Darius stood before the familiar homestead where he had spent his first two weeks in Faust with nostalgia. The entire place was mostly unchanged, with very little difference compared to 5 years ago as if the crisis that had struck Andrato was but a myth.

Darius sighed as he walked into the homestead with Gunner following behind him silently. Just like the first time he had come here, the adults were out working the fields while the kids and elderly stayed within their homes.

This time, when they saw the familiar faces of Darius and Gunner, their eyes lit up as they rushed out to greet them. Many of the children ran up to Gunner and tried to climb him, making the large lad smile as he placed the braver ones easily on his shoulders.

Darius idly chatted with the elderly with a smile, asking them how they had been, how things were, and if life was good in general. They also asked Darius what he had been doing, how he was doing, and whether he was married yet.

Upon finding out that he wasn't, many revealed sharp gleams in their eyes that Darius didn't miss. He was doubly amused when they shifted the talk to Portia and how much she had grown, turning into the most beautiful young lass of the homestead.

Darius wouldn't slap them on the faces for their kind thoughts for their little miss. He laughed and pointed out that Portia had always been beautiful, making the elders smile happily.

Eventually, he left with Gunner towards the farmhouse that was silent. In front of the doors was a slightly older Shanks, his red hair and beard now adorned with a hint of silver, a mature and valiant Derek, and a truly ravishing Portia that locked eyes with his form, refusing to let go.

Darius smiled as he Analyzed the family.

[Detected target is of a Friendly affiliation. Displaying details accordingly.]

[Name: Shanks Torniam

Race: Human

Class: Great Axe-Knight

Subclass: Royal Guard

HP: 1,763/1,763

MP: 952/952

STA: 1.548/1,548

Level: 36

Strength: 41

Agility: 40

Endurance: 43

Intellect: 28

Charisma: 13

Luck: 13

P-Status: Injured (10%)

M-Status: Reverent

Affinity: Worship lvl1]

[Detected target is of a Friendly affiliation. Displaying details accordingly.]

[Name: Derek Torniam

Race: Human

Class: Lancer

Subclass: Spear Lord

HP: 1,050/1,050

MP: 425/425

STA: 875/875

Level: 25

Strength: 30

Agility: 34

Endurance: 35

Intellect: 17

Charisma: 15

Luck: 8

P-Status: Healthy

M-Status: Excited

Affection: Worship lvl 2]

[Detected target is of a Friendly affiliation. Displaying details accordingly.]

[Name: Portia Torniam

Race: Human

Class: Mage

Subclass: Elementalist

HP: 280/280

MP: 851/851

STA: 460/460

Level: 23

Strength: 14

Agility: 15

Endurance: 20

Intellect: 37

Charisma: 20

Luck: 12

P-Status: Healthy

M-Status: Obsessed

Affection: Friendly lvl 4]

Darius couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. It seemed Shanks had restored some of his stats after healing his injuries over time. Maybe Derek and Portia had used their newfound skills to earn money to buy their father the medication he needed?

Interesting.

Of course, Darius also noted that the sibling duo were now Journeymen with stats above average for their level. However, he was not too surprised by this as they had awoken using his own resources.

If they didn't display this much, it would have truly been a waste. With the kind of quality the elitist Transmutation ability made, Darius had not been talking lightly when he had told Nicholas that he could turn even a pig into a genius.

Things like innate talent and whatnot meant little to Darius minus potential and personality.

The most important question would always be, could the person he was grooming fit his tasks and needs perfectly? If so, he had a hundred ways to grow that person!

Shanks stood forth and bowed before Darius respectfully. "Welcome to my homestead once again, Lord Darius."

Darius received Shanks' bow calmly, then gazed at Derek who fell to one knee with a serious expression. "Lord Darius, I, Derek Torniam, swear to follow you for the rest of my life as repayment for the grace you have shown me!"

Shanks blinked, but not with surprise. He of all people knew and understood how his son felt, as he had also been moved into pledging his services to the Royal Family as a guard.

Just as his father had granted him the freedom to choose back then, Shanks would not stand in the way of his son's choice.

Besides, he had no worries about his son's fate. After seeing both his children awaken and become so powerful and talented in such a short amount of time, it was like life had become the sweetest milkshake.

Every day was just so full of happiness and satisfaction for Shanks, such that he often wished he could bring his wife back to life, so they could both rejoice for their children.

Since that was unlikely, he also dreamed about passing away to join her in the afterlife so that they may be together once more.

Of course, those were his own thoughts, but he didn't rush to die. He wanted to enjoy a bit more of life before he left everything for the next generation.

After all, there was one very important phase in his beloved daughter's life every father dreaded yet also looked forward to. She, who was almost a carbon copy of her mother, would have to achieve the happiness she wanted with a qualified partner.

As for Derek, his mind was clear, he had already considered everything and knew that this was what he wanted.

By following his benefactor, he would be able to explore the world and live a full and exciting life rather than staying in the Andrato Kingdom which was looking duller and duller to him by the day as his own power continued to grow.

And so, he made his pledge.

Darius rubbed his chin as he gazed at Derek, his thoughts recalling the time in Listo where he had entertained the idea of getting rid of the then young boy.

However, fortune had seemingly smiled upon young Derek, which had led Darius to lose interest in him, so it was amusing how things were turning out now.

Then his eyes fell on the lovely Portia, who was truly quite a beauty now that she was mature.

Darius had to admit, had he not decided to maintain his celibacy in terms of marriage and love for eternity, he would have opened his heart up to this young miss, because her love for him was truly genuine and something like that was hard to find.