In the stillness of the night, Nick found himself sharing a sleeping space with Koshiro and Mikoto. As he lay there, his thoughts began to drift, a mixture of contemplation and humor swirling within his mind.
"Okay, I know she definitely thinks of me as her son, but ahh, if she grabs me a little more tightly, I'm gonna choke to death," Nick thought, his internal monologue a mix of endearing frustration and amusement. The realization that he needed to use the washroom broke through his musings, and he murmured in a low volume, "Koshiro... Koshiro, wake up."
Koshiro's response was swift, and the next moment, Nick found himself teleported to the hallway near the washroom. "Huff, finally. What a relief," Nick muttered to himself as he took care of his urgent need.
As he finished, Koshiro's voice cut through the quiet, bringing a more serious tone to their conversation. "Hey, Nick, I have something to say to you."
Nick, still recovering from his discomfort, turned his attention to Koshiro. "Yeah, what is it?"
Koshiro's words were deliberate, his tone carrying a weight of consideration and emotion. "I want you to be our son."
The declaration caught Nick off guard, and he echoed the sentiment in disbelief. "Say what?"
Koshiro's voice softened as he continued, "It's more like just for show."
He continued, explaining the intricacies of the situation. "You have noticed it by now – she refers to you as Kaiho."
Nick nodded, understanding the significance of Mikoto's choice of name for him. He listened as Koshiro revealed the truth that lay beneath their interactions. "Just until she gets well. The only thing keeping her alive is you."
Nick's mind raced as he tried to process the weight of Koshiro's words. "I have no idea what to say, what do I say?"
Koshiro reassured him, "You don't have to if you don't want to."
Nick's response was hesitant yet sincere. "Yes."
Koshiro's words took a surprising turn, and Nick's brows furrowed in confusion. "Oh, I expected this. Sorry to ask... wait, yes!"
Nick's curiosity piqued, he inquired, "Yeah, not 'cause I owe you one. It's 'cause of her?"
Koshiro's reply held a mixture of vulnerability and truth. "I don't want to see anyone sad. I've been living like a walking dead. You guys blew life into me."
In that quiet exchange, under the cover of darkness, the bonds between Nick, Koshiro, and Mikoto grew stronger. The weight of their intertwined destinies carried a sense of purpose and responsibility, driving them forward on a path that held the power to change their lives and the world around them.
The night was punctuated by a sudden and familiar call, "Kaiho, wake up. Kaiho, wake up, boom!"
Nick's eyes flew open, a mix of bewilderment and amusement on his face. "I am still not used to this," he muttered, his voice laced with a blend of mild annoyance and fondness for Mikoto's wake-up methods.
Their morning routine continued, and Nick's voice held genuine appreciation, "Hmmm, it tastes great, Mom." The term slipped out naturally, a testament to the bond that had formed between them.
However, their moment of comfort was interrupted by a sudden cough from Koshiro, drawing their attention. Their shared laughter filled the room as they settled into a new rhythm of companionship, their lives now intricately connected.
As days turned into weeks, Nick found himself gradually getting along with Mikoto and Koshiro, their shared experiences deepening their understanding of one another. Amidst their daily activities, a moment of seriousness hung in the air as Nick turned to Koshiro with a contemplative expression.
"Hey, Koshiro, I have something to say to you," Nick began, his tone carrying a mixture of determination and vulnerability.
Koshiro's attention was fully on Nick, his expression attentive as he listened to his words.
"Kaiho, that day when Mom... Athina was kidnapped," Nick's voice held a touch of weight, the memories of that moment still vivid in his mind. "I saw something. Terrifying. Something that could kill me in an instant if it desired to. If it wasn't for Mom... Mikoto, I would have been dead."
His voice quivered with a mix of emotion as he continued, "I felt so powerless. I've decided now. I want to become powerful. Strong enough so I could protect the ones I love – you and Mom."
Koshiro's response was a mixture of amusement and understanding, his laughter carrying a sense of warmth. "Haha, if you want to grow stronger, you need to hone your powers. You'll need to join..."
"Orchid Gods Academy." Nick repeated the name, a note of intrigue in his voice. "A place where new gods are trained. Wait, what? Gods go to academy?"
Koshiro nodded, a hint of amusement in his expression. "Let me explain. For example, martial artists have nine stages of cultivation: Five Acupoints, Eight Dragon Dantians, Four Extraordinary Meridians, Void Core, Nine Immortal Bones, Gold Core, Spirit Lake, Nascent Soul, Seal, Tribulation Bone, and Halo."
