Chapter 262: Small Celebration

As the last echoes of battle faded, Adrian rolled his shoulders, letting the tension of combat gradually unwind.

The battlefield had reset itself—molten rock hardened into smooth formations, the destruction erased as if the clash had never happened.

But the charged air, still crackling with remnants of power, told a different story. He had ascended—transcended, even.

The Archdraconic Spellblade wasn't just a new class. It was a declaration. A promise of what he was becoming.

Before he could fully process his evolution, he sensed movement.

Turning, he caught sight of his women approaching from the shimmering boundary that separated the training chamber from the outside world.

Their expressions held a mix of pride, awe, affection, and something else—something deeper.

The first to reach him was Isabella.

She moved with grace and urgency, her gaze locked onto him.

The boy she had once believed doomed to mediocrity now stood before her as a man who had shattered every limit, risen above all expectations, and carved his own legend.

Pride swelled in her chest, and she reached for him without hesitation.

Without a word, Isabella cupped Adrian's face, her fingers gently tracing his jawline, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath her touch.

"My son…" Her voice was barely above a whisper, thick with emotion. "You've come so far."

Adrian blinked at the rare show of vulnerability but didn't pull away as Isabella brushed aside a few damp strands of his hair. Her eyes searched his, memorizing every detail.

"Everyone labelled you as a waste," she continued, her voice steady yet carrying the weight of the past. "Dismissed you. Ridiculed you. But look at you now. My son has become a force of nature."

A small smile tugged at the corner of Adrian's lips. "I had to prove them wrong."

Isabella's expression softened. "You did. And more."

Then, in a rare display of motherly affection, she leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on his forehead. It wasn't formal. It wasn't out of obligation. It was pure, overwhelming pride.

Christine, unable to contain herself any longer, rushed forward. "Big Brother, you were amazing!" She practically launched herself at him, wrapping her arms around his torso in an enthusiastic hug. "That last move—the lightning, the sword strike—it was like something out of a legend!"

Adrian let out a soft chuckle, patting the small girl's head. "I appreciate the praise, Christine."

She pulled back, grinning up at him. "I'm gonna train even harder! If you're this strong at Level 50, then I need to catch up fast!"

Sophia smirked but stayed slightly behind, arms crossed as she observed him with a keen gaze. She wasn't the type to throw herself into someone's arms, but the fire in her eyes betrayed her thoughts.

Seeing Adrian wield such overwhelming power, standing unchallenged in the aftermath of battle—it made her blood stir in ways she wasn't quite willing to admit.

She tilted her head. "Hmph. Not bad. I suppose you'll do."

Adrian arched a brow. "Oh? Just 'not bad'?"

Sophia's lips curled in amusement. "We'll see if you can keep up with me later." Her voice dipped into something more suggestive, and Adrian couldn't help but chuckle.

Eve stepped closer with a curious glint in her gaze. "Your combat efficiency has increased dramatically, Adrian. I noticed several optimizations in your movement and mana circulation. Your new class is an absolute marvel."

Adrian smirked. "Glad to impress."

Seraphina watched it all with a knowing smile, arms folded beneath her ample chest. "Auntie is proud too, you know," she teased. "You're making quite the name for yourself. Look how popular you are with women."

Adrian shook his head at her playful tone but felt a warmth settle deep within him.

Before anything else could be said, Isabella clapped her hands together. "Enough standing around. We should celebrate. I prepared a meal before we came to the chamber for this very purpose. It's time to celebrate my son breaking through "

With a flick of her wrist, she activated her storage ring—a gift from Adrian, identical to the ones all his women now possessed.

A series of elegant dishes appeared on a conjured table, each one steaming with warmth. The aroma of perfectly seasoned meats, fresh vegetables, and golden-brown bread filled the chamber.

Adrian's stomach rumbled slightly. He hadn't realized just how much energy he had expended.

Christine, ever eager, rushed forward. "Big Brother, sit! I'll serve you!"

Adrian chuckled but took a seat, letting Christine take the initiative. She moved with an almost wifely devotion, carefully placing food on his plate, making sure to give him the best portions.

"There!" she said brightly, puffing her chest out proudly. "Eat up, Big Brother!"

Adrian reached out and ruffled her hair. "Thanks, Christine."

She beamed.

But the moment was short-lived.

Sophia, never one to be outdone, smoothly took a seat beside Adrian and leaned in, plucking a piece of meat with her chopsticks. "Open up," she said smoothly.

Adrian blinked. "You're feeding me?"

"Obviously. Now, don't keep me waiting."

Before he could respond, Eve cleared her throat and gracefully slid into the other side. "Actually, I believe I should be the one to do it. I am quite experienced in ensuring nutritional balance."

Sophia shot her a look. "Are you saying I'm not?"

Eve adjusted her glasses. "I'm merely stating a fact."

And just like that, a silent battle began.

Sophia and Eve, both attempting to feed Adrian, subtly elbowed each other for position, trying to steal his attention.

While the two were arguing, Chris silently came to his side and fed him food.

Isabella watched the scene with an amused smile, while Seraphina just shook her head.

Christine, however, pouted. "Hey! I was supposed to be the one serving Big Brother! It's not fair big sister is the one doing it."

Chris smirked as she placed another piece of meat onto Adrian’s plate, her movements casual yet deliberate. “Christine, don’t be jealous,” she teased. “You got to serve him first.”

Christine puffed her cheeks. “But I wanted to do it longer!”

Adrian chuckled, shaking his head as he took a bite from the food Chris had given him. “It’s fine, Christine. There’s enough of me to go around.”

The moment those words left his mouth, a silence fell over the group.

Sophia raised a brow. “Oh? Is that an invitation?”

Eve with her eyes gleaming with intrigue. “That could be interpreted in several ways.”

Seraphina covered her mouth, barely hiding her amusement. “My, my, Adrian, such bold words.”

Adrian exhaled through his nose. “That’s not what I meant.”

Isabella smiled knowingly. “Of course, dear.” But the twinkle in her eyes said otherwise.

Christine, oblivious to the implications, just huffed and sat down beside him again. “Hmph. I’ll just sit next to Big Brother, then!”

As they continued their meal, the tension gradually shifted back into a comfortable atmosphere.

Chris, despite her usual reserved nature, stayed close, ensuring Adrian ate enough. Sophia, after her brief challenge with Eve, settled into a playful mood, occasionally sneaking bites of his food under the pretense of ‘taste-testing.’

Eve, continued analyzing Adrian’s combat growth, though she seemed more interested in feeding him than discussing mana circulation.

Seraphina, meanwhile, simply enjoyed the show, sipping a glass of fine wine she had conjured from her storage ring.

And Isabella—his ever-supportive mother—watched them all with warmth, content in knowing that her son had truly found his place.

Adrian took it all in, the warmth of their presence, the quiet hum of conversation, the sense of belonging.

He had come so far.

And this was just the beginning.