I can't remember the last time I sat down and had a meal with mom and dad.
I sat there with my parents at the dining table, and mom had already finished setting up breakfast on the table. It was fried eggs, sausages, and toasted bread with orange juice. We gave thanks, and began eating our breakfast. As soon as I took the first bite, a tear formed in my right eye, and streamed down my face. As I was savoring my first bite, memories of my mom started flooding into my mind. It was memories of me and mom from the past. In those memories, she would play with me when no one else would, she would tend to my wounds when I injured myself, she would feed me because I didn't wanted to eat with my own hands, and many other memories that came flashing into my mind. After those memories had resurfaced, I realized that I trusted the wrong person, and how important my mom was to me. I didn't cry this time, but had quickly wiped the evidence off before mom or dad could noticed. And just like that, I emptied the whole plate. It wasn't anything special, I could've gotten that same breakfast from any restaurant, and it would've been even better, but no matter how much better or how good the restaurant breakfast was going to be, it still wouldn't match mom's cooking. I savored every bite, and the taste was the taste of nostalgia.
But before I could finish my breakfast, a news reporter on the Glory News channel spoke, "citizens of High Rise," our sights shifted towards the TV, and the news reporter continued, "our 10 of the many A-Class Scythes are currently about to enter a wormhole portal which appeared less than an hour ago outside the Scythe's Academy. The Investigation Team 1 of the Scythes Association has already measured the mana levels of the wormhole portal, and it's a Low A-Class wormhole portal. This wormhole portal appeared outside the Scythes Academy because there's a lot of mana concentrated around that area because of the students and professors inside the Scythes Academy, but fear not, because the Scythes Association takes quick and decisive action, and will not let harm come to the people of High Rise. And let's pray for our Scythes that they make it back quickly, safe, and sound."
"Outside the Scythes Association, huh? Hope they make it back before the term starts for the new, and upcoming students who want to become Scythes." My mom said as she listened to the news reporter.
"Yeah. And it's going to start in six days for the new students." My dad added, saying how the Scythes Academy will begin again in six days.
I, in my previous life chose a normal school, one that didn't teach about Scythes, because Rachel had convinced me that it was too dangerous for someone like me. I didn't like it at first, but I went along with it. However, in this new life that I was granted, I will not let it happen again. But, there was one problem, (how do I get accepted in the Scythes Academy in six days?). If I don't get accepted within these six days, I'll have to wait until next year, which I don't have the luxury for. I began thinking of any possible way from my memories as a member of the Scythes Association, and I remembered one time hearing something from one of my colleagues named Joe who was in his mid thirties, "I wish had known about this when I was young."
"What do you mean?" I replied, not knowing what he was talking about.
"My buddy's kid. He got accepted into the Scythes Academy without even taking any exams." Joe said, and sighed.
"What? How? No one can get into the Scythes Academy without taking any examinations." I said, with a confused expression.
"It didn't make sense to me either, but I found out yesterday. If you have high levels of mana, you can be accepted as a Special student in the Scythes Academy. And the kid has high levels of mana, considering his father is a B-Class Scythe. The kid also has B-Class mana levels, and he'll most likely become much stronger than his father as a Scythe." Joe said, disappointed in himself.
"Hey, it's not like we can do anything about it now. If we wanted to become Scythes, we could've, but we didn't, so we're to blame for our mistakes. And anyways, it doesn't matter if we complain about it anymore, so let's just cheer up." I said, while hiding my own disappointment, making sure that no one sees that, I too, had regrets, and made mistakes.
"Yeah, you're right. I was complaining because I got jealous, even though I have a life I'm happy with now." Joe said, all the disappointment from his face vanished.
Joe Roller was a kind man, he helped, and showed me the ropes when I got this job. He was also the first friend I made in a long time. He was a kind and considerate person.
I came back to the present after learning that there is a way to be accepted in the Scythes Academy, but how I could increase my mana, I didn't know.
I took the last bite of my breakfast, and got my parents attention, "mom, dad, can I ask you something?"
My parents averted their eyes from the TV, and looked at me, listening to what I said.
"What's wrong, dear." My mom said, worried that something happened to me.
"Why the sudden suspense? Want me to delete the photos?" My dad said, cracking jokes once again.
"No, it's nothing like that." I replied, refusing what he said.
"Then, what is it?" My mom asked, still worried.
"I was thinking that, I want to go to the Scythes Academy, and become a Scythe." I said, with a look of determination.
"But, didn't you said that you didn't wanted to go there?" My dad said, now he was worried as well.
Yes, I remember. I didn't wanted to go to the Scythes Academy because Rachel said it was too dangerous for me, and even convinced my parents. In my previous life, I didn't ask, and just went alone with everyone she said. But now won't be like last time, because I know what kind of evil she is.
"Yes, and what about Rachel? She's going to the same school as you. You two promised you would go together." My mom said, not knowing that Rachel was the one who forced me to go with her, but I was too naive to understand at the time.
Should I tell them that I regressed from the future? That Rachel is the cause of everything? That she is the one who ruined ours family? No, now is not the time."
I thought to myself before answering to mom.
"I've thought about this very carefully, and I know that I want to become a Scythe. So please, I want to join the Scythes Academy." I said, with determination, and conviction written all over my face.
"The Scythes Academy begins in less than a week. If you want to, you can enroll next year." My dad said, telling me to try my shot next year.
"But, by then, it'll be too late." I said, convincing my dad that it's now or never.
"Well, even if they accept students this late, which I doubt, how will you do it? Are there any special requirements?" My dad asked, questioning me how I intend to get accepted in the Scythes Academy.
"Yes, about that. There is a requirement, but it's a little hard." I said, with a serious expression.
"Well, what is it?" My dad said, impatient to hear what the requirement was.
"If they measure my mana, and if it's B-Class or above, I'll get accepted as a Special student." I said, my expression serious.
"And is that true? Where did you heard of this?" My dad asked, questioning if what I said was true.
"Yes, it's true. The Scythes Academy will accept any student if they possess high amounts of mana." I said, my expression serious.
Well, I didn't lie. And everything I said was true, at least in the future it'll be.
I thought to myself after answering to my dad.
"Well, when you do want to go to get your mana measured? The sooner we go the better, right?" My dad said, discussing when to get my mana measurement for the Scythes Academy.
"In 3-4 days." I said, my expression softened.
"Wouldn't it be better to have it measured now? Oh, wait, we'll need an appointment before we go." My dad said, concerned.
"Well, yes, but… ," I said, stopping before finishing my sentence.
"If jin is saying he needs 3-4 days then he must have a reason for it." My mom said, intervening, and stopping dad from asking any more questions.
"Don't worry dear, you can tell us when you feel like it, okay?" My mom said, she had a soft smile, and her expression softened.
"Hm", I nodded, agreeing to what my mom said.
We finished our breakfast, watched the news, and discussed my enrollment.
After finishing our discussion, I helped mom with the dishes, and cleaned the dining table. My mom washed the dishes, and I whipped them, and put them in the cabinet. Dad had left for work shortly after, and it was me, and mom at home. I helped mom with the cleaning, and after that I went back to my room. I sat in my room, pondering what the voice was that brought me 10 years in the past. I had no way of knowing what that voice was, but I knew that I needed it's help if I wanted to get accepted in the Scythes Academy. But, I had no way of speaking to that voice, so I sat there, in my room, on my bed, planning what I'll do next to get in contact with the voice. I knew that there was some way to speak to It, but I didn't know what that "some way" was.