Wizard: Starting from the Skill Tree-Chapter 484: Change

"It’s good to have you back, it’s good to have you back..." Earl Hardy embraced his daughter tightly, his voice choked with emotion. He gently patted Vivian’s back, repeating the phrase over and over. Heaven knows how much he worried about his daughter who had ventured to the mysterious West Coast over these years.

Earl Hardy had never been to the West Coast, but during the time he worked with Grace, he had gained some understanding of the dangers in the wizard world.

He knew it was no paradise, but a place full of dangers.

Moments later, Earl Hardy lifted his head, his gaze passing over Vivian’s shoulder to fall upon Duke, who stood quietly nearby with a gentle smile on his face.

His eyes grew exceptionally complex, containing relief, emotion, and an indescribable astonishment.

Earl Hardy had long understood Duke’s situation through Vivian’s letters.

He never expected that the little knight back then would possess such outstanding talent in the path of the wizard, even surpassing Vivian by a great deal.

"Duke..." Earl Hardy’s voice was hoarse with a barely noticeable seriousness, "Welcome home."

Duke stepped forward a few steps, slightly bowed, and paid his respects as a junior, maintaining a humble attitude without any trace of arrogance despite the immense transformation in his own power: "My lord Earl!"

"Father, how is your health now?" Vivian asked with concern, simultaneously probing Earl Hardy’s condition with her spiritual power.

"Old and worn out. Old wounds have been recurring over the past few years, and my energy is not what it used to be. But seeing you both return safely, I am satisfied. I didn’t think I would have the chance to wait for this day..." His words carried the loneliness of a hero in twilight.

As a lord, he was well aware that his health condition was affecting the stability of his land, and the neighboring territories were perhaps not hesitant to eye his weakness.

The arrival of the Storm Dragon Eagle in Fengqiu City caused massive commotion, but the joy of Duke and Vivian’s return quickly dispelled the initial panic.

This panic soon transformed into a sense of security and pride among the people of the territory. Once they knew such a terrifying and colossal demon belonged to Earl Hardy, their feelings changed.

They were initially very afraid of the Storm Dragon Eagle, but now they only found it impressive and majestic. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Earl Hardy ordered a grand welcome ball to be held that night at Habs Manor, intending to let the entire Maple Hill County and all the powers interested in this place know that his daughter and Duke had returned.

As night fell, Habs Manor was brightly lit, and guests swarmed like clouds.

Nobles, officials, and wealthy merchants with influence in the Jade Province were almost all present; everyone wanted to see the legendary owner of the Storm Dragon Eagle and get close to the mysterious Duke and the supposedly Great Knight, Miss Vivian.

In the ballroom, the air was filled with elegant fragrances, and wine glasses clinked incessantly.

Duke and Vivian were undoubtedly the focal points of the venue. Duke, in a perfectly tailored dark suit, exuded a calm and reserved aura that stood in stark contrast to the bustling and flamboyant atmosphere of the nobility around him. Yet somehow, he seemed like an invisible vortex, drawing everyone’s gaze and whispers.

Vivian was bright and beautiful, holding Duke’s arm, her occasional smiles exuding her unique heroism and confidence.

Just as the ball’s atmosphere reached its peak, a figure cut through the crowd and walked straight towards Duke and Vivian.

He was tall and upright, wearing a crisp knight’s dress, exhibiting a touch of steadiness and competence between his brows, making him look completely different from the frivolous young noble he used to be a few years ago.

"Duke, Vivian." The newcomer raised his glass, his voice steady with a sincere smile, "Welcome home."

"Rein!" Vivian exclaimed in surprise, looking him up and down in disbelief, "You... have changed so much."

Duke also smiled and raised his glass in response: "Rein, long time no see."

His perceptiveness was keen, and with one glance, he discerned that Rein was now brimming with refined energy and strong vitality, having broken through that threshold to become a true knight.

Moreover, the air about him, stripped of frivolity after taking on responsibilities, was a stark contrast to a few years ago.

Rein smiled, his expression carrying a touch of sentiment and maturity: "People have to grow up after all. Father’s health has been poor these past few years, with countless trivial matters both inside and outside the territory. As his son, I couldn’t continue to while away."

His words were plain, but Duke and Vivian could hear the weight behind them.

Several years back, there were capable heirs among Earl Hardy’s children, openly and secretly contending for succession, while Rein, then of average talent and only focused on enjoyment, was almost excluded.

Unexpectedly, during those years when Earl Hardy was ailing and external pressure mounting, this eldest son, once the least expected to succeed, shouldered the responsibility instead.

Besides making rapid progress in strength, Rein had practically taken over significant land management affairs, becoming an indispensable assistant to Earl Hardy and was tacitly acknowledged as the future successor.

Naturally, Earl Hardy’s other children had some objections, but with the Earl present, they could only accept this reality.

No one could have imagined that the once wayward Rein would become the land’s future inheritor.

During a break in the ball, Earl Hardy left early, citing health reasons, but signaled Duke, Vivian, and Rein to follow him to the study.

Inside the study, the heavy oak door isolated them from the outside clamor.

Earl Hardy shed the facade he maintained before others, sitting wearily in an armchair by the fireplace, coughing a few times. His face appeared somewhat pale, reflected in the flickering firelight.

"Father, your health..." Vivian worriedly stepped forward.

Earl Hardy waved his hand and looked at Duke, his eyes filled with relief and a slight, barely discernible expectation: "Old with lingering injuries, I’m no match for you youngsters. Duke, it makes me very happy to have you back. Seeing that Rein can now stand on his own, I’m also a bit more at ease."

Rein stood by silently, pouring a cup of warm water for his father, his gaze filled with concern.

Duke looked at the somewhat weary old man before him, then at the noticeably mature and responsible Rein, understanding in his heart.

He no longer hesitated and with a wave of his hand, a pile of items appeared on the thick desk before them.

Tears of the Deep-sea Mermaid, Thousand-year-old Stone Milk, among other things, as well as the Life Dew Duke obtained after diluting the Spring of Life. The array of bewitching items stunned everyone.

Vivian was similarly astounded, not just because of what she herself had prepared, but also because of the items Grace had prepared for Earl Hardy, clearly showing her favorable impression of the young Hardy she had once accompanied.