Ancient Pasts - Tbate

Gourmet training

Cathan Leywin Pov

There were some details that I left out for my family's sake—I exchanged glances with Arthur when I skipped any part where we got hurt—but other than that, we made sure to fill them to the best of our ability.

My sister, who was sitting cross-legged on the couch across from Arthur with Sylvie sleeping in her lap, was wide-eyed the entire time as we recalled the dungeon experience. Her eyes practically sparkled at the fantasy-like fable, but it wasn't just her that became enraptured by the story.

The audience couldn't believe it when I continued the story and told them how I had defeated an elder wood guardian and a silver bear. They refused to believe me until I finally pulled out the beast cores. They had to swallow their doubts as they stared in awe at the green orb and silver orb that were smaller than my fist.

"Uncle Vincent, when is the auction house anniversary?" I asked.

"It's in a week. I guess you want to sell the cores there?" He asked, narrowing his eyes on me.

"Yeah, the others and I are going to split the gold," I stated.

"That's going to sell for a lot." Tabitha chuckled.

"Any idea what you're going to do with the money?" Lilia asked.

"That's a secret." I winked at Lilia.

"Speaking of cores. Dad, what stage are you at?" Arthur asked.

Giving him an embarrassed chuckle, he answered, "I'm stuck at the bottleneck of the dark orange stage ever since you two left. No matter how much I meditate and purify mana, I can't seem to break through."

"Perfect." Arthur smiled.

"Cathan, do you still have that core?" Arthur asked, looking at me.

"Yep," I replied. I tossed a core to my father, catching him by surprise.

"That's an AA-class Fire-hawk beast core. Cathan and I were planning on giving it to Ellie if she awakened as a fire mage, but we can give her another gift." Arthur stated, winking at Ellie.

Holding the small orb as if it was made godsent. Dad shook his head with a frozen expression. "I can't. It's yours. You fought for it with your life. I can't just take this from you."

I prepared to shove the orb down my father's throat when my mother chimed in. "Honey, I'm sure they aren't giving this to you on a whim. If they want you to have it, it's for a good reason."

"Listen to your wife, Rey. The boys must have their reasons. You're their father, for God's sake. Get stronger. It'll help me as well!" Vincent laughed.

Tabitha just chuckled at this. "Alice, your sons brought quite the present."

"For the amount of worrying they caused me, I'm still weighing whether it was worth it!" my mother joked, exchanging a laugh with her friend.

"You have to catch up to us, Dad. You can't let your sons leave you in the dust, right?" Arthur smirked, attracting confused gazes.

My father looked up at me. "Don't tell me..."

"Yup"—I leaned back on the couch—"Solid yellow stage."

"Sweet mother of—that's just ridiculous," Vincent breathed out, shaking his head.

My family took the news a lot better, indicating they are used to their monstrous sons. My father held up the fire hawk beast core with a renewed determination in his eyes.

"Don't cry when your old man beats you down the next time we duel, then." He smirked.

"You're on," We grinned back.