However, the atmosphere had shifted slightly.
"Lena, let's go."
"Yes, big brother."
With that, the three of them—Ron, Lena, and Little Gray—left the park.
This time, Ron planned to avoid taking a black car back to the city. Lena's transformation had progressed to the point where she could now take an airship, with Little Gray checked in as luggage.
**Two days later.**
Ron returned to the Sky Arena.
Just as he got back, a loud knocking echoed at the door.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Ron opened the door to find a familiar figure standing at the entrance.
"Kyler?"
Ron frowned slightly; he had no fondness for Kyler.
"Ron, thank you for taking care of Lena during this time," Kyler said, his tone unexpectedly polite. He then turned his gaze to Lena inside. "Lena, it's time for you to come back with me." (T/n really!?)
At that moment, Little Gray charged forward, positioning himself in front of Kyler with his front paws planted firmly on the ground. He stared intensely at Kyler, adopting a threatening posture as if ready to attack at any moment.
Kyler instinctively took a step back but then felt a surge of irritation. How could he be intimidated by a mere dog?
Kyler released his Nen, letting it flow outward. However, Ron would not allow Kyler to assert his dominance unchecked.
A powerful aura emanated from Ron, stronger than Kyler's.
Kyler's expression darkened.
"Father."
Lena trotted over to him.
"Lena, it's time to go," Kyler repeated, his tone now more insistent.
"Father, it's good to see you're alright," Lena said, her eyes shining with relief.
Despite Kyler's past actions, Lena still respected him as her father, showing no signs of resentment.
"Lena, I'm fine. Now, let's go home," Kyler said, a smile breaking across his face, convinced that Lena would surely follow him.
However, the next words from Lena caused Kyler's smile to falter and freeze.
"Father, knowing that you're safe puts me at ease. But I can't go back with you."
"On that day, the life you gave me ended."
"Now my life belongs to my big brother."
"And Little Gray."
"I'm sorry, Father."
"After today, I will no longer be Lena. I have chosen a new name for myself."
"Nina."
"I've also given Little Gray a new name."
"White Bear."
"So, Father, please don't come to disturb me anymore, okay?" (T/N this name change doesn't matter because the author still uses Lena later on, only Little Gray is changed)
Kyler fell silent, grappling with the weight of her words.
Nina's declaration surprised Ron. He had thought Lena would be willing to continue following Kyler since she held no grudges against him. He certainly hadn't expected Nina to assert herself in this way.
"Lena, are you blaming me?"
"But I had no choice!" Kyler exclaimed, one hand cradling his face in frustration. "I had to obtain the position of Floor Master at the Sky Arena. It's my lifelong dream!"
"Aren't you all supposed to support me as my family?"
Nina shook her head firmly.
"Father, Lena doesn't resent you. You are her father, and she would do anything you ask of her. But Lena is dead now."
Kyler stared at Nina, searching for some hint of understanding in her eyes, but she avoided his gaze completely.
Little Gray, now White Bear, wore an even more ferocious expression.
With Ron present, White Bear knew that Kyler wouldn't dare to make a move against him.
Nina might not resent Kyler because he was her father, but White Bear did not share the same sentiment.
White Bear was simply a dog.
Was it wrong for a dog to hold a grudge? (T/n Good doggie)
"I understand."
Kyler lowered his head and said, "From today on, we will no longer meet."
After saying this, Kyler turned and walked down the corridor.
At that moment, a hint of regret blossomed in Kyler's heart.
But it was just a fleeting thought.
He knew that even if he were given another chance, he would still make the same choice.
This decision wasn't made on a whim; it was the result of careful consideration.
Not only Lena was involved.
Kyler's wife, Lena's mother, was similarly affected.
The puppet that Julianna had destroyed earlier was one that Kyler had created by fusing Lena's mother with a magical beast using his Nen.
"Bang!"
Ron closed the door behind him.
White Bear excitedly began to run around the living room.
He loathed Kyler to the utmost degree.
"Lena, no, Nina, are you alright?"
"I'm fine, big brother."
Nina smiled at Ron.
Then she moved to stand by the window, hands on her hips.
"The beginning of Nina's new life has started!"
For Nina, this truly was a new beginning.
Without Ron's help, it would have been nearly impossible for her to rid herself of the Nen that had bound her.
Kyler lacked the ability and the connections to accomplish such a feat.
Moreover, after experiencing the fusion beast and shedding her Nen, Nina's physique underwent some changes.
Her pores had opened up.
She had automatically gained the ability to master Zetsu (the state of closing one's aura).
And she had also received enhancements.
Now, as long as Nina learned the four basic techniques, she could easily surpass the rookie competitors at the Sky Arena.
Even those at Isaiah's level.
Additionally, White Bear also gained tremendous benefits from this process.
In a way, it was a blessing in disguise.
However, this fortune did not come from Kyler; it came from Ron.
Nina was very clear on this point.
That was why she decided to sever ties with Kyler and follow Ron indefinitely.
"Big brother, I want to become strong, just as strong as you."
Ron nodded.
"I'll first teach you the techniques of Zetsu and Ren, and then we can proceed to the Shaken test."
"Once you master these foundational techniques, you'll be able to develop your abilities."
---
While Nina was training in the basics of Nen, Ron made his way to the 251st floor of the Sky Arena.
The fighting tournament, held every two years, had officially started a few days ago.
It attracted the attention of countless spectators.
Not just from this city, but also from neighboring cities, distant cities, and even other countries.
Many people came to witness this grand event.
This made Ron think of two things.