Including him, Oliver's family consisted of four people: his father, mother, younger brother and himself.
His parents owned a small shop on the outskirts of the city from which they made a living. They were not superhumans, so they had to work like normal people to make a living. The shop provided enough income to barely support their living expenses.
Meanwhile, his younger brother, Arin, was a 15-year-old student attending a nearby school.
'Now, a month has passed since I returned. This is the month of February. By the end of next month, I can leave.' Oliver sat on a bench and scratched his chin.
His mandatory military service was about to end.
'By June, my brother will die.'
'I need to prevent that.' Oliver thought, thinking back to the smiling face of his younger brother.
Unlike him, who was always moody, his brother was a cheerful young man. His personality was the exact opposite of Oliver's. It was also one of the reasons that got him killed.
Oliver, in his teenage years, was a weakling. He couldn't use mana, nor could he use his ability to its full potential. Add a little introversion and insecurity to the mix, he grew up as a total loser who was bullied all his life.
However, because of that experience, he knew how to avoid problems. Basically, he was a high-functioning coward at that time.
Meanwhile, his brother was the exact opposite.
Arin was handsome, strong for his age, righteous and extroverted. He was the typical popular kid. The only weakness he had was his poor family.
As the saying goes, the nail that sticks out gets hammered. Arin's popularity bit him in the back and led him to conflict with a rich kid who went to the same school as him. His righteousness also forced him to act against the bullies in his school.
This created more problems than he could handle.
In the end, his strength was nothing in front of the hired thugs. Like his brother, he also became a victim of bullying.
However, he never complained about it to his family. He didn't want his parents or brother to worry about it.
Months later, one day, he dies under mysterious circumstances. The police called it a suicide and closed the case.
'It was not a suicide. He cared too much for his family to end his life by jumping off a building. Something or someone forced him to.' Oliver's blood boiled.
The anger and rage were still inside him.
Although he had found the people related to it and killed them, he didn't know the full details behind it. So, he could have missed a few.
'This time. I will do it cleanly.' Oliver decided.
'No one should dare harm my family.' Oliver stood up and walked towards the communication center.
Thinking about the past imbued him with the courage to call home.
—
*Beep*
*Beep*
Oliver dialed a number and waited.
He was inside a room made for military personnel to call home. Currently, many others were using the phones.
"Hello."
Suddenly, the voice of a woman came from the wired phone in his hand.
"..."
Oliver choked. He didn't know what to say.
The voice of his mother he had missed for two decades, was speaking to him. But he choked.
"Hello, who is this?" She asked in her sweet, melodious voice.
When she asked, Oliver quickly rubbed his teary eyes and spoke into the phone.
"Mom." His voice cracked slightly at the end.
"Ollie?" Maya was shocked to hear the voice of her son. "Ollie, is that you?" She quickly asked again.
Oliver was supposed to be undergoing his military training. For six months, they were not allowed to contact their family. So, how did he call?
Did something happen? She was worried.
A couple of hours ago, there was this news that the S-rank mana beast was active near the base her son was in.
But they said there was nothing to worry about.
Did something happen to him?
"Ollie, did something happen? Are you in danger?"
"Mom, nothing happened," Oliver quickly replied.
He understood he was needlessly worrying his mother by not speaking.
"Hmm? Then?"
"Nothing, we were allowed to make calls today." Oliver hid everything about the beast horde that might cause her to worry. As an adult who lived longer than his mother, he didn't need her permission to take risks.
"Why?"
"Oh! They thought parents would be concerned because of the S-rank mana beast. So, we were allowed to make calls today." He made up a lie.
"Ah! Yes, the mana beast. How are you?"
"I am okay. The mana beast didn't attack the city. And even if it did, nothing would have happened since Thunder Emperor and Fist King were both here."
"Did you see them? Both you and your brother are a fan of the Fist King, right? Did you get an autograph? Hmm, now that I think about it, Thunder Emperor is the retired S-rank hero, right? Your father is a fan."
"Hm. I did catch a glimpse. But it was not the time and place to get an autograph. Anyway, how is Father and brother doing?"
"Oh, guess what your father's decided to do? He's suddenly a mushroom farmer now. He's been going on and on about it, and I don't know where he suddenly got the idea to grow mushrooms.
And your younger brother is coming home with bruises and scratches. I think he is getting into fights these days. I should call his teacher. Maybe he can help.
Uh! Sigh! They are a handful." Mother complained.
When hearing about the first part, Oliver smiled but as soon as he heard about his brother getting into fights, his smile disappeared.
Teenagers fight each other, pushing their social muscles to find their place in society. It was normal.
But this time, it will become serious.
Usually, schools would have a protective mechanism to prevent the bullying from escalating to something worse. They would interfere if it came to their knowledge and help the kids who were bullied.
However, sometimes, these mechanisms fail when someone with more power comes into play.
The current society was developing into a classist dystopia. Equality of opportunity was dead, and the separation between the poor and rich was increasing at a rapid pace. There was no sign that it will change in the foreseeable future.
So, in this classist society, where power accumulates on a few strong and rich individuals, many would bend their back and throw out their principles to make a living.
The same was happening inside schools. Therefore, depending on them to solve problems was just wishful thinking.
Oliver didn't know of it in the past, but now, as a villain who saw the darkest sides of humanity, he knew how messed up the world was.
It was pointless to depend on others to solve problems.
Although he thought all of that, Oliver hid his thoughts and just laughed.
His mother doesn't need to know any of that. He was returning home soon and he would solve all the problems. They don't have to worry about anything.
He talked for a while with his mother and heard all her complaints and finally ended the call.
*Hooo*
He took in a deep breath and exhaled and walked away briskly.