The second teleportation jump was shorter—a mere flicker of darkness, a pull behind the navel, and then light again.
Kyle stepped into the breathtaking view of Arcadia.
He stood tall among the crowd, his presence immediately commanding attention as soon as he walked into the town.
His silver hair, slightly tousled by travel, gleamed in the late afternoon sun.
His features were strikingly handsome, with a chiseled jawline and eyes that radiated warmth and ease.
As Kyle walked down the street, he was greeted by smiles and waves. Arcadia was no stranger to him.
This quaint town was managed by his father, Kalum.
An elderly man with kind eyes stopped him in his tracks.
"Kyle, semester break already?"
Kyle smiled at the old man and replied, "Uncle Robert, yeah. Early break—got some things to take care of."
Uncle Robert nodded and wished him a pleasant reunion with his family.
Kyle's home was located on the eastern side of Arcadia.
As he walked, his eyes drifted to a small hill blanketed in green. At the top of the hill, his home stood proudly.
He knocked softly on the door, a smile tugging at his lips as he thought about reuniting with his parents.
"Mom, Dad? I'm home."
The door creaked open, revealing a woman in her mid-thirties with long silver hair and a pale complexion. Her amethyst eyes sparkled with surprise when she looked at him.
"Kyle?" she gasped. Kyle nodded, understanding her shock. It wasn't yet time for semester break, yet here he was.
His mother, Aeiana, grabbed his hand and pulled him inside.
"Come in. Let me see your face. You look thinner. Kalum, our son is home!"
Aeiana touched his face gently and placed a hand on his shoulder, worry etched on her face.
Kyle's father, Kalum, rushed into the living room at the sound of his wife's call.
Kalum gazed at Kyle wordlessly, his expression speaking volumes.
He patted Kyle's shoulder.
"Welcome back, son."
"Yeah… Mom, Dad, I think I'll rest for a while