“Father! What are you doing? Come! Everyone’s waiting for you!”
Cirri laughed excitedly as she called Kael.
Seeing his daughter’s excitement, Kael smiled. He was confused as to why she was so happy, but he didn’t complain.
With a smile, he followed her and soon, his eyes fell on Igni, Vitaria, and Imperia, who also seemed like they were waiting for him.
“Father!”
Vitaria jumped into his arms with a big smile on her face. Cirri, as competitive and possessive about her father as always, quickly jumped into his arms as well.
The two began fighting for their father’s attention, and Kael was on the ninth cloud.
This was indeed the best.
Igni also walked towards him with a light, responsible smile on his face. Kael smiled back. As his firstborn, Igni always had a special place in his heart.
Imperia, too, had jumped on his head and was stopping the two girls’ fight as always.
“Hahaha~”
Kael laughed heartily.
“You sure are laidback, you brat.”
Suddenly, Kael heard a familiar voice.
It was Elira.
“!!!”
His eyes widened as he realized the Court Mage was standing right behind him. He tried hiding Igni, but it was obviously impossible to do it now.
“I… What are you doing here?”
He questioned, trying to get her attention.
Elira, however, laughed at his reaction.
“What? Are you still trying to hide Igni? Has it just become a habit now?”
“Huh…?”
Kael frowned.
“Come on. When will you get used to the fact that you have revealed all your secrets now.
The visions you saw were wrong, the world no longer needs your protection, everyone’s fine and happy.
So stop holding yourself in and enjoy.”
Elira laughed.
As she said those words, Veylara, Arlan, and others Kael knew in the Royal Palace appeared as well. The place he was standing in changed and was replaced by a party hall.
No, not those boring banquets. He was literally inside the club with all his Bonds and people he knew, dancing his heart out on his favorite beats. Igni seemed overly excited and laughed heartily as well. The rest of his children were the same.
A few minutes later, Lavinia, wearing a long gown, appeared as well, joining in the fun.
At first, Kael was a little overwhelmed, unable to understand what was happening. Soon, however, he understood it.
They had won.
The world was safe.
There were no more enemies.
Igni and others didn’t have to hide anymore.
Now, Kael could truly do whatever he wanted and play with his children, so that was what he was doing.
Watching Cirri and Vitaria dancing to the beats was simply adorable. It was a sight Kael could watch all his life.
This world…
It was indeed the best.
Kael lost his sense of time. After the party, they went to another afterparty with a smaller group, then he returned to his Sanctuary and slept with his children.
“Father~”
Suddenly, Kael felt something heavy on his face. It wasn’t suffocating; rather, it was soft, comfortable even.
It made him even more sleepy, but,
“Father!”
Vitaria raised her voice.
“Wake up~ It is time to leave.”
She spoke, and finally, Kael’s eyes trembled. He woke up, his eyes still a little groggy. However, the moment he felt Vitaria sitting on his face, he laughed as he quickly grabbed the little thing and placed her on his chest instead.
“You are awake~”
Vitaria laughed as she started licking his chin. Her soft tail gently wrapped around his arm.
“Yes, yes, I am awake.”
Kael smiled as well.
This was indeed the best way to wake up. He sat up, wanting to see where the rest of his cuties were. His eyes, however, fell on five Dreamveil Kitsunes who were sleeping around him.
“Huh…?”
He frowned.
Wasn’t he sleeping together with his children?
What happened?
What was this place?
Soon, however, Kael realized it.
The Everveil.
Right…
He was in Everveil…
A strange look appeared on his face.
Then suddenly,
“Did you sleep well?”
He heard another melodious voice.
It was Reynara.
“Lady Reynara.”
Kael greeted politely.
Reynara smiled gently, waiting for his answer.
“I had a good dream.”
Kael smiled lightly.
“Really? Me too!”
Vitaria’s smile brightened up.
“I saw that the two of us were exploring the world and pranking everyone. We even made an entire city panic, making them think that everything was going to burn down.
Fufufu~”
The little Fox laughed as she rubbed her cheeks on Kael’s chest. Kael laughed at her words as he gently rubbed her fur.
Reynara laughed at her words as well.
“It seems both of us had good dreams.”
Kael chuckled.
“This is one of Everveil’s gifts.”
Reynara answered.
“Hm?”
Kael tilted his head, a little confused.
