Novel's Extra: I Awakened The Strongest Physique From The Start

It was almost evening by now. Many people came and went before coming back again. This celebration wasn't your regular one, after all. Even those who came here thinking that they would be staying for no longer than an hour found themselves enjoying the ball for way longer.

The ones who were most engaged were the young adults and the teens—they seemed to want to stay here for as long as they could.

It wasn't uncalled for, though. As long as this celebration might seem for a birthday program, not a moment of it was a waste of time.

From the moment Alex was done with his speech, several programs have taken place. The first thing was a dance show from hired sylphs known for their gracefulness—courtesy to Aerola Cirrine, who is a half-sylph with great talent.

It was enjoyed by everyone, all genders included, as the beauty of the sylphs wasn't lust-inducing but natural—something that brought calmness to the surroundings.

One would think that their beauty would invite trouble with someone trying to take them for themselves, but with the supervision of the imperial knights, nothing like that happened. The sylphs were escorted out with respect after their performance was done.

But as if making use of the hype, a dance competition was held right after. Many young and old nobles went on stage, showing their best for nothing but fun. There was no reward, but that didn't deter them from enjoying their time.

But there was a limit to how much one could dance. After a while, people got tired, only to find themselves being served with healing potions just to refresh them.

"Overflowing richness."

They all understood what those words exactly meant today.

Things, however, were still far from over. By the time they healed up, bards from different races along with their drama company started to show up on the stage one after another, making people hold their breaths with their storytelling and drama.

People were just so immersed in those heroic tales of heroes from different races that they didn't even realize how long it had been.

Those bards were just so good at storytelling that one could feel how hard it had been for those heroes they saw as nothing but symbols of hope. People were starting to understand the hero's struggles now.

But as it is said, all things come to an end, as did the stories of the bards. With thanks to Alex and the Emperor, the bards left as well, but just when people thought that there could be nothing more happening, in the field right outside the castle—where the people without an invitation were enjoying their time visiting from one vendor to another—a new stage was set up.

Everyone grew curious about what it could be, which they soon found out.

"Well, looks like they're enjoying it."

Looking at all that was happening in the opening in front of the castle while sitting on one of the highest pillars of the castle, Alex nodded to himself.

He could already see people showing off their weapon mastery one by one—especially the young ones, who were all trying to impress one of the beauties in the crowd. The adults, on the other hand, were taking a rest, enjoying the evening with a variety of drinks and food presented to them.

None seemed to want to leave right now, eager to know what was going to happen next.

"Don't you agree, Mom?" Alex asked as he turned to his left.

As he sat on top of the spire of the castle, dangling his leg while caressing Nyxia's head as she perched on his shoulder, to his left was Vanessa, her back resting on the spire.

This was not a place for one to sit, but as he was returning after dropping Vestian and Thomas off with Nyxia's help, he saw Vanessa sitting here alone. Curious of how it felt, Alex perched next to her.

"Yes," replied Vanessa, her expression as cold as ever as she tucked a strand of her hair behind her ears, not minding the rest of it getting blown by the wind.

Alex could tell that Vanessa liked it. 'Not like I feel bad up here,' he mused inwardly, leaning back on the spire just like Vanessa.

It was as if they were on the edge of the world, suspended between the heavens and the earth. The air is crisp and carries a hint of coolness as the day transitions into the evening. There was a serene stillness, interrupted only by the gentle whispers of the wind brushing against their skin and rustling through their hair.

None of them said anything. They just sat there, enjoying the cool winds while also feeling a strange warmth from being around each other. It was calming.

Vanessa wanted to ask why Alex had come here before, but now she didn't care. It was good that he was here. It had been a long time since Alex had sat next to her like this—without any purpose. It was good to just... be.

"How long has it been, Mom?" Asked Alex, who was feeling the same as Vanessa, her question making her turn to him. Her expression was still the same, but Alex could feel her subtle curiosity, so he repeated, clarifying, "How long has it been since we sat like this?"

The wind ruffled his wild hair, and the golden hew of the sunset brightened his face as he smiled, dangling his leg. "It feels good, doesn't it?"

Those words froze Vanessa for a moment. Her eyes stared at Alex's contour, again reminded of how much he had grown before a soft smile—which almost seemed forced—tugged at her lips.

"Yes," she admitted, her voice softer than before. "It feels good."

Her words made Alex's smile widen. Just the small change in her expression, even if it seemed forced, was enough for Alex to tell that she was speaking her heart out.

Both of them then turned back to the sunset as Alex inched closer to Vanessa, feeling the need to be closer to her, but...

"Huh?" A confused voice left his lips as he found his palm slipping down, failing to grip the edge of the spire they were sitting on, disturbing his balance.

'Ah, shit...' He knew that he was going to fall, but instead of closing into the ground, Alex found himself floating before a flatform of ice—one that didn't even feel cold to him—appeared below him.

His gaze turned toward Vanessa, finding her sitting on the same platform with her legs folded.

"Come," she patted her lap, the seemingly forced smile from before ever-present on her face.

Alex raised a brow at first, but soon he gave in, moving closer and placing his head on her lap. Soon he could feel her fingers combing his hair, but he remained still, staring at the sunset, which had just started a while ago, while also listening to the chorus of cheers from the crowd below.

It was only after a while that he spoke, breaking the soothing silence around them.

"Mom," he turned his head to look into her eyes, holding her hand on his head, as he questioned, "Are you not going to ask for what gift I want this time?"

Vanessa blinked, momentarily taken aback before her eyes widened by a fraction, but just that fraction alone was enough to tell how shocked she was.

'How could I forget it?!' She exclaimed inwardly, her gaze turning serious as she inquired with urgency. "I am asking now. Tell me. What gift do you want, son?"

She couldn't believe she had forgotten such an important thing. They were just so busy selecting a perfect suit for Alex in the morning that this had completely slipped her mind.

"Would you give it to me if I asked you to?" Alex probed, his expression uncertain, making Vanessa frown, but she didn't hesitate.

"Yes, speak your mind," she assured him, making Alex close his eyes and take a deep breath before he voiced his wish.

"I want your relationship with Aunt Alenia to return to what it used to be, Mother."

Those words not only made Venessa tremble but her shadow, which is supposed to be lifeless, quivered as well.

She had steeled herself for any request, no matter how grand or difficult. She would have destroyed a kingdom if he'd asked. But this... this was something she hadn't anticipated.

Uncertainty flickered in her cold eyes as she stared at her shadow, her composure momentarily shaken.