"Absolutely not!"

Jane's firm denial thundered out. There was no room for negotiation, yet Jered had to try and convince her.

"Look, if I drop out, I'd be able to focus all of my time getting real experience, improving my skills, and building up a career that father would have been proud of," he stressed out, "I know you want me to get a diploma and then a degree, but please, let's be realist, mom. What benefit are you actually envisioning the university to provide me? An environment that boosts communication skills and teamwork? A high-paying job? A certificate that shows knowledge but no skill? We're slowly moving from a certificate-based society to a skill-based one. And while it's a slow process, it is happening. Companies are looking for people with skill, with ambition, hungry to prove themselves."

"..."

"Am I a fool because I refuse to follow the herd, to pull all-nighters for an exam that may have no impact on my future? I'm not questioning the importance of university on a general scale. You've gone to university, and so has father. But at this point, it's more of a tradition than a need. And frankly, I don't need it. I already have a job. I already have figured out what I want to do," just as Jane was about to speak up, he raised a hand, "Wait. Don't say anything. Think about it. Sleep over it. You don't have to give me an answer now. All I need is your promise that you'll indeed take your time to jot down the pros and cons."

Jane closed her mouth and nodded thoughtfully, "Fine."

That was all he wanted.

Jered knew that, given a bit of time, Jane would have come around. And it was not because she was different from other parents. It was simply because he was bringing back loads of money, and that was solid proof of his accomplishments. It helped that he had also told her he had been looking into investing the money he was making. Naturally, she didn't believe him capable of multiplying the small fortune he already had through investments, and honestly, he was of the same mind.

Still, it was a backup excuse in case his AUC matches' rewards surpassed his arcane mastercard's limit. At that point, he'd have to open a bank account with his mother as the co-owner.

"Thank you," he breathed out as he hugged her, "You're the best mother ever."

She returned his hug with a more reluctant one.

"Umh... Jered?" Jane started, a serious look in her eyes.

"Hmm?"

"I want you to be honest with me."

He frowned, "What?"

"Isn't there really anything you'd like to tell me? " she followed up somberly, "Maybe about... you and Jasmine?"

"I don't understand... what about me and her?"

Jane bit her lip, struggling to muster up the courage to say what was really on her mind.

He didn't give her time, however, "I thought we already went over this, mom. Everything is okay. There is nothing going on that you should be made aware of."

Jered's words didn't relieve her, and that was to be expected. Still, she allowed herself a nod and a complicated smile, "I'm sorry... it's just that..." her eyes skittered around, her face tightened into a frown, "It's just that..." when she couldn't find the right word, Jered readily supplied her with one.

"You're tired."

She huffed a chuckle, "Yeah, that may be it."

There was a world of wariness behind those eyes.

"Why don't you quit your job and go on a vacation? I'll pay for it."

He had suggested it rather off-handedly, with nothing but good intentions. But, for some reason, that put Jane on the edge, "Huh?? You want me to quit? To go away?"

"What's the point of working if I'm making enough money to cover all our expenses?" Jered tilted his head in a confused fashion, "The vacation is a gift, but if you want something else—"

"—No!" Jane raised her hands in a sweaty fluster, "T-That's awfully nice of you, sweetie, b-but I don't think it's a good idea for me to go on a vacation right now, you know?"

Jered sighed internally. She wasn't against the idea of suddenly quitting her job, but she was quite overwrought about going on a vacation. Naturally, he knew why. Everything was fine on the surface, but she still had her doubts when it came to Jered and Jasmine's chaste relationship. He blamed his sister for that. She had left obvious clues around, just because it excited her to play with fire. And now that fucking fire was going to burn him too.

"Are you sure?"

"Yup! I'm fiiiiine! No need for vacations, outings, or anything like that," Jane smiled weakly, "I'm going to spend all my time with you and Jasmine!"

He wondered if that was going to stop Jasmine from being hyperactive with her courtship.

Probably not. But he held a sliver of hope that she would listen to the voice of reason.

"I'm looking forward to it," Jered returned the smile, "I can foresee many movie nights ahead of us."

Jane fished for something in his eyes, and whatever she was looking for, it clearly wasn't there. She sighed, "You're such a dear, Jered. Please, don't do anything stupid," and then she pulled him into her bosom, her arms around his neck. She didn't know what to do in that situation, so she begged him. The truth hung over her eyes like a hazy, scary curtain she didn't dare peek into. But if she let it happen, then whatever they had re-built together as a family would crumble back down.

And there was no coming back from that.

It would be the end.

---

"You look distracted," Evelyn's calm—but concerned—voice was accompanied by the tender brush of her fingers against his face, "Something's on your mind?"

Jered didn't turn around to look at her, "Many things are on my mind," he said, not really bothered by the clusterfuck of problems in his life, but still upset that it was him that had to fix all of that shit, "But they're not that important. At least not when compared to you."

