Chapter 350: A Child’s Dream

The moment the door closed, the mana powered engine awakened with a low vibration. The vehicle lifted slightly as the internal mana circuits activated, and then the automobile surged forward smoothly onto the road.

Through the window the lively theater district began to slip away behind them.

The glowing projections floating above the buildings shrank in the distance. The crowds became smaller clusters of movement beneath the lantern light until they were eventually swallowed entirely by the dark outlines of the city streets.

Lily leaned her head lightly against the window, watching the city blur past with quiet fascination.

Ash perched on the edge of her shoulder, his small wings occasionally fluttering as he followed the shifting lights outside.

Lucy rested comfortably against the seat, a faint content smile lingering on her face.

Sophie sat beside Bruce, her presence calm and steady as the quiet hum of the mana engine filled the vehicle.

For a while none of them spoke.

The peaceful silence of a long evening settling into rest wrapped around them like a blanket.

Soon the familiar districts of their neighborhood appeared outside the window.

The energy here was completely different from the theater quarter.

Their part of the city had grown quiet.

Lanterns glowed gently outside homes, casting warm halos across the quiet streets. Several small shops were in the process of closing for the night as their owners pulled down wooden shutters and dimmed their storefront lights.

Somewhere far down the street a lone musician played a soft melody on a stringed instrument. The music drifted lightly through the cool night air, faint but beautiful, blending perfectly with the peaceful atmosphere of the neighborhood.

Eventually the mana automobile slowed.

Then it came to a gentle stop in front of the familiar iron gates of the Ackerman home.

The vehicle’s soft mana glow dimmed as the engine powered down.

Bruce stepped out first, followed by the others.

Lucy approached the gate and unlocked it with practiced ease.

The hinges opened quietly.

They walked up the short stone path together and reached the front door.

Lucy pushed it open.

Warm interior light spilled out into the night.

The moment Bruce stepped inside.

he paused.

It was subtle.

But undeniable.

Something about the house felt different.

He had visited recently, but at that time his attention had been completely focused on Lily, Lucy, and Ash. He hadn’t taken the time to properly observe the surroundings.

Now that he stood still for a moment, he could feel the change.

The space felt more open.

More refined.

The walls had been renovated with polished wood panels that reflected the warm lighting beautifully. Along the ceiling, small glowing crystals had been installed in delicate patterns, each one emitting a soft silver glow that resembled distant starlight.

The entire interior felt calmer.

More peaceful.

More… alive.

Bruce looked around slowly.

A faint smile appeared on his face.

I guess with what she’s been earning… she would’ve taken this step.

Lucy noticed his expression immediately.

“Do you like it?”

Bruce nodded slowly while observing the ceiling lights.

“You renovated.”

Lucy smiled.

“Just a little.”

Before Bruce could say anything else Lily suddenly raised her hand proudly.

“I helped pick the lights!”

Ash chirped loudly in approval from her shoulder.

Bruce chuckled softly.

“It looks good.”

They moved deeper into the house.

The warmth inside wrapped around them almost instantly after the cool night outside. The quiet familiarity of the Ackerman home settled over Bruce like a comforting memory.

Lucy soon disappeared briefly into the kitchen before returning with a small teapot and several cups.

The soft clink of porcelain filled the room as she set everything down on the living room table.

Steam began curling upward as the tea was poured.

Everyone settled comfortably around the table.

The gentle glow from the crystal lights above created a calm atmosphere that made the entire house feel like a sanctuary away from the outside world.

Lucy asked Bruce about his recent work.

Bruce answered casually while sipping his tea.

Lily, however, had already begun enthusiastically retelling her favorite moments from the movie.

“No, no, the best part was when he dodged like this!” she insisted, standing up from her seat to demonstrate her earlier reenactment again.

Ash enthusiastically joined her performance, swooping dramatically through the air.

Lucy laughed softly.

Sophie sat quietly beside Bruce, occasionally sipping her tea while listening to the conversation unfold around her.

The warmth of the room, the quiet laughter, and the simple joy of spending time together filled the house with a peaceful energy that Bruce had not felt in a very long time.

Time passed almost unnoticed.

Eventually Lily yawned.

A long sleepy stretch escaped her as she rubbed her eyes.

Bruce noticed immediately.

“Bedtime.”

Lily nodded reluctantly.

Ash fluttered onto her shoulder as Bruce stood and gently guided her toward the hallway.

They walked quietly toward her room.

But the moment Bruce stepped inside.

he stopped again.

His eyes lifted toward the ceiling.

It was transparent.

Not simple glass.

But perfectly polished crystal.

Beyond it.

the night sky stretched endlessly.

Stars shimmered across the darkness like scattered diamonds, each one glowing softly through the clear ceiling. The entire sky was visible from the bed below.

Lily gasped quietly.

“Whoa…”

Bruce smiled faintly as he sat down beside her.

Ash curled comfortably near the pillow, already preparing to sleep.

Lily lay back slowly, her eyes still fixed on the sky above.

They stared upward together.

For a while neither of them spoke.

The silence was peaceful.

Gentle.

The quiet of the night seemed to fill the entire room.

Eventually Lily spoke again, her voice softer now.

“Big brother…”

“Hmm?”

“That movie was really cool.”

Bruce’s smile deepened slightly.

“I’m glad you liked it.”

Ash gave a small sleepy chirp.

“I want to be like you big brother…” Not long after Lily said this, within minutes her breathing slowed as her eyes closed.

She had fallen asleep.

Ash followed shortly after, curling into a small warm bundle beside the pillow.

Bruce remained there for a moment longer, watching the peaceful rise and fall of Lily’s breathing.

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