“In Everveil, nightmares do not exist. Here, dreams are crafted by one’s desire. Every night, one sees only what they long for most—visions of joy, love, triumph, or peace. It’s why sleep is cherished, celebrated even. Here, bedtime is not rest. It’s a reward.”
Reynara explained gently.
“That sounds… beautiful.”
Kael muttered as he observed the beautiful place he was in.
Soon, however, he shook his head as if he recalled something and turned towards Reynara,
“Now that I am awake, shall we continue the lecture?”
He asked excitedly. He still hadn’t forgotten the thrill of being able to use illusion magic without having to use Ancient Pulse.
It gave him a strange sense of independence.
“No.”
Reynara, however, shook her head.
“It is time for breakfast.”
“But I do not have more time left.”
“I know.
I also know you will return again.”
“…I would like to learn more.”
“You seem to have a habit of rushing into things.”
Reynara suddenly commented.
“You are too focused on things you want. It will be difficult to advance with that mentality. Illusion is all about seeing something others do not. You limiting your vision to only the things you wish to see is the exact opposite of that.”
“…”
Kael turned silent.
“You are in a completely different world, Kael.
A world much different than what you are familiar with, a world with different rules, different economy, a different living style, yet the only thing you have done so far is hole yourself up in this place for more than 20 hours.
Do you realize how many things you have missed? Think about the possible opportunities that went right past you.
I’d say it was a complete loss.”
“But… I learned from you.”
“And?”
“I have learned from the best. Even if I missed something, I doubt it would be something comparable to being taught by you.”
“I would have taught you regardless, child.”
Reynara chuckled.
“You did not encounter this opportunity by chance, it was something that was always there with you. The worst that could have happened would be you meeting me a day or two later.”
“…”
Kael turned silent.
“Try to live in the moment, Kael Carter. Not just when you are here in Everveil, but even when you are around.
You won’t be able to see the Truth if you refuse to see.”
“…I understand.”
He nodded.
“Good, now gather for breakfast.
I heard that one of the kids’ favourites is made today. I am sure you and your daughter would love it.”
“Yes.”
Kael nodded with a determined look on his face. He understood Reynara’s point and wanted to change himself. Of course, the change won’t be overnight, but at the very least, he would like to begin now.
For the rest of the time, Kael ate breakfast together with the Kitsunes and his daughter, and unlike how he would have finished his meal quickly and then waited for Reynara to eat before they start training, today, he ate as he conversed with the Kitsunes.
Learning more about them and their world, he took his sweet time, so much that by the time he finished eating, 24 hours passed and he was teleported back to his Sanctuary, surrounded by his children who were curious about the world he had gone to.
After returning from Everveil, Kael moved out of the Sanctuary, had breakfast together with Lavinia as they continued their journey.
For the next few days, their schedule remained the same. With the entire Whisperveil Ant Colony with them, their march continued. Stops in inns, travelling together with his Bonds, learning Magic Spells, Sword Aura, and mastering the Ancient Pulse State, all while learning illusion magic from Reynara.
There were times when it wasn’t possible to get to inns at night and they were forced to camp. These were the times when Vitaria made Kael sleep outside together with Lavinia so she doesn’t feel scared, a gesture Lavinia appreciated.
It was also something she was getting used to.
“Father.”
As the march continued, Imperia suddenly called out with a grim look on her face.
“What happened?”
Kael questioned quickly. Imperia rarely used such a grim tone, so he was extra wary.
“Corrupted Beasts.”
“What…?”
“There is a herd of Corrupted Beasts that, according to their behaviour, are preparing to attack a border town nearby. I sent my children into the town, and according to her, while their forces will be able to hold on, there will be casualties.
What should we do?”
The instant she said those words, in an instant, Kael and Lavinia’s expressions changed.
“What about the Corrupted Beasts? How strong are they?”
Kael questioned.
Even though he did want to help, his and his children’s safety was still his priority.
“My children feel intimidated, so they are strong, but if a town’s force can resist them, us helping them out would greatly reduce the number of casualties.”
Imperia answered properly.
“What if we ambush them before they attack the town?”
“That’s a bold plan, but it is possible to execute it.”
Imperia nodded.
“Then we are going in.”
Kael decided in an instant.
He would rather take care of it all than to have humans die pointlessly.
But then,
“Stop.”
Before Kael could move to where the Corrupted Beasts were, Lavinia called out.
“Don’t attack them.”
“Huh…?”