The way to become the Great Sorcerer

Chapter 20: Decision to Partake

Larcade suddenly said looking up to his father, who flinched. “I don’t want to ignore your worry however camping is not entirely a dangerous activity.” Larcade started, scratching his face because of awkwardness. It’s been so long since they have a father and son talked and it really didn’t help for their current situation. 

“I know that, I was just spouting nonsense,” Noah said embarrassed. Larcade slightly opened his mouth, surprised to hear such information.

“Then why did you say that?” Larcade asked staring attentively at his father in which Noah looked away embarrassed to meet his son’s eyes. “I was just saying that to look cool.”

 He finally met his son’s eyes, giving a smolder in which Larcade cringe in disgust. Larcade wondered how people who met her father thought that he was a scary man. Noah is just a strict leader but is actually a dorky father. “I thought you don’t want me to go because you worried I might get hurt.

” Larcade frown recalling the accident that happen when he was still a kid. ‘Though I don’t think camping is that dangerous.’ Larcade glance at his father with a slight pout. 

“Larcade, a parent will always worry for their children. We may hate to admit but sometimes we need to trust our children on doing what they wanted to do.” Noah put his hands onto Larcade’s shoulder. 

“Why aren’t you giving me the credit?” A sudden voice was heard behind Larcade they panned their heads to the owner, they saw Athena who was leaning in the door frame, with arms crossed. Noah whimpers face flushed. He covered his mouth with his fist, clearing his throat for no apparent reason. 

“Actually, your father didn’t want you to go.” Athena approached his son with a gentle smile.

 “But I reassured him and knock some sense in the process.” Larcade looked at his mother surprised. ‘I bet he hit him.’ ‘She hit me.’ Larcade and Noah thought at the same time watching as she smiled innocently. 

“Noah?” Athena called out to his husband who was leaning in the window frame watching outside or more like watching his son and his friends conversing. After Athena told Larcade that she’s the one who convinced Noah, Larcade was relieved thanking them. “Our boy is a grown-up,” Noah said, melancholy feeling. 

“Obviously, he’s 20 years old,” Athena said with a sarcasm laced in her tone. Her husband glared at her for a second that made her giggle. “Noah our children don’t rely on us forever.” Athena hugged her husband behind, placing her chin on his shoulders.

“I know you’re worried for him, especially when something like that accident happened to him when he was still a child.” Athena snuggles her head to his husband’s neck finding comfort.

 “But, I’m pretty sure this time is different.” Athena continued, “Because this time, Larcade isn’t alone anymore.” Both of them watch as Neveah and Damian panned their heads to Larcade who had just gone out from the door. They converse for a second and laugh. “You’re right, he’s not alone,” Noah admitted. After 20 years of raising their son, they finally see him happy with friends that he is comfortable with. 

Larcade approached the two who were waiting for him. “Did Lucas go to his father?” He asked when he stopped in front of them. Damian nodded. 

“He just went a while ago.” Neveah said, “Oh! And we named this cutie pie!” Neveah raised the cat close to Larcade’s face. Larcade jumped. 

“Really? What his name?” Larcade took the cat into his arms, petting it. “Ash—” “Ashmit” Neveah and Damian said at the same time. Larcade tilt his head, unable to comprehend what they said. “It’s Ash!” Neveah said glaring at Damian. 

“It’s Ashmit.” Damian said, nonchalantly. 

Larcade sighed as they continue bickering for the cat’s name. Larcade panned is head to the house next door. ‘Currently, Lucas is talking to his dad.’ Larcade thought, he sighed. The least he wanted is to drag anyone, especially Luca who has nothing to do with anything. And, now that Mr. Eastwood is mad at Lucas, Larcade felt guilty. He sighed still staring at Lucas’ house. Damian and Neveah noticed it, they looked at each other before glancing at Larcade.

 “Lar, don’t feel bad.” Neveah put her arms around Larcade’s neck. Since Neveah is also the same height as him, she didn’t have any trouble wrapping his arms around him.

“It’s his decision, don’t feel guilty because of it.” Damian said looking at Larcade blankly. Larcade sighed. “That’s right. But I can’t help it since I felt that I dragged him into my problem.”

 Larcade frowned, his wrinkles showing. Neveah felt his discomfort about the idea of Lucas joining them, “Don’t worry, Lar. I’m sure Lucas knows what he’s doing.” Neveah said before looking at the house next door. ‘Currently, Lucas is still talking with his Dad. I hope it all goes well’ Neveah thought. "Wanna watch?" Neveah suggests.

Lucas was in the dining room, sitting in the chair while his Dad is cooking something for lunch. Silence filled the entire area and the sound of the sizzling oil can be the only one heard. Lucas stares at his father’s back, hesitant to start a conversation. He cleared his throat when he had the courage. “Dad—” 

But before he can say what he wanted to say, his brother, Claude Eastwood, suddenly came into the dining room, interrupting him. “Dad, what’s for lunch?” He said also took a seat apart from Lucas.

 Claude nonchalantly stared at Lucas when he threw some random signs at his brother. Lucas gave him everything he got to make him read the atmosphere but Claude didn’t give two shits about it and still continue waiting for his dad to answer.

Lucas was pissed off at this moment, he kicked his brother secretly that made Claude jump hitting his knee on the table. He hissed that made Lucas cover his mouth stifling his laugh. Claude was annoyed because his brother’s behavior also kicked him too. “Ah!” Lucas shouted, feeling pain in his leg and because of it, his father looked at him disgustingly. 

