Chapter 20. Separated Paths

After nearly sixteen exhausting hours of travel, the trio—Lucian, Lucas, and Hikaru—finally set foot in America. The air felt different. Familiar. Brighter. Lucas and Lucian both felt a wave of excitement rush through them at the thought of seeing home again.

As they stepped out of the airport terminal, the warm late-morning sun greeted them. Lucas's eyes scanned the pickup area—and lit up instantly.

"There!" he pointed, voice bursting with joy.

Across the street, standing beside a dark blue SUV, were his parents and younger sister. His dad waved eagerly, his mom smiling ear to ear, and his sister practically jumping in place.

Lucas didn't wait. He ran.

"Mom! Dad!" he called, rushing into their arms. They embraced tightly, laughing, voices overlapping in excitement.

"You've grown up so much," his mom said, brushing his hair lovingly. "We watched everything. You were incredible."

His dad patted his back with pride, "My boy… an adventurer now, huh?"

His sister threw her arms around him. "You were so cool, Lucas!"

Meanwhile, a few steps behind, Lucian stood still, watching it all with quiet eyes. He didn't smile. Just… observed. Hikaru noticed.

"Your family didn't come?" Hikaru asked gently.

Lucian gave a small nod. "I just have an older brother. He's probably at work right now."

There was a pause. Hikaru didn't press further.

But the moment wasn't left unacknowledged. Lucas's mother glanced over, her eyes meeting Lucian's. She whispered something to her husband and gestured for him to come closer.

"Lucian!" she called warmly, waving him over. "Come here!"

Lucian blinked, a bit surprised. Slowly, he walked forward.

Lucas's mom pulled him into a hug like he was her own. "You were amazing too. Brave and strong," she said softly. "We're proud of you."

Lucas's father gave him a nod. "You're always welcome, son."

Lucian felt something heavy in his chest lift—just a little.

After a few more words and smiles, they said their goodbyes to Hikaru, who stayed behind to meet his own arrangements. Then the rest of them got into the car.

Lucas's parents sat in the front, while Lucas, his sister, and Lucian settled into the back. The car pulled away from the airport, sliding into the comforting roads of home.

Lucian leaned his head against the window, watching the passing streets, a rare calmness in his chest.

He was back. And for the first time in a while, he didn't feel alone.

The car pulled into the driveway, and Lucas was the first to leap out. His eyes gleamed with joy—he was finally home.

Lucian stepped out behind him, calm but clearly tired. The long flight had drained them both, and their stomachs growled faintly. Lucas's mother noticed instantly.

"You two must be starving," she said with a warm smile. "Come inside. I've got lunch ready."

Before anything else, they washed up—face, hands, the dust of travel scrubbed away with splashes of cool water. Then they sat down to eat. The table was filled with the scent of home-cooked food, and silence reigned as they devoured it all.

Once the meal was done, Lucian stood, wiping his mouth with a napkin. "Thank you… for everything," he said, his voice low but sincere.

Lucas's mom gave him a soft smile. "Come by anytime, sweetheart."

With that, Lucian waved goodbye and left. He had a spare key to his apartment and knew his brother would still be at work.

Lucas, meanwhile, climbed up to his room. He didn't even bother changing—just dropped onto his bed and let the comfort swallow him. Within minutes, he was asleep.

Hours passed. The golden afternoon light shifted toward dusk.

Knock knock.

The sound stirred Lucas from his nap. He groggily got up and opened the door to find his younger sister standing there.

"What is it?" he mumbled, rubbing his eyes.

"Big brother, there are some people downstairs who want to talk to you."

Confused and still half-asleep, Lucas followed her down. In the living room, three men in black suits stood waiting—agents.

One of them stepped forward and smiled politely. "Good evening, Mr. Lucas. We've been sent by the President himself. Only three adventurers were chosen from America this year. He would like to personally interview each of you to hear about your experience."

Lucas blinked. This could be big—an interview directly from the President? Recognition, maybe even national fame. But then he asked, "Is Lucian coming too?"

There was a short silence. Then one of the agents spoke, hesitating, "Actually… two of the three declined. You're the last one we're approaching."

Lucas didn't even take a second to decide. "Then I'm not doing it either."

"What?" his father said from behind. "Lucas, this is a great oppor—"

Before he could finish, Lucas's mom cut in gently, "Let him be. If Lucas doesn't want to, we shouldn't pressure him."

Lucas's father looked at his wife for a moment, then let out a small smile and nodded.

The agents tried once more to convince him, but Lucas was firm. Eventually, they left, disappointed and empty-handed.

Lucas just stood there, staring at the door after they were gone.

Lucas's father sat across from him on the couch, sipping tea with a curious expression. "So, son… what do you plan to do next? Will you be taking on quests now?"

Lucas glanced at him and saw a soft, supportive smile on his father's face. It made him smile back. "I don't know yet. I'm still waiting for companies to send me requests."

His father nodded. "Ah, I see. Nothing yet?"

Lucas shook his head. "No… not yet. Let me check again."

He raised his hand, summoning his crimson screen. The familiar hum of energy buzzed faintly as glowing red letters began to type themselves into existence before his eyes. First came his basic information.

[Name: Lucas Halt]

[Age: 8 years old]

[Sex: Male]

[Active Quest: 3 Years Mastery]

[Available Quests: None]

[Destination: None]

[Time: 3 Years]

[Unlocked Wraths: Electricity]

[Unlocked Passive Wraths: Stamina Cell]

[Nature: Purple (Electricity)]

Lucas's brows furrowed. Something… was off.

