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12 years later
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Years passed quickly as I prepared for the main scenario's arrival while strengthening myself and my forces. It was a joint effort since I had a lot of help from Moriarty and some business advice from Ryuk.
Right, I also had to learn about the different companies run by the Allen family before I could attend the academy. Thomas thought it would be a good idea to divert my curiosity toward something less dangerous than investigation, so I played along to calm him down.
I was still a novice when it came to understanding people's intentions. This world and its inhabitants were vastly different from my last world, which is why I still couldn't read them as clearly as Moriarty could. You could say that people here were more focused on survival.
I didn't have much time to focus on my magic training since I had to train with Thomas to improve my metahuman abilities and practice weapon combat with Dad. Sometimes, I wondered why I couldn't just learn magic from Orian, but then again, he wasn't a battle-type mage, so I couldn't learn much offensive magic from him. Don't get me wrong—he did offer to teach me auxiliary and basic magic when I was old enough to handle them, and I gladly accepted. However, now that I was seventeen—the start of the growth enhancement period—I could progress faster in my magic training at the academy.
I had been unable to execute my critical plans until now because the Emperor might have placed a guard on Samuel and me to watch over us and protect us in life-threatening situations. They were only allowed to sense our actions rather than directly observe us, so I devised a plan to give them both "Psychosis" by deploying an energy barrier around us. In other words, when they tried to sense us, they would only perceive what I wanted them to.
It took me ten years to create since I was focusing on many things at once, and I had to run multiple tests to ensure it was perfect before using it on them. A single mistake could cost me everything I had worked for, so I wasn't going to activate it without proper countermeasures.
Currently, I was in my room, rechecking my luggage with Jonathan—the werewolf cub I had saved. After the Smith brothers cleared their names and joined the Allen family, they recruited several people from the underworld, including children like Jonathan, whom they rescued. These recruits were more than happy to join us.
"With all due respect, young master, don't task me with the burden of carrying your surname. Can't I just have no surname?" Jonathan asked.
He looked like a young man around seventeen or eighteen, with gray hair, black eyes, ashen gray-tinted skin, and a robust build. He wore formal black clothing instead of a servant's uniform because I insisted—after all, I couldn't let everyone in the academy belittle him.
"If you want to have an easier time associating with commoners, I won't object, but I can't allow my closest aide to suffer at the hands of the higher class. People from Central City are already looked down upon because we take longer to adjust to the outside world—more so if they're commoners without a surname. That's why you have to take my surname," I explained firmly before turning to him. "That aside, how's the suit?"
I wore a black three-piece suit made of fine wool. The jacket had sharp peak lapels and a single button closure, fitting snugly around my shoulders and waist. Underneath, I wore a matching black waistcoat with a straight bottom hem and five neatly fastened buttons. My trousers were slim-fit, with a precise crease running down the front of each leg, and the hems were carefully stitched for a polished, refined finish. To complete the look, I wore a stylish navy blue bowtie, neatly tied, adding a subtle touch of sophistication.
"You look astonishing as usual, young master. But… would it really be alright? I don't even share your blood—how could I carry your name?" Jonathan asked, his face darkening slightly.
"Family doesn't end in blood… and it doesn't start there either.
Family isn't about what you do for them—it's about who's there for you.
Through the good and the bad… all of it.
Family has your back when it matters most… even when it hurts.
That's family."
A voice brightened the room as Alfred entered slowly.
"When you're out there… look out for the young master, but try not to get hurt, Jonathan Allen. Doesn't sound that bad."
"You can trust me, sir. I won't make any mistakes," Jonathan replied with a small bow.
"Wait, doesn't 'John Allen' sound better?" I asked, raising my left hand.
"Young master, you can't put a surname beside a nickname," Alfred stated firmly, his expression serious.
"But..."
"No."
"It's..."
"Still no."
"You didn't even let me finish!"
"I think I know you well enough to predict what you'll say. My answer remains the same in all cases," Alfred declared. "If you're done packing, we should go. Master Thomas is waiting at the front gate."
"Fine..." I sighed heavily before leaving the room, Jonathan following with my luggage beside Alfred.
As we descended the stairs, we saw Thomas standing near the gate with Aunt Kate and my little brother, Henry.
Yes, Thomas got married shortly after I turned seven and had a son when I was eight. Kate was supposed to die, but I saved her since her existence didn't significantly impact the main scenario. Besides, I didn't mind saving a good person.
"Why are you wearing a bowtie, big brother?" Henry asked curiously, noticing that I had never worn one for a mission with Thomas before. He looked about twelve, with black eyes, white hair, and porcelain skin. "I heard the entrance exam is quite hazardous."
"Bowties are cool. I like bowties now," I replied, walking up to him. "Trust me, it won't be damaged."
"Be careful during the entrance exam, Ray. I heard they'll be using a yellow zone this time, and you'll have to survive there for three nights," Kate said gently. She looked like a young woman in her thirties, with short black hair, black eyes, and the same porcelain skin as Henry.
"Do you really think he'd die in a yellow zone? I'd disown him if that were the case," Thomas laughed—until Kate elbowed him in the ribs. "Ouch..."
"Don't worry, Aunt. A yellow zone won't be enough to kill me. I'll take my leave now," I said with a saddened tone. "Goodbye, I'll be back when vacation arrives."
"Be safe out there," Uncle said softly, placing a reassuring hand on my left shoulder. "Goodbye, Ray."
Goodbye, Dad. I thought to myself before leaving the mansion, Jonathan following with my luggage.
We planned to walk to the station since it was six in the morning and the train would arrive at seven—a good warm-up before heading into a yellow zone.
Danger zones were first introduced in the first arc of Volume One of my novel. They were dwelling places for mutants and mutant beasts. Some wild races, like goblins and orcs, lived there as well. It wasn't a safe place for survival, so heroes, freelancers, and mercenaries were regularly hired to clear them. Danger zones were categorized into three levels: yellow (lowest), orange (medium), and red (high). There were also black zones, which were nearly impossible to clear—even for an S-Ranker.
There weren't any black zones on Earth because the Emperor wouldn't allow such a threat to exist on a planet home to some of his strongest soldiers.
After arriving at the station, we waited for the train. But, of course, fate wouldn't let me have a moment of peace...
"Look what the storm dragged in… Is that Ray Allen I see?"
A voice came from behind, darkening my mood as I turned to face the worst person to start my day with.