I looked around—it was already getting dark.
"Damn... I trained almost the whole day." Tired, I scanned my surroundings and realized I'd taken the battle deep into the woods.
I was still thinking about how to get back when I heard Damien's voice. That's when I noticed how silent he had been ever since the battle with ZERANDION started.
"Snap your fingers," he said coldly.
I obeyed.
Skill Activated: [Instant Teleportation]
Target Location: Home – Registered Safe Zone: Sector 12, Arcvale
We landed right back in my room—tired, weak, and hungry. The rejuvenation skill had made me feel good temporarily, but I didn't need a soothsayer to tell me it was just surface-level energy restoration. My body ached all over.
Everything was just how I left it—faded posters of old knight tournaments, the cracked training dummy in the corner, and my half-made bed.
I collapsed onto it face-first without thinking. The mattress groaned under my weight, and the scent of home filled my lungs with a strange warmth.
I rolled over and stared at the ceiling, eyes fixed on the old painting up there.
Dad's probably at another meeting again...
Since Mom died, he's been juggling work and fatherhood. I could tell it wasn't easy, but he always did his best.
"Mind telling me what that was about?" Damien. "You looked shocked when the system announced the Elite Knight title." I asked concerned.
"It's probably because the system updated itself. The training module's different—might be something Michiko set up before he died. That wasn't how it used to work."
"Anyway," he continued, "just close your eyes and sleep. You've got tougher battles ahead. The journey's only beginning."
He went silent.
I stared at the ceiling a while longer, my mind racing, before I finally drifted off to sleep.
I woke up in the middle of the night, groggy-eyed, and went downstairs. My food was still on the table, covered neatly.
I lifted the lid.
"Grilled steak and salad…"
Still warm—but no sign of Dad.
I ate a little, covered the rest, and went back to my room.
The days passed, and I trained harder than ever. I saw less and less of Dad. Damien pushed me daily with rigorous sessions.
The sun hovered above the horizon, casting a golden glow across the training courtyard. Today's session had ended early.
Sweat clung to my brow. My breaths were steady but deep. My fists still buzzed from the sparring match. The knights' energy cores had overloaded under my strikes.
A translucent blue screen blinked into view.
[SYSTEM STATUS PANEL]
Strength: 94
Agility: 92
Endurance: 95
Vitality: 93
"All above ninety?" I whispered, a small grin forming. "Not bad."
Another panel slid into view with a chime.
[TREASURY]
Newly Added Accessories:
Shadow Fang (Dagger)
Forged in obsidian flames. Ideal for silent takedowns.
Passive: +15% speed in stealth mode.
Vortex Halberd
A polearm with wind runes. Good for crowd control and shield breaking.
Skill: "Cyclone Rend" – Generates a slicing wind barrier.
Sunpiercer Bow
A long-range weapon charged by solar magic.
Skill: "Photon Arrow" – Pierces armor, blinds targets for 3s.
Gauntlets of Orm
Heavy fist weapons that amplify strength.
Passive: +10 Strength.
Skill: "Earthshatter" – Stuns grounded enemies.
I scrolled through the list, pausing on the Sunpiercer Bow.
"I'll test this next session."
I sighed, closing the system still haven't been able to access Kindyra's armory or that sword that i touched in the cave. Instead of teleporting, I walked. I had grown familiar with the woods over the past few weeks. The cool evening air brushed my skin, carrying the quiet whispers of nature.
Eventually, I stepped through the gate and onto the cobbled path leading home.
I reached for the front door—and the scent hit me.
Grilled meat. Herbs. Stormroot...
My eyes widened.
I pushed the door open and rushed inside.
I froze.
The kitchen light was on.
Then—
"About time you got home."
That voice made my heart skip a beat.
"Dad?"
He stood by the stove in an apron, stirring a pot.
"Who else?" he smirked, holding up a steaming ladle. "You think I forgot how to make Stormroot Stew?"
I chuckled, walking into the kitchen. I hadn't seen him in weeks. Not that I blamed him.
"No. I just didn't expect you today."
He looked at me for a long moment, something unspoken in his eyes. "Well... some things are worth coming home early for."
For the first time in weeks, I felt something stir. Vulnerability. Warmth.
Later, I went upstairs to freshen up, then joined him in preparing dinner—Stormroot Stew, kimchi rice, and beef—my favorites.
That night, I didn't eat alone.
We laughed. He told stories about the war—something I missed dearly. The meal passed quickly, and I devoured it all after training so hard.
After dinner, we did the dishes together. He set them to dry while I lingered beside him.
I was thinking of how to bring it up when he said, chuckling:
"You gonna say it or keep pondering it?"
Startled, I smiled.
Of course—Dad always understood me better than I understood myself.
"I see you've been training. You look taller. Stronger," he said, looking me over.
He wasn't wrong. I'd noticed it too—defined muscles, abs. I wasn't the frail, lanky kid anymore.
"I think it's time I went back to the Academy," I said. "I've stayed home long enough. I'm ready."
He paused. I braced for the meltdown.
But instead...
"You sure?" he asked calmly.
"Y–yeah. I'm sure," I stammered.
"Alright. You can go."
I blinked. I was expecting yelling, arguments, maybe even threats. Last time, he'd threatened to close the Academy down—even though it was the best magic school in the kingdom.
We sat in silence for a moment. Then I spoke again.
"Dad, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. But I'm sixteen now. I'm not a kid anymore. I need to go out and see the world."
He left the dishes and stood in front of me, placing his hands on my shoulders.
Sadness filled his eyes.
"Son... it's not anger. It's fear. You're all I have left. I lost your mom—I can't lose you too. If I did… it'd break me."
"You won't lose me, Dad," I whispered. "I'll be fine. This time, I'll make you proud."
He smiled faintly. "You made me proud the day you took your first steps. The day you said your first words. I've always been proud. I never stopped. I never will."
Tears spilled from my eyes. I pulled him into a hug, breathing in that familiar scent of safety and warmth.
"I love you, son."
"I love you too, Dad."
After the moment passed, I went upstairs to pack. By the time I was done, the sun had shifted overhead.
I decided to take a walk through the streets one last time. Dad—though one of the most powerful men in Aradina—had chosen a humble house in the woods, far from the noise.
But as soon as I stepped onto the main street, the whispers began.
"He's back..."
"Piece of shit."
"Still the weakest of the weak."
I ignored them.
I'd kept Damien silent all day to think. But now, I let him speak.
"You sure you're ready for this?"
"I'm sure."
"Good. Because your status is about to change. You've got the highest power level for an E-Rank junior in Emperial Academy. You could probably beat an S-Rank senior."
"…Damien, do you really think I can do it? Save the world, I mean?"
"You're damn right you can," he replied confidently. "I know you can."
Then, I sensed it—an object flying straight at me.
I spun around and dropped low, one hand on the ground, twisting into a perfect arch. I slowly rose and turned to face the source.
My eyes widened.
I couldn't believe who I was seeing.