Isaac followed behind Maxwell as they entered his study.
It had one desk, filled with stacks of papers, surrounding a monitor, which was turned off.
A small chandelier hung from the ceiling, and beautiful golden curtains were covering the windows.
Isaac has rarely visited this room, and it isn't a wonder that his father likes to stay here.
It was comfy with a bookshelf with easily over a hundred books and an antique couch, which looked brand new.
A carpet on the floor was made of soft fur, which made Isaac's pain around his feet get lessened because he didn't have to stand on the hard floor anymore.
Maxwell stopped in front of a painting and looked at it with a soft look.
Isaac stopped next to him and also looked at the painting, 'Are they... My grandparents?' He thought to himself, but his answers got answered by Maxwell.
''Those are your grandparents, but they might look slightly different when you meet them.'' He said.
''When was this picture taken? You look at least a few years younger in it.'' Isaac noticed that his grandparents looked older than they were supposed to be, and if the painting was taken when Maxwell was at the age as he was in the painting, they shouldn't be that old.
Maxwell wryly smiled, ''I told the painter to make me look younger... I have noticed that I am growing older, and I still want to feel youthful, even if it has to be done by small tricks like being painted as the younger version.''
''Oh...'' Isaac looked at his father's features, and he looked like he was in his early 30s, even though he is nearing his 40s.
Maxwell had enough of reminiscing and took the painting off the wall. He put it very gently on the ground, trying not to harm the painting in any way.
Isaac was surprised to see a safe and wondered what was so special hidden there and why his father told him that he didn't have to buy a new VR Helmet.
Maxwell opened the safe and took a cardboard box from there; he treated it like it was his baby, carefully doing every movement.
He turned around and put it down on the couch; he wiped his sweat and touched the cardboard box tenderly, ''This is... Yours from now on.''
''Hmm?'' Isaac furrowed his brows and pondered what was so special with the ordinary-looking cardboard box.
Maxwell smiled mysteriously after seeing Isaac's confused look.
He was about to close the safe, but then he glanced at the wooden box and saw Isaac's face with the corner of his eyes, 'This shall stay hidden for now.' He closed the safe and tapped the key code until a clinking sound came, signaling that the safe was successfully locked.
He put the painting back on the wall to cover the safe.
''Before you leave, I have something to discuss with you.'' Maxwell sat down on his office chair and turned the monitor on.
Isaac sat down next to the cardboard box and sneakily glanced at it but didn't see inside because it was tightly shut with tape.
Maxwell saw it and sneakily smiled. He started typing on the keyboard.
The calm and rhythmic sound of Maxwell's fingers tapping on the keys was heard in the study.
Isaac didn't look impatient; instead, he waited calmly while looking at the opposite side of the room, where the bookshelf was located.
''Alright, son.'' Maxwell turned the monitor to face Isaac, and he could finally see what it was about.
The monitor showed a picture of two individuals, one had black hair, and the other one had white hair.
The picture was poorly taken, and could barely see the facial features of two, but it was clear that the white-haired one had very exquisite-looking facial features, even though they weren't that clear.
The comment section underneath the picture was bustling; many asked who were they, and even more asked why was the picture so popular.
But then, one of the comments said those two were the ones who got First Clear of Duo Dungeon Stronglord, which caused the forum to skyrocket in fame.
Maxwell tapped the wooden desk and said, ''Is it you?''
Isaac scratched his head and recognized him and Darth with ease, ''Yes.''
''You got First Clear?'' He asked and crossed his fingers.
Isaac nodded, ''Yes...''
Maxwell turned the monitor around and scrolled down the comments, and chuckled, ''I am proud of you, but with fame comes pressure.''
''Pressure?'' Isaac frowned.
''Yes, you are classified as a pro player from now on, and everyone will be on the lookout for a player called Wraith.'' Maxwell saw the comments, which told about the names of those individuals, and it wasn't surprising that his son, Isaac received most of the attention.
His white hair screamed to be looked at, while Darth looked low-key.
''Be careful, son,'' Maxwell said seriously and turned off the monitor.
Isaac sighed and nodded, ''Yes, I might not look like it... But, I can take care of myself.'' He said with a serious tone, which told everyone that he didn't want to be treated as a kid, no more.
Maxwell smiled and stood up from his chair to give Isaac a proper pat on the shoulder, ''I know, son. Your mother and sister might be overprotective, and even I might seem like one, but I have always known that you didn't need our protection. You are entering your adulthood, and from now on, you have to prove to everyone that you will be fine by yourself... Especially towards your mother and your sister.''
Isaac stood up and hugged his father, who was surprised to receive a sudden hug.
''Father, thank you.'' Isaac stopped hugging and grabbed the cardboard box, ''I will become the person you and I can be proud of.''
Maxwell smiled, ''I know...'' He watched as Isaac left his study, 'His future is far from simple... In the future... He might be a person... Who is shrouded in mystery.'
He opened the curtains slightly and looked at the sky, where snowflakes were about to fall, ''Snowflakes....''
This content is taken from fr(e)ewebn(o)vel.𝓬𝓸𝓶