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Ignoring the chaos behind him, Ryden walked home step by step.
As he moved through the dark streets, his thoughts drifted to the future.
The key was meeting Wonder Woman-Dia Prince.
More importantly, he needed to strengthen himself.
The poor relied on mutations.
The rich relied on technology.
So what was he?
Poor or rich?
The lights on the first floor were still on.
It was already eleven o'clock.
Even though televisions existed in this era, he hadn't bought one. They were flashy and mostly useless.
Neither the original Ryden nor the sister he had never met were TV fans, so no one had bothered.
Who was still awake?
Aunt Sarah?
Was she really waiting this late?
Thoughts crossed his mind as he stepped into the villa.
It was Aunt Sarah.
She wore a newly bought silk dressing gown-smooth, soft, perfect for sleep.
The tight fabric traced her full, well-maintained curves.
Even without makeup, she was beautiful. It was easy to imagine how stunning she must have been in her youth.
Even now, in middle age, she carried a mature charm that was extremely lethal to a teenager like Ryden.
"Master Ryden, you're back!" she said happily. "You must be exhausted. Are you hungry? Should I make something? Change your shoes first."
Seeing him home safe, the worry on her face melted into relief.
She bent down to take out his slippers and put them on for him.
"Master Ryden, let me help you to your room. Be careful. Don't fall."
A faint fragrance filled the air as he breathed.
His entire body felt wrapped in warmth.
Ryden's head grew heavier and heavier.
He didn't even remember how he ended up in bed.
Aunt Sarah stood up and soaked a towel in hot water, intending to wipe his face.
Suddenly, Ryden grabbed her small hand.
His voice was hazy.
"Aunt Sarah... thank you for taking care of me. I got into MIT. I'll need to report soon. It's in Massachusetts. Far away."
"I want you to come with me. Keep taking care of me... okay?"
The gentle, maternal warmth she carried made him feel at ease.
From the moment they met, he had already felt she was family.
Outside, he had to deal with scheming and calculations.
At home, he could drop everything and relax.
Aunt Sarah hesitated.
Here, she could still occasionally see her son-Steve.
If they went to Massachusetts, hundreds of miles away, seeing him would become difficult.
But she couldn't refuse Ryden.
It felt like a wife unable to refuse her husband.
"Okay," she said softly. "I promise."
"Now rest. You have school tomorrow. Goodnight."
The night passed quietly.
Ryden woke up refreshed.
Aside from a faint ache in his lower back, everything felt fine.
Thinking about Aunt Sarah's promise to go to Massachusetts with him, a small excitement stirred.
After all, her cooking was incredible.
He hummed to himself while taking a hot shower.
Solar water heaters really were a luxury.
He wondered how Marlos was doing.
If everything went smoothly, the first street-food-focused gang was about to be born.
The image of a tattooed, fierce-looking man yelling about fried rice on the street felt oddly jarring.
While packing his books, Ryden noticed an old photo on the desk.
A smiling family of four.
Even though he wasn't the original Ryden, the image still moved him.
No matter what, since you're gone, I'll find your parents' killer for you.
Consider it the last thing I do for you.
He had no leads.
But he believed something would surface eventually.
The Academy explosion never made sense.
If it was about stolen research, why was he left unharmed?
Or was the goal simply to destroy the Academy, with his parents as collateral damage?
He hadn't thought deeply about it before.
Now, the more he thought, the more suspicious it felt.
There was a conspiracy.
But he couldn't dig into it yet.
Without strength, even knowing the killer meant nothing.
I need to get stronger first.
He sighed.
Why didn't he have some kind of system or martial arts cheat like in novels?
Life wouldn't be this hard.
If he had a system, he'd probably be sitting on Thanos's throne right now, drinking wine, listening to music, and watching the Mad Titan kneel with the Black Order singing for him.
He shook his head.
Daydreaming was fine.
But he needed breakfast.
After drinking the night before, he felt like he could eat a whole cow.
In the kitchen, Aunt Sarah was already there, humming softly as she set out his favorite sandwiches and fresh milk.
She looked radiant.
"Breakfast is ready, little master."
Her eyes were so warm they could melt iron.
Ryden stared for a second.
Actually... Aunt Sarah is pretty beautiful. Her figure's great too.
Heh. She'd make a great wife.
But I should probably just keep her around for the view.
It was the typical small-minded thought of a man.
If I can't have it, no one else can.
Ahem.
Even if I don't marry her, I can't let her marry someone else.
Feeling a bit guilty, Ryden lowered his head and ate.
Aunt Sarah rested her chin in her hand, watching him.
As if this was the most interesting thing in the world.
"I'm full, Auntie. I'm heading to school."
Her gentle gaze made him uneasy.
Like he'd done something wrong.
"Wait."
She suddenly hugged him.
Soft.
Warm.
He felt her impressive figure press against him.
She didn't say anything.
She just held him until his face turned red.
Then she laughed and let go.
"Alright. Go to school," she said warmly. "Come back early today. I'll make your favorite dish."
"Uh... okay!"
Watching her young master flee, Aunt Sarah covered her mouth and laughed.
Her eyes were filled with a tenderness that could melt steel.
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