Chapter 247 — Reunion

Chapter 247: Chapter 247 — Reunion

Chapter 247 — Reunion

Valseer stared at Victor in silence for a moment.

Even after everything he had seen throughout his long life, Victor’s Soul Power control was difficult to believe. The boy was only fourteen years old, yet his control had already reached a level that would put many experienced alchemists to shame.

He was about to ask another question when his citizen ID suddenly chimed.

Ding.

Valseer glanced down at the notification. It was a message from Elder Benton.

After reading it, he looked back at Victor.

"Well, it seems the little lass’s parents have arrived."

Victor’s face immediately brightened.

"That’s amazing. I guess it’s about time we wake Lyra."

He walked over to the couch and gently shook her shoulder.

"Lyra."

Her eyes slowly opened, and the movement stirred Grace beside her as well. For a moment, Lyra looked disoriented, but as soon as she recognized Victor, she threw her arms around him.

Victor laughed softly and returned her embrace. Lyra held on for several seconds before finally pulling away.

"Come with me," Victor said with a smile. "There’s something I need to show you."

Lyra looked at him suspiciously, but then her expression changed.

Was this it?

She knew they needed to talk eventually. She had broken her promise and gone to the Graveborn estate alone, and there was no avoiding that conversation forever.

Victor could practically see what she was thinking. Even through their Soul Bond, he could feel her sudden unease.

"We’re going to talk," Victor said.

Lyra’s ears lowered slightly.

"But not right now. We can do that later."

She studied him for a moment before nodding.

"Okay."

As Lyra stood, Victor turned toward Space Witch, who was still wearing her white mask.

"Grace, I’m going to have to ask you to wait here."

Grace froze, her eyes widening behind the mask.

"How did you know?"

Victor laughed.

"I figured it out a while ago."

Grace stared at him.

"Remember that day in class when you were feeling weak and leaned against me?"

She nodded slowly.

"I was pretty sure after that. Grace Everflow and Space Witch were the same person."

From across the room, Valseer burst out laughing.

"Well, looks like the cat’s finally out of the bag. Isn’t that right, Grace?"

Grace turned toward her master with a slightly annoyed expression before looking back at Victor.

"No. I can’t let you go anywhere alone."

Victor smiled.

"I’m not going anywhere alone. Lyra’s with me, and we’re still in the building. I’m literally going right around the corner."

Grace considered his words for a moment.

"No. I can’t let you go alone."

Victor stared at her.

Valseer sighed.

"Don’t worry, lass. He’s only going to meet Benton. He’ll be fine. Besides, you need to rest anyway. It seems you decided to use that dragon technique again."

He shook his head.

Grace looked back at Victor, appearing ready to argue once more. Eventually, however, she reached up and removed her mask.

"Fine. I’ll wait here."

She sat back down on the couch, crossed her legs, and quickly entered a cultivation position.

Lyra had watched the entire exchange curiously. Why did Grace have to stay behind? And more importantly, where exactly was Victor taking her?

Then she noticed the mischievous smile on his face.

Her eyes narrowed.

Victor grabbed her arm.

"Come on."

They left the room and closed the door behind them.

Valseer had instructed Victor to head downstairs, where Lyra’s parents would be waiting. They followed the hallway until they reached a broad staircase, with Victor leading the way and Lyra following just behind him.

At the bottom was an enormous room resembling a den. A large stone fireplace occupied one wall, its low flames warming the room. Several couches were arranged around it, while tall bookshelves and small tables filled the remaining space.

It reminded Victor of the den inside the Graveborn estate, except this one was nearly twice the size.

Victor had just reached the bottom step when Lyra suddenly stopped behind him.

Her entire body froze.

He didn’t have to turn around to know why.

Valkor and Sierra were sitting together on one of the couches, with Elder Benton across from them. The three appeared to have been having a quiet conversation.

For a long moment, Lyra didn’t move.

Then she rushed past Victor.

"Mom! Dad!"

Valkor barely had time to stand before Lyra threw herself into his arms.

Sierra immediately wrapped both arms around her daughter.

