ONLINE: Blades of Eternity-Chapter 150: A SHORT DISPLAY OF POWER

As Morris and Ethan stepped into the grand family hall of the Grey residence, they were greeted by the sight of his father, Lord Grey, seated in deep discussion with his elder brother, Drake Grey. His mother, Lady Grey, sat elegantly nearby, listening attentively and Uncle Kang standing right behind Lord Grey. The atmosphere was one of gravity, their conversation clearly of importance. However, the moment Morris entered, the air shifted.

Drake’s eyes landed on his younger brother, narrowing with irritation. His once intense conversation with their father was now disrupted by Morris’s unexpected appearance.

"Well, well, if it isn’t the family’s ’untapped potential,’" Drake sneered, crossing his arms as he leaned back in his chair. "What are you doing here, Morris? Come to listen in on matters way beyond your understanding? Or is it just to fill the hall with your presence? You know, it must be exhausting, carrying all that mana and not being able to use it."

The mockery was clear. Drake’s tone was sharp, laced with condescension. He looked to their father with a smirk. "Father, when will you realize this one’s just a fat cow for mana? All the potential in the world but none of the skill to display it."

Morris stood still, the words washing over him, but they didn’t sting as they used to. He glanced at his mother, who watched him with careful eyes, and then to Ethan, who remained stoic at his side. A calm silence filled the hall as Morris stepped forward.

"Is that what you think, Drake?" Morris said, his voice steady, yet laced with something new—something stronger. He raised his hand slightly, and the air around him shifted.

A ripple of energy coursed through the room. The once calm mana in the hall suddenly stirred, as if called by Morris. It was subtle at first, but it grew in intensity. A fraction of his power, just enough to make his point. The temperature in the room seemed to drop, and an oppressive weight pressed down on everyone in the room. Morris’s mana flared briefly, like a flash of light, then receded, controlled, precise.

Drake’s smirk faltered. He could feel the pressure, the sheer depth of mana now radiating from his younger brother. For a split second, his eyes widened, betraying his shock before he quickly masked it with annoyance.

"I’d watch what you say from now on, Drake," Morris said coolly, his eyes locking with his brother’s. "I’m not the same as I used to be."

The hall fell into silence. Lady Grey’s lips curled into the faintest of smiles, her eyes softening as she observed her youngest son. Lord Grey, while silent, appeared contemplative, his gaze shifting between his two sons.

Drake clenched his fists, his jaw tight. He looked away, unwilling to admit that Morris had made him eat his own words. The tension in the air was palpable.

Ethan, standing by Morris’s side, said nothing, but the shadow of a smile tugged at the corners of his lips. Morris had proven himself without needing to utter a single boast. His actions, his mana, spoke louder than anything else.

"Enough," Lord Grey finally said, breaking the silence. His voice was firm, though his gaze lingered on Morris longer than usual. "Morris, we will speak after this."

Morris gave a nod, standing tall. For the first time, he felt as though he was no longer in his brother’s shadow. Today, he had shown them all a glimpse of what he was truly capable of.

After a brief, tense moment in the hall, Lord Grey finally wrapped up his discussion with Drake. The elder Grey son rose from his chair, his face set in a stony expression. Without so much as a glance at his younger brother, Drake walked out of the hall, but not before Morris caught the flash of malice in his eyes—a silent promise that this wasn’t over.

Morris stood in the hall, composed, but a part of him remained cautious. Once Drake had left, he turned toward his father with respect. "Father, may I ask what you and Drake were discussing?"

Lord Grey gave a polite, almost dismissive wave of his hand. "It was just matters concerning the Valen military academy, nothing you need concern yourself with at this moment."

Morris could sense that his father was withholding something, but he didn’t press. Instead, he nodded and accepted the answer with grace. He had learned over time when to push and when to hold back, and now was not the time.

Just as the silence was settling again, Lady Grey’s voice cut through with a playful lilt. "My, my, Morris. You’ve finally turned into a man, haven’t you? Ripe for a woman’s attention, I’d say." Her eyes twinkled with a motherly pride, though her words were teasing.

Morris laughed wryly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Mother, please..." he muttered, shaking his head with a smile. He wasn’t used to such compliments, especially from her. His journey had been long and filled with challenges, and the idea of settling down was far from his mind.

