The Invincible Young Master

"Grandma, Grandpa, I have a request," Alice told the two.

"And what is that?" asked Sophia softly, curious.

"I want to become strong," Alice suddenly declared, her voice filled with conviction.

Renard looked at little Alice with a curious gaze, setting his teacup down gently.

"Oh, our little Alice wants to become strong?" he asked, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"Yes," Alice nodded vigorously, her twin tails bouncing up and down.

Sophia and Renard exchanged a knowing look and smiled at Alice's enthusiasm. They couldn't reject their little granddaughter's heartfelt request.

"That means Alice needs a teacher," Sophia said, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

"Could Grandma and Grandpa not teach me?" Alice asked, her voice filled with innocent curiosity.

"We can, but there's someone even better than us," Sophia replied softly, her smile widening.

"Someone better?" Alice's eyes sparkled with excitement, her imagination running wild.

"Yes, Alice will be taught by the best teacher in the empire," Sophia told her, her tone filled with pride and assurance.

Hearing her grandma say that, Alice's eyes gleamed, and her mouth formed an 'O' of excitement. She could hardly contain her joy at the prospect of learning from the best.

…

"Huh? Why do I have to teach her? Aren't there other people?" Spark grumbled, his voice echoing slightly in the spacious room lined with books and scrolls.

"Who else can teach her better than you?" his mother, Sophia, countered, her tone firm.

"Even if you put it that way, I am not teaching her," Spark waved dismissively, his expression one of frustration. "Babysitting her is already taxing for me."

"You'll teach her," said Spark's mother, not backing down. Her tone was resolute, and her gaze unwavering.

Spark sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair. The soft rustle of the wind outside did little to soothe his mounting frustration.

"Mother, you know there are others who can teach her," he protested weakly, his voice tinged with desperation.

"She is our only granddaughter. How can we let just anyone teach her?" Spark's mother replied firmly. "She can only be taught by the best."

In the empire, only a few could come close to Spark in terms of intellect. Yet, his talent was often overshadowed by his reputation as the troublesome young lord of the Dwight family. Few knew he was also a genius at the Emperor Academy.

In the end, she left Alice in his care and departed, leaving Spark with the daunting task on his head. He could only sigh rubbing his forehead.

…

Spark, along with Alice and Zhao Shi, took a stroll around the garden, surrounded by tall, flowering trees that filled the air with the sweet scent of blossoms. The morning sun cast long shadows on the ground, creating a serene and picturesque setting.

"Why do you want to become strong?" Halting his steps, Spark suddenly asked, his tone serious as he knelt to be at Alice's eye level.

"To become strong," Alice replied, raising her small fist with determination.

"And why do you want to become strong?" Spark pressed.

"To protect Father from bullies," Alice declared with a fierce look of resolve.

"You want to protect me from bullies?" Spark asked, pointing at himself in surprise.

Alice nodded her head profusely, her twin tails bouncing with the motion.

Hearing her words, Spark couldn't help but chuckle. "To protect me from bullies, I see."

"But Alice, you're underestimating me." Spark pointed up to the sky. "Under the sky, there's no one who can bully me without consequence."

Hearing Spark's confident words, Alice's eyes gleamed with newfound reverence, as if acknowledging his strength.

"Oh, she believed my words rather easily," Spark muttered to himself, a smile tugging at his lips.

"Can Father teach Alice to become strong?" asked Alice, her eyes wide with hope.

"I like your motivation. Fine, I'll teach you."

Alice's eyes gleamed with joy. "Father will teach Alice!"

"But first, you have to become as strong as butler Zhao," Spark said, pointing at Zhao Shi, who stood a short distance away. "Then, I'll teach you myself."

"How strong is Uncle Zhao?" Alice asked, staring at Zhao Shi with curiosity.

"Super strong," Spark replied. "He is the strongest man I've met."

Receiving praise from Spark, Zhao Shi gave a slight nod before resuming his straight posture. His expression remained calm and composed, betraying no emotion, but a glint of appreciation shone in his eyes.

"Strongest man…" Alice appeared dazed, her mind trying to comprehend such strength. "Is Uncle Zhao as strong as Grandma Poo?"

"Very strong," Spark confirmed. "Just like the hero in that story."

Hearing her father mention the hero in the story, Alice's interest was further piqued. She stared at Zhao Shi with a new gleam in her eyes, filled with admiration and curiosity.

"Should I call Uncle Zhao 'teacher'?" Alice asked, her voice filled with innocent excitement.

Zhao Shi shook his head gently. "Little Miss can continue calling me Uncle Zhao."

Alice nodded, satisfied with his answer.

The garden was a peaceful haven, bathed in the soft light of the morning sun. Flowers of every color bloomed vibrantly, filling the air with a sweet, fragrant aroma. Birds chirped melodiously from the branches of trees, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves, adding to the tranquility of the scene.

Spark sat on a comfortable couch under a gazebo, his eyes wandering around the two ahead. The gazebo, intricately carved from wood, offered a perfect vantage point to observe Alice's training.

Alice was sitting on a mat on the ground, her eyes closed in concentration. She mimicked Zhao Shi's meditative posture, her small frame looking both determined and serene.

Spark watched the two from his comfortable seat, his expression a mix of amusement as he observed Alice's eagerness.