Chapter 130: Chapter 129 : Important Decision

After parting ways with Sigurd, the duo headed to Samuel’s manor. Ray parted ways at the entrance, leaving to continue working on the upcoming anime. Ralf entered and was welcomed by…everyone.

Naturally, the first thing that came up was his thirty-minute absence. Ralf didn’t play coy and went over the meeting’s happenings. Mention of Sigurd’s identity paralyzed the group with shock - well, except Vincent and his bodyguards. Ralf noted their reactions but thought nothing of it. From the conversation with the Ascendant, he knew that they had met him already.

Following the reveal, he continued.

“...he inquired about the stories and rumours. We also spent a long time on the Silver Path, from its members, basic philosophy, member criterion, location…the whole nine yards. In the end, I told him everything I could…so no more than is known on the streets.”

While explaining, Ralf couldn’t help but squint as he watched those around him. Instead of focusing on his words, most seemed preoccupied with their individual Psi games.

Greg and Joel wore tense faces as played Psi Fighter. Jeff and Chloe were a similar picture as they played against each other. Genise and Joan amused themselves with the duo’s Tetris and Space Cadet knockoffs, respectively.

‘Those eyes, haa, they’re already too far gone,’ Ralf thought as he took in the various gazes, shining with twisted light.

Since the Psi games were introduced, the group had been playing them as much as they could.

They didn’t know how Ralf was managing it all but they didn’t care. They had long passed the point where they tried to understand Ralf and just accepted that he was an enigma.

With the number of games running simultaneously, Ralf was left with almost no Psi to use. He didn’t mind; he expected the situation somewhat and was happy as long as everyone was. He didn’t let them play without pause though.

Every ten minutes, on the account of him nearing his Mental Energy Restraint Limit, he’d take a five-minute break. His limitless status was something he’d rather keep under the rug for as long as possible.

‘What have we done, first anime, now games, this world is destined to fall to degeneracy at this rate.’

Shaking his head at the thought, Ralf switched his focus to the few souls that were actually paying attention to him.

“Ralf?” Hana prompted with a nudge, confused by his head shake.

“Oh, no I was just thinking about something. Where were we at again,” he picked up a biscuit, “oh yes, after I answered his questions, he then asked if I would be interested in becoming a Hunter.”

At the words, the room collectively froze. Since hearing about the identity of the other, all had been thinking this was where it would go. Sigurd wasn’t just the Head of the Psionic Association, he was also known to be the Headmaster of the Grey Wolf Academy, one of the three Hunter Academies.

Given everything Ralf had shown so far, it made perfect sense in their minds for the Psionic Association to look to recruit him. Still, while it was predictable, once spoken out loud, the group couldn’t help but shudder.

“More specifically, he asked if I was interested in enrolling in the Grey Wolf Academy to become a Hunter,” Ralf followed up to clarify.

Among the various types of Hunters, there were Normative Hunters, who became Hunters without having to do the three-year training course.

‘Nightengale’ Rachel Norton, the Unique who was said to be able to reverse cause and effect, and ‘Temptress’ Elise Berch, the former Pirate Queen and Mental Master, were the most notable modern-day examples. As extraordinary as Ralf was, Sigurd hadn’t offered him this title.

“And?” Chloe started. “What was your answer?”

The group perked up at the question and their gazes rushed to lock onto his figure.

Ralf shrugged. “Nothing. I told him I’d think it over.”

The Duke and the others quirked a brow in response. After a short silence, Chloe followed up.

“Then…which way are you leaning towards?”

“Mmm…”

Ralf’s responded with his body; he wobbled right then left. The latter motion ended up breaking his balanced. He collapsed leftward until his shoulders rested on Hana’s.

Now leaning on his mother’s shoulder, he gave his response.

“...this way.”

The group smiled at the answer. Taking it for what it was, the group moved on to other topics.

***

After two hours of Psi games, discussion and anime, the Fawkes pair make their exit. Ray popped back into the fray and it wasn’t long before the group was in front of the fireplace.

No Psi Fighters today. Instead, the three played a makeshift version of Pac-Man. Ray and Ralf quickly completed all ten levels, with the latter, the original creator finishing a bit faster. Meanwhile, Hana was stuck on level three.

On another day, she would be annoyed by it but on this night, her mind was preoccupied with a much more pressing matter.

Devoured again, she was presented with a box showing the options to ‘Continue’, ‘Start Over’ or ‘Quit’. This time, she didn’t select any option and instead placed the controller aside.

The duo noted the action and sensed the change in their mother’s aura. Understanding what was to come, they took preemptive measures. A second later, Silver descended upon reality.

Hana, who was about to speak had her lips falter at his sudden appearance. This momentary pause allowed Silver first blood.

“Mom, what do you think I should do?” He dismissed the Psi games and turned to regard his mother. “Should I go? Should I not?”

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“Is it up to me?” Hana turned to him and asked.

Silver let his body fall until his head rested on her lap before answering. “Pretty much.”

Hana smiled wryly at her son’s actions. Still, her hand moved naturally to caress his head. The two-prong attack of Hana’s hand and fireplace’s heat proved too much for Silver, his eyes slowly shut in defeat, swept away in the waves of bliss.

