Chapter 15: Steps for future
Standing on the balcony of their house, Klein leaned against the railing, gazing out at the quiet morning cityscape.
The cool breeze brushed against his face, but his mind was elsewhere.
A slight frown creased his brow as he thought about his next steps.
’I want to enter Grayhaven Academy because it’s the best one in the Human Dominion. But it will cost some money.’
Grayhaven Academy was widely regarded as the top institution for newly awakened Arbiters in the entire Human world.
The only ones who can compare to that Academy are the ones in Elven territory and the Demon territory.
Grayhaven has the best instructors, the most advanced training facilities, exclusive access to high-rank Spirit Realms, and strong connections with top guilds and noble families.
Many of the strongest young Arbiters in the country has graduated from there.
But it was also extremely expensive.
Even with his Mythic-rank class, the tuition, equipment fees, and living expenses would be no small amount.
He didn’t want to burden Arwen any further as she was already working hard at her job.
’But because of my class rank, I can ask for scholarships maybe...’ he pondered.
A Mythic-rank class was incredibly rare.
Academies competed fiercely for talents like him.
If he applied properly and showed his potential, he might be able to secure a full scholarship or at least a heavy discount.
Klein let out a long sigh and ran a hand through his messy black hair.
Behind him, the glass door slid open.
Arwen stepped out onto the balcony, wearing one of his oversized hoodies over her tank top.
She walked over and hugged him from behind, resting her cheek against his back.
"You’ve been standing here for a while," she said softly. "Thinking about the future?"
He placed his hands over hers, "Yeah... I was thinking about Grayhaven Academy. It’s the best place for me to train and stabilize my powers. But the cost..."
Arwen tightened her arms around him.
"We’ll figure it out," she murmured. "You don’t have to worry about money. I can cover it for now."
Klein turned around in her embrace so he could face her.
He cupped her cheek gently, brushing his thumb across her skin.
"I don’t want you to keep carrying everything. You’ve already done so much for me. As I said, I want to take care-."
Arwen interrupted him with a giggle "You already do take care of me by just being with me."
She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him gently.
"If Grayhaven is what you want, then go for it. We’ll apply for scholarships together. With your class, they’d be stupid not to give you one. And even if they don’t... we’ll manage."
---
With a deep sigh, Arwen leaned back against the kitchen counter, arms crossed over her chest.
"I have all the money to admit him into Grayhaven even without a scholarship," she said quietly.
"The tuition, equipment, dorm fees... I can cover everything."
She paused, biting her lower lip "But how can I tell him I earned all this money with my IT job? It doesn’t add up. He’s not stupid. He’ll start asking questions."
Cynthia, who was sitting on the kitchen island swinging her legs, tilted her head "Why don’t we just tell him the truth?" she asked casually, popping a piece of fruit into her mouth.
"That we kill people for money."
Arwen shot her a sharp glare "Cynthia."
"What?" Cynthia shrugged, licking the juice off her fingers.
"It’s not like we’re lying. You used to take high-rank dungeon contracts and assassination requests from shady clients. I helped you on quite a few of them."
"That’s how we made most of our money after leaving the orphanage. We can just... sugarcoat it a little. Say we did ’high-risk Awakener work’ or something."
Arwen rubbed her temples, "He thinks I’ve been living a normal life. Working a regular IT job, coming home tired from meetings and coding."
"If I suddenly tell him I’ve been sneaking out to kill people in towers and take bounty requests... how do you think he’ll react?"
Cynthia hopped off the island and walked over, leaning against the counter beside her.
"He’ll probably be shocked at first. But Klein isn’t weak-minded. And he loves us. I don’t think he’ll hate us for it."
Arwen stayed silent for a moment, staring at the floor.
"I don’t want him to worry about us."
"He already carries so much guilt. If he finds out I’ve been risking my life for years just to support him... he’ll blame himself. He’ll think he was a burden. I don’t want that."
Cynthia reached out and gently tucked a strand of Arwen’s black hair behind her ear.
"I know. But hiding it forever isn’t healthy either. Especially now that he’s awakened. He’s going to grow stronger fast."
"Sooner or later, he’ll start noticing things."
Arwen let out a tired breath and leaned her head on Cynthia’s shoulder.
"I just wanted to give him a normal life for as long as possible. A life where he didn’t have to carry the weight of our sins."
Cynthia wrapped an arm around her, hugging her sideways.
"We’re not sinners, Arwen. We did what we had to do to survive and protect him. That’s all."
Arwen straightened up and looked at Cynthia with "I’ll tell him... but not right now. After he settles into the Academy. I don’t want to burden him while he’s still adjusting to his new power."
Cynthia nodded "Fair enough. But if he asks directly... we shouldn’t lie to him anymore."
Arwen agreed with a small nod.
At that moment, they heard footsteps coming down the stairs.
Cynthia immediately uttered "Oh, we were just talking about you," she said playfully.
She looked up at Klein with a teasing grin, "Don’t worry, little Kay. If the scholarship doesn’t work out, I’ll become a sugar mommy for you."
Klein shook his head helplessly as he walked over to grab a glass of water.
Cynthia giggled and moved closer, "The mental image of you calling me ’Mommy’ while I spoil you is just too good to resist."
Arwen nearly choked on her laugh "Cyn. Tone it down."
Seeing her antics, Klein just smiled wryly and took a sip of his water.
