Chapter 113: Heading Home

"When I was young, I also dreamed of joining the Union. I spent years working toward that goal, convinced that if I trained hard enough, I would eventually earn the right to stand among its members."

He paused, a faint smile crossing his face.

"Unfortunately, talent isn’t the only thing that matters in this world. No matter how hard I tried, I simply wasn’t qualified enough."

Dean Maxwell spoke casually, as though recounting an old memory. Yet beneath his relaxed demeanor, Jackson could sense the weight those words carried. For someone who had eventually become a Legendary-Rank hunter and the dean of Golden Radiance Academy, admitting that he had once failed to achieve his greatest ambition was no small thing.

Jackson remained silent, carefully considering the information.

By now, he had begun to understand why Dean Maxwell had suddenly appeared at his villa.

The timing of the visit, the dean’s unusual praise, and his sudden decision to bring up the Union all pointed toward the same possibility.

Don’t tell me...

Before Jackson could finish the thought, Dean Maxwell spoke again.

"I’ve decided to use my remaining nomination quota on you."

Jackson’s expression froze for an instant.

Dean Maxwell continued as though he had just announced something perfectly ordinary.

"You only need to prepare yourself for the upcoming assessment. It will take place next year, so you still have four months to get ready. Use that time wisely. Improve your strength, sharpen your combat abilities, and make sure you’re prepared when the opportunity arrives."

His tone was firm, leaving little room for argument.

Before Jackson could formulate a response, Dean Maxwell stood up.

"That’s all I wanted to discuss. I won’t keep you any longer."

With that, he turned and walked toward the door.

He didn’t wait for Jackson to accept the nomination, ask questions, or even express his gratitude. Within moments, the dean had left the villa, leaving behind nothing but the faint scent of tea and a conversation that had completely disrupted Jackson’s plans.

Jackson remained seated for several seconds.

Then he slowly raised his head, staring at the closed door.

Isn’t this happening a little too fast?

He had joined Golden Radiance Academy only a month ago. He had barely settled into his new life, and now the dean was already telling him to prepare for an assessment that could determine whether he qualified to join one of humanity’s most powerful organizations.

The entire thing felt strangely abrupt.

For a fleeting moment, Jackson even wondered whether Dean Maxwell was simply trying to get rid of him as quickly as possible.

Did I do something wrong?

The thought surfaced before he could stop it.

Of course, he knew that was probably an unreasonable conclusion. Dean Maxwell had shown nothing but appreciation toward him, and there was no obvious reason for the man to want him gone.

Still, the speed at which everything was happening left Jackson feeling somewhat bewildered.

A month ago, he had been an ordinary student struggling to establish himself. Now, he had reached the peak of the Third Sequence, secured first place in the academy’s assessment, and received a nomination that could open the door to a completely different world.

It was enough to make anyone wonder whether things were moving a little too quickly.

However, once Jackson thought about the matter more carefully, he realized just how valuable this opportunity was.

Anyone familiar with the Union would understand the significance of being nominated.

The Union wasn’t simply another organization that offered better resources or higher salaries. It was a gathering of humanity’s strongest Awakened, an institution entrusted with protecting the entire human race. Its members possessed extraordinary influence, and even the most powerful organizations had to operate within the framework it established.

An opportunity to enter such an organization was something countless Awakened would spend their entire lives pursuing.

And Dean Maxwell had just handed him a chance to compete for it.

Jackson’s expression gradually grew serious.

Still, there was an important distinction he couldn’t ignore.

Being nominated and actually joining the Union were two entirely different matters.

From the information he had gathered, becoming a full-fledged member required an Awakened to reach at least the Legendary Rank. This requirement was regarded as an ironclad rule, one that had remained unchanged throughout the Union’s history.

Even the lowest-ranking members possessed strength that ordinary Awakened could scarcely comprehend.

Just imagining the standards required to enter such an organization was enough to make the significance of the opportunity clear.

Jackson was still only at the peak of the Third Sequence.

He had yet to undergo his First Life Transformation, let alone reach the Legendary Rank.

There was an enormous distance between where he stood now and where he ultimately wanted to be.

However, that didn’t mean the nomination was meaningless. On the contrary, it gave him a clear direction to work toward and access to an opportunity he might never have encountered otherwise.

Jackson shook his head, putting an end to his wandering thoughts.

