CHAPTER 431: ROUND AND ROUND WE GO

After we finished the meal, I cleared the plates while Grandma insisted I didn’t need to. Once the dishes were washed and set aside, we moved back to the living room. She chose her usual seat, the armchair by the window, posture straight even when she was supposed to be relaxing. I sat across from her, still feeling the warmth of our shared meal lingering in the air.

For a while, we didn’t speak. The quiet wasn’t uncomfortable. She had always been like that. But then, she leaned back, crossed her arms, and gave me a look. That particular look. The one that cut past any defense I thought I had.

"Tell me about the girl," she said.

I blinked. "What girl?"

Her eyebrow arched, her lips twitching just slightly at the corner. "Don’t play innocent with me, Billion. Do you think I don’t keep track of my own grandson—or at least make sure I know who he’s getting involved with?"

I let out a breath, trying to look away, but her gaze was relentless.

"Don’t ’Grandma’ me," she said, her calm voice carrying the edge of amusement. "You’ve told me about battles, power, Essence. But never once about your heart. So, who is she?"

I leaned back, rubbing the back of my neck. For a moment I considered denying it, but I knew it would be pointless. She wouldn’t have asked if she wasn’t already sure.

"Her name is North," I finally admitted. The sound of it felt strange spoken aloud in this room, but also... right. "She’s strong, sharp, stubborn, beautiful. Arkas is her grandfather."

Grandma’s expression softened. "North," she repeated, as if testing the name on her tongue. "And you like her?"

I gave a small, awkward nod. "More than I probably should."

Her chuckle was low but genuine. "There it is. Wasn’t that difficult to confess, was it?"

I hesitated, then admitted, "Well... I’m not sure how she feels about me. Maybe it’s just attraction, or maybe something more. But I think she has good feelings toward me too."

She gave a small nod, her eyes warm. "I’m sure she does. You’re a fine young man. It would be hard not to."

I chuckled and told her a few more details about North, little things I had noticed. My grandmother listened patiently, sometimes smiling, sometimes giving me those knowing looks only elders could manage.

We ended up talking for hours—about my childhood, the mischief I used to cause, and everything happening now. It was one of those rare conversations that left me feeling lighter. By the time the night settled in and silence filled the house, we exchanged goodnights and went to rest.

When dawn arrived, I woke early, the faint light of the sun slipping through the curtains. I moved quietly, not wanting to disturb her at first, but she was already awake, sitting calmly in the kitchen with a cup of tea as though she had been waiting for me.

"You’re leaving today," she said softly, more a statement than a question.

I nodded, stepping closer. "Yes. I have to go back. Things are moving fast, and I can’t slow down now."

She stood, and without hesitation pulled me into a hug. "You’ve grown into someone far greater than I imagined, Billion. Just remember, strength means little if you forget who you are."

"I won’t," I promised.

With that, I straightened myself, took one last look around the house, and opened a violet-hued portal. The Essence rippled as I stepped through, the warmth of home fading behind me.

The shift was instant. I was back in the realm but did not stop for longer and simply jumped out to the capital. The capital’s towering walls visible in the distance. Without wasting time, I moved toward it, the air humming with life and noise the closer I got.

My destination was one of the most well-known restaurants, a place Steve had chosen.

As I entered, two familiar faces were already waiting. Steve waved me over, his grin wide. North sat beside him, arms crossed but her eyes brightening the moment she saw me.

"There he is, the new Grandmaster himself," Steve said loudly, clapping my shoulder when I reached the table. "Congratulations, brother. You’re making the rest of us look bad."

North’s lips curved into a small smile. "He’s right. Congratulations, Billion. You’ve grown... a lot."

"Thanks," I said, sliding into the seat with them. "It feels strange, to be honest. Like I haven’t fully caught up to it yet."

Steve leaned back, shaking his head. "Well, catch up quick. Because I just got my quest too. Finally. And it’s a rough one." His expression soured. "Hazel’s been drilling me like crazy. I swear she enjoys knocking me into the ground. I’ve never been hit so much in my life."

North gave a small laugh. "At least you have someone pushing you. Dante isn’t around much. After training, I mostly just... wander. It gets boring, honestly."

"Boring’s not always bad," I said. "But I get it. We’re all restless right now, waiting for the next thing to happen."

Steve exhaled dramatically. "Waiting? I’m not waiting. I’m surviving Hazel. That’s a full-time job."

North’s eyes softened as she looked at me. "Still... it feels good seeing us all here again."

I leaned back in my chair and shrugged lightly. "Anyway, the reason I called you both here is simple. In a day or two, we’ll be heading to Peanu. But there’s something you should know—it’s possible I might not be going with you."

Steve’s brow immediately furrowed, his hand tightening around his cup. "What do you mean by that? Are they putting you in a separate unit or something?"

I shook my head. "No, nothing like that. It’s... my own plan. I need to speak with the Emperor first, get his thoughts, and only then will I decide. Once that happens, I’ll let you both know."

North tilted her head and spoke, her voice carrying a touch of suspicion. "Why do I feel like whatever you’re planning isn’t ordinary? In fact, it sounds like something completely reckless... something only you would think of."

Her gaze lingered, sharp yet worried, as if she was trying to peel away the layers of my words.

I could only smile faintly at that. "Maybe you’re right. But sometimes the crazy path is the only one with best benefits."