The sleek black car pulled up to the familiar suburban driveway, but for Shren, the air felt different. A month ago, he was a boy hiding in his room; now, he was returning as the master of a legendary vault with two of the most powerful—and beautiful—beings in existence trailing behind him.
As the front door swung open, Rina Blackwood didn't even wait for a greeting. She tackled her son in a hug that nearly knocked the wind out of his magically reinforced lungs.
"My boy! You look even more like a movie star than when you left!" she cried, pulling back to pinch his chiseled cheeks. Her eyes then drifted past him, landing on Xiwu, who stood with regal, lethal grace, and Theresia, who was hovering an inch off the doormat with wide, curious eyes.
The silence lasted exactly three seconds.
"Oh my," Rina whispered, a predatory, matchmaking glint appearing in her eyes. "Shren... you didn't tell me the 'medical miracle' came with a fan club."
"Mom, please," Shren stammered, his face turning a shade of red that rivalled Kaelen's Phoenix fire. "This is Xiwu, my... martial instructor. And Theresia, she's my... academic assistant."
Xiwu, the legendary Sword Princess who had decapitated demons without blinking, actually blushed, her fingers twitching toward the hilt of her hidden jade blade. Theresia simply tilted her head, her silver hair shimmering. "I am devoted to Master Shren's every need," the spirit girl chirped innocently.
Rina let out a delighted gasp. "Every need? Shren! I taught you better than to keep such lovely girls working so hard. Come in! I've made a massive dinner for everyone."
The evening was a whirlwind of "Slice of Life" chaos. At the dinner table, Shren found himself trapped between his mother's relentless teasing and his father's quiet, observant presence.
"So, Xiwu," Rina said, leaning in with a conspiratorial smirk as she passed a serving plate. "Does my son still snore? Or did the 'restructuring' fix that too? Because if he's being a bother, you just let me know. I have embarrassing baby photos that will keep him in line."
Shren choked on his drink. "Mom! Stop it!"
Xiwu hid a smile behind her silk sleeve, her icy eyes softening in the warm glow of the dining room. "The Master is... very quiet at night, Mrs. Blackwood. Most of the time."
The implication sent Shren's head onto the table in mock defeat, his ears burning. Meanwhile, Paul Blackwood cleared his throat, signaling the 'Dad Talk.' After dinner, he led Shren to the backyard porch. The modern world felt quiet here, away from the mana-thick halls of Aurelius.
"Son," Paul said, looking out at the moonlit trees. "I don't know what's really happening. I know that 'medicine' story was a load of rubbish. But I see how those girls look at you. They don't look at you like a boss or a student. They look at you like you're their entire world."
He placed a heavy hand on Shren's broad shoulder. "Power is like a high-interest loan, Shren. It gives you everything up front, but it demands a lot later. Don't lose the boy who used to hide in his room just because you can now stand on top of a mountain. Take care of them. A man's true strength isn't in his sword; it's in the home he builds."
Shren looked back through the sliding glass door. He saw Rina showing Theresia how to use a smartphone, the spirit girl's eyes wide with wonder, while Xiwu was awkwardly helping clear the table, her deadly hands moving with uncharacteristic gentleness. For the first time, these powerful entities weren't just summons; they were becoming part of a family.
"I will, Dad," Shren promised, his voice thick with emotion. "I won't let anything break this."