A smile tugged at the corner of her lips, "I'm glad you got your priorities straight."

He laughed at that, finally tilting his head around so he could stare at her, "How are you, though? Is there anything you need?"

After his subtle confrontation with Jane, Jered decided that he needed to be around someone that was the calm and not the storm. That's how he found himself in Evelyn's place. She lived in one of the many buildings owned by Ashy Petals. And she resided in the deluxe suite. After being there the first time, it had finally dawned on him that Evelyn was filthy rich, and the money he was making could have been considered as a pocket change in her eyes.

"You're sweet, but I told you... I've been through this once before. Everything is going to be fine," Evelyn placed a hand on her belly, which could be seen slightly bulging out, "This little one has been devouring mana at an outrageous pace. And it's a good sign. The more active they are with mana, the healthier and stronger they'll be once born. My daughter used to be quite lively in my womb too, and she came out with a sturdy Mana Circuit."

Jered had no idea how magical pregnancies worked, so he took Evelyn's word for it.

"Do you already know the gender of the baby?"

She shook her head, "It's still a bit early for the reveal. Of course, there are a few spells that could I use, but I kinda want to go about it the normal way. The wait makes me look forward to it even more!" she giggled excitedly, "What would you like it to be, a boy or a girl?"

"This is not something I've given much thought about," Jered admitted. A boy or a girl? Did it really matter to him? Each gender came with its own set of problems, and he could only hope that the baby wouldn't come out deformed or with mental issues. He didn't think he'd develop that fatherly love to care for the child, regardless of the complications, "As long as our child is fine, then I don't care. Male or female, it doesn't matter. My love for the baby wouldn't change."

Evelyn breathed out her relief, and leaned her head on his shoulder.

It was one of the few physical contacts she initiated. She still held a fading wall of resistance around her when it came to more intimate touches. Sometimes she would slip, but it was only when Jered made her heart throb like never before, and she never went farther than a kiss. He was fine with giving her enough time to get comfortable. Though as a growing, healthy young man, he had his needs too.

"What about you?" he returned the question, stretching an arm around her.

"A girl," Evelyn readily replied, snuggling deeper into his bosom, "I'd like to have one more little girl."

Was it because she failed the first time?

"You know," he treaded on carefully, "Your daughter could still be alive."

"Oh, I haven't given up on finding her," her hand found his, and squeezed it gently, "I never have. Whoever sold her out to that Cult will pay, even if I have to get rid of my grandfather to get to that person. If she is dead, then I want to see the corpse. If she's alive, I'll do whatever it takes to bring her back home."

"..."

Her mana flared a little as she looked up at him, her warm eyes giving away to a glint of twisted resolution.

"I'm not as talented as you, and it will take me time to grow stronger. Strong enough to seize the organization and wage war. But I don't want to wait any longer to look for my baby girl! I'm tired of being weak, Jered! I'm tired of being the victim. That's why..." she disentangled herself from his embrace, headed towards her room with haste, and came back just as quick, holding a worn-and-torn parchment, "That's why... I'd like to do this ritual, together with you. If we do this, one day we'll be unstoppable!"

Jered blinked, sensing something wrong, "Can I take a look?"

She nodded enthusiastically and handed the parchment to him.

There was a lot of mumbo-jumbo scribbled on the paper. All stuff he didn't understand.

But there was one word that quickly made him frown.

A word that was repeated multiple times throughout the text, with fervent zeal and devotion.

Shadow.

And all of a sudden, Evelyn had become a storm too. One that had been brewing, preparing, and mustering the strength to fight back for far too long.

Jered stared deep into her eyes, "Evelyn... you know what this entails, right?"

She averted her gaze, "The offerings..."

"Yes. The offerings. And we're not talking about sacrificing a goat or some other animal. I don't know the specifics, but if what happened at Mistwood Town is anything to go by, then—"

"—It's going to be another genocide..." Evelyn finished for him, her tone lowering down, "I know..."

"Hm. Do you really?"

"I know!" she nearly screamed, strength leaving her body, "There's no other alternative though... I've looked everywhere... for spells, rituals, elixirs. Anything that could give me that extra push. And I had to do that under my grandfather's watch. He's not going to lift a finger to help me. You're the only one in my life that has really been there for me! But I can't always depend on you, Jered..."

There was no shortcut to the path of power, unless you had a system, of course.

"Yet you want me to do this with you," he pointed out.

"I don't know what will happen to me once possessed by the Shadow."

"I'm more curious about what would happen to the baby, Evelyn."

She frowned, "Nothing will happen to our baby, you fool. I've been putting off this plan for a while, and I'm willing to wait until our child is born before attempting it. And I want you to be there with me..." she leaned forward, her teeth baring out to bite his into a passionate kiss, "... to share the burden and the power. I want you to be there, because, deep down, I'm still a bit scared... and your presence scares the monsters away."