Liam put the rge pot ba a shelve, smiling at Serena.

  “That’s it for the day. The game will turn offline soon.”

  “It’s a pity.”

  Despite her words, Serena’s eyes clearly showed her tiredness. But her gaze looking at the kit was relut.

  “ we…”

  “What?”

  “Sorry. Fet it.”

  Liam stared at Serena, causing the young girl to fidget.

  “I… I wao ask if we tiomorrow but its stupid. You o train so you earn money.”

  Liam felt his heart sting looking at the pitiable child.

  “It’s okay. Even if I spend time with you, I will stay the best pyer in the game. You don’t o worry about me.”

  Serena stayed quiet, looking at Liam skeptically, not sure where he took his fidence from.

  “How that be? If others overtake your level, they will have more time in the dungeon. You ’t fall behind!”

  Just as Liam pondered how to vince his sister the siblings left the house. A otion instantly reached their ears.

  “Did you hear, Star Gazer cleared the dungeon!”

  “Oh? Did he reach level ten?”

  “Yes! It’s finally time for us elves to show ht! Let’s push those nephilim out of the leaderboard.”

  “How does this help us? We are still stu the novice vilge.”

  “No, Star Gazer annouhat a video of their clear will be uploaded today. After we know the strategy, how could we still not clear the dungeon?”

  “What? Quick, we o watch it!”

  “Yes. e to my pce, we’ll watch it together.”

  “Great! I didn’t feel like studying anyways.”

  The two elves ughed as they disappeared right in front of Liam and Serena.

  Liam go the side, receiving an ‘I told you’ look from his sister. He let out a sigh, seeing the messages of his party members ing in, all of them with a clear urgency.

  “Maybe I ’t py tomorrow.”

  Serena nodded her head. Despite her earlier encement she certainly wasn’t happy hearing this.

  Sihe mood dampehe siblings decided to log off, returning to the real world.

  Liam was lost in thoughts as he left the training room. He felt somewhat lost as he pondered his future pns.

  On one hand was his wish to provide a good life for Serena. Oher his obligation towards his new friends and his own desire to have fun in the game.

  Ultimately everything only be achieved after building a stable foundation. I o earn some money first. In three weeks, the exge opens…

  But if I rise suddenly, I might ehe eyes of the Colvilles again. I don’t know if they might trouble us. It wouldn’t be bad to have some backup. Maybe I have to join the army after all.

  Liam was lost in thought as he opehe door leading outside. Immediately his body shivered. A heavy snowfall engulfed the city. Fierce winds blew, pushing the freezing cold beh Liam’s clothes.

  Liam smmed the door shut, taking out his phone, and calling a taxi.

  While waiting he looked out of a window towards the dojo’s main building.

  An old man could be seen on the main square. He wore thin martial arts clothes, his body motionless as he stood in a horse stance.

  Snow gathered atop his head but apparently the cold couldn’t affect him. His breath appeared as white steam, clearly visible before his nose, moving in a mysterious rhythm.

  Liam was captivated by the special aura surrounding master Baker, uo avert his eyes.

  For a few seds the se remained in perfect stillness, only the snow falling unceasingly.

  But suddenly Master Baker’s eyes shot open.

  “HA!”

  With a forceful shout the old man punched his fist towards the sky. The snow stirred wildly. It strangely disappeared in a line above Master Baker.

  If one would look closely, one might reized the silhouette of a winding dragon form the empty area.

  A subdued shockwave spread around the martial artist, pushing away a huge amount of snow, emptying a circle around him.

  Liam stared in awe and trepidation. He couldn’t see the power unleashed by Master Baker’s fist, only perceive it with his instincts.

  A strong danger flooded his mind.

  This is the power of martial arts?

  Liam felt the hairs on his neck stand up as Master Baker suddenly looked directly into his eyes. He quickly csped his fists, bowing lightly.

  Master Baker didn’t but on airs, bowing as well and walking bato the main building.

  Liam was left with a profound expression, mulling over what he had seen.

  I wonder how strong Master Baker is among Starlight Masters. Did he give it his all just now? Probably not.

  However, even like this…

  Why do I feel that pared to those top figures in the game these Starlight Master appear kind of… weak? If those soles bring this much power to the real world, aren’t Starlight Masters afraid of being repced?

  Liam allowed his thoughts to wander as he ehe taxi and drove home.

  Entering Merida’s appartement, his random thoughts dissolved as he was greeted by a happy Serena.

  “Look Liam, look outside. I never knew snow could be this beautiful.”

  Serena dragged Liam to a window, prompting him to watch the sery outside.

  The cities’ lights reflected of the falling snow, dying it in various colors, creating a surprisingly lively atmosphere.

  The siblings watched quietly for a while until Merida’s voice drew their attention:

  “Dinner is ready!”

  “Oh, I don’t know if I eat something…”, whispered Serena carefully.

  But Liam could hear the mirth in her voice.

  “Why?”

  “Because I’ve already beeing all day!”

  Liam shook his head with a chuckle, walking towards the table. Serena’s clear ughter followed him.

  After a hearty meal the trio gathered before the TV. Liam scrolled through his phone looking for a solution for Serena’s education.

  Liam would prefer to let Serena go to school as it was important for her to find some friends among her peers.

  However, after years of absehe young girl might uch which would cause her difficulties in css.

  Suddenly an advertisement drew Liam’s attention, prompting him to read through their website.

  Such a service exists?

  Liam was surprised as he found a group specialized on taking care of teens in the game. They ahem to py in groups supervised by traiutors and some fighters for security.

  They were quite fast to e up with su idea. I’m not sure if this existed in the past…

  The existence of such anizations showed the importance people pced on Fate of aboul. There were enough families were both parents turo pying the game fulltime, needing someoo take care of their children.

  This would be great for Serena. If I find a private teacher for the m she join this group iernoon.

  Liam quickly presented his solution to Serena. Although the young girl wasn’t thrilled about such a rge ge, she agreed after some coaxing from Liam and Merida.

  The rest of the evening Liam messaged a few teachers, and the caretaking anization called aboul Discroup, expeg results by tomorrow.

  Thus, he could feel relieved as he ehe game the day.

  Since Serena decided to spend the day at Merida’s id oer the game if she grew bored, Liam directly went to the eagle ptform.

  After a short flight he was ba Luphenour City.

  Just as he was about to reach the teleporters, Liam noticed a few people who stood out among the quiet street.

  One of them spotted Liam as well. His eyes opened wide as he gestured to the others, pointing in Liam’s dire.

  The young man frowned as the group walked towards him.

  A tall elf in a red mage robe took the lead. His head was raised arrogantly as if Liam coulder his eyes, but his gaze clearly showed some doubt.

  Liam sighed as he read the name floating above the man – Star Gazer.

  “You are Bleary Mirage? Quite brave, ing to our elven city. Are you here to provoke me?”

  “Square off! This is our territory!”

  Star Gazer spoke in an arrogant voice while one of his ckeys immediately shed out at Liam.

  Anger crept into the veteran’s mind as he looked at this arrogant face. Obviously, Star Gazer didn’t reize him but how could Liam fet this guy who stood in the back while his men harassed Liam and Serena?

  Thinking about how he must’ve been scolded by his family, Liam couldn’t help but show a gloating smile.

  Of course, Star Gazer’s group interpreted the matter differently.

  “B*stard! You came here to make fun of us?”

  “Do you really think you are a good pyer? You’re just lucky! We will soon push you off the ranking!”

  “You better watch your back.”

  Liam wasn’t in the mood to clear the misuanding. He didn’t have a si of sympathy for the group, feeling that suppressing them might really be the best he could do.