Year 2 Chapter 3: Return To Vastoria

Returning to the estate, Keith and Carolyn entered the lobby and headed to the backyard to Eri and Camelia. But as he saw her, Keith and Carolyn froze on the spot. It was only when Lei sounded that Eri turned to them.

“Papa!” Eri’s eyes glimmered as she was about to move but stopped herself. If she did not have that in her hands, she would have jumped into Keith’s arms.

“…That’s a giant water bubble.” Keith wanted to do the same, but the water bubble impressed him. If she lost focus, that water ball would pop all over them.

Eri nodded, “Mmhmm! Water ball.”

“You made a big one.” The size of the water ball took the two aback. Usually, it would be around the size of a basketball, but this was the size of a…what’s a giant ball? Even Keith couldn’t describe the size of it.

Camelia explained, “I have taught her how to concentrate and use her mana. However, I never expected Eri to create a ball this enormous.” She taught the child since she was interested in magic, but she never expected the basics would create such an output. Talent. That could only be the reason for this: being able to draw this much mana and to shape it showed how gifted the child was.

“Eri is amazing.” Carolyn clapped her hands as she cheered on the child.

“Heh,” Eri giggled as the water ball gradually evaporated in the air.

“You’re a natural.” Keith raised Eri up and down; the child’s laughter increased further. Turning to Camelia, “Grandma, I’ll prepare dinner.” Since he purchased these new ingredients, it was time to use them.

In the kitchen, Keith rolled up his sleeves to prepare the pasta. However, it differed from the usual pasta he always used.

“It’s wider.” Carolyn and Eri watched from the side. Well, the latter wanted to help Keith, but the former held onto her, wanting snuggles.

“The sauce will be thicker than usual; having wide noodles helps with absorbing the flavor.” After cutting the pasta to the correct size, it was tossed into the pot to boil.

The next step was the sauce: using a wind sphere, he tossed the kale and spinach in. As they churned, cloves of garlic and oil were incorporated into the sauce. The dark green sphere looked glossy.

As the bacon and onions finished searing, he poured them out. Keith used the bacon fat with butter and flour to create a fragrant roux. The green sphere dispersed, and the mixture dropped into the pan as milk was poured in. The white and dark green became a light palette. Eri’s ears wiggled while Carolyn grinned. With the meat and onions incorporated, the pasta was finally added at the end.

Everything was perfect. The side dishes were garlic bread and salad.

“Delicious as always, Keith,” Camelia complimented while savoring the sauce. Sitting at the head of the table, Lionel asked for a second plate. Carolyn was more forward as she asked for a third. However, one person didn’t share their sentiments.

“What’s the matter, Eri?”

“Don’t like.” Eri frowned.

“Oh, I get it,” Keith thought. He did a lot of spinach and kale. A kid might not like it. He stroked her hair, “Can you eat a few bites? There will be dessert later.”

“Okay,” Eri didn’t complain as she munched on the pasta.

Lionel then asked, “Keith, will you be heading to the academy tomorrow?”

“Mmhmm.” They only planned to stay for three days before heading off.

“...” The moment this was said, the two’s shoulders shook.

Keith blinked, “Umm...” Should I not have said this?

“I want to spend some time with my great-granddaughter,” Not even a day passed, Camelia was doting on Eri. She was the same as Leon and Laura; soft and humble.

“Great-Grandma,” Eri gave her a gentle hug.

“Can’t you stay for a few more days?” Camelia asked.

“We can.”

“Then Eri will sleep with her great-grandma.”

...

A few days later,

Keith and Carolyn said their goodbyes to Lionel and Camelia before they set off. Entering the gates, they soon arrived at Vastoria.

Carolyn smiled as she stared outside, “It’s been a while since we returned, yet it still looked beautiful. What do you think, Eri?” The child was in her arms with Lei and Ruby.

“Beautiful.” Eri’s tail wiggled around as she watched the adventurers heading out to the dungeon. Keith agreed. Are there more adventurers than last time? The number of parties setting off was more than he had witnessed. The thought was soon overshadowed as they arrived at the academy. After handing their identification,

“We’re finally back.” Carolyn cheered as she stared at the home before them.

“We were only gone for two months, and yet,” Keith was glad to see the manor. That two-month period seemed to last longer than it seemed. Before he could enter the manor,

“Woof!” A bunch of blurs soon besieged him! He dropped to the ground as the little ones snuggled on him. “I miss you guys as well.” It was none other than Saphir and the other spirits. They continued to lick his face, wanting to show off their excitement. His hand brushed their faces away as he asked, “Where are Alfia and the rest?”

“Woof.”

“Oh, so you guys came here earlier than them?”

“Keith, you’re back.” A gentle voice called out. Keith turned his head, “Mmhmm, I’m back, Undine.” He got up from the ground while Eri ran over to her, “Big sister Undine.”

The great spirit of water continued to have a gentle and aloof smile as she picked her up, “Welcome home, Eri.” She nestled the fox girl into her chest.

“Let’s go sit in the pergola first,” Carolyn suggested, and the group headed over. Keith suggested, “Eri, how about you play with Saphir and the others? They missed you a lot.”

“Woof.” Saphir lowered her head, and Eri jumped on, and the two went off into the garden.

“So how has the island been doing?”

“Fine.” There wasn’t anything to worry about as Diana ran a tight ship and refused to allow anything to go wrong in this situation.

“That’s good.” Keith nodded, “Did Diana water the plants today?”

“No, she and Nephele had headed out with the cart.”

“Then I will do it.” Coming home, it was time to get to work. Keith got up and walked to the garden. Udine rested on the side, allowing Keith to do whatever he wanted.