Nick's eyes widened in understanding. "Doesn't that take thousands and millions of years or something? So, I'm gonna be in a school with old geezers?"
Koshiro chuckled. "Well, not exactly. These people gain power similar to gods when they have strong offspring purely through genetics. They don't have the experience and lessons, so in order to prevent them from misusing their powers..."
Nick interrupted, grasping the concept. "I see. So, when will I get admission? You're the Omni King, right? You can do that with ease."
Koshiro's response was measured. "Well, no. There's a compulsory entrance exam you must do to enter."
Nick's shoulders slumped in mock exasperation. "Even in the god realm, I can't escape exams. So, when is the exam?"
Koshiro answered, "Six months later. But until then, you'll have to wait and prepare."
Nick's anticipation for training was met with an unexpected revelation from Koshiro. "But until then, you'll have to wait and prepare."
This prompted Nick to ask, "So when do we start training?"
However, Koshiro's response left him bewildered. "We don't."
Nick's surprise was evident as he questioned, "What?"
Koshiro elaborated, "Well, you'll have to train, but I won't join you."
Frustration crept into Nick's tone as he asked, "But why?"
Koshiro's explanation was unwavering. "The entrance exam is an exam where everyone has to clear on their own, so no help for me. It would be considered cheating."
Nick let out an exasperated sigh, realizing the magnitude of the challenge that lay ahead. "Man, seriously, how am I supposed to do this?"
Koshiro's response was clear and resolute. "You'll have to figure it out yourself."
Nick accepted the reality of the situation with a nod. "I guess I'll have to train myself."
The next morning brought with it a sense of routine and camaraderie in the temple. As they gathered at the breakfast table, Mikoto greeted Nick with a warm smile, "Good morning, Kaiho."
Nick responded in kind, "Good morning, Mom."
Koshiro chimed in with a greeting as well, albeit with a momentary slip, "Good morning, Nic... Kaiho."
Amid the clinking of utensils and the sound of food being enjoyed, Mikoto noticed Nick's lack of appetite. She voiced her concern, "Kaiho, are you all right? You're not eating much."
Koshiro interjected, "Well, it wasn't all right when he wasn't eating much."
Nick took a sip of water and decided to address the matter at hand. "So, I was saying, Mom is helping me with training."
Koshiro raised an eyebrow, curious about this turn of events. "How? It would be considered cheating if you help me."
Mikoto, however, had a different perspective on the matter. She firmly stated, "But it wouldn't be when Mom helps me, right?"
Koshiro hesitated, caught between the rules and Mikoto's maternal instincts. "Well, I would be..."
Mikoto cut him off with a stern tone, "Koshiro! As a mom, I have to help my dear son. Not as the queen, but as his mother."
Nick, sensing the tension, attempted to lighten the mood. "Can I have a say in this?"
Mikoto's anger was palpable as she replied, "Koshiro," making her expectations clear.
Koshiro relented, "Okay."
Amid the dynamics of their conversation, Nick finally revealed his plan. "By the way, Kaiho, what exactly are you going to do?"
Nick and Koshiro engaged in a playful back-and-forth, each finishing the other's sentences, before Nick answered, "I am gonna bulk..."
Koshiro questioned, "Bulk?"
Nick clarified, "Since I cannot control my power, I am gonna build my body. And Mom's gonna help me do it."
Mikoto offered a determined nod. "I'll get you back in shape, Kaiho."
Mikoto's decision to allow Nick's training plan brought a sense of relief, and she couldn't resist a playful remark, "Aren't I smart?"
Koshiro, however, was lost in thought, contemplating the potential of those who possessed powers to destroy mountains. He acknowledged, "Some of them possess powers to destroy mountains. Smart, right..."
Nick seized the moment to offer a piece of advice to Mikoto, who aspired to become stronger to defeat the demon. "And learn some combat forms, Mom. You have to be strong to defeat the demon."
Mikoto's affection for Nick was evident as she hugged him, finding joy in their mother-son bond. "Aww, it's cute how my son is dependent on me."
Nick's response, however, was less sentimental and more practical. "Hmmm... I am gonna puke if he hugs more tightly."
Their shared moments at the breakfast table were filled with a mix of humor, camaraderie, and the underlying determination to prepare Nick for the challenges that lay ahead. As they navigated this new chapter in their lives, their unique dynamic continued to evolve, strengthening the ties that bound them together on their journey.