There was no point worrying about an assessment that was still months away. He would prepare as best he could, and when the time came, he would see how far he could go.

For now, he had something far more important to attend to.

"Anyway, it’s time to go home."

The moment those words left his mouth, his expression softened slightly.

It had been a long time since he had seen his family.

Although he had kept himself busy with cultivation and the academy’s assessment, he had never forgotten the people waiting for him at home. In particular, he wanted to see how Aella was doing.

He had made considerable progress during the past month, and he was finally approaching the threshold of the Fourth Sequence. The thought that he might soon be able to find a way to treat her corruption filled him with an anticipation he could barely contain.

Jackson gathered his belongings, checked that the three academy rewards were safely stored, and left the villa.

The moment he stepped outside, he noticed how quiet the campus had become.

The broad pathways that had once been filled with students were almost completely deserted. The training grounds stood empty, and even the usual bustle around the academy’s various facilities had disappeared.

Jackson glanced around as he walked.

He didn’t encounter any of his batchmates.

It seemed that most of the students had already left after the conclusion of the month-end assessment. With the four-day break underway, there was little reason for them to remain on campus unless they had specific training plans or other obligations.

Apparently, he was among the last to depart.

Jackson didn’t dwell on it. He simply quickened his pace and headed toward the academy’s outer gates.

His home was quite far away, and he could have arranged transportation, but he ultimately decided to walk.

After spending so much time inside the academy and the other-dimensional portal, he wanted to enjoy the familiar sights along the way. Besides, he had no urgent reason to rush.

As he passed a small shop along the street, something caught his attention.

A display of freshly baked cakes sat behind the glass counter, their colorful decorations gleaming beneath the warm lights.

Jackson slowed down.

He remembered Aella’s fondness for sweets, particularly strawberry cake.

After a brief moment of consideration, he entered the shop and purchased a small strawberry cake. The shopkeeper carefully packed it into a box, securing the lid before handing it over.

Jackson placed the box safely in his storage space, a faint smile appearing on his face.

She’ll probably be happy to see this.

For a moment, he imagined Aella’s reaction when he returned home. He could almost picture her eyes lighting up at the sight of the cake, followed by the familiar questions she would ask about his time at the academy.

The thought warmed him more than he expected.

He had spent the past month surrounded by monsters, danger, and the constant pressure to become stronger. The academy had provided him with opportunities he could never have imagined before, but it had also kept him away from the people who mattered most.

Now, he was finally going home.

As he continued along the familiar streets, the surroundings gradually became more recognizable. The buildings grew smaller, the roads quieter, and the bustling atmosphere of the city slowly gave way to the peaceful neighborhood where his family lived.

Eventually, Jackson found himself standing in front of a small house surrounded by flowers.

It was the same modest home he remembered.

The familiar walls, the little garden, and the flowers growing along the entrance all appeared exactly as they should. Nothing seemed out of place. There were no broken windows, no damaged walls, and no obvious signs of trouble.

Yet the moment Jackson stopped in front of the gate, his body went rigid.

Something was wrong.

His expression changed as he sensed the spiritual energy lingering around the house.

It was chaotic.

The energy in the surrounding area was unusually disturbed, as though several powerful forces had collided there. Faint traces of spiritual fluctuations lingered near the entrance and spread across the garden, their irregular patterns resembling the aftermath of a fierce battle.

Jackson’s heart sank.

He had grown accustomed to sensing spiritual energy during his time at the academy. After reaching the peak of the Third Sequence, his perception had become far sharper than before, allowing him to notice disturbances that an ordinary person might easily overlook.

And right now, every instinct was warning him that something terrible had happened.

The peaceful appearance of the house only made the sensation more unsettling.

Jackson’s face turned pale, and his stomach twisted as though he had swallowed something foul.

A single thought flashed through his mind.

Aella... Mother...!

He didn’t bother opening the gate properly.

Jackson rushed forward, pushing through the entrance and sprinting toward the house. His footsteps pounded against the ground as he crossed the garden, his mind racing through countless possibilities, each more horrifying than the last.

He had spent the entire month growing stronger so that he could protect his family.

He had believed that reaching the peak of the Third Sequence would finally bring him closer to securing their safety.

Yet now, standing before his own home, he couldn’t shake the dreadful feeling that he might already be too late.

"Mother! Aella!"

His voice rang out as he rushed inside.