Once Iva the slime disappeared from his shoulder when he unsummoned it, Evan spend the entire walk back to his house in silent contemplation.
There were still a lot of things to learn about the stone hill cave. There was the two branching paths of left and right that he had both just started exploring. Not to mention that the left had its own forked paths as well.
What could the unfinished message that Iva had translated mean? There is just no way it is there and would not serve as a clue somehow right?
Maybe it has something to do with testing his agility or perception on the left and his battle or fighting prowess on the right?
Or is it testing his mind on the left while his body being tested on the right?
Most importantly, how far deep does it go?
There's so many ways it could be. But it doesn't change the fact that Evan thinks there is more to it than what he head seen. Long walkways through each corridor, the narrower path on the right.
Evan hopes that there could be a way to traverse the paths quicker once he is done with the corridor. He'll find a way, he hopes.
Apart from stone hill cave, he barely scratched the surface of what his ability could really do. Sure, it was granted to him by a watch given, but he wasn't given any instructions on how to expand on it.
He is just able to expand it.
Lost in his thoughts, he didn't realize that he had arrived back home. Evan still had his hand on the doorknob, but he is already inside.
Huh, that reminds him, there was the time where he finished the Simulation Zone Slime Dungeon and he was doing some meditation when he got back.
Iva mentioned that it was because of how time flowed or something along those lines. It was weird, but that felt oddly similar as to what he experienced just now.
One of the book mentioned autopilot. Was that it?
He made his way back to his room. He saw the books on his bed, remembering that he should probably return them both soon since he had just finished the last book today.
Then again, he remembered that both of the books' due date is until tomorrow anyway. He had return the one of the three books a two days ago too, since it didn't really have anything of interest.
For now, he knows it can wait.
He opens his door and glanced at the time. It is still past four in the afternoon. Even with exploring the stone hill cave for one and a half hours, it was still early afternoon.
Evan can wait until at least one of his parents are home. But he would rather they're both with him to read the letter that came from Master Theobald.
As if thinking about his parents had summoned them, Evan heard the front door opening. Two sets of footprints echoed silently in the silence of the room, while a third came out as Evan leaves his own room to meet them.
"Evan, dear." Sylvia smiles as Evan embraced her the moment she entered. "How was your day."
"Busy." Evan replied as he pulled back to give his dad a hug too. "I was doing some training to make my body and mind stronger."
"So, reading books and wielding branches then?" Erwin asked, with a grin.
Evan had told them before that he had been reading more books lately and training with a branch because they don't have swords, exactly.
So, they are somewhat aware of what their son is up to.
"Mhm." Evan replied with a small nod. "It's a work in progress. How was your day at work, mom? Dad?"
Erwin grins at the question. "Oh, the harvest will be tomorrow, so, I'm going to be paid tomorrow afternoon. After that, we have our own field to take care of. It will be just in time before autumn."
Sylvia pinched Erwin's right cheek a little bit. "I saw your father at the market today and just realized how loud his talking voice is. Maybe he could change works into the market instead."
"Ah ah ah!" Erwin pouts a little after Sylvia lets go of his cheek. "You know I don't do well in selling things in the market. Both my arms are for the field! And I'm not that loud!"
Evan just laughed at them. Then, he remembered about the letter he was given. He looks at them both. "Mom, dad, I have a letter that came addressed to me a while ago."
Erwin and Sylvia exchanged looks at what they heard.
"Who is it from, buddy?" Erwin asked.
"It's from Sir Theobald and his daughter Spire." Evan replied. At the confused look his parents gave him, he shrugged. "I haven't opened it yet because I want to wait for you both to be around when I do."
Erwin nods his head. "We can open it now if you want."
Sylvia gestures towards the kitchen. "We can read it while I prepare dinner. And then, we can discuss more while eating, whatever the letter says."
"Yeah, we can do that. I'll go grab it." Evan went back to his room.
He already have it, but he's not about to show his parents what he can do yet.
"Item Summon, Letter."
The white envelope manifested in his hand. When it did, he opens the door and left his room.
"I got the letter." Evan says as he walks back. He beelined to Erwin, giving him the envelope. His eyes finds Sylvia on the counter and chopping something.
Erwin's eyes widened a little bit when he saw it. "A white envelope huh?" He stood up and went to the kitchen to grab a knife that they don't use much. Then, he used it to remove the wax seal so he can open it.
"If you're giving this to me, that means you want me to read it right?"
Evan nods his head. "Yes, can you please read it?"
Erwin nods his head. He hums when he saw two different white papers inside. But when be saw a number 1 on the paper closest to him, he took it, assuming it is the first one he needs to read.
-----
Good day Evan!
Do you still remember me? I'm Spire Valrepite! I'm the one who graced you with my wonderful presence!
Anyway, I'll keep this short. My father has a proposal for you. I hope you discuss that opportunity very well with Mister Erwin and Miss Sylvia, your parents. I'll be attending the first batch of the Entrance Exams. If you are too, send me a letter back! Adrian will take your response when you're done. Good luck!
Gracefully yours,
Spire Valrepite
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