"Sigh..."
"In the end, Chris won again today!"
"Even though they have the same father and he's a boy himself, Darwin loses to Chris in every single aspect..."
From childhood to now, every time the siblings fought, Darwin was crushed by Chris with an absolute advantage.
If one could explain this difference in physical fitness with reasons like "influence from the mother" or "girls maturing earlier," such reasons became completely untenable when it came to "studies."
When the two children were very young, Weston gave them enlightenment education.
He thought that his and Mavis's children would surely be top students with extraordinary innate talent—the kind with the potential to participate in the National Mathematical Olympiad from a young age. Who knew the results would leave him wide-eyed with shock—
Whether it was numerical calculations or language and literacy, Darwin was no match for Chris!
This outcome made Weston a bit unable to hold it together.
Was it possible for two smart people to give birth to a child who was a dummy?
Weston knew it was possible, but in his heart, he was unwilling to see such a thing happen...
Fortunately, after a series of tests, Weston discovered it wasn't that Darwin was too dull, but rather that Chris was far too much of a genius!
In fact, compared to other people's children (yes, specifically Makarov), Darwin was already quite intelligent.
After reaching this conclusion, Weston finally felt at ease.
"Don't lose heart, Darwin!"
"Although the strawberry cake is gone, Uncle can treat you to a drink!"
"Hey! If Mavis finds out, you're going to get lectured pretty badly!"
"Just don't let her know... Hurry, hurry, you fellow, where are the drinks and roast chicken you just lost to me? Bring them out quickly!"
"I get it already..."
Just when everyone thought today's farce would end like usual with Chris's "successful prank"...
The aura on Darwin's body suddenly underwent a massive change!
"Chris!!!"
BOOM—!!
Accompanied by a loud shout, a surging surge of magical power erupted from within Darwin's body!
The turbulent magic instantly formed a gale, overturning seven or eight nearby tables; people and food alike were sent flying high toward the ceiling.
The wizards who were originally just watching the fun were all startled at once.
Chris, who was chewing on cake, also froze in place. Her stuffed mouth forgot to chew for a moment, and her two eyes widened significantly.
Everyone stared blankly at the Darwin who was undergoing a massive transformation.
"What's the situation?!"
"Look, everyone! It seems like an incredible change is happening to that kid!"
"Who among you... quickly go call the Guild Master and Mavis over!"
"Ah? Oh, I'm going right now!!"
"Honestly, is the offspring of a genius really a genius too? At such a young age..."
"Mr. Reiya, could this situation be the legendary..."
"Yeah, that's right!"
"This kid... has awakened his magic!"
Ten minutes later.
Having received the news, Weston, Mavis, Zera, as well as Irene, the mother-daughter duo of Erza, the Yuri family, Precht, Warrod, and many other companions arrived at the guild one after another.
The moment he arrived at the guild, Weston pulled Darwin down to sit and check his body.
The others crowded around, not daring to take a single loud breath, waiting tensely for Weston's examination results.
Sitting in the front row, Erza asked the guild members nervously, "Is Darwin sick? Is it serious?"
Irene rubbed her daughter's head and comforted her, "It's not that! Don't worry, you'll find out in a moment."
Chris had already wiped her face clean and was also sitting quietly nearby, but her gaze was fixed on the ceiling, her mind having long since wandered off.
Before long.
Weston finished the examination and let out a long sigh of relief, followed by an excited smile blooming on his face: "That's right, he has awakened his magic!!"
As soon as these words were spoken, deafening cheers erupted in the guild.
"OOOOOHHH!!!"
"So wonderful! Awakening magic at the age of 7—that's definitely a genius!!"
"Congratulations, Darwin!!"
Joey, who had already become one of the guild's main combat forces, excitedly came to Darwin's side and slapped his shoulder hard: "Ever since you snatched the lead by being born three days earlier back then, today you've finally gotten ahead of Chris once again!!"
Hearing this, everyone burst into laughter: "Hahaha... Joey, you guy are really mean enough! Do you have to poke him where it hurts right when Darwin is happy?"
"Remarkable, Darwin!"
Weston skillfully placed his hand on his son's head and said with a smile, "Awakening magic at such a young age, you will definitely become a remarkable wizard just like your father in the future!"
"Really?!"
"Of course!"
Receiving affirmation from his father, Darwin was so excited his blood was pumping and his eyes shone; he was almost on the verge of going "waku waku" on the spot.
"I say, aren't you giving him too much pressure?"
Mavis reached out both hands toward Darwin and gave her child a loving hug: "Darwin doesn't need to become anyone remarkable; he just needs to grow up healthy and free!"
"That's not it!"
Darwin enjoyed the warmth in his mother's embrace for a second before forcefully breaking free from Mavis's restraint, jumping onto a table and shouting: "I am a brave man; in the future, I will naturally become stronger than anyone else. Only then can I protect Mama, protect Erza, as well as Auntie Zera, Chris, and my guild companions!"
As he spoke, his small eyes boldly yet quietly glanced at Erza beside him, as if showing off, as if proving his worth.
Seeing this, a blush immediately rose on Erza's face, but she didn't lower her head; instead, she boldly met his gaze, looking back at Darwin with a chuckle.
The surrounding adults took in this scene. While shouting and clapping for Darwin's "grand declaration," they also showed suggestive smiles and began to tease him.
"Well said, Darwin!!"
"That's exactly what a man should do!!"
"Cocky kid, ranking Erza so far forward—your thoughts are completely exposed!"
"This kid is just like his old man was when he was little! I don't mean his personality; I mean other aspects, you guys understand..."
"Hahaha... We understand, we understand. We're all adults; we completely know what you're talking about!"
Several wizards from Tenrou Island looked at each other and smiled, clinking their glasses in the air.
As a mouthful of liquor went down their throats, it felt three shades sweeter than usual.
Irene, sitting next to Erza, also took in the little interactions between the two children. She raised an eyebrow, turned to look at Weston with narrowed eyes and a slight curl of her lips, her expression carrying a hint of a cold smile.
"Master Guild Master, you've taught your son very well!"
"Uh... Is... is that so? Hahaha..."
Weston guiltily looked away.