I WAS The Rank–1 Hero-Chapter 96 : My mother is so sweet…!

"Haaaaaaaaahhhhh...."

After reading the announcement, I let out a long, tired breath. It's not like I'm feeling exhausted—this whole announcement just took a lot out of me.

I read the notification once again. The statement is clear.

We, as students of Nova Academy, now have to live in Nova's dormitory, whether we are locals or foreigners.

According to them, they decided that this would be beneficial for students' safety.

Well… they are true to some extent, and this decision will help regulate student safety measures.

I mean, who wouldn't want their children to be safe in an environment where a Single Ranker resides?

Ruby's identity as Pride will be revealed soon to the outside world—it's just a matter of time.

Some parents may oppose it at first, but once they hear that the Headmistress is a Single Ranker—Rank 7, Pride herself—they won't refuse the idea of sending their child to a place under her guidance.

...The whole world will soon know the name Ruby Oliver.

That is the power of a Single Ranker. That is how much they are worth here.

And Pride's reputation is no joke. She even has her own fan following.

Heck! If I remember correctly, some son of a bitch even created a cult specifically to worship her.

That alone gives me shivers.

'May the gods give Ruby the will to fight.' I inwardly prayed on her behalf.

"Hey, what happened?" my mother asked worriedly, seeing all of our faces now wearing the same expression.

"Why did you all go silent? Zane...?"

Standing from her chair, she continued asking questions, turning to both Elise and me.

Elise clenched her jaw, but I didn't make my mother wait any longer. Turning on the holographic display on my wristwatch, I let her read it.

"We got an announcement from our academy," I said.

As I spoke, my father also came over and stood beside my mother.

My parents carefully read the announcement on the holographic display.

With each passing second, I could see their expressions changing.

My mother's eyes widened, and she slumped into her seat, running her fingers through her black hair.

Her eyes slowly started to moisten, and I didn't need to ask why her reaction was like this.

Nova was a few stations away from Honeyford, where our café was located—not too far, in my opinion.

'Then what's the problem?' Sera asked.

'Location isn't the problem here… The problem is my mother herself.'

My mother really adores both Elise and me. And let's not forget—her own son, me, was considered dead for three whole years.

It's only been almost a month since I came back to her, unharmed and alive.

Yet, my parents never questioned it at all—

"How are you still alive?"

"Where were you?"

"What happened to you?"

"Why didn't you contact us for all those years?"

"Why did you return like nothing ever happened?"

If I were in their place, I would have asked all of this.

I'm truly surprised—and genuinely grateful—that they didn't push the matter further.

I know they want to know the reasons, and they have every right to ask as my parents… But they didn't.

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They were just happy that the son they thought was dead had returned to them.

Instead of questioning me, they got to hug me and cherish me one more time.

I still remember—when I returned after my resurrection, Elise kept waking up every night just to check my room, making sure I was still there.

'Heh. That girl.'

'How sweet of her.'

Sera's voice rang in my ears, it was lighter than before.

Maybe, through our shared consciousness, she understood my pain.

After I died, my sister Elise took care of our parents. Maybe because of her, they didn't feel lonely.

But now, if we both stayed away from them… my mother would definitely feel lonely once again.

Or… maybe I'm overthinking this.

Separating from parents after a certain age is something that's bound to happen.

Maybe… they'll let us go.

I know.

I know there will come a time in the near future when I have to reveal everything to them.

I have to tell them that—I was the Rank 1 Hero.

That I died, betrayed, and then resurrected, only to return home.

I do wonder what will happen to me… and how they will react to all of it.

"This means..." my mother's voice was a mere whisper now.

She continued, "You and Elise will be leaving me?"

She looked at me, then turned her gaze between Elise and me repeatedly.

Her eyes begged us to refuse all of this—

As if telling us to stop this joke.

Elise clenched her fists before speaking.

"M-Mother," her voice trembled, "it must be temporary."

She lied.

It was clear—none of this was temporary.

