Oliver walked into the kitchen, and he could see Hajin with a smile taking out the bread he had just baked. The smell of bread filled the kitchen and the living room.

“It smells so good, Hajin!” Oliver said proudly. “I can tell you have been working hard.”

“Come and eat some.” Hajin said as he put down the bread tray. “The bread tastes better when it’s warm!”

“Let me eat one.” Oliver said as he grabbed a piece of bread. He took a big bite and chewed thoroughly, making sure to enjoy the taste. “Very delicious.”

“You’re going out with your friends today, right?” Hajin asked.

“Yeah, with Jin-Woo and Yuri. We’ll be in the mall.” Oliver answered. “What are you doing today?”

“My friends will be at the mall today, but I have to study and do homework.” Hajin responded with a sad expression. “It sucks being in advanced classes.”

“You’re the one that wanted to sign up for them.” Oliver remarked. “You’re almost done with high school. I can’t say college will be easier since I got all my education through the military. But I bet you’ll have fun.”

“I just want to catch up to your greatness, Oliver.” Hajin said. “As your little brother, I should be able to. Sukui made me question whether the path I am taking is the right one. Should I just abandon my dreams and follow your path?”

“But you’re not me, Hajin! You are your own person with your own thoughts and talents.” Oliver replied while eating the bread. “It’s just like Dad said, we must discover who we are and it’s okay to follow someone else’s footsteps but make your own path.”

“I see, so those were Dad’ words.” Hajin said somberly. “I can't say I remember them too well. Our parents passed away when I was 8, so there are things I can’t recall.”

“Focus on finding your own path for now. I know you’ll find it” Oliver said as he left the kitchen. “I’ll be back later. Thanks for the bread!”

Oliver rode his motorcycle to the mall. Within 10 minutes he had already arrived at the mall and swiftly made his way to the fountain at the center of the first floor. The mall was a spectacular building with four floors, each floor was filled with diverse shops that ranged from merchandise stores to high end gadgets. When the fountain came into his view, Oliver could see Jin-Woo and Yuri happily chatting with each other.

“Hey, guys!” Oliver greeted the siblings.

“Sup, Oliver!” Jin-Woo waved at Oliver.

“Let’s get going! I am trying to buy a cute stuffed animal!” Yuri said before beginning to walk. “There is a store with monster plushies on the 4th floor.”

“Do you have an idea of what stuffed animal you want?” Oliver asked.

“No, but I’ll know what I want once I see it!” Yuri answered.

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“That’s Yuri for you, Oliver! It’s always an adventure going shopping with her.” Jin-Woo said with a smile.

“You know Oliver, I am going to miss fighting beside Aria.” Yuri said.

“I mean she is just going back to her post as a bodyguard. If you guys in Platoon 12 need her assistance, she will be fighting by your side.” Oliver said.

“You’re right if Platoon 12 needs assistance she will be helping out.” Yuri said. “She is an incredible soldier. I am happy you two became a couple!”

“I wouldn’t want to face her if I had a choice!” Jin-Woo commented. “Why don’t you buy matching necklaces or some other jewelry for you two? I mean we are already in the mall.”

“That’s a great idea!” Oliver said with a smile. “I hadn’t thought about that.”

“She’ll love it! I can tell how much she cares about you. She speaks so fondly of you!” Yuri said. “I can also tell how you care about her. But even after all this time, I can still tell that Nicole is still heartbroken.”

“I screwed up real bad with Nicole.” Oliver said.

“Yeah, but from the beginning she knew that this could happen. She knew that you were also interested in Aria. She took a risk, but it didn’t work out in the end.” Jin-Woo said. “That’s why she has never said anything to Aria about her relationship with you.”

“You’re right, but I still feel bad.” Oliver said. “But I can’t make everyone happy.”

“So many cute stuffed animals!!” Yuri was excited as they entered the store. There were all kinds of stuffed animals of monsters from slimes to dragons. “I don’t know which one I want.”

“There are way too many, it’s hard to choose.” Oliver said as he looked around the shop.

“How about that one?” Jin-Woo said, pointing at a black round fluffy monster with two antennas, two oval eyes, and red feet.

“That’s perfect! I don’t think I have a Pia plushie.” Yuri said as she grabbed the Pia stuffed animal. “I love how cute they are, but I have never seen a real life one!”

“They are rare monsters. Very few people have actually seen one.” Oliver said.

“I knew you would like it!” Jin-Woo said, smiling.

“Yeah, let me pay for it. Then we can go and buy the jewelry!” Yuri said before running towards the counter.

“Have you decided what to get?” Jin-Woo asked.

“I am not sure. I think I need to look first.” Oliver replied, scratching his head.

“Okay, let’s get going!” Yuri said, hugging the Pia stuffed animal. “There is a jewelry store on the third floor.”

Oliver and Jin-Woo followed Yuri into the jewelry store. The store was full of all kinds of jewelry: earrings, bracelets, rings, necklaces, and watches. Oliver closely observed all of the jewelry and his eyes kept going back to the rings.

“I am thinking of getting rings.” Oliver said. “Can I get your opinions?”

“I’ll help you! Jin-Woo is terrible at this.” Yuri said as she began to inspect the rings. “I think those would be perfect because of the engraved cherry blossom! After all, your first date with her was at Eternal Rest Island!”

“You’re great at this, Yuri! Thanks!” Oliver said before grabbing the attention of an associate. “May I get two rings with the cherry blossom engraving?”

“Yes, no problem, sir!” The associate said before grabbing the pair of rings and placing them into a jewelry box. “Would that be all for you today?”

“Yes, that would be all.” Oliver said, then he took out his phone and paid for the rings.

“I am hungry, let's get some food.” Yuri said. “There is a good chicken teriyaki on the second floor and then we can go eat at the tables on the first floor.”

“That sounds good!” Jin-Woo said.

The trio went to the second floor where they could see some food places as well as clothing and shoe stores. They went ahead with Yuri’s idea and got chicken teriyaki. Jin-Woo paid for the meal of the trio. After they got their food, the trio headed to the first-floor tables to seat down and eat.

“Oliver, remember the Magic Stones we pulled out of monsters that had no Magical Energy left?” Jin-Woo asked.

“Yeah, I remember. That whole phenomenon is a mystery to me.” Oliver responded.

“I recently discovered it was me.” Jin-Woo took out a red Magic Stone from his pocket. After a few moments the Magic Stone began to lose color until it was clear. “I can absorb the Magical Energy on the Magic Stones.”

“That’s so cool, Jin-Woo!” Oliver said in an excited tone.

“That’s not all, see this!” Jin-Woo opened his right palm, and a flame formed. “I can now also use Magic.”

“That’s great, Jin-Woo! Now you can use Magic like everyone else!” Oliver said with a smile.

“Not only that, but I can also absorb the Magical Energy of people. I discovered that during the Sukui attack on Sol City High School when I approached some of the dead terrorists.” Jin-Woo explained. “I am also the one responsible for the decaying forests, I absorbed their Magical Energy, and they began to decay.”

“Why would you do that!?” Oliver was shocked. “I understand doing it once without understanding the consequences, but multiple. Jin-Woo, don’t do this anymore!”

“Oliver!” Jin-Woo looked at Yuri and they nodded at each other. Jin-Woo extended his palm towards Oliver. “Please join us!!”