006 | Rapid Changes in Life

Arlo couldn't remember why he and Kieran couldn't chat as freely as they used to. When Kieran invited him to teleport to a garden on the palace roof, Arlo still felt a tangible awkwardness between them.

At a glance, Arlo knew Kieran had indeed changed. His sharp, luxurious attire for some important meeting or another, the magical aura surrounding his body, his nobility, his paternal demeanor... all of it was very unlike the Kieran from nine years ago when the man had adopted him.

"Arlo, you know I can hear your thoughts very clearly," Kieran whispered. The immortal man sat on a bench in the garden, looking weary as if he had just saved the world—which he had. "But I did bring you here to speak heart-to-heart."

Arlo quickly took a seat on another garden chair, trying to restrain his eye roll. Handling his own battles without anyone knowing, let alone assisting him, was equally exhausting.

"Before I returned to your room earlier, I had resolved not to let you go, Arlo," Kieran whispered softly. "You're my friend. You're the best son I've never had. You fight bravely, and you protect Lunabelle when I'm too busy. I'd be foolish to let you return to Rainvale."

"Yeah, you would be!" Arlo blurted out. Nevertheless, deep down, he was thankful Kieran wasn't angry even after he uttered those hurtful words.

Kieran smiled bitterly. "Until I reached that doorstep and saw everything in ruins," he whispered. "Until I saw you holding that ornamental sword, I changed my mind."

Arlo's eyes widened. "That..."

Dang, what should I say? Arlo thought in frustration. Should I admit I used that stupid sword to fight the strongest demonic angel in Hell?!

"Now, I'm not so sure," Kieran decided. "If being part of my family only causes you pain to the point where you'd rather return to death, I suppose I should let you go, Arlo."

Arlo shook his head. "Wait, you've got it wrong, I—"

"Besides, Lunabelle will go back to her rightful family," Kieran added. "Elios and Lana have decided to take care of her from now on."

"No way," Arlo whispered incredulously. "Then what about us?"

Kieran hung his head. "You just need to stay with me for one more year, Arlo. Next year, you'll attend Advanced Wizard Academy," he murmured.

Arlo stood up reflexively. His hands clenched tightly, mirroring the throbbing pain in his heart. "So, you're giving up just like that?" he protested. "Letting Lunabelle go with them?"

"We have no choice, Arlo," Kieran's voice was strained. "Elios and Lana are the King and Queen of Varidianth Kingdom now. Lunabelle's mother entrusted her to me to protect her from her cruel father! Besides, she'll be fine with them. I don't see what the problem is."

"The problem is me!" Arlo stared at Kieran with pain. "I care about her! I'm her older brother, remember?! I fought desperately to keep her alive! I can't bear to see Lunabelle separated from us!"

"But what if, it's what Lunabelle wants herself?!"

Arlo froze. He felt like he was standing on a speeding train inside a tunnel. Everything seemed distorted, and he couldn't trust anything he heard or saw.

"Lunabelle herself asked for this," Kieran repeated. "And once all of this is over, you will also be free to start your own adventure at Wizard Academy. That's what I wanted to tell you, Arlo."