Bang!!!
The sound of the door slamming echoed in front of the Ashford family's head's room.
"Father, look at this!" Lina threw the torn piece of the magic scroll onto the table, right in front of her father, Leon Ashford.
Leon, a middle-aged man with a neat silver beard and sharp eyes, picked up the burnt paper. He was intrigued by how it looked. He examined the remnants of the magic circle on it, frowning. "Amazing... This is a high-quality magic scroll. Who made this?"
Lina folded her arms across her chest and took a seat with an air of superiority. "Father, do you believe that all those magic scrolls were made by Laguna?"
Leon looked up with a raised eyebrow. Then—he burst out laughing. "Hahahahaha! Look at this! My daughter can already joke. You almost convinced me, Lina."
But his laughter faded when Lina hit the table with both hands, causing the teacup to shake. "Father! I'm not joking!"
Leon narrowed his eyes, his expression becoming serious. "How did you know that this was made by Laguna? Did you see it in person?"
Lina exhaled, her voice softening but still full of tension. "Well... you could say I didn't see it. But Julia told me about it."
Leon paused for a moment, then turned to the black wooden cabinet in the corner of the room. He opened the door, pulled out two metal objects, and placed them on the table.
"Look at this. This is a device made by Laguna."
Lina held one up—a bronze disc with magical carvings all over it. "Hm... this one is quite interesting. It looks like it can withstand one attack from a third-level mage, but it's one use only."
She then picked up another—a metal handle without a blade. Her expression changed.
"What is this? Why did he... create a knife without a blade?!" Lina frowned in disappointment and confusion. She tossed the Edge Hilt away, not even glancing to see where it fell.
Leon smiled with a hint of amusement, remaining unperturbed. "So, do you think... do you believe that the magic scroll was really made by Laguna?"
Lina looked at her father with a complicated look in her eyes. "There's no way I'd believe it... if I saw a device like that. But if Julia said it... she would never lie to me."
The room fell silent. Leon and Lina's gazes collided, like two heat waves trying to see who would retreat first.
Leon took a deep breath, his eyes looking far away as if remembering something heavy. "A while ago... I visited Laguna's research site without anyone knowing. And you know what? That kid... he never stopped studying. The whole room was packed. Notes, formulas, and magical ideas covered the blackboard, walls, and floor. Some of these concepts are still a mystery to me."
His eyes bore into Lina. "Maybe... at only 17 years old, his understanding of magic has already surpassed mine."
Lina lowered her head, still unwilling to give up. "But... where did he get the materials to make magic scrolls? Aren't the materials very expensive?"
Leon shrugged. "I don't know. But if I had to guess, he likely found his own way. That kid... is always looking for a way to prove himself."
He stood up and patted Lina's shoulder with a gentle touch. His gaze was gentle, but his voice was full of firmness. "Lina, my child... It's time for you to reflect. Your mother's death... wasn't Laguna's fault. He was only seven at the time. And your mother... she chose to sacrifice herself of her own free will."
Leon's voice had a slight tremor. "Your mother would not want the child she saved—the one she protected with her life—to be hated by her siblings."
Lina did not answer. Her head was bowed, her hair covering part of her face. Her hands were clenched into fists on the skirt of her dress.
Leon walked out of the room, his steps heavy but firm. He knew—no more words were needed. Lina needed time.
And for the first time in years, Lina did not respond with anger. Only silence... and tears that were held back at the corners of her eyes.
Today marks one week since the incident in Veredale Village.
In his room full of tools and metal scraps, Laguna sketched on a big sheet of paper. His pencil moved with energy and accuracy as he concentrated on his work.
A knock on the door interrupted the silence.
"Come in," Laguna called, not taking his eyes off the paper.
Several minutes passed until he finally finished his sketch. When he lifted his head, his eyes widened.
In front of him stood his father—Leon Ashford—watching the sketch with great interest.
[Leon Ashford]
Race: Human
Skill: Enchanted Magic SS, Quick-Cast S, Multi-Cast S, more...
Str: 50
Vit: 50
Agi: 40
Int: 75
Wis: 75
Luk: 10
"I... I'm sorry, Dad! I thought Julia..." Laguna stuttered and stood up, scratching his head in confusion.
