Chapter 22: Please Protect Her 1

Captain Stones took a sharp breath and raised his head, regarding Aaron with an intimidating expression.

"Witty and ballsy."

Holding Aaron’s gaze, he remained silent for a long moment before suddenly turning to Mr. Goldilock.

"Commander Goldilock, you said earlier that he possesses a different kind of strength. If he were to spar with your genius son, who do you reckon would win?"

Mr. Goldilock sighed and shot the captain a sidelong glance.

"Why do you keep asking these questions, Captain? I’m beginning to think your running into us wasn’t an accident."

"You’re right. It wasn’t an accident," Captain Stones replied, never taking his eyes off Aaron.

Suddenly, his expression darkened. He spoke in a commanding tone.

"Answer the question, Commander."

Commander Goldilock regarded his son silently for a long moment.

Then he answered:

"Currently, he obviously doesn’t hold a candle to his brother. But before Damien joined the academy..."

He took a slow, deep breath.

"He was stronger."

Captain Stones finally broke eye contact with Aaron and turned toward his commander.

"Stronger despite being younger, or stronger than Damien was at fifteen?"

Mr. Goldilock shook his head.

"They hardly ever sparred. But Aaron had been ahead of Damien since he was twelve. He was stronger despite being younger."

Aaron briefly glanced at his father. As surprising as it sounded, his father was right.

That was around the time Velma had stopped training Damien and started training him instead. His father might have pretended to be oblivious, but he had always kept tabs on their progress.

At that moment, Natasha turned toward Aaron and studied him, a mixture of doubt and newfound respect in her eyes.

Aaron gave her a blank stare.

Don’t look at me like that. In the next ten hours, I’ll be fighting for my life while searching for my two friends and my girlfriend. I have no time for meaningless conversations.

Unexpectedly, Captain Stones threw his arms wide and burst into prolonged, thunderous laughter. His outburst earned curious glances from the passengers sitting and standing nearby.

He continued laughing for a while before finally settling down.

Then his expression turned grim.

"Commander, we will not be heading to the academy," he announced abruptly.

Mr. Goldilock regarded him suspiciously.

"Why, sir? Do you intend to take a detour?"

Captain Stones slowly shook his head.

"It’s not a detour, Commander. Every third-year student and above from Ravstas Academy, Lorun Academy, and Garons Academy has already gathered at the Royal House to participate in the Awakening Ceremony."

Mr. Goldilock’s eyes widened slightly.

"It’s time. Three years already... I see."

He slowly leaned back in his chair.

"Damien is entering his fourth year, and Abigail her third... Will they—"

"Yes. They’re both there already," Captain Stones answered, having anticipated his subordinate’s question.

Aaron narrowed his eyes in concentration.

He knew the Awakening Ceremony was scheduled to take place today, but he hadn’t known it would be held at the Royal House. He had assumed it would take place at one of the great academies.

Wait. Now that I think about it, something this important couldn’t possibly be held at an academy. The Royal House is the ideal place.

He slapped his forehead and sighed.

I’m so stupid.

Natasha shot him a suspicious sidelong glance.

"Why do you look so frustrated?"

Aaron paused, then met her gaze with feigned ignorance.

"Because I don’t understand what the captain is talking about."

Captain Stones froze for a moment before turning a reproachful look toward Mr. Goldilock.

"You didn’t tell him?"

Mr. Goldilock rubbed his face and released a long sigh.

"I never tell my children about these things. I leave that responsibility to the academy."

Captain Stones and his daughter exchanged surprised glances. Then Natasha spoke up:

"Commander, sir, I could help you brief your son... Aaron... if you want."

Mr. Goldilock sighed again.

"Don’t worry. I’ll explain everything to him myself."

He turned toward Aaron, who still wore a confused expression.

"Aaron, let me tell you about the true nature of this world."

Aaron nodded once, an expectant look on his face.

I already know.

His father began:

"We’re on the brink of extinction."

Aaron’s expression remained unchanged, but he listened more intently.

"Very soon, evolved beings and creatures from worlds ten times more powerful than ours will begin invading our lands. I’ve seen one myself, and they’re practically unbeatable. Our conventional weapons are useless against them."

He paused briefly before continuing.

"The only people capable of harming these creatures are Awakened beings. Ordinarily, people become eligible to awaken at the age of fifteen. However, the government keeps them in the academies for five years, training and strengthening them in preparation for what’s to come."

Aaron nodded.

A sad smile appeared on his father’s lips. He averted his gaze from his son and looked down at his hands.

"However, only ten percent of the world’s population is capable of becoming Awakened. That means the vast majority of students who attend the academies eventually end up joining the military, hoping they might awaken someday."

He raised his head and met Aaron’s gaze again.

"But the world needs more Awakened beings than ordinary soldiers. It takes hundreds of seasoned military men to accomplish what a single Awakened being can achieve."

His voice grew heavier.

"That’s why, instead of making everyone wait until their fifth year, the government began allowing students to attempt awakening from their third year onward."

Aaron remained silent, listening carefully.

"The Awakening Ceremony is held once every three years. Those who fail to awaken today will have another chance in three years. If they fail again, they’ll keep trying for the rest of their lives."

Mr. Goldilock paused.

"Even when they’re old and bedridden."

For a moment, nobody spoke.

Then Mr. Goldilock glanced toward Captain Stones.

"Just as Damien and Abigail will be attempting to awaken today, the captain and I will be trying again, as we’ve been doing for the past twenty years."

Aaron swallowed hard. He already knew most of what his father had told him.

What he hadn’t known was that his father had spent twenty years failing to awaken.

The revelation was devastating.

If Velma hadn’t already confirmed his own awakening status, Aaron would have been extremely nervous—and terrified—after hearing what he’d just learned.