"You're safe… that's all that matters," Michael whispered, voice shaking but gentle.
At that moment, Edward burst into the room, hammer in hand, flames clinging to his apron from the forge. "MICHAEL! KELVIN!" He roared, scanning the room.
Servants and guards followed, rushing toward the commotion. Bella wasn't home; the assassin had chosen the perfect moment.
Michael slumped, barely conscious. His voice was faint. "I… I'm sorry… Edward. I broke… my oath. I used it."
Edward froze, seeing him in this state, he already know the answer. "Michael… don't tell me--"
Michael nodded, smile etched across his face. "Half… half my lifespan… gone..but it was worth the sacrifice."
Edward's hammer clattered to the floor.
Kelvin finally understood, tears now freely falling, clutched Michael's sleeve.
"No… no uncle… you promised… you'd show me your sword stance again… you promised…"
Michael forced a weak smile. "Then… I'll have to keep that promise… won't I? Even… if I'm old."
Kelvin hugged him tightly, the small muscles of his arms straining, as he tried to keep him safe. Every guard in the mansion froze in disbelief, watching a man in his prime age decades in moments, all to protect a boy who is barely 3 years old, could not yet defend himself.
Edward clenched his fists until his knuckles bled. "Whoever sent this… I swear… they will regret being born."
Kelvin said nothing. He only stared at Michael,at the white hair, the wrinkles, the man who had sacrificed half his life to protect him. Deep in his chest, a spark of determination ignited, a seed of resolve.
"Uncle," Kelvin whispered, voice trembling but steady, "I promise… I'll become someone who never needs others to get hurt for me again."
Michael's pale lips curved faintly. "That's my boy… strong and ambitious."
The truth about the necklace became painfully clear. It had been enchanted with a Rank 2 defensive ward, enough to protect against minor threats or instinctive Rank 1 attacks. But the assassin had enhanced himself with a potion designed to increase attack precision, strength, and lethality.
The Rank 1 Flame Spike had become more than a basic attack, it was more concentrated, optimized, and designed to bypass ordinary protections. The pendant, despite its enchantments, could not handle such a focused strike.
Michael had acted because there was no other option. The forbidden blood burning slash magic, drew directly on his life force, bypassing the limitations of conventional magic. Every pulse, every swing, aged him decades. But there had been no other choice: the boy's life came first.
'To protect others, to erase every obstacle from my path I will became strong' kelvin promised himself.
And deep inside Kelvin, a resolve took root. He would grow strong. He would learn. He would never again allow someone else to risk their life for his sake. That vow, small yet unbreakable, had been planted in his heart.
Edward finally lifted Michael carefully, carrying him toward the infirmary wing of the manor. Guards surrounded the room, searching for any other threats, while Kelvin remained close, watching every movement.
Even as the chaos settled, the lesson was clear: the world was dangerous, and power alone could not protect you. Wisdom, courage, and care for others were equally vital. Kelvin's first vow was made, and it would guide him for years to come.
Bella Everlong returned long after midnight.
Her boots touched the cobblestone of the courtyard the instant the alarm bells rang throughout the manor.
Dozens of guards scurried about in panic as if attacked by another foe. Seeing Bella they felt relief.
'An arcane mage presence will deter many to think twice before attacking' they though.
But Bella, she was completely horrified sensing the mana and watching guards reaction. Something terrible had happened.
She sprinted inside.
"ADWARD!" she roared, her voice trembling with fear. "KELVIN!"
She didn't knock, she kicked Kelvin's bedroom door off its hinges.
Her son sat on the bed, clutching Michael's aged hand. Adward stood beside them, his face dead pale.
Bella froze.
It took her only one second to understand.
Michael.
Wrinkled.
Old.
Collapsed.
Barely breathing.
And Kelvin's eyes red from crying.
Her heartbeat stopped, then detonated into pure hatred.
'Someone tried to kill my child.' Only this though remain.
Darkness surged along her arms. The wooden floor splintered under her mana pressure. "Who… did this?"
Kelvin opened his mouth, but Edward spoke first.
"We don't know. A rank 1 assassin attacked but Michael came on time, otherwise…."
Bella's eyes widened with barely contained rage. "A Rank 1 assassin… for a three-year-old?!"
Her aura surged like a storm.
"Show me the body."
Minutes later, Bella stood over the corpse. The assassin lay in pieces, cut down by Michael's forbidden arts. Finding no clue after checking everything on the body, in frustration, she did not show mercy and ripped the body to shred with her pressure.
Edward said" you should calm down"
"I don't need calm," Bella snapped, spinning to face him. "I need answers!"
Edward lifted his hands in a placating gesture. "I know where the poison came from."
Bella froze, her violet aura pulsing in response. "What do you mean?"
Edward pointed at the corpse. "Purple venom. That isn't just any poison. It's rare. I've studied this once before, Bella… when used on a target, it stopped the blood or mana from leaving the body, so other's will not sense anything in the air ."