Child of Destiny

Walking out of the Magic Ace Academy’s Dean’s Office, Shin and the others could not help but wear a confused look on their faces, unable to understand what had just happened.

They were supposed to be asked about the special mission that Shiella had mentioned, but all Old Man Lin and Professor Henry had done earlier was to check on the progress of their respective realms and disciplines. The School Dean did not even say anything and just observed everything from the side.

Shin could not help but turn to Shiella and ask. “I thought you said that they are going to discuss some special assignment or something, Big Sis? But why did they not mention anything about it?”

Shiella fell into deep thought before shaking her head. “I don’t know either.”

She had some guesses, but she did not voice any of them and kept them from the group. David could also see what the elders were planning, but also chose not to say anything about it.

However, he still could not help but think to himself. ‘Should I tell this to master?’

But he quickly shook his head and mocked himself. ‘Of course, I should. Given her abilities, it is not hard for her to know about this. If she learns that I have deliberately hidden it from her, the consequence will surely be worse than being thrown in the middle of the ocean.’

Having his back sweat profusely, David silently decided that the old foxes were planning something regardless of whether Evangeline already knew about it or not.

While he was lost in his thoughts, Shin, beside him, suddenly said to the group. “Since we are already here, and nothing better to do, I plan to go to my department and check on my seniors. I can also use the training facilities when I’m at it.”

Hearing that, the group also nodded their head and decided to do the same.

“Then I’ll visit the Combat Department and greet my instructor,” nodded Leonard.

“I’m going to visit the Auxiliary Department and greet Granny as well,” said Cloe.

Her main instructor in the department was the legendary Lotus of Death of the Elder’s Council and the Potter Clan. The old lady had told Cloe to just address her as ‘Granny,’ making their relationship feel a little closer and intimate. Cloe had no issue with this as well, so she just complied.

Shiella thought for a moment as she nodded. “I’ll go check on my club and check on what they are doing.”

It had been a while since she had visited the Hand of Midas Club, making her quite curious about their activities. She might be getting an update from them on a daily basis, but it would not hurt to give them a surprise routine check, making sure that they were not slacking off.

“Let’s meet again here later before going home together. I’ll inform you of the time later,” she said before leaving.

Seeing the group separated, David was left alone and did not know what to do. But after a brief contemplation, he decided to follow Shin as the latter’s situation was quite dedicate at the moment. He had to make sure that this junior brother of his would not encounter any accidents again.

…

Arriving at the Research Department, Shin had bumped into Wade (Diablo) and Benedict, who seemed to have finished the routine checkup of the former.

“Eh!? You’re here? It is quite rare. Did the Springfield Family let you come back earlier?” said Benedict with a smile.

Shin greeted his senior for a moment before replying. “It is not like that. Professor Henry just wants to see me and check on my progress. Then I have to go back to the Central Region immediately after.”

“Tsk!” Benedict could not help but click his tongue when he heard this before shaking his head. “Well, we can’t blame them either for being too protective after what has happened.”

He then pointed behind him as he asked. “Are you here to use the training facilities? Go, the others are busy with the task that the professor has given them, so the place is pretty much empty.”

“Eh!? Again? They are not always around,” commented Shin as he felt that he had rarely met his seniors in the department aside from their first meeting.

Benedict chuckled as he added. “Well, those guys don’t have a choice since it is the professor’s word. They can’t do anything about it.”

Shin then turned to Wade as he asked. “So, how is your progress in the real world?”

He knew the risk of using the Hyperactive Immersion in the game could cause some serious consequences in the real world, so this guy had to keep his health closely monitored.

But along with those risks, the benefits that Wade could get from them would be of great help for his journey in the respective discipline that he chose to practice in the real world.

Wade smiled bitterly before replying. “It is not that bad. We have just encountered some problems in certain things. It seems like I have to restrain myself from using the Demon Eyes a little too much.”

Shin was already aware of his secrets anyway, so Wade had no issue sharing a little more with him.

Hearing this, Benedict suddenly remembered something. “Ah! That’s right! Since you are already here, let us record your parameters again. It will be a great help for our progress at improving his training routine and diet,” pointing at Wade.

“Sure,” nodded Shin with a smile, not having any issue about this small favor.

…

After looking at Shin’s parameters and the results from different training apparatuses that he had used, Benedict could not help but curse a little. “Tsk! Your improvement sure is so monstrous. You are now very close to breaking through.”

In response, Shin smiled bitterly. “Why don’t you try what I have experienced and see if you will not improve exponentially?”

Hearing that, Benedict could not help but pause a little, recalling the events that had happened recently. He then sighed helplessly before nodding. “You are right. If you don’t improve after all of that, then the word ‘monster’ will be a waste for you.”

The corner of Shin’s mouth suddenly twitched when he heard that. But before he could say anything else, Benedict suddenly added. “The professor always says that disaster and fortune always come together. Since you have experienced such a ‘disaster’, the ‘fortune’ will surely come immediately after.”

…

Shin decided to stay a little longer to train a little more since Shiella had yet to tell them the time to gather up.

He was already familiar with the place, so Benedict let Shin and left the secret base along with Wade.

Right after stepping out of the Research Department, Benedict could not help but frown deeply before telling Wade that he could go to the dormitory alone. “I forgot to do something, so you can go back first.”

Wade did not suspect anything and just nodded before leaving.

Benedict waited until Wade’s back disappeared from his sight before finally opening his mouth. “What are you doing here, sneaking around like a thief?”

David then suddenly materialized, squatting and sitting on his feet right beside the entrance. He did not immediately reply, seemingly lost in his thoughts.

He only opened his mouth after quite a while. “We have been ‘seeing’ each other before, but never formally greeted each other.”

“There is no need to introduce yourself. I know the great prestige of the ‘Wanderer’,” said Benedict.

David smirked when he heard those words, but did not say anything. Instead, he suddenly asked. “I am not expecting to see a member of the Void Clan here. What a Voidwalker like you, doing in a place like this?”

Benedict did not answer and asked a question of his own. “Haven’t you met my older sister as well? You haven’t asked her about it yet?”

“Dayna? That ‘Spirit Speech’ user? I do see her,” nodded David. But immediately after, his gaze turned sharp as he activated his ‘Enlightened Eyes’. “But she doesn’t have that foul aura leaking out of her body.”

“Just who are you, really?” asked David with a slight cold tone.

Benedict did not reply as David wanted and just said, “I am nothing but a mere student here. Professor Henry picked us up when we were young and accepted us as his students. That is the only thing that I can say to you.”

David went silent for a moment, thinking deeply about something. It took him quite a while to organize his thoughts before saying. “I do trust Sir Henry, but I can’t say the same thing for you.”

“You should be aware of the matter between our Fog Village and your clan, so I trust that you understand by doubts,” he added.

Benedict smiled bitterly as he nodded helplessly. “The Fog Village.”

He then turned to David as the pupils behind his eyeglasses suddenly turned purple. “I am clearly aware of it. Not only your village, but the entire world as well.”

“I seem to remember that there are customs in a certain country, saying that friendship can be made by crossing fists with one another,” said David, staring straight into the eyes of the latter. “How about we look for a quiet place to get ‘acquainted’ with one another?”

Benedict grinned as he replied. “There is no need to go that far. How about I give you a little tour of our humble department?”

“Lead the way,” said David, not refusing the offer.

……