Supreme Magus

Chapter 4503: Poison in the Family (Part 1)

’Once the fight begins, I can’t deliver precise instructions to dozens of Demons without losing focus on my own battle. There is no point in having a killer magical formation if my enemy can just get close and kill me without me even noticing.’

’Sounds hard.’ Solus noticed the grimaces of the Demons as they tried to coordinate their efforts and the actions of a hundred practice constructs the tower had conjured for them.

’And it’s even harder than it looks.’ Lith replied.

The training continued until lunchtime. Lith and Solus took breaks only when Raldarak needed a fresh diaper or Valeron and Elysia asked to see them.

The kids were happy and surrounded by their friends and relatives, but they didn’t like being separated from their parents for too long.

"Hi, Ral." Trion took the baby boy in his arms and rocked him gently. "Do you remember me?"

"Mama." The baby boy replied.

"Close enough." The Sigil Demons chuckled. "I’m your uncle, Trion, but I’m okay with Dio or Tio. Anything that even closely resembles my name will do."

"Mama." Ral nodded with a serious expression on his small face.

"Get in line, lil bro." Rena snorted. "With Elysia as his third word, I deserve to be the fourth, since no one in this family thinks about me."

She pouted and glared at Lith.

"I hope to be next." Valeron the Second lowered his gaze, feeling guilty for the tension that his flower had created in the family.

"Me too!" Rena realized her blunder and froze. "I’m sorry, Val. I’m not angry at you."

"Don’t worry, Auntie." Valeron said, yet his voice lacked conviction.

"I noticed you’ve taken your duties as an uncle more seriously, Trion." Lith rushed to change the topic to spare his son’s feelings.

"Yes, Lith." Trion didn’t miss how his little brother still called him strictly by name and didn’t care about his feelings. "I’m just happy to have the chance to spend time with my siblings, nieces, and nephew after the mess I’ve made of my life.

"I know I’ve not been much of a brother to you and Tista. I can’t make it up to you two, but I can try to be better for Aran, Surin, and your children."

"About that." Elina turned to look at Tista. "Any news on that front?"

"Mom!" Tista almost choked on her bacon. "Not in front of the kids."

"Why?" Elina raised an eyebrow. "Why shouldn’t they know if Bodya has finally proposed and you’re about to marry?"

"He didn’t, and I’m not." She dismissed the argument with a sweep of her hand. "Case closed."

"Do you mind if I give the kids a few flight lessons?" Trion asked. "They can use the fresh air and I some bonding time."

"Be my guest." Lith shrugged. "Take Trouble as your body and don’t leave the Mansion’s premises, though. Safety first."

He turned to look at Valeron the Second. Only the Griffon bloodline had offered the baby boy protection, and there were still plenty of people, Awakened and not, who wanted to hurt him because of what his mother had done.

’We can’t rely on the Dragons.’ Lith said via the black chains. ’Their promise to avenge Valeron is a deterrent only against those who want to kill him, but it’s irrelevant to those who want to kidnap or hurt him.’

’Don’t worry. I won’t let you down again.’ Trion replied. ’Scratch that. I won’t let the kids down. No matter the cost.’

Aran and Leria had heard enough about Trion to have a poor impression of him, and even after getting to know him, their relationship hadn’t improved much. He’d been absent for most of their lives, and the few times their parents had mentioned him, it wasn’t to say good things.

The triples were young enough to be more open and forgiving, but they saw Leria’s weariness around him and trusted their big sister’s judgment. Raldarak, Elysia, Valeron, and Surin, however, were different.

They trusted Trion unconditionally, offering him a clean slate upon which to build their relationship. He was loving and caring with them, afraid of repeating his past mistakes.

’Orpal was a monster as a kid already, but I was dumber than a brick.’ He inwardly grimaced. ’Gods, I had a family most people can only dream about, and I threw it away out of blind pride.’

"What do you say, kids? Would you like to fly around the park with Uncle Trion?" He actually said, smiling at the babies.

Raldarak squeaked with joy, while Elysia nodded enthusiastically.

"I’d love to, Uncle." Valeron looked at Lith, and waited for him to nod before answering.

After the meal ended, Trion brought the kids to the park and let them fly in front of him, following them closely. He carried Surin strapped to an enchanted baby carrier on his chest, giving her the thrill of flight and the safety of a multi-layered barrier.

"Do you have to do that, sweetie?" Elina asked.

"Do what, Mom?" Lith asked as he changed the settings of the tower’s defense system to monitor the children closely.

He set Valeron and Surin as top priority since they had no Guardian watching over them.

"Be so cold with your brother." Elina replied. "Your children can feel it. Or at least, Valeron can."

"I-" Lith wanted to argue that Aran was his only brother, but he didn’t want to hurt his mother with such cruel words. "I’m trying, but it’s not easy. Trion had years to show through his actions who he was, and I believe him.

"Words are cheap, Mom. All the apologies in the world change nothing. I can feel Trion’s sincerity through the black chains, but it doesn’t mean much. He didn’t change his mind until it was literally too late.

"He needed to die to understand what kind of... man he had become. That’s hardly an achievement. Most people would just carry their last-second regret to the afterlife. He’s just..."

"Lucky." Elina felt his hesitation and completed the phrase for him. "I know. Though, we are also lucky to have him, or at least I am. I got a second chance with my wayward son. I got to know I was right about him.

"That Trion never hated us nor was he a bad person. He was just lost. How and when we found him doesn’t matter, sweetie. Every second we spend together is a gift." She paused to look Lith in the eyes until his stern gaze softened.

"I’m not asking you to forgive your brother. Your relationship is between the two of you. I’m asking, begging you to be nicer to him, baby. Maybe you don’t notice it, but even your silent reproach weighs heavily on Trion’s head.

"Aran, Leria, and everyone who looks at you as their role model mirrors your behavior towards him. We don’t know how much time your brother has left with us. Please, don’t poison them against him."

"I’m sorry, Mom." Lith replied. "It wasn’t my intention. I’ll cut him some slack."

"It’s all I ask." She gave him a peck on the cheek. "Thank you. You truly are my miracle baby. You’ve given me my two lost sons back."

The love coating his mother’s words made Lith feel terrible about himself.