Supreme Magus novel Chapter 91

Lith never expected for Selia Fastarrow to get all sentimental, and in fact she didn’t. Her eyes had barely the opportunity to get watery before she steeled up, replying with a giant grin.

"Now that you mention it, I really deserve this trinket." She said retrieving the hand from his grasp and using it to ruffle his short black hair. Selia was moved, but didn’t like to show her emotions in front of others.

"It’s only thanks to the secret stash of meat that I hid and tenderized for you that you managed to grow so big and strong. In a way, I’m part of your family as well." She said playfully, trying to lighten the mood.

"In a way? You are part of my family. Almost like an aunt" Lith replied, hoping to achieve a critical hit and make her tough mask crumble. He didn’t really care much, otherwise he would have kept tabs on her health too during all those years.

But Lith’s debt was real. Without her help and contacts, hunting beasts would have provided meat, but not money or clothing from the pelts and hides. Everything would have gone to waste, making his family’s life much harder.

Lith wasn’t willing to keep any tab open, nor he was enough of a scum to forget about someone just because she had apparently outlived her usefulness. Relations were important in such small community.

It was unlikely that whenever his family would need help, he would always be able to promptly return. Also, he had no idea how long the Court would protect them in his stead.

Between Nana and Selia, they would have the two most important local figures by their side, leaving the need to call for the Count or the Marchioness only in case it was absolutely necessary.

Selia hugged him tight enough to squeeze the air from his lungs.

"If I end up marrying and having children of my own it would be all your fault." She said sobbing a little.

"Who would ever guessed that rude little jerks could become so cute?"

- "Guess I exaggerated a bit. I didn’t mean to crank the drama to eleven, just wanted her to feel indebted!"

"You monster!" Solus scolded him harshly. "Stop playing with the feelings of those close to you. I understand when you do it to complete strangers, since there is no trust between you. But that was just cruel." –

Feeling guilty, Lith consoled Selia for a while, and gave her the same treatment his parents had received that morning, removing all the accumulated damage and knots that over a decade of hunting incidents had inflicted to her body.

It only made her more grateful and loving, which in turn made Solus even more angry, scolding him all the way back home.

Later that evening, he gave one ring to each family member. Needless to say, the dinner got delayed half an hour because they would not stop making things appear and disappear, like kids with a new toy.

Nana had to wait until the next morning to get her own.

"I know is not much, compared to what you lost, Master. But it’s all I can do at the moment."

Mindful about what had happened the previous night, Lith avoided stirring the heart of his mentor.

"Not much? Stop being stupid, young spirit. You have no idea what does it mean for me." She looked at it like it was a lost son.

"No Forgemaster ever accepted to sell me one of these, no matter the sum I offered. They were too scared sullying their reputation. I hope that once you graduate, you’ll not change your mind and take me as your first client.

There is so much I still want to get back."

"It would be my honour."

Nana hugged him, holding back her tears.

- "What’s wrong with these people? I got more hugs by strangers in these two days than in twelve frigging years!" He thought.

"Shut up and get hugged!" Solus commanded. –

After leaving Nana and Tista to their patients, it was time to deliver the last one.

Count Lark was very happy to see him, Lith could almost see stars in his eyes while he was staring at the present.

"Thank you so much, Lith. Having one of my proteges joining one of the six great academies is already a dream that comes true. But you managing to make one of these after just one month, goes beyond my wildest expectations."

"I just wanted to show you my gratitude. Without your help and perseverance, I would have stubbornly continued with the home-schooling, missing so many opportunities."

Lark patted Lith’s shoulder, adjusting his monocle.

"There no need to dig up past mistakes. There are more recent events that I would like to share with you. For example, recently the Court and the Mage Association have finally deliberated about Headmistress Linnea’s decision about you and Nana."

He made a dramatic pause, wanting to keep his guest on edge.

"And?" Lith prompted him to continue, taking bait, line and sinker.

"What is it?" _{freēwebnovel.com}