Chapter 64: Chapter 64

As Sokram sat with Amber’s family, he couldn’t help but notice their shyness.

Perhaps they feared their lack of etiquette compared to the refined Andronys.

Sokram, however, didn’t care for such formalities.

Picking up a napkin, he grabbed a smaller piece of meat by its bone and handed it to Sam. “Here, little brother.”

The boy accepted it hesitantly, but Sokram handed another piece to Sylvie, then to Amber and her parents, finally taking the largest one for himself.

“Let’s eat. It’s still good cold, but hot is much better.”

Winking at them, he bit into the rib with gusto, eating with his hands.

Seeing their host's disregard for formalities, the Grey Hunters followed suit, as did the Goldenmanes.

Even Hannah, a duchess, devoured the ribs with her bare hands like any seasoned hunter in the wild.

Zack grinned approvingly. “Heh, it’s small things like these that show what truly matters, hm?”

Alyssa nodded after finishing a bite. “Yes, it does. Thank you, young one. Besides, this is delicious. Who seasoned this meat?”

“It was him. He’s quite diverse in his skills. I didn’t even know he knew how to cook,” Hilda remarked, joining their table with another freshly grilled piece.

“I just learned from watching you,” Sokram mumbled between bites, refusing to stop chewing until his hunger was satisfied.

"Slow down. There’s plenty of meat left," Hilda mock-scolded him, though she knew Sokram could never resist boar meat.

She also noticed the children, who had been shy earlier, were now eating with gusto, mimicking Sokram’s enthusiasm, which made her smile.

"But I don’t know what you used. This is too good. And these sauces are so... Mmm!" Hilda didn’t finish before taking another bite.

Sokram paused mid-chew, debating whether to share his recipes.

They were centuries-old secrets, but perhaps creativity could justify revealing them.

Swallowing, he placed a clean bone on his plate and began explaining. "First, I seasoned the meat individually with blue pepper, crystal salt, and red mountain flower ground to dust. Then I let it marinate in red lemon juice for about half an hour."

He picked up another rib and continued, "After that, I smeared it with compound butter I made using the fat from the boars’ flesh, adding goat milk, blue mountain pepper, white mushrooms, and North Sea crystal salt."

Sokram then pointed at the sauces.

"The sauces are my secret, though," he said, winking at his mother, who pouted playfully in response.

“Wow, no wonder you took your time preparing everything, but it’s absolutely delicious, darling,” Hannah praised.

Around the yard, even the ferals, including Alpha Grey Fang, nodded approvingly.

For a couple of hours, everyone felt at home.

The barbecue proceeded smoothly, the smoky aroma of grilled boar mingling with the crisp early evening air.

Laughter and chatter filled the backyard, punctuated by the clinking of glasses and the occasional burst of joyful laughter as guests enjoyed the delicious meal.

The warm glow of lanterns cast a golden hue over the gathering. Sokram's eyes glazed over the scene as his voice resounded in his thoughts, 'Sigh... I missed this. I can't wait until all my people are together again.'

Even the Andronys indulged themselves, eating with their hands and feeling completely at ease.

This lasted until Brunhild asked, "Son, are you going to show us those recordings?"

Her voice echoed across the backyard, silencing the chatter.

All eyes turned to Sokram expectantly.

Just as he was about to summon the recording crystals, he remembered the children present, Sam and Sylvie.

The graphic scenes might traumatize them, though Luke, already of training age, likely viewed similar footage in the academy.

"Just a second, Nana," Sokram said, nodding toward the children.

He asked Amber, Savannah, and Lucy to take them to the living room, explaining that he was going to show the mission recording to the others. Before returning outside, he brought the children a few puzzle games he used to play.

Among them, he mixed the High-human bloodline tests, setting in motion his plan to confirm his suspicions about Amber.

When Sokram stepped outside with a broomstick, his family was about to ask what he was up to, but seeing him summon a blank scroll and monster blood, they decided to wait.

Astrid perked up, "Ah, I know that one, it’s in his grimoire."

Sokram looked at her, puzzled. "That’s not a grimoire; it’s a notebook. I’m not a witch, haha. Just wait and see."

He drew intricate inscriptions and incantations on the scroll, forming a complex circle, and stuck the broomstick in its center.

He then inscribed the broomstick with various symbols.

