Chapter 177: Everything Will Be Fine, Right?

"Thanks to your advice, Raymond," I panted, leaning slightly against the wooden blade for support. "If you hadn’t shown me how to rotate my core, I would have kept throwing my whole body forward like an idiot."

"You are far too humble, Young Master Woo Jin," Raymond said, stepping back and holding out his hand to take my training weapon. "A teacher can explain the theory a hundred times, but executing the movement correctly on your very first attempt requires exceptional talent and body control."

Aunt Elena slowly stood up from the soft sofa inside the living room. She smoothed down the front of her dark blue skirt, walking out to us with calm steps.

She stopped right in front of me, her sharp blue eyes looking down at my tired, sweaty face.

"Your stance was much better on that last swing," Elena said, her voice cool and steady. "You didn’t overextend your hips, and your guard stayed high even after the impact."

I blinked in surprise, looking at my aunt. "Wait... did you just give me a compliment, Auntie?"

Elena didn’t blink. "I stated a fact. Stating a fact is not the same thing as giving a compliment. Do not get arrogant."

She raised her right hand, placing her index finger gently against the center of my forehead.

WHOOSH!

A soft, warm wave of golden holy magic instantly washed over my body.

The heavy, burning fatigue in my shoulders vanished within two seconds. The sharp ache in my wrists dissolved completely, and even the deep bruise on my back from hitting the patio floorboards earlier completely melted away.

"Whoa..." I murmured, flexing my fingers in amazement. "Holy magic really is incredible."

"It is a tool," Elena replied, lowering her hand and turning back toward the living room. "Now go upstairs, clean yourself up, and change into fresh clothes. Dinner will be ready in forty minutes."

"Yes, ma’am," I grinned, tossing the wooden sword onto the silver tray Raymond was holding.

I turned around and walked toward the wooden staircase leading to the second floor.

After taking a long, hot shower and changing into a comfortable black t-shirt and grey sweatpants, I walked back down to the main floor.

The city was already covered in dark evening shadows, but inside Aunt Elena’s villa, the bright yellow lights gave the entire house a warm, cozy feel.

The dining table was completely covered with delicious dishes that Raymond had prepared.

Carmilla, Leo, and Mia were already sitting at their seats on the left side of the table.

Leo was practically drooling over the roasted potatoes, holding his spoon with both hands like a soldier waiting for a signal. Little Mia was sitting quietly beside Carmilla, swinging her tiny feet under the chair while holding her favorite stuffed bear against her chest.

"Is everyone present?" Aunt Elena asked, walking over from her study and taking her seat at the head of the table.

"Yes, Lady Elena," Raymond answered smoothly, stepping up behind her chair and pouring a fresh glass of water for her. "All dishes have been prepared according to your instructions."

"Good. Sit down and eat," Elena commanded softly, looking around at all of us.

We didn’t need to be told twice.

Leo immediately dug his spoon into his bowl of stew, letting out a loud, happy gasp as he tasted the savory broth. "Mmm! This is so good! It’s way better than the food we got back in our kingdom!"

"Don’t eat too fast, Leo," Carmilla scolded gently, wiping a small drop of soup from his chin with a napkin. "Mind your manners in front of Lady Elena."

"It’s alright, Miss Carmilla," Raymond smiled warmly from the side counter. "A cook is always happy to see his guests enjoy his food with enthusiasm."

I sat down in my usual chair beside Viora, picking up a piece of warm garlic bread and dipping it into my soup bowl. The quiet, peaceful atmosphere inside the room made it feel like the dangerous monsters, dark guilds, and secret assassins didn’t even exist.

However, as I took a bite of my bread, I noticed Aunt Elena setting her fork down on her plate a little earlier than usual.

She took a slow sip of her water, her blue eyes looking straight at Raymond.

"Raymond," Elena spoke, her tone cool and calm. "Did the Central Bureau send the official invitation for the Director Summit next week?"

Raymond folded his hands behind his back, bowing his head slightly. "Yes, Lady Elena. The courier delivered the stamped wax document two hours ago. The summit will take place at the High Tower in the Upper District next Thursday at ten in the morning."

