While the Amon Party members were self-isolating in their respective homes, Cassie also spent time at her family estate.
During those months, her daily life was far more luxurious than that of her fellow party members.
If she needed to exercise, she went to the basement.
If she wanted to swim, she headed to the terrace.
If she wanted to read, the library was just a walk away.
There was no need to go grocery shopping.
All she had to do was mention what she wanted to eat, and the chef would prepare an exquisite meal using the finest fresh ingredients.
A life lacking nothing.
Yet, it felt strange.
Exercise and swimming lost their appeal in less than a week.
Even reading books felt less fulfilling compared to the lessons she learned through her adventures with Amon and her comrades.
Most of all, no matter how delicious the meals served on her table were, they lacked flavor.
Her taste buds rejoiced, her stomach felt satisfied, yet her mind sensed something missing.
Whenever she cut into a steak, she couldn’t help but recall the sausages she used to share with her comrades in mercenary taverns.
The chef’s elegant sorbet never felt as satisfying as the fries she snacked on during their journeys.
At the overly large dining table, where the distance between people was far too great, she found herself yearning for Amon’s presence.
She wasn’t depressed, but there was a sense of lethargy.
That was the best way to describe her state while she was at home.
***
Three months passed in this state of lethargy.
The isolation period was set to last four months.
The thought that she could see her friends in just one more month brought a small but growing sense of vitality back to her.
She was sure she would spend the next month in the same routine.
Until her father suddenly called for her.
“Come with me somewhere tomorrow,” said Chairman Frey during dinner.
Startled by the unexpected announcement, Cassie asked reflexively, “What about the company?”
“I’m taking the day off.”
“Is something going on?”
“There is. Something very important. So clear your schedule.”
Since Cassie was currently unemployed, the Chairman’s words were more a formality than anything else.
‘As for refusal?’
That wasn’t an option.
The Chairman loved Cassie enough to never tell her to leave her comrades behind, but he could be a strict father when necessary.
Reluctantly, she accepted his one-sided declaration.
***
The next day, Cassie changed into outdoor clothes before the agreed time.
“Wear something you don’t mind getting wet or dirty. You might have to throw it away afterward, so don’t bring anything important,” her father had instructed.
Following his advice, she dressed accordingly and selected a pair of sandals she wouldn’t mind discarding.
Her preparations complete, she waited until the scheduled time, when her father approached her.
His attire consisted of a suit, shirt, and tie—every piece easily worth several thousand dollars—but to the Chairman, they were just ‘disposable’ clothes.
Glancing briefly at his leather watch, he checked the time.
“It’s time.”
He gestured for her to follow.
Cassie instinctively headed for the front door but stopped in her tracks.
Her father was heading not outside but toward the staircase inside the house.
“Father, didn’t you say we were going somewhere?” she asked.
“I did. But I never said we were going out.”
Grumbling about putting on makeup for no reason, Cassie reluctantly followed him down the stairs.
***
Click. Clack.
The sound of the Chairman’s dress shoes and Cassie’s sandals echoed as they descended the familiar staircase.
At the third basement level—where the boiler room and storage spaces were located—the Chairman came to a stop.
Turning briefly to glance at Cassie, he began operating the computer in the control room.
Tap. Tap.
His hands moved deftly across the keyboard until his finger pressed “Enter.”
Beep.
A hidden door slid open with a low mechanical hum.
Cassie stared at the secret door, her mouth agape.
Ignoring her reaction, the Chairman gestured toward the door.
“Let’s go.”
Beyond the door, a dark staircase led further underground.
Relying on dim lighting, the father and daughter descended slowly.
After a while, the Chairman broke the silence.
“You’ve matured now.”
“I’m already an adult,” Cassie replied.
“Being over 20 doesn’t automatically make someone mature.”
“Humph,” Cassie puffed up her cheeks in protest.
Normally, her father would have found this adorable, but today was different.
His expression hardened as though he feared the darkness below.
He spoke in a steady tone as he descended ahead of her.
“In our family, we recognize someone as an adult after awakening their magical power on their 20th anniversary.”
“I’ve never heard that before,” Cassie said.
“Because I never told you.”
“Did my brother go through this too?”
