The moment they returned to the pavilion, Lian and Wei also quickly returned.
Ken with a flick of his hand—
Seals activated.
The doors shut tightly.
A shimmering barrier rose around the entire pavilion.
Layer after layer locking into place.
Alexander blinked.
"What's going on?"
No one answered.
Ken ushered everyone inside quickly.
"To the dining room. Now!"
Aunt Jane didn't ask a question.
She immediately brought out drinks and snacks, setting everything down before sitting beside him.
Ken took a deep breath and began explaining.
At first, she smiled as she was impressed.
"Winning all those duels… and even learning the Chen family palm strike?"
"That's incredible."
But then Ken mentioned it.
The magical pressure.
Her expression froze, and she stared at Alexander.
The room was silent.
Alexander frowned.
Lian and Wei exchanged confused looks.
"Okay," Alexander said slowly.
"Now that Aunt Jane's caught up…"
"What's actually going on?"
"Why did we rush back? I still have plenty of energy to duel more."
Ken rubbed his temple with his right hand.
After a few minutes of silence, he exhaled slowly.
"What you did… is not normal."
Alexander tilted his head, confused.
Ken continued.
"During your duels… I noticed it but didn't think much of it. Until the last fight."
"What you did in your last fight takes years to learn."
"Not everyone could do what you did during the last fight."
Alexander blinked.
"Really?"
He scratched his head.
"Isn't it just a basic technique?"
"I figured it out pretty fast."
He looked at Ken and Jane.
"Is it really that hard to learn?"
Ken just stared at him, completely speechless.
Alexander saw his look and laughed.
"I can even teach Lian and Wei."
Before Ken could respond—
Lian grabbed Alexander's arm.
"Teach me."
And dragged him outside.
Wei rushed after them immediately.
Ken and Jane followed them slowly.
Whispering to each other.
They didn't interrupt.
They just watched.
In their backyard, off to the side was a private training yard.
Alexander stood in front of them.
Thinking for a moment and began.
"I'm calling it Magic Pressure."
He shrugged.
"Your dad probably has a proper name for it."
"We can ask later."
Lian nodded eagerly.
Alexander continued,
"The Chen family style, from what I have seen and observed, is about control of their magic."
"Not just raw magic but control over magic."
Lian nodded in agreement.
"That's right. At a young age, we learn control over power. We first learn how to control our magic, and then we learn how to make our magic stronger."
Alexander nodded and drew out his wand.
"In the West, we channel magic through wands."
He put away his wand and raised his palm.
"And here you focus it through your body."
Magic gathered in his hand.
Visible and condensed.
"During the due,l I started thinking."
"What if I didn't limit it to my palm?"
"What if I spread it throughout my whole body?"
He slowly and carefully began spreading magic throughout his body.
From his palms, up his arms, across his shoulders, until his entire body was wrapped in it.
"I know that by covering your body with magic, uses a lot of magic. During the duels, I tested it. I only noticed that it didn't increase my speed or power."
"Next, I thought what if I could project the magic outwards and use it to pressure my opponents."
The air shifted as the magic started to go outwards from his body.
Pressure slowly built, subtle at first, then became heavier.
Wei stiffened, struggling to stand straight.
Lian was fine and was watching every detail.
Alexander increased it more and more.
And stopped when he noticed Wei was on one knee and breathing hard.
Alexander smiled and asked.
"Do you want to learn?"
"I'll guide you, but remember this is my version and experience."
"Once I learn the real method, I'll improve it and teach you."
Both of them nodded eagerly.
Alexander began to demonstrate and explain at the same time.
Lian was calm and focused.
She followed his instructions carefully.
Magic gathered at her palm and slowly moved to her arms.
The magic spread slowly.
Not perfect, but controlled.
Her magic reached both arms, and she stopped.
She is breathing heavily.
Exhausted, but smiling.
"I did it…"
Wei stepped forward next.
The magic on his palm was stable, but as he moved up his arms, it became more unstable.
Magic flickered and barely reached his forearms.
He gritted his teeth, struggling and forcing his magic.
Alexander stepped in.
"Stop! Remember, don't force it but guide it."
He demonstrated again, and Wei tried again.
Alexander was patient and guided Wei until his magic reached his elbows and sat down to recover.
Afterwards, he took turns teaching Lian and Wei.
From a distance, Aunt Jane smacked Ken's arm.
