### The Next Morning
The next morning,
Jin was sleeping deeply on the bed, while Lily slept in his arms.
She had missed him dearly—her father had been absent for more than a year.
As for him, it was the first time he had slept peacefully in many long months.
Shuang-Yu sat beside them, gently patting his head and brushing her hand lightly over his face.
**Shuang:** "Lily… wake up. Lily, it's time for breakfast."
After a few moments of gentle waking, Lily finally opened her eyes and walked outside.
Shuang turned back to him.
**Shuang:** "Jin, darling… wake up."
After several attempts, he finally stirred from his deep sleep.
He didn't move or speak. He only looked at her.
He gently held the hand resting on his face.
**Shuang:** "What happened to you… to make you like this?"
Jin didn't answer. He simply held her hand softly, then kissed it and said:
**Jin:** "I made an unforgivable mistake.
And don't ask me about it… because I won't answer."
She smiled gently and replied:
**Shuang:** "It's enough that you're safe now."
They remained silent for a moment.
Then she leaned closer and kissed him deeply—a kiss filled with pure love and longing.
---
### A Little Later
Jin stood at the bathroom sink, brushing his teeth while helping Lily stand on the counter beside him.
Lily, brushing her teeth as well, said:
**Lily:** "Daddy, you're mean.
You told me you'd only be gone for a few days."
Jin patted her head and smiled.
**Jin:** "I'm sorry. But I had to do this to become stronger.
Daddy did this to protect Lily."
Lily frowned and crossed her arms.
**Lily:** "Hmph… Daddy is a big liar."
Aileen's voice came from the kitchen as she prepared breakfast.
**Aileen:** "Guys, the food is ready!"
Jin laughed at Lily's words, lifted her onto his shoulders, and headed to the table.
---
### During Breakfast
**Aileen:** "So? What do you think of the food?"
Jin smiled.
**Jin:** "Hmm… for a spoiled princess from a royal family,
it's… not bad. Hahaha."
**Aileen:** "Hmph… you can't even compliment properly."
The other woman laughed.
**Shuang:** "You get irritated too easily. Hehe."
**Lily:** "Hmph! White Mama is mean!"
Jin laughed as he looked at them.
**Jin:** "Looks like Lily is copying Aileen's behavior."
He sat there watching them argue over trivial things, smiling in quiet satisfaction.
Deep down, he felt the heavy sorrow of the families affected that day…
but these moments made up for it.
His thoughts were interrupted by a question.
**"Jin… will you leave again?"**
He remained silent for a moment, then replied with a gentle smile.
**Jin:** "Let's leave that conversation for another time.
Right now… I just want to rest."
---
### That Evening – At the Academy
That evening, Jin walked alone through the academy, observing the details of the place he had left behind long ago.
Students stared at him.
"Who is that? Is he one of us?"
"That's the top student from our first year."
"What? How? Look at him—he looks like he's in his mid-twenties."
Jin suddenly appeared behind the three of them.
**Jin:** "Hello."
"AH—! When did you get here?!"
"Damn, you nearly gave me a heart attack!"
Jin laughed.
**Jin:** "Alright, alright.
So… what were you saying just now?"
**Student:** "Are you Kim Suho, who was with us in the first year?"
**Jin:** "Yes. Is there something strange about that?"
**Student:** "Haha, yeah. You look much more grown-up now."
"Anyway, I'm Sylvan Arkenstein.
I'd like to talk to you privately. Do you have time?"
**Jin:** "Sure. But let's do it later—I have a few things to take care of first."
**Sylvan:** "Alright. Don't forget to contact me."
---
### Later – In Director Eldir's Office
Later, in Director Eldir's office—
The room was exactly as it always was.
The director sat behind his desk, reading a book and sipping tea.
A knock came at the door.
**Eldir:** "Come in."
Jin entered.
**Jin:** "It's been a long time, Director."
Eldir looked up, his eyes widening slightly.
He was surprised by Jin's change.
*Where had the elegant clothes gone?*
*Why such simplicity now?*
*And why was his hair so long and loose?*
Eldir looked at him calmly and gestured for him to sit.
A short while later, they were drinking tea—just as they had during all their previous meetings.
They exchanged pleasantries, then Jin told him everything that had happened.
**Jin:** "I'm sorry, sir… I disappointed you."
**Eldir:** "You still seem quite young, even after all that.
Boy, you didn't disappoint me—on the contrary.
Didn't you preserve your humanity?
Weren't you trying to do something good?"
**Jin:** "Yes, but… the outcome was completely the opposite."
**Eldir:** "Do you remember your conversation with Yun-Hae?
Didn't things improve in the end?
And who knows—perhaps it was their fate for this to happen,
so their lives could become better afterward.
Or perhaps this experience will change *you* for the better.
Boy, life is gray.
Sometimes good people do bad things without intending to.
And sometimes there are villains better than heroes.
What truly matters is becoming a better person for the world…
and learning from your mistakes."
Their conversation continued throughout the night.
They discussed philosophy, law, and life.
This was no longer a test or an evaluation as before—
it was a genuine discussion.
The boy had learned much…
and had thought deeply about life during his time away.
**End of chapter