A Dual Crest Summoner In Infinite Summoning World

Ten days he slept. That was a lot of time recovering from a simple 'Chi' backlash. They did not let him get up and kept nursing him—both Sable and grandma—till in the evening when Dante came back.

Auren was feeling much better. After two years of playing with Chi in his body freely, he had long since figured out a deep breathing technique that increased his Chi recovery rate. He had to clear his mind and concentrate on his breathing, let it be the most natural state for his body. It was better if he was sitting, but sleeping would do too. Since the morning, he had already recovered 50% of his Chi, which was at barely 5% when he opened his eyes. He had noticed the recovery rate fluctuating depending on his consciousness, movement and even environment.

Aure had enough energy to walk and run freely, but he was still not allowed to do that. His body too felt numb after what he had done. Using so much energy at once was a very bad idea. His legs felt the worst in this numbness. It could also be from not moving at all for 10 days.

Kenzo had come to visit him in the early afternoon with his mother. His round face smiled brightly when he saw Auren awake and talking. He truly cried a lot. Kept saying, Soriee, Sooghi, Sodi, Sonnie—everything except the proper sorry. 

His mother too kept apologizing. Sable's mood was so happy after he opened his eyes she didn't mind their presence at all. Even told Kenzo's mother to go easy on the kid.

When Dante came back, he too immediately came to see Auren and hugged him tightly. There was something else in his eyes though—Auren was sure of it—but Dante didn't voice it. Even Maru came to brush his face gently, showing affection—Maru never let him grab his tail before, no matter how much he chased after him to pet him, but today Maru offered it on his own. It was fluffy.

In the evening, however, the three people in his house started acting weirdly. They were constantly eyeing each other. In the end, his grandma stepped out of the house, and Dante and mother came near him and sat down on either side of him.

'What is going on now?'

"Auren," Sable called out. "How do you feel?"

"Good," he answered. They helped him get up and let him lean against the wall.

"Son, can you tell us what happened that day?" Dante asked.

"Did Kenzo not tell you about it?" He asked back.

"He said you two flew higher than trees," Sable answered, disbelief clear on her face.

"I ran behind Kenzo in the forest. Then wolves surrounded us. We ran, wolves were chasing us, I don't know what happened but I felt power inside me. I pushed it all towards my legs and jumped. I was aiming for the nearest branch but it turned out to be too much power—we indeed flew higher than trees and then fell down on the branch. Then I felt pain in my leg, I screamed and fell asleep."

"Why didn't you run if you saw the wolves?" Sable asked, her face serious.

"We did. I told you we ran from the wolves," Auren answered, a bit confused.

"You noticed the wolves from far, didn't you?" Dante asked.

"Yes."

"Then why didn't you run back?" Dante's face was serious too.

"Without Kenzo?" Auren asked doubtfully.

"Yes, without him," Sable said. Though it was clear from her face she hated herself for even saying it.

"He is a kid," Auren said a bit defensively.

"So are you," Dante replied in a second.

"I am different, I don't—" Auren was about to say he didn't matter but froze seeing the look on Dante and Sable's face.

"You don't—what?" Sable asked, her voice almost breaking. "You cannot keep doing this. Why are you always like this? You learned to walk earlier than any baby I know. You learn things before we even teach you. Your eyes look at people with understanding far beyond your years. Why are you so.. so.."

Dante held her from her shoulder. She started sobbing and covered her face to not show Auren her crying face.

"Why do you think you are different, Auren?" Dante asked calmly—it was a façade though, he could clearly see he too was confused and worried.

They were afraid, Auren realized. For him.

Why would they? He had done nothing worthy of a son. He was no genius, he had never attempted to say or do anything to mediate when things were heated in the house even when he knew he should have, he did not make any money yet that they expected losing, his summons were still a mystery, he was not even physically strong enough to do things for them. There was no value he provided to them.

He couldn't say a word in reply. His face just kept staring at Sable's sobbing hand-covered face and Dante's hardened face. Before he realized, he felt moisture in his eyes, tears rolled off his chubby cheeks—he could not assert any control over them. The feeling was too overwhelming..

But what was it? What was he feeling? Regret? No, he had done nothing wrong. Pity for this young couple for not having a normal first kid? That couldn't be it. When did he become so close to these strangers?

Dante placed his other hand near his face, using his thumb to wipe away the welled-up tears of Auren. Sable realized what was happening. She wiped her own tears, then pulled back from Dante and used both her hands to wipe Auren's other cheek full of tears.

They both smiled at once, burying all other emotions they were feeling, as Dante said,

"Even if you understand more than you should.. Please, don't do grown up things, next time save yourself… And let us be your parents. Let us be afraid for you. Let us love you."

Love? Was that the thing? Unconditional love? Did something so convenient truly exist? Nah, he was too old to believe such fairy tales. Humans were flawed. All people are inherently selfish.

But then.. What was this? It felt so fucking good.

Auren did not stop himself and rushed into his father and mother's arms. For the first time in two years, he was crying with everything he had in him.