Insect Tamer's Ascension-Chapter 367.Cedric’s surprise: not the only aura user anymore

Chapter 367: 367.Cedric’s surprise: not the only aura user anymore

"Look who has finally returned," a large man spoke with a grin that was similar to many others in the family.

When Theo saw him, he quickly brisked toward him, offering him an elbow tap, only for the man to pull him into a crushing bear hug instead.

"I MISSED YOU, LITTLE BROTHER!" Lucien shouted, squeezing Theo tightly in his embrace.

Theo stiffened his muscles instinctively, prompting a whistle from Lucien.

"Did Father put you through that hellish training too?" Lucien asked, pity flashing across his face instead of feeling proud and happy now that his brother was jacked.

Theo just nodded, trying his best not to get squeezed.

’I am surprised by how fast the ants are moving all around my body, Ant Queen. Are you giving them the orders, or are they acting on their own?’ Theo asked through their bond.

All the ants had already shifted their position, swarming around his trousers instead of his abdomen, which was currently getting squeezed.

Not a single ant had died, which was quite surprising, to say the least.

The ant queen responded with a simple explanation that it now had to only give one order and they just did everything on their own after it.

"KYAAA!"

As soon as Elara, the eldest daughter, stepped closer, she screamed at the top of her lungs. The baron sighed while the baroness chuckled softly. That was the expected reaction after noticing the ants.

Lucien quickly set Theo down and followed Elara’s gaze. When his gaze landed on Theo’s trousers, a shiver ran down his spine too.

"This... did I kill any of them by mistake, Theo?" Lucien asked, scratching the back of his head.

"And is it even safe to touch them?" he added right away, making Theo nod with a small chuckle.

"It’s been a long time, elder brother, elder sister." Theo spoke and bowed respectfully, surprising them both.

"And my apologies for placing you all in such a dangerous situation. I cannot tell you how grateful I am to each of you." He kept speaking with his head down.

The baron rested a hand over his wife’s shoulders, and the baroness leaned gently against his chest. They watched the interaction between their children with warm, infectious smiles on their faces.

Lucein glanced at the baron, then back at Theo, before placing a gentle hand on his head.

"You have matured a lot," he said, crouching slightly.

"As for me, I am simply grateful to the benevolent artifact that you and Father have returned safely."

He added as his eyes slowly drifted to Theo’s abdomen, specifically to a hole in his armor.

He placed a hand over it and then looked at Theo, concern filling his eyes. For an armor to be punctured despite being crafted from the scales of a lesser dragon and that too in the abdomen...

"What do you mean ’me’, Lucien?" Elara stepped forward and smacked Lucien on the back of his head before turning her attention back to Theo.

"We all are grateful that you and Father returned safely, Theo," she said, then turned toward the baron, a small and relieved smile on her face.

The baron returned it warmly.

"Alright! Since we are back safely and there’s so much to discuss with everyone, let’s hold a feast tonight!" the baron roared, raising both his hands.

The baroness’s gaze immediately drifted to his abdomen, and seeing him walk without any discomfort and finding no sign of his injury worsening, she finally allowed herself to relax.

Everyone in the hall erupted in cheers and approval.

That was when Theo noticed someone standing near the study room’s entrance.

Cedric.

He stared at Theo with undisguised shock, every emotion written plainly on his face.

"It’s great to see you again, Big Brother Cedric," Theo said with a smile. But Cedric looked so stunned right now, as if he couldn’t believe Theo was alive, which Theo himself found confusing.

"You have sensed it correctly, Cedric," the baron said with a proud grin on his face. Everyone could sense the pride in those words.

Cedric looked at Theo, his shock only growing more.

"Congratulations are in order, Theo. You’re the second heir in the family to attain an aura," Cedric said as he stepped closer, the shock still lingering in his expression.

"Thank you," Theo replied right away, bowing his head to show respect to his elder. Still, he couldn’t help but feel weird. Cedric had never approached him this close before.

Then something even more surprising happened, something that nearly brought tears back to the baroness’s eyes.

Cedric placed a hand on Theo’s shoulder and muttered, "I didn’t know you could achieve it too, Theo. I am proud to have you as my brother."

Theo grew even more confused.

The baron merely shook his head, looking almost as if he were cringing right now, while the others just watched the interaction with mixed emotions.

"Aura? You have already attained aura, Theo?" Lucien asked.

Theo nodded.

Elara just glanced at Lucien, something unknown flickering in her eyes, before stepping forward to offer her congratulations as well.

But at the same time, Theo couldn’t help but feel that neither Lucien nor Elara were truly happy for him to get aura at such a young age.

’They might feel like I am stealing all their spotlight... which makes sense. But Brother Cedric’s reaction? It just creeped me...’ Theo thought and looked back.

"Are the other elder brothers and sisters not going to see me?" Theo asked, only for the baroness to shake her head gently.

"They have been sent to your grandfather’s place until the situation is resolved, Theo," the baroness explained.

Theo nodded. It made sense. The younger siblings didn’t need to witness things become like this.

As for the elder ones, they hadn’t gone because someone needed to help manage the barony while the baron was away.

"Well, except Bram; he is still attending the Runesmith Academy. And he is also making something for you, Theo," the baroness added with a smile.

Theo’s curiosity sparked immediately, and he nodded in anticipation.

"For now, all of you should go and rest," the baron said firmly. "We will all gather properly again at the dinner. But I will still announce one thing..."

He paused, his voice steady and resolute.

"Everything will be over soon enough; things will return to normal soon. So look forward to it."