“He did. Five years ago, while you were away at the academy.”
“Then why keep it a secret from me?”
“For your sake. Power you can’t handle is a curse.”
“…What?”
The gravity of his words made her pause.
“What do you mean…?”
“Cassie, do you know why the Reketio family has ruled here as Elders for decades?”
Without hesitation, she answered, “Because of education and monopolizing talent, right?”
“Wealth, investment strategies, political acumen, and a keen sense for social dynamics.”
“And, most importantly, the ability to design plans that ensured short-term success and long-term gains.”
She firmly believed these were the pillars of the Reketio family’s power.
But her father dismissed her answer outright.
“No. Human society is neither perfect nor stable. Even the best education doesn’t guarantee success Our ability to always succeed lies in one thing—”
The Chairman paused.
“—the ability to glimpse the future.”
Cassie’s steps faltered.
The word “revelation” echoed in her mind.
She had overheard it just a few days ago while passing by the Chairman’s study.
She turned and began to ascend the stairs, retreating from the darkness.
Sensing her intentions, her father calmly spoke.
“I know what you’re thinking, but I’m not offering you up as a sacrifice to some cult. You’re probably going to ask me, ‘How do you know that?’”
Cassie froze.
“…How do you know… oh?”
Her voice trailed off in shock.
The Chairman could roughly guess the questions she was about to ask.
However, he didn’t just approximate her next sentence—he recited it word for word before she could even open her mouth.
Then, once more, he spoke before she could say anything.
“Yes.”
“Wait, are you saying you actually… huh?”
“That’s right. I truly foresaw the future and answered in advance. Now do you believe me? Were you about to ask if I’m seeing the future right now? As you can see…”
Cassie’s jaw dropped.
No matter what she tried to say, even when she deliberately veered off topic—
“…And what’s the point of asking your own father where the ‘lucky underwear’ you hid in your drawer is?”
Even such outlandish remarks were predicted with precision.
She couldn’t help but believe him.
“And today, you’ll awaken that very ability. So don’t run and just come down.”
“Ah… okay.”
Reluctantly, she descended the stairs.
When she reached the bottom, the Chairman pushed open a heavy iron door.
Beyond it was a massive chamber.
Inside, elders with familiar faces awaited Cassie and the Chairman.
Feeling small under their gazes, she stood frozen until her father spoke.
“Since you’ll ask me to explain anyway, I’ll do so in advance. Revelation, prophetic dreams, visions, future sight—our family has the ability to glimpse the future.”
“In my case, it manifests as hearing the voice of my future self.”
The Chairman explained how his ability began unconsciously, with unexpected whispers.
Over decades of training, he gained the ability to listen to those whispers at will.
“By piecing together what I hear from countless parallel worlds, I can predict the future.”
“Then why didn’t you tell me about this until now?”
“The ability to glimpse the future isn’t as convenient or as much of a blessing as you might think.”
“In fact, it can be a curse. Even for me. Knowing the future has dulled my emotions over time.”
At this, Cassie thought of her father’s usual demeanor.
Compared to other corporate titans, the Chairman was remarkably expressive.
Sometimes playful, laughing heartily when joyful, and even showing moments of vulnerability toward his daughter—even in public.
So she struggled to understand his words at first.
But as she fully grasped their meaning, a realization dawned on her.
“Wait… was it all an act?”
The Chairman nodded silently.
Cassie turned pale.
His smiles, his tears—all of it was calculated to lead toward favorable outcomes.
By occasionally displaying a human side, he inspired loyalty in others.
His expression, weary as though he had lived this conversation countless times, revealed the truth.
It was a face that knew this dialogue would have no bearing on the future’s outcome.
Wearily, he continued.
“And that’s just me. Imagine awakening this power at your age, when emotions run high.”
In most cases, it led to tragedy—or even permanent damage to the brain.
That’s why the awakening was strictly controlled.
The optimal time was when both one’s mind and magical abilities were fully matured, typically 20 years after one’s magical awakening.
“I’ve confirmed that your magic is stable and your mind has matured. That’s why today is the day you’ll awaken your ability.”
Finally, Cassie understood her father’s seemingly insane actions.
If his unmatched genius in investments was rooted in this ability, it made sense.
