Perkins never expected this situation.

It's also a helpless matter, as the world has been in turmoil for more than ten years, with constant conflicts among the Three Great Empires.

The Kayne Empire has been constantly devoured by the other two empires, always on the defensive. In the past decade, the borders have rarely been quiet; there have been three large-scale National Defense Wars, and countless small-scale skirmishes.

Perkins sighed; such sorrowful events had happened many times around him, and he didn't expect his friend's son to also fall on the battlefield.

This left Perkins in silence for a long, long time. He knew that lamenting was pointless as the event had already occurred and couldn't be changed; he could only pray in his heart for the dead to rest in peace.

"Where have you been all these years, brother Perkins, and why have you returned now?"

"Oh, that." Perkins was suddenly pulled back to reality by Hustace, stopping his lament, "I mentioned earlier, I traveled the world and missed home, so I returned."

"Are you just visiting this time?" Hustace asked, "Will you go out again?"

"Uh, I'll tell you, the outside world is indeed wonderful but also helplessly tiring. I feel exhausted this time, and I don't want to go out again."

"Oh, is that so!" Hustace appeared calm.

"Why, are you planning to go out?" Perkins asked, noticing Hustace's slightly forlorn expression.

"Uh, I'm not planning to go out for now."

"Why not? Let me tell you, traveling the world is for the young. Like me now, many places are a struggle to reach. It's a case of the spirit being willing but the flesh weak, alas." Perkins thought of persuading Hustace again.

"No, I believe I have found my direction, and I know what I should and should not do quite clearly."

"Oh, is that so? That's actually quite good," Perkins saw the determined look in Hustace's eyes, involuntarily recalling his own youthful aspirations.

At that time, Perkins was a very proud youngster, always feeling destined to achieve significant deeds; hence, he was never satisfied with staying put.

"My dream is to become an Adventurer, to have my footsteps cover every corner of this land."

This was the sentence Perkins said most often at that time; almost everyone who knew Perkins knew this phrase.

Hustace was still young then and didn't quite understand what an Adventurer was, but it planted a seed in his young heart, leading him to feel a natural affinity when he later met Igor, partly due to Perkins.

However, some things aren't achieved just by aspiration alone; though Perkins aspired to be an Adventurer for many years, he could not become an Adventurer with Class because he couldn't perceive Spirit Power.

This saddened Perkins greatly; during that period, he couldn't face the outcome.

He drowned himself in alcohol, using it to numb himself, letting oblivion consume time, gradually becoming quite haggard.

At that time, Rostov was busy with his own career, having no time for his adoptive son; even if he did, it was just to say a few perfunctory words like drinking less alcohol.

Perkins, a Glass, lacked many family ties, often having to bear such pain alone.

Fortunately, he had friends at that time, genuine friends, not mere fair-weather companions.

His friend was Tobin.

Tobin also carried his own burdens, sometimes feeling extremely lost. Coming from another region to Rostov's was because he saw hope here, yet after a year or two, he found nothing, silently enduring failures.

Due to Perkins' warm nature, Tobin became his friend early on, and during that period, they were like kindred spirits, living through setbacks.

Alcohol was their only outlet.

After drinking, they talked more, and between friends, there was nothing to hide.

Perkins told Tobin of his dream to be a great Adventurer, now shattered.

Tobin told Perkins of his desire to revive his family, which had made no progress.

These two, talking and drinking, drinking and crying, nearly ended up hugging and crying together.

However, these kindred spirits weren't always so negative; sometimes, they encouraged each other.

Tobin told Perkins that he wasn't an Adventurer with Class either, but he was skilled in hunting.

Perkins told Tobin that he wasn't a noble, but he built his forces alongside Rostov.

Tobin and Perkins complemented each other this way, eventually forging an extraordinary path.

Tobin, needless to say, captured Lightning, contributing greatly to the establishment of the Thunder Army.

Perkins discovered a more peculiar path.

With Tobin's help, he used various potions and equipment to replace the ability to perceive Spirit Power. Though these tools couldn't elevate him to an Adventurer with Class, they enabled him to protect himself and travel the world.

This is why he could journey across the Yowein Continent as a Non-Adventurer.

It was all thanks to potions and gadgets.

This was certainly Tobin's contribution.

Perkins reflected on his initial decision to embark on this adventurous path—it was to seek broader possibilities and to narrow the gap between Adventurers with Class and Non-Professionals. Thus, determined, he ventured out to find various materials.

He believed he could let Non-Professionals also experience the glory of Adventurers with Class.

Though his adoptive father disapproved of his world explorations, youthful dreams and aspirations drove him to resolutely pursue the adventurous path.

This journey lasted over ten years.

If possible, Perkins would still choose this path, for it was his dream. Although distant now, he felt it still worth pursuing.

If truly nothing was gained, it would be akin to a resounding slap to himself, acknowledging that it was merely his dream.

Now, that slap isn't so loud; it's uncertain if his dream will shatter.

After all, Perkins did not return completely empty-handed.

This time, his return, under the guise of homesickness, was actually due to encountering confusion.

When faced with perplexity, the first person he thought of was Tobin.

He felt only this friend could understand, so without hesitation, he embarked on the journey home.

He needed to voice his confusion.

He wanted to share his knowledge with his friend.

Reflecting on this warmed Perkins' heart; it had been so long since he felt this way.