Jayden opened his eyes groggily and sat up.
The area where the fight had taken place was eerily quiet.
The moonlight revealed the aftermath—craters, scorched earth, and shattered trees lining the battlefield.
The trail of destruction split into two paths, ending where the man had once stood.
"He stopped it… I couldn't kill him," Jayden muttered, running a hand through his messy hair.
"But at least I weakened him. Dad's strong enough to finish the job."
He placed his hand over his chest, watching as golden lines slowly shimmered across his skin, healing his wounds.
Above him, Marigold fluttered, her tiny hands glowing as she mended a gash on his head.
"Oh, Marigold—you're here. Sorry I disturbed your sleep,"
Jayden said softly, realizing she must have sensed his danger.
Fairies bonded to humans could feel such things.
Marigold didn't reply. Her little face was scrunched in a pout as she continued healing him in silence.
Jayden smiled gently and raised a hand.
"Don't waste all your mana on me. I can handle the rest."
Tears welled up in Marigold's eyes, her wings trembling.
She turned away, wiping her face.
"I'm sorry I left you and made you worry," Jayden said, extending his pinky finger. "I won't ever do it again. Promise."
Sniffling, the fairy wrapped her tiny hands around his pinky, sealing the promise.
Grinning, Jayden stood up and stretched his arms.
"Now, I need to make sure Mom, Dad, and Myra are all right," he said, recalling the chaos from earlier.
He raised his hand. "Xelvicar, come to me."
The blue sword rooted in the ground trembled, then shot toward him like a comet. Jayden leapt onto it and commanded, "Take us home."
Obediently, the sword lifted him into the night sky.
The wind whipped through his hair as the sleeping city passed beneath them, lights twinkling faintly in the distance.
When they finally landed back home, the clock read half past three in the morning.
"Marigold, go check on Mom and Dad. I'll check on Myra," Jayden whispered.
He tiptoed down the hallway, peeking into his sister's room. She was sound asleep, hugging a stuffed bear.
Reuniting in Jayden's room, Marigold signaled that his parents were asleep too.
Jayden nodded in relief and slumped onto his bed.
The adrenaline that had kept him alive all night began to fade.
"Xelvicar, wake me if anyone comes," he mumbled. "I just want to close my eyes for a bit."
Half of his body dangled off the bed, and beside him, the god-slaying sword kept silent watch over the Reginald household.
The Next Morning
Jayden groaned as he opened his eyes—only to realize he wasn't in his bed anymore.
He was sitting in a chair in the parlor, his hands bound tightly with glowing magic chains.
"What the hell is this?" he barked, eyes darting around. Instinctively, golden lines flared across his skin, but before he could act, a familiar voice halted him.
"I wouldn't try that if I were you," his father said calmly from nearby. "She's pretty angry right now."
Jayden turned left to see his father—Luke Reginald—tied up in a chair as well. Luke looked down, avoiding eye contact. Jayden's heart sank.
Slowly, Jayden turned his gaze forward. His blood ran cold.
"Good morning, Mother," he said with his most innocent smile. "What's going on? Did we do something wrong?"
Sarah Reginald's smile was a terrifying mix of beauty and fury. She cleared her throat, holding a wooden cane like a divine weapon of judgment.
"Are you asking me what's wrong?" she began sweetly. "Why my son would sneak out in the middle of the night to fight criminals—and why my husband would go out dressed like a damn fox and injure his own son?"
Jayden blinked. "Wait… that was you?" His jaw dropped, unsure whether to feel shocked, betrayed, or impressed.
Luke's head dropped even lower in shame.
"Don't bow your head, you irresponsible parent!" Sarah scolded, jabbing Luke's ribs with the cane.
Luke yelped. Jayden winced.
"Stupid fairy watching lady." Luke muttered under his breath.
"Did you say anything, dear?"
"No, nothing at all." Luke said too fast.
Then she turned to Jayden with a deceptively calm smile. "I'll let you off the hook easily today since your only crime was sneaking out."
