Unknown what is happening on the other side of Ares, Roman packed his belongings; his sister was crying in his aunt's embrace. The floor, which was almost broken because of his reckless adventure in the Origin World, was turned new again.
Roman felt a little sad he couldn't be there for his little sister's admission to the academy. One thing he didn't have in his world was a family he cared about. Now that he was going away from the family he cared for, he felt sad and annoyed.
"Freaking lunatics and their crazy war," he couldn't help but curse in his mind."Is this what my parents felt when I went away for higher studies?" Roman questioned. Being the only child in his family, he had never felt void of love in his childhood like the predecessor Roman; maybe in his brain he was asleep with such loving memories which this world–Roman never felt. Now, seeing a child—who in this world was like a sister to him—going away from love, he couldn't help but curse and feel frustrated.
"When I have enough money, I will sure take these two to Central Ashtrum, and buy a house there. They don't need to live on such a backward, unknown island," Roman thought as he forced his clothes and other necessities into the bag.
"And here I thought after going to the Origin World I would earn enough money, but guess what? That old man didn't even contact me after I sold the hard-earned Lice Elder."
As frustration took him, he embraced both his sister Aeilia and his Aunt Amrita, giving them a final hug before departing for the airport of Athkar Island.
"When will you come again, brother?" Aeilia shouted in her crying tone."Sooner," Roman replied in a hard, emotional tone.
As he slowly opened the exit door, "Goodbye, Master Roman," Robot Oall-E gave him his last goodbye.
"Damn! When did the robot become emotional!" A small drop of water fell from his eyes. He walked up and booked a taxi.
...
The cab hummed quietly along the coastal road as Roman stared out the window. Ashtrum's sun was softer today, as if it too shared his mood. Fishing boats drifted lazily in the distance, and birds circled above the glimmering freshwater sea. Roman leaned back in the seat, thinking how his disappearance—and even his death—wouldn't be cared about by anyone from his previous world
After the death of his parents, he had been left utterly devastated. The worst part was within a week, His best friend had died on the sofa, drunk.
"That bastard never fell in love. When he did, it took his life." Sighing in his heart, he looked out the taxi's window and saw several ducks flying in formation beside him, their wings gliding effortlessly through the air. In his previous life, he'd never had the chance to see birds flying so closely.
He was left lonely beyond measured, nothing to care about other than engulf in pleasure of the physical world.
Never showing his achievements to his family or his close friend had created a hollow space in his heart. Coming to this world—especially the adventure from Origin World it had begun to refresh him. He now felt responsible for something: for his sister and the family he never had a chance to protect in his previous life.
The airport was swarming with energy. Seventy Nine students stood in formation, sixty percent in the rugged uniforms of military cadets, the other forty in plain civilian wear. Roman stepped out of the taxi and was immediately spotted.
"Look Roman showed up," someone muttered. "He was only one of three student and only one from military school who awakened C rank talent."
"Even not being from Origin family he awakened best talent among all. Wouldn't our children would have better chance."
"Look at this guy didn't even survive the origin world trial, now wanted to became a father."
"Damn! All of you, I just had the feeling, you know? If he could awaken C-rank talent being from a normal family, what could we do? Think about it! What if I became the father of 100 children—wouldn't I be able to birth one lucky guy with C-rank talent?"
Laughter rippled through the gathered students, some mocking, others envious. Roman ignored them, adjusting the strap on his bag as he walked toward the check-in line.
After checking in, he immediately went toward Lily, who stood alone and ignored. None of the other students had awakened F-rank talent besides her, so most just pretended she didn't exist.
Like in his previous life—if you had money, you were important. If you didn't, nobody cared.
"Hey! When did you come here?" Roman asked.
Lily gave him a stern look. "With the instructors. After getting hit in your head, did you even forget I live in the dormitory?"
Roman brushed his hair back sheepishly—he really had forgotten.
"Who's left out?" Roman asked, glancing at the familiar and unfamiliar students mingling in the crowd.
"Grad," Lily replied.
"Oh!" Roman nodded. They chatted about random things—from how to cook a flavorful duck to which girl was Roman's type. Just then, a large black car pulled up, and Grad stepped out.
Leo, the District Leader of Athkar, stood on a raised platform in his dark blue officer's uniform. His voice cut through the noise like a blade.
"Enough gossiping!" he barked. "Move now! A military plane will take you all to Ares Imperial Academy. You represent Athkar Island. Don't forget—your failure is our district's failure. Don't embarrass it."
The students straightened up instantly, the chatter dying away.
Roman and Lily quickly boarded the plane as its engines rumbled.
Inside the aircraft, the atmosphere turned tense. Rows of metal seats lined both sides, cold and unwelcoming. A few students whispered among themselves, but most sat stiffly, eyes forward. Roman found a spot beside Lily near the window. Outside, the island grew smaller beneath them, waves crashing against its rocky shore.
"This is it," Lily muttered. "No turning back."
Roman nodded. "Yeah. New world, new fights."
An announcement crackled overhead. "ETA to Ares Imperial Academy: two hours. Remain seated."