章 21: Sang Woo
After Jinwoo defeated all the invaders, adrenaline surged through him, propelling him toward his son and Ethan, who lay unconscious on the ground. As he rushed closer, he spotted Dong Hae standing protectively over Ethan, a quiet guardian amidst the chaos. Without a moment's hesitation, Jinwoo knelt before him, his voice steady yet filled with respect. "Your Highness," he said, acknowledging the prince's presence with reverence.
Dong Hae glanced down, a flicker of discomfort crossing his features. "You can stand at ease," he replied, his tone gentle yet firm. Despite his royal status, he harbored a strong aversion to the formalities that often accompanied it. This dislike was one of the reasons he found it so challenging to forge genuine friendships; no one ever seemed capable of treating him as an equal. The weight of recent events bore heavily on him, and he cast a thoughtful glance at Ethan and Seojin before turning away, lost in his own troubled thoughts. Deep down, he couldn't shake the longing for a friend like Ethan and Seojin—someone who could see past his title and accept him for who he truly was, free from the constraints of nobility.
A wave of relief washed over Jinwoo as he confirmed that both Seojin and Ethan were indeed safe. His heart began to calm, particularly when he realized that his eldest daughter had been absent during the turmoil. This realization allowed him to breathe a sigh of gratitude for the moment, feeling a significant weight lift from his shoulders. With gentle care, he lifted both boys from the ground, his gaze falling on the kittens sitting quietly beside them. With a tender smile, he scooped them up as well, his heart swelling with a mix of affection and protectiveness. As he made his way to the infirmary, his mind raced with concern for the two boys and the challenges that lay ahead.
As they departed, those who had witnessed the scene looked on with expressions of admiration, whispering among themselves about the bravery they had just witnessed. Jaemin, observing Jinwoo as he carried Ethan, felt an unexpected pang of recognition. He couldn't help but think, Why does he remind me so much of my brother? The resemblance was uncanny, stirring feelings within him that he hadn't anticipated. Perhaps it was the way Ethan exuded a quiet strength and determination, or the deep compassion he showed for those around him. Whatever it was, Jaemin felt drawn to the boy, intrigued by the connection he sensed but couldn't fully comprehend.
Meanwhile, Seojin began to stir awake after spending several hours in the capsule. Relief flooded through Jinwoo as he watched his son slowly open his eyes. However, his heart ached as he noted that Ethan remained trapped in a deep slumber, having been unconscious for two full days. Seojin, visibly worried, glanced at his friend, his expression filled with concern, especially since even Ethan's kittens were curled up beside him, sleeping peacefully. Unbeknownst to them, their recent battle had garnered attention, and they had become famous in the academy, recognized as the bravest newcomers ever admitted.
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In a luxurious mansion far away, Leo, the cat whom Ethan had rescued days earlier, underwent a remarkable transformation, taking on human form. With a bright smile, he greeted his master, "I have returned." The man standing before him appeared older but exuded a surprising strength that belied his years. He inquired, "Was Ethan truly the chosen one?"
Leo nodded eagerly, excitement lighting up his eyes. "Yes, Master! I never imagined that anyone would awaken those eggs." He paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts before adding, "And it would be your grandson, no less."
The older man, named Sang Woo, allowed a bittersweet smile to form on his lips as he replied, "He has indeed raised his children well." His words carried a mixture of pride and sorrow, reflecting his complex feelings about the family's legacy.
Seeing the somber expression on his master's face, Leo felt a wave of sadness wash over him and cautiously asked, "Will he ever return?"
Sang Woo fell into contemplative silence, lost in thought. Though he did not provide an answer, deep down, he believed, "If everything unfolds as it is meant to, he will return to protect Ethan and his family." Unbeknownst to Ethan, his lineage was intricately connected to the Five Clans, specifically the Woo Clan, which was renowned as the most powerful among them, shrouded in mysteries that had persisted for generations.
Summoning a shadow, Sang Woo instructed, "Jaemin is his teacher now; send him to take care of Ethan." The shadow nodded in understanding before darting off into the darkness, its form blending seamlessly with the surroundings. Little did Jaemin know, he had a nephew—one who was connected to him.
With those words, the pieces of a greater puzzle began to fall into place, intertwining destinies set in motion by forces beyond their understanding. As the shadow raced through the corridors, a sense of anticipation hung in the air, hinting at the significant changes on the horizon. Each step taken would unravel hidden truths and forge new connections, weaving a tapestry of fate that would link their lives in ways they had never imagined.
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