"Mother?" Ethan suddenly sat up, his tone heavy with confusion and disbelief.
"Mm?" Madeleine responded softly, urging him to elaborate.
"Is it really necessary? What do I gain from all this? Just the heir? What of my new brother, Trevor? Is this going to cause some kind of internal family feud where we have to fight for the position of heir? I don't understand."
Madeleine's face softened, a mix of maternal concern and resolute determination. "It is very necessary. They are family no matter what, and the heir position isn't just in name. You will have the whole of Anbord in your hands when you take the seat of the patriarch. You will have power and authority among others, but you will also have enemies. Very powerful ones at that. And for Trevor, I'm sure he doesn't have any interest—just as you don't have."
Ethan's expression darkened. "Then why? Why go this far for a family who abandoned us? I know no one from the Smiths except you. Even my supposed father abandoned us... What is the purpose of all this?"
Madeleine sighed deeply, her eyes glistening with unspoken pain. "I know they abandoned us, but not all of them did that. The Smiths, under my father's leadership, are almost on the verge of collapse. Only the heir can change that. I know this is too much to ask of you, baby boy, but you've got cousins, brothers, sisters—family who had no choice but to follow some stupid rules set by my father. They never got the opportunity to run away as I did."
Her voice trembled slightly as she continued, "The heir position once belonged to me, but I evolved into a dwarf, causing my father to start ignoring me. The reason—I don't know to this day. Then your uncle, my little brother, was born. He was a genius, evolving into a vampire at a young age. The heir position was then given to him. He was first happy with it until his power started acting up. After I ran away, I heard he transformed into a blood beast and went missing. No one knows his whereabouts to this day. Whether he's dead or it was all a lie to cover up something bigger, I don't know."
Ethan's hands balled into fists, his mind racing with questions and anger.
Madeleine's tone shifted to one of pleading. "Ethan, I know I'm asking too much of you, but my father has contacted me. No matter what he did, he's still my father. I haven't forgiven him, but my father rarely becomes concerned about something, and this time, I'm sure it's very urgent. My mother is still in closed training, so she can't be of much help to us. I'm sorry for keeping you in the dark this whole time, but please do this—for your mother, for your family here. The Smith clan is the backbone of Anbord. If it falls, then we are all doomed."
Ethan's face softened slightly, though his expression still betrayed uncertainty. "Mother... I'm not angry at you, but I'm not sure. I'm just an Advanced-level mage with a bit of special abilities..."
Madeleine smiled knowingly. "Son, I know everything. You don't reach my level of power with just sheer talent. It takes experience and more. I know the cause of my illness was related to your birth. Most can't feel it, but I can. You are really trying well to hide it, but I can feel the same aura I feel from my father. The presence only the leader of all vampires can have. I can feel it from you both."
Ethan's eyes widened, his jaw tightening.
"Apart from that," Madeleine continued, her gaze unwavering, "I also know a bit of your path. I have my sources on that. But if it's possible, I am willing to be your subordinate. And last but not least, I can also tell you this: Strength doesn't follow the rules of this world. You make your own rules. Please, my baby boy, stop holding yourself back. Go all out. Show them who you are. Be who you were meant to be. Don't worry about people finding out your secrets or such things like that. You are far above them."
"Mom..." Ethan's voice broke slightly, his emotions swirling uncontrollably.
"Come here," Madeleine whispered, opening her arms. Ethan hesitated for a moment before leaning into her embrace.
"I understand," she murmured. "Stop holding back. Even if you won't take me as your subordinate, make your subordinates stronger. I will help you with all I can. Your wife, Carmen, will also aid you with all she can."
"Err, Mother?" Trevor hesitated, his voice cutting through the emotional silence like a soft ripple.
"Yes, Trevor? Anything wrong?" Madeleine asked, her demeanor immediately shifting to one of warmth as she gestured toward an empty seat beside her.
"Can I ask you something?" Trevor's expression was a mix of nervousness and curiosity.
"What is your affinity, and... how powerful are you, really?" Trevor's words came out in a rush, like he was afraid of second-guessing himself.
A soft chuckle escaped Madeleine's lips. "Is that all?"
"Hahaha!" Madeleine's laugh was full and melodic, but there was a glint of mischief in her eyes as she answered, "My affinities are Earth and Destruction, and for how strong I am... let's just say, strong enough to destroy continents. Although... I'm still recovering my power. Ethan's birth drained me very well."
The room fell into stunned silence. Trevor's jaw dropped. Ethan's eyes widened in disbelief.
"What the hell?!" Trevor finally exclaimed, his voice rising an octave.
"So cool!" another voice chimed in enthusiastically, breaking the tension.
Ethan leaned forward, his expression a mix of awe and concern. "Umm... Mom. If what you say is true, and Carmen is your disciple, one of the most powerful people in Anbord, and she's your youngest... then how strong is your oldest disciple?" His voice faltered as he finished, clearly dreading the answer.