Cecille recognized the ancient language but stayed silent, noticing Hannah, Brunhild, and Margiory showed no surprise.

With a wave of his hand, Sokram gathered mana, which flowed in a circular motion over the design, forming a cone.

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He placed the crystal on the broomstick’s tip, and it floated stationarily as the mana infused it.

"Imagery Exhibit," Sokram announced, showing off the spell’s name.

The images and sound from the crystal projected onto the house wall in vibrant, high-definition detail, impressing everyone, including Arch-Mage Cecille, Madalyn, and the rest of his family.

Only Hannah saw through his theatrics, admiring his cunning yet flowery display of Magi instead.

As the recording played, Sokram controlled the highlights of the first day’s hunt while grilling more boar meat.

His cousins and Lycius’s daughters alternated between watching the projection and him, their fascination and curiosity evident.

Cassandra and Leia, impressed by his magic and battle skills, cast a few flirty glances at him.

Nirmal raised a glass in gratitude. "Thank you, young dragon, for saving my cubs! I can rest easy knowing that now they are being led by a true warrior of the north, haha!"

Sokram responded politely, "I only did what I must, elder."

The group chuckled when Kazzah accused Sokram of insubordination.

And when Timothy sided with Kazzah, turning his back on the rest of the team, Luke, initially indignant, nodded apologetically after Lucille whispered to him.

When the recording ended, Brunhild asked, "There’s a second one, right? Will you show it?"

Sokram hesitated but nodded. "Alright, but I trust your discretion."

He swiftly replaced the crystals without recasting the spell, surprising even Hannah, who caught the teasing smile he shot her as if asking, 'Did you see through this one, too, Nana?'

As the second recording played, Sokram served his guests, who couldn’t get enough of the meal.

He sat with Amber’s parents, making a show of Amber mastering Lightning Rain and Savannah learning the runic ritual spell and mana siphoning.

Cecille praised Amber, "Amazing talent. You’ve already snatched her, hm?"

Amber’s parents beamed with pride.

"Not just her," Sokram said casually, piquing everyone’s curiosity.

And Madalyn, too, praised Savannah, “If Mom hadn’t told me you’re working with my nephew, I would take you with me to the capital. Runic-Wardens are so rare, especially talented ones.”

Mona flashed a proud look. Moira nodded, smiling, also very proud.

The recording then showed the bloody hunt, prompting Margiory to joke, "So that’s why you were covered in blood when I arrived. Quite the dirty work, baby."

Laughter filled the backyard once again, but Sokram’s cousins grew uneasy, realizing Margiory’s praises weren’t born of mere favoritism; Sokram's talent was unmatched.

Sokram fast-forwarded through the repetitive parts, ending the show with a few highlights.

Once it was over, the crowd cheered and threw feedback to their youngsters, while some fixed on mocking Kazzah and Timothy’s behavior, which Sokram was sure to highlight, filling the air with mockery about the past and hopes for the future captain.

Meanwhile, Sokram went inside to check on the children and pick up more refreshments.

As soon as he stepped into the living room, he heard Sam exclaiming excitedly, "Wow! Sis! You got seventy-five!"

Amber laughed as Sam proudly raised his fists in a victorious pose. But across the room, Lucy and Savannah huddled together on the couch. Lucy fiddled nervously with the edge of her sleeve, avoiding eye contact, and Savannah stared blankly at the floor, her cheeks flushed red.

"What happened here?" Sokram asked, trying to get the whole picture.

"Oh, they just have a bad memory and are awful when it comes to these puzzles," Amber said, pointing at the High Human bloodline test that Margiory had presented him with.

"Oh, and how many of those did you solve?" Sokram crouched near them, trying not to show too much excitement.

Sam, eager to brag, pointed at two tests. "I got 60 points on this one and 59 on this one."

Sokram blinked, staring at the boy in shock.

He remembered his grandmother’s reactions when he would surprise them with his results. But these were kids from the slums, kids who would never have access to these tests had he not suspected Amber’s lineage.

"Amazing, Sam!" he praised the little boy before turning to Amber and Sylvie. "And the two of you?"

After hearing their answers, Sokram praised them too and returned to the backyard.

First, he discreetly called Hannah and Margiory, then Zack and Alyssa.

Seeing the strange movement, Hilda raised an eyebrow, which Sokram didn’t miss.