I could already see it extending until we finally graduated from the academy.

"I-Is it?" my mother murmured, her lips curving slightly upward as if honestly believing it.

Her reaction made Elise flinch at her own words.

Elise didn't want to bluntly lie to our mother's face.

She knew the consequences.

"Eleanor."

My father, who was standing beside my mother, called her name. He placed a hand over her shoulder, lightly gripping it as he told her, "The kids are all grown up—"

"No!" My mother interrupted him. "Please don't. I don't want them to leave me."

She continued.

"Our son just came back, and you want to separate us! How could you!"

Anna, Aria, and Julius kept their mouths shut. They were all witnessing everything, not daring to speak. They might think my mother was overreacting, but they didn't know her situation.

Putting themselves in her shoes—she was a mother who lost her son once, whose only remaining joy was her daughter. Then, some miracle happened, and that son, who was supposed to be dead, came back to her.

She hugged him tightly as if she had returned from a hellish nightmare. But then, that son of hers disappeared again to the demon continent and came back after a whole week. And it didn't even stop there—now she was being separated from both her children at the same time.

Just imagine her mental state.

A mother's love is eternal, stronger than time itself.

Every morning, the first thing she wishes to see is her child's face. That tiny smile, those sleepy eyes—it's what makes her heart feel whole.

But if someone takes that away from her...

It's like tearing out her soul.

"How could I..." She broke down, tears streaming down her face.

"M-Mother!" Seeing her cry, Elise, too, had similar tears in her eyes. She stood from her seat and hugged her.

I, too, wanted to do the same but chose not to. What kind of son would I be if I supported her in all of this? But genuinely speaking, this was not that big of a problem. This may come out as harsh, but my Mother needs to learn this, and this situation is nothing but a small step.

"Mother." I spoke.

I don't know what my future holds for me. I don't know what kind of threats will entangle my parents.

After all, I am not just fighting monsters and demons anymore... The situation has changed, and some of the gods out their may send their apostles after me.

And for that, I need to be separated from my parents.

"Let Elise and me live in the dorms." I requested, startling both my mother and Elise.

"Zane...?" My mother looked at me.

'Human, don't say it.'

Sera said reading my mind. I think she knew what I was about to say just now, which is why she stopped me.

And maybe, just maybe—for the very first time, I chose to listen to Sera.

I wanted to say so much to my mother right now, but I let those words stay stuck in my throat. And I knew if I spoke them, I would break her heart.

My thoughts were that cruel right now.

"He is right," my father said. "Sooner or later, we have to let them live their lives. And you know what?"

My father spoke calmly, but I could hear the faint tremor in his voice.

He continued.

"This situation might not be worse than that, and I promise you, my dear!" He raised his voice slightly and placed his hand over his chest.

'Nice going, Father.'

This time, maybe he could convince her. Letting their children go for two or three months would be good practice for her.

"I promise...!" His tone was dramatic now, but I didn't care.

"I will take you to visit them at the Academy every week!" He declared.

'Wait, what?!'

"Honey, but—" My mother tried to resist, covering her eyes with the back of her hand in a dramatic gesture.

"No buts!" My father followed up, pinching her nose.

They were now gripping each other's hands, their fingers locked, their faces just inches apart.

'What are they doing?!'

Anna, Aria, and Julius turned their heads away from this flirtatious display.

'How the hell did the situation turn into this?!'

"But honey, what will happen to the café while we visit our children?" My mother asked, her face now beet red.

"I will do anything for you, my love," my father stated.

"A-Are you sure, Honey?"

"Of course, Honey."

'What am I witnessing here?!'

Just a moment ago, she was crying, but—just look at her!

It looked like they were about to kis—

'Aghhgg!! Let's just leave it.'

I gave up.

"Alright!" My mother beamed with life, her face now red and glowing with natural beauty. She clasped her hands before continuing. "Zane. Elise..."

Both Elise and I gulped.

"You two are free to go."

"Huh?!" This sound came from both Elise and me.

End of Chapter.