Zane and Eris sat in a couch with a very unique design. Their mother was in front of them, sitting in a couch just as eye catching.
Seconds after, a maid came inside the room carrying a tray, with three cups of tea in it. She then carefully put all the cups of tea one by one.
After putting all the cups of tea in the table, that's in-between Zane, Eris and their mother. Their mother then opened her mouth, about to say something.
"Thank you."
The maid then bowed slightly, she then said in a calm tone.
"It's my pleasure, Madam."
She then left the room, carrying the tray with her.
Now only Zane, Eris and their mother remained in the room.
"So, Zane. Why haven't you been sending me any letters lately? I sent you many letters, you know?"
Zane looked away slightly from his mother's gaze, hearing her somber tone.
The reason why Zane hadn't been sending any letters lately was pretty much obvious already. Back then, his mental health was just getting worse and worse, before the third year of his life in the academy started.
Knowing what kind of hell awaited him in that academy, Zane has just not been in his right mind. He began hating his family even more, loathing them for the misery they put him in.
But, well. That's not really all the reason, I mean Zane could've definitely still wrote back a letter to his mom. He simply wasn't in the mood to do so, because of the stress and anxiety he had been feeling.
You could say that the reason why he was so eager to learn his family's magic spells is because of the constant pressure his last name put him in.
He definitely loved the nature of magic, and wished to become stronger because of the nature of magic it self. As well as becoming stronger so that he could protect those who are important to him one day.
But, really. Zane's true goal isn't really becoming stronger. It's becoming better. Becoming better in every aspect of himself, to keep improving himself. This is the true reason why he is so eager to become stronger.
He doesn't know why, but it has always existed in his heart. He simply chased what his heart wanted. And that was to keep improving.
Maybe it's because the feeling of being a failure just didn't feel good? Maybe he just grew attached to improving himself because he had been a failure his entire life?
But, even so. As long as his heart yearned for it, he will chase it.
"Well, Zane? Aren't you going to answer?"
Zane who had been avoiding his mother's gaze, finally shifted his focus in front of him.
"Uh, about that. I just didn't feel so well, and I couldn't really write a letter. Sorry, mother."
His mother paused for a moment, looking at Zane dead in the eye. She then released a heavy sigh.
She didn't really need to ask why, since she pretty much knew already.
In a world where being strong matters the most. Zane who was a failure, was bound to be looked down.
She felt terrible for not being able to save his son, for all the words that could hurt him. If only she could allow Zane to live a normal life. However, that wasn't possible, it was the Thaleward's tradition, to place all the Thaleward's in the castle where they are supposedly nurtured.
However, despite that. She did everything she could. By gifting him a wand that could double his amount of mana capacity, by sending him letters every week, and many more.
Not wanting to keep talking about this topic any longer, she immediately changed the subject.
"Alright, I understand."
She said, pausing for a moment. She then added:
"Anyways, Zane. Congratulations. I heard from Instructor Eldros that you manage to cast five of the Thaleward basic barrier spells without a sweat. And... without your enchanted wand too!"
As she said that, Eris who had been silent since earlier, couldn't help but widen her eyes a bit.
'Seriously?'
"I was very surprised when I heard from Instructor Eldros, Zane. But, how were you able to do it, Zane? I heard that a week before you did the trial, you passed out from a mana drainage."
"..."
"You didn't do anything bad right? Like... making a contract with a demon?"
As Zane was about to sip from his cup of tea, his hand immediately froze.
"What?! Why would you think that mom?"
After those words came out of Zane's mouth, the unexpected happened. Well, atleast something he didn't expect to happened, happen.
His mother was giggling, she then said:
"Just kidding, of course I knew you wouldn't do such a thing, Zane."
She paused for a moment, she then added:
"I just feel very proud of you, Zane. You finally broke out of your shell. I'm very glad that you didn't give up. And whatever you did to become stronger, I know it wasn't anything bad. I believe in you, Zane. So, get even stronger."
Hearing her mother's lovely voice. Zane felt like he was about to shed a tear, however, he held on as much as he could.
"Thank you, mother. And I will definitely become even stronger."
Her mother then looked towards Eris, a smile then appeared in her face.
"And thank you, Eris. You didn't really need to go through all the trouble, for Zane to meet me."
A smile appeared on Eris' face, she then said.
"Honestly, I needed to. You don't know how stubborn Zane was, mother!"
...
The three of them took their time, talking with each other, laughing with each other. Zane savored this peace, knowing that future was going to be harsh against him.
Long after that, their reunion was finally ending. Zane and Eris were now going back to the Oceanheart Fortress.
Zane had learned earlier while talking to his mother that, the name of the castle he had been in, earlier was Oceanheart Fortress.
He learned many things.
Such as, her mother was actually not the one who decided to put him in a different building from the other Thaleward's.
Instead, it was his father.