Alex and Sera continued to chat until they arrived in front of Smith's store. The old man could be seen outside smoking, and when he saw them coming, he glanced in their way, his eyes slightly widened for a moment when he saw the handsome young man beside his daughter, he chuckled. Smith then glanced at his daughter who was happily chatting with the handsome youth like they were close friends.
Smith was astonished, his daughter wasn't this careless, they must be a story behind her behavior. He decided to tease her and at the same time gauge the youth's reaction.
''Dad, I'm home.. How was your evening?" Sera asked.
''Boring, so decided to smoke outside. I thought you said you were going to be alone. Where this brat come from? Is he you man?'' Smith asked.
Sera smiled bitterly before glancing at Alex who was playing the stranger. Her father did not seem to recognize Alex after the change he went through.
Before Sera could open her mouth and explain, her father asked.
''Poor lad. He didn't stand a chance against this youth who you seem to appreciate well. How unfortunate I was vouching for that lad, to think you won't give him a chance.'' Why saying that Smith glanced at the young man (Alex) from the corner of his eyes.
Sera's face contorted as she asked her father.
''Who are you talking about?"
''I'm talking about that lad Alex. I would have preferred him to this flashy young man. And I thought you also appreciated him.'' Smith said, showing a displeased face.
Alex's face twitched being called flashy while Sera want to find a hole and hide in, never allow this rascal, or else he would use to take advantage of her.
''Dad stops it, I never said that.''
''No, you did,'' Smith said refuting his daughter.
''Tell me when then?" Sera asked.
Alex on the other hand couldn't help but chuckle, him chuckling didn't go unnoticed. Smith observed him and for a moment Alex like he was a piece of ingot ready to be sharpened. He couldn't help but gulp.
''Young man. At least greet me or I'll never allow you to date, my daughter.''
Alex advanced before slightly bowing his head, ''My apologies father in law, I'll be more prudent from now on.''
Smith nodded his head before correcting Alex, ''It's good that you understand, however, I'm not your father in law. Only Alex has the right to call me that.''
Sera facepalmed, ''Dad please stop it. Say no more.''
''What? Are you dissatisfied with what I'm saying? I'm not going to change it, though. Only Alex has the right to call me like that.'' Smith said stubbornly.
Sera could not help but smile bitterly while thinking, 'You have gone and done it. You said what that asshole wants to hear the most. Dammit dad, you are selling your daughter away.'
Glancing in Alex's direction Sera saw him grinning as if he had won a jackpot.
Finally, Smith noticed the young man's face not changing after all he had said. He put on a surprised expression and he asked, ''Young man why are smiling for? Or do you perhaps think I'm joking?"
''Not all,'' Alex answered while still maintaining his smile.
''And why are still smiling for? Or are you perhaps that confident in getting my daughter even without my approval?" Smith asked acting perplexed.
''Not all. I'm just happy that you acknowledge me as your son in law. I'm pretty happy.'' Alex said.
Smith's face changed, ''Since when?"
''It's my father in law. It's me, Alex.''
"What? You are Alex?" Smith asked disbelief written over his face. His reaction was a little bit exaggerated.
''Yes, it's me father in law.'' Alex nodded his head.
'Can you stop answering every time with father in law?' Sera almost shouted, still she held herself back because she knew the rascal will come up with another way to take advantage of her.
Meanwhile, Smith approached Alex, he then observed him from head to toe as if confirm something, staring into his green eyes he knew Alex was not lying. It was him.
''What happened?" Smith asked not hiding his curiosity at all.
Smiling Alex explained, however, his explanation almost made the two fell face first.
''Oh! Nothing serious. I went into seclusion to shed my mortal hood. Sigh! It was a tough task, I almost failed, thankfully I'm now here.''
〖So you are a God now?〗Silveria asked amused.
'Shut up and lets the adults do the talking here.' Alex said.
In the meantime Sera and her father were doing their best to not slap Alex in the face, to think he would come up with an excuse so lame. Better say I'm not talking about it.
''So, you are now a God? That's good then. As God now can I ask you a favor?" Smith asked doing his best not to laugh. He decided to play along.
'Dad you shouldn't have said that. He will use it to his advantage.' Sera shouted this in her head.
''Ask what thou want. This God will help thou.'' Alex said.