Before Jayden could thank her, crack!—the cane struck the exact spot where he'd been injured during the fight.
Jayden howled in pain. "Aaagh! MOM!"
"Don't let your mum intimidate you, boy!" Luke shouted bravely. "You fought for your family like a man!"
"Says the man who got injured by a sixteen-year-old," Sarah retorted, lifting his shirt to reveal a nasty bruise. "Some strongest man in the kingdom you are."
"That attack wasn't normal, I even had to use wind magic to stop it. Don't you know what that means, woman?"
Sarah's response to that was a quick jab to his wound.
"What did I do to deserve this?" Luke groaned dramatically. "Can't a man train his son in peace?"
"Training doesn't leave him unconscious with half his bones bruised," Sarah shot back.
Jayden smirked. "She's got a point, Dad."
Luke glared at him. "Seriously, kiddo? I thought we were in this together and need I remind all of you that they were spirits watching him."
Sarah folded her arms, ignoring him and turned to jayden. "Jayden Mashin Reginald, didn't your father tell you to run if you saw someone who fitted the description he gave you? You can't grow stronger if you die in the process!"
Luke chuckled smugly. "Ke ke ke. I did warn you, didn't I?"
Mother and son turned toward him in perfect unison. "Now that's just petty," they said together.
Jayden sighed. "So who were those people you told me to avoid, anyway?"
Luke straightened a little, clearing his throat.
"It's about time I told you. Woman, cover your ears—this isn't for those who don't understand tough love."
Sarah drove her fist into his ribs. "Talk. Now."
"Okay, okay!" he wheezed, teary-eyed.
"There's a secret organization called the Undercover Midnight Association. I'm their leader. We handle covert missions to stop crimes discreetly. That white mana technique? It's one Flora taught me—and only seven people in the kingdom know it. Including the king himself!"
Jayden's eyes widened. Luke continued proudly, "We were supposed to quietly capture smugglers, but one flashy bratty kid got involved, forcing his loving father to train him through battle—and now that same loving father is tied to a chair being punished by his beautiful, immaculate wife!"
Sarah sighed deeply. "Seriously? That's your defense?"
Luke grinned. "But admit it, Jayden—you feel stronger, don't you? The thrill, the rush, the duty that pushed you past your limits!"
Jayden nodded. "Yeah… it's true. I did get stronger, thanks to Dad. So maybe you can forgive us, Mom?"
Sarah exhaled and released their bindings.
"Fine, just this once. Let me tend to your wounds."
She placed her glowing hands on Luke's ribs, healing him—though not too gently, savoring every groan he made. "Next time, make sure you injure him properly," she muttered.
By the time she reached Jayden, most of his wounds had already vanished. "How are you healing so fast?"
Jayden grinned, golden lines lighting up across his skin, his eyes giving off an ethereal golden glow. "The answer's simple—it's because I'm the strongest one, Fantasy!"
Sarah rolled her eyes. "How long have you been waiting to say that?"
"For a long time," Jayden laughed. "Anyway, I'm off to Ren's house after I shower!"
He dashed upstairs. The moment he disappeared, Luke stood up and pulled Sarah close by the waist.
"Now that he's gone…" he murmured, kissing her.
Sarah smiled against his lips. "You really think this will make me forgive you?"
"Hopefully. Is it working?" he asked, smirking.
Before she could answer, a voice interrupted.
"Ewwww."
Both turned to see Myra standing at the doorway, her face twisted in disgust.
With a wave of Luke's hand, a gust of wind swept Myra backward and shut the door. The key twisted itself in the lock.
"Seriously? You could've just told me to leave," Myra grumbled from the other side.
Luke chuckled. "Now, where were we?"
Sarah smiled softly. "Before that—do you know how much I love you?"
"Unfortunately, no," Luke whispered, leaning closer. "Because, like me as well, it can't be measured."
And with that, he kissed her again.