They soon arrived at the Holy Land. But Sylvester didn't stop by the Pope's Palace and instead went straight to his home. He took his five students along as it was time for Xavia to meet his godson and adopted daughter, who were going to live with them.
Even Emara was given a place in the same building as she only had two little kids with her. Meanwhile, Noby and Noah were provided a place in a different area. It was still not too far from him, as their duties involved being around him on many occasions.
Sylvester led them up the stairs to the top floor and knocked on the door. He had already informed Xavia about his arrival, so she was able to prepare dinner with a few helpful Bright Mothers. He was the Pope, so the Bright Mothers didn't have to worry about not going to work that day.
"Your Holiness!"
Sylvester chuckled, seeing Xavia calling him by his official designation, "No need, Mum. This is my home, not the palace. You're my mother, not a Bright Mother right now. Let's just sit together and have a great meal.
"This big man is Noby, that man is Noah, that lady is Emara, and she'll live in this building with her two sons. Then this young boy is Prince Rex, son of King Highland and also my godson. And finally, this little one is my adopted daughter, which technically makes her your granddaughter," Sylvester introduced everyone and dropped the bomb at the end.
Xavia stupidly blinked and looked at everyone, then finally Rex and Ella. The two kids looked like siblings in reality, as they had blonde hair. In a way, she saw Sylvester in them, and if Sylvester had kids, she reckoned they'd looked like them.
Quickly, she knelt down to the two's level and patted their shoulders.
"My grandma?" Rex was like a happy puppy most of the time. So he just jumped and hugged Xavia.
Ella was somewhat reserved, but even she stepped forward since Xavia didn't look like a bad person, and she was Sylvester's mother, her role model.
"The Lord has blessed me today." Xavia doted on the two kids, caressing their hair. More than Rex, it was Ella who needed it as she had lived her entire life neglected in a poor family. "I'll go and buy you two new clothes tomorrow. We have extra rooms as well, so don't worry about anything."
Sylvester smiled, watching the exchange. Xavia's smile was everything to him. 'Now, this is what I fight for.'
"Dinner is ready. Why don't you take your seats at the table? Zeke and I will bring the dishes," Xavia welcomed everyone with much enthusiasm since guests were rare at their abode.
However, Sylvester didn't stay there and went to help Xavia. In a little attempt to keep himself somewhat humble, he at least tried to act like a common man in his home.
"Just go and sit there. I'll bring everything," she scolded him in a whisper, like all mothers do.
He chuckled and stayed, "Mum, they're my students. I won't be treating them kindly, you know."
"Still, a guest is a guest," she said and moved around the kitchen. "How was your work this time?"
"Good as always. Xylena is bored, but there are some responsibilities we can't run away from. Besides that, everything is good. By the wa—"
All of a sudden, Sylvester found his voice vanish, and his eyes got stuck to Xavia's face. His mind went blank all of a sudden, and there was nothing but anxiety. Right there on Xavia's forehead were a few age lines that he just noticed. They were faint but plenty in number. But that wasn't the end, as he soon noticed a few more near her eyes and lips.
'She's growing older—already fifty or so years old. Without any greater magical talent, she won't live for too long. I can't relax. I have to find an elixir or something similar.'
"What happened?"
"N-nothing… I'll take these plates."
Keeping himself focused, he silently went along with the dinner. Talking, joking, and eating with his students and his family. Exchanging stories, knowledge, various rumors or legends from distant lands. Noby the Elephantkin had vast knowledge as well as stories. While Emara had various funny or humiliating information about some nobles.
Eventually, hours passed, and the darkness spread, the dinner came to an end. Noby and Noah left quickly for their homes since their special education would start the next day in the Pope's Palace itself, not the School of Dawn. They didn't want to be late.
Emara returned to her apartment to be with her two kids, taking packed food along. As for Rex and Ella, they stayed behind.
Click!
Sylvester didn't go to his room either and instead went to the exit door and put on his shoes.
"Where are you going?" Xavia came rushing at the noise.
"Work. There's something important I need to do at the Pope's Palace. Take care of Rex and Ella. The little girl might want to sleep beside you—be easy on her. Her life has been very harsh," Sylvester informed her and changed the topic in one go.