Madeleine's playful smirk returned as she turned her gaze to Amor. "Amor, this question is yours."
The man stiffened, his face adopting an almost comically resigned look. "Come on, miss... Is it really necessary?"
"No more holding back, honey," Petra said with a knowing smile as she patted her husband's back.
Amor sighed deeply, then finally spoke, his tone dry. "Fine. I'm at the Grandmaster level."
For a moment, there was only silence.
"You're kidding, right?" Harley blurted out, her voice filled with disbelief as she looked back and forth between her parents.
"Uncle Amor?!" Trevor exclaimed, practically falling out of his chair.
"What kind of insane family is this..." Ethan muttered under his breath, rubbing his temples.
"Master's family is the best!" a high-pitched, cheerful voice suddenly rang out, drawing everyone's attention. Their eyes darted toward the top of Ethan's head, where a small, glowing figure nestled comfortably in his hair.
"Oh, this is Tia," Ethan explained, his voice tinged with nervousness. "She's a sentient artifact. The earring on my left is one of her many forms. Her actual form is a weapon."
"Hi there, Master's family!" Tia chirped enthusiastically, her voice brimming with delight. Then she froze, as if sensing something ominous.
"So cute! Can I hold her?" one of the girls asked, her eyes gleaming with excitement.
"You'll let us hold her, right?" another chimed in, equally eager.
Ethan's face paled as the girls, with the exception of Madeleine and Petra, all began eyeing Tia like predators circling their prey. Beads of sweat formed on his brow.
"Master..." Tia whimpered.
Ethan did the only thing he could think of—he grabbed Tia and tossed her directly at Harley.
"Uwahh! Master!" Tia cried, landing on Harley's chest.
"Let me hold her next!"
"You're suffocating her, you big-chested oaf!"
"Move aside, mortals, for the great Moon Witch!"
"Master is so mean!" Tia wailed dramatically, though she clung to Harley's soothing aura like a lifeline.
Ethan groaned, burying his face in his hands. "Why do I always end up in these situations..."
Amidst the chaos, Trevor suddenly spoke, his tone nonchalant. "You know... Ethan also happens to have the Earth affinity."
Madeleine's eyes gleamed with interest. "I noticed, son. After all, no one gets a Heavenly Tortoise for free."
"You noticed Gal?" Ethan asked, his surprise evident.
"Good." Madeleine nodded approvingly before her expression grew serious. "Now, can you tell us a bit about your abilities? Both of you."
The playful atmosphere in the room stilled as her commanding tone drew everyone's attention. Even the girls, who had been arguing over Tia, quieted down and focused on Ethan and Trevor.
Ethan took a deep breath, his expression resolute. "Okay." He paused, gathering his thoughts. "I have two affinities, Psychic and Earth, and almost unlimited willpower. I can use all the variant affinities under Psychic: Telekinesis, Telepathy, and Teleportation. The only downside is my level now."
He hesitated for a moment before continuing, "I also have a special ability that allows me to control auras. I can bend aura to my will, whether it's mine or not. I can use all weapons, provided I learn how to wield them. And I have a path which is very special. I'm still learning how to use it. Lastly, I have Tia—a sentient artifact who is bound to me until death."
Trevor followed; his tone steady. "I also have the Smoke affinity, and I'm kind of a special vampire. I'm also the first subordinate of Ethan, and that's all. I feel like there's more to it, but that's what I know for now."
For a moment, the room was silent again before someone whispered, "Ethan is overpowered."
"Very much!" another agreed.
"I think he should hold back."
"And we also have Sync," Ethan added with a blank look, as if bracing himself for the inevitable reaction.
"My sons are the best!" Madeleine exclaimed suddenly, her smile turning slightly manic. The sheer pride and energy radiating from her sent chills down Ethan and Trevor's spines.
"I'm sorry, boys," Amor said with an expression of pity, "but you are in for the training of your lives."
"It can't be that bad, right? Right?" Ethan asked, his voice tinged with desperation.
"Get up, boys! Your training starts now!" Madeleine declared, her voice brooking no argument.
"But wasn't it supposed to be after the outing?"
"I changed my mind. Lamair, you're joining us too. I can't have the son of my friend trailing behind my kids."
"Huh? Me?!" Lamair looked like he'd been struck by lightning.
"Ethan, share Sync with him."
"You have only three minutes to prepare. And bring that lazy tortoise with you."
"Bro," Trevor muttered to Ethan, his voice heavy with dread, "see you in the afterlife."
"Save a seat for me if you get there before I do," Ethan replied grimly.
"How did I end up in all this?!" Lamair wailed, clutching his head in despair.
That night, as the exhaustion from the grueling training overtook him, Ethan slept like a log. Unbeknownst to him, a swirling golden aura surrounded him, its mysterious energy hinting at something yet to be discovered.