Chương 12: Interview

Ch 12 - Interview

"What's got you so shocked, kid?" Hye-jin asked with a grin.

"Don't want your brother to be away from you?"

"No, I..." Evan turned to look at Reid.

"You're going to school?"

"Do you think your brother gets to skip mandatory training just because he's a Rift Support Technician?" the Assessment Specialist cut in, adjusting his glasses.

"Trust me, he's about to make a name for himself. This is practically a one-way ticket to getting rich. You should be congratulating him, not trying to hold him back."

"That's enough, sir," Reid said, his voice low.

"I think he understands what you're trying to say." The Assessment Specialist only huffed.

"The assessment is done now. You can all leave." The three of them excused themselves and exited the assessment room. In the lobby, Hye-jin and Reid exchanged glances before looking at Evan, who had his head lowered.

"Are you okay?" Hye-jin asked.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you about this sooner. I thought... you already knew," Reid said. From their tones, Evan could hear their concern, but he wasn't keeping his head down because he was upset that Reid was leaving. No, he was ecstatic. He was so happy it was hard to stop himself from grinning, forcing him to keep his head lowered. This was perfect for him. All this time, he had been struggling to keep up the act while also gathering as much information about this world as possible.

He was especially worried about Reid discovering that he wasn't the real Evan. With Reid having to move to District 1 for training, however, Evan would finally have the breathing room he so desperately needed.

"No, it's fine. It just slipped my mind," Evan said, raising his head and offering them a reassuring look. The corners of his mouth twitched as he fought to keep from grinning. In truth, he was struggling not to laugh, though judging by their expressions, they had probably mistaken it for a forced attempt to reassure them.

"But why do you have to go to District 1, Brother?" Evan asked, putting a slight tremor into his voice.

"You know how rare Healers are in Nova Terra," Reid said.

"The government wants to ensure all Healers receive thorough training, so they're all called to District 1."

"Yeah," Hye-jin said.

"You don't really see them outside the big places. Most of them are D-rank anyway. A-rank Healers are on a completely different level." Evan nodded.

"How long does the training last?"

"Adults who awaken can usually take the part-time program so they can continue working while completing their required training," Hye-jin explained.

"But since I'll be in District 1, I figured it'd be best to go through the full-time program," Reid said.

"That should take around six months to a year. No, I'll make sure it's six months." No, no, no. Take your time, please, Evan thought. With that conversation finished, they moved on to another pressing issue: the interview with the press. Based on Reid's pinched expression, he wasn't looking forward to it at all.

"Oh, stop pouting. This is your own fault too," Hye-jin said.

"Who told you to storm an Irregular B-rank Rift and clear it by yourself? The higher-ups said you should at least say a few words to calm the reporters down. You've read what you can and can't say, right?" Reid nodded.

"... Do I have to be on camera?" Evan asked. He really didn't like the idea of having his face plastered across social media and newspapers. Maybe it was because he'd always kept to himself, but the thought of being swarmed by reporters and blinded by flashing cameras made him uncomfortable.

"Of course not," Reid said, squeezing his shoulder.

"The press area is located between the Assessment Center and the parking lot, but you can use this route to avoid it. Just wait by the car for a bit, okay?" Reid explained the path Evan needed to take, and the group split up, with Hye-jin accompanying Reid. It wasn't difficult for Evan to slip away from the reporters. He briefly considered using one of his skills to make the escape even easier, but dismissed the thought.

Using a skill as an unregistered Awakener in the middle of an Assessment Center was practically an open invitation for the authorities to haul him away. It wasn't that he planned to hide his status as an Awakener forever. He had initially wanted to keep it under wraps for a while, at least until he got his bearings and learned the basics of this world before revealing it. Being an Awakener would no doubt cause trouble, so he didn't want to deal with it anytime soon. Now, however, things had changed.

After hearing that Reid would be heading off for training in District 1, there was no way Evan was going to risk Reid dragging him along there. He waited for nearly half an hour before Reid and Hye-jin returned. Once the three of them were back in the car, they left the Assessment Center and headed to the RCB branch. After taking care of a few final matters, the two brothers set off for home on the motorcycle, making a quick stop at the grocery store to restock a few essentials.

