As Rio received his badge and received the responsibility to protect the nation, one of the reporters raised the question,
"Sir ’Dark Star,’ I would like to ask that now that you have received such great authority and power, what steps will you take to deal with the current panic and fear in the nation..."
It was a brilliant question that resonated deeply with what the entire nation wanted to ask.
The media, the military, and even Raji—all of them were painting Rio’s image as a ’hero’ to the world, and Rio knew that he would eventually be asked the question, ’What will he do for the society?’.
And Rio was already prepared for this question.
Rio looked straight into the camera with a serious look in his eyes as his powerful sword intent danced around his body like bolts of thunder.
"First of all, I will deal with all those who have been wreaking havoc for a while now..."
"There are many who are taking advantage of this moment of crisis to do whatever they please."
"Yes, I am talking about criminals who are on the loose. If you are watching this show, then start counting your time. ’The Dark Star’ is known for making even a demon prince kneel..."
Rio pointed his finger towards the camera as if he was pointing right at the face of the criminals.
"Be ready; your future has a dark star shining on it now."
Rio smirked, and the aura from his sword intent literally made the reporter feel goosebumps all over his body.
Even S-rankers felt pressure in Rio’s presence, let alone an ordinary person.
"Next, I will deal with all the foreign threats that have been trying to invade and stir chaos. I will keep hunting these ’radioactive rats’ till they stop invading our nation."
With that said, Rio raised his fist in the air and spoke loudly,
"For humanity and for the Children of Astra!!"
Raji and the others echoed the slogan in support, filling the entire party hall with loud chants.
"For humanity!"
"For the Children of Astra!"
Rio talked about a few more things as the reporters asked a few more questions before the live broadcast finally came to an end.
...
When the broadcast ended, all the reporters and cameramen were escorted out of the party hall, and the real banquet finally began.
The graduation ceremony and the awarding procedures were completed, so now it was time to party and enjoy.
Rio and the others walked down the stage.
"I didn’t expect you to be so good at giving speeches... I honestly thought you would have a very compatibility with camera..."
Lia was surprised how well Rio portrayed the character of a passionate and hardworking ’hero.’
She knew that Rio himself is not that much of a selfless person, and he won’t really go out of his way to work for the entire nation and save everyone to be an actual ’hero.’
But Rio played the character that was expected of him in front of the camera very well.
"Well, when the need arises... I can also do acting too; in fact, I might be better at deceit and tactics than you expect..."
Rio shrugged his shoulders at Lia’s words and simply acknowledged that he wasn’t much of a hero at all.
He himself knew that he is a selfish person and the main reason why he is even willing to work to save the people is because not only is he getting fame, glory, money, benefits, etc., from all of this,
He’s also getting the opportunity to improve his own assassination skills, and he has just entered the S-rank; he needs to polish his abilities to solidify his realm.
’Moreover, in the memories I received from the old man, it’s mentioned that if you tell the target that you are about to assassinate them, you can increase the difficulty for yourself and improve faster...’
The main reason why Rio directly announced that he was going to hunt down all those freely roaming criminals was because he wanted them to be vigilant and pose more of a challenge.
With his current combat capabilities, he can simply ’one-tap’ most people easily, which will not help him polish his skills at all.
Rio wants a challenge and push that can increase his growth speed even further.
"For the next few months I would be quite busy; I will be going on longer missions and might not be able to see you for a while..."
Rio didn’t want to repeat Kevin’s mistake; he told Lia about the situation directly.
Although he doesn’t want to be separated from Lia either, he has no other choice but to grab every opportunity to get stronger, as time is running out very fast.
The final showdown with the ultimate being is not too far away in the future anymore.
He needs to grow even faster than he already is growing.
’At least Rank SS; I need to reach the realm of demi-gods to be qualified enough to take part in the ’actual’ high level matters...’
If Rio was already an SS-ranker with massive influence and connections, he wouldn’t need to hesitate at all; he could simply share his suspicions with other SS-rankers, and they would have to believe him because of his strength and position.
But right now, he can’t do that, because he does not have the qualification that will make other SS-rankers take him seriously.
"Actually, I also wanted to tell you something. I want to go on a training trip too..."
Lia handed Rio a glass of juice and sipped on her own glass as she spoke with a look of determination.
"As you know, I am not too far from Rank S either, and you have already reached it. I don’t want to be left behind..."
"I know you don’t mind it, but I can’t just stay put at the same place at all; I have my own ’Path’ to follow after all..."
Lia sighed deeply and said,
"I am thinking of going on a few dungeon raids with my father; he was also suggesting that he will take me to the places he used for his own training back in younger days..."
"So I will also be quite busy. I-it’s not like will feel l-lonely or anything but you know..."
Lia tsundere side has really calmed down a lot, but even now she can’t be honest with her feelings to the fullest.
Rio just smiled at her.
"Well, you have already decided, so I won’t stop you. I hope you will achieve what you want to..."
Rio himself is going to be busy, and so he can’t hope that the other party will keep waiting for him doing nothing; in fact, it’s better that Lia also has something to do.
This way, Rio won’t have to worry about her being lonely all the time.
’Moreover, it’s her father she’s going with so I won’t have to worry... but that fat lion will also be with her... should I just kill that d*mn lion after all!?’
Rio calmed down his mind and stopped his murderous intent from leaking out.
While Rio and Lia were talking, Link and Riya also came over.
Riya was holding many sweets in her small hands, and Link was also holding sweets for her.
"We were also planning on doing the same actually; as you know Riya’s sister is staying at the Rex Mansion for now..."
"The two of us will be training and sparring with her in the next few months so we are also going to be quite busy..."
A look of sadness and hesitation appeared on all of their faces after hearing each other’s words.
They all knew that they were bound to get separated one day or another.
Unlike in the academy, when they were all able to form a team and work together, they have graduated now.
They have finally entered the ’adult’ world now; in the adult world, everyone is a unique individual who has a different life.
Even long-time friends usually end up drifting apart eventually; there’s nothing complicated about it, it’s just ’life.’
People get close and drift apart over time; that’s just how life is. Things change over and over; sometimes you are happy, sometimes you are sad.
Moreover, Rio and the others all have their own ’paths’ to follow; the further a person walks on his ’path,’ the further he might drift apart from others.
Not all ’Paths’ go in the same direction, and thus it’s difficult to find company in this lonely struggle against the world.
Becoming an awakener and realizing your own ’Path’ is just the first step towards the beginning of a long long journey that can even go on for years and maybe even centuries.
Most SS-rankers in the world who have followed their ’Path’ for a long time are usually lonely people with no friends or family to accompany them.
"Don’t overthink, everyone; we will always be friends and will meet often even if we have already graduated! I have even triple-checked that I have saved all of my friend’s contacts."
Riya brought the group out of the awkward silence as she brought forward her juice glass to do a cheers.
The rest did the same; they all smiled and hoped for each other’s happiness.
Although Riya did help in brightening the mood, all four of them knew deep in their hearts that today might be the final day when they all will get to work together.
They might slowly drift apart after today, as they might get busy with their own life struggles and choices.
And there’s nothing they can do to stop this, as this is what life is all about.