Chapter 63 - gating permission for dungeon
[Gray’s POV]
I slowly opened my eyes and looked around.
As expected, I was back in my room.
The last thing I remembered was sitting on the sofa with Mom and Amy.
...It seemed I had fallen asleep without even realizing it.
Thinking back to yesterday’s birthday celebration, a small smile unconsciously appeared on my face.
It had been a wonderful day.
Stretching lazily, I got out of bed and headed to the bathroom. After taking a refreshing shower, I changed into a fresh set of clothes before returning to neatly make my bed.
Once everything was in order, I left my room and headed toward the dining room.
When I arrived, Mom and Amy were already sitting at the table waiting for me.
As usual, I greeted them with a smile.
"Good morning, Mom."
"Good morning, Amy."
They both smiled back.
"Good morning, Gray."
"Morning, sleepyhead."
I laughed softly before taking my usual seat.
As soon as I sat down, Mom looked at me.
"So, son, did you sleep well?"
I smiled and nodded.
"Yeah, Mom. I slept really well."
Then I remembered something.
"Mom... I wanted to ask you about something."
She raised an eyebrow curiously.
"Hm? What is it, son?"
"It’s about the dungeon."
"Last night I completely forgot to ask."
"Since I finally created a decent perception skill..."
"I’d like to try exploring a dungeon."
Mom let out a small sigh before smiling helplessly.
"So that’s what was on your mind."
"Astrid already told me you asked her yesterday."
She looked at me with gentle but serious eyes.
"My answer is yes."
My eyes immediately lit up.
"But..."
She paused.
"You must promise me something first."
"You’ll stay with Amy at all times."
"And inside the dungeon..."
"You’ll listen to her instructions."
"If you can promise me that..."
"I’ll allow you to go."
There was obvious concern in her eyes.
She trusted my abilities...
But I was still her son.
Before I could answer—
Amy suddenly puffed out her chest proudly.
"Hmph!"
"Did you hear that, little Gray?"
"You have to listen to your amazing big sister inside the dungeon."
"As your amazing big sister..."
"I’ll make sure to protect you, so don’t worry."
Seeing the unbelievably smug expression on her face...
I suddenly felt like exploding.
I forced myself to calm down before turning back toward Mom.
"...Okay, Mom."
"I’ll listen to her and be careful."
Mom smiled with amusement.
Before she could say anything, Amy leaned toward me with an even bigger grin.
"Hm?"
"What was that?"
"I didn’t quite hear you."
"Could you repeat it?"
I clenched my fists.
Every instinct inside me wanted to start arguing with her.
But...
I took a deep breath.
"...Fine."
"I’ll listen to you inside the dungeon."
"Happy now?"
Amy immediately covered her mouth while giggling.
"Oh?"
"Look at you."
"You look like you’re about to explode."
Even Mom couldn’t stop herself from smiling.
I immediately complained.
"Mom!"
"See?"
"How am I supposed to listen to her like this?"
"She’s definitely going to bully me!"
Mom simply reached over and gently messed up my hair.
"Hm..."
"Gray."
"You already have my permission."
"Make your preparations with Astrid."
"When everything is ready..."
"You may go."
My eyes immediately brightened.
"Really?"
She nodded with a warm smile.
"Really."
"But promise me you’ll be careful."
I nodded so hard my head nearly came off.
"I promise!"
After that, we finally started eating breakfast.
Unfortunately...
Amy spent almost the entire meal teasing me whenever she had the chance.
Only after she had bullied me enough did she finally begin eating properly.
Once breakfast was over, we bid farewell to Mom before heading toward the training grounds together.
As expected...
Astrid was already waiting for us.
"Good morning, Astrid!"
"Morning."
Amy immediately headed toward her usual training area.
She was a genius in her own right.
At her current level, constantly learning from someone stronger would actually slow her progress.
A normal genius could walk the path created by another.
Amy couldn’t.
She had to create her own.
With her SS-rank talent, dual elemental affinities, and resources countless people could only dream of, she only needed occasional guidance from Mom or Astrid.
The rest...
She figured out by herself.
Her growth was just as monstrous as mine.
Watching Amy train always reminded me of one thing.
Talent truly existed in this world.
Astrid walked over and smiled.
