Blaze's Return

By the time Blaze returned, Amethyst was 9 years old, Merlin was 7, and Leus was just a little older than 3.

Unlike the last time, this time he came back in the morning, so his return was very warm ...

Amethyst was the first to run and hug him

"Dad! Dad! You took so long!!"

Quickly, Merlin and Leus followed her

"Missed you Dad" Said Merlin

"I too missed you, Dad" Said Leus

Blaze hugged his children and replied to each of them

"Sorry little one, I had a lot of work to do that's why I couldn't come earlier, but now I'm with you" He said to Amethyst.

Then he turned to Merlin and Leus

"And yes, I too missed you, boys"

After a couple of seconds, Viorica joined them

She had a radiant smile on her face

"Blaze! Welcome back!"

She joined his and Amethyst's hug

"Don't keep me out"

After they hugged, Blaze looked at the children and said

"You all are growing up well ..."

He looked at Leus with narrowed eyes

"Especially you Leus ... You're growing up too well ...."

Leus was almost 130 centimeters, as tall as Merlin, which was definitely not normal for his age at all ...

His hair was sleek and smooth with a striking shade of purple, and each strand gleamed with noticeable shine.

His eyes had two strikingly different colors: blue on the right and red on the left.

Blaze looked him up and down with mixed emotions

'He's just so strange ...'

He felt guilty about thinking of his son in this way, so he tried to convince himself otherwise

'He has evolved and is training his Magic all the time ... it's only natural that he is different ...'

He thought about the Oracle's words to assure himself

'Maybe that's just how things are fated to be ...'

Then he pushed the whole matter to the back of his mind

'Regardless, he's still a kid'

Blaze sat on the couch and said with a smile

"Now tell me about everything that happened while I was away!"

Viorica started by updating him about Merlin, so he turned to Merlin and said

"Really, Merlin? Have you also started studying? That's so nice, I'm proud of you"

When Amethyst heard that, she waved her hand and pointed at herself, fishing for praise as well ...

Blaze noticed that and praised her too

"And of course you too, Amethyst! I'm always proud of you"

Viorica added

"Yes, she always helps me. And she helps Merlin with his studies as well"

Blaze nodded

"She's my reliable little girl"

Amethyst beamed with a smile as radiant as her mother's, but much cuter.

Both Leus and Blaze looked at her and thought

'She's a small, cute version of her mother'

After talking with others for a while, Blaze asked Leus about his training

"Leus, how's your magic training going?"

"It's pretty good. Only Water spells are left for me"

When Viorica heard that, she smiled

"That's so good to hear! I'm sure you'll make it."

Then she pointed at his right eye and said

"You also have a blue eye from me! Water should be easy for you"

Leus nodded

"Yes, Mom. I haven't tried Water yet, but Fire is easier for me than other elements"

Blaze asked

"How much time do you think is left for you?"

Leus scratched his chin

"Hmm .. Not sure, maybe a couple of months?"

Blaze's lips curled upwards in a wicked smile

'Nice ... just wait for it'

He pushed the 'evil' thoughts away for now, as there was something on his mind ...

Blaze wanted to discuss an interesting 'incident' with Leus ...

And so, suddenly, he spoke in a serious voice

"So ... umm ... Leus ... I want to ask you something"

Leus noticed that Blaze's tone changed abruptly; it didn't really suit the relaxed atmosphere

'Oh? What happened?'

He replied with a hint of confusion in his voice

"Yes, Dad?"

"What exactly did you do to make the Crimson Guards come to speak with your Mom?"

Leus smiled wryly then looked at Viorica

'Mom snitched on me ...'

He scratched the back of his neck in embarrassment

"A spell went wrong"

Blaze narrowed his eyes and asked

"Wrong?"

Leus averted his gaze

"Well, not exactly wrong, Father ..."

After thinking for a couple of seconds, he spoke honestly

"I did something without thinking about the consequences. I honestly didn't realize it would bother anyone."

Blaze crossed his arms

"So, what you're trying to say is that you basically forgot that you're living around other people"

Leus sighed and nodded

"Yes"

"Which spell?"

"Fireball"

That piqued Blaze's interest

'To gain attention with just a fireball ... he must've done something special'

' ... Anyway, now that he realized his mistake there's no need to press him'

Blaze's tone changed back to an easy-going one

"It's okay, I assume that you have learned from your experience.

Just remember that too much attention isn't good, unwanted attention might be annoying or bring trouble"

Leus strongly nodded

"Yes, Dad, I understand. I'll be careful next time"

And with that, the discussion about Leus' 'small incident' ended here, and the subject changed ...

Blaze spoke about his plans for the future

"I'll be home for a week or two, then I'll start getting side jobs or missions.

At most, finishing these tasks will take two or three days, but I should be home most of the nights"

Viorica nodded in understanding

'The kids are getting older and Blaze must be having something in mind'

Amethyst and Merlin needed a bit of persuasion to agree on that

"Why don't you stay with us all the time?" They said

But when Blaze told Amethyst that he wouldn't return to the military for at least another six months, she liked the deal and quickly agreed, and so Merlin did the same.

Leus, on the other hand, was curious

"Any specific reason, Dad?"

"Nothing specific, but now that the three of you are growing up, your expenses will increase.

It's better to be ready for when the time comes"

Leus nodded without saying anything

'I will always be thankful and grateful for both Mom's and Dad's efforts for the family'

The expression on Leus' face was solemn, Blaze noticed that and thought

' ... Unlike his carefree siblings, Leus is just too smart and too responsible'

He wasn't really sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing, he simply took note of it and kept it in the back of his mind.

That day, Leus didn't train and spent the entire time with his family ...

At the end of the day, he depleted his Mana Pool by creating many daggers and then slept.

Tomorrow, he will be starting his training on Water Spells ...