Reawakening with Limitless Mana-Chapter 55: Returning home

It has been a few hours since the Baron left.

Currently, the family of four, except for the first Prince, who had some work, were having dinner at the table.

It has been quite silent ever since they joined.

The Queen—Catherine von Aldercrest—was worried that her son still might be feeling down after his battle against Arthur.

This was the first time he had faced a defeat...and it was not just a defeat, but a one-sided beatdown.

After a few moments of hesitation, Anastasia finally spoke, "Are you okay, brother?" Her voice carried concern.

He flinched, seemingly being pulled out of the daze, as he turned towards her and nodded, "Yes....I am...fine. I am good." He said, flashing a smile that made the two ladies more worried.

The Queen turned towards her husband, her eyes containing what she desired him to do.

The King sighed, not wanting to talk about it, but had no choice.

He wanted his son to grow beyond this feeling—to find his own path, one he could walk with purpose and pride.

But when his wife wore that worried look on her face, there was no room for refusal. No path that led away from her concern.

After a brief pause, he asked, "Are you okay, my son?"

Eric nodded and slowly turned towards his father.

His eyes held a gleam...not of agitation or jealousy, but something beyond that. Something...more mature.

He seemed motivated.

"Father...did you notice something during our spar?" He asked, his voice reflecting the excitement he felt to talk about those few seconds when the two children faced off.

Devon hummed, "I noticed several things, child, but I am eager to know what inspired you the most."

A smile extended his lips as Eric voiced out, "In those moments...when we fought, Arthur didn’t use his sword. Not even once."

Anastasia held her breath...now that she recalled the battle, Arthur indeed fought the battle without a single use of his sword. As if he never needed one.

"Maybe he is specialised in hand-to-hand combat?" Devon suggested.

However, Eric had a different opinion.

Shaking his head, he told him, "...no, Dad. He could have used his sword. I could see it...he knew about swordsmanship more than I."

"So...why didn’t he use it?" Anastasia asked.

With a dry chuckle escaping his throat, he revealed, "Because he knew I wasn’t worth it."

Devon was taken aback by that statement, and he would be lying to say that his pride wasn’t hurt.

The Queen also looked slightly unsettled as she said, "Please don’t feel depressed, son. You will also learn things slowly."

"Oh no, mother." Eric instantly shook his head and cleared the misunderstanding, "I am not upset by my defeat. Far from it. Arthur, unknowingly, has given me a challenge."

A blaze that was felt by everyone around him ignited in his eyes as the blond Prince added, "The next time I fight him, I will force Arthur to use his blade."

Their first battle had concluded, but Eric was not going to let it be their last.

’Thank you, Arthur. You have given me a very profound reason to keep improving myself.’

.....

"Uaghh!" Kevin vomited, in the end.

They have traveled to Otteal—the town under the Viscount’s protection, through the teleportation portal and are currently heading back to their home.

The portal utilizes the Light Magic, and traveling through one causes one to feel as if they have been pushed and pulled through a long distance by a very extreme force

It was natural for one to feel nauseous and sick.

"Arthur...give me some candy..." Virelle asked as she remained lying down on the seat while covering her forehead.

Arthur, who was currently occupying the floor of the carriage, took out a few lemon candies and handed them to his mother.

"Some water, brother?" He asked as he held out the bottle for him.

Kevin took the water and placed the small bucket in the corner.

After having some water, Kevin took the advice of his father and lay down on the seat and covered his eyes.

Candies were rejected since nothing could enter his system at the moment. He was just trying not to force something out.

God, he hates teleportation.

"Imagine traveling two days if the teleportation had failed." Arthur joked only to get a glare from Kevin.

"Can’t you say something nice..." He spoke in a rough voice. His throat was all scraped up—or so he believed.

"Son, would you mind coming out?" Aston asked, and since Arthur had nothing better to do, he used the small window to reach the front seat.

The outside scenery was beautiful, with forest on both sides, a starry sky, and a faint breeze adding charm to the beautiful night.

"Mum is okay." He informed.

"Hmm~she surely isn’t going to agree if I suggest teleportation again." Aston joked.

"You handled it pretty well, Dad," Arthur said in a bit of amazement.

"I should be saying that to you...but well, counting you in the category of normal would make me appear foolish."

Arthur gave a dry laugh. He once, as well, felt nauseous when teleported. But he had to teleport like every second day, so he didn’t get caught. So after a while, he lost that sensation.

Aston, on the other hand, had a different reason: "When I was in the military...I once was held captive."

Arthur’s expression shifted.

Aston seemed normal and maybe in a bit of a daze to say it so casually, "I was forced to eat the flesh of my comrades, and then...they stomped on me until I vomited everything."

He chuckled, "Today...when we teleported...I had a similar sensation."

Those words were spoken in a very light-hearted manner...but Arthur could tell how much grief was hidden in those words.

In the military, every person you work with is your comrade, your friend. And Aston was forced to consume his friends...his family.

It must’ve been more painful than death.

Arthur rested his hand on his father’s hand and said, "For someone who hides so many painful memories yet smiles before his family as if nothing happened...I truly admire you for that, Dad."

Aston smiled, "I didn’t want to share the story with you...but didn’t know I felt as if...you won’t panic." Glancing at him, he said, "And I was right."

Arthur chuckled. How can he tell that he...has several incidents as well, which he hides. But that’s the life of militants.

Their experiences are nightmares for normal people.

And they must carry it to their grave.

*******

A/N:- Thank you for giving my book a chance. I wrote this with my heart heavy.