The Invincible Young Master

"So you are a family guy now? I am proud of you, bro." Baros pretended to sob, patting Spark's shoulders dramatically. "My little boy's all grown up!"

"Keep it up, and I'll help you lose a few kilos," Spark threatened, a smirk tugging at his lips.

"I was kidding, don't get angry, bro." Baros quickly shifted back to his seat, hands up in mock surrender. "So, who's her mother?"

Spark turned to Alice, still munching on her food. "Alice, do you know your mother?"

Pausing her feast, Alice looked up, her eyes wide and innocent. "Mother is Alice's mother."

Spark sighed, rubbing his forehead. He had expected that answer. "Do you know where your mother lives?"

"Mother said she lives far away in the mountains," Alice replied matter-of-factly, returning to her meal.

"I think your parents really sold you this time for real, bro." Baros tried to stifle a chuckle behind his hand, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

Spark shot him a glare before continuing. "Did you not live with your mother?"

Alice shook her head, her twin tails bouncing. "No. I lived with Grandma Poo. But Mother comes to visit me every month."

Hearing this, Spark's brows furrowed slightly, a mix of confusion and concern crossing his face.

"Uncle, are you Father's friend?" Turning to Baros, Alice asked, noticing the familiarity between the Spark and Baros.

"Yes, I am. But little princess, don't call me uncle, I'm only 23." Baros clutched his chest, feigning pain. "Call me big brother."

Alice paused, tilting her head as she stared at Baros. "But you are Alice's father's friend. That makes you an uncle."

Spark chuckled, shaking his head. "Weren't you making fun of me? Now you're an uncle for the rest of your life."

"Little princess, how about this: I will buy you anything you want to eat, and you will call me big brother?" Baros proposed, still pained by the title of uncle above his head.

His offer seemed to make Alice pause and consider it, her eyes lighting up with interest.

Without waiting for her answer, Baros called for the waiter and asked to serve the best sweets available. Soon, the table was filled with various sweets and desserts. Baros sighed in relief, thinking he had finally coaxed Alice as she eagerly dug in.

With Alice distracted by her dishes, Spark and Baros continued their conversation about the city's changes while Spark had been away.

"Bro, did you hear? The party of ascendants that disappeared a year ago returned alive," Baros said, incredulity in his tone.

"Who?" Spark asked, leaning in slightly.

"The Ascendant party, Halo, that went to explore a collapsed ruin. They returned after a year," Baros added. "If they were present during the war, the five emperors wouldn't have dared to march recklessly."

Halo was known as the strongest party of ascendants in the empire, consisting of an astral bloom ascendant with a special physique, a rare gift that few individuals possessed. They were known as the five heroes of the Jul Empire.

A year ago, the emperor had sent them on an exploration task to a distant ruin. However, after many months without news from the party, they were proclaimed dead in the ruins. One of the main reasons the five empires decided to march against the Jul Empire was due to the disappearance of those five.

"Oh, those guys returned, took them long enough," said Spark with a playful tone.

"I heard they wanted to personally thank the person who stopped the war and saved the empire from destruction."

"Oh, I wonder what they want," Spark smirked.

In the empire, only a few people knew of the title Holy Scion. Those in the imperial palace and powerful figures such as dukes and marquis knew of the title, while the common people only knew of Holy Scion as a mysterious ascendant.

"I've noticed there are many outsiders in the city," said Spark, suddenly shifting the conversation. "Is there something going on?"

"Does bro not know the Emperor Academy is holding an entrance test at the end of this year?" Baros replied, his tone incredulous.

"Oh, they are?" Spark mused, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

The Emperor Academy, the gathering place for geniuses, was in the heart of the Jul Empire. Throughout the continent, this academy was renowned for its mysterious background and the powers it held. It wasn't unusual for geniuses from faraway empires and kingdoms to travel great distances to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime entrance test. As one could only take the test once in their lifetime.

Although the academy was located in the imperial capital, the empire held no influence over it. The academy had a far more mysterious and powerful background, one that even the emperor dared not offend recklessly.

"Why haven't you returned to the academy for so long?" Baros asked, his curiosity evident.

"Well, I left with an excuse." Spark gave a sheepish smile, scratching the back of his head.

"What excuse? You left without a word," Baros retorted. "Those old fogies might be fuming over you every day."

"What about you?" Spark seemed to avoid the question, changing the subject to Baros.

"Well... I gave them an excuse that I would bring you back to the academy," Baros admitted, giving Spark a sidelong glance.

Their eyes met, and Spark couldn't help but break into a chuckle, which Baros quickly joined.

The two were students at the Emperor Academy, having joined at the same time. However, the strict rules of the academy prevented students from leaving its grounds. But Spark was not someone to follow other's rules. Somehow, he had managed to escape and stay away for this long without being caught.

"I think I'll give the academy a visit. I have a feeling we'll see a lot of drama," Spark said with a grin. "I'm expecting to meet lots of interesting characters this time."