Chapter 35: Please Don’t Let Your Son Lecture You, Okay?

After a long ordeal, Temple Knight Floret Declan finally woke up. The lineup was quite impressive: five Temple Knights, one Pastor, two Nuns, and ten Knights from the City Hall Security Department. The first thing Floret Declan said upon waking was, “Where am I? Where is that monster?”

“Please calm down, Knight declan. You are safe now. Can you tell me exactly what happened?” Ken, being an acquaintance, was the first to try and calm Florette. The latter put on a look of deep thought. “Dinner. I was enjoying a sumptuous dinner with my wife and children, bragging about my past experiences, when my little daughter spotted a big dog covered in flames outside.”

“I saw that fierce Demonic Beast, and it noticed us watching. I quickly changed into my Knight equipment and had my wife and children hide. I really wanted to pretend it wasn’t there, but the monster walked into my yard. I knew I had no retreat. I fought it in the yard, but unfortunately, my Strength was too weak; I was no match for it. I couldn’t just watch my wife and children be eaten by the Demonic Beast, so I chose to lure it away, leading it to this park, which is usually empty at night. This is where The Second Battlefield was.”

“Then, as you can see, I was defeated. The monster didn’t seem eager to eat me; it wanted to toy with me. Then, a meteorite fell and hit the monster’s head, followed by more meteorites. The monster was struck down. After that, I felt someone kick me into this large pit. I passed out, and when I woke up, I saw all of you.” Florette’s mix of true and false information led them to more speculation. Tonight was a Joint Operation. Besides The Church and the City Hall, many Wizards were also dispatched. Everyone was searching for the Blazing Hellhound and the Night Spirit Cat. Florette’s commotion was too great, and a Wizard beat them to it. As for kicking Florette into the pit, they suspected it was a prank. Or perhaps, this Wizard knew Florette, but their relationship wasn’t very harmonious, and they just wanted him to suffer a bit.

Florette was carried home. The Nun’s Divine Healing Art had healed most of his injuries; he was just somewhat exhausted. Although there was an element of pretense, Florette was genuinely very tired tonight. It was his first confrontation with a Demonic Beast, and such a powerful one at that. The Flame Fighting Spirit and the confusion deep within his heart were equally intense.

“This monster must be a legendary Demonic Beast, right? May I ask why a Demonic Beast appeared in the city?” Florette still couldn’t curb his curiosity. Temple Knight Ken shook his head and apologized profusely: “We are very sorry for what you went through, but this matter involves a Hell Demon, and we cannot tell you the truth. We also ask you to keep it confidential. The City Hall will provide some compensation for this later.”

“Oh, that really is bad news. As a former Ace Mercenary, I know what to do.” Florette made a gesture indicating he would keep quiet. “So, can I brag to my children that I defeated that Demonic Beast? You know, my image in their hearts has always been very tall, strong, and mighty.”

“Of course, that is your right, and no one can take it away.” Florette’s request drew continuous laughter from everyone. “Compared to a hero who defeated a Demonic Beast, I think they would prefer to see you whole and unharmed.”

“Hmm, now that you mention it, I wish I could find a place to take a bath before seeing them. But I imagine they are having a terrible time waiting in the Basement right now, and a man’s scars are a hero’s medal. They certainly won’t mind me looking like this.” Florette took pride in his appearance rather than feeling ashamed.

Little Weir held his sister Viya in his arms, handing her an Introduction to Herbology so she could look at the pictures of the herbs as if they were drawings, while he studied his mother’s Potion Diary. The brother and sister quietly occupied themselves, each reading their own material.

Until Mojeis returned.

“My dear Little Weir, while Mom is very happy that you can take care of your sister, have you been looking at something you shouldn’t?” Mojeis’s mouth twitched slightly as she looked at the Potion Diary in Little Weir’s hand, which represented her dark history.

The Eye of Appraisal activated, and Mojeis’s attributes quickly appeared before Little Weir.