“If you want, I’ll stay. If you want, I’ll go. I can’t say I’m not curious about what the Hunter Academy has to offer but I’m also very much enjoying my life in Zudrad. I’m split down the middle on this…so what you want will sway the scales either way.”

Hearing this, Hana’s face tensed up and an enormous weight descended on her heart.

In truth, she was also conflicted. The Grey Wolf Academy, the closest of the three, was thousands of kilometres away. But more than distance, time was the main issue. Of the three-year course, first years weren’t allowed to leave the Academy grounds.

This meant that she wouldn’t get to see her sons for at least a year. To her, the notion was a horrid one, just thinking about it provoked a sensation as though her heart was being pricked by needles.

She loved her sons’ company. The last few weeks with them had been heaven for her. Their ridiculousness, affection and attention; she couldn’t get enough of them. She was at the peak of her happiness, so parting with them, not seeing them for even a year was something she hated.

Still, as strongly as she felt this hatred, another desire was felt just as strongly. Hana wanted her sons to shine brightly. No one had a higher opinion of them than her and she wanted to them reach their full potential.

The duo’s actions, from the Challenger Series matches to anime and games filled her with endless pride and joy. She wanted to see them ascend higher and higher until all knew of their greatness. This was her greatest desire.

Hana fell into silence as these two emotions battled each other in her heart. Silver understood and remained silent while collecting his own thoughts.

Silver wasn’t as on the fence as he claimed. In truth, he was actually leaning heavily towards enrolling in the Hunter Academy.

There were many reasons why he desired to go.

The utility of the Hunter title was chief among those reasons. There were many perks to becoming a Hunter. Silver had many big plans for the future and the identity would be very useful in accomplishing them.

The Hunter Academy was a gathering of the world’s greatest talents and most influential factions. It was the perfect place for Silver to achieve his short and long-term goals.

Of course, he held the same desire as his mother, in maintaining their current lifestyle - no compared to Hana, this desire was hundreds of times heavier. Still, when weighing this desire against the possible benefits, the scales showed a lopsided form in favour of the latter.

What about Hana’s safety?

This was, of course, already considered. In fact, it was the first thing considered. He wouldn’t have history repeat itself. Without securing Hana’s safety, he wouldn’t even think about leaving her side. Fortunately, a solution had arrived in the form of Sigurd.

During their meeting, Sigurd informed him of two things. The first was that he had dealt with the overeager moths. The second was that he had gotten the Duke’s permission to build a Psionic Association branch in Popleigh.

The duo was overjoyed at the news. Unlike Adventurer Association branches which were scattered like cheap seeds, Psionic Association branches were much more scarce. But where they lacked in quantity, they made up for in quality, more specifically quality of life. The places these branches anchor down in were known for their safety and high standard of living.

Interestingly, Sigurd hadn’t gone ahead with branch building because of the duo’s actions. Before coming here, he had the intention of making this proposal to the Duke. Popleigh’s rapid progress under Vincent’s leadership hadn’t gone unnoticed by the Pillar factions. They had been meaning to reward him with a Psionic Association branch, so Sigurd was effectively killing two birds with one stone.

Regardless, the duo was delighted by the news, even more so when they heard that Sigurd had plans to station several powerful psionics at the branch.

The aged Ascendant seemed to read through the duo’s concerns and have the perfect words prepared. Only after he presented this idea, did he offer the invitation to enrol in the Grey Wolf Academy.

He knew that after the Red Star incident involving Hana, the duo wouldn’t want to leave her side. Thus, he made sure to reassure them that the city would be safe.

Sigurd’s intention was clear. He wanted to protect Silver’s loved ones. Silver didn’t doubt Sigurd. He was very sensitive to the nature of others and could tell the old man was sincere in his intentions.

Popleigh would become a city under the protection of the world’s strongest faction; the notion caused Silver’s heart to swell with relief and gratitude. The latter emotion was pointed to the one who put these things in motion. It was also this gratitude that ended up opening his mind to the possibility and had him seriously consider the offer.

A year was a long time, but he had spent months upon months not seeing Hana. While he understood there was a key difference in that he could see her anytime he wanted during these times, he believed that his heart could manage a year away.

Also, it’s not like they would stay out of touch. Using the Pillar factions’ worldwide network, they could stay in contact every day. Should he leave, Silver would make sure to keep in contact.

With these considerations in mind, he began leaning towards the ‘going’ option.

However, in the end, he’d leave the decision to his mother.

It was only recently that she escaped her life of anguish and loneliness. Her life had just turned around for the better. It was clear she was in the thralls of happiness. Silver knew that his absence would negatively affect this.

And so, he let her decide. He would go with whatever decision she went. The title was valuable and the Academy experience seemed interesting but he wasn’t too hung up on it.

Hana’s answer?

After a five minute tug of war between her desires, a victor emerged out of the two.

Hana’s lips slowly parted. They quivered a moment before finally flapping in accordance with the voice sounding from the depths of her heart.

“I want you to…go.”

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