NOVEL NEXT Chapter 75: Chapter 75
Weeks had passed, and Alex had fully integrated his daily Flowstrike mode into his routine. His movements became fluid, more natural, and with each practice, he felt his mental strength steadily increasing. It was as if his body and mind had become one, the smooth rhythm of Tai Chi guiding him into a meditative state while his thoughts drifted in controlled clarity. Level 4 felt inevitable.
One afternoon, during a particularly peaceful session, Alex's phone rang, breaking the silence. He picked it up and saw it was from home. Wiping the light sweat from his brow, he answered with a smile.
"Hey, Mom. How's everything?"
There was a pause on the other end, and he could hear the quiet murmurs of his family in the background. His mother's familiar voice came through, warm but slightly hesitant.
"Alex, we've been thinking… about your plan for your sister's school."
Alex's heart rate quickened slightly. He had suggested moving his sister to a better private school now that money wasn't an issue. It seemed like a straightforward decision, one he thought his parents would embrace.
"We've decided to let her finish where she is," his mother said softly, almost apologetically.
"Wait, what? Why?" Alex asked, surprised. "I thought we agreed it would be better for her."
His mother sighed. "She's comfortable there, Alex. She has her friends, her teachers. She's doing well. We don't want to disrupt her life now, especially when she's close to graduating."
Alex felt a twinge of frustration. He had always been protective of his sister, wanting the best for her, and he had finally earned enough to make sure she had every advantage.
"It's just—this is an opportunity for her, Mom. A better education, more connections. I can handle the cost easily. I don't want her to miss out."
His father's voice came through next, calm and firm, as always. "Son, we appreciate everything you're doing for us, but we don't want you to feel like you have to manage everything. She's happy where she is, and that's what matters. We've talked to her, and she wants to finish there."
Alex sighed. "I just want to help."
"We know, and you have," his father reassured him. "Look, things are going well for us. You've given us more than enough. In fact, I've decided to quit my job."
"What?" Alex blinked, not expecting this. "You're retiring?"
"Yes," his father chuckled lightly. "I'm finally going to take a step back. Now that money isn't a problem, I figured it's time to enjoy life with your mother. Maybe pick up a hobby, take things slower."
His mother chimed in again, "Your father and I have been talking about it for a while. We've always worked hard, but now we can enjoy the simple things. We don't want you to worry."
Alex stood there, phone in hand, listening quietly as the realization settled in. His family was happy, content. His father was ready to leave the grind behind and focus on enjoying the time he had, something Alex himself had been striving for in his own life—freedom from the pressures of everyday responsibilities.
"I… I get it," Alex finally said, his voice soft but understanding. "I just didn't expect it."
"We know, and we love you for it," his father replied. "But trust us, we're good. We'll still be here for you whenever you need us, but now it's time for us to enjoy life in a different way."
There was a comfortable silence on the line for a moment before Alex spoke again. "Alright. I just want you guys to be happy."
"We are, Alex," his mother said. "You've done more than enough for us. We're proud of you."
After a few more minutes of casual conversation, Alex hung up, standing in the stillness of his apartment. The call had left him feeling a mix of emotions—pride, relief, and a sense of closure. His family was stepping into a new chapter, one without the financial burdens that had weighed them down for years.
As for him, Alex was moving forward in his own way. The path he'd chosen, the abilities he was cultivating—they were opening up opportunities he hadn't even imagined. He looked down at his hands, feeling the strength coursing through him.
Level 4 is near, he thought, a small smile forming on his lips. But there's still so much more to do.