Coming Home

Starting from the beginning, Joe began to explain everything to his family. From how he performed in the entrance examination and learning that he and Sarah still had a living uncle to the events of the midterm.

He only left out the details about his involvement with Shianne and how he learned about his unique ability. After all, he had gotten himself into this mess by dropping an atomic level bomb the moment he returned home.

All present within the room were interested in the background of this so-called uncle. Shockingly, it was the mother-daughter duo that showed the most interest. Combined with the fact he had purchased his own property before retuning, they had an immediate fear that he would take Sarah away and forget about them.

For the past eight years, the four had become a family they were happy with. Sure, the initial change took a bit of getting used to but time mends everything. The fear of them leaving to be a part of the Merril family terrified them both. Laine was the most unnerved about this.

When they learned about how he had single handedly overcame the first day challenge given by Shianne, they were doubtful. To them, it seemed too farfetched that a novice of Joe's level could overcome a person deemed suitable to instruct the next generation.

All that doubt was over written after they heard of his accomplishments in the mountain trial. Until this moment, they had viewed him as impulsive. Now, they were getting a hint towards his true level of intelligence.

A view that was again overwritten with the events of the midterm. He described to them in detail about his plan and division of forces. It wasn't until he got to explaining how he lost control at the sight of Clara's life being on the line.

Being a member of the same year as Joe, Laine had already heard about a berserk first year that had annihilated all demonic beast withing a fifty-mile radius of the forest. How a single student had returned alone and began taking on any beast that crossed his path.

Hearing that it was Joe caused her to see him in a new light. She was forced to realize that he was no longer the malnourished boy that had joined her family a few years back. Now, he could stand on his own two feet with the weight of dozens of others resting on his shoulders.

It was no wonder the High General had taken notice of him. He had completed something entirely alone that would have taken the army over a decade to do. After all, when one beast was removed from the pool, two more came to fill its former place.

When hearing about all his achievements within the five-month span, Alice was filled with a sense of pride. She has been able to see a boy with dead eyes mature into a young man with more drive than most of the population.

Joe went into details about the dinner he had attended with the High General and his family. While omitting his show of strength, he explained how he had stood before the most revered man in the nation and explained that he would wed his only daughter without stuttering.

While pride remained within the eyes of Alice, Laine was beginning to show signs of a deep-rooted sorrow. So much had changed in the time she hadn't been speaking to Joe and now he was miles ahead of her in more terms than one.

After explaining how the property manager had mistaken him as a vagrant and how he managed to leverage that for a better deal on his new house, Joe had completely caught his family up on recent events.

"I know it's a lot to take in, but I want all of you to consider moving into the house I bought, with me. Sarah still has classes to attend here so I don't suspect either her or Alice to move in any time soon. Laine, I know you're likely still upset with me from that day, but I want us to be as we were before. Plus, you wouldn't have to follow the rules of the dorms anymore."

His statement drove a dagger into the already swelling sorrow within the girl. She was already blaming herself for how things had turned out between them. She wanted to mend things countless times over the past few years but never could find the right way to go about it.

This was a chance she couldn't miss. There was only one thing that was keeping her from agreeing on the spot.

"Will Clara also be moving in with you?"

Sarah's and Alice's ears both perked up to this question. The two were now engaged to be married. It would make sense that she would eventually be living with him. The only question was, how soon?

"I haven't told her about the house yet. I wanted you three to be the first I told. I will talk to her about it once the new semester begins."

Laine sat in contemplation for a while before a new vigor enveloped her entire being. With every amount of courage she could pool within her, her eyes locked onto Joe's.

"I'll move in. I don't mind living in the dorms, but I want to be able to see you every day again."

Her words struck a chord within Joe. He had his doubts that she would ever accept his offer. Still, here she sat with a fire burning behind her eyes. What was the cause of this sudden change? For a long time now, she wouldn't even acknowledge his existence. Now, she was determined to be in his life yet again.

"Okay, we can get some things for you, and I'll let you choose any of the open rooms you'd like. We can head there just before the semester begins so you can settle in. For now, I want to just spend time relaxing with our family."

The last line gripped the hearts of both the mother and daughter. Their worry that he would leave them after find a living relative vanished in an instant.