Chapter 41:Jealous Father and Son

Mikaela got to the dinner table slightly late.

After waking up from his stupor, he spent some time daydreaming and contemplating about the myriad spectrum.

He showered, changed, and then went for dinner.

Everyone had started their meals but he didn't find much appetite. He did what he was in most urgent need of.

"Auntie, I want a hug." Mikaela rushed to Bianca.

He jumped into her arms without waiting for a response. Bianca was surprised at the little one's enthusiastic approach so she made eye contact with Mitchell to see him avoid her eyes. He was acting guilty.

'He must have done something...'

"Hello, Kaela. Did you have fun today?" she asked out of habit. 

"No, Auntie. Practice is hard~" His voice was extremely aggrieved as he seemed close to tears. 

"You worked hard, Kaela," Bianca said with a soft voice. 

"Mmn! I am the best, Auntie." said Mikaela.

"Yes, you are, Little Kaela," said Bianca

Her hand stroked his hair combing the knots gently. Mikaela remained buried in her arms. She mused at the spoiled act of the child.

Several eyes fell on her and the child in her embrace.

They held jealousy and complicated emotions. Lucien and Merlin respectfully stared at her.

"..." she was speechless.

'You too???'

How was she to explain that Mikaela had confided in her since a while ago? He would ask for praise and hugs after training and before bed. Apparently, this was the first time her son and husband caught wind of it.

She felt guilty although she did nothing wrong. It was simply her habit to spoil children.

She stared at the child hanging tightly at her waist and the two aggrieved people with gazes that could pierce.

"Let's have dinner, Kaela," said Bianca.

"Sure, Auntie. Thank you for the food~" Mikaela got up and skipped to his chair.

He was merry and satisfied. His previously heavy heart was uplifted and light. He was completely oblivious to the awkward atmosphere around him.

Mitchell chuckled, earning himself glares from everyone except Mikaela, who was in his world.

This dinner was bound to have an after-meal conversation. However, when it came down to it, father and son were too awkward to demand hugs and pampering. Instead, Bianca said she would shower the child with endless love so he didn't need to worry. She gave Merlin a look that said her part to him. Everyone was satisfied. Or at least, it was Mikaela's turn to be jealous.

His jealousy stemmed from the fact that he thought Lucien took away his special treatment. He was completely ignoring the fact that Lucien was his mother's son.

...

"Keep focus! Don't let it waver. Stabilize the surface!" 

A low sharp voice rang behind Lucien's ears but he couldn't care less of the voice and tried doing as instructed. He was very focused on the task in front of him, evident from his bloodshot eyes and his scrawled expression.

In his hand was his wand continuously emitting a dull violet glow of mana. 

A stream of water was floating about in front of the wand. It was an Aqua spell he had cast and was trying to control. 

On top of the water surface was a plastic ball struggling with great effort not to drop.

Right, it was not shaking and jumping about because of his lack of control. In Lucien's perspective, the water seemed to have a mind of its own. It would incline left when he wanted right and pop up when he wanted to flatten it out, he could swear the spell was making fun of him.

A frown formed on his lips and eyebrows. His forehead was sweating buckets. He could feel his control slipping away from his wand. 

It didn't last a full minute before the ball dropped and the water splashed, wetting his face in the process.

He was beyond angry. Not only did the spell fail, it didn't last long either and the water slashed in mockery to all his efforts. 

Lucien slammed the wand on the table and stomped away to find a towel.

It wasn't the first time he had repeated this routine of frustration. It started not long ago. His theory lessons had increased but every now and then, he would have to follow certain practices with different elements. Today was water. 

'I was splashed in return!'

Merlin seated not too far away cast a spell making the water evaporate and the surface left dry and spotless. 

"...I tried." Lucien hesitated before conceding to the results. 

He had calmed down a little. Maybe cooling was what he needed.

"It was good enough for a first trial with water." Merlin gave his evaluation of praise.

Lucien sighed at this. He didn't want to be good enough, he wanted to be the best. His former arrogance of mastering a spell was crushed in the face of special practice. It brought out the harsh truth of his incompetence and flaws when casting spells. Be it speed, precision, or control, he was lacking all.

This practice was a form of mana sensitivity training. One aspect of it was control. Precise control while the other was sensing mana. 

For whatever reason he had to learn this, Lucien didn't care. He was happy learning and improving himself every day in every way. 

"Yes, Dad," said Lucien.

The lesson was only starting.

Lucien's recent lessons were divided between practice and theory. Merlin made it a habit to observe and give pointers as his son cast spells. He was very strict with this. Merlin didn't quite mince his words when giving feedback. Even though they would sound harsh, Lucien understood it was his Father's way of speaking. He didn't mind.

Lucien felt himself improving rapidly with this focused training. They were very structured and practical. It was more effective than before. Merlin's effort to find a better teaching solution worked as expected.

"What about a quiz today?" asked Merlin

Although it was a request, Lucien felt he had no excuse to decline. He could only agree to his fate. 

Sigh!

'Too random of a lesson choice.' he sighed in thought.