Noah glanced at Lola, who remained deep in focused ditation as she worked toward her own breakthrough to grandmaster rank. Her breathing was steady and controlled, suggesting she was making excellent progress toward her goal. Disturbing her training for a simple departure notification seed counterproductive.
Leo remained peacefully asleep next to Lola.
Noah quietly activated the portal system and prepared to return to Earth for so well-deserved rest and private practice with his newly expanded capabilities.
Back in his resort, Noah grabbed his phone to check for anything that might have happened during his absence.
"My father called...Ethan has also sent a few ssages." Noah muttered as he read the notifications. The notifications weren’t visible from the outside, but were simply notifications. Both communications probably required his attention, though he hoped neither represented urgent problems that would complicate his already complex situation.
Noah decided to call his father first before checking on what Ethan had sent.
The phone rang twice before his father’s voice entered his ear. "Noah! I was hoping you’d call back soon. How’s the tournant going?"
Noah smiled at his father’s continued belief that he was participating in a normal martial arts competition. The simple explanation had worked perfectly to cover his extended absences without raising suspicions about his actual activities.
Had Noah told his father about a tournant that only a few could get picked, with mysterious donors and only the rich as spectators, he would be sceptical. He would think it was so kind of elaborate plan for mass human trafficking, and it would worry him for no reason.
"It’s ending tomorrow if everything goes well. I actually made it to the finals, so things have been going better than I expected."
"The finals? That’s incredible, son!" His father’s pride was evident in his voice. "I didn’t expect anything less from you. You’ve always been determined when you set your mind to sothing."
Before his father could ask more detailed questions about the tournant, Noah smoothly redirected the conversation toward more important matters. "How have you been doing, Dad? Everything going okay with your treatnts? Do you need any money for anything?"
"I’m doing well, Noah. Really well, actually," his father assured him with genuine warmth. "The money you left last ti was enough, so I don’t need any money right now. You’ve already done so much for this old man. I should find a job to start working; I can’t sit at ho like a housewife."
Noah refused to accept that answer, knowing his father’s tendency to downplay his needs to avoid burdening others. "Sorry, Dad. I’m sending you ten thousand dollars right now. You never know when unexpected expenses might co up."
"I don’t need it, Noah. It’s really fin—"
"No, it’s fine," Noah interrupted firmly, already pulling up his banking app to make the transfer. "You never know when ergencies co up. Keep it with you, Father. It’ll give peace of mind knowing you have it available."
The stubborn affection in his voice made it clear that arguing would be pointless. Noah’s financial situation had transford dramatically since acquiring the system, making ten thousand dollars feel like pocket change compared to the daily revenue his shop generated.
His father’s quiet chuckle suggested he recognised his son’s determination. "You’re as stubborn as your mother was. Fine, but only because I know you’ll worry if I don’t accept it."
"Exactly," Noah confird with satisfaction as he completed the transfer. "It’s already sent. Use it for whatever you need, no questions asked. Also, I know what you might be thinking. ’Let save this money and give it to him when he is about to get married.’ Please don’t think that, I have enough money."
"You... Hah, you know your father too much. I don’t know if I should be upset or happy," his father exhaled lightly, the mixture of amusent and exasperation clear in his voice.
Noah’s ability to predict his father’s thoughts ca from years of watching the older man sacrifice his own needs for him, always thinking ahead to future expenses or ergencies that might affect his son.
"Just promise you’ll use it when you need it, not save it for so hypothetical future crisis," Noah added with gentle insistence. "I’m doing well financially, better than I ever expected. Take care of yourself first. Be happy, Dad. Life’s too short for anything else," Noah replied with genuine affection. "I’ll call you again after the tournant ends tomorrow. Try not to worry about anything, okay?"
"I’ll try, son. Good luck in the finals. I know you’ll do great."
After hanging up with his father, Noah felt content. His father had worked ever since he could rember; the least he could do was allow him to enjoy his retirent and have a good life. He had always thrived to give him a good life; now it was his turn to take care of him.
Noah then checked on the ssage Ethan had sent, expecting the usual casual update about streams or ga plans.
A frown ford on his face as he read the first line of the ssage, imdiately recognising that this communication carried a completely different tone from their usual exchanges.
Ethan: "Noah...we need help."
The simple statent sent a chill through Noah’s stomach. Ethan wasn’t soone who asked for help lightly. The fact that he had used "we" suggested the problem involved Aunt i’s entire family.
Before he even read the subsequent ssages, Noah imdiately called his cousin. Whatever was happening, he needed to understand the full situation before making any decisions about how to respond.
The phone rang once, twice, three tis before Ethan’s familiar voice answered, though it carried an exhaustion and stress that Noah had never heard since the last ti Ethan had broken up with his ex-girlfriend, Amy.
"Noah? Thank God you called back quickly."
"Ethan, tell what happened," Noah demanded without preamble.
There was a pause before Ethan spoke; the silence spoke volus. As if Ethan was gathering courage to admit sothing deeply embarrassing.
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