Chapter 5: My Dad Is Ryoji Takahashi

"By the way, what powers did you awaken at school today?"

Ryoji Takahashi smiled warmly as he filled Renji's bowl with food.

Seeing his dad's kind expression, Renji's heart skipped a beat.

After hesitating for a moment, he finally said carefully, "Well, Dad... there's good news and bad news. Which one do you want first?"

Ryoji chuckled. "Let's hear the good news first."

Renji cleared his throat. "I awakened... two S-level powers."

"Double S-level?!"

Ryoji nearly jumped out of his chair, his eyes wide in shock.

Then, a huge grin broke out on his face. "HA! That's my boy! You've surpassed your old man already!"

The happier Ryoji got, the more nervous Renji became.

"Uh, Dad... about the bad news."

Ryoji laughed, waving his chopsticks. "Hah, what bad news could ruin this? Go ahead, tell me."

"The bad news is... my powers are Wood Release and Spirit Eye."

"Wood and Spirit Eye? Well, that's still... pretty—wait."

The smile froze on Ryoji's face mid-bite. His chopsticks hovered in the air as reality sank in.

"Wood and Spirit Eye? Are you serious??"

Renji lowered his head. "Yeah... I know they're considered the weakest superpowers. I've kinda... let you down, huh?"

For a moment, Ryoji fell silent.

Then, after a long pause, he placed a steady hand on Renji's shoulder and said:

"Son, don't let that get to you. Just because no one else figured out how to use them doesn't mean you won't. You've got double S-level potential. Maybe you'll find a way to break through where others failed."

He smiled.

"I believe in you, Renji."

"And if all else fails... well, you can always come home, kick back, and be a spoiled rich kid. I'll protect you."

Renji immediately perked up. "Dad, you mean it?"

Ryoji paused, realizing too late what he'd just promised.

"Wait... are you messing with me?"

Renji grinned. "Nope, I'm serious. I really did awaken Wood and Spirit Eye. But after what you said, I feel way better. I'll forge my own path and prove those powers aren't useless!"

Ryoji burst into laughter. "Now that's my boy!"

But Renji wasn't done. "But seriously, Dad, if I flop... I can come back and be a lazy, spoiled second-gen, right?"

Ryoji coughed. "Ahem... let's just call you a 'leisurely young heir,' not a total slacker."

"Deal."

They laughed together and finished dinner in good spirits, the father-son bond stronger than ever.

The next day, Renji returned to Azure Dragon Academy.

It was the first day the new classes gathered, marking the beginning of real combat training.

"Dad, I'm off."

He waved goodbye and headed to school.

The academy was lively as ever. Students eagerly found their classrooms, filled with excitement about their new futures.

It took Renji a while to locate Support Class 1, tucked away on the first floor.

But just as he reached the door—

"Hey, look who we have here! The double S-level genius loser finally showed up."

A group of guys blocked his path.

Renji looked up. The leader was a tall, burly guy, easily over 6'3" and 150 kg.

"Listen up, newbie. I'm from the Combat Class. C-rank Beast-Type. That means I'm way stronger than you—some double S-level trash who could only make it into the support class," the big guy sneered. His lackeys laughed behind him.

Renji scratched his head. "Okay, and?"

The big guy blinked. That wasn't the reaction he expected.

"I mean, you're a disgrace to Azure Dragon Academy. The whole city's laughing at you."

Renji shrugged. "So what? We've got Yuna Hoshizaki in our class. Do you have a school beauty in yours?"

The big guy froze.

Ouch.

Everyone at the academy had been crushed when Yuna chose the Support Class, ruining every boy's fantasy.

Renji wasn't even close to Yuna, but hey, why not use her name to his advantage?

"You little—"

The big guy grabbed Renji by the collar, hoisting him off the ground with ease.

But even dangling midair, Renji remained calm. "Oh? You're really gonna throw hands with me?"

He smiled slightly.

"My dad's Ryoji Takahashi."

The big guy—whose name was Kenta Saito—paused.

"Huh?"

His lackeys panicked. "Kenta, wait! His dad's Ryoji Takahashi, one of Azure Dragon City's three fifth-level psychics!"

"You mean the Takahashi family?" Kenta finally pieced it together, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

Renji smiled wider. "Yep. So I suggest you let me go unless you're prepared to deal with a fifth-level powerhouse."

The boys exchanged worried glances.

"Forget it, Kenta. He's not worth it," one muttered.

"Bah... what kind of man hides behind his daddy?" Kenta muttered reluctantly, but he still put Renji down.

Straightening his clothes, Renji smiled. "You wouldn't want the city's top psychic knocking on your door over something like this. Go study, be a good boy."

Kenta scowled. "Hmph! You won't be so smug when we're outside the city on real missions. Let's see if your daddy saves you then."

As he stormed off, Renji called out:

"Hey, what's your name?"

"Kenta Saito. Remember it!"

Renji smirked as they left.

He was starting to understand why rich kids in those cultivation novels acted so arrogant.

Having a powerful dad really did change how people treated you.

Want to continue with the first day of training?