A few hours later, the Ravenstein estate was bathed in the moon's soft glow. It was nighttime, and most of the personnel in the estate had gone to sleep.
Atticus's eyes jolted open from his slumber. Beads of sweat clung to his forehead, and his back was completely drenched with perspiration.
His breathing was labored, and he quickly sat up straight in bed. He touched his forehead with his right arm, muttering, "Not again."
After a few seconds, he managed to catch his breath. He stood up and swung his legs off the king-sized mattress he had been lying on.
Atticus headed straight to his bathroom and quickly washed his face with water.
'I can't sleep,' he thought. Atticus had been trying all night to rest, but he kept seeing the scene with Ember and Ronad replay in his mind.
The whole situation baffled him. Atticus believed his intelligence was far too high to fall for something like that every time. But whenever the scene resurfaced, his emotions would immediately flare up, and he had no control over it.
Atticus took a deep breath and exhaled. Then, he walked to the left side of his room, approaching an inconspicuous wall. With a scan the wall slid open to reveal his training clothes.
They were designed for ease of movement and provided a certain amount of protection.
After selecting his training attire, Atticus retrieved his Katana from its resting place, directly beside him on the bed, and he left his room.
He made his way through the hallway, going to do the only thing he knew could clear his head: train.
As Atticus was heading to the training room, a voice suddenly spoke from behind him. The voice was feminine, and upon hearing it, Atticus already knew who it was.
"Where are you going?"
Atticus turned to see Anastasia gazing at him with a neutral expression.
'Caught red-handed,' Atticus thought with a small sigh.
'How did she know I was stepping out?'
Although he was well aware that he was always being followed and watched by Arya, he trusted Arya completely.
Arya knew exactly when he awakened his bloodline but kept it a secret. She was even there when he trained, knew how powerful he was but chose not to reveal it.
Many might call him foolhardy for trusting her so much, but that was just how Atticus was. He placed the people he considered family above all else.
Besides, Arya followed him everywhere he went, so what choice did he have? Would he not train and stay weak just because he was being watched 24/7?
He was confident that it wasn't Arya who had told Anastasia he left his room. 'She must have been watching me,'
Atticus flashed his mother a small smile, "Just taking a walk, Mom."
Anastasia raised an eyebrow and replied, "A walk, honey? Really? With a combat suit and weapon?" Her look seemed to say, 'Do you think I'm stupid?'
Atticus sighed. "Okay, Mom, I couldn't sleep. I just wanted to train a bit to clear my head."
Anastasia's expression immediately turned sorrowful, and before Atticus could react, he was enveloped by her.
Her eyes welled up, and tears started streaming from them as she muttered, "I'm so sorry, honey. I understand that getting through this would be difficult, and I know I've been selfish. But please, At, just rest for two days, and I promise I won't interfere in your training anymore."
Anastasia had been feeling incredibly guilty about a lot of things.
About the fact that she couldn't be there for Atticus when his life was in danger, but it was mostly about the fact that she had delayed his training for years because of her insecurities.
Yes, she did it because she loved him and wanted him to have a normal childhood, but that had been incredibly stupid. This incident had taught her a lesson, one she'll never forget in her life: only your strength matters.
No matter how much she wanted to protect him always, it wasn't possible. The best and absolute protection he could have was his strength. Nothing else could come close.
But because of her selfishness, she had delayed his training. Anastasia had heard about everything Atticus had done, his saving the trainees, his fights, and everything, but every praise she heard seemed to increase her guilt more.
Throughout his childhood, she had always discouraged his intense training.
What if he listened and didn't train?
That was the question that was always running through her head, adding to her guilt.
Atticus was surprised at Anastasia's sudden breakdown, but it was a surprise that lasted for a fleeting moment, and he hugged her tightly.
Under normal circumstances, Atticus would have immediately denied her request and tried to find a way out of it. But seeing his mother act this way warmed his heart. Hugging her more tightly, Atticus muttered, "Okay."
The next two days were very enjoyable for Atticus. During these two days, he didn't train for even a second. He didn't even absorb mana. He just hung out with the family.
He met with Ethan and Zelda a few more times and spent time with Avalon, Caldor and Freya.
He was also able to learn fully about Aurora's situation. Rowan really did die.
Atticus, of course, didn't care about Rowan, but he couldn't help but feel immensely sad for Aurora. She had truly gone through a lot.
Anastasia had been shocked at the way Aurora and Atticus were close. She was surprised that this training maniac had actually made a friend. She immediately decided to take her in, something she would've done even without that.
The only people who didn't come see him was Ember and Magnus. Although he was used to the latter's absence, but since Ember had come when he had just awoken, she hadn't shown her face since then.
During these two days, Anastasia didn't leave his side for a single second, only leaving him after tucking him in to sleep. And in every single sleep, the same dream came to haunt him every time he closed his eyes.
After two days, Atticus, donned in his battle suit with a Katana strapped to his waist, stood at the door of the advanced training room, his expression resolute.