"So you've actually reached the second stage ?" Noah questioned, burning with a new sensation that intertwined interest and rivalry.
"Yes, I believe so. If before I needed a pond or fountain to cast [Water Lances], I feel like I'll be able to cast it anywhere now," Emily replied.
"Mmh yeah, that's definitely the manifestation stage. Argh, I'm going to go train!! I can't let myself fall behind like this!!" Noah growled.
He rushed out of the room, running off to who knows where to wreak havoc.
Once calm returned, Levi spoke up.
"So how exactly do we reach the second stage ? I didn't quite understand what happened."
Emily lifted the short right sleeve of her dress and showed her bare shoulder to Levi.
"There are three conditions to reach the second stage. One: saturate your body with karmic will. Two: Form or absorb a karmic vessel. Three: An enlightenment. Most of the times the second and third conditions happen simultaneously, but that's not always the case.
This white feather you see is our family's symbol and heirloom. A century ago, the founder of the Whitefeathers family reached the pinnacle of his karmic path. Thanks to that, he was able to develop a spell he called [Dream World]. It's an unparalleled spell that feeds on the karma of dreams to materialize and fulfill them, a true miracle.
He wanted to pass his spell to the next generation and perpetuate the family's power through it, but unfortunately neither his children nor his grandchildren managed to master it or reach his level. At the end of his life, the first patriarch severed his karmic vessel while imprinting [Dream World] into it and transferred it to his grandson. It was through the form of this vessel in the shape of a feather that the family was renamed Whitefeathers.
Due to the level difference between the spell and the caster, each new patriarch of the family ends up aging rapidly and losing vital energy with each use. To this day, no one has managed to equal the first patriarch."
"So basically, you absorbed your father's karmic vessel, which is also that of all the previous patriarchs?"
"Yes, that's right."
"But you must be super powerful now!!"
"Haha, I wish that were the case, but it's not. You probably think I inherited his karma as well since the karmic vessel is where we store our karmic will.
I only inherited the empty vessel. The only thing it contained was the [Dream World] spell and traces of a few dreams...
You know... Levi... When someone dies, they take all their karma with them.
They say that in the afterlife, it's the currency you have to pay to live a happy life in the next one... My father... I hope he had enough..."
"Your father was really cool! And super strong! If I understood one thing, it's that your strength is proportional to your karma. So I'm sure your father will be able to take it easy in paradise!"
Emily sobbed while trying to smile, then nodded frantically. "Yes!"
Mai pulled out a handkerchief and dried Emily's tears. Yes, she had been there from the beginning but was just listening—she seemed so silent that she appeared to blend into the background.
She turned to Levi and shot him with a dark look.
Boom
Avalo entered like a thunderclap, interrupting the children. He was carrying Noah in one hand by the back of his pants.
"I'm sorry if this is a bit sudden for you, but we have to leave, right now," Avalo announced. He looked in Emily's direction and finished, "You too, Miss Whitefeathers."
"Let me go!! I can walk by myself!" Noah protested.
"Me too? Wait, I need to talk to my mother first!" Emily panicked.
"I've already spoken to her, everything is settled, we can leave right now." Avalo crouched in front of Emily and lifted her onto his shoulder like a construction worker carrying cement bags.
"And Miss Samantha?! She hasn't recovered yet, we can't leave her!" Levi worried.
Mai shot a murderous look at Avalo, like a cat ready to scratch.
Noah continued to struggle, Emily trying to escape from the 2-meter giant's grip, Mai overflowing with hostility, Levi shouting with worry. An indescribable commotion that finally broke the giant's patience.
[That's enough now]
A wave of energy just powerful enough to make the room vibrate and blow the children's hair back emanated from Avalo with his karmic voice.
[You be quiet and follow me]
All the children immediately calmed down.
While carrying Noah and Emily like luggage, Avalo left the room, followed hesitantly by Mai and Levi. They went outside the manor while Charley the butler, a young servant, and Countess Amelia Whitefeathers waited to the side with luggage at their feet.
"Mother!!!" Emily called out, completely distraught. Her mother approached and spoke to her daughter, still carried on Avalo's shoulder.
"You must leave. Now that your father is gone, we can no longer guarantee your safety on our territory."
"And what about you? I don't want to leave you, let me stay," Emily pleaded.
"The academy is the safest place for you. You'll be able to grow fully there and develop your full potential," the Countess explained. "It's what your father wanted."
"Father?" At these words, Emily fell silent and accepted the truth. Seeing her calm down, Avalo finally set her down.
Her mother knelt to her daughter's level and hugged her tenderly.
"Have a good journey," she whispered.
