Primordial Expanse: I have the Strongest Talent! - Chapter 502

Chapter 502: Althea
Alex spent the next second trying to recompose himself, despite the rising anxiety in his chest.

‘I’m getting nervous…’

‘Why am I getting nervous?’

Even though he couldn’t quite explain why his heartbeat was slowly starting to rise, Alex even started to feel his mind start to numb.

This was a situation he hadn’t expected that he’d have to encounter.

It was meeting his girlfriend’s mom for the first time after all!

Who wouldn’t be nervous upon the first meeting…?

Alex thought he would fall under this bracket, but now that he was in the situation, it was clear that he was no different.

He didn’t even know why he was so nervous, considering all the things he had been through in his life before this. Meetings with S tiers had worn off on him after so many and he was unphased every time he faced one now.

But this was different, it wasn’t just Althea’s S tier aura that was intimidating him.

It was her motherly aura…

Her presence alone was enough to put him on edge, but her sharp and calculating gaze only made it worse.

Althea’s expression didn’t change though, and she studied him for a long moment, as if deciding whether to elaborate or walk away.

Alex felt like she was silently testing him or something along those lines.

“That’s me,” Alex coughed and replied cautiously, having realised she was probably waiting on a reply from him. “You seem to know me, but I’m afraid I don’t know much about you, other than the name and rank.”

Althea’s expression didn’t change. She continued studying him for a few more moments, before she spoke.

“I’ve read your files.”

“Ah, of course you have,” Alex said, scratching his head awkwardly. “I guess word spreads quickly, haha.”

Alex looked at Althea to see what kind of expression she was making, but it was still as blank as ever.

“It’s been a year.”

That was it.

That was all she said, and it immediately made things more awkward for Alex.

‘I know that! But that doesn’t mean you have to point it out! Argh, so awkward!’

She was of course referring to Alex’s comment of ‘word spreading quickly’, and pointed out the obvious flaw in his words.

Since, a year, was not quick.

However, Althea quickly moved past that.

“It’s not your past that interests me though.” She said bluntly, as if her tone was colder than the void outside.

“It’s your connection to Mira.”

Alex felt a pang of unease.

So she was aware of their relationship. But then again, who wasn’t at this point.

What was her angle though? Her voice and demeanour didn’t exactly give off motherly concern.

“Well…” Alex began, choosing his next words carefully. “Mira and I are teammates. Partners, you could say. We’ve been through alot together.”

“Partners.” Althea repeated in an almost mocking tone. “Is that all it is?”

Alex frowned.

“I’m not sure what you’re implying, Commander, but I respect Mira, and respectfully the goings on of our relationship are none of your concern.”

Althea narrowed her eyes slightly, as if trying to pierce through his words and uncover some hidden meaning.

But Alex spoke truthfully, there was no hidden meaning to be had.

“You’re lucky she doesn’t take after me.” She suddenly said, almost to herself, before shifting her gaze back to Alex.

‘At least she’s self aware… I guess she’s not a narcissist like those other elites.’

“Mira is… complicated. I trust you’ve noticed that by now.”

Even though there was no explicit meaning in between her words, it was clear that Althea knew that Alex knew the truth.

He knew that she was her mother.

And he knew that their relationship wasn’t exactly on the good end of the spectrum.

So knowing this, Althea didn’t sugarcoat her words either.

Alex felt a flicker of irritation from her comment but decided to stay calm.

Who wasn’t complicated in this day and age with all the fucked up shit going on??

“If you’re trying to tell me to take care of her, don’t worry. I’ve got her back.”

“Puha-”

Althea let out a small, humourless laugh.

“Take care of her? Do you even know who she is?”

Alex frowned for a second, as her words struck a nerve, but he didn’t let it effect him.

“I know that she’s a Mistborn, just like you. But let me ask you this — Do you even know who I am?”

Alex flipped the question back on her.

She acted like Alex was a minor player in this whole thing involving her and her daughter.

Yet, if she actually read his files like she said she did, then she would know Alex wasn’t as simple as that.

Althea almost let out a real laugh after hearing Alex’s rebuttal.

Her lips curled into something that resembled a robot trying to smile for the first time. “You’ve got some spine, I’ll give you that.” She spoke, with her voice clearly laced with robotic amusement.

“But confidence isn’t a substitute for understanding.”

Alex crossed his arms, standing his ground as he looked at Althea curiously.

They both knew her S tier status wouldn’t intimidate him one bit.

But that didn’t mean others around them weren’t shocked by his actions.

They would have liked to stay and watch the increasingly developing show in the middle of the hallway, if it weren’t for the fear Althea’s presence drove into each and every one of them.

“Then help me understand. If you think I don’t know Mira, enlighten me. Because from where I’m standing, it sure as hell looks like you’re the one who knows jack shit.”

Althea tilted her head slightly, deliberating whether she should continue this conversation or not.

But unknowingly, even to her own mind, Alex’s words had struck a nerve somewhere deep inside her.

Did she even know her own daughter?

“Fair enough.” She said at last.

“But don’t expect me to explain everything. Some things are Mira’s to tell, not mine.”

Alex nodded, gaining a slight, tiny, even minute hint of respect for her.

“At least you have the decency to do that, as any mother should.”