Chapter 92: What scares a Father
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–Chapter 92–
"Huh."
Dean muttered when he felt the hand resting on his shoulder.
Astrea’s eyes narrowed, noticing the person behind Dean. But Dean didn’t move an inch.
He turned slowly, looking up to see one of the academy’s assistants.
Recognizing the woman from the familiar academy blue blazer she wore.
With a stiffened expression, she handed him a small folded slip.
"You are needed in the administrative office," the assistant said politely. "And immediately." She emphasized.
Without being told, Dean knew this wouldn’t be good. Or maybe it might.
He couldn’t be skeptical all the time. Maybe this is some kind of medal for closing a blue zone at eighteen.
Astrea remained quiet, but she observed calmly, watching the exchange even as Ash slid closer to Dean, climbing up his arm.
Dean sighed and stood up. "Wish me luck," he smiled at Astrea.
The vampire didn’t even hide it this time, she openly smiled back. "You don’t need luck."
The slime that had finally made it to his shoulder, jiggled weakly.
"We’ll be fine," Dean glanced at Ash. But the slime flattened itself dramatically on his shoulder.
The assistant led the way. They walked through another unfamiliar path together and by the time they approached the administrative building.
Dean’s instincts were still calm, he didn’t feel any malice coming from the assistant and even now, the system was still calm.
Suddenly the assistant stopped at the doors of the building. She led him through and Dean followed. "You’re not coming in?"
"No," she said simply and nodded.
The hallway of the building was quiet but Dean could see several offices on the ground floor.
"Hey.."
Dean turned and spotted Mr Richard at one of the open doors. Dean moved closer and pushed the door open carefully before stepping in.
By the time he entered, Richard was already seated and Ying was sitting directly opposite him.
"Father...?" Dean said. Genuinely surprised to find the man here even though it somehow made sense when he really thought about it.
Ying remained calm. Hands folded around his chest. His black eyes now watching Dean intently.
But even with the tension building between the two men.
Richard leaned back in his chair, while sipping tea like he was watching live entertainment.
Dean’s chest tightened. He had fucked up somehow. Wait he had definitely fucked up.
Never had Ying came over to the academy like this. Or even his middle school. The man had always trusted him to choose and follow his own path.
With Dean rooted in one spot like a lamp post. Ash rose up from its flattened state to peek at the situation.
And the slime retreated immediately, hiding behind his collar again.
"Ummm.." Dean wanted to speak.
"Sit down.." Ying said in a deep, coarse and somehow incredibly calm voice.
"O-okay," Dean responded. Looking around for a seat as if he was totally blind to the empty seat right next to Ying.
With nowhere else to go, he quietly sat beside the man.
Even with Dean across from him, Ying still remained silent. Bidding time before he finally spoke.
"You entered a blue zone?"
The man went straight to the point. There was no need to linger.
Dean stayed quiet, resisting the urge to sigh. "Yes..Father."
"Without informing me?" Ying’s tone became colder.
Dean didn’t know what to say. Imagine him getting scolded right now. It was the first time he felt anything like this.
"Technically speaking, Leona Saint had immediate jurisdiction over the operation," Richard finally raised one hand slightly.
Coming to Dean’s immediate rescue. But Ying wasn’t having it.
He turned his gaze towards Richard. And the limping man leaned back without a care.
"Just adding context," the man shrugged.
Ying returned his attention to Dean again. "Do you understand anything, could have happened inside that zone?"
Dean stayed quiet before he spoke again. "I survived."
"..And you think, that’s the point?"
Dean looked away. The sharpness in Ying’s eyes caught him by surprise.
The man stood up and began pacing around the room like he was holding back an eruption.
And for the first time since he arrived in the world, Dean could tell that Ying was genuinely angry.
"If she wasn’t there. You would have encountered dangers beyond your comprehension...boy!"
’i still did’ Dean thought.
"You’re only an Elite tier summoner," Ying continued. "You’re not invincible."
"I know..." Dean replied. He understood the man’s point. But it wasn’t something he was used to.
The room became quiet again. And Ash took the opportunity to slowly crawl upward from Dean’s shoulder before staring at Ying curiously.
The slime tilted slightly like it was trying to understand why the older man’s emotions felt so unstable.
Ying noticed it. And his expression softened for half a second. Before it hardened again.
"And apparently," he continued, "you accepted a Hel’Khar challenge without informing me."
Dean’s eyes immediately went to Richard, he knew the man was probably aware and as he expected.
Richard raised both hands innocently. "What?" he said. "He is your father.."
Dean narrowed his eyes like a snake. ’Traitor,’ he thought.
"I prefer educator," Richard smirked with his spiralling eyes active.
Dean shrugged. But Ying ignored both of them.
"Marcus Argent is Galan Argent’s second son," Ying said calmly. "Do you understand what Hel’Khar means among werewolves?"
"A public dominance challenge," Dean replied. Putting the knowledge he got from Ymir into action.
"And?"
Dean frowned, picking his brain before answering. "A political statement."
Ying nodded once. "Good. At least you understand part of it."
He stopped pacing and looked directly at Dean.
"You are carrying the Gray name publicly as its Heir. Every action you take reflects back on the family now."
Dean met Ying’s gaze firmly, "Isn’t that what you wanted?"
Ying’s expression shifted slightly. The steel in his eyes melting slowly. "Yes," he admitted. "But not at the cost of losing you."
The answer caught Dean off guard. And in that moment, the room suddenly felt smaller but in a good way.
Ying slowly exhaled before sitting down again. The pitch of his voice was much lower this time.
"Your mother believed you would become something great one day."
Dean remained still. He hand never heard Ying talk about her ever.
"I will not let you die before you prove her right."
The silence afterward felt heavier than anything before that moment. Even Richard looked away respectfully.
Ash slowly moved across Dean’s shoulder before gently pressing itself against the side of his neck.
Maybe the slime could not fully understand human emotions yet. But it definitely felt the tension and concern in Ying’s voice.
Dean swallowed slowly. "I’ll be careful."
Ying snorted softly and shook his head. "No you won’t."
"Mhhhmmhh" Richard coughed into his teacup to hide a chuckle.
Ying spared him a glance before he finally leaned backward slightly. Then surprisingly, his expression completely softened.
"You survived a Blue Zone," he said calmly.
"You are climbing rankings. And everyone is talking about the Gray family again."
Dean blinked once. Still quiet.
Ying looked directly at him. "I am proud of you, son."
– End of Chapter –
