Supreme Magus novel Chapter 4258

Chapter 4258: The Price of Power (Part 2)

"Yet I’d read the entire Royal Library in one sitting if it meant that no arrogant Awakened can destroy in one minute the family it took me years to build.

"The tattoo potions are a great idea for a soldier or someone who can afford to turn around and run. For me, however, they are not enough. I don’t want to feel so helpless ever again."

"Well put, Dad." Rena said. "Sign me up too, Lil Bro. What about you, dear?"

"Of course, I’m in." Senton nodded.

"Two things." Lith raised his hand for silence before someone could ask to join the growing group of wannabe-Awakened. "One, Awakening is no miracle. Even if you start today, it will take years of rigorous discipline before you see any results.

"Second, the stronger you get, the more training you’ll need to have a safe breakthrough. This means that even with Invigoration, you won’t have much time to do the things you love.

"Dad, you would go from being a farmer to a landowner who oversees the work of his farmhands. Rena, Senton, your days at the Proudhammer Works would be over. Magic is a full-time job that you either love or hate.

"I don’t want you to waste years suffering just to prepare for something that might never happen. I’m very good at what I do, and I managed to keep you safe for over a decade before my reputation lured the first idiot to Lutia.

"I’d rather you let me adjust my contingency plans and go on with your lives than give up on everything you love and have painstakingly worked to build."

Everyone wanted to reply that they didn’t care about that. That no sacrifice was too big if it meant ensuring the safety of their family. Yet they all knew how hard Lith had worked to become the man he was today and how demanding magic was.

None of the Verhens was hit as hard as Senton by the perspective of giving up on their dream job. His father had spent countless hours in the smithy with Senton ever since he was a young boy, teaching him everything Zekell knew.

Becoming an Awakened would not only mean that Senton had to give up on the family business for the foreseeable future, but also that his father had to look for a replacement and train him from scratch.

’Dad spent his youth providing for our family, and he still works much more than he should after retiring.’ Senton thought. ’His weird temple helps a lot of people and keeps our family’s reputation high, while building shops in other cities has raised us to the status of merchants.

’Dad did all this to ensure that magic wouldn’t be the only thing our family has to offer. That my children and I would still have a way to support my family and a stable future for those who have no talent or passion for magic.

’Awakening now would be akin to spitting in his face and throwing all of Dad’s sacrifices in the gutter. We shed tears, sweat, and blood to build the Proudhammer Works, yet here I am, ready to turn my back on my life’s work.’

Senton turned to Zekell, who stared back at his son. There was no judgment or pain in his eyes, only understanding.

"Dad..."

"Do what you must, son." Zekell dismissed whatever came next with a wave of his hand. "If it were my wife and children to be in danger, I don’t know what I’d do either."

"We know what we want, Uncle Lith. We want to Awaken!" Teryon and Falco charged forward as expected and as predictably as thunder after lightning.

Lenart’s silence, however, was not. It left a void in the choir of childish voices that shocked Falco and Teryon the most. They looked at their brother, expecting him to join and strengthen their voices like always.

He discussed the events of the previous day at length only with the Royals. It was thanks to them that three squads of the Queen’s Corps were assigned to Lutia, and he wanted to express his gratitude for their contribution. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

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