Supreme Magus novel Chapter 248

"I wouldn’t miss your birthday for the world." Unbeknownst to her, Phloria was the only one truly happy for the invite.

If not for the enchanted sword, Lith wouldn’t care for his own birthday, let alone inviting people to a party he was the first to be happy to avoid.

He had yet to find a way to salvage his relationship with Solus. Between that and Death Vision still haunting him, Lith wanted to be left alone with his family. Not to mention that having guests was a problem for him.

Despite all the renovations it had undergone, Lith’s home was too small for hosting a decent birthday party, even by Earth standards. Rena and Trion had already moved out. Whenever he was at Lutia, Lith spent most of the time outside, doing the gods knew what. _{ƒreewebɳovel.com}

Raaz and Elina had no reason to further expand the house, it would only make the maintenance more expensive. It had never been a problem before since Lith had no friends to invite aside from Selia.

Lutia’s harsh winters prevented even Nana to reach their home, or at least so she used to say. Lith suspected she hated birthdays even more than him and used old age as an excuse to avoid wasting her time with the risk of missing customers.

Ever since he had helped Count Lark to survive his ex-wife plot, he forced Lith to have two different parties, though. One at home, only for the family and another at Count Lark’s manor.

The Larks were his patrons, so Lith had no way to avoid the issue. He had no love for festivities, but he appreciated the Count’s company and the support he provided for his family.

That year was already bound to be even more problematic since the Count and Marchioness Distar were his sponsors with the academy.

Lith was certain they would push him to celebrate his third place in the overall ranking and first place among the healers. Thanks to the two nobles providing the location and banquet, Lith deemed there would be no problem adding a few more guests to the list.

Friya and Quylla were still a bit offended with him for his recent rude attitude, but after all, they had gone through together, they were happy for the invite. Te girls were also very curious to visit his birthplace.

Yurial nodded, inwardly cursing at his own bad luck. He didn’t know how to face Lith’s parents and friends without apologizing for having robbed his friend of his rightful status.

He wanted to avoid all the congratulations and niceties his status as first ranked involved as long as possible. In that moment, Yurial was so nauseated by his situation to be on the verge of puking.

Everyone but Orion left the room. They were all eager to leave, but first they needed to return to their respective rooms and pack their stuff.

Phloria wanted to say goodbye to Lith properly, away from her father’s eyes, instead.

Jirni entered Phloria’s room while she was still absent. Orion used that opportunity to speak with his wife freely.

"Do you think we should force Lith and Phloria to break up? Putting some distance between them could avoid her from taking unnecessary risks. For the same reason it may be better if once the fifth year begins, our girls avoid associating with him.

Lith is not a bad kid, but right now first place or not, he is a liability."

Jirni was already pondering about what to do next since she learned about the dryad’s gift. She was aware of how much Lith had done for her family, but Orion’s proposal sounded logical. It was the safest option they could take.

"I understand what you mean and I’m glad of your decisiveness, but I don’t think it’s a good idea. First, we can’t give orders to Lith and neither to Phloria. She has consulted us because we are her parents, but remember that in less than six months our little Flower will become an adult.

You know she inherited your stubbornness. Making demands will only make things worse. She could simply refuse, if not even leave house Ernas. Antagonizing her now will only earn us her contempt and the further she gets from us, the harder protecting her will become.

Also, how are you going to make sure they actually break up? Are you going to move into Phloria’s room?"

Orion had to inwardly admit his idea wasn’t as good as he had initially thought. They had been aware for months of Phloria’s intention of leaving her household in case they attempted to force her into an arranged marriage.

That was the reason why a few months prior Orion had threatened Jirni to divorce from her. Their friends had warned them about Phloria’s asking for the necessary papers to get emancipated from her parents.

"As for avoiding associating with Lith, I’m afraid that would be another major blunder. He has proven to be an invaluable help for the girls, both academically and as a protector. Not to mention that you too have seen his score.

If next year he gets first again, commoner or not, flocks of nobles will try to earn his favors. If we do as you propose, not only we would be ungrateful but also appear as fair-weather friends. I understand you are worried about our little Flower and so am I, but don’t let fear get to your head.

Only by sticking with him when he needs us, we will get his gratitude. Also, there is the possibility that the threat to Phloria’s life has nothing to do with him. She could just be collateral damage or the target of a revenge on me or you.

So far Lith did quite a good job keeping her alive, I don’t see why this time it should be any different."

"Why do you care so much for him?" Orion still wasn’t convinced.

"Because these are chaotic times. Kings and Queens come and go and if we want for house Ernas to outlive them we need power. Why do you think I was so eager to adopt the girls? I wouldn’t be surprised if the Court forced the current royals to abdicate. They have made too big of a mess."

Orion nodded with a sigh, recognizing the truth in Jirni’s words. He was grateful to Lith for all he had done and respected him deeply. Yet Orion couldn’t help but be afraid for his daughters.

***

Griffon Kingdom, Royal Palace. Inside Tyris’s Lair.

Amyla Farg, the newest recruit among the secret unit called the Queen’s Corpse, had not reported to her one true master, Lady Tyris until the end of the academy’s third trimester. Her undercover role as Professor took away most of her time, plus she still couldn’t make sense of what she had witnessed.

Farg kept an eye on Lith for weeks, searching for more clues about his true nature and the threat he could pose, but with no success. If not for what she had witnessed in the forest, Farg would think of him nothing more than what his personal file stated.