'And now he started talking like some old man from the Lost Era.' Sera mumbled.
''Nothing serious. I just want you to make it possible to make equipment like Gift. Is it possible?" Smith asked, his face was serious.
'Here he goes again.' Sera mumbled, this is one of her father's obsession, to make equipment who will not lose in front of Gift.
Smith's obsession was unachievable, a lot of renowned blacksmiths had tried it since ancient times to pathetically fail in the end. It's impossible because Gifts are part of one's soul. There are unbreakable, contrary to a forged sword who will break in front of a powerful Gift no matter which materials used to forge it. Gift is the embodiment of one's soul, the powerful is a Gift the more powerful is its owner's soul. Special Gift is from an individual with an exceptional soul.
Back to Alex's location.
Smiling like what Smith asked what child play, Alex said, ''No problem, however, you need to bestow your daughter to me. As a God, I can't stay in the mortal realm. So, I will be taking your daughter with me and teach her how to do it, once her formation is finished she will come down to teach you before coming back to me.''
Sera's lips twitched at how Alex was turning the situation to his advantage.
Smith nodded his head, then smiled before saying, ''Did you take this old man for a fool?''
''Not at all father in law.''
''Who is your father in law? Did I say you could call me that?" Smith asked.
Alex looked at Sera as if to tell her, 'You call me shameless. Isn't your father even more shameless than me?'
Sera refused to lock eyes with him, she looked in another direction.
''Don't you said earlier that I'm the only one authorized to call you father in law?" Alex repeated Smith's earlier words.
''Oh, I said that? I don't remember. Did you misunderstand what I said? Or did you smoke?" Smith said if he did not remember what he said.
'This shameless old man. You are the one smoking yet now you are asking if I smoked, I have even not smoked in this life yet.' Alex thought.
〖Life is blind. Normally, he should be your father instead of being Sera's father, because you two share something in common.〗Silveria said.
'Which is?' Alex asked back.
〖Your shamelessness.〗
'Do not slander a gentleman.'
Sera was giggling seeing her father messing with Alex like that.
Alex sighed before deciding to take out his ultimate move. He approached Smith and gave him a box of Special Ice cream.
''Here is it father in law. A small gift from me, it's nothing serious, just a box of Special Ice cream. I hope you don't mind father in law, don't worry I'll give blueprints of some amazing weapons later.''
'In front of my ultimate combo, you'll be Koed.' Alex inwardly thought.
And indeed Smith's eyes shined and he took the box from Alex's hand. Slapping his shoulders twice he said, ''What a good future son in law. I appreciate the gift. I can't wait to chat with you. Come see me later.''
Leaving these words behind, Smith entered his store, the meaning of his last sentence was obvious, 'Come see me later with the blueprints you promised.'
Naturally, Alex understood this. After Smith left, Alex chuckled and said, ''We have your father's benediction so no need to worry. Let's get married.''
''In your dreams.'' Sera rolled her eyes.
Shrugging his shoulders Alex announced,
''Time for me to leave. I have fun this afternoon. Hope we will do it again. This time it will be a real date, though.''
Sera only said, ''Thanks, I have fun too. Wish you good night.''
''Oh? You are sending me off already. Are you tired of me?" Alex asked while putting on a pained expression.
''Be serious will you.''
''Hehehe. Here, take it. It's just a small gift.''
Saying that he took another box of Special Ice cream and gave it to her.
Sera took it and smiled, ''Thanks.''
''You welcome. Give me a goodbye kiss.'' Alex said while slowly walking toward Sera.
''Go back already you pervert. Don't forget your sister must be waiting for you. Go see her.'' Sera said while kicking Alex, he dodged and appeared behind her.
Lowering his head he whispered, ''I'll be going. See you soon. The next time we will have a proper date. I hope you will accept. Well, I will give you time to consider it. Tell me if you'd like to go later. And we will go after I finish my test in Zilya's mountain. If you go on date with me, I'll take it as you accepting my proposal. You know each one it's.''
Alex blinked after finishing, leaving Sera alone. The latter sighed while mumbling,
''Always trying to take advantage of me. Well, at least you are interesting.''
Looking in the direction Alex disappeared to, she noticed something unusual, however, she chose to ignore it. Then she went inside the store with the box of Ice cream in her hand.