Leon smiled with a gentle expression. "It's okay, son... Can you explain this sketch to me?"
Laguna immediately became excited. "Um, I call this an electric lamp! This lamp can be five, even ten times brighter than the magic lamp we use now!"
Leon held his chin, thinking. "How much does it cost to make this lamp?"
"I haven't calculated it, but all the materials are inexpensive in comparison. I only need metals like iron, copper, and a few other materials."
Leon smiled, seeing his son's enthusiasm. "Interesting. Can you make one for me?"
Laguna chuckled. "Let alone one, Dad. I'll make a lot and test them in Veredale Village."
Leon looked proud. "If that's what you want, if you need anything, don't hesitate to tell me."
He then took out a torn magic scroll from under his robe.
"By the way, where did you get this?"
Laguna looked panicked. "Um... I found it in a ruin on my way to Veredale. But... the ruin disappeared when I took the treasure inside."
Leon raised an eyebrow. "You got the treasure and didn't tell me? And the ruins disappeared?"
Laguna stood up, his eyes serious. "I'm not lying, Dad! The ruins are strange... and everything inside is something I've never seen before, not even in any book."
Leon fixed his gaze on him, then nodded. "Okay, I believe you. Is this all you've got?"
Laguna was silent for a moment. Then he took out his subspatial inventory. A faint blue light appeared as he opened his subspatial inventory. He took out some old parchment.
Leon was stunned. "A space bag... and old parchment? Judging by the texture, this must have been forgotten for a long time. If you sell it, you could become rich."
Laguna looked at his father with uncertainty. "Do you not want it?"
Leon smiled with warmth. "You found it, Laguna. What kind of father takes treasure from his child?"
He paused before asking, "By the way, are you really unable to make a magic scroll?"
Laguna held up the torn piece of scroll and offered a faint smile. "Maybe I can... but not as good as this."
Leon nodded, his eyes filled with unspoken admiration as he took a moment to appreciate it.
Leon looked at Laguna with a challenging smile. "Alright, then, let's prove it. Bring everything you need and meet me in my room."
Without waiting any longer, Leon turned around and left the room.
Laguna immediately put the old parchment, some supporting materials, and stationery into his subspatial inventory. He took a deep breath before walking out.
As he walked down the hallway to his father's room, the servants who once scorned him now looked away. They lowered their heads, afraid to meet his gaze. Laguna noticed it but chose to keep walking without responding.
When he arrived at his father's room, he found Lina sitting in silence in front of a large table. Her head was bowed, and tears were still on her cheeks. Laguna slowed down, his eyes sweeping around, looking for Leon, but his father was nowhere to be seen.
Lina realized someone's presence. She rushed to wipe the remaining tears from her face and turned her head. When she saw Laguna, she stood up. Not a word came out of her mouth. She rushed toward the exit.
Laguna opened her mouth, but no words came out. He stood there, his body tense and unmoving.
As Lina reached the doorway, Leon entered the room with a small bottle in his hand.
"Lina, so you're still here," he said in a casual tone. "Good. Sit down. We'll prove your little brother's genius."
Lina stared at her father for a moment, then returned to her seat in silence.
Leon raised the small bottle he had brought. "Sorry, I went to the storage room to get this."
Laguna stared at the bottle with wide eyes. "Is that... the blood of a sacred beast, Father?"
Leon nodded with hesitation. "This is unicorn blood. One of our ancestors' most precious relics."
Laguna looked hesitant. "Is... it okay to use it just for an experiment?"
Leon smiled with a subtle expression, but his eyes were deep. "If you succeed, the ancestors will likely feel pride." But if you fail... well, maybe there will be another 'reward' for you."
Laguna swallowed. "Ha... ha... a reward, huh? What a scary tone, Dad."
He pulled out all the ingredients from his subspatial inventory. He began to arrange them on the table with great care. Leon and Lina watched without saying a word.
Laguna began to prepare himself. His hands moved with a smooth rhythm, but his eyes reflected intense concentration. He opened the bottle containing the unicorn's blood with great care.
When the seal broke, a deep blue aura burst forth, filling the room with a powerful energy wave. The air became heavy, and the surrounding mana clumped together like a thick fog. Their hair lifted, as if a fine electric current enveloped their bodies.