Ari looked at the scene before her, and she couldn't help but blurt out:

"Wow."

To be able to contend against a late-stage beginner mage even before awakening, what kind of combat prowess is that?

She had never heard of such a thing before, not even her master was capable of such a feat. And to her, her master was a god-like existence.

She was just about to commend them for such a wonderful fight when Arlo fell on his knees, blood dripping down his nose, ears, arms, and feet. It seemed like he had overexerted himself and strained his body.

However, what really cut her words were the two lines of tears streaming down his face.

'Huh? You are crying? You just forced a genius that could dominate most ordinary late-stage beginner mages to the limit yet you are not content?'

She moved closer to him, wanting to comfort him but the other rose and ran away.

"Wait..."

Her call fell on deaf ears.

"Sigh!"

…..

[Tina's POV]

'What happened?'

'Why are you crying? Did I use too much force?'

'I'm sorry, I didn't mean to.'

She stretched her hand out to him wanting to say that out, but the words wouldn't leave her lips.

Looking at his bleeding figure, she held onto her arms tightly, tears streaming down her face.

'I didn't mean to hurt you. I just wanted to show you that I am worthy of being your friend.'

Seeing him run off, she couldn't hold it any longer and broke down on her knees.

"wu wuuu..."

…..

It was already nighttime.

Arlo returned to the area he camped out with his family this morning.

He would always come here whenever he wanted to be alone.

Still, on his knees, he looked at the two saber marks on the back of his hands.

He wasn't sure, but his instinct told him that this mark was the reason why he hadn't awakened yet.

'I'm a genius?'

'I lost so pathetically to a mid-stage beginner mage. She didn't even move at all.'

'I had to give my all to the point that I bled yet I still couldn't touch her once.'

'A genius? How pathetic!'

Tears streamed down his face.

'Dad, I have failed you.'

At first, Arlo loved listening to the tales of his father. However, he didn't know when they became a shackle. The fear that he won't become a genius like his father and that he won't meet his expectations always weighed down on him.

…..

Arthur opened the door to his house, but before he could enter, his wife jumped into his embrace, her body trembling slightly.

"Ar-Arthur, Arlo i-isn't back yet. I have b-been waiting, but he ha-hasn't come back."

She was so anxious to the point that her words were incoherent.

Arthur immediately rubbed her back to comfort her.

He spread out his senses and instantly found his son.

"Don't worry, he is fine."

Sigh!

He couldn't help but feel sad about Rita's state.

'Arlo has become her weakness.'

…..

Arlo didn't know how much time had passed, but he had already collected himself.

He sat down and gazed at the bright stars shining in the sky.

Hearing the sounds of footsteps, he didn't even bother to turn as he could guess the person.

Arthur sat beside his son.

"I want to be alone."

"Why? Are you ashamed?"

"Ashamed?"

Arlo looked at his father gazing back at him, and couldn't help but feel slightly angry.

"I mean, a girl whooped your ass, and since you couldn't go crying to mummy, you came here to cry."

"You…"

Arlo's face turned red from shame. He couldn't retort back though as what his father said was true.

"I know you have never cried before, after all, you always say 'shedding tears is for women'."

"Don't try to change the topic."

Arthur pounced on his son.

"You... what are you doing?"

"Since you cry when girls whoop your ass, doesn't that mean you will go cry to mummy when I whoop it?"

Arlo raised his hand and grinned slyly at his son.

"Wa-wait."

PA!

"Ah!"

PA!

"GET OFF ME!"

PA! PA! PA!

…..

After a round of intense spanking, Arlo clutched his ass tightly with both hands as he lay on the ground.

He couldn't help but feel wronged.

'Wuu, Mum, Dad is bullying me.'

Arthur on the other hand was already sitting back on the ground as he gazed at the sky seemingly lost in thought.

"You know, I lied to you when I said I have never cried before."

Arlo was shocked as he sat right back looking at his father's slightly red eyes. He had never seen such emotion on his father's face. To him, his father was the greatest of all narcissists.

"I have cried once before."

Seemingly realizing something, Arlo voiced out.

"Is it related to the reason why Mum never uses her power?"

*****

AN: Future chapters will be much longer than this.

Thanks for following the story so far. Please leave your review, I would like to know your thoughts on the story.