Chapter 219: When the time comes
Seojun muttered to himself, "Hmm, I know what to do."
[Do you have anything in mind, host?]
Seojun nodded, glancing toward the distant horizon. "There's still a possibility they can track me again. To avoid that, I have to do something of what an E Rank can do."
"Kyuu? Like what, Master?" Sui asked curiously, his gooey form wobbling.
[Right! That's actually a smart idea, host. Even though the entrance exam is over and you've passed, your disappearance after the test might still raise questions. If someone investigates further, they could piece things together. Pretending to be just another ordinary awakener will help avoid unnecessary attention.]
Seojun leaned against a nearby railing, deep in thought. "People might start digging into my past—why I've stayed hidden for so long."
[Not to mention, host, the incident with Astral on the island has already caught the attention of the global system and possibly some deities. If they link that power to you, they won't stop hunting you down. They'll investigate further, and eventually, they might uncover your secrets.]
"I know," Seojun replied with a sigh. "That's why I need to lay low. The best move now is to blend in, act like an average awakener, and not draw any more attention. I can't risk revealing my true strength or my connection to the Abyss. This might endanger my Mom"
Sui wobbled anxiously. "Kyuu But Master, what if someone strong comes after you? Won't you fight back?"
Seojun chuckled softly, patting the slime. "Of course, Sui. I'm not going to let anyone harm me or the people I care about."
"Kyuu, I will protect you no matter what happened Master!"
"Thank you Sui, So now..."
Seojun pushed off the railing, straightening up as he prepared to step into the next phase of his plan. From his inventory, he pulled out a sleek card—the Beast Doctor License.
[Oh right! You already have a Beast Doctor License. That'll work perfectly.]
Sui, perched on Seojun's shoulder, wobbled excitedly. "Will Master help beasts now?"
Seojun smiled faintly and nodded. "Let's see where this license takes me."
Meanwhile, in America
Seoyang, Seojun's mother, had returned to the U.S. at the request of her brother, Shaun. He insisted she stay with them for a while, wanting to celebrate Seojun's accomplishment together.
"This is a celebration!" Shaun said enthusiastically as he popped open a bottle of champagne in his spacious living room. "Seojun passed the entrance exam. Aren't you happy, sis?"
Seoyang sat on the couch, holding a glass of sparkling water, and smiled warmly at her brother. "Of course, I'm happy. It's been his dream to get into the Beast Doctor Academy. Knowing he made it is enough for me."
Shaun's wife, Clara, joined in, carrying a tray of snacks. "Congratulations, Seoyang. It's amazing that Seojun passed. It's just a bit sad that we couldn't see what happened in the last test. There's so little information about what went on with his group."
Seoyang chuckled lightly, taking a sip of her drink. "Thank you, Clara. Yes, it's been like that since the start of the entrance exam, Camera's broke. But as long as my son passed, that's all that matters."
Shaun's three children ran into the room, excitedly asking about their cousin. "Is Uncle Seojun really going to heal magical beasts now?" one of them asked, eyes wide with curiosity
Seoyang chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Not yet. Seojun still has to attend his classes at the Beast Doctor Academy and pass all his exams before he can officially heal beasts. That's how he'll earn his full Beast Doctor License."
The children looked a little disappointed but still curious. "So the license he got isn't the real one yet?" another asked.
Explore more stories at empire
"It's an ID not a license," Seoyang explained. "It lets him learn and practice under supervision while he's at the academy. But once he graduates, he'll receive the official license that allows him to work freely as a Beast Doctor."
"Ohhh," the kids said in unison, nodding as if they understood every detail.
Shaun, standing nearby with a glass of champagne, grinned. "Seojun's always been a hard worker. I bet he'll pass everything in no time. Right, sis?"
Seoyang smiled, pride lighting up her face. "Yes, he's always been determined. I have no doubt he'll succeed."
Clara chimed in, bringing over more snacks. "It's amazing how he continue his ambition after returning. He didn't lost hope You must be so proud, Seoyang."
"I am," Seoyang said warmly. "He's grown so much, and I'm excited to see what he'll achieve."
The family continued their celebration. Shaun approached Seoyang as she sat on the couch, sipping her tea. His expression was serious, and he kept his voice low. "Did you feel it last night?"
Seoyang stopped mid-sip, her eyes narrowing. She set her cup down carefully and nodded. "I did. Someone used a divine weapon. The deities are probably in chaos now."
Shaun nodded grimly, leaning back against the wall. "It's been centuries since one was last activated. Whoever used it isn't ordinary."
The room fell into a heavy silence as the weight of their conversation hung in the air. Finally, Shaun broke it, his voice softer. "When are you going to tell Seojun about your status?"
Seoyang sighed deeply, her gaze distant. "After he graduates from the Beast Doctor Academy. I'll tell him everything then. I just hope he won't be angry when he finds out."
Shaun gave her a reassuring smile, walking over to her and gently tapping her head. "Don't worry too much, sis. Seojun will understand. Even if he gets upset at first, give him time to adapt. He's strong, just like you."
Seoyang let out a small, humorless laugh. "I hope you're right,"
Shaun leaned closer, his tone light but meaningful. "Seojun isn't just your son, he's your legacy. He'll handle the truth when the time comes."
Seoyang nodded silently. Deep down, she knew Shaun was right, but the thought of her son's reaction still weighed heavily on her.
As Shaun stood up, his eyes lit up when he saw someone entering the house. A mischievous grin spread across his face as he turned to Seoyang. "Ehem, your lover is here," he teased, leaning closer to nudge her playfully.
Seoyang glared at him, her cheeks turning slightly pink. "Stop it, brother" she hissed, reaching out to pinch his waist.
"Ow! Hey!" Shaun winced, but he was still laughing. "I'm just saying, you're blushing now. You really love him?"
Seoyang rolled her eyes and shook her head, brushing past him to greet John, who had just arrived at the door. Her expression softened into a warm smile. "I thought you weren't coming," she said.
John scratched the back of his head, a sheepish smile on his face. "Well, here I am in front of you. Sorry for being late. Did I miss anything?"
Seoyang shook her head, her smile never wavering. "Nope, you're just in time. We're just getting started. But..." she trailed off, looking behind him. "Where are they?"
Before John could respond, the sound of little feet running echoed through the house. Two young woman, man and a kid appeared behind him, and the youngest one shouted excitedly,
"Mommy!"