Lucas laughed awkwardly, regaining his composure, trying to act as nothing happened. He heard his dad sigh, putting a plate with their meal. Lucas rubbed his neck, trying to find a perfect timing to talk to his dad. Thanks to his brother’s presence he can’t find an idea to start up a conversation.

 He picked up his spoon eating his meal, “Was it really you who decide on that?” Drystan Eastwood suddenly talked that made Lucas choke. Claude stared at him disgust laced on his face, ‘Really? Right in front of my salad.’ Claude thought wrapping his arms to protect his meal.

Lucas wiped his chin and nodded. “I may sound ridiculous but I have a right to decline it as your father,” Drystan said, looking serious. Claude who doesn’t know anything just ate there awkwardly. 

“But I want to, it’s not just the reason I want to go camping, it’s about I want to hang out with them.” Lucas started. ‘All this about a camping?’ Claude thought with a surprised expression his mouth open, his eyebrows clashed, finding the conversation a little funny. 

“I have many reasons why I don’t want you to go.” Drystan looks at his son’s eyes. “But it seems that you are still planning to go even if I say no.” 

Lucas paused for a second before saying, “Huh?”

 Drystan cleared his throat, drinking water after. He points towards the window behind Lucas. Claude and Lucas panned their head to where their dad was pointing. Lucas lose his grip on his spoon that made it fall into the dining table making a clinking sound because of shock. Outside the window can be seen the three idiots’, Neveah, Damian, and Larcade trying to climb up in the second-floor window where Lucas’ room is located. 

Damian and Larcade were helping Neveah who stand on their hands trying to reach the upper window. But, as the Eastwood family notices them, they freeze in their spots.

“It seems that your friends are trying to get you out of here,” Drystan said continuing his meal. Lucas stared at them; disbelief written on his face. Neveah awkwardly waves at him however Larcade who has low strength endurance can’t hold Neveah any longer so he snatches his hands away making Neveah fall, hitting the window with her hands in the process. 

Lucas and Claude flinched when it made a thumping sound. Drystan sighed. Lucas and Claude stared at their father waiting for his reaction but Drystan just gave them a deadpan expression. “Okay, I’ll let you go. I don’t want to be seen as an evil stepmother chaining his son.” Drystan said with a serious expression that made Claud hold in his laughter, ‘how can he say that with that expression.’. 

Lucas smiled at his father. “Aww! Papa` You’re just worried for your son, how sweet!” Lucas teased his father with a high-pitched voice. Drystan raised his left eyebrow, not amused. It made Lucas behave. 

“Thanks, pa,” Lucas said with a grinned and then a muffled shout of yes was heard outside the window. All of the Eastwood family panned their head to see Damian and Larcade covering Neveah’s mouth dragging her away from the window. “But, first I'm going to whoop those shits.” Drystan stood up holding his slipper, Lucas and Claude panicked also standing up trying to make their Father calm down.

“You piece of s**t!” Lucas dashed headed to Neveah when he went outside of their house. Neveah who saw him tried to run away but Lucas was able to catch up to her giving her a headlock. Neveah screamed for mercy but Lucas wasn’t giving her two shits. 

“Okay, Okay, please let go of me.” Neveah grips Lucas's arms trying to remove them but Lucas tightens. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” Neveah apologizes desperately to break free from Lucas’ arms. “You went as far as trying to climb up on my window, are you stupid?” Lucas asked. Neveah chuckled awkwardly.

“I didn’t intend to but I was impatient,” She tried giving a reasonable excuse, “If your father won’t let you join, I have a plan to sneak you out.” Lucas raised his eyebrow.

 “So, your plan is to hide in my room, like some creepy stalker?”, Damian flinched when he heard the word stalker. “That doesn’t seem like a reliable plan.” Lucas shake Neveah that made her smack his back. Lucas hissed removing his grip on Neveah’s neck. 

“I was just worried not just me but also Larcade.” Lucas glances at Larcade, surprised. Larcade looks away feeling embarrassed that Neveah told him about that. 

“Well, I’m just worried that you and your father might fight about …” Larcade rubbed his hand to his neck, face flushed, “Camping.” Neveah and Damian said at the same time with a blank expression. 

“I mean who would react that strongly about camping?” Neveah said disbelief written on her face. Lucas laughed because of it. 

“I also don’t know the reason why,” Lucas glance at his father’s room window. 

“At least, he agreed.” He said with a grin. Neveah scoffed because of his reaction. “Well now that everything is okay with both of your fathers, we should go ahead and pack,” Neveah said about to walk away but Lucas stopped her. 

“Wait, now? When exactly are we going?” Lucas said with confusion written on his face. “Today.” The three of them said. “Isn’t it too early?” Lucas stated his opinion. 

“I don’t think it’s too early, the red eclipse will reappear in two weeks,” Damian informed him once again, “And if we need the help we can get, I say we start early.”

 Lucas pout when he heard that. Packing is way too tiring for him and if he does, he needs at least a day to pack his things to make sure that he doesn’t forget anything.  

“Don’t tell me you need a lot of time to pack?” Neveah asked in disbelief. “Of course, the least I want is that I’ll leave something important behind.” Lucas's aid with his arms crossed. Neveah’s eyes twitch annoyed but he quickly regained her composure, 

“Oh, sorry I didn’t know that you’re such a missy.” Neveah covered her mouth mocking Lucas.