"10 years to perfect… that?" Azel stared at Alvinus like he'd just claimed to spend a decade learning how to blink.

He genuinely didn't know whether to be impressed, horrified, or disappointed that such a tiny crackle of mana had taken an Elf mage ten whole years to refine.

Alvinus noticed his expression immediately and panicked.

"N-no, no, no!" He raised both hands frantically in Azel's direction. "That wasn't the full power at all! The version your daughter just used is the suppressed one! If she increases the mana output even a little, a single crackle can blow up this entire house! You told me to restrict the power because there are no mages nearby!"

'If it's that weak, how did it take you ten years?' Azel wondered but he didn't say out loud. He really didn't care, as long as his daughter got more spells.

Lillia nodded seriously. "Papa, he's right. The spell is powerful."

Azel squinted at her, then at Alvinus. He didn't doubt her, but blowing up the whole house? Over a spark?

He folded his arms.

"Lillia."

She turned toward him immediately. "Yes, papa?"

He sighed internally.

'Why can't she just keep calling me papa forever…?'

Outwardly he smiled warmly.

"Use it on me. Full power. Don't worry… Daddy is too strong to—"

Before he even finished the sentence, Lillia pointed her finger at him. The crackles that had been dancing around her hand disappeared for a moment then erupted around Azel like miniature stars.

BOOM!

A small explosion burst around him, sounding eerily like a cluster of fireworks going off in a barrel.

"Papa?!" Lillia gasped, clapping her hands over her mouth.

She could barely see anything through the cloud of smoke. "Are you okay?"

The smoke parted a moment later.

Azel stood there casually, not even a scratch on him. His clothes weren't burnt, his hair wasn't ruffled, his skin wasn't singed, he looked exactly how he was before the hit.

"Yeah, I'm fine." He brushed imaginary dust from his shoulder and gave her a big thumbs-up. "The spell is actually really strong. Good job. Try to squeeze every spell out of him, okay? And maybe keep the noise down… our neighbors migh—"

A voice cut him off.

"Neighbor, is everything alright over there?"

Azel turned toward the high wooden fence. A middle-aged man was standing on his toes, peeking into the backyard with deep concern.

"No, no, everything is fine," Azel said quickly. "Just practicing something."

The man nodded slowly and stepped away.

Azel sighed as the man kept walking.

'Yeah… this won't work at all.'

If Lillia had to keep holding back, she wouldn't grow properly. And he wanted her to train near him… not in some far-off facility in the Empire.

He tapped his chin.

"Ah… I have an idea." He turned to the group. "Everyone, follow me."

…

Inside the Lycas mansion, Selene lay curled up on the bed, hugging a Dar to her chest.

The Dars had been well-fed lately… their bellies were larger, they were squishier, and made soft "Darrr…" sounds whenever she squeezed them.

'Why can't my lord come more often lately…?' she thought miserably.

Whenever Azel appeared these days, it was always brief… fleeting… and each time he left, something inside her felt like it was peeling away.

The conditioning she'd undergone kept her from losing her mind, but it did nothing to dull the ache of missing him.

She glanced around the room… the walls were plastered with framed photos of him. Marty had gotten his hands on a camera, and Selene had taken picture after picture with Azel, framing every single one.

Some were candid. Some were posed. In all of them, she was smiling like she had just been given the world.

'He looks so handsome…' she whispered internally, cheeks heating.

Just then, the mark on the wall flashed brightly.

A ripple of mana swept through the room.

Light swirled and several figures materialized inside.

Selene's ears shot straight up.

She didn't even look at Feng or Alvinus or Lillia… her body honed in instantly on Azel. She dropped the Dar like it was nothing, sprinted, and then leapt into his arms with enough force to almost topple him.

"My lord…!"

Her tail wagged rapidly, brushing his side. She clutched him like he might vanish if she blinked.

Feng and Alvinus stood in the doorway blinking in confusion.

Their eyes drifted over the walls… the dozens upon dozens of framed pictures of Azel smiling sweetly beside Selene.

Alvinus whispered, "…Is this… a shrine?"

Selene didn't care. She pulled back slightly only because Lillia was staring.

"Papa, who is this woman?"

Selene froze then smiled dazzlingly and lifted Lillia straight off the ground.

"My lord, she is very cute," she said proudly as Lillia giggled and patted her head.

They all left the room together and descended the stairs. Before they even made it to the entrance hall, Ravik's wife came running toward them.

"My lord! You've returned… thank goodness. There is an issue. A bird is attacking again… as usual!"

Alvinus blinked. "Bird?"

Azel's expression sharpened.

"Oh. I think it's time for us to clear the mountains again."

They continued downstairs until they reached the large treasure chest near the foyer.

Azel paused only a moment.

'I claim the daily rewards every time I'm here… It's been boosting the town's development like crazy but we need even more items.'

He decided he would collect the Daily reward once they got inside.

They proceeded outside.

The moment they stepped into the yard, a gigantic bird swooped overhead.

Azel pointed at it calmly.

"Lillia. Use the spell you just learned. The full version. No holding back."

"Okay, papa!"

Selene blinked rapidly.

'She calls him father…? That little girl is his daughter?'

She bit her lip. 'If I get pregnant for him… will he stay with me like this too? Will he hold me every day? Will he smile at our child?'

Her thoughts spiraled but were immediately derailed when Lillia raised her hand.

Crackles danced around her fingertips.

And then…

BOOOOOM—!!

A massive explosion detonated in the sky.

The bird didn't just fall. It ceased to exist. Only a few scraps of smoking flesh and a burnt skull rained down, landing far from where they stood.

Azel blinked.

The spell, once Alvinus's proud masterpiece that took ten years to develop, had practically turned into an anti-air weapon in Lillia's hands.

He smiled and nodded. "Great job."

Lillia giggled brightly and hopped in place.

Alvinus, meanwhile, looked like he'd just ascended to the heavens. His eyes trembled as he smiled.

'I'm definitely getting the job now… A life of comfort awaits…'

He stared at Lillia in reverent awe.

If he played his cards right… he might never have to eat bricklayer bread again.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.