The day after the explosion, I expected to be seriously reprimanded.
After all, I'd sent a huge fireball through the attic window and caused an explosion impressive enough to make the whole house shake.
Yet when I came downstairs for breakfast, nothing had really changed.
Kael was eating as usual.
Mira was calmly preparing the meal.
Elma was busy putting a few things away in the kitchen.
And I was sitting at the table as if I hadn't nearly turned the attic into a giant chimney the day before.
I looked at my father.
He ate in silence.
Then he looked up at me.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"You've been staring at me for five minutes."
"I was wondering if you were going to scold me."
Kael burst out laughing.
"Scold you? Why?"
"For the window."
He thought for a few seconds.
"Oh."
He looked at Mira.
"Right, the window."
Mira sighed.
"Kael..."
"What? It's broken, but it can be fixed."
I looked at my mother.
She smiled at me gently.
"We're mostly relieved that you weren't hurt."
"I'm sorry."
"I know."
She set a plate in front of me.
"But you need to understand that magic isn't a game. You were lucky."
I nodded.
I knew perfectly well that she was right.
Kael, for his part, spoke up.
"But I'm not going to stop you from continuing."
I immediately raised my head.
"Really?"
"Of course."
He rested his elbow on the table.
"You like learning magic, don't you?"
"Yes."
"Then keep going."
I looked at him for a few seconds.
I expected there to be conditions.
And sure enough, he didn't wait long to give them.
"But on one condition."
I sighed inwardly.
"What is it?"
Kael flashed a wide smile.
"You train with the sword with me."
I blinked.
"With the sword?"
"Exactly."
"Why?"
"Because I'm your father."
"That's not a reason."
"And because I'm the best swordsman you know."
Mira, who was preparing a cup of tea behind us, coughed lightly.
Kael turned toward her.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"You just coughed."
"I know."
I looked at my father.
He looked very serious.
Well...
As serious as he could be.
"You really want to teach me?"
"Yes."
"Even if I prefer magic?"
"Magic comes from your mother."
He pointed at Mira.
"The sword comes from me."
Then he placed a hand on my head.
"And I'm certainly not going to let my son become a mage who doesn't know how to hold a sword."
I thought about it.
To be honest, I had no reason to refuse.
The sword could be useful.
And besides...
I was curious.
In my past life, I'd never held a weapon.
I'd never had the chance to do things like that.
"Okay."
Kael's smile grew wider.
"Perfect!"
"But take it easy."
"Obviously."
"And you won't make me fight as if I were an adult."
"I'm not a monster."
Mira chimed in from the kitchen.
"Have you taken a good look at yourself?"
"Mira!"
She burst out laughing.
I couldn't help smiling.
And so my new life continued like that.
Magic with my mother.
The sword with my father.
And a family that, despite my unusual abilities, never looked at me like I was some kind of freak.
To them, I was simply their son.
And that made me feel good.