strong?"

"You could. But ultimately, that is the monster becoming stronger, not you. Essentially, you must do twice the work for a critical weakness and a synergy that might not even happen. While your mother is headstrong, she isn't wrong about the risks of keeping that egg." After a minute of silence, I shook my head.

"I sense it within my heart. I know that it is for me." My father let out a sigh and shook his head as well.

"Then we shall wait for your mother to return. May the System have mercy upon all of us." Time went by. My mother finally returned after half an hour. She walked back into the hospital room, looking much more worn down and exhausted. Even after the battle when she had first shown up, she didn't look as worn out as she did right now.

"Did you talk with your father, Justin?" she asked me.

"Yes. But I want to keep the monster. There are risks to removing the skill, and it is my decision." It was foolish, but it would be nice to have a companion I could absolutely trust. I had been thinking about this carefully. It was something that other people didn't normally do. It would be something that was me and not my mother.

"Darren. I am disappointed."

"Don't blame me. I told him all the downsides, but your son was adamant," he replied.

"Truly? Does my word and opinion mean so little to you?"

"It's…I can't explain it. I don't want to give it up. I know it isn't the smartest decision. But I want to see where such a path leads. And it is a strong monster."

"A Winged Serpent. A powerful monster skilled in Alchemy. If I had to pick a monster, I would pick that one, but it is still a monster and a weakness. Weaknesses are to be cut away without mercy."

"It won't betray me."

"My son. A sword in one's hand is a true companion. One that you can trust and rely on. But a pet, even a strong one, is an external source of strength, like those dwarven contraptions. When it truly mattered, they were completely useless. When I fought the leader of the Dark Cabal and he brought out a Winged Serpent to fight me, it was useless. Only the strength of your sword arm and skills matter. The further you place your sources of power from you, the more tenuous they are." I closed my eyes.

She was right, but I could feel the monster in the egg.

"I know. But I make my own decisions," I declared and looked back up at my mother. If I were afraid to speak my mind, then I would never become a Supreme Legend.

"I am not telling you, I am ordering you, my son. Are you truly going to go through with this?" The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

"Yes," I declared, but my voice was shaky. I was defying my mother. The entire room was dead silent. No one dared to breathe or move. After that singular moment, the tension seemed to leave the air.

"At least you have a stiff spine. Very well. Since you are old enough to make your own decisions, you don't need me. They will reward you if you graduate at the top of your class. I will make arrangements, but I will not be here."

"What?" I asked in shock. She really was leaving.

"I am descending. To find the bottom of the dungeon. No longer will I be around to aid and shield you. Since you are old enough to make your own decisions, you are old enough to accept the consequences that will come with them."

"I…"

"Don't apologize. Apologies are for when you screwed up. You kept that egg against my wishes. To embrace weakness and mediocrity. A pet is nothing but a leash around one's own strength. And now I have removed a lasting weakness from my heart. It is good to let go." My mother's smile was far more terrifying than her glare.

"That is going too far," Darren said.

"Perhaps, but I detest lies and falsehoods. The schemes of people who think they are clever, but they aren't. Like you, with your little maneuvers." I looked at my father, who had closed his mouth.

"Oh, I know quite a bit. You think I am not aware of your subtle manipulations or plans. It is cute that you thought you were manipulating me. But I do nothing against my will, even with your impressive skills. Thinking you could manipulate me made you amusing, and the confidence made you attractive." My father had tensed entirely up as my mother looked back at me.

"Before I depart, there is something you should know. It is unfortunate I didn't kill the Legend Xanatos. He is the one who cursed you. He is the leader of the Dark Cabal," my mother said while looking back at me.

"What is the Dark Cabal?" I asked nervously.

"A group of crazy people that enjoy suffering and terrorism. They are degenerate scum of the lowest order. Unfortunately, Xanatos has escaped my ability to track him. While he is heavily injured most likely after our clash, he will return."

"Can't you finish him off?"

"Now you want my help. But you won't listen? No, I have done all I can for you. Now that you have chosen your own path, it is clear I am not needed. You can fight your own battles without me supervising your life. I will only give you his name so you know in advance and can prepare with your... pet. This might be the last time we see each other. I love you, my son. I hope you succeed."

"That's it?" I asked with a growing sense of dread. Despite arguing with my mother, I never thought she would leave me. I couldn't believe it was happening so suddenly.

"Yes. That's it. Do you have any words before I depart?" my mother asked me. My mind was racing. I didn't know what to say for several seconds. She said nothing, waiting for my last words to her before she left.

"May you find what you are looking for in the dungeon. I'm hoping you'll return. I love you, mother." There was a lot more that I wanted to say, but I didn't know how to put it into words. She gave me a curt nod and turned to leave, and then paused before looking back at me.

"Here. If you graduate at the top of your class, you can read this. Otherwise, burn it." She pulled out a thin book and held it out. I carefully took it.

"You are trusting me?"

"Yes. Consider it a test. A test of character. Read that when you graduate, it contains the path to my tier 6 skill and my insights on other key skills and classes. If you truly want to become a spellblade like me, it will help you on your path. I intended it as a reward for your success, and I didn't trust anyone else to give it to you."

"Thank you," I replied softly.

"I have made some poor choices before. Life itself is sometimes the best teacher, but I hoped to spare you from such things." My mother turned and left the hospital room. I looked over at my father, who let out a long sigh.

"What did she mean about schemes?" I asked.

"Being stripped of my position in Terander was planned." He paused in hesitation before continuing.

"I hope one day to reforge the Eldarin Empire, but without the slavery."

"What?!" I was surprised by my parents today.

"I have ambitions, my son. Ambitions to unite the world! To bring the Eldarin people to new heights. To drive back the darkness of the world! Well, in time you will see. I will be here at the College for the next year. After that, I will depart to start my conquest of the world." I didn't know what to say to that. What do you say when your father tells you he plans to conquer the world?

"Um, good luck?" I hesitantly said. He just smiled at me and then left the hospital room. I lay on my bed for several minutes, not knowing what to think. It was difficult to accept that my father had a wild plan for global domination and Eldarin Empire reform. What was I meant to do after hearing that?

"You aren't going to tell me you are some super warrior reborn, are you?" I asked Healer Melon, his bald head glinting from the ceiling lights.

"No. Just Healer Melon. And… well, that was brave of you," he said. I knew he wanted to say something else, like how I was being an idiot, wanting to have a pet. But it would be a companion. I never had a friend who could keep up with me and stick around no matter what. My parents, despite how large their ambitions were, ultimately were solitary people. With my mother, it was obvious. She just charged through everything without regard or consideration. I saw this solitary nature with my father today.

He had left his old family and life behind to pursue world domination. It sounded crazy, but I felt he had a chance of pulling it off. Letting out a sigh, I let myself sink into the hospital bed and fluffy pillows. Today was too much. I thought I had made the right decision, but I wasn't sure anymore. My mother was leaving. I rubbed the ring on my hand, not knowing if I should take it off.