"Why didn't you tell me you taught him the Chen family palm strike?!"
Ken rubbed his arm.
"I didn't!"
"I only went to visit John and his family!"
"Knowing John and Eleanor, they wouldn't teach Alex either!"
Jane narrowed her eyes.
"Then how—?!"
Ken exhaled.
"He learned it while dueling."
"That is what he said."
Jane froze.
"…What? How is that possible?! Was he lying?!"
Ken shook his head.
"He really did learn it while fighting."
"Took him a hundred duels to understand it."
"He fought like an idiot at first, but after another hundred to fight. He could use it properly."
Jane stared at Alexander.
"Did you know he was this talented?"
Ken didn't hesitate.
"Yes."
"That's why I brought him here."
"I even spoke to Grandpa."
Jane went completely still and shouted.
"You what?!"
Ken's voice lowered.
"Lower your voice. Grandpa needed to know."
Jane swallowed.
Their Grandpa is one of the oldest living elders.
A man whose words could reshape the entire clan.
"What did he say?"
Ken hesitated at first but spoke slowly.
"If Alex could impress all the Elders and pass their test…"
"John and Eleanor could be accepted back into the family."
Jane's eyes widened.
"Really?! But what about Alex?"
She was happy but had a look of concern.
Ken looked at Alexander in the distance.
"He would be treated as an heir and could potentially become the next Clan Head."
Jane whispered,
"That would cause conflict."
Ken nodded.
"It will, but Grandpa said—"
Suddenly, a surge of magic pressure hit them.
Both of them snapped their heads toward the yard.
It wasn't Alexander.
His magic was stable and calm.
He exerted his own magic pressure to protect himself and Wei.
The source of the out magic was Lian.
She stood there with magic flowing through her body.
Unstable, but the magic was projecting out of her body.
Resulting in the air around her trembling.
Alexander burst out laughing.
"Lian—stop!"
"You're going to kill your brother!"
Lian blinked and looked down.
"…Oh."
Wei was barely moving.
She laughed and immediately stopped.
Alexander released his pressure as well.
Even though he exerted his own magic pressure to protect himself and Wei.
Lian's magic pressure still affected him.
Wei gasped, then jumped up.
"CAN YOU WARN ME NEXT TIME?!"
He pointed at Lian.
"You kept increasing it on purpose!"
"I thought I was dying!"
He paced angrily and suddenly stopped.
"…Wait."
He turned to her.
"How did you do that?!"
"It's only been—what—less than an hour?!"
Lian looked at the sky.
The sun had barely moved.
"I just followed what Alex said."
Then she grinned.
"Am I awesome or what?!"
Wei groaned.
"It felt like death! But it was very strong!"
Lian smiled proudly.
"I am a genius of the Chen family after all!"
Alexander laughed.
"Good job. Remember the feeling. Lian, your magic pressure is still unstable. Do not use it during a duel."
While they were chatting, Jane hit her husband Ken again.
"Did you teach him Aura?! Why can our daughter use it too?!"
Ken rubbed his sore arm and said.
"He also learned it during the duel. I haven't mentioned the word Aura to him. You know that it is forbidden to spread that knowledge around. We should just be happy that he is teaching them and not breaking the rules."
Jane nodded in agreement. The Chen rules are not something one should break easily, as the punishment is severe.
"Did he really learn it during the duels?" Jane asked.
Ken nodded.
"He really learned it during the duels. I was watching, and he slowly learned it on his own. The reason I ended the duels early was that he could have killed someone if he couldn't control it."
Jane nodded in agreement again.
Ken was waiting for her to ask another question, but since she didn't, he walked toward the kids.
When Ken got near, he said.
"That's enough for today. Remember everything that Alex has taught you today can't be taught to anyone else! Otherwise, you will be breaking the Chen family rules!"
Seeing how serious their dad was and hearing Chen's family rules, both of them nodded quickly.
Alexander was confused and was about to ask when Ken said.
"All of you go wash up."
"Dinner will be ready in an hour."
Lian and Wei quickly bowed toward Alexander.
"Thank you!" They ran off.
Ken turned to Alexander and laughed.
"Go shower and change your clothes. You stink!"
"Your house elf knows the way."
Alexander smiled.
"Got it."
Lisa appeared beside him instantly.
"Right this way, Young Master."
As Alexander walked back toward his pavilion.
He stretched slightly as a small smile formed.
This place is getting more interesting by the minute.