"Stop calling me that," Vera snapped, her cheeks flushing in embarrassment. "I'm not a kid, Dad." She stepped in fast, her fist charged with mana as she swung, trying to take him by surprise.
But Alex had already shifted, gliding past her strike like he had seen it coming a mile away. Of course, thanks to Eva. He couldn't help but chuckle, teasing her. "But you are a kid."
"I am not," Vera shouted in frustration, turning her embarrassment into mild rage. Black fur sprouted over her flawless skin, and her eyes turned yellow as she dropped low, her hands pressing into the dirt. Lightning flickered across her form, and within seconds, the girl was gone, replaced by a black wolf.
Alex couldn't help but smirk as he saw the transformation. "Let's see how long you can maintain this form this time."
*Grrr*
Vera, now fully transformed into a lightning wolf, crouched low, lightning dancing along her fur. As she growled at Alex, the latter was quickly snapped to reality. He raised his hand and motioned, provoking his daughter to attack.
She let out a deep, guttural growl once again before launching forward and lunging at Alex with its mouth widely opened, revealing its sharp fangs.
Alex, however, didn't move from the spot. He calmly stared at the wolf.
But just as her fangs nearly met his shoulder, he mumbled. "Mimic: Paralysis of the Great Vine."
At once, his entire mana reserves were consumed as vines burst from his body, lashing around Vera in mid-air and pushing it away from his body.
But it isn't over yet. Before Vera could get out of those entanglements, the vines started absorbing her mana. Within moments, her entire mana reserves were sucked away and Vera transformed back into herself.
Alex dismissed the vines and caught her before she fell to the ground. "Dad, you cheated. You said you wouldn't use abilities." Vera protested, glaring up at her dad.
He chuckled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "My dear munchkin. You forgot rule number 1. Don't ever expect your opponent to follow the rules unless it is a formal setting."
Vera puffed out her cheeks and looked away. "Still, cheating is cheating. You tricked me."
Alex couldn't help but smile, finding his daughter's actions very cute. As he continued to stare at the daughter in his arms, suddenly, he saw the illusion of a three-year-old little girl in his arms; he was carrying her just like this, on that very day, and spinning her around in a park.
"Hmm? Dad..." Vera's blurred voice became a bit louder now, enough to drag him out of his thoughts. "Dad… Appa… Hellooo? Oi, old man…"
His eyes refocused, snapping back to reality. "Hmm?"
Vera spoke. "Can you put me down, now?"
"Oh, right." Alex gently put her down.
"What happened? You were making this strange face earlier."
"Ah, nothing. I just remembered something." Alex shook his head, forcing out a smile.
Vera tilted her head, blinking a few times in silence, wondering what it was about. "Huh."
From the veranda, Theo, who had been recording it since the start, finally stepped down. He walked forward, arms flailing slightly. "Ugh… what a boring fight this was. You clearly don't suit for fighting, Vera."
"Hmm?" Both Vera and Alex turned their heads.
Approaching them, Theo switched the pc tablet in his hands to their side and showed a frozen moment, "Here, look at this. This is where you lost. You could've used the charged leap to feint! You hesitated too long before the pounce."
Vera snorted, puffing her cheeks. "Oh, come on! I was literally trapped by mana-sucking vines!"
"Doesn't matter," Theo said, voice a little too loud. "You still messed up the timing! What's the use of having an S-rank ability with superior senses to a human if you make up such a rookie mistake? Look at Dad. He only had a C-rank, yet he can wipe the floor with you with such ease, and he is not even a Hunter. Why can't you just…"
Alex turned, interrupting him, his voice calm but firm. "Theo. That's enough."
"She could've won if she had just—"
"I said that's enough," Alex repeated, gently but with weight. "Don't be too harsh on your sister. Everyone grows at their own pace."
"Fine… Sorry…" Theo lowered his gaze and apologized to his twin, but a moment later looked up with hopeful eyes. "So… can I spar now? I don't know if I can defeat you, but I'm sure I can do better than Vera."
Alex exhaled slowly, letting out a sigh. "Theo, unlike Vera, you're not weak. You were strong enough to protect yourself from danger, or atleast run away from it. But you don't have the combat-type prowess required for battles. Your strength lies in music. That's your gift. So, don't try to obsess over the fight. Instead, try to enhance your abilities so that you can make a career out of it."
Theo's eyes narrowed. "Dad, I believe I have told you like thousand times so far. I don't intend to pursue a music career. I want to register with the Hunter Association. But you never let me sign up for it."
Alex's voice deepened slightly in response to his son's statement. "I do it because that's not the path for you. Don't waste your time chasing such a foolish dream. If you don't know your strengths, it is perfectly alright to explore them, but you know your talents, and right now, you should come to terms with your limitations. If you are not interested in music, then focus on your studies. You slipped more than thirty ranks in the final exam, and as a result, you were dropped to Class-3 this year."
"But I still want to be a Hunter," Theo muttered aloud, not being able to hold his feelings under his breath.
Alex's sternness wavered for a moment. But in the end, he spoke. "You can do what you want when you're an adult. Until then, you listen to me."
"You just don't get it, Dad. You don't. If only mom were alive, she could have understood my dreams…" Theo stomped his foot and shouted at Alex in frustration, then turned, retreating to the house. The front door slammed moments later.
"Theo…" Vera rushed after her brother.
Alex sighed, his gaze lingering on the closed door. "I don't want to act like this," he murmured, almost to himself. "I just… I wish you both could live in peace, surrounded by comfort and safety. That's all I want. I have everything I can give you in this world, but I cannot let you push yourselves into danger. I lost you once. I can't lose you again."