Xavia stepped closer to him and caressed his face, "Look at you. I thought you'd have more time to sit and relax once you become the Pope. But now you're running around more than ever."
'I can't, or it would all crumble,' he thought.
"Well, this work is temporary, Mum. Don't worry about me. I'll be back very soon." He didn't feel like staying there for too long, fearing his emotions would take the front seat. "See you in the morning. And oh, I'm leaving Chonky behind."
Click!
He left home and directly walked on Light Tiles into the air from the fifth floor. His fist remained clenched tight, his teeth gritting as he thought about the only thing that scared him the most in this life.
The fear of being left alone once again.
'If I can't even solve this issue, what good is all this power?' He wondered and soon reached the Pope's Palace. 'I'll have to get stronger and find a solution.'
As soon as he landed in front of the Pope's Palace, the Priests ran around to inform all the Sanctum Council members of his arrival. It was the cue to have them prepare all the reports they had and be ready to appear at any moment.
However, only Gabriel was called as he was the Wazir, and he was supposed to know everything. It was nighttime, normally the time to sleep, but being wizards and knights of higher order, they easily went through multiple days working nonstop.
Knock! Knock!
Gabriel looked tired, and just like him, Sylvester looked tired. The two boys looked at each other's faces, pitied each other, and then got to work at the table. No more did they talk like boss and worker, but old friends.
"Tough days?" Sylvester asked.
"Don't ask. There's too much work and too many reports coming in from across the world. Then sending replies, handling all the Clergymen," Gabriel complained but still placed the reports on the table. "How about you?"
"Found a possible portal to the Demon realm, and even felt threatened by its entrance."
"..."
Utterly speechless, Gabriel stared at him for a few blinks. "I take back my words. Your work is harder. I'm happy in my little office, my brother. But don't tell me you're going to enter it."
"..."
"..."
The silence from Sylvester left Gabriel even more speechless. "I won't even say anything. You're going to do whatever's on your mind, but please don't die. In any case, these are the major things that occurred. Sir Dolorem's giant statue is almost complete at the harbor."
Sylvester looked at the latest photograph taken with the magical camera. "Hmm… Tell them to leave it bronze. Don't paint it with anything."
"Understood. Now, these are the snippets of intelligence from the West. It seems another uprising is on the brink of eruption," Gabriel revealed, pointing at the maps. "A few spies were caught."
Sylvester shrugged since it was too beneath him at this point, "Anything occult?"
"Yes, there has been a surge of demon-possessions occurring around Sol. This is unusual. We have never received this many requests for an exorcist to be sent before. But we're managing," Gabriel dropped the biggest information without realizing it.
Once again, feeling anxious, Sylvester got up and paced back and forth in the room. 'The Demon realm is getting desperate now. If I don't do something, it'll be bad.'
"The dragons are also waiting," Gabriel added.
Sylvester shrugged, "Let them wait. I need you to quickly go and find Soulbreaker for me now. I have a few questions to ask him."
Sensing the seriousness in Sylvester's voice, Gabriel got up. "Understood. I'll leave the file here. There are a few more matters that need your approval."
"Wait!"
Gabriel looked back from the door.
"Do you feel anything different, Gab? Any sort of magical fluctuation, suffocation, headache, or something else?" Sylvester asked.
It was a very peculiar question. "Umm… I'm just tired. But that's the normal state of my mind and body."
'So it worked.'
"Thank you, Gab. You can go now."
Finally, Gabriel left, and the door was closed. Sylvester stopped pacing around after reaching the window and looked outside at the gardens, the trees, and various light poles.
Woosh!
With a mere thought, a tree in the garden was chopped into pieces, so tiny that it seemed like fine powder.
'Hah—Passive Supreme Void is quite interesting. Who knew I could keep it going for two entire days.'
It was a triumph over one of the greatest tools of a Supreme Wizard. And the best thing about his was that no one could ever see it until it was too late.
'But it's still quite exhausting—Just a little more help from Soulbreaker and Nehilius should be manageable.'
A/N: Check out this fanart by reader @Salvation.
Thank you for reading. Gifts and GT votes are highly appreciated.