He signaled for her to take care of things there for a while.

When her parents arrived, Amber grew worried that she and her siblings had done something wrong.

But Sokram’s words made time stop for everyone in the room. "I forgot to take the High Human Bloodline test from among the puzzle games," he said, pointing at what Amber and her siblings had been bragging about. "Sam tested positive for Hyperthymesia, 60 points, and Hyper Cognition, 59 points."

"Amber also tested positive for Hyperthymesia, 80 points, Hyper Cognition, 76 points, and Bio-morphism, 74 points."

Sokram took a deep breath and continued, "And Sylvie, Hyperthymesia,95 points, Hyper Cognition, 89 points, and Aether Resonance, 75 points."

Another voice echoed from inside the house.

"Two, three, and three gifts. One of their parents must have their bloodline fully awakened. I bet it’s the mom, blue eyes like ours. Nice find, nephew." It was Madalyn.

Hannah frowned, turning to Sokram. "Why are you revealing this information to them?"

She glanced at Margiory and added, "No offense, but you know what I mean."

"None taken, but you underestimate him too much," Margiory said, looking at Sokram, who nodded in agreement.

She approached Zack and Alyssa, who looked both confused and fearful.

"I’m Margiory di Androny. It’s nice to make your acquaintance. Do you know my family?" Read full story at novelFɪre.net

Alyssa and Zack nodded with greater eagerness, which showed how their fear spiked after hearing her name.

But Margiory smiled warmly to calm them. "It should be you, as my daughter said," she said, picking up the memory board and offering it to Alyssa. "Your name?"

"Alyssa, milady. Are we in trouble?" Alyssa asked, her voice trembling.

"Be honest with me. You’re a High-Human, right?" Margiory asked, still holding the memory board.

Alyssa’s knees hit the floor with a soft thud, her hands trembling as they clutched at Margiory’s robes.

Tears streamed down her face, distorting her voice into broken sobs.

"Not again," she whispered hoarsely, shaking her head. "Please, milady. We have nothing to do with the Andromeda family. My mother fled long before the war with the Aldos began. We only want peace."

Her breath hitched, glancing back at her terrified children. "I beg you... spare us."

Her voice cracked, raw with the pain of a past she had tried so hard to escape.

Sokram rushed to help Alyssa stand. "Auntie, please, there’s nothing wrong. This is good news."

But Alyssa, clearly traumatized by her past, was inconsolable. "Not again! Please, I swear I have nothing to do with them. Our family only wants to live peacefully. I beg you, please spare us."

Her husband looked on, lost and helpless.

Amber was also surprised by her mother's reaction. Sam and Sylvie got scared, with fearful tears beginning to roll down.

Margiory, recalling an incident from thirty years ago, knelt in front of Alyssa and cupped her face.

"You’re among friends. We are not allies of the Aldos. We are more like the Andromeda family, just far more powerful. We nurture people like you, who have fully awakened the High-Human bloodline or partially awakened bloodlines, like your children."

She turned to Sokram. "Leave them with me. Go tend to your guests. This might be a long talk. Don't worry, Hannah will stay here too. Madalyn, go with him and authorize whatever he might need on my behalf."

She glanced at Lucy and Savannah and smiled. "Good thing those two are already under contract."

Madalyn nodded and pulled Sokram outside.

"It seems your contribution has surpassed mine now, nephew," she said as soon as they were out of earshot.

Sokram glared at her. "Amber is under my wing, which makes her family my people, too. I’m not doing this for points in the succession race."

He held an air barrier around them, surprising Madalyn. "The only reason I involved Nana is because I don’t have the resources to nurture them myself yet."

"Alright, sorry, nephew. Auntie misspoke. Forgive me?" Madalyn pouted, her face full of mock sadness.

Sokram sighed, knowing it was useless to reprimand her.

"Whatever. Just don’t confuse me with your other nephews and nieces. My ambition goes beyond just being the first of a family name," Sokram said, dismissing the barrier.

As they returned to the backyard, Sokram addressed the curious looks. "I apologize. We had a little accident with one of the children, but everything is fine. My grandmas are taking care of it."

To those who didn't know Margiory and Hannah, his words passed unnoticed.

But for those who did, the sight of the Duchess of Dracony and Lady Androny tending to children from the slums was a clear sign: Something monumental was unfolding.