1. Morning at the Forest
Golden sunlight washed over the clearing as Alex stretched painfully.
"Ahhh… my whole body hurts…" he groaned.
Soma peeked from his pocket.
"That's what you get for letting Tabitha slice you with illusion blades!"
Suddenly—
"OI, BRAT! WAKE UP!"
Alex nearly screamed.
"REGIS?!"
Regis Walter walked in, carrying the energy of a man who overslept and didn't care.
Messy hair. Huge grin. Zero shame.
Jessica followed from behind, elegant and glowing like morning dew.
"Alex," she said softly, pulling him into her arms. "Mommy's here."
"I—can't—breathe—Mom—"
"Stop crushing the boy," Regis said, flicking a leaf off his coat. "If he dies before exams, paperwork is annoying."
Jessica punched his arm. "Regis!"
"OW—okay, okay!"
Tabitha floated down like a mischievous upside-down bat.
"Welcome back, beard-man."
"Oi witch, this is why you'll never get a husband."
Tabitha threw a leaf at him. "Like I want one."
---
2. Departing — Tabitha & Mochi Stop at the Barrier
The group reached the shimmering capital barrier.
Tabitha stopped walking.
Mochi stopped too, fur puffed.
Jessica put a hand on Alex's shoulder.
"Spirits under a witch's bond can't enter the capital. The barrier will reject them."
Mochi meowed sadly.
Alex knelt.
"Mochi… I'll come back. I promise."
Mochi rubbed her head against his palm and hopped onto Tabitha's shoulder.
Tabitha poked his forehead.
"Don't trust nobles. Punch them first."
"Th-that sounds dangerous…"
"Good. Now go."
The barrier opened—
Only Alex, Jessica, Regis, and Soma entered.
Tabitha waved.
"And don't do anything stupid—wait, Regis is with you. Never mind. You'll definitely do something stupid."
Regis shouted back, "LOVE YOU TOO, YOU BROOM-RIDING MENACE!"
---
3. Entering the Capital
Aurellian Capital rose like a shining mountain.
Guards shouted,
"IRONHEART FAMILY HAS ARRIVED!"
Jessica bowed politely.
Regis waved like a drunk uncle.
"Nice city," he said. "Still smells like taxes."
Jessica smacked him.
"OW—WOMAN—!"
---
4. Lucy Appears — Huge Problem Starts
Near the Bloodstone hall stood Lucy Celesta—
Golden robe. Perfect hair. Smug aura.
Jessica froze.
Lucy blinked in shock.
"Oh… my… gods… Jessica Ironheart? Why are YOU here?"
She walked closer, eyes widening dramatically.
"This area is ONLY for parents performing Bloodstone ritual for their children.
Visitors are not allowed.
So you are lost, dear."
Jessica smiled calmly.
"No, Lucy. I'm exactly where I need to be."
Lucy continued, voice dripping with polite poison:
"You're still single, right? So why would you be in the parent's area?
Unless you decided to adopt a dog or something?"
Regis coughed loudly.
"Wow. Rude."
Lucy blinked rapidly—then saw him clearly.
Her cheeks flushed bright pink.
"Oh! R–Regis Walter! You're here too?"
Her eyes sparkled.
"You look… as handsome as ever…"
Jessica punched Regis instantly.
"OW—WHY—?!"
"You made her look at you like that!"
---
5. The Daughter Arrives
From behind Lucy stepped her daughter.
Celesta Celestarion.
Tall. Sharp. Cold.
She glared at Alex instantly.
Soma hid.
"AHHHH she looks like she kills breakfast with her eyes!"
Alex waved weakly.
"H-hello—"
Celesta:
"Stay away from me."
Alex:
"…Okay…"
---
6. Lucy's Fatal Mistake
Lucy smirked.
"So Jessica, why EXACTLY are you here?
This is the noble parent zone.
Unless—
HAHA—don't tell me YOU have a child?"
Jessica smiled sweetly.
"I do."
Lucy blinked.
"I'm sorry—what?"
Regis leaned in casually.
"Yeah. OUR kid."
Lucy froze like a statue.
"Y–YOUR kid? YOU TWO—TOGETHER? MARRIED?!"
Jessica held Alex's shoulders proudly.
"This is Alex Ironheart. My son."
Lucy laughed nervously.
"Y-you're joking."
Alex bowed. "Hello."
Lucy stared at him.
Then at the Bloodstone.
Then at Jessica.
Then back at Alex.
"You're lying."
Jessica smiled.
"When the Bloodstone glows… you'll know."
---
⭐ 7. THE BLOODSTONE RITUAL
The High Priest called,
"Place your hand, child."
Alex touched the stone.
BOOOOOOOM!!!
Red light exploded upward.
Runes swirled around Alex.
The hall shook.
Priests screamed,
"THE LOST SUCCESSOR—RETURNED!"
Jessica cried with joy.
Regis smirked.
"Knew it."
Lucy's jaw dropped.
Celesta's eyes widened.
Alex stared at his glowing hand.
He finally belonged.
---