"So, little Gray."
"Ready for today’s training?"
I nodded confidently.
She smiled back.
"So..."
"How did getting permission from your mother go?"
"Did she let you go to the dungeon?"
I nodded.
"She did."
"But..."
She tilted her head.
"Why do you look so annoyed?"
"Isn’t that good news?"
I let out a long sigh.
"It is."
"But Mom added a condition."
"And it’s a really annoying one."
Astrid couldn’t help laughing.
"Oh?"
"What kind of condition could make you look this miserable?"
I puffed out my cheeks.
"I have to listen to Amy inside the dungeon."
"You should’ve seen her face after Mom said that."
"That smug expression..."
"The more I looked at it..."
"The angrier I became."
I stomped my foot on the ground in frustration.
Astrid laughed even harder.
"That certainly is... an interesting condition."
After calming down, she asked,
"So when do you want to go?"
My eyes immediately lit up.
"Mom said whenever you’re free to take Amy and me."
"So there’s no rush."
"We’ll go whenever you’re available."
Astrid blinked in surprise.
"Oh?"
"I thought you’d ask me to take you tomorrow."
"You asked your mother for permission immediately after creating your perception skill."
I smiled and shook my head.
"I do want to go."
"But I’m not in a hurry."
"You’ve already spent so much of your time training me."
"I’d feel guilty if I rushed you."
"So whenever you’re free is fine."
Astrid quietly looked at me for a few seconds before gently patting my head.
"Our little Gray is so thoughtful."
"How about next Monday?"
I nodded happily.
"Yeah."
"That works perfectly."
She smiled.
"Then why don’t you ask your sister whether she’s free?"
I pouted.
"Huh?"
"Amy?"
"She’ll definitely be free."
"Unless she’s too lazy."
Astrid laughed.
Before she could respond, I walked over to Amy.
"Hey, Amy."
"Are you free next Monday?"
Amy stopped training and looked at me.
A slow...
Very evil smile spread across her face.
"Hm..."
"Gray."
"Is that really how you ask your amazing big sister for a favor?"
"Shouldn’t it be..."
"’My amazing big sister, are you free next Monday to protect your adorable younger brother?’"
Astrid, standing behind me, immediately covered her mouth.
Her shoulders were already shaking.
I gritted my teeth.
Every part of me wanted to refuse.
But...
Without Amy...
Mom wouldn’t let me enter the dungeon.
I took a deep breath.
"...My..."
"...Amazing..."
"...Sister..."
Every word felt like torture.
"Are..."
"You..."
"Free..."
"Next Monday..."
"To..."
"Go to the dungeon..."
"And protect..."
"Your younger brother..."
Amy watched my suffering with growing satisfaction.
The more I struggled...
The wider her evil grin became.
Even Astrid looked away for a moment.
I was pretty sure she was trying not to laugh.
Amy thoughtfully placed a finger on her chin.
"Hmm..."
"Am I free on Monday?"
"It depends."
"On what?"
"My attitude?"
"No."
"Your attitude."
"If you’re well-behaved over the next few days..."
"Then your amazing big sister might have time."
"But if your attitude is bad..."
"I’ll have to think about it."
"After all..."
"Someone as amazing as me is very busy."
I almost exploded on the spot.
Just looking at her face was enough to raise my blood pressure.
She was clearly provoking me on purpose.
I closed my eyes.
Took a deep breath.
Then another.
"...Okay."
Without saying another word, I turned around and walked back toward Astrid.
Behind me...
Amy’s victorious laughter echoed across the training ground.
I took another deep breath.
When I finally reached Astrid...
She was also desperately trying to suppress her laughter.
I frowned.
"...Why are you laughing?"
My angry face only made Astrid find me even cuter.
She quickly cleared her throat.
"Oh."
"Nothing."
"I just remembered... an old joke."
My eye twitched.
...Sure.
Then Astrid picked up a wooden sword.
"So, little Gray."
"Today’s training will be different."
"You won’t be attacking wooden dummies."
She pointed the sword toward me with a smile.
"Monsters don’t stand still."
"So today..."
"You’ll be sparring with me."
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A/N:-
I hope yo guys enjoy the Chapter i really enjoyed writing this one
B.S