My Family in the Novel?

Chapter 188: First Act End

"Tristan...?"

Siena mumbled, her gaze fixed on the skies, where an imminent clash of powers loomed.

Just as she prepared to unleash her formidable attack, the skies underwent a sudden transformation, bathing everything in a radiant gold hue.

A golden crescent slash sliced through the air, severing the wing of her old friend.

'No, this is someone different...'

Siena's thoughts hung in the air as she grappled with the unexpected interference.

Though she knew the devastating power of Tristan's attacks, especially when infused with divine energy, what just occurred surpassed even his capabilities.

The scale of power she witnessed could only be wielded by someone as formidable as herself.

She took a moment to gather her thoughts, reflecting on the dazzling display of strength.

Even for someone who had mastered celestial swordsmanship, the swiftness and force of the attack were awe-inspiring.

Siena prided herself on being the only one capable of executing the fastest attack in the world, her celestial swordsmanship designed to cut down opponents before they could even register their demise.

Yet, she found herself humbled by the display before her. The attack that intervened in the impending clash had surpassed even her abilities.

Siena had dedicated herself to honing her swordsmanship to unparalleled levels, a skill so refined that even the gods themselves feared her.

Throughout the continent, she stood as the sole practitioner of this transcendent art, sharing the secret only with Tristan, her devoted disciple.

Perhaps...

Siena pondered, her gaze scanning the city square, searching for a familiar presence.

Her eyes, sharp and focused like those of an eagle, contracted, and her vision honed in on the scene below.

With her innate large mana sense, she could effortlessly discern the young man in the distance, gripping a gleaming golden sword.

Her eyes locked onto his face, and a subtle relief passed across her features as she descended to the ground.

The exhaustion that permeated her being became apparent, though she was still brimming with energy.

The pain that had wracked her body had subsided with the disappearance of the manifested sun, yet an overwhelming drowsiness gripped her, threatening to pull her into a deep slumber at any moment.

"Haaa...! Haha, that's right. I completely forgot you were here, dear nephew of mine. Why did you only make your move now?" Siena's voice, though filled with humor, carried a touch of weariness. The events that transpired had taken a toll on her, leaving her drained despite the energy still coursing through her veins.

Even as she spoke, a sense of drowsiness crept over her, the weariness settling in.

The fatigue weighed on her like a heavy cloak, and she fought to maintain focus as her surroundings blurred.

The battle may have subsided, but the aftermath left Siena grappling with an unexpected exhaustion.

'I guess I pushed myself a bit too much this time, huh?' Siena thought, evaluating her condition.

While she wasn't physically exhausted, her mental state told a different story.

The immense amount of mana she had channeled, the strain of enduring pain, and the sheer focus required to prevent her mana from leaking out during the intense battle with Elaniel had taken its toll on her mind.

But even still...

She couldn't afford to rest just yet. There were still matters that required her attention and confirmation. Determined, she stood back up, clenching her fists.

With a deliberate focus, she sent a shockwave down her arms, the force ultimately causing injury to her palms.

Blood trickled down her pristine white skin, and the sharp surge of pain jolted her senses.

Oddly, the pain served its purpose, acting as a catalyst to help her regain focus. As the throbbing sensation in her hands intensified, Siena slowly started to walk.

Each step seemed deliberate, the pain a reminder of her resilience and determination.

The city square around her may have been filled with relief and cheers, but she knew that her duty was far from over.

"Where the hell are you, oh dear disciple of mine" Siena wondered, her eyes scanning her surroundings. She knew Tristan was somewhere around the academy, yet the faint trace of mana she could feel indicated that he was dangerously low on energy.

"Did a monster get him? Tsk... Looks like I have to teach and whack a few more things into him before I let him go once again" she muttered, a mix of irritation and concern evident in her voice.

Even though Siena was annoyed that Tristan had evidently been beaten by a monster, a sigh of reassurance escaped her.

The faint mana indicated that he was at least still alive, somewhere amidst the shadows.

Turning her attention back to the hero in the distance, Siena bit her lip in annoyance.

The rules and restrictions placed on her, thanks to the contract made years ago, prevented her from establishing any sort of direct contact with him.

The only reason she had managed to get close to Adrian a few weeks back was because she didn't know his full identity then, but now...

"I'll see you around, nephew..." Siena mumbled, her words carried away by the wind as she gracefully leaped into the air, her keen eyes scanning the surroundings, attempting to discern Tristan's location.

'Take care of him'

'You have my word...'

'Shena Wait…!'

'Good bye…'

Looking back, the last time she had been genuinely close to Adrian was when he was still a little child.

Siena couldn't shake the regret that accompanied the decision to entrust him to the duke that day.

The separation had been a heavy burden on her heart.

'Is this really what you wanted, elder sister?' she questioned within, a plea for reassurance directed at the unseen forces that guided their destinies.

Siena could only hope that the choices made by her and her sister in those moments of decision were the right ones.

