Under the blistering sun, a shop named 'Troy’s Family Noodles' was teeming with customers.
Within the confines of Archie’s shop, a throng of patrons encircled two individuals at the center, engaging in animated discussions.
“Elbert, why didn’t you tell us your son got into Rhoman Academy?”
“If Grayson hadn’t said anything, none of us would have known that big news.”
“Archie, how about endorsing our shop?”
“No, No. Promote my shop instead. He sells cheap food.”
“No, My shop.” “No, Me.”
Caught in the whirlwind of the crowd, Archie and Elbert found themselves amidst a sea of goods, with the crowd pleading them to advertise their shops and sport their brand logos at the academy.
The previous night, as Archie accomplished a 100 strike mission, word about his acceptance into Rhoman Academy spread like a forest fire, ignited by his uncle Grayson.
Grayson, in his inebriated state, had casually shared the news with his colleagues at a party. His prideful boasting triggered a massive commotion, not just in their street, but across the entire district. The news even made headlines in the press media.
Archie and Grayson’s family had kept his academy admission under wraps until now. The reason being, Archie was the first student from their entire district to secure a seat in Rhoman Academy. This news gave everyone the impression that their district was finally gaining global recognition.
While the crowd was brimming with joy, Archie was simmering with anger. He had arrived to grab lunch after a morning of rest, only to be instantly swarmed by the crowd as if they had been anticipating his arrival.
Noticing Archie’s discomfort and furrowed brows, Elbert rose to his feet, his face stern.
Archie gave a faint smile, anticipating his father to dismiss the crowd. Both Archie and the crowd were on tenterhooks, waiting for Elbert's response.
Elbert declared authoritatively,
“Only customers are allowed to enter the shop. If you are not going to eat, then leave.”
“SILENCE!” A deafening silence ensued before the shop erupted into chaos.
The customers were jostling each other, vying for a spot at the table to converse with Archie.
Archie was taken aback by their squabble, and amidst the chaos, Elbert murmured to Archie in a detached tone,
“Why are you still here? Leave.”
Archie grasped the reason behind his father’s reaction. He swiftly retreated to his room, with a few from the crowd attempting to tail him.
Before they could, Elbert’s imposing figure obstructed them and he declared,
“The first floor is for my son only…” He shot a cold glance at the others,
“Are any of you my son?”
Promptly, everyone began to disperse without uttering a word. Their purpose for visiting was unattainable, so they vacated the premises.
However, one person remained, prompting Elbert to summon his son.
If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.
After the silence and his father’s call, Archie returned to the diner, assuming everyone had departed, and sat down to enjoy his noodles.
“Archie,”
His father called, prompting him to turn to his left. To his surprise, he saw Jill, Grayson’s wife, seated at the table with his father. He swiftly spun around, attempting to retreat to his room.
“Come here,” Elbert's commanding voice compelled Archie to return and sit across Jill and him.
Jill, with a forced smile barely concealing her annoyance, congratulated,
“Congratulations Archie for securing a seat in Rhoman Academy. My apologies for not visiting sooner, I've been tied up with a branch family meeting.”
“Thank you very much, Aunt. It's due to your blessings that I managed to get in in the first place,” Archie retorted, his words dripping with sarcasm.
Despite Archie's biting remark, Jill maintained her composed demeanor and stated,
“The reason for my visit today is, as I mentioned earlier, the branch family meeting. Your name seems to have reached the ears of my branch leader…”
Jill hesitated, her voice faltering,
“He wishes to meet and discuss your future.”
Since the previous week, Jill had been inquiring with her branch family to confirm the news about Archie's admission. It hadn't been made public yet, but yesterday, Rhoman Academy claimed that the names of all the freshmen joining the academy had been leaked to outsiders.
One name was at the center of the leaks: ‘Archie Troy,’ a Non-Graded ‘F’ Ethereal, nominated by the President of Rhoman Academy, Avery. This stirred up a storm in every clan.
So, Jill hurried over to persuade Archie to join their branch family, as per her branch leader’s orders.
However, Jill hadn’t anticipated the widespread news about Archie's admission into Rhoman Academy reaching everyone. So, she rushed over to converse with him.
“OHH… I see,” Archie scoffed,
“What you're saying is my greatness is too much that it reached your branch leader’s ears. That’s what you're saying, right!”
Jill clenched her fist and lowered her gaze to the table, occasionally biting her lips, but she composed herself and responded,
“Yes… my branch leader is eager to see your greatness.”
Archie's expression turned grim, and he felt a pang of disappointment. He had thought he might derive some pleasure from Jill’s discomfort, but it left a bitter taste in his mouth.
Archie responded candidly to bring the conversation to a swift end.
“I'm sorry, but I can’t meet him. I have no obligation to meet him in the first place.”
“Don’t get ahead of yourself, you brat,” Jill slammed the table, her face contorted with hostility, and she turned her gaze to Elbert,
“Elbert, he is just a child. He doesn’t comprehend the significance of meeting a branch leader, but you do. Tell him, Elbert, make him understand.”
Elbert, with an impassive expression, retorted,
“My son’s decision is my decision. If he doesn’t wish to meet, he will not meet. Inform your branch leader that my son can’t be bought. Now leave, Jill, before we both say something we'll regret."
“You will regret it forever,” Jill warned, as she rose to her feet and stormed out without a backward glance, seething with rage.
After Jill's departure, Elbert stood up and instructed Archie,
“Stay here.”
Elbert retreated to the kitchen. Archie waited for a few minutes before Elbert returned with two bowls of noodles, one of which was Archie’s favorite shrimp noodle soup.
When Elbert disappeared back into the kitchen, Archie savored the noodles using the chef’s chopsticks, which he had kept wrapped in a cloth in his pant pocket.
After finishing his meal, Archie headed to the kitchen and placed the bowls near Elbert, who was busy washing the dishes. He hesitated at first, but gathered his courage and said,
“Dad, last time when Aunt Jill came here to see us, she bad-mouthed mom and you slapped me, but the slap didn’t hurt me as much as you standing there watching Jill bad-mouth mom. So, don’t think today’s incident will make me forgive you.”
Archie seized his father’s hand, locked eyes with him, and declared,
“I may talk to you normally but you betrayed mom and me that day. She won’t be ashamed of me for standing up for her. She will be disappointed in you for not defending her honor.”
Elbert remained silent, continuing to wash the dishes. The sound of running water echoed in the room, amplifying the silence between them.
Archie released his father’s hand and turned around, retreating to his room.
Archie entered his room, his face serene. He hadn't expected a response from his father, he simply wanted to voice the words he had been longing to say to Elbert for a long time.
Archie activated his Rift Watch and opened the Daily mission:
[Do you want to begin today’s mission?]
[Yes] [No]
Upon selecting [Yes], Archie rifted away, leaving behind golden rifts illuminating his solitary room.