Chapter 48: Mom’s Scary Anger
The door opened quietly. Daniel walked in with a long yawn and kicked off his shoes.
"Where were you all day, young man? Skipping again or actually doing something useful?" His mother’s voice came from the kitchen.
"Awakened Association duties? You know I have responsibilities now that I’m awakened." Daniel walked into the kitchen.
"I hope that’s really the case. Anyway, go change and wash up. Lunch is almost ready," Liana said calmly.
"What’s for lunch?" he asked as he walked over to the stove and peeked into the pan.
"Homemade sandwiches," his mother replied simply.
"Ugh, I don’t like that," Daniel grumbled, and Liana pinched his cheeks.
"You’re not a kid anymore. A real man eats whatever’s put in front of him."
"I’d love to know why I’m always a kid to you, but suddenly a man when it benefits you," Daniel muttered, unsure whether to laugh or cry.
Why was his mom’s logic always like this?
"Stop whining." Instead of answering, she just smacked him lightly on the head.
"Where’s Alice?" Daniel asked while rubbing his head.
"In her room. She’s been sitting in the corner since yesterday. No idea what’s wrong. Go check on her." Liana pointed upstairs with the cloth she was holding.
Daniel didn’t say anything. He just nodded and walked toward his sister’s room.
"Hey, you still alive? Or should I start planning your funeral?" The door was slightly open. Daniel knocked gently.
"If I were dead, at least I wouldn’t have to deal with you." Alice’s voice came from inside.
Daniel smirked and walked in. His sister was sitting by the window, hugging her knees and staring outside. But when she saw Daniel, a faint smile appeared on her face.
"So, what’s up? We didn’t get a chance to talk about the guild test. Come on, tell me—did you pass or not?" Daniel asked, sitting beside her with a smile.
"I’ve got good news," Alice said, pausing for a moment like she still couldn’t believe it.
"I passed the guild test. Not just that... the person in charge of the test said she wants to take me on as her disciple."
"Who? Don’t tell me you got tricked again." Daniel raised an eyebrow.
Big guilds often sent representatives to take recruitment tests in known cities, and those representatives were rarely important people—just some average Awakened with weak talents.
He could only hope his sister hadn’t fallen for one of them.
"No. Selenia Fandark. They call her the Black Sword of Dawn." Alice shook her head.
Daniel’s eyes narrowed for a second. He’d heard that name before. If he wasn’t mistaken, she was one of the most famous female swordsmen in the country—and also a high-ranking member of the Fallen Sun Guild.
"But why would someone like her conduct a guild test?" he asked, genuinely surprised.
"I don’t know either. It was weird for all of us. But from what I heard, she had some business in town and decided to handle the test while she was here."
"Well... makes sense. With your class, it’s not surprising she noticed you." Daniel muttered.
"That’s amazing. So why do you look so down?" he looked at her.
But the warm and cheerful atmosphere quickly changed.
"Yeah, but there’s a problem... I have to go to the capital for the apprenticeship," Alice said quietly.
"And I don’t want to go. I don’t want to be away from you and mom."
"I see. So that’s the issue, huh?"
"Alice, do you realize what kind of opportunity this is? Lady Selenia herself wants to train you. You don’t get a second chance like this."
"Opportunity or not, I don’t care. I just don’t want to leave you two." Alice shook her head.
Daniel went quiet. He sighed and closed his eyes for a second.
"All right. Then let’s make it easy." Daniel smiled.
"How about we just move to the capital together? That way you’re not leaving us, and we’re not leaving you."
"But we can’t afford something like that..." Alice sighed.
"Money’s not a problem." Daniel grinned. Money? He had 5 million Zen now.
He had no shortage of cash.
"Really?" Alice’s eyes lit up. Her smile was the kind that erased all her sadness in an instant. Without a word, she leaped toward Daniel and hugged him tightly.
"Hey, I’m still in one piece, don’t break me." Daniel laughed.
Alice didn’t answer. She just hugged him tighter.
Clinging to him with childlike joy, she asked,
"You’re really serious about moving to the capital? For real?"
"Don’t I always end up in trouble because of you? Might as well add one more thing to the list." Daniel smiled and ruffled her hair.
The warmth between them was like a soft blanket that chased away the day’s fatigue.
But that peace didn’t last long.
Clack!
A sound came from the living room. Something had fallen. Daniel and Alice exchanged glances and rushed toward the noise.
Liana stood in the middle of the room, eyes wide, the TV remote on the floor. Her gaze was fixed on the screen.
Daniel and Alice instinctively turned to the TV too.
"Today, an unknown Awakened cleared the Colosseum Dungeon solo. His identity has now been confirmed: Daniel Noir," the reporter said in a formal tone.
"It’s important to note that even prodigies like Lana Everlight and William Rigar failed to clear this dungeon."
Daniel froze at the sound of the reporter’s voice.
"Weren’t you supposed to be a healer? How did you solo a dungeon?" Liana slowly turned her head toward him, her voice calm but calculated.
"Well technically, I’m not exactly a healer. I’m a priest." Daniel took a deep breath and forced a fake smile.
Liana bent down and, with surprising speed, snatched up her slipper and threw it at him with all her might.
"Lies! Lies! All of it lies! Just like your father!"
"I swear I didn’t lie! And besides, I’m his son!" Daniel tried to dodge.
"You’re my son! And then... his! But mostly mine!" Liana took a step forward, pointing a threatening finger at him.
Alice was laughing so hard she collapsed onto the couch.
Daniel held the slipper like a sword in front of him with a pitiful expression.
"Objection! I’m 18! You can’t just hit me whenever you want!"
Liana grabbed her other slipper and threw it too.
"You don’t get to object! No one in this house gets to object!" she shouted, glaring at him furiously.
Then her eyes landed on Alice, who was still laughing, and she grabbed a glass of water and splashed it on her.
"Mom?! What did I do?!" Alice screamed as her clothes got soaked.
"Silence." Then she turned her gaze back to Daniel.
"Daniel Noir, you better give me a full explanation. Or you’re sleeping on the street tonight!"