OLD-WORLD EXTRA

As the weight of Emir's words settled into the room, a heavy silence enveloped the table. What he last said sent their emotions soaring, leaving them feeling lightheaded.

Even Ragnar didn't escape such a feeling; in fact, his deeper understanding of an Archon's true might only amplified the impact.

He couldn't help but shift uncomfortably in his chair, his usual bravado subdued by the simple mention of a being higher than what he saw as an unreachable peak.

Laura and Lily exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of awe, fear, and curiosity.

Meanwhile, Lyra, ever composed, watched with a glint of analytical curiosity, interested in how they would take his next words.

"I'll keep the name secret, for your own safety, but know that it's something way bigger than the Sol domain. The people in there act on a universal stage, and I'll be stuck with them till the day I die... They were the ones who taught me how to explore the embodiment method. My personal Veez came from them, my universal knowledge as well-knowledge that would ruin your minds for their sheer weight. Not even Lyra can handle it."

He paused, allowing his family a few moments to breathe before addressing them directly.

"You already knew my fate had the potential to be universal, flip both the known and unknown of their heads... This only made that concrete. Now I have the opportunity to act on that universal stage, and it won't be too long till I'm sent on missions. Missions outside this planet, on an unfathomably faraway system."

Laura hesitatingly leaned forward, always the first to speak in such situations.

"...And what does that mean for us? For you?"

Emir's eyes softened as he considered the question.

"It's a good thing. If we survive the day of our deaths, which is only a few months off, and I complete my objectives at the Academy, we'll have to face Magnus's goons directly. There's no doubt that he'll write me off as too much of a danger if I actually end that kid's life, sending all that he can after me, wanting to make sure that I'm dead."

Ragnar, trying to reconcile his understanding with the reality of the situation, grunted softly. "So... you're saying we'll have them as allies?"

Emir smiled, though it was tinged with seriousness.

"Yes. They might not provide direct combat help by then, but I'll try to mooch off them as much as I can, getting us as strong as possible."

The Warpweaver's eyes widened.

"Then can you ask if any of them can get their hands on a dimensional object? It could be a ring, a wristband, a necklace, anything. With it, there's a high chance I can raise my embodiment by many levels, like you did back at Silent's place. I can even learn a few spells from it."

Emir nodded at him, understanding his excitement well.

"No worries, this Thursday we'll have another transaction and request period; I'll ask them then."

"Haha! I'll match your strength in no time! Just watch!"

As Ragnar loudly spoke, determination burned bright in his eyes.

"Heh~ we'll see..."

The two smiled at each other, challenge sparking between them, but that moment was interrupted when Lily stood up, nearing her younger brother.

Facing her, he asked:

"Anything wrong? You been too quiet."

She didn't reply and continued to approach him.

Once she got behind him, she wrapped her delicate arms around him and shoved her head into his shoulder.

"...T-Thank you for everything you do for us."

Emir was surprised, his jaw agape, almost hitting the floor.

His mind took a few moments to register her words. A reaction shared by both Laura and Lyra.

This was more unexpected than the metaphorical bomb he revealed today.

"Of course... I'll do anything."

But he didn't stay frozen for long, he controlled himself and hugged her back, knowing how embarrassed she was to initiate such things.

"Make space for me!"

Laura knew as well, so she quickly joined the hug, playfully butting heads with her children. "Might as well."

Lyra joined the fray as well, though with much more grace compared to her fellow Ls.

The man was squeezed in from all sides, and he made sure to give each one enough attention, patting their backs.

While doing so, his eyes caught Ragnar moving, and they immediately narrowed, halting him in his tracks.

Though he trusted Ragnar almost as much as Lyra, he wasn't about to let him come near them with a ten-foot pole.

The guy was too perverted.

Dejected, Ragnar raised his arms in mock surrender and backed off, chuckling under his

breath.

He wasn't actually trying to join the group hug-he only did that to annoy Emir.

Like true brothers, the two thrived on irritating each other.

Emir understood the game, so he gave Ragnar a dismissive nod, gesturing for him to leave. Nodding in return, Ragnar waved goodbye and quietly departed, heading to the Academy. As the wannabe Viking exited their house, the family remained still, united in their resolve. Since the day he revealed his reincarnation to be a fabrication, their first family meeting, there was always an understanding among them that the journey ahead was dark, uncertain, and fraught with challenges.

So this today, like every day, simply highlighted how muddy their lives would become and how they could only survive it by their continued unity and honesty.

With a final, reassuring smile, Emir tapped their heads one last time, silently telling them to let go, which they did, returning to their seats.

"Thank you... Your support means more than you know."

It wasn't long before the conversation shifted back to lighter topics, as the family enjoyed

each other's presence before they all had to leave, their duties calling.

When away from Emir's gaze, the air around Lily and Laura seemed to change, becoming charged with a new sense of purpose.

While they had expected to be surprised today, like always, they underestimated what he had

to say.

He truly was carrying a weight they could only struggle to understand.

But that didn't mean that they would wallow in guilt at how they weren't of much use.

No, they would do the exact opposite. There was no room for self-pity.

They knew their capabilities, and this simply pushed them to do better at their own stage.

Play their roles better.

Unlike his, their stages weren't universal but limited to Earth and the Academy, respectively.

And to them, that only meant one thing...

"Failure isn't an option!"