The light from the bright morning has penetrated through Ryu's window, illuminating the dark 9 square meters room, while at the same time forcing him to shoot his eyes up;

It can be considered a rare thing for him to be woken up by the sun, but the past week has been really tiring for him. Not only he needs to do his duty as a student, but he's also required to train his fellow mates until the clock pointed out at twelve o'clock.

In addition to that, he used the time interval between those two schedules to train in the Dungeon. That's why those 18-hour a day combat has miraculously blasted up his level by 2.

"Hmm, why it's so hard to leave from this position..."

Even after an hour has passed, Ryu still lays down on his bed comfortably. It feels like the accumulated fatigue was finally struck at him, causing his body to demand him to take a good rest once in a while.

"I'm sorry pal, even though it's weekend, I've got an important agenda waiting for me."

With a clear mind, Ryu pushed his body to rose from its current paradise and quickly moved toward the bathroom to take a shower.

***

"Ding-Dong," a sound of a bell clearly enters Ryu's ear. Right now, He's standing before the doorstep of someone's house. It's a 2-story white building with a fair amount of square and rectangle windows, circulation wise, it's a great home.

"Oh, why didn't you tell me in advance that you're going to come?" The one who opened up the door was his buddy that's presently staring at him surprised.

"I don't know, I simply bored and let my feet take me where they wanted to," Ryu replied while shrugging off his shoulder.

"Pfft, what kind of bullshit was that."

Leaking out a light chuckle, Narukami shifts his body to the side while extending his arm in the direction of the interior of his house. "Since you're already here, feel free to join us."

"I've already planned to do that even without your permission."

Giving a smirk, Ryu's followed his bestie toward the living quarter. When they've arrived, his sight directly fell into a muscular man that presently reads a newspaper. Based on the wrinkles on his forehead and the other places, it can be assumed that he's about to enter his sixties.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

"Oh uncle, good morning, it's nice to see you still in shape."

Ryu felt a surge of happiness when he sees Narukami's father.

Due to certain circumstances, his parents had abandoned him when he's still so young, compelled him to survive on his own. Of course, because he's still a child at that moment, even gaining a piece of bread was proven to be difficult for him.

Living at a slum with starvation, the thought of suicide has crossed his mind. But before that happens, a young boy that's later become his best friend extends his help toward him, bringing him to this very house. Out of his expectation, the young boy's parents also welcome him with open arms, treating him as their own son. That's why Ryu has eternal gratitude towards them and consider them as his family.

In his past, Ryu was taught by them to always be a kind, loyal, and humble character. But, the period where he wanted to live separately from them somehow turned his lifestyle similar to a delinquent. Although, after the catastrophe, some of those traits began to sprout themself inside Ryu again.

"Kid, I didn't know you're going to visit us."

Folding up the paper and places it on the wooden table, Lucke then taps the chair beside him with its hand.

"Get over here, I need to talk to you."

"Did I do something wrong again..."

The memories of getting an earful of scolding whenever the other party asks him to sit down near him starting to enter his mind once more. Gulping down, Ryu nervously moves toward the judgment chair.

Just as when his bottom feels the hard texture of the wooden seat, Lucke suddenly clears his throat up. This makes Ryu unconsciously straighten up his posture while putting his palm on its thighs.

"I heard that you're entering the A-Division, was that true?"

"Yes." Ryu nods his head in response to the question while stealing a glance toward his best friend's father. But, this act later leaves him stunned in his place, because at the end of his sight, Lucke was smiling brightly at him.

"I see, isn't that great, you're growing so fast the moment I took my eyes off from you."

Lucke strokes Ryu's hair with his rough hand. Also, because of his job, Ryu can sense a little of sawdust smell coming out from his hand.

"Uncle, you're overpraising me."

"That reminds me, where are you gone to in those past months."

"What do you mean?" Ryu redirects his sight into Narukami, who sits on the couch not far from him.

"I mean, you usually visit us once in a week, not a month. You didn't even see me on the first day of our letters division."

"Ah, that's-"

***

Both father and son were astonished when they heard the brief explanation that Ryu gave at them concerned his recent activity. Although after a second later, they start to give a light chuckle.

"Didn't think you even beat me for becoming a Hunter first." joked Narukami.

"Involving that, I want to talk about something with you."

Ryu puts his first solemn expression of the day, this causes Narukami to change his demeanor quickly, following the mood. "Go ahead, I'm all ear."

"Should I give you guys some space?"

To the offer, Ryu gives off a slight nod.

"I'll appreciate it if you do that, uncle."

"Okay, you can slowly take your time."

Standing up quietly, Lucke then takes his axe before going into the woods. At the same time, Ryu also started to bend his body until his elbow touched his thigh before tying his hand together.

"Narukami, I want you to join Dragonewt."