As Mia underwent her excruciating surgery, Jin guided the rest of the family to their new home, a mansion-sized house not far from the academy, only a five-minute walk away. Its design was reminiscent of traditional Eastern architecture, much like Japanese houses from Mia's old world. The first floor boasted a large kitchen and three spacious rooms, which could serve as a dining room, a living room, and a reception area interchangeably. On the second floor, there were twelve empty rooms, a bathroom, and two smaller toilet rooms. The top floor was intended to be the head of the household's quarters, complete with an office, a storage room, and a sizable suite connected to a spacious bathroom.
Jin explained that the house had been gifted to him due to his work, which he couldn't divulge. Since he had no need for it and hadn't found anyone to care for it, he decided to entrust it to Huang and his family. The family marveled at their new home's size and beauty, finding it much grander than anything they had ever imagined.
Soon, they began settling in. Jin had brought the family's belongings from their old home, and with everyone's help, they arranged their rooms and made themselves comfortable. Kai and Mei, now married, shared a room, as did Choi and Elara once they received permission to do so. Liza claimed her own space, while Mia's room was meticulously prepared by Marry, filled with dolls, toys, and books. There was even a small corner dedicated to Onyx, though he seemed to prefer sleeping with Mia.
By evening, they had settled in and prepared dinner, although their thoughts were never far from Mia. Her absence cast a shadow over their newfound home, making sleep elusive that first night.
The following morning, after breakfast, Jin explained what he expected of each family member. Huang would work and train under him, taking on a job that required discretion but wasn't harmful. Choi and Kai had the option to find other work in the city but were also welcome to take on additional jobs under Jin, involving a kind of proactive guarding. The women, Marry and Lin, were free to choose their own paths, as Jin had no specific tasks for them.
Choi and Kai decided to accept Jin's offer. The salary was decent, and they needed the income. After the discussion, the men went to work, while the women explored the neighborhood to distract themselves from their worry about Mia's condition.
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The neighborhood, while not upscale, was a middle-income area of the city. The locals seemed better off than they were, judging by their clothing. Lin noticed the difference and realized that they might need to update their wardrobes to fit into this new environment better.
Their exploration revealed various markets, stalls, and even small schools for children who didn't enter the academy. Education was strongly encouraged in the city, and basic literacy and numeracy could open many doors here. The women couldn't help but envision a future where they could buy cute clothes for Mia or any future children they might have.
Meanwhile, Jin provided instructions to Huang, Choi, and Kai for their new jobs. They would need to patrol an assigned area in the city and report anything that might cause significant damage. Small issues that could be easily fixed within minutes were not their concern. They would also receive training, mainly from Huang, to prepare for their roles. Occasionally they would have to deal with monsters in the more underground areas of the city, something they all liked since they were more monster hunters than guards.
Jin also explained his role in the city. He worked as something of a mercenary, employed by the country to protect the city and its interests. He had connections in various important places, including the academy, the city guards, and government offices. After showing them around the city, introducing them to some fellow guards, and providing them with a booklet about the city, he handed them enchanted stones that functioned like cell phones for communication with relevant contacts.
The family spent the next couple of days settling into their new roles and getting used to the city's dynamics. The men received additional training, particularly focusing on harnessing their unique powers. Jin never explained how he knew about Huang's abilities, but Huang didn't question the training he was receiving; he was indeed becoming more proficient with his newfound skills. Jin hinted that he understood what the source of Huang's power wanted but couldn't share it; it wasn't his place to say.
Around the fourth night, the family requested that Jin guide them to the academy to check on Mia. Upon arrival, they heard her agonizing screams. Jin had to exert himself to prevent them from interrupting the procedure, reassuring them that Mia needed to endure this pain to heal.
A few days passed, and they continued with their daily routines and shifts. Then, in a stroke of luck, they were all present when Mia's surgery finally concluded. After receiving an explanation from Kat about the procedure, the family vowed never to forget what she did.
Taking Mia with them, they returned to their grand house, now more of a home than ever, filled with gratitude for the new life they could begin together.