CHAPTER 143: HOME

Lor blinked once—slowly, the gold fading from his irises like the last rays of dusk, leaving only his usual hazel, soft and human again.

His shoulders loosened, the weight of the ritual and teaching slipping off quietly, leaving behind just a boy—slightly tired, ink smudging his fingers, a faint streak of sweat clinging to his temple.

He cleared his throat, his voice no longer humming with magic, just warm and relaxed. "So..."

The silence that followed was full of thought, the lavender lamp’s glow casting soft shadows across Lia’s cozy bedroom.

Sophia leaned forward, hugging her knees, her blonde twin tails swaying slightly, her blue eyes bright with a mix of awe and exhaustion. "That... was more than I expected."

"Me too," Lia agreed, her red curls framing her freckled face, her green eyes thoughtful as she rested her arms on her knees. "Not even counting the, you know—wild ritual chaos—the magic and the math... you actually taught. Like, taught well."

"Yeah," Sophia added, a soft smile tugging at her lips, her petite frame relaxed against the bed. "The Guiding Light delivered."

Lor smirked, brushing a hand through his tousled black hair, his hazel eyes glinting with quiet pride. "It’ll be happy to hear the reviews."

They laughed, the sound light now, the kind of tired laughter that came after too much emotion, too much effort, too much everything.

Moonlight poured through the window, quiet and silver, the rain having passed, leaving the air calm.

Magic lingered in the room, but it had settled, like the house itself was exhaling.

Sophia glanced at the clock on the wall, her blue eyes widening. "Oh gods, it’s late."

"Sleepover?" Lia asked, already grabbing extra pillows from a corner basket, her curvy figure moving with a casual ease, her green eyes sparkling.

"Obviously," Sophia said, her voice teasing as she tucked her twin tails behind her ears.

Lor rose, brushing dust off his pants, his lean frame stretching slightly. "Then I’ll get out of your way."

They both turned to him, their faces softening.

Sophia smiled, her blue eyes warm. "Thanks, Lor."

Lia nodded, her red curls bouncing. "Really. Thank you."

He gave a lazy two-finger salute, his hazel eyes glinting with humor. "I am always available for a follow up guidance session"

They rolled their eyes, laughing as he slipped out, his steps quiet and warm, a grin lingering on his face.

The air outside was cool, kissed with the scent of post-rain earth and the faint warmth of lanterns glowing in distant windows.

Lor walked slowly, not because he was tired, but because he wasn’t ready to be back—not quite.

The night felt alive, the cobblestone streets gleaming under the mana-lamps’ pale blue glow, the faint hum of the town’s wards a soothing undercurrent.

But the lights of his house came into view eventually, the small apartment above the potion shop glowing softly, its herbal scent drifting faintly in the air.

And standing at the door, arms folded, expression very unimpressed—was Mira.

His mother.

She didn’t say a word at first, just narrowed her kind eyes, her long black hair tied loosely, her plump figure framed by the doorway’s light, her expression a mix of exasperation and love.

Lor raised his hand sheepishly, his hazel eyes flickering with guilt. "Hey, mom."

Wrong move.

She grabbed him by the ear, her grip firm but careful.

"Ow ow ow—I need that!" he yelped, stumbling as she dragged him through the door.

"You said you’d be back before dinner," she snapped, her voice sharp but warm, releasing his ear only once he was seated firmly at the table. "Not halfway to dawn."

"I got caught up in—uh—in an intense study session," he muttered, his cheeks flushing slightly as he rubbed his ear.

"Oh, I bet you did," she muttered darkly, her eyes narrowing, though a faint smile tugged at her lips.

She flicked her wrist, muttering a minor warming charm, the air shimmering faintly as the dishes on the table steamed softly, the scent of roasted roots, chicken, and spiced gravy blooming in the cozy kitchen.

She placed a plate in front of him, sitting beside him, her presence grounding.

"You’re lucky I made extra," she said, her voice softer now. "You’re even luckier I waited up."

Lor picked up his fork, glancing sideways, his hazel eyes warm. "Sorry, mom."

Mira didn’t look at him, just scooped a bit of gravy onto his potatoes, her movements practiced and loving. "...Eat properly and don’t forget to take a bath before bed."

Lor grinned, already chewing.

The warmth of the food was grounding, the scent of roasted roots, shredded chicken, and spiced gravy filling the cozy kitchen.

Lor hunched slightly over his plate, scooping mouthfuls of buttered roots and chicken, the gravy soaking into everything, exactly how he liked it, his hazel eyes focused on the meal, his tousled black hair catching the soft glow of the mana-lamp overhead.

Mira sat beside him at the table, hands folded, not eating, just watching with that quiet intensity only a mother could master—half suspicion, half tenderness, her long black hair tied loosely, her plump figure a comforting presence.

She waited until his second helping before she spoke, her voice steady but soft. "You’ve been pushing yourself."

Lor didn’t pause—but his jaw slowed, his hazel eyes flickering briefly to her.

Mira went on, her tone softer now, as if worried he might bolt if she made it too sharp, her kind eyes searching his face.

"You never used to care about study hours. You’d skip class just to nap on the roof. Now you’re out late every other night, missing meals, study sessions with your classmates."

Lor chewed slower, his lean frame tensing slightly, his fork pausing mid-air.

"I’m not stupid," she added, her voice carrying a quiet weight.

He glanced sideways, his hazel eyes meeting hers, a faint grin tugging at his lips.

She gave him a look—the same one she used to shoot him as a child when he tried to sneak extra sweets or lie about breaking a window, her plump figure leaning slightly forward.