Vlad's days were spent completing the exhausting tasks assigned by his father. The moment darkness fell, his intense sparring sessions with Chloe would begin.
Just as he reached the end of one list, his father would hand him another, filled with even more tedious work.
Vlad could barely hold his mother, Elaria, back from breaking all the bones in Edren's body for assigning him such relentless labor.
Time slipped away quickly, and ten years passed far faster than Vlad had realized.
---
"You are working today as well?" A voice reached Vlad's ears. "We have to leave for the Awakening Ritual."
The voice belonged to Chloe, who was sitting cross-legged atop a mound of logs. The early rays of the sun kissed her pale face, which had grown from adorably chubby to strikingly beautiful. Her long lavender hair was tied into a high ponytail, flowing freely down her back like a silken curtain.
She wore a plain black crop top that clung tightly to her body, accentuating her well-proportioned figure, while her lower half was covered in high-waisted white trousers with loose openings at the bottom.
In front of her, Vlad walked while carrying a massive log several times his own size over his shoulder.
His features had become distinctly masculine, with a sharp jawline that gave his face a strong, defined structure. His upper body was bare, revealing his heavily built muscles glistening with sweat under the sunlight.
He placed the log atop one of the many mounds of similarly sized timber and said,
"Of course I remember. How could I forget such an important day?" Vlad replied, his voice now deep and resonant. "I was just stockpiling some wood for Father since I won't be around anymore."
He grabbed a pouch of water from his waist. After taking a few sips, he let the rest cascade over his body.
Chloe silently watched as the water trickled down his long neck, across his broad chest, over his sculpted abs, before finally reaching his trous—
"Wear this, shameless half-naked idiot," Chloe muttered, throwing a shirt at his face.
"First of all, this is my place, so it's my choice whether to be half-naked or completely," Vlad replied, using the shirt as a towel to dry his skin. "Secondly, you never complained about being naked when you used to bathe with me."
"That was five years ago," Chloe said in a sharper tone, her lavender eyes narrowing at Vlad.
"Well, I don't have any problem bathing together even now," Vlad shrugged. "I'm very sweaty. Should we hop in together to reminisce?"
"Idiot! Vlad, just die!" Chloe shouted before running inside the house.
Over the past few years, Chloe's behaviour around Vlad had slowly changed. She had stopped bathing or sleeping with him and had begun keeping a physical distance. Whenever he offered to bathe or sleep together, she would simply snap at him like this and run off.
Vlad could not understand what had caused her to change so much.
He released a sigh and went inside the house as well to freshen up.
---
"It's alright... sniff... even if you awaken a low-ranked talent," Edren said, rubbing his moisture-filled eyes against his forearm. "Just remember that you can always return and help me with the far—"
Smack!
"Is that what you should be telling your son who is going for the Awakening Ritual?" Elaria muttered with a sharp glare, striking Edren on the head.
She continued, pulling his ear, "Besides, what do you mean by 'help,' huh? You made my young boy do all the work while you spent whole days drinking out with your friends."
"Aah! You are being too ruthless, honey," Edren whimpered, tapping out.
"Mom, we must leave now," Vlad called, wearing the backpack.
Chloe and Vlad stood at the wooden gate of the farm to bid farewell to Edren and Elaria.
"You can return after the Awakening Ritual to spend a few more days with us. Do you have to directly leave for the academy?" Elaria sulked, grabbing Vlad by the shoulders.
"It's necessary, Mom," Vlad replied, hugging his mother. From just barely reaching her knees, his chin was now crossing over his mother's head, yet the warmth of her embrace remained as comforting as ever. "The orientation starts two weeks after the Awakening Ritual. We must leave immediately, or we might miss it."
"Hmph, just go then," Elaria retorted, her eyes moistening. "It must be burdensome for you to live with your old nagging parents."
"Mom, please don't be like this," Vlad sighed, kissing Elaria on the forehead. "I promise I will return during the vacation."
On certain random days of every month, his mother would throw tantrums like this. During those days, she sometimes became very angry or started crying over small things. Edren would treat her very lovingly on those days. Vlad had learned from his father and would also become very gentle towards her during such times.
Over the past three years, Vlad had observed similar mood swings in Chloe as well. He had to offer her many sweet dishes during those days to keep her calm.
It was one such day for Elaria, which was why Vlad was being extra careful with her.
Elaria finally calmed down from Vlad's soothing words. She turned to Chloe and murmured, hugging her,
"If Vlad ever bullies you, just send me a letter. I will teach him a proper lesson, even if I have to come all the way there."
'I'm the one who always gets bullied by this pig.'
Of course, Vlad didn't say those words out loud. Getting beaten by Chloe was the last thing he wanted before leaving.
"Okay, Mama. I will surely do that," Chloe replied, wrapping her arms around Elaria.
Due to her habit of copying from childhood, she had started calling her Mama and Edren Dad after hearing Vlad. Even after growing up, she still addressed them that way because of how dearly they treated her.
The duo finally said their goodbyes to the couple, who were reluctant to let either Vlad or Chloe go.
"You aren't going to meet your grandparents before leaving?" Vlad asked as they left Grimwood Village.
"They left on vacation yesterday. I already bid them farewell last night," Chloe answered, zipping up the jacket she wore over her crop top.
"Hah, you should have told me," Vlad exclaimed. "I couldn't get their blessing before leaving."
Chloe didn't answer. After a brief pause, she murmured in a low voice, looking downward,
"Vlad, I want to ask you something. Please answer me truthfully."
"Why so serious?" Vlad asked in a casual tone.
Her fist clenched tightly, and she bit her lower lip before finally asking,
"What will you do if I awaken as low-ranked and cannot enter the Arcane Academy?"