19 Decisions (2/2)
”That's what I was going to say! He doesn't have any affinities, no sect will…”
”You told me yourself that having no affinities meant that you could study anything!”
”Yes, but Oscar,” father turned back to me.
”If you enter a specialised sect, you'll be at a severe disadvantage. Everyone else will have some affinity for the sect's technique. If you want to be strong, go to the military.”
”Can we just forget about cultivating for one damn second?! We're supposed to be talking about his options, not pigeonholing him into the military!”
”He asked! I'm just telling him about it!”
”Look, sweetie.” Mother turned to me and her voice softened. ”You don't have to be the strongest. You don't have to be the best. Your affinity means that you can go whatever route you want.”
”And…” she glared daggers at father, ”there are plenty of options besides cultivating.”
”I've talked to Mr Zhou. You can go work on his farm starting tomorrow! And I've told Mr Huang so many stories about you, he's already offered you an apprenticeship at his merchant house!”
”Thank you, mother. Really, thank you. But I want to cultivate.”
”See what you did to him?!” mother shouted at father.
”Stop it!” I cried, cutting mother off, ”it's not father's fault. I've always wanted to cultivate. Even before I saw father training.”
”Do you really mean that?” Mother's voice was weak and strained.
”Yes. I do.”
”Stephanie, it's alright. There's nice boys like Davide going to Military School.”
”Carlo!” her voice became a roar, all weakness gone. ”You promised not to tell him that until he made a decision!”
”But… he already…”
”No, he didn't! He just said he wanted to cultivate!” Tears welled in her eyes. ”He could have decided to study under someone nice like Crow!”
”And spend his entire life in a cave? Come on Stephanie.”
”I've had enough of you!”
Mother jumped up and stormed out of the room. Father watched her leave, then looked back to me with a sigh.
”I'll talk to her, don't worry. Look, if you really want to be a strong cultivator,” his voice lowered, ”go to the military. Their resources are unparalleled, so long as you have the talent.”
I made my decision. For now, I didn't know enough about this world to find another option. I would follow father's advice. Plus, the prospect of going to school with Davide was exciting.
I nodded, and father rustled my hair.
”Don't worry about your mother. She wants you to follow your dreams, just like I do, it's just that she cares so much. She doesn't want you to get hurt.”
I nodded again, and father left the room.
Over the next few weeks, father and I kept reassuring mother that it would all be okay. She wasn't happy about it, but her anger subsided.
A week before the big day, we had an unexpected visitor.
I was sitting on the bench, reading one of father's history books, when two people appeared out of nowhere.
I instantly recognised Crow, his chains scraping against the floor. He was bent over double, coughing painfully.
”Helga you old hag, you could have warned me…” he spluttered out.
In front of him stood a stunning woman in a white and gold plunge dress. Her golden sweeping locks shimmered and sparkled as if encrusted with diamonds.
”And where would be the fun in that dear?”
I blinked, and she was right in front of me. She leaned over and swept a strand of hair behind her ear.
”And you must be the troublemaker.”