The supermarket was a large, boxy building with wide glass windows and automatic sliding doors. Inside, bright white lights illuminated rows of shelves stocked with food and household necessities. Refrigerated displays hummed along the walls as shoppers pushed carts through the aisles beneath the occasional electronic chime and cashier announcement. As Reid steered their cart through the supermarket, he said, "I'll probably need to head to the Central Awakener Academy by next week.

Then you'll be all alone in the apartment. I already asked Hye-jin to check in on you regularly, but..." His gaze drifted to the groceries piled in the cart.

"Maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea for you to stay in District 1 for a while."

"Don't be ridiculous, Brother." Evan rolled his eyes.

"Let's set aside the fact that I still have school. If you go alone, you can stay in the student residence since you'll be there on a full government scholarship. But if I go with you, we'll have to rent an apartment instead. Do you know how expensive District 1 is? Come to think of it, you still haven't told me what punishment you got for breaking the rules and charging into that Irregular Rift by yourself."

"I got suspended," Reid admitted.

"It's a paid suspension, though." Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

"I'm still not going with you to District 1," Evan said, putting his hands on his hips. No way he would miss this chance to have some freedom for himself.

"Are you sure you'll be fine alone?" Reid asked.

"I know you can cook a bit, but you'll be alone for months... and what if there's a robber trying to get in? Can you protect yourself, or—""Brother, I'm seventeen years old," Evan said, shooting Reid an incredulous look.

"I'm not a child, and I can live by myself." And he had. In his old world, he had been forced out of the orphanage at eighteen and left to fend for himself with no marketable skills. He had barely scraped by on minimum-wage jobs, constantly worrying about rent, food, and whether he'd make it through the month. Compared to that, his life in Nova Terra was completely different. He lived in a comfortable home free of mold and leaks.

He didn't have to juggle two jobs on a few hours of sleep or stress over where his next meal would come from. For the first time in his life, his biggest concern was simply getting through school.

"I know. I'm just worried," Reid said.

"I can see that," Evan said.

"But really, think of this as a chance for me to have some independence."

"But you're only seventeen!"

"I'm already seventeen!" Evan really couldn't understand why Reid was acting like this. Even Reid himself, back when he was living as Reuel, had a rough childhood. He had already been going on deadly missions hunting demons while still in his teens. How did the cold-faced and equally cold-hearted Reuel turn into someone like... this?

"You're going to District 1, and that's final," Evan said as he walked ahead down the aisle.

"Are you angry because I didn't tell you about me attending the Central Awakener Academy sooner?" Reid asked as he followed him, pushing the cart.

"I'm not." Evan didn't look at him.

"If anything, Brother, you're the one who could use a change of scenery. Moving to District 1 might do you some good." Reid tilted his head.

"You've basically spent your teenage years and early adulthood taking care of me," Evan said. His hand reached forward to fidget with a nearby box of cereal.

"Maybe it's time for you to have a life of your own. Away from me, that is." Reid frowned.

"Evan, I never considered taking care of you a burden."

"I know, but... you've never had a chance to just live your life, right?" Evan said.

"Who knows? You might really enjoy your time in District 1. Go hang out, have some fun, explore the city, and make a few more friends." And maybe get off my back for once so I could finally have some breathing room, Evan thought.

"Though I'd better not hear about you getting a wife, okay?" Evan suddenly turned around and pointed a finger at Reid.

"I'm not ready to be an uncle or something." Reid nearly choked.

"Don't joke about things like that. A girlfriend is already out of the question, and marriage is even less likely." Evan wasn't surprised by the answer. As someone living his second life, Reuel was technically far older than he appeared, and Evan couldn't imagine Reid taking an interest in a woman decades younger than him. More importantly, Reuel had never been the romantic type.

Throughout his life, he had remained distant and indifferent to such matters, never feeling even the slightest spark of attraction toward anyone. In Chronicles of a Demon Hunter, he had crossed paths with countless beautiful women, yet not one had ever managed to win his heart.

