Airlis’s cheeks were puffed out—the kind of upset that couldn’t be easily soothed. She felt like she couldn’t beat Sophia in a fight or an argument today, so she angrily pushed her out of the room.
“You said bad things about Mom just now. Watch out, she might come find you in your sleep tonight!”
With that, the door slammed shut with a loud *bang*. It was Airlis’s final word on the matter.
It had to be said—Sophia’s comment about her cursing sounding like she was acting spoiled didn’t do much physical damage, but it was incredibly insulting.
They each ate dinner and washed up for bed. From the moment they entered their respective rooms, neither said a single word to the other.
Whatever. It was better to sleep early and keep the peace.
The sisters drifted off into a daze, but neither slept soundly.
“Wake up, my children.”
A gentle murmur woke the Omnia sisters. Airlis and Sophia snapped their eyes open, finding themselves in that familiar place once more.
It was the same vast, endless white space.
However, unlike before, a garden filled with lilies of the valley and forget-me-nots stood ahead of them. A mature woman, who looked remarkably like Airlis, sat in a chair, leisurely sipping black tea.
Airlis really did have a prophetic mouth. Her words had manifested into reality.
Mom really had come for them!
Previously, Airlis’s memory of her mother was always like a low-resolution video, but this time, it was finally in 4K ultra-high definition.
The two sisters followed the garden path until they reached Felicita’s side.
“Is it… is it really you, Mother?” Airlis spoke first, her voice tinged with disbelief.
“That’s right, Airlis. It’s your one and only mama, Felicita Omnia,” their mother said with a tender smile. The moment that smile appeared, it felt as though it could melt the coldest snow.
“It’s all thanks to you, little Airlis. You healed so many suffering miners, and I received a massive amount of Faith from them. That’s why I’m able to meet you both today.”
Airlis felt the same way. The last time she had experienced that obvious surge in Faith, her own strength seemed to increase. Indeed, after helping those miners, her level increased by 2, reaching Level 47.
Regardless of what the world thought of her mother, her skills and achievements as the Grand Priestess were undeniable. Many books Airlis had read focused heavily on that side of her. The Gods could never be compared to the Demons.
In fact, over the past few years, Felicita had watched everything since the personalities of Ai Lei and Airlis fused, though she was unaware of who Ai Lei was. The Airlis of today was someone she had to view with entirely new eyes.
“This is wonderful. I can finally see you clearly, Mom… Thank the Goddess!” Having never truly experienced maternal love in her past life, Airlis was inwardly dancing with joy at the chance to see and speak with her mother.
“I am very satisfied with the current Airlis. Sooner or later, you will inherit my legacy. Come here, my two children. Sit and have some tea.” With a faint smile, their mother gestured for them to sit.
A moment later, Felicita reached out and grabbed Airlis.
“Come, Airlis. Sit on Mama’s lap.”
?!
“Um… it’s okay, Mom. I’ll just lean against you…”
“That won’t do. Do you want to sit over there like we’re in a meeting? Mama hasn’t held you in such a long, long time. Come here and let me hug you.”
Felicita radiated an overwhelming maternal glow. Her words were filled with such gentleness and doting affection that Airlis couldn’t resist. She did as she was told, and the moment she sat on her mother’s slender legs, she was pulled into a firm embrace from behind.
“Over these years… you and Sophia… it must have been so hard for you both.”
Their mother’s voice choked up. As a mother, being unable to watch her children grow was a debt she would feel for the rest of her life.
But a mother’s love is strong. In this moment of reunion, she couldn’t let her daughters worry. In a split second, she adjusted her mindset before they could notice.
As members of the Omnia God Race, they were destined to carry heavy burdens, but Felicita wished so deeply that her daughters could enjoy more freedom and have happiness of their own.
She hoped the Faith she held now would last just a little longer, allowing her to stay with them for a few more minutes. Just a little longer.
—
After she had finished doting on Airlis, their mother let her return to her seat.
“Little Sophia, the last time I found you, I told you I’d contact you the following night. You ended up staying awake the whole night to avoid me. Care to explain why?” Her tone shifted instantly when she turned to Sophia.
“It… it was nothing! Mom, I just wasn’t sleepy that night! I slept plenty during the day!” Sophia was talking nonsense; she had simply been trying to hide from Felicita.
“Then let’s talk about your recent meeting. You dared to lie and say Dussel was your father? To slander me like that? I think you really need a lesson in discipline,” Felicita said with a hint of bashful annoyance.
Specks of light flickered between Felicita’s fingers. Several threads of light instantly bound Sophia’s hands behind her back. Then, with a gentle swipe of her hand over Sophia’s mouth, the girl could only produce muffled sounds.
She then pulled Sophia across her lap. Keeping her strength in check, she began to spank her.
*Slap! Slap!*
Time passed slowly.
“Little Sophia, do you know what you did wrong yet?” Felicita asked with a terrifyingly kind smile. After she stopped, she swiped her hand over Sophia’s mouth, allowing her to speak again.
“You old hag, let me go! I’ll say whatever I want about you! Don’t think I’m afraid of you!” Sophia actually had the nerve to bark back at her mother.
‘It’s over! Sophia, how do you have the nerve? Don’t be so stubborn…’
Their mother’s kind smile darkened instantly, and several veins popped on her forehead.
She produced a wooden ruler from somewhere and swiped Sophia’s mouth again. Sophia was muted once more!
This time, their mother was truly angry. She had been holding back before, but now she was going to give Sophia a real education.
‘I wonder if Sophia’s going to be broken? Pfft,’ Airlis thought to herself.
“Airlis, this is the light magic [Binding Light]. I’ll teach it to you later. Remember to use it to help me discipline Sophia when necessary.”
?!
The light vanished from Sophia’s eyes, while Airlis’s eyes sparkled.
*Slap! Slap! Slap!*
Under the continuous education, Sophia finally broke. Large tears fell from her pretty face, and she could only let out pitiful whimpers.
“Do you know your mistake now, little Sophia?” her mother asked again, giving Sophia back her voice.
Sophia begged piteously, “I was wrong! Stop hitting me, stop! Mom! I’m really, really sorry!”
Seeing Sophia’s sincere apology, Felicita’s home education session finally came to an end.
Felicita released [Binding Light], and Sophia immediately scrambled up, hobbling back to Airlis’s side.
She stood with her back to Felicita, clutching her rear with both hands. Her cheeks were puffed out in anger, and she refused to say a word.
Witnessing the whole scene, Airlis became a total spectator of the chaos. She covered her mouth, her body trembling with silent laughter. She nearly spat out the tea she had just drunk.
This was the first time she had seen Sophia take such a massive loss.
How delightful! Sophia definitely needed Mom to keep her in line!