Chapter 20 - Girlfriend and mother worries

After Kael left, Thomas returned home hoping that this madness would end. While Thomas was returning home, Kael's heart raced as he walked back to his master's home. He couldn't shake off the feeling that something terrible was going to happen to him now that he had failed. As he approached the entrance, he noticed that his master was waiting for him outside alongside the rest of his peerage.

"You're late." his master growled, his eyes narrowing.

Kael lowered his head, trying to avoid his master's gaze. "I'm sorry, Master."

The man snorted, not pleased to hear an excuse from his servant. "Sorry doesn't cut it, Kael. You were given a simple task, and you failed."

Kael felt a knot forming in his stomach. He knew what was coming next. His master would punish him severely for his failure.

"I-I did my best, Master," Kael stammered, hoping to reason with his master. "The boy was too strong. I couldn't defeat it alone."

Suddenly, his master laughed, a cruel and bitter sound echoed at the entrance. "You fool. You really thought I sent you there to defeat him?"

Kael looked up, confused. "What do you mean, Master?"

His master approached him, his breath hot against Kael's face. "I sent you there to be a sacrifice, Kael. A sacrifice to see if the boy is worthy of becoming part of my son's peerage. Despite his love for nuns, he needs someone strong in his peerage, why should we let a mistake from the branch family get a powerful tool?"

Kael's eyes widened in horror as he realized the truth. He had been set up to die and at the same time to test the boy. He was right everything was just a plot for something else.

"But why, Master?"

"Because you're weak, Kael. You lack the strength and cunning to be a useful devil. You're a liability to me and to my family. It's better for us if you're gone."

Kael felt a surge of anger and defiance rise within him. He wouldn't let his master kill him without a fight, but before that, he needed to see if he would make it out alive.

"Then I'll leave. I'll find my own way, away from this place and away from you."

His master chuckled. "You think you can just walk away from me, Kael? You think you're strong enough to survive on your own?"

Kael met his master's gaze, his eyes burning with determination. "Yes, I do."

His master studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Very well, Kael. You may leave. Remember this: From today onwards you are a stray devil. You will be hunted and killed on sight."

Kael nodded, knowing very well that his life would not become easy, but he then turned and walked away from his ex-master and the place he called home. He didn't look back, didn't hesitate. He knew that his journey would be hard and dangerous, but he was determined to make it on his own.

A few days passed by, and life went back to normal for Thomas, well as normal as a young wizard's life could be. He didn't tell his family or his friend about what happened that night, instead, he doubled down on his training both in the art of the sword as well as getting better at casting charms. The encounter with Kael made him realize just how unprepared he was, if Bahamut didn't help him he would have died or worse been taken away by that man. Even after Latia came regularly to play with him, he asked her for help using charms and spells.

Meanwhile, while Thomas was slowly but surely losing himself on this path of constant training, Latia was getting worried. She didn't like how her friend had suddenly turned serious and lost interest in anything that wasn't related to charms and sword fighting. Because of that, she decided to talk to the only person Thomas might listen to.

After she and Thomas finished their daily spar, Latia went inside the house to wait for Kate. Once inside, she sat nervously, on the couch as Thomas's mother, Kate, walked down the stairs, surprised to see Latia on the couch.

[Hello, Latia. How are you today?]

"I'm fine, thank you. But, Kate, I wanted to talk to you about Thomas. I'm worried about him." Latia said, her voice shaking slightly.

[Why are you worried about him?] Kate asked, her brows furrowing in concern.

"Well, he's been training really hard lately. He's been practicing his charms and spells for hours every day, and he's not taking any breaks. I'm worried that he's going to burn himself out."

[I see. Thomas is very passionate about becoming a wizard. But, I agree with you that he needs to take breaks and rests.]

"I tried talking to him about it, but he won't listen. He's too stubborn to tell me why he wants to train like that. It feel sudden like something happen." Latia said, a hint of frustration in her voice.

[I understand how you feel. My son needs to understand that rest and breaks are just as important as practice, learned that the hard way.] Kate said, placing a reassuring hand on Latia's shoulder.

"Do you think you could talk to him, Kate? He listens to you more than anyone else?"

[Of course, dear. I'll talk to him and make sure he takes breaks and rests.]

"Thank you, Kate. I just don't want anything bad to happen to him," Latia said, her voice breaking slightly.

[I understand, Latia. He is my son, and as his mother, I'll do everything in my power to make sure he's safe, even if that means he will hate me for grounding him.] Katie said, giving Latia a warm smile.

Latia sighed with relief, feeling grateful for Kate's understanding and support. She knew that Thomas was in good hands and that together, they could help him without letting him put his health at risk.

Another hour goes by before Latia leaves, but not before she was once again reassured by Kate that she would, one way or another make her son see what's hurting everyone with how hard he trains. Katie sat down on the couch next to Thomas and put a hand on his shoulder. [Thomas, I know Latia is worried about you. Can you tell me why you've been training so much lately?]

Thomas fidgeted under his mother's touch, feeling guilty for not telling her the truth about his attack. "I just don't want to be weak anymore. I was attacked a few days ago, it wasn't anything serious thought, and I never want to feel helpless like that again."

Kate's expression softened, and she pulled Thomas into a hug. [Oh, honey, I had no idea. You don't have to be strong all the time. It's okay to be vulnerable and ask for help.]

"But I don't want to be a burden on anyone," Thomas protested. "I want to be able to take care of myself and protect the people I love."

[I understand that, but you don't have to do it alone,] Kate said. [You have friends like Latia who care about you and want to help you. And I'm always here for you, no matter what.]

Thomas nodded, feeling reassured by his mother's words. "I know, Mom. I just don't want to let anyone down."

[You could never let me down, Thomas," Kate said firmly. "You're my son, and I love you no matter what. But you need to take care of yourself, too. Maybe take a break from training for a little while and focus on other things that make you happy.]

Thomas considered his mother's words, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. "Okay, Mom. I'll try to take it easy for a while."

Kate smiled at her son and ruffled his hair. [That's my boy. Now, how about we order some pizza and wait for your father to come home together?]

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