Chapter 63: An Invitation

Clara, Mira’s mother answered the door, but before Nero could finish greeting her, Mira had already come running.

"Big brother! You came!"

"I said I would, didn’t I? Here, this is for you."

Nero handed her the shopping bag, and Mira immediately took out the box with a delighted smile.

"You remembered! Can I open it now?"

"Of course. It’s yours."

Clara invited him inside while Mira examined her new phone.

"You really didn’t have to buy it so soon, Mr. Nero. We could’ve arranged something for her."

"It’s alright. I promised her one, and it’ll make things easier when we start training."

Daniel joined them in the sitting room, where Ruth was watching her granddaughter carefully remove the packaging.

Edmund’s photograph still stood beside the old clock. Seeing his familiar smile, Nero felt glad that he had decided to visit.

He couldn’t bring Edmund back, but he could at least keep the promises he made to the man’s family.

"Big brother, can you put your number in first?" Mira asked after switching on the phone.

"Sure. I’ll add your parents’ numbers too, so you can contact them whenever you need something."

"I know their voices, but I don’t know their numbers yet."

"That’s what contacts are for. Trust me, most people don’t remember phone numbers anymore."

Mira watched closely as Nero saved the contacts and showed her how to make calls.

A moment later, his own phone started ringing.

"Hello, big brother!"

Nero looked at Mira, who was sitting right beside him with the phone against her ear.

"...Mira, I can hear you without answering."

"But I wanted to know if it worked!"

Nero smiled and answered the call anyway.

"Hello, Mira. Can you hear me?"

"Yes!"

"Good. Now you can stop calling someone who’s sitting right next to you."

Mira giggled before ending the call.

Clara leaned over to examine the screen.

"If there’s something you don’t understand, just ask us, alright? You don’t have to figure out everything yourself."

"Okay, Mom! Can I use it to look things up too?"

"Of course," Nero answered. "But remember, just because something is on the internet doesn’t mean it’s true."

Mira nodded seriously.

Considering how intelligent High-Humans were, Nero suspected she would become familiar with the phone much faster than an ordinary child.

Once everything was set up, he brought up their training plans.

"We’ll start tomorrow. I’ll contact your parents and arrange a time with them."

"Will you be teaching me yourself, big brother?"

"Yep. But we’re going to take our time and figure out what you can already do first."

After his lessons with Lilly and Enis, Nero understood how important learning the basics was.

Having unusual strength didn’t automatically mean someone knew how to use it properly, and he wanted to examine Mira’s abilities before deciding what to teach her.

"We’ll be ready when he calls, won’t we?" Daniel asked his daughter.

"Yes, dad!"

Nero stayed a little longer to answer her questions about the phone before getting ready to leave.

Mira followed him to the entrance, holding her new phone carefully with both hands.

"I’ll wait for you tomorrow, big brother!"

Nero smiled and patted her head.

"Then I’ll see you tomorrow, Mira."

By the time Nero returned to the Morgan Estate, his phone began ringing.

The caller was Old Man Drake.

And it was a video call.

’Oh, right. He hasn’t seen me since my transformation.’

Nero answered, and the moment his face appeared on the screen, Drake’s eyes widened.

"...Kiddo Nero?"

"Hello, old man."

"Good heavens! Are you really an immortal?! What kind of transformation is this?!"

Nero burst out laughing.

"Come on, old man. I just awakened."

"Just awakened?! Kiddo, you look like the protagonist of a webnovel after a thousand-year time skip!"

"It’s not that exaggerated!"

"Not exaggerated? You look like you could steal someone’s fiancée just by attending the engagement party!"

"Please stop reading those novels."

"Hahaha! But seriously, an awakening did all that to you?"

"Yeah. I was surprised too."

"I can see why! So, what Talent did you awaken?"

"It’s called Cellular Reservoir. I’m still learning how to use it."

"Cellular Reservoir, huh? Then make sure you learn it properly. Don’t get impatient just because you’ve suddenly become stronger."

"Alright, alright. I know."

"Good! Now, speaking of important matters, have you read the latest Chapter?"

"...Of what?"

"Of our novel, of course!"

Nero immediately had a bad feeling.

"Old man, I’m still a few Chapters behind."

"What?! You haven’t caught up yet? Kiddo, you won’t believe what happened when..."

"WAIT! DON’T SPOIL ME!"

Unfortunately, Drake had already started.

For the next several minutes, the old man excitedly discussed the novel they both followed, occasionally forgetting that Nero hadn’t read the latest Chapters.

"Old man! I literally just told you I haven’t caught up!"

"Hahaha! Don’t worry, don’t worry. It’s not a major spoiler!"

"That’s what everyone who spoils a novel says!"

Fortunately, Nero was only a few Chapters behind, and the spoiler wasn’t anything particularly important.

After talking a while, Drake finally remembered why he had called.

"Alright, alright. I won’t spoil you anymore. I actually called for something else."

"Oh? What is it?"

"Well, now that I’ve recovered, I’m planning to throw a party! And you are naturally invited!"

Nero immediately hesitated.

A gathering hosted by Drake would probably attract influential people, and he wasn’t particularly interested in explaining how he had cured something that experienced healers couldn’t treat.

Drake seemed to understand his concerns.

"Don’t worry, kiddo. I haven’t forgotten our agreement. Nobody will know you were responsible for my recovery."

"I’d appreciate that."

"Of course! Just come and enjoy yourself. I’ll also introduce you to some good people who might be able to help you in the future."

"That sounds nice."

"Hahaha! It’ll be just like those webnovels where an old master introduces a young reincarnated immortal to rich people so he can start face-slapping arrogant young masters!"

Nero’s lips twitched.

"...Old man, I really think you need to read fewer novels."

Is this how a rich old man should be acting?!

"Nonsense! I’m preparing you for high society!"

"By teaching me how to offend rich people?"

"Exactly! That’s how you meet the hidden experts!"

"Shouldn’t I be trying to avoid offending people?"

"Kid, where’s your ambition?!"

Nero couldn’t help but sigh. "Fine, fine. I’ll come."

"Wonderful! I’ll send you the details once everything is arranged. And don’t forget to catch up with the novel!"

"I will."

"Good! Then I’ll call you afterward. We have some very important things to discuss!"

"...About the novel?"

"Of course! What else?"

’This old man...’

Nero shook his head.

"Alright, old man. Talk to you later."

However, just as he was about to end the call, Drake suddenly remembered something.

"Oh, right. There’s one more thing I almost forgot to tell you."

"What is it?" Nero raised an eyebrow.

Unlike before, Drake’s voice sounded unusually serious.