Emily, holding back tears, replied after a few seconds, "Yes, mother... I'll come back stronger."
"James, come here," the Countess called toward the young servant standing near Charley. The Countess introduced him.
"This is James, an apprentice butler who will accompany you to the Academy."
"It's a pleasure to be at your service, Miss," the young servant continued humbly, bowing.
"Nice to meet you, James," Emily replied.
Avalo stepped forward and asked, "Is this the boy Samantha mentioned?"
"Yes," the Countess continued. "He was among those kidnapped during the incident. He was found unconscious in the forest within the explosion's range. Fortunately, Samantha's spell must have protected him as well."
"Very well, I'll take care of him." Avalo turned to Charley to signal him to load the luggage into the car.
Levi, Noah, and Mai said goodbye to the Countess and climbed into the back seat one by one. Emily waved one last time to her mother before getting into the passenger seat, a gesture her mother returned by blowing a kiss with her hand.
Once James climbed inside next to Levi, the four children found themselves packed like sardines.
"Hey, but Avalo will never fit in like this!" Noah complained.
"Sorry ! My apologies!" James kept saying.
Mai, completely frustrated, was barely restraining herself from hitting the boys to free up space. Emily felt bad being the only one seated comfortably in the passenger seat.
"Hohoho, don't worry. Mr. Avalo will surely arrive before us at the airport," Charley reassured them. "He'll go by his own means," he explained while pointing to the sky.
"We're going directly to the airport and not the train station?" Levi questioned.
"Indeed," Charley confirmed. "All to avoid unpleasant surprises on the way."
"Charley, has Uncle Morgan arrived yet?" Emily asked, already understanding the reason everyone is rushing.
"Master Morgan is on his way. He took a private jet this morning and will surely arrive soon," Charley replied.
"I see. We can go," Emily concluded.
The Bentley exited the residence gate and quickly followed the country road, finally leaving the now peaceful village of Wanderveil.
Fwoooosh
Avalo cut through the air at full speed. Since he would arrive before the children at the airport anyway, he decided to take his time and made it to the city centre in 10 minutes.
While flying over London, a British fighter jet approached him from behind. When Avalo finally made visual contact with the pilot, the pilot signaled for him to land.
Thud
As soon as his feet touched the ground, Avalo was greeted by a Royal Air Force brigadier general.
The tone was dry, but not surprising.
"Avalo, you again. You're once again violating Section 7B on unauthorized aerial occupation. You know perfectly well that the airspace above Greater London is restricted."
Avalo slowly removed his sunglasses. His amber gaze fixed on the uniformed man before him.
"Brigadier Hargreaves, it seems to me that headquarters informed you in advance of my arrival. All necessary documents were duly completed."
"You must be mistaken. We received no contact from Mandala," Hargreaves replied.
Avalo hesitated for a few moments. He was certain that Asaka had contacted the British Air Force in advance.
(Was the information intercepted by someone...? Or perhaps...?)
Avalo clenched his fists. He didn't want the situation to escalate into a diplomatic incident.
"Very well," he finally sighed. "I'll follow you."
Clank
Charley unloaded the last bag from the trunk and closed it. James lifted the suitcase and loaded it onto the group's shared luggage cart. As they headed toward the airport doors, a voice called in their direction.
"Heyy!!! Over here!!"
To the group's surprise, the man calling them while waving wasn't Avalo, and Noah was the first to recognize him.
"Ah! The old geezer," Noah exclaimed.
"Damn brat! It doesn't please me at all to see you again!" shouted the man with striped blue and black hair.
"Hello, Chief Mahoney. I didn't expect you to be the one picking up the children. Where did Mr. Avalo go?" Charley asked.
"Ah. Mr. Charley, it's been a while. Avalo had a small setback. I was sent ahead by Director Hwang for backup," Mahoney replied.
"Sent by Hwang~?" Noah repeated with disgust and contempt.
"Anyway, you can let me take care of the kids now," Mahoney continued.
"Very well then," Charley concluded before saying goodbye to Emily. "Miss Emily, I wish you a good journey. I hope James won't cause you too much trouble."
"Don't worry about me, Charley. Take care of the house and Mother. I'll make sure to write you letters," Emily continued.
One could see a certain pride and melancholy in Charley's eyes. He couldn't help but remember little Emily when she couldn't yet stand on her two legs. He was undoubtedly filled with immense joy watching the young mistress of the Whitefeathers finally take flight.
As the small group had now left, Charley, who found himself alone, sketched a smile filled with hope.
"Everything will be fine, without a doubt. Right, Count?" A light breeze blew his old mustache and rose to the sky.