And not just him—her brother too…
‘Her brother?’
Suddenly, her thoughts shifted, and she called out to the Chairman.
“Father. You said my brother’s ceremony happened five years ago, right?”
“Yes, five years ago.”
“Then when did that woman start getting involved in that strange cult?”
“Five years ago.”
“Did you know that would happen too?”
“Yes.”
Grit.
The Chairman’s calm response made Cassie clench her teeth hard enough to hurt.
Her glare bore into the back of his head as if she could kill him.
“Do you even love your family? Or is that even possible for you?”
The Chairman nodded slowly.
“I love you, Cassie.”
Cassie understood what he meant.
Her head shook involuntarily.
“I don’t want to awaken this ability. I don’t want to lose my humanity.”
“Are you sure?”
“About what? I don’t care about power—”
“If you don’t awaken, you’ll lose your friends.”
“Is that a threat?”
“It’s advice. I told you—I truly love you.”
Though devoid of emotion, his calm declaration left no room for doubt.
It was the truth.
In the end, she reluctantly agreed to the ceremony.
“Fine. I’ll do it.”
“Good. Someday, you’ll understand me.”
“Only if I don’t lose my mind first.”
“That won’t happen.”
Following her father, Cassie prepared for the ritual.
***
At the center of the chamber, she knelt.
Behind her, the Chairman prepared an oil mixture for the ritual.
As she closed her eyes, clinging to her humanity, his voice broke the silence.
“Let me correct one misconception.”
“What is it?”
“Why do you think there wouldn’t be a single timeline where I tried to stop your mother?”
The sorrow in his voice silenced her.
With the oil prepared, the Chairman approached Cassie.
She knelt before him as he pricked his finger on a thorn attached to the ceremonial jar.
Drip. Drip.
Three drops of his blood mixed with the oil.
The elders encircled Cassie, chanting in an unfamiliar language.
The Chairman held the jar above her head.
Before tilting it, he spoke in a tired voice.
“I love you, Cassie. Please, at least you…”
“At least me… what?”
Before she could ask, he poured the mixture over her.
The blood-tainted oil flowed down her head.
As the final drop landed on her scalp, a voice rang out.
“It’s done. Open your eyes.”
Cassie felt an overwhelming sense of relief.
She had expected something grander or more harrowing.
Squeezing out the excess oil from her hair, she lifted her gaze and met the eyes of one of the elders.
And then—
“?!”
She felt an inexplicable sensation of floating.
In her vision, countless threads stretched from a single spool at her feet, branching outward.
At the ends of those threads, she glimpsed scenes—futures involving the elder before her.
In most, the elder respected and followed her.
In a few, they clashed but eventually complied.
And in a rare, horrifying few…
The elder poisoned her.
“!!”
Shaken, she averted her gaze, meeting another elder’s eyes.
In one in a thousand futures, that elder stabbed her heart while she slept.
Another elder had a 0.01% chance of blowing up her car.
Someone else had a 0.02% chance of pushing her off a cliff.
Another had a 0.004% chance of locking her in a warehouse and setting it on fire.
Every elder, no matter how kind they appeared now, harbored a minute probability of killing her.
Nausea overwhelmed her.
The elders, unaware of the futures she had seen, looked at her with genuine warmth.
“Oh! Is she seeing the future?”
“This child’s awakening is a success!”
“Do you see anything remarkable, my dear?”
Their kind smiles only worsened her nausea.
Desperate to escape, she turned to her father.
His relieved expression met hers.
But this man, who professed his love for her, had a one-in-ten-thousand chance…
Of killing her—or being killed by her.
That realization broke her.
“Bleugh!”
She vomited, her head pounding.
Unable to process the flood of information, her brain began to shut down.
As her vision dimmed, she felt her father’s hands catching her.
The elders’ voices surrounded her.
“Did she see too far ahead? Or too many futures?”
“Rest, child. There’s time for explanations later.”
“Haha! Isn’t this unprecedented since our founder? A true celebration for the family!”
Amid their laughter, there were no words of genuine concern.
The last voice she heard belonged to her father.
“Cassie. Never falter. I love you. Truly.”
As his lips brushed her forehead, she allowed herself to drift into unconsciousness.