Luke hesitated for a moment before answering.
"Should I tell her?" He thought deeply, worried that she wouldn't accept his feelings. In this world, there were two paths a person could take: one was to enter college and then start working as a regular employee or join the government. The second path was to become a star warrior.
Star warriors made a lot of money, but the death rate was extremely high. The allure of power and fame was appealing, but the risk was significant.
Sophia disliked the path of a warrior; her deceased husband was one reason for her aversion. He had once been a star warrior, and his tragic end haunted her. Luke could already imagine her reaction if he told her he wanted to follow that same dangerous path.
With his grades, he didn't even qualify for college, and his talent was too low to become a star warrior. It would be better for him to start working and make money, but Sophia wanted him to continue his studies. She had even saved some money for his college education, unlike his sister, who had received a scholarship.
Luke felt guilty knowing that, even if it wasn't the best college, Sophia wanted him to go there.
But now, with the God System at his fingertips, he felt a surge of hope. The system promised incredible potential and power—an opportunity to redefine his fate.
"I can become a warrior—one of the strongest," he thought, a spark of determination igniting within him. The thought of wielding immense power and proving himself made his heart race.
He imagined the looks of disbelief on his sister and friends' faces when they learned he wanted to become a star warrior, a figure many could only dream of becoming. But would that be enough for Sophia? Would she understand that he wasn't just seeking fame and fortune, but a way to change their lives?
Luke took a deep breath, steeling himself. "I have to tell her," he resolved, knowing that honesty was crucial, especially if he was serious about pursuing a path she despised.
"Maybe if I explain my reasons, she'll see that I'm not just chasing a foolish dream."
He glanced across the table at Sophia, who was looking at him, her bright eyes shining like stars. In that moment, a wave of determination washed over him.
"Mom, I've already decided on a path."
Sophia searched Luke's eyes, looking for any hint of doubt or hesitation. She had never seen her son with such a serious expression—one that carried the weight of his decision like a heavy mantle.
It was as if he had shed his childhood innocence and was now standing on the precipice of adulthood, ready to leap into an unknown world.
Her heart raced for a moment.
The way he carried himself, the determination etched into his features, sent a shiver through her. "He's really serious about this," she thought, a mix of pride and fear welling up inside her. The boy she had raised, always filled with dreams and aspirations, now stood before her with an unmistakable resolve.
"What did you choose?" she asked, her voice steady but betraying a hint of concern. She wanted to support him, to be the mother who encouraged her child's ambitions, but the shadow of his father's fate loomed large in her mind.
"A star warrior," he replied, each word resonating in the quiet space between them.
The silence that followed felt like an eternity. Sophia's heart sank as she processed his declaration. "A star warrior? But… do you really understand what that means?" She wanted to voice her fears, to protect him from the harsh realities of a path that had led to her husband's demise, but she held back.
Instead, she took a deep breath, trying to keep her voice calm. "Luke, you know how dangerous that path can be. Your father…" She paused, emotions threatening to choke her words. "He was brave, but it cost him everything."
Luke's expression didn't falter. "I know, Mom. I want to have a chance to become strong, to change our lives. I want to protect you and my sister. I want to make a difference."
"Y-You don't need to! I can provide for you and your sister! We can manage just fine without you taking such a dangerous path," Sophia blurted out, her voice shaking. She reached for his hands across the table, gripping them tightly.
"I already lost your father to this life. I can't lose you too."
Luke's heart clenched at the sight of his mother's distress, but his resolve remained firm. He had thought long and hard about this.
The God System had opened a door for him that no one else could see, promising to give him the strength he never thought possible. This wasn't just about ambition—it was about changing their lives for the better.
"Mom, I get it; I really do," Luke said gently, placing his other hand over hers. "I understand your fear, but this isn't like before. I'm not going into this blindly."
Sophia observed his expression; small tears welled in her eyes, and Luke gently wiped them away with his thumb.
"E-Even if you wanted to become a star warrior, don't you know that you can't do that without passing the warrior test?" Sophia started, and Luke understood what she meant.
The warrior test was scheduled to take place in approximately ten days.
The requirement to participate was to be at least an Early 1-Star Warrior.
Sophia knew Luke wasn't even close to becoming one, and even if he worked hard, he'd need another year to reach that level; he couldn't do it in ten days.
Not to mention, Luke didn't have the talent for the warrior path.
Sophia's emotions slightly relaxed, thinking he wouldn't be able to participate.
"Then make a bet with me," Luke suddenly proposed.
"Bet?"
"Yes, in ten days, I can become a 1-star warrior."
Sophia's tear-filled eyes widened at Luke's words, her disbelief evident. "Luke, don't be ridiculous. Ten days? Even if you trained day and night, that's not enough time. Becoming a 1-star warrior takes years of hard work."
Luke smiled, not out of arrogance but with quiet confidence. "I know it sounds impossible, but I'm not the same as before. Just trust me, Mom."
Sophia shook her head, still gripping his hand tightly. "Luke, this isn't about trust. This is about reality. You can't just wake up one day and decide to become a warrior. Your father—"
"I know what happened to Dad, and I've thought about it. But I'm not doing this to follow in his footsteps. I'm doing this to protect us, to make sure you and my sister never have to worry again."
Luke gently cut her off, his voice soft but firm.
Sophia's lips trembled.
"You don't need to be a warrior to protect us, Luke. I've managed all this time. I just want you to be safe, to live your life, to study, to get a good job, and then get married. Not… risk your life like he did."
Luke squeezed her hand, his gaze steady. "I understand where you're coming from, but this is something I have to do. I don't want to just scrape by or live a life full of regrets."
Sophia bit her lip, her eyes searching his for any sign of doubt. "What if you fail, Luke? What happens then?"
Luke took a deep breath, his eyes gleaming with determination. "If I can't become a 1-star warrior in ten days, I'll go to college like you want, no questions asked. But if I succeed… I want your support. I want you to believe in me, in this path."
Sophia looked at him, conflicted. The idea was absurd—there was no way he could do it. But the look in his eyes—that same spark of determination his father once had—made her hesitate.
The room fell silent as Sophia stared at him, wrestling with her fear, her love for him, and the memories of the past.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she nodded, her voice barely a whisper. "Alright, Luke. Ten days. But promise me… promise me you'll be careful, and if you fail, you will have to go to the college I choose."
Luke smiled, relief washing over him. "I promise, Mom. I won't."
Sophia pulled him into a tight embrace, tears finally spilling over. "I just don't want to lose you too, Luke."
Luke hugged her back, feeling the weight of her fear and the strength of her love. "You won't, Mom. I'll make sure of it."