He tilted his head slightly. "Wait… I have an active quest? Since when?"

His eyes locked onto the line:

[Active Quest: 3 Years Mastery]

He'd never noticed it before. It wasn't there the last time he checked—or was it? Had it activated silently when he received the passive wrath?

He muttered under his breath, "Three Years Mastery…"

He stared at the screen a moment longer. Whatever this quest was, it was already ticking.

And it had a deadline.

Lucas's father leaned forward, eyes narrowing at the crimson screen floating before his son. "Is that… the Three Years Mastery quest?"

Lucas turned to him in surprise. "Wait… how do you know that?"

Neither his father, mother, nor sister had received the crimson screen yet—they were all still Ordinaries. The idea that his father recognized the quest caught him completely off guard.

His father smiled faintly. "A friend of mine… he's an adventurer. He once told me that the first quest every new adventurer gets is called Three Years Mastery."

Lucas blinked. "What do you have to do in it?"

His father folded his arms thoughtfully. "The quest gives you a three-year deadline. You have to master your weapon and your Wrath within that time. That means getting your basics to a level most would consider mastery."

Lucas frowned. "But it didn't give me any destination. What do I do now?"

His father nodded. "That part is up to you. You choose your destination based on your weapon and your Wrath's nature. Think of it like choosing your own training ground."

Lucas's thoughts drifted to the weapon he had chosen—the one he hadn't used yet.

Guan Dao…?

He turned to his father. "Do you know where a Guan Dao comes from?"

His father squinted slightly. "Guan Dao? That's… new to me. What is it?"

Lucas opened his inventory, selected the weapon, and summoned it into his hands. The air chilled slightly as the weapon materialized—long, curved, and sinister. Its blackened steel shimmered with a ghostly aura, runes faintly glowing along its blade.

It was beautiful… but terrifying.

His mother gasped. "That's the weapon you chose?"

His little sister stepped behind their mom, clearly spooked. Lucas nodded silently.

His father stared at the weapon for a moment, thinking. "I think I've seen something like that in a book once… a Chinese warrior wielded it. Let me check online real quick."

A few seconds passed as he searched on his phone.

"Got it," he said finally. "Yeah, this is a traditional Chinese weapon. Your next destination… should be China."

Before Lucas could react, his mom stepped forward, her tone sharp with worry. "Absolutely not. He can't go there alone. We don't know a single soul in China."

Her hands clenched, protective instincts flaring. "He's only eight years old."

Lucas looked down at the Guan Dao in his hands, the weight of his destiny starting to settle on his shoulders.

He knew one thing for certain:

He couldn't master this weapon sitting at home.

Lucas's father smiled gently and said, "Remember the friend I mentioned earlier? He's actually living in China right now. He switched companies last year and joined a Chinese firm. I can talk to him, maybe ask him to look after you for a while."

Lucas's mother, however, still looked unconvinced. Worry was etched deep into her face—because after all, she was his mom. Lucas turned to her and gently said, "Don't worry, Mom. I'll take care of myself, I promise."

Her eyes welled up. She blinked rapidly, but a tear slipped down her cheek. "But you'll be gone for three years…"

Her voice broke, and soon she was crying silently. Seeing her cry, Lucas's little sister began crying too, her small frame clinging to their mother's side. The room filled with quiet sobs and the weight of an irreversible choice.

But this was Lucas's path now. He was an adventurer. And though it hurt, he had to walk it.

After a few hours of emotional back and forth, his mother finally agreed—but not without setting some very strict conditions.

"First," she began, sternly wiping her tears, "you must change your clothes every single day, and yes, that includes your underwear."

Lucas sighed.

"Second, you have to shower daily."

Another sigh.

"Third, you will not—I repeat, will not—get involved with any girls."

Lucas looked at her, scandalized. "I'm eight!"

"Just making it clear," she snapped.

"Fourth," she continued, "you'll call me every single day."

Lucas nodded quickly, not wanting her to change her mind.

"And finally," she said, "you will eat your green vegetables without complaint. Daily."

Lucas sighed once more, long and deep. But he knew there was no point arguing.

Later, Lucas and his mom were packing his bags in his room. The atmosphere was a mix of excitement and tension. Clothes, a few books, and basic necessities were carefully arranged. Lucas's father stepped into the room and handed him a new smartphone.

"This has all our numbers saved. Use it to call us every day," he said with a smile.

Lucas accepted it with a quiet nod. The weight of leaving was settling on his shoulders—but something else pulled his attention.

A voice echoed from downstairs.

"Big brother! Your friend is here!"

Lucas stepped out of the room and made his way down. At the bottom of the stairs, standing by the door, was Lucian. The boy raised a hand casually and said, "Yo."

Lucas grinned. "Hey."

Lucian tilted his head. "So… did you check your active quest?"

"Yeah," Lucas said. "You too?"

Lucian nodded. "Yup. Where are you headed?"

"China. You?"

"Japan."

Lucas raised an eyebrow, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. "So, I'm guessing your weapon and passive wrath are both aligned with some ancient Japanese tradition?"

Lucian gave him a deadpan look. "Think whatever you want."

Then, noticing the phone in Lucas's hand, Lucian reached into his pocket and handed him a slip of paper with his number scribbled on it.

"Here. Just in case."

Lucas took it with a smile.

Even though their paths were diverging, their bond remained.

[Active Quest: 3 Years Mastery]