Name: Jiesi Declan

Age: Thirty-three

Strength: 1.9

Agility: 2.4

Physique: 3.6

Spirit: 9.7

Extraordinary Power: Magic Power, Third-level Wizard Apprentice, Arcane School Starry Sky Branch

Bloodline: Not yet activated

Cultivation Method: Starry Sky Meditation Method, Rank Intermediate

Comprehensive Evaluation: This is a Wizard Genius constrained by her family. Entering the Third-level Apprentice stage before age thirty means she has hope of becoming a Formal Wizard. A powerful Theoretical Scholar, but with extremely poor Practical Ability.

“The knowledge in these books is very profound. I hope I can consult Mother about it later.” Little Weir did not avoid the topic; instead, he chose to directly confront his mother’s identity.

“Alright, if you can get your father’s approval, you can look at anything here.” Mojeis shrugged, clapped her hands, and picked up Little Weiya. “Alright, children, we should go out now. We need to stay at least in the first level of the Basement. Your father will be back soon, and there might be some outsiders. We cannot expose this place to others, understood? Children, no matter who you talk to, you must only say that we were quietly waiting in the Basement for your father’s return, okay, sweethearts?”

“I obey your command, beautiful lady.” Little Weir performed a Knight Salute, while Little Weiya giggled and clutched her mother’s hand, nodding vigorously. She only knew that her mother was back, her father was coming back soon, and that hateful big dog wouldn’t come to eat her anymore.

The three quickly returned to the first level of the Basement and closed and blocked the entrance to the second level. So, Mother’s Strength was this great? He hadn’t noticed before. Are all Wizards this powerful? Apparently, he had only met two Wizards, and they were both Apprentice level. Lilith was a First-level Wizard Apprentice, and Mother was a Third-level Wizard Apprentice. So, how were the Wizard Ranks divided?

“Child, until your father agrees to let you accept my Wizard Legacy, I cannot tell you more information. But please rest assured, your father is very open-minded. Even before we got married, he said he wouldn’t stop the children from choosing their paths. However, according to our agreement, boys must first undergo Knight Training, and I cannot actively disclose Wizard information to you. Girls, however, are given priority consideration for the Wizard Profession.” Mojeis’s words left Little Weir speechless. Father, how little confidence do you have in your own Knight Legacy?

Little Weir could only express compliance. After all, he was still just a child—well, thirteen could already be considered a Youth, right?

Florette did not keep them waiting long. The tightly closed door to the living room was opened. Amidst the sound of messy footsteps, Florette’s voice was clearly audible, even through the wooden partition.

“Darling, the Demon Wolf has been defeated by me. It’s safe now. Bring the children out.” Florette’s voice carried a hint of pride. Ken and two Temple Knights escorted him back. The others left after surveying the scene outside; there were still other monsters to deal with, and their mission had only just begun.

The partition was opened. Mojeis rushed up and gave Florette a big hug. Little Weiya also ran over and grabbed her father’s hand. Only Little Weir first noticed Temple Knight Ken and performed a Knight Salute toward them, “Thank you for saving my father!”

Ken hurriedly returned the salute. Although he understood Little Weir’s words, it was difficult to explain the truth. Should he tell the child directly that his father was saved by an unknown Wizard, and they had little to do with it—they merely carried him back and helped him recover?

“Hey, hey, hey, Little Weir, your father defeated the Demonic Beast using his own Strength! I didn’t need anyone to save me.” Florette quickly retorted. Little Weir rolled his eyes: “With your Junior Knight Strength? Vol Temple Knight told me that Temple Knight Ken has Intermediate Knight level proficiency and is considered an Outstanding Figure among Intermediate Knights. If not him, then who? Father, please face reality. We were truly worried about you, and your safe return is the greatest benefit to us. Please don’t let your son lecture you, okay? The Temple Knights helping us is kindness, not their responsibility. Please thank them properly.”

“Yes, thank you.” Florette was utterly humiliated and quickly thanked Ken and the others. The latter also felt somewhat embarrassed and quickly left after a brief exchange.

Seeing the retreating figures of the Temple Knights, Little Weir flashed a big smile: “Father, how was my performance just now? Did I perfectly display the demeanor of a Knight Apprentice?”

“Perfect. But I cooperated well too; otherwise, they wouldn’t have left so easily.” Florette returned a big smile to his son. The father and son’s coordination was seamless, drawing a peal of laughter from Mojeis. Only Little Weiya was silly, not knowing what they were laughing about, but as long as her family was happy, she was happy.