…

"It's hot…." Azir muttered, feeling the searing heat that engulfed him.

As he touched his back, the absence of one wing became painfully evident.

'Haha... How long has it been since I've been damaged this much? If I didn't dodge at the last second, my whole body would've split in half'

Azir's mind replayed the memory of the golden light that had threatened to swallow him in the skies.

A single attack, yet the unimaginable power behind it surpassed even his formidable standards.

"That kid... So, he's the one chosen by the goddess... Our lord has told us to avoid any conflicts with him... I hope this accident wouldn't escalate much"

The message had been relayed to all the dragons scattered across the world.

The first decree: refrain from intervening in the upcoming war with the demons unless the battle encroaches upon them or becomes unavoidable.

The second, more crucial directive: avoid conflicts with the chosen one by the goddess.

The hero, a special existence, was beyond the authority of dragons to handle. A being both human and sinful, yet closest to the divine on this very world.

Azir couldn't shake the realization that the clash with the hero was more than just a personal confrontation – it was a reflection of the delicate balance between the divine and mortal realms, a balance he hoped wouldn't shatter into chaos.

As Azir grappled with his injuries, the weight of his lord's instructions and the unpredictability of the unfolding events weighed heavily on his draconic heart.

The hero stood as the symbol of power for the heavens above, and the saintess, embodying the heavens' will, accompanied him.

With their arrival, the impending cleansing was about to commence, and the anticipated harvest would soon unfold.

The dragons, creatures of ancient wisdom and guardians of the natural order, observed this celestial dance with a mix of reverence and reservation.

The interference of the demonic world and the heavens wasn't something the dragons favored, but they had adopted a laissez-faire approach.

As long as the beings above and below the world didn't harm nature itself, the dragons abstained from direct interference.

The delicate balance between realms needed to be maintained, and the dragons had long accepted this as a natural occurrence.

Though the dragon lord had conveyed only two messages to his kin, his words carried absolute authority among them.

The instructions were clear: refrain from meddling in the war with the demons unless necessary, and avoid conflicts with the chosen one by the goddess – the hero.

The dragons understood the significance of these directives and adhered to them with an unwavering commitment.

However, this time, the encounter with the hero was accidental. Azir, the dragon who had engaged with the hero, bore the brunt of the damage.

The possibility of conflict loomed, but the dragon lord's authority held sway.

Any potential discord could be nullified, attributed to a misunderstanding in the chaos that ensued.

Clutching onto his head, Azir underwent a transformation, reverting to his human form.

Green sparks of lightning enveloped his gigantic body, morphing him into a handsome young man in his late twenties to early thirties.

His flowing green hair, reminiscent of rippling lightning, cascaded around him.

As Azir stood in his human form, he couldn't help but feel a slight surprise at the depth of the crater he had created when he fell from the sky.

Now at the center of the impact, he surveyed the surroundings with a mix of contemplation and awe.

The earth around him bore witness to the clash of celestial forces, a testament to the power unleashed during the encounter with the hero.

His head kept ringing for some reason, a persistent echo that eluded comprehension. Shaking off the disorientation, Azir focused on recollecting what had transpired.

"Grandpa!"

The unexpected voice cut through his thoughts, prompting him to look up. His green eyes met another set of green eyes, the resemblance striking.

Flowing pink hair, reminiscent of plum blossoms, danced gracefully in the winds, framing a beautiful face that mirrored his own – his great descendant, Christine Alger De Lumenia.

She was smiling at him, her expression a mix of relief and joy. Azir's eyes softened at the sight of her.

The connection between generations, stretching across time, was a poignant reminder of the responsibilities he bore.

"You're fine?"

….

Waking up, I was met with a sight I never thought would happen to me in reality.

Scenarios like these were something I'd only encountered in harem novels or manga, but to actually experience it in real life made me question if I had indeed saved a world back in my previous life.

Right now, I was peacefully resting in a fairly large bed – soft and cushy to the touch.

But it paled to the sensation I was feeling right now.

To my surprise, I found myself surrounded by a group of lovely girls.

Elena sleeping on my left and Aria was nestled on my right, – both hugging me tightly, as if staking their claim on me.

Lilliana, for some inexplicable reason, was right above me, her breath gently trickling through my hair, creating a surreal intimacy.

As Louise lay gently on my chest, her breathing intertwined with mine, I couldn't help but feel a heightened awareness of the warmth and softness of her body, particularly the proximity of her ample breasts.

The situation had taken an unexpectedly alluring turn, and a sense of danger crept into my thoughts.

I'm not one to typically wake up with morning arousal, but the circumstances were far from ordinary.

The combination of the inviting bed, the close embrace of the girls, and the undeniable tension in the air triggered a response that felt, in a way, natural.

I mean, who wouldn't react like this in such a situation, right?

I didn't have all the details, but one thing was for sure.

I was blessed.

Fuck!... I'll die of happiness at this rate...!