Ethan's gaze locked onto Ava, his heart sinking at her declaration.
"No, you're going to the academy, and you won't become a hunter until after you graduate. That's final, Ava. We're not going to have this argument again," he said, his voice firm.
But Ava was having none of it. With a storm in her eyes, she spun on her heel to leave the room. Yet, just before she could exit, she paused and turned back toward Ethan, a tempest of emotion brewing within her.
"You know what? You're not the Ethan I once knew. You've become so overprotective that you've turned selfish, thinking you have all the answers, forcing me to do only what you believe is right," Ava yelled, her voice filled with frustration and anger.
"Do you even consider my feelings when you make these decisions, or are you just doing what you think is right and safe?" She demanded, her voice breaking as she began to sob.
"Come on, Ava, let's not do this right now, please," Ethan implored with a softened voice, attempting to defuse her distress upon witnessing the rapid escalation of the situation.
How could he have known that a simple question would lead to this upheaval? If he had anticipated it, he would have steered clear of the topic altogether. But the words were out, the damage done, and all he could do now was try to soothe the heightened emotions.
However, his attempts were in vain. Instead of calming her, his words only seemed to amplify her crying.
"Do you even consider how I'd feel if something happened to you? Do you understand the pain of potentially losing you?" Ava cried out between sobs.
"No one is going to lose anyone, Ava. I'm fine," Ethan interrupted, trying to offer reassurance.
"But for how long will you be 'fine'? It's getting worse every day," she sniffed, her tears unabated.
"Every day I watch you leave and come back with more injuries, more pain that you hide from me. You're drenched in blood, and it's worsening. Today... today I felt it with just a single hug. Your whole body reeks of blood, as if you bathed in it. How long do you plan to keep this up, ignoring my feelings... How long?" Ava's voice crescendoed into louder weeping as she spun around and bolted toward the bedroom.
"Wait..." Ethan called after her, stretching his hand out futilely as she vanished from his sight.
'Damn troublesome, cute, devilish sister,' Ethan cursed under his breath as he rose from the sofa and hurried after her.
But by the time he reached her, the bedroom door had already slammed shut, and he heard the unmistakable sound of her locking herself inside.
*Knock* *Knock*
"Damn it, Ava, you don't have to do this. Nothing is going to happen to me, I promise," Ethan pleaded, knocking persistently on the door.
But the silence that followed spoke volumes.
Ethan knew all too well what this meant. Whenever Ava locked herself away and refused to respond, it signified that she was beyond reach for the moment.
"Go away! I don't want to see you or talk to you!" Ava's muffled voice emerged from behind the barrier, confirming Ethan's fears.
Resigned to the fact that there was nothing more he could do, Ethan walked away from Ava's locked bedroom door, retreating to the living room. He slumped onto the sofa, the earlier warmth of the room now replaced by a cold silence that matched his abandoned meal.
"Can't a man enjoy a peaceful meal without a little girl's tantrum?" he muttered to himself, a note of sadness in his voice as he picked at the now-cold food.
He was still hungry, and although the coldness was less than ideal, his appetite overruled any complaints about temperature.
The decision to send Ava to the academy had been made by the previous owner of his body, and Ethan understood the reasoning perfectly. It was a decision he agreed with, seeing its potential benefits for both Ava and him.
Firstly, there was the matter of protection.
The first district was renowned as the most secure area in the shelter, and Silverdale Academy's location within it, paired with its status as the most prestigious educational institution around, made it incredibly safe.
The children of noble families were sent there to prepare for their awakening journey, and with such clientele, the academy's security was undoubtedly top-notch. Should Ava attend, Ethan would have one less worry when embarking on his dangerous missions as a hunter—missions that could take him away from home for days, even requiring travel beyond the shelter's bounds. Knowing Ava was in safe hands would grant him peace of mind.
Another crucial aspect was providing Ava with a strong start—an advantage Ethan knew all too well from his past life as an awakened. A proper foundation was vital for the future of any newly awakened individual. Talent alone wasn't enough; without the right guidance and knowledge, the potential could easily go to waste.
For the awakened, their core was their lifeblood, the reservoir of strength and power.
Drawing etheric energy from the core allowed them to harness their abilities, but this core was also fragile and susceptible to damage. Manipulating the core to cast abilities required precision; each skill demanded a unique approach, and a single misstep could lead to dire consequences, including injury, loss of power, or even death.
This delicate art of core manipulation, the knowledge necessary to wield one's power safely and effectively, was often safeguarded within prestigious families with a lineage of awakened individuals. Access to such families was typically restricted, requiring one to meet stringent criteria.
However, an academy—especially one as esteemed as Silverdale—offered a more accessible route to this knowledge. By joining after an awakening, one could learn how to harness their power without risking their core. For Ava, gaining entry into Silverdale Academy after her awakening would be the optimal launching point for a promising future.
With these thoughts heavy on his mind, Ethan continued to eat, the flavors of the meal dulled by his contemplations. He knew the road ahead would be fraught with challenges, but he was determined to guide Ava onto a path that would lead to her success and safety, even if it meant enduring her resistance for now.