Chapter 74: Towards the first step

ASTRID looked at the full body mirror. He was wearing a long-sleeved white shirt. It was a size bigger than what he usually wore. That's why its length reached up to half of his thighs. He tucked the front half of it into a fitted black pants. He paired it up with a pair of black boots. 

He picked up a necklace that had a blue stone pendant and wore it on his neck. This was not an ordinary necklace. The blue stone on it was actually a space stone – an item that could store non-perishable things. Of course, it's not something endless. Right now, the largest dimension that a space stone could have was 120 in by 60 in. Like the size of three large suitcases stack together. 

For Astrid, this was one of the most convenient things that mankind had invented. Although the size was limited and one couldn't put any living things of perishable items inside, it was still very convenient. At least people now didn't have to carry large baggage when going from one place to another. 

The space stone on his necklace had the largest dimension. It was now filled with his clothes, beddings, toiletries, and other miscellaneous things. These were all the things he was going to bring to the capital. 

Today was actually the day that he and Reas were going there. 

It had already been three weeks since they had that talk with their parents and they had agreed for them to study at the capital. Well, actually, after their parents learned that the school he was going to was a school for acting, they vehemently refused. Especially his father. The other almost blew his top.

They didn't even react that much when they learned that Reas was planning to be a soldier. Which, by the way, was much more dangerous than being an actor. What kind of double-standard was that? But he also understood their worries. They were probably just worried that some unsavory characters would target him because of his looks. Besides, no matter the era, something like a 'hidden rule' could not be separated from the entertainment industry. 

But he's not really just an 18-year-old kid who didn't know anything about the world. He wouldn't put himself in a situation where he would be taken advantage of by others. He had dealt with a lot of those 'hidden rules' stuff in his last life. A lot of people wanting to sleep with him in return for giving him some resources. That was especially true when he was only starting out. But he managed to not get involved in those kinds of dealings.

That's why he was confident that he could also deal with whatever the entertainment industry of this era would throw at him. Besides, he also had an extra layer of protection namely his SSS level mental strength. He might not be as strong physically, but his mental strength could give anyone a run for their money.

Astrid had to spend about a week of convincing with a little bit of acting and a lot of tears before his parents finally agreed. And now, he and Reas were about to go to the capital.

He looked around his room and gave it one last glance before walking out. 

It happened that as soon as he left his room, the door to Reas' room also opened and his younger brother walked out.

He smiled at Reas. "Are you ready?"

Reas only shrugged. "I've been ready long ago."

And they walked side by side down the stairs where their parents were waiting.

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The four members of the Townsend family were all standing at their planet's space port. The twins' flight time was going to arrive soon. That's why both parents were feeling extremely emotional right now. 

They had already done some psychological construction to prepare themselves on the day that their babies would leave. But somehow, knowing that it might probably take months before they saw them again, only made them feel like crying.

"Remember to always protect yourselves," Emmy said. "You can be kind of generous to others. But always, always, put yourselves first."

It's probably not the best advice a mother should give to her child, but this was so she could be at east that her kids wouldn't be taken advantage of. Of course, her children's well-being came first. She's not some Virgin Mary who would tell her kids to always be kind to the point where others would simply take them for granted.

"Yes, Mom," the twins said at the same time. 

"Aster, if anyone ever tried to approach you with bad intentions, don't hesitate to attack them with your mental power. You can even use the poisons your Uncle Leigh gave you. Don't worry about the consequence. Your mother and I will think of something when that time comes," Gage said, a bit unreasonable.

Astrid showed a helpless smile. Although he was indeed planning to do all that, he would make sure that there would be no said 'consequence'. After all, his parents' identities were a bit delicate. He couldn't let others discover that they were still alive and destroy the peaceful lives they had now.

"Don't worry, Dad. I'll make sure nothing of that sort happened," he could only say to reassure his father.

Then Gage turned to Reas. "Remember the things I told you about the Imperial Military Academy. Pace yourself properly and don't just strive for short successes. But most importantly, don't get injured."

Reas nodded. "I know, Dad."

"Since you have already chosen your careers, you should do your best until the very end," Emmy said in which the twins nodded.

She then hugged her two sons. "Take care, okay? And make sure to call us every day."

"Yes, definitely don't forget to call," Gage quickly added. 

Astrid chuckled. "We promise, we won't."

A few moments later, their flight time finally arrived. The twins said goodbye one last time to their parents before walking towards the departure area. Heading towards the first step of their dreams.

[END OF VOLUME 1]