"Who knows? Men's hearts are fickle. What seems impossible today might not seem so impossible tomorrow," Evan joked. Reid raised an eyebrow.

"You know you're included in that generalization, don't you?"

"I'm still only seventeen."

"Many kids already date at that age."

"Do you want me to date?"

"You like someone?" Reid's eyes sharpened, a hint of fire sparking within them. Evan could have sworn Reid's dark eyes glinted gold for an instant.

"See? This is exactly what I mean. Anyone I brought home would have to survive your interrogation first." Reid gave him a flat look.

"Not that it matters. I'm not interested in anyone."

"You seem rather close with that girl, Yuyan," Reid said.

"She's just a friend, and her one true love is Junhao," Evan said, waving him off. They left it at that and finished their grocery shopping. Once they got home, Evan helped Reuel put the groceries away before retreating to his room and pulling out his phone to check the news. Just as he had expected, the reporters had wasted no time. Articles covering Reid's interview were already circulating online. Thinking back on the trip to the supermarket, Evan also remembered the lingering stares his brother had drawn.

Reid was no stranger to attention. His striking features and tall stature often earned him curious glances and flustered smiles wherever he went. This time, however, the looks had been different. Opening one of the articles, Evan watched the recorded interview. The man on the screen looked nothing like the Reid he knew. Gone was the warm, approachable expression Reid always wore around him. In its place was a calm, distant composure that made him seem like someone entirely different.

His dark eyes held a faint chill that discouraged familiarity. It was the closest Evan had ever seen to that familiar cold side of Reuel. Though that icy demeanor did little to deter the rabid reporters, whose bread and butter was chasing the hottest stories, even if it meant charging headfirst into danger without hesitation.

"We just saw you exit the Assessment Center, sir. Can you confirm your ranking and class?"

"I have not yet received my official registered rank," Reid replied evenly.

"However, the specialist has assessed me as an A-rank Healer."

"A Healer. That is certainly excellent news. How do you feel about that?" one reporter asked.

"It is not something I feel strongly about," Reid said calmly.

"I will simply perform my duties to the best of my ability, as I would have done regardless of being an Awakener."

"Since you are a Healer, can we assume you will attend the Central Awakener Academy in District 1?" another voice called out. Reid gave a small nod.

"Yes. I have been informed to await my admission letter."

"Do you plan on leaving RCB after this? Many guilds would be eager to recruit an A-rank Healer," a reporter pressed.

"What is your future plan, sir?" came another question.

"I cannot comment on that at this time. My focus is to complete the mandatory training," Reid replied. A different reporter quickly changed topics.

"We heard you entered the Rift dungeon alone, sir. What prompted that decision?"

"It was a moment of impulse. My brother was inside, and in my recklessness I entered without thinking," Reid said evenly.

"Please disregard any rumors suggesting the government was unwilling to deploy an A-rank Awakener. My entry into the Rift was entirely my own decision and responsibility."

"You seem to care greatly about your younger brother, sir," another voice added. For the first time, Reid's expression softened into a faint smile.

"Yes. He is my family. He is the most important person in my life." Evan paused the video and pressed the back of his hand against his eyes. Those words brought him no comfort. If anything, they only made the ache worse. Reid wasn't talking about him. He was talking about his real little brother, the one who had grown up by his side, not a foreign soul occupying the same body. They shared the same name and face, but they were not the same person.

The more Evan thought about it, the harder it became to ignore the truth. He didn't belong here. He had taken someone else's place.

"System, if I complete that mission of yours, will I go back home?" Evan asked. There was no response. Going home. Did he even want that anymore? If he returned, he would be back in the same cramped, moldy apartment, working a dead-end job for minimum wage and spending the rest of his life knowing he would never become anything more than another forgotten face in the crowd. Staying, on the other hand, meant waking up every day beside a brother who genuinely cared about him.

He had a warm home, a place at the academy, and a future that finally felt within reach. Monsters and Rifts aside, this world had given him far more than his old one ever had. But there was one truth he couldn't ignore. None of it had been meant for him. The family, the opportunities, even this life all belonged to someone else before he arrived. Did he really have the right to hold on to something that had never been his?