As for the last remaining tournament spot, Nathan really couldn't think of anyone suitable to give it to. After thinking it through, he simply decided to give it back to the country.
After all, the country had shown him considerable favor and support—it was only fair to return the goodwill when he had the chance.
"This is what you said, alright? I never told you to hand over the spot!"
Kelly immediately responded with joy and excitement in his voice.
The real reason he had contacted Nathan in the first place was to see if he could coax one or two of those qualification spots from him. That was the mission assigned to him from above. It wasn't mandatory—but if he managed to secure even one spot from Nathan, he would be handsomely rewarded by his superiors.
"I said it,"
Nathan replied with a helpless laugh.
He wasn't stupid. Judging from the way Kelly was talking, it was obvious this came from someone higher up.
After hanging up the phone with Kelly, it wasn't long before Nathan received an official message from the World Tournament organizers. The message informed him that he was to arrive in the country of Dunmar within a week, to prepare for entering the mystic realm.
Upon receiving the message, Nathan immediately contacted Lily and began preparing for departure.
His recent trip to the Frostline Region had completely worn him out.
So now, during this rare period of downtime, he planned to properly relax and give himself a much-needed vacation.
Only, when they arrived at the airport, his dream of a romantic, two-person getaway was instantly shattered beyond repair.
Nathan and a young boy—perhaps seven or eight years old—stood locked in a tense stare, their eyes meeting in silent challenge.
This very child was the one who had received the tournament qualification spot Nathan had given up.
"Waaah~ So cute!"
In contrast to Nathan's deadpan expression, Lily was absolutely charmed by the boy.
He looked to be around seven or eight years old, probably still attending elementary school.
"Hmph!"
Nathan gave a cold snort and turned his head away.
Originally, he had thought the extra tournament slot would go to an adult at the very least.
But instead, they sent a literal child?
To make matters worse, Kelly had actually called him in advance to ask that he look after this child during the trip.
What was supposed to be a sweet two-person vacation had suddenly grown a very annoying third wheel. Of course, Nathan wasn't happy.
He was definitely not jealous because Lily kept praising the boy's cuteness over and over.
Nope, that wasn't the reason. Not at all.
"Let's go. Time to board the plane."
Nathan said irritably.
Hearing the boarding announcement over the speakers, he hoisted his luggage and walked straight toward the gate—completely ignoring the two people behind him.
He was absolutely fuming.
"I have to find a chance to get back at Kelly! Ruined my plans—he has to pay for this!"
Nathan muttered to himself as he walked.
At that very moment, having just left the airport, Kelly suddenly sneezed for no apparent reason.
"How odd... am I catching a cold?"
Kelly mumbled while turning up the heat in his car.
--------
After boarding the plane, something even more infuriating happened.
That little brat's seat was right between him and Lily!
"Hey, switch seats with her,"
Nathan said coldly, glaring at the child.
"Nope!"
The boy shook his head and refused outright.
Nathan almost lost it on the spot.
This kid was seriously pushing his buttons!
"Come on, Nathan~ Just let him sit here. He's only a kid—we should be taking care of him, right?"
Lily chimed in gently from the side.
Nathan was already on the brink of rage, and now Lily was actually siding with the kid? That made him even angrier.
He wasn't being petty or anything.
It's just... if she wanted to care for a child so badly, couldn't they just have one of their own?
While Lily turned to the flight attendant to request snacks and drinks, Nathan cast a sidelong glance at the boy again.
He happened to catch the little brat looking right at him—with a wicked, scheming grin.
That was the final straw.
Nathan couldn't take it anymore. He reached out and pinched the boy's chubby cheek.
"Owww! Uncle, that really hurt!"
The moment Nathan's hand touched his face, the kid let out a dramatic scream as if he were being tortured.
"What are you doing bullying a child?!"
Startled by the sudden cry, Lily quickly turned around.
And what did she see?
Nathan grabbing the kid's cheek with one hand!
She immediately reached out and slapped Nathan's hand away, then anxiously rubbed the boy's face with care.
"Are you okay?"
She asked with concern, while gently soothing him.
The boy, holding his cheek, looked utterly pitiful—tears welling up in his big eyes as if he'd just suffered the greatest injustice in the world.
Seeing those glistening tears, Lily's heart nearly broke. She looked back at Nathan with a scolding glare.
If Nathan hadn't seen the brat's sinister smirk earlier, he might have actually believed it himself.
But now? It was obvious the kid was messing with him—and there was nothing he could do about it!
"Pretty sister, I'm okay... I believe this uncle didn't mean it on purpose…"
Hearing the boy's soft, teary voice as he addressed Lily with such innocence made Nathan feel like exploding.
Uncle?
I'm not even twenty yet!
Sure, mentally he might be older than twenty, but in this life, he'd only lived for less than two decades!
And you're calling me uncle?!
On top of that, you're calling my girlfriend sister?!
"What are you doing now?"
Lily scolded sharply as she saw Nathan reaching out again.
With that glare, Nathan immediately backed down.
"Fine! Well done! You're good, kid! Just wait—I've written everything you've done in my little black book!"
Nathan fumed inside.
This little brat's every move had been recorded. He just needed the right opportunity. Once that came, he would teach this kid exactly what it meant to face the dark side of society.
Had he known earlier that the person getting that qualification slot would be this guy, he would have rather thrown the opportunity away than let the kid tag along.
It was just too infuriating.
"Little guy, what's your name?" Lily asked.
"Pretty sister, I'm Mickey Chael~"
…
Listening to their back-and-forth beside him, Nathan couldn't take it anymore.
Every other sentence was "pretty sister" this, "pretty sister" that.
The more he heard it, the more annoyed he got.
He pulled out a pair of headphones and an eye mask, blocking out all sensory input.
Mickey, seeing Nathan with his eye mask and headphones on, gave a sly little smirk.
Unfortunately, Lily was still busy chatting with the flight attendant and didn't notice his expression.
----------
Nathan slept all the way until the plane landed.
Dragging his luggage, he checked in at the hotel they'd booked.
Originally, he and Lily had reserved a single room.
But now, with an extra guest tagging along, there was no way he was going to let that devious little gremlin stay in the same room as them.
He immediately booked Mickey a separate room of his own.
After settling the luggage, the three of them went out for dinner.
During the meal, Nathan nearly lost his mind watching Lily constantly picking food and placing it on Mickey's plate.
She's mine!
Nathan thought, green with jealousy.
But with Lily right there beside him, he couldn't exactly let loose.
After they finished eating and returned to the hotel, Nathan and Lily showered, turned off the lights, and lay down in bed together.
"Nathan, let's have a child too…"
Lily said softly in the dark, her voice full of hope.
After spending the day with Mickey, the idea had clearly taken root in her heart.
As a woman, she truly loved children—and in her view, having a child was what made a family truly complete.
Nathan immediately understood what she meant.
The implication was as clear as day.
"You want a child? Well then… let's make one tonight!"
he said with a smirk.
There's an old saying: absence makes the heart grow fonder. Though the two of them weren't married yet, they had been apart for quite some time.
Nathan had missed her dearly.
"Ugh, you're so annoying~"
Lily teased, playfully pushing at him.
"You're the one who said you wanted a child. What's there to hate about it?"
Just as things were heating up—right before the 'paid content' could begin…
Suddenly— knock knock knock!
There came a perfectly timed knock at the door.
(End of Chapter)