Chapter 36.1
[Time Remaining Until the Sage’s Exclusive Gate Appears: 167:59:59]
“The Sage’s gate? Is it similar to a one-person gate?”
Observing the countdown decreasing by one second every second from 168th hour, it seemed that the Sage’s exclusive gate would appear exactly one week later.
“They probably won’t tell us what it’s related to.”
Though it’s hard to understand why is it being so uncooperative when it comes to something as serious as Seonghyun dying or something, Seonghyun, who tried to comfort himself by striving to grow stronger, quickly removed the window in front of him.
“Is there any way to prepare even a little?”
Still, fortunately, a week later, after the equipment requested by the academy came out, he would be able to enter the gate.
“For the next week, let’s take on the task of hunting gates alone.”
With Seonghyun’s abilities, he could gain a significant advantage in combat, and even if something happened, he could avoid most situations just by healing.
“Son, dinner’s ready. Eat quickly.”
“Okay.”
Seonghyun, who had roughly sorted out his plans, came out of the room with a slightly more relaxed expression than when he first returned home.
“Are your academy days going well?”
“Hmm… yeah. I have teammates to go with, and the teachers treat me well.”
Strictly speaking, the reason the homeroom teacher treated Seonghyun well was solely for his own advancement, but Seonghyun had no intention of being manipulated, knowing well the despicable nature hidden behind the teacher’s mask.
He would just use them if necessary.
“That’s good…”
His mother’s expression seemed much more relaxed.
Since they hadn’t discussed how Seonghyun’s first semester had been or what the situation was like at home, until recently, they had assumed no news was good news.
But the change in Seonghyun’s expression and atmosphere lately spoke volumes.
It was too tough back then, just enduring was all.
“Why? Do I have something on my face?”
“Do I have to wait until something’s on my son’s face so I can look at him? There’s nothing there. Hurry up and eat.”
She could have tried to find out what happened, what went wrong, but his mother had no intention of doing so.
Now, all those things were in the past, and there was no point in dwelling on what wouldn’t happen in the future.
“When is Hyein coming home? She seems to be late these days.”
In response to Seonghyun’s question, his mother showed a rather satisfied smile.
Although he seemed uninterested, it appeared he was quite worried about his young sister after all.
“She started attending a new academy a few days ago.”
“An academy? That must be expensive…”
“Don’t worry. Everyone’s been going crazy wanting to apply to associations and academies lately, so I sent her to the best one without spending a single penny.”
Her expression was resolute.
A proud expression as if she’s indulging in her accomplished son.
“You should have some hobbies too, Mom. Hyein started attending a new academy, so she’s coming home late, and I have a lot to do at the academy too, so you must be bored.”
“I do get bored, but lately, time flies when I watch some Kdrama. I looked at the clock and wondered why my son came home so early.”
Certainly, his mother seemed much more relaxed and happy than before.
“You should also exercise. Oh, when Hyein comes, we should start exercising together.”
“E-Exercise?”
Seonghyun seemed reluctant to exercise, but this time, he had no intention of backing down.
“Since we all have a good schedule, shall we go as soon as Hyein arrives?”
“B-But Hyein might be tired…”
“That’s all the more reason to exercise.”
“…”
Normally, his mother would eagerly await her daughter’s arrival, but strangely enough, today she found herself thinking that it wouldn’t hurt if Hyein were a little late.
But annoyingly, Hyein had already punched in the house passcode, as if she’d finished quickly.
“If Hyein eats, she’ll finish her meal and leave, and if she doesn’t, she’ll leave right away.”
“Y-Yes…”
Those were nothing but words said for the sake of her daughter’s and her own health, so the son nodded with a bewildered expression.
“Daughter, are you home?”
“Huh? Oh, yeah…”
“Have you eaten?”
“I-I’m fine.”
Hyein quickly headed straight to her room, and Seonghyun watched her closely.
“What’s going on?”
She looked completely different from her usual self.
Just a few days ago, she seemed fine, but today, there was no trace of the bright demeanor she usually showed.
“Is she going through puberty…? She’s been avoiding conversations lately.”
“Really…? Since when has she been like this?”
“She’s been like this for a few days. I try asking her if something’s wrong, but she won’t say anything…”
Seonghyun quickly finished his meal and headed towards Hyein’s room.
“Hye…”
As he lightly knocked on the door, he faintly heard a sobbing sound from inside.
“…”
It was clearly not something that could be easily brushed aside.
Moreover, since she hadn’t told their mother, it wasn’t something she would readily open up about.
‘She’s been like this for a few days now.’
“What do you think it is?”
As their mother approached Hyein’s room and spoke, Seonghyun led her away, seeming to reassure her.
“You know, Mom, during adolescence, you have to give them some time.”
“Yeah… you’re right…”
“It’ll be okay in a few days. Don’t worry.”
Although their mother didn’t look entirely convinced, she seemed to acquiesce to her reliable son’s words.
“But what kind of academy is it? If she’s applying to academies and associations, it seems like a decent place.”
“She thought about it for a bit, and she decided to go with the association’s recommendation because it seemed like the better option.”
“I see…”
Seonghyun pondered why his sister was acting this way, but no matter how much he thought about it, there was only one conclusion.
The academy that started a few days ago and his sister’s behavior changed during the same period.
‘The association… doing something like this?’
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