Child of Destiny

In the next few days of the week, Shin had spent his time quite normally. He trained with David in the morning before cooking meals for his mother and spending time with her. Even though he was still not that comfortable with her, he was already getting used to her presence and chatting with her.

Even though she was still teasing him from time to time, he was already getting used to it and became immune to it, which made Evangeline quite upset. She called him boring because of this.

She then repeatedly reprimanded him that boring men with not attract women, which he subconsciously rebutted by pointing at his face.

Evangeline was stunned at first when she saw that, but suddenly burst out laughing.

That was right. Who cared about other matters when he had that kind of face?

Aside from hanging out with his friends during the rest of the day, he was also logging back in the game to continue his research and find more clues for his quests while also waiting for the major update to drop.

After learning about the truth of why the major powers in the real world were paying more attention to the game, Shin was not looking at this game any differently.

However, he still chose to explore it at a steady pace after his mother told him to enjoy it. After all, it was still a game.

Even if Arthur and the others also learned about the so-called ‘truth’ about the game, Shin did not share the whole truth with them. After all, it could put them in danger if they learned about it.

The curse of Heaven could even affect powerful figures like Nathan and the rest, so it was not hard to imagine how the others would end up once they learn about the truth.

They were unlike him, who was ‘immune’ to this curse due to what he had inherited from his parents.

Even though he was curious why Evangeline was so confident about it, he still did not doubt her words. After all, she would never put him in harm’s way.

The other thing that made him curious was how his parents were said to be immune to the influence of Heaven.

He first thought that it was because they had already crossed that line and stepped into the Transcendent and Exalted Realms, respectively.

However, he immediately rejected that idea since he knew that the other experts in that realm would not confidently say something like that.

This made him think that his parents might have reached something that others could not.

…

Not long after, it was finally the time for the major update to drop, closing all the servers of the game and putting them in maintenance.

The month-long maintenance would immediately take place, giving all the players a lot of time in the real world.

Right on cue, Shin and the others had all received a notice from the Academy. All of them were summoned, asking them to return as soon as possible.

“An immediate summons?” mumbled Shin right after receiving the notice.

He and the others were currently gathered, planning to hang out together to relax and enjoy. However, the notice suddenly arrived right before they could even come up with a decision on where to go.

“It sounds quite urgent as well,” commented Cloe after skimming through the contents.

“It seems like it is not about our return for classes,” added Lorraine, who had just returned from her family after finishing her special training there.

Shin thought for a moment, recalling something that his Senior Brother had mentioned. “It must be about the big operation that Senior Brother is talking about.”

Right at the same time, the group had also received another pair of notices. This time, they were from the School Administration Committee and Mission Board.

“A Club mission?”

The group could not help but raise their brows after seeing the mission notice.

“I guess this is going to be quite serious. The mission duration seems to be quite long, too!” said Arthur after skimming through the contents.

Leonard then sighed, focusing on another matter. “Laura will surely scold me when she learns about this.”

“It is mentioned that it is meant for the One Day Diary Club. This means that all of us are going,” pointed Lorraine.

“Ah! This is annoying! I want to have some fun together after such a long time,” complained Arthur before suddenly thinking of something. “There is no exact time for the summon, isn’t it?”

“They only said to come back to the academy as soon as possible, but don’t emphasize the exact time! Can we just sneak out for a moment and have some fun before going?” he added excitedly.

“This guy is hopeless,” said Cloe with a sigh while putting her hand on her forehead.

The others also nodded while Shin suddenly mumbled. “If it is the whole club, then it means that the Potter Twins will also be summoned, right?”

Shin was barely able to finish his words when Arthur suddenly jumped up from his seat and shouted. “What are you guys waiting for!? The academy is summoning us! Let’s prepare now and head out as soon as possible! There is a big mission waiting for us!”

Right after his declaration, he swiftly executed his unique foot technique, transforming into a golden streak of light that dashed out of the living room and headed straight to his room.

“He is really hopeless,” commented Lorraine with a sigh.

“It is at least much easier to ‘control’ him now,” laughed Shin before turning to the rest of the team. “Alright, it’s time to move. You can go and make your respective preparations. Let’s meet again in an hour or two.”

He dispersed everyone, telling them to do whatever they needed.

As for himself, he first headed outside, planning to meet his mother. She was most likely aware of this, so all he needed to do was to tell her that he would be going now.

Moreover, he also heard that David would most likely be participating in the upcoming mission. He just did not know what role his Senior Brother was playing in it.

“If it is a big operation, then the other clubs will most likely join in as well, particularly the major ones,” he mumbled as he walked out. “Then Big Sis will most likely be joining us as well.”

“The faculty members will be involved as well if that is the case,” he frowned deeply as he started to sense that there must be a huge battle waiting for them once again. “I wonder what kind of mission it is.”

***

In the meantime, in the Stuart Manor, Elias Stuart was standing before his daughter.

“Are you sure about this?” he asked after a while.

Alice, with a resolute expression on her face, stared straight into her father’s eyes and nodded. “I am sure about this, Father.”

“I understand the risks of this mission,” she added, filled with determination.

Elias sighed after seeing that he could not stop his daughter from participating in this mission. “This mission is not going to be simple. Even if your job is to do a ‘concert’ under your idol name, the situation there is going to be a bit complicated.”

“I will not be able to protect you as well, given the current circumstances. I will be stationed in another place,” he added with full seriousness.

“Don’t worry, Father. I have been briefed about this already. And they have said that my guards will be Uncle Joaquin in disguise, along with your other friend,” she said.

“Even so-…” Elias tried to convince her again, but he was immediately interrupted by his daughter.

“As you have said before, I will one day grow up and need to be independent. There is no way that you will always be on my side to protect me,” she started before quickly adding. “Moreover, the last incident has woken me up. If not for that guy sacrificing his safety for us, we would most likely be in an even graver danger.”

“I need to grow stronger as well! I don’t want to be a burden to everyone.”

Elias paused and stared at her for a while before sighing. “Alright. Then, before you go, you must see your grandparents first and gain their blessings. Only then will I be at least.”

***

Potter Clan.

Jilian and Molton were currently standing before a throne-like chair, where an extremely beautiful woman was sitting, while keeping their head low.

The two kept their silence for quite a while, enduring the invisible pressure that this person was passively emitting.

After what seemed to be an entire day, that woman finally sighed. “It seems like you two have already made up your mind.”

Unexpectedly, it was the always timid kid who had answered her. “We also need to spread our wings and fly on our own, Mom. Isn’t that what the Potter Clan always teaches its descendants?”

That woman was taken aback, staring at her son for quite a while, before smiling bitterly. “I guess you two have really grown up. Then Mom will let you free.”

“But before that, you two must go to the Clan’s Treasure room and get a few things before heading out. Your Uncle will be waiting for you there to hand you those things.”

After that, she dismissed the two before turning toward the shades at the corner of the room. “It seems like our children have already grown their wings and are ready to leave the nest.”

A man shrouded by darkness then walked out of those shades before smiling at her. He then turned toward the door, where the pair of twins walked out, before nodding his head. “They have grown quite well, indeed.”

“The kids will be going away. Should we spend more time together and catch up?” he said with a somewhat mischievous smile.

The woman then rolled her eyes and shooed him away. “Just go with your mission already. I’m afraid Nathan and the others are already waiting for you.”

That man then sighed and complained a little. “I don’t want to go with those battle maniacs. This is going to be a drag.”

……