The car rolled through the last bend of Vellorin's central district, engine humming softly. Sunlight poured through the windows in warm streaks, catching on the polished surfaces of the buildings outside. Mana-lights flickered in a soft gradient of blues and whites, guiding the flow of traffic.
I leaned my head against the glass, watching the world slip by.
I was used to waking up in silence.In empty rooms.In places without warmth.
But today… my chest felt different.Strange.Light.
Maybe it was because all of them were here with me.
Mom sat on the left side, Rin curled comfortably in her lap. She looked different in daylight. Her green eyes glowed softly—gentle, like calm forests or early spring leaves. She always carried a kind of natural soothing presence, like a gentle breeze that made you breathe easier without noticing.
Her hair, brown and soft, framed her cheeks whenever she tilted her head. And today, she was smiling—full, bright, real. Not the careful, weak smiles of the past. This one reached her eyes.
She had recovered because I came home.
I still didn't know how to hold that feeling.
Arin sat on my right, legs crossed, bouncing lightly with excitement. She looked like a younger version of Mom—same green eyes, same soft features—but sharper, more expressive, always wearing her heart on her sleeve.
Dad drove in silence, his posture straight, steady. His black hair fell over the side of his face, partly covering the black eyepatch strapped neatly over where his left eye used to be. His right eye—deep crimson—reflected the street lights sharply, like a predator's in the dark.
Even sitting calmly, he carried a quiet pressure.
A dangerous aura.The type that warned others:"Don't try anything."
His presence filled the car even without words.Strength.Authority.And something else…
Protectiveness.
Even with one arm and one eye gone, Dad could still overpower most B-rank hunters. Some A-ranks too, if caught unprepared. His body had grown stronger again in the past month—training underground every night after taking the trainer job.
He wasn't normal.
None of this was normal.
But maybe I didn't want normal anymore.
Entering the Association District
The road widened as we approached the Hunter Association district. Large buildings rose on either side—stone reinforced with mana veins, glowing faintly under sunlight. Hunters in uniform moved in groups. Some carried weapons wrapped in seals; others walked with beast companions.
Arin tapped the window. "Look, Liam. That's the Beast Regulation Team."
People in dark green coats marched past, carrying tablets and mana-sensors.
Rin pressed his face against the glass."ARE THOSE LIZARD BEAST SCANNERS?!"
"No," Arin sighed."Yes, actually," Dad corrected.
Rin gasped loudly.
Mom chuckled softly, rubbing circles into Rin's back with a gentle hand. Her aura always made the air feel warmer.
Dad continued explaining in his calm tone:
"The Association is divided into multiple sections. We'll only visit Licensing and Awakening today. The rest is for later."
I stared out the window.
The Hunter Association tower came into view—tall, white, carved with runes that shimmered faintly. The main entrance had banners hanging on both sides, fluttering lightly in the breeze.
Even the building felt alive.Strong.Aware.
I swallowed hard.
People began whispering when we stepped out of the car.
"Isn't that him?""That's the trainer from the Devils Guild…""No—the hunter from the Overrun.""The one who lost his arm and eye in the A-rank overflow?""He would've been S-rank by now…""What a waste…""What happened to him was tragic."
Dad's expression didn't change.But Mom's hand tightened around my shoulder, just a little.
Arin's jaw clenched.Rin moved closer to Dad's leg.
They all heard it.They always did.
I looked up at Dad.
"What happened…?" I whispered.
His red eye flickered for the briefest second—pain flashing like a shadow, quickly swallowed by calm.
"We'll talk another time," he said softly.
The sadness in all their faces told me enough.
I didn't ask again.
Inside the Lobby
The main lobby was enormous—vaulted ceilings, marble floors, massive mana-crystal chandeliers shaking with soft light. The air buzzed faintly with mana pressure; hunters passing by carried energy like sparks trailing behind them.
Arin pointed. "Mission board. Very important later."
Rows of glowing panels displayed missions:
F-rank patrol
E-rank beast cleanup
D-rank escort
C-rank recon
B-rank beast nests
A-rank corruption core sightings
Names and faces kept flashing as teams accepted missions.
Rin was mesmerized.
I was overwhelmed.
Mom placed a comforting hand on my back, grounding me.
"It's okay," she whispered. "You'll learn slowly."
Dad headed straight for a counter labeled "Licensing & Awakening Division."
Staff spotted him instantly.Straightened.Nodded respectfully.
"Sir Kael," the receptionist said quickly. "Welcome back. Is this…?"
She looked at me.Her eyes widened.
"It's him. The missing child."
