Chapter 23 - My Warm Family Does Not Need Shortcuts
The family packed everything and hit the road. They arrived at their new house after an hour of journey. The neighborhood was a mixed zone, consisting of small PAX stores, restaurants, and regular houses. The size of buildings varied, but most were taller than two stories to save space.
The new home was a three-story concrete building, different from the orthodox one-story houses in suburban areas or residential zones outside of military installments.
When they arrived, they found a car hauler truck waiting for them. The driver and a man in a car bran uniform approached them, handing a sealed package of documents to Han.
Han widely grinned and accepted the parcel. He knew that they were his car insurance and registration documents.
Carn got out of the van and looked behind the hauler truck. An identical luxurious van, wrapping in red bows, was being lowered to the street. He assumed that it was the second car that Han had bought.
Wong got out of the van and saw the second vehicle as well. She smirked and explained, "That one is mine. This thing is your father's."
"I can tell." Carn sighed deeply.
Wong noticed how disappointed Carn was. She leaned over and whispered in an American accent, revealing a secret, "The second one's under my name. I'll transfer it to your name when you graduate, alright? And don't worry, I'll make sure your father doesn't touch your signing bonus. He will cover the credit card payments himself. As for your money, I'll set up a trust fund and give it back to you when you're 18."
Carn looked back at his mother, who winked and slapped his back with a loud thud. Then, she resumed her stoic demeanor, pretending that the conversation never happened.
Understanding what his mother had planned for him, Carn inwardly chuckled. He was proud of having such a loving and understanding mother.
But, his mother's next words made him feel the pressure of having traditional Asian parents.
"I expect a 4.0 GPA until graduation. If I see anything less than A or AVERAGE, your money goes straight to my pocket, lah!"
"…"
.
.
Meanwhile, Jack and his father, Darius, had been escorted to a military base where Han had previously taken Carn for a basic scan. However, since Darius wasn't a government agent, the staff led them to an interrogation room first.
A lieutenant in a black uniform sat across the table, scowling as he flipped through Jack's blood test result papers. With a sigh, he tossed the file on the table and stared at Darius, who was standing behind his son.
The officer shook his head in disapproval.
"You're disqualified. We can't issue an early explorer license for your kid, even with you as a guarantor. Pack up, and we'll arrange transport back. Come back when your son is 18 and shows some REAL capabilities."
Darius was enraged, "What?! Disqualified? My son's mana concentration is over 1%! That alone proves his talent! Do you think there's anyone his age with that much mana?!"
The lieutenant didn't flinch. His icy eyes glared into Darius' eyes, "Stimulants and artificially spiked mana cells don't count as natural talent, sir. Don't insult our intelligence."
Darius kept snarling. "You have no idea who you're talking to! I'll be reporting this to your superior, and I'll see to it until you're dishonorably discharged, you hear me?"
The lieutenant was unimpressed. He chuckled, mocking Darius with his amused expression.
This wasn't his first time dealing with entitled parents trying to artificially boost their kids' mana levels. This situation was the same as an athlete using an illegal substance in a competition. Thus, he showed no concern.
"Yeah, good luck with that," he sneered, jabbing a finger at Darius's chest. "If you think you're clever for dropping a million on a commercial mana potion and feeding it to your kid, let me break it to you. WE. KNOW. We are the ones distributing those potions. Of course, we know the effects. When a civilian takes it, the mana concentration will increase by a percent or two temporarily. They're meant as emergency supplements for real explorers in the field. Money doesn't make you an explorer. Talent does. Your son's test results are invalid."
The lieutenant slammed his fist on the table, locking eyes with Jack, who had turned pale. With a final glare, he collected the file, turned away, stormed out, and slammed the door behind him in frustration.
Seething with rage, Darius clenched his jaw and pulled out his EYE-Phone. Scrolling through his contacts, he pressed the name of his company's CEO—Speedwagon.
*DRRRR*
*CLICK*
The person answered the call instantly.
"What is it?" The person "Speedwagon" seemed annoyed.
Darius grumbled into the phone and purposely enabled the speaker option, allowing the voice to be audible for others, "Boss, I'm at Georgia Base. The ECD rejected my son. I thought you had my back on this!"
Speedwagon shouted, "Who told you to apply directly to the ECD? I said to take him through the military or Marine Corps. Do you want your kid under the Stone Judge's thumb or those Nazi-wannabe black uniforms? He'd be a statue before he ever gets his license!"
Realizing his mistake, Darius swallowed and softened his voice. "Th-Then… what should I do, boss?"
"Reapply him to the Army or Marines. Let him stay there for five years, and don't renew the contract. Once the contract is over, they'll keep him tethered for five more. If he behaves properly, he'll get his license and be free to join a private explorer company."
Speedwagon referred to a five-year training course for specialists, consisting of 18 months of physical training, 18 months of mana applications, and two years of practical field training.
As for the tether, it was a GPS ankle bracelet worn by non-contracted specialists and prisoners on parole. These equipment monitored the targets, enforcing and ensuring good behavior after discharge.
Those with a mana concentration over 2%, however, faced a different fate as they would be assigned as Class-D or Class-E personnel in ECD facilities because their existences were considered too risky for society.
Jack overheard the exchange, his face turning pale. "T-Ten years in total? I don't want to join the Army! What about being an explorer? I thought I could get the license in a month or two!"
Hearing Jack's whining, Speedwagon screamed through the phone, "There is no shortcut, you spoiled brat! Get your sorry ass in line and go through the training like your father and I did!"
Furious, Speedwagon ended the call, leaving Darius and Jack stunned.
Jack immediately turned to his father and repeatedly shook his head, complaining, "I'm not wasting ten years doing this. I want my Explorer license! I want my freedom!"
Darius sighed and attempted to console Jack, "This is complicated, Jack. If your mana's under 2%, we'll never get their attention or their help. But if it's over 2%, sure, you will get special treatment, but you would be stuck working for the government for life. Spending ten years flying under the radar may be our only way."
Jack's face reddened with frustration. Disappointed in his father, he stormed out of the room.
Darius sighed deeply, glancing at the CCTV cameras. The red lights glared back at him like red pointers from sniper rifles, threatening him that everything he had done was being recorded and watched.
Knowing that lingering here would only add to his troubles, he followed his son out of the facility.