Within the training hall, Sung Han Soo listened to the heart wrenching story of the Ainzlark Demonic Incident, hearing the horrors of the Demon Invasion, and how many people suffered as a result.
The deaths. The destruction. The desperation.
Even though Jared still looked young, he had experienced so many atrocities.
'H-he has suffered a lot!' Han Soo looked at Jared with warm eyes.
It was in this story that Jared met Aloe Vida. Han Soo learned everything about their first meeting—how Jared barely resurrected her, and how she became an ally afterward.
However, this was only one side of the story. The most important aspect was the next.
Jared told him about the aftermath of her resurrection, and it made Han Soo realize something he never considered.
'I... I'm just like Miss Vida was in the past!'
Aloe had looked up to Jared so much that she respected him to a fault. She considered him perfect, and she was bound by his every words.
Han Soo realized how that resonated with him and his current position—how the past Vida resembled his present self.
'Our circumstances are so similar. We both made the mistake of deifying those we highly respect.'
"Do you understand now?" Jared's voice echoed in Han Soo's ears, causing him to look once more at the former.
"It's fine to respect someone, hold them in high esteem, or even desire to be as strong as them. However, never idolize or deify anyone. No one is perfect, and while they may perform good deeds, there are more nuanced and selfish rationales behind their actions."
Everyone was like that? Even Jared and Aloe? Han Soo found it hard to believe that they were currently operating on a selfish basis.
"What is the selfish reason you're helping me so much, Hyung Jared?"
In response to this, he only said one thing. "Because I'll learn and grow from it. Is that satisfactory to you?"
"I see." Han Soo smiled, instantly recognizing what Jared meant by his words. "Its satisfactory."
In the end, even Jared had to keep growing and learning. He wasn't perfect, neither was he a god.
The same allied to Aloe Vida.
"Thank you for telling me all of this, Jared. Thank you for helping me this much too. I really, really appreciate it greatly."
Once again, a warm smile courses through Jared's face, and they both rose to their feet in this renewed atmosphere.
"I promise... I won't put any of this to waste. I'll get stronger and carve a path for the future of this world! I'll use the power I'll gain to help others, just as Hyung and Miss Vida helped me!"
"That's good." Jared's response was soft and cool, making Han Soo's heart jump in happiness.
"I'll teach you as much as you can learn in the weeks to come—at least, until the Grand Symposium."
"Oh? You were invited, Hyung? You're also going to attend?"
For Sung Han Soo, the Grand Symposium had always been his dream. He wanted to go more than anyone else.
Unfortunately for him, the only way to attend was through the Hunter Associations who had formed an alliance, and South Korea's Hunter Association—like the others—could only select three people, other than the Chairman, who could attend.
Being an E Class nobody, he didn't stand a chance of attending.
Even though his grandfather was the Chairman, he couldn't dream of pulling strings to get to the Grand Symposium.
Not only would that stir up great controversies in the country and beyond, but his grandfather was not the kind of man to make such compromises.
If he wanted to go, it had to be by his own merits.
'Hyung is strong enough to attend, so I'm not surprised.'
"Oh, I'm not going."
"R-really?"
"Yes. I'm not officially affiliated with your Hunter Associations. But don't worry, I'll be with you guys in the spirit."
For a moment, Han Soo didn't understand what Jared meant by his words. However, after a few seconds of processing the words, he realized...
"You guys? What are you saying?"
"I'm saying that if you do well in your training, you'll be qualified to attend as well. Isn't that what you always wanted?"
"Really? I can go?" Han Soo's voice rose to an unprecedented degree, and his eyes showed glittering stars of delight.
"Yes. So work hard for it."
"Yes, Hyung! I'll work super hard!"
"That's the spirit."
With that, both the senior and junior initiated the next phase of their time together.
Real Magic Training.
*******
[Weeks Later]
"It's time."
All of the important players were important in Chairman Sung's office
Jared Leonard
Kuzon Midas
Aloe Vida
Director Baek
Chairman Sung
.... And finally, Hunter Sung Han Soo.
"As planned, I'll be going to the Grand Symposium with Miss Vida, Director Baek, and Han Soo." The Chairman began his words.
He was initially skeptical about the choice of the latter, since it would breed controversy.
Even though Jared was the one who made the suggestion, his skepticism made him desire to test out his grandson.
The result of that was the current situation, as well as Chairman Sung's positive assessment of his grandson.
He was now strong!
"As for you two..." He gazed at Jared and Kuzon, who would remain in the Hunter Association.
"There's no need to be concerned about us. We'll have enough action right here in the Association."
"Can't you just tell us the details of the plan?" Aloe muttered, a worried expression locked on her face.
In the end, they weren't able to find the SS Grade Core, and the Zenith was sure to cause major problems for them as a result.
The only reason they could have some degree of confidence was because Jared proclaimed he had a plan.
His sheer confidence in his plan was what propelled them forward.
"If I did so, it wouldn't be a good way to conclude this adventure. What's the point of a surprise if I just tell you?"
Everyone in the room sighed at Jared's words.
"Don't worry about the little details. Just attend the Symposium and act as you naturally would." Something akin to a twisted smile formed on Jared's face as he made his final admonishment.
"Things should play out rather interestingly."