For several seconds, none of them said anything. There was no need. They simply held each other.

Victor remained near the stairs, feeling Lyra’s emotions through their bond.

Relief, happiness, disbelief.

So much came rushing through at once that he could barely separate one emotion from another.

Benton glanced toward Victor before quietly standing. He walked past him, giving him a light pat on the back.

"I’ll give you all some time."

Victor nodded, and Benton headed upstairs to join Valseer and Grace.

Lyra finally pulled back enough to look at her parents.

"I’m so glad you’re both okay."

Valkor stared at her.

"What do you mean, us?"

Lyra blinked.

"Daniel Graveborn took you away to who knows where. We had no idea what happened to you."

Sierra tightened her embrace.

"But it looks like you’re safe."

Valkor’s eyes moved past Lyra toward Victor.

"And I’m guessing he’s the reason."

Lyra followed his gaze before nodding.

"Yeah."

A smile appeared on her face.

"None of this would’ve been possible without Victor."

Victor remained quiet as the three of them settled onto the couch together.

For the next several minutes, they simply enjoyed being reunited. At some point, Sierra began crying, which was all it took for Lyra’s eyes to fill with tears as well.

Before long, mother and daughter were holding each other again.

Victor quietly walked over to the couch across from them and sat down, making no attempt to interrupt.

Lyra had dreamed about this moment for so long.

From the moment he’d met her, nearly everything she’d done had revolved around the same goal.

Getting stronger, breaking her curse, finding her parents, and eventually saving them.

And now she’d finally accomplished it.

Her parents were sitting right beside her. There were no chains, no uncertainty about where they were, and no longer any reason to wonder whether she’d ever see them again.

They were together.

Victor leaned back and let them enjoy the moment.

Eventually, Lyra looked across the room at him.

"Thank you."

Victor smiled and nodded.

There was nothing else he needed to say.

Once everyone had calmed down, the questions began almost immediately.

Valkor studied his daughter closely.

"How did you do it?"

Lyra tilted her head.

"Do what?"

"Break through."

His eyes narrowed slightly as he tried to sense her cultivation.

"You reached Beast Soldier, didn’t you? I can’t even properly sense your rank anymore."

Lyra laughed before glancing toward Victor.

"That’s also because of him."

Victor leaned back slightly.

"Somehow," Lyra added.

Victor gave her a look, making her smile.

And that started everything.

Lyra began explaining the strange alchemical flower and how it had created the Soul Bond between her and Victor.

From there, she told them about Victor saving her from execution, everything that had happened afterward, her curse weakening, and her eventual breakthrough into the Beast Soldier Realm.

She explained how their bond worked and how their strength seemed to affect one another.

One story led into another, with Valkor and Sierra constantly interrupting to ask questions.

Sierra wanted to know how Lyra had survived everything she’d been through, while Valkor was particularly interested in understanding the Soul Bond.

Lyra occasionally jumped backward in her story whenever she remembered something she’d forgotten, only to continue from where she’d left off a few moments later.

Victor mostly sat quietly and listened.

Nearly an hour passed before Lyra finally finished.

Victor was almost impressed.

He couldn’t remember ever hearing her talk this much.

The thought brought a small smile to his face, but more than anything, he was happy for her.

She deserved this.

Sierra wiped the remaining tears from her cheeks before turning toward Victor.

"Thank you."

Victor met her eyes.

"For everything you’ve done for our daughter."

Valkor nodded.

"Yes. Thank you, Victor."

He glanced toward Lyra before returning his attention to Victor.

"Who would’ve thought..."

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"A human would be the cause of our greatest misfortune..."

His gaze settled on Victor.

"...and at the same time, our greatest fortune."

Valkor shook his head.

For a moment, the warmth remained in his expression. Then something subtly changed.

His gaze stayed on Victor, becoming more deliberate.

It wasn’t hostile or suspicious, but Victor recognized the change immediately.

The reunion had made Valkor happy.

But now that he knew who Victor was—and what bound him to his daughter—

Valkor wanted to talk to him.