Viora stopped chewing her food. "The Director Summit? Auntie, isn’t that the mandatory meeting for all S-Rank guild leaders and Association directors?"

"Yes," Elena replied, rubbing her temples with her thumb and forefinger with a tired sigh. "A useless gathering of arrogant politicians who spend six hours arguing about budget allocations and gate taxes instead of fixing the barriers."

"Will Mr. Raymond be going with you?" Carmilla asked quietly, her crimson eyes showing a faint trace of worry.

"Of course," Elena said plainly. "Raymond is my official representative. He has to handle the security perimeter and review the classified monster reports."

I kept my head down, slowly stirring my stew with my spoon.

"Woo Jin," Elena’s voice broke my thoughts.

I looked up from my bowl, meeting her sharp blue eyes. "Yes, Auntie?"

"While Raymond and I are at the summit next Thursday, you will stay inside the villa," Elena ordered sternly. "Do not go out into the gates, do not wander into the black market, and keep the front perimeter barrier active at all times."

’Perimeter barrier? What is that?’

"I understand, Auntie," I replied, keeping my face completely calm and neutral. "We’ll stay right here."

"Good," Elena nodded, looking satisfied with my answer.

After dinner was over, everyone helped clear the dishes and wipe down the wooden table.

Carmilla took Leo and Mia to their room to get them ready for bed. Aunt Elena headed back up to her private study upstairs to review her guild files, leaving Raymond to finish washing the large cooking pots in the kitchen.

I walked out onto the back wooden patio, leaning against the thick wooden railing while looking up at the dark, starry night sky.

The cool night air blew softly against my face, carrying the fresh scent of pine trees from the rocky hill behind the property. My mind was spinning with different thoughts, calculations, and plans for the upcoming week.

’Thursday...’ I thought to myself. ’That gives me exactly six days to prepare.’

CREAK.

The soft sound of the patio door turning broke my quiet thoughts.

I turned my head slightly, seeing Viora walking out onto the wooden deck. She was wearing a loose dark grey t shirt, her hands tucked deep into her pants pocket. Her purple hair blew softly in the cool night breeze as she walked over to the railing, standing right beside me.

"You’re making that dark, serious face again," Viora noted softly, leaning her elbows on the wooden rail.

"What face?" I asked, giving a light, innocent laugh. "This is just my normal face. And how can you tell what kind of face I am making?"

"Liars are terrible at faking smiles, Woo Jin," Viora replied, turning her head to look at me with her bright, intelligent eyes. "And I just sense it whenever you get sad or overwhelmed in emotions.’

I looked at her pale face in the moonlight. Viora was always remarkably sharp. She picked up on small details and subtle shifts in emotion faster than anyone else I knew.

I let out a long, quiet sigh, leaning my back against the wooden railing.

"I just have a bad feeling about next week, Viora," I spoke softly, keeping my voice low so it wouldn’t travel into the house.

"You think someone will try to strike again when Auntie and Raymond leave for the summit?"

"I don’t just think so. I’m certain of it," I replied, my voice dropping into a firm, serious tone.

Viora stayed silent for a moment, her gaze turning toward the dark, quiet garden below. She reached out with her right hand, placing her warm palm over mine on top of the wooden railing.

"Then we fight them," Viora said plainly, her voice showing no fear at all.

I looked at her in surprise. "Viora..."

"I’m serious, Woo Jin," Viora turned her head. "I am an official registered hunter. And I am freaking strong. If those dirty assassins think they can break into this house and touch you, I will personally show them whatthe way to hell."

A faint smile spread across my face as I looked at her. Her hand was warm, her grip firm and steady against mine.

"You really aren’t scared of anything, are you?" I murmured softly.

"Well, you can say I am scared of one thing," Viora whispered back, her fingers gently interlocking with mine. "That is... losing you."

The quiet night air hung softly between us. The sound of gentle leaves rustling in the wind and the faint chirping of crickets created a peaceful rhythm in the background.

I squeezed her warm hand gently, looking out into the dark night sky.

’I don’t know what will happen in future but I suppose as long as I am with her everything will be fine.’