Lord Grey, now settled and more relaxed, turned his attention fully to Morris. "So, how did your pilgrimage go, Morris? I trust you faced some worthy challenges."

Morris straightened, and with a calm but reflective tone, he began recounting his journey. He told them of the trials he had faced, the battles fought, and the lessons learned. He spoke of the harsh landscapes he had traversed and the dangerous foes he had encountered. He also told them of Ethan’s unwavering loyalty and companionship along the way. As he spoke, both his parents listened intently, taking in every word.

Lady Grey watched with a mixture of pride and concern. Her son had grown, no longer the boy who left but a man who had faced the world and returned with experience etched into his very being.

Lord Grey nodded thoughtfully as Morris finished. "It seems you’ve learned much. These experiences will serve you well, Morris. The Grey family needs strength, now more than ever."

As the conversation wound down, Morris noticed a subtle exchange between Ethan and another figure in the hall—Kang, the man standing behind Lord Grey. Kang, Ethan’s father and the head of the personal guard, signaled to his son with a silent nod. Understanding the cue, Ethan gave Morris a brief, reassuring look before excusing himself from the room.

The two left the hall quietly, leaving Morris alone with his parents.

Lord Grey folded his hands together, a pensive look crossing his face. "There is much ahead for you, Morris. Stay vigilant. We may not have spoken of Drake’s affairs, but soon, you will be involved in more than just your own matters."

Morris took a deep breath, nodding in acknowledgment. There was always more going on behind the scenes in the Grey family. And it seemed that sooner or later, he would be drawn into the larger web of power and influence, especially now that the battle convention is in the corner.

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...

As Kang and Ethan left the family hall, the atmosphere shifted to one of quiet reflection. For the first time in a long while, Kang allowed himself to take a proper look at his son. They walked side by side through the wide corridors of the Grey family estate, but there was a tension in the air, a weight that Kang had been carrying for years.

Suddenly, Kang slowed his pace and turned to face Ethan directly, his sharp eyes narrowing. His brow furrowed as he focused, sensing a faint yet undeniable mana aura emanating from his son. It was subtle, but the fact that it existed at all left him momentarily speechless.

"How... how did you achieve this?" Kang’s voice was laced with disbelief, his normally stoic demeanor cracked by genuine surprise. This was not the boy he had trained long ago; this was someone with power—vague yet clear as day to him now.

Ethan, meeting his father’s gaze with calm confidence, couldn’t suppress a small smile. "It wasn’t easy, Father. The pilgrimage with Morris wasn’t just a test of loyalty or endurance. It was a journey that pushed me beyond my limits, forced me to confront challenges I never thought possible. I’ve gained strength, and with it, I’ve tapped into something deeper. The mana you sense… it’s just a fraction of what I’ve learned."

Kang remained silent, but his eyes stayed locked on Ethan, scrutinizing every word. Ethan continued, more determined now.

"I’m not the same person I was when I left. And I promise you this, Father: I’ll become someone you can always be proud of. The battle convention is just the starting point. I’ll make my name known, not just as Morris Grey’s bodyguard, but as someone capable of standing on his own. I’ll make sure that the Grey family’s strength is reinforced by mine."

Ethan spoke with conviction, his resolve shining through in his words. The years of training and dedication had culminated in this moment, and he had every intention of proving himself. Yet, despite all that he had achieved, Ethan was unaware of one crucial fact—his father was already proud.

Kang’s heart swelled with pride, but his expression remained as stern and disciplined as ever. He had long decided not to show too much approval, not out of coldness, but in hopes of not stunting Ethan’s growth. His son had come so far, but there was still more for him to learn. Letting Ethan think that he had yet to fully earn his father’s respect would only drive him further, Kang believed.

After a long pause, Kang finally spoke, his tone measured and calm. "You’ve come a long way, Ethan. But the road ahead is even longer. The battle convention will be your test, and I expect you to rise to the occasion."

Though his words were firm, there was a hint of something softer in his gaze, something unspoken yet deeply felt. Without saying it aloud, Kang’s eyes conveyed what his words did not—his son had already exceeded many of his expectations.

Ethan, unaware of the hidden pride in his father’s heart, nodded resolutely. "I will, Father. I won’t let you down."

With that, they continued their walk, each step bringing them closer to the future, and in the quiet of that moment, Kang knew that his son was already well on his way to greatness.