Royal Family

Ethan glanced at Seojin, feeling a mix of curiosity and uncertainty swirling within him. "My name is Ethan," he introduced himself, hoping to ease the palpable tension between them.

Seojin's expression shifted from surprise to annoyance as he retorted, "Okay, Ethan, but who exactly are you? You know you shouldn't be using your powers like that; the academy prohibits the use of powers in public places."

Confused, Ethan scratched his head and asked, "What academy?" After a moment's thought, he added with newfound confidence, "But you used your powers too."

Seojin stared at him, disbelief washing over his face. "What?" he exclaimed, realizing that Ethan genuinely didn't grasp what he was talking about. A whirlwind of thoughts raced through Seojin's mind: How is it possible for someone with powers not to know what the academy is? How did the inspectors let this slip?

Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Seojin finally responded, "My name is Seojin, and I'm the son of the president of the academy. It's a place where people like you and me study and hone our abilities." He laughed lightly and added, "You're right; I shouldn't be using my powers in public."

Ethan nodded, a flicker of understanding crossing his features. "But why are you studying at this school then?" he asked, genuinely intrigued by Seojin's motivations.

Seojin sighed, revealing a hint of vulnerability. "Because I wanted to understand how normal people learn. What about you? What's your story?"

Ethan's face lit up with honesty. "I just found out I had powers yesterday."

Seojin's eyes widened in shock. "What do you mean? We all know we have powers from birth—our parents tell us!" His incredulity was palpable, as if Ethan's revelation shattered his understanding of their shared reality.

"I really don't understand anything about it," Ethan admitted, his voice barely above a whisper, the weight of his confusion heavy in the air.

Seojin probed further, "And what about your family? What do they say about your powers?"

"They're normal," Ethan replied, the weight of those words hanging heavily between them, creating a chasm of understanding that seemed impossible to bridge.

Seojin shook his head, trying to process the idea. "That's not possible," he insisted. From everything he knew, everyone around him had powers—his parents, his two sisters, and all his friends. The notion that someone could be entirely unaware of their abilities felt unfathomable.

Changing the subject, Seojin suggested, "The semester at the academy is starting soon. Do you want to come with me?"

Ethan's heart raced at the sudden invitation. "You're leaving?" he asked, a mix of excitement and fear bubbling within him.

"Yeah," Seojin confirmed, a hint of eagerness in his voice. "I just wanted to see what it's like. I'll be heading back when the semester starts in two days."

Ethan hesitated, unsure of himself. "But can I really go with you? Where is this academy?"

Seojin smiled reassuringly. "Of course! I just need to talk to my dad about it. The academy in Korea is really close. You'll learn so much more there than you will here."

Feeling a sense of hope for the first time, Ethan thanked Seojin and promised to think it over. They exchanged goodbyes, and as Ethan returned home, his mind raced with endless possibilities. The prospect of exploring this new world ignited a spark of excitement within him.

When he opened the door, he was met with an enthusiastic surprise as Shadow and Oliver jumped on him, exclaiming, "We missed you, Master!"

Ethan chuckled, the warmth of their presence pulling him from his swirling thoughts. "Missed you too," he replied, a smile spreading across his face as he crouched down to greet them.

Later that evening, after dinner and a refreshing shower, Ethan sat down with Shadow and Oliver to discuss his day and the intriguing prospect of the academy. He wanted to share his experience, to make sense of this sudden shift in his life.

Oliver, ever the enthusiastic one, asked excitedly, "Did they invite you to join the academy? Ah, that's awesome!"

Startled by Oliver's exuberance, Ethan asked, "What exactly is the academy?"

This time, it was Shadow who explained, "Every country with Awakened individuals has its own academy, but the academy in Korea was the first to be established and boasts a rich history. That boy Seojin mentioned—he's the son of the president, which means he's likely from the royal family of the Awakened, the Lees. His father is probably Jinwoo Lee."

Ethan's eyes widened in disbelief. "What? A royal family?" he exclaimed, the weight of the revelation crashing over him like a tidal wave. The implications of such a lineage were staggering.

Shadow nodded firmly, his expression serious. "I really think you should go. It could change everything for you. This academy isn't just a school; it's a gateway to understanding who you are and what you're capable of. It might be the answer to all your questions."

As Ethan absorbed this information, a mix of excitement and trepidation flooded his mind. The idea of stepping into a world where he could explore his powers, meet others like him, and learn about his identity felt exhilarating yet daunting. For the first time, he sensed that he might not have to face this journey alone. With Shadow and Oliver by his side, he could discover the truth about himself—and perhaps even reshape his destiny.