Chapter 69: Pain of Parting

"Have you packed everything? Take another look."

Mother Rose stood near the doorway, her eyes moving over the luggage as though she could somehow discover something Jackson had forgotten simply by staring hard enough. His clothes, supplies, identification, and other necessities had already been packed neatly, yet she still seemed reluctant to accept that there was nothing left to prepare.

"Yes, Mom. Everything is packed. There’s nothing for you to worry about."

Jackson gave her a reassuring smile.

"What’s with that sad face? According to the academy’s rules, I can visit you all once a month. It’s not like I’m leaving forever."

His words were meant to lighten the atmosphere, but Mother Rose’s expression barely changed.

The worry remained etched across her face.

Deep down, she wanted Jackson to stay.

It was a selfish desire, and she knew it. If he remained at home, she could see him every day. She could make sure he was eating properly, sleeping enough, and staying away from dangerous situations. Most importantly, she could know that he was safe.

As long as Jackson remained within her sight, she could convince herself that nothing terrible would happen to him.

But she also knew that she couldn’t keep him sheltered forever.

This was simply the plight of a parent.

No matter how old their children became or how strong they grew, a mother’s heart rarely cared about such things. To her, Jackson would always be the child she wanted to protect.

Mother Rose took a slow, deep breath and forced the emotions gathering in her chest back down.

When she finally spoke, her voice carried a faint tremble.

"Just do your best, son. Don’t worry about us... your mother and sister."

Jackson’s smile faded slightly.

How could he not worry?

The two of them were his entire world.

He had spent the past month growing stronger precisely because he wanted to protect them. Every dangerous battle, every painful breakthrough, every resource he had spent had been for the same reason.

His gaze shifted toward the corner of the room.

Aella stood there quietly, clutching her favorite doll against her chest.

Unlike her usual energetic self, she looked completely dispirited.

Her shoulders were slightly lowered, and even the doll in her arms seemed to have lost its usual importance.

Jackson’s gaze lingered on her for a moment before falling toward her arms.

His expression gradually became solemn.

The corruption was still there.

He could see it more clearly now.

A faint darkness remained beneath her skin, like something poisonous slowly spreading through her body.

His hands tightened unconsciously.

He had to become stronger.

Much stronger.

Jackson was already determined to accelerate his cultivation as soon as he entered Golden Radiance Academy. If everything went according to plan, by the time he returned a month later, he would already have stepped into the Third Sequence.

At that point, dealing with the corruption would be far easier.

Countless thoughts flashed through his mind, but Jackson kept them to himself.

There was no point making empty promises.

Instead, he walked toward Aella and slowly crouched down until they were at the same height.

He gently placed his hand on her head and rubbed her soft hair.

Then he took out the Peak Rank One Nutritional Liquid and placed it in her hands.

"This should be enough for another month. Keep training properly while I’m gone."

Aella lowered her eyes toward the bottle.

She didn’t immediately answer.

Her fingers tightened around it as she stared at Jackson, her large eyes filled with emotions she didn’t quite know how to express.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then, in a small voice, she finally said,

"I’ll miss you, brother..."

Jackson’s heart tightened.

"Me too."

He opened his arms and pulled her into a tight embrace.

Aella pressed her face against his chest, her small hands gripping his clothes.

Jackson gently patted her back.

He wanted to say more.

He wanted to promise that everything would be fine, that he would return soon, that nothing would happen to them while he was gone.

But he stopped himself.

Those were easy words to say.

Too easy.

And Jackson didn’t want to make promises he couldn’t guarantee.

More importantly, if Aella started crying, he knew he might have trouble leaving.

So after holding her for a little longer, Jackson reluctantly released his arms.

"Take care of Mom for me."

Aella nodded silently.

Jackson gave her one final smile before standing.

He turned away before either of them could see the complicated emotions in his eyes.

Taking advantage of his resolve, he quickly walked out of the house.

The moment he stepped into the front yard, a familiar figure caught his attention.

Mrs. Snow stood near the entrance, already waiting for him.

She was dressed in her Rank Three armor, her tall figure completely still. The morning light reflected faintly from the metallic surface of her armor, while her beautiful face remained as indifferent as ever.

Snow glanced toward Jackson.

Neither of them said anything.

Jackson simply nodded in her direction.

Snow returned the gesture.

That was enough.

Jackson turned around and began walking away.

He didn’t look back.

Behind him was everything he wanted to protect.

Ahead of him was the path he had chosen.

His footsteps gradually carried him farther from the house, while the familiar warmth of his home slowly disappeared behind him.

By the time Jackson finally left his home, it was already nine in the morning.

According to the information he had gathered, admission at Golden Radiance Academy would begin at ten.

Fortunately, the academy wasn’t too far from his home, so there was still plenty of time.

Jackson could have easily taken one of the many forms of transportation available in the city. Flying cars, super-rail trains, air-gliding vehicles, and countless other advanced means of transportation were available to the citizens of Sector Sixty-Seven.

Yet, for some reason, Jackson preferred to walk.

There was something strangely calming about putting one foot in front of the other and allowing his surroundings to pass by at their own pace.

Walking gave him time to think.

More importantly, it helped settle his mind.

After the emotional farewell with his family, his thoughts had been somewhat chaotic. His mother’s worried expression, Aella’s quiet voice, the sight of her holding onto her favorite doll... all of it continued to linger in the back of his mind.

But after walking for just over ten minutes, those thoughts gradually faded.

His breathing became steady.

His footsteps became rhythmic.