The screen behind her flashed my old record.
Status: LOST CASE — UNRESOLVEDAge taken: 3 years oldCase closed: 10 years ago
Her voice cracked."I—I can't believe you're alive…"
Dad's jaw tightened.Mom's eyes lowered.Arin stared at the floor.Rin huddled closer.
I understood.This wasn't something they liked remembering.
Dad placed his hand on my shoulder.
"He's home," he said simply.
The receptionist immediately moved us to a private room.
Physical Scan
I stepped inside a transparent scanning pod.Blue light washed over me.Warm.Comforting.
The screen displayed:
Vitals: Stable
Bone Structure: Recovered
Mana Circulation: Active
Core Condition: Stable
Mana Density: Slightly above average
Mana Behavior: Normal
The examiner nodded.
"His start will be smooth," she said. "His mana density will help him learn early forms quickly. But later, he'll have to train just like any other hunter."
Dad placed a hand on the pod.
"Talent can start a journey," he said, "but it cannot walk it."
Mom smiled proudly.Arin nodded fiercely.Rin clapped.
I stepped out.
Mana Response Test
A pedestal stood in the middle of the room—an orb resting on top, glowing faintly.
"Place both hands," the examiner instructed.
I inhaled slowly.Exhaled.Touched it.
The orb brightened.Softly.Cleanly.
Not too much.Not too sharp.Just right.
The examiner smiled."Good control. Very good start."
Dad nodded.
"Better than average," he said. "But not overwhelming. That's good. It means he'll grow steadily."
Arin bumped my shoulder."See? You're not broken."
Rin jumped."I KNEW YOU WERE STRONG!"
Mom's smile deepened—warm enough to melt all the coldness I still carried from my past lives.
Affinity Test
A second pedestal rose from the floor, runes igniting around its base.
"Place your hand here," the technician said.
I did.
Light swirled.
First color:red.
Second color:black-violet.
The room went quiet.
The screen flashed:
ELEMENTAL AFFINITIES:✔ FIRE✔ SHADOW
Gasps filled the room.
Shadow was rare.Fire was powerful.Together… unusual.
Arin's hand flew to her mouth.Mom's eyes shone with pride.Dad's red eye sharpened, analyzing something deeper.Rin—
Rin screamed joyfully:
"BROTHER HAS FIRE LIKE ME!!"
He nearly tackled me.I caught him instinctively.
His grin was enormous.Bright.Unfiltered.
"You're my REAL big brother now!" he shouted.
Arin smacked the back of his head."He was always your brother."
"But now he has FIRE!"
Dad raised a hand.
"Enough."
All voices quieted.
He looked at me.
"We will discuss affinities later," he said firmly. "Not here. Not in public."
I nodded.
Because the moment he said it, the room felt too small.
Too exposed.
Dad knew something.Something about shadow.Something about fire.Something about me.
But he wouldn't talk here.
Academy Confirmation
The examiner cleared her throat.
"With his results… he qualifies for Hunets Academy immediately. And given your position, Sir Kael, he can transfer to Seraphine Crest Academy next year."
Arin beamed. "You'll come with me."
Rin pouted. "I WANT TO COME TOO."
"You're eight," Arin said flatly.
Mom rubbed his hair. "Your time will come."
Dad added:
"And when he turns fifteen, he can attempt Swyren World Academy. I can open the door for both of you. After that… what happens is up to you."
Arin straightened.Eyes blazing.
"I'll work hard," she said."So will I," I whispered.
Rin raised his hand."I WILL TOO!"
We all laughed.
Even Dad.
A small, rare sound.
Registration Complete
They handed me a sleek ID card — silver frame, blue rune marking me as a student-level awakener.
Name: Liam KaelAge: 13Affinity: Fire / ShadowStatus: Active CitizenHunter License: Pending (Age Requirement)
Mom hugged me tightly — warmth radiating from her like a soft breeze.Arin wrapped her arms around my shoulders.Rin clung to my waist.Dad placed a firm hand on my back, steady and grounding.
My chest felt full.Too full.
I didn't cry.But my throat burned.
For once…not from loneliness.
But from belonging.
Outside the Association
We stepped back into the sunlight.
Vellorin's sky stretched wide and blue, clouds drifting lazily. Hunters walked past with weapons and laughter. Carriages hummed. Mana-lamps pulsed.
A world that once felt impossible now felt real.Real enough to touch.Real enough to reach for.
Dad rested his hand on my shoulder.
"Your path begins now," he said."Walk it with your own strength."
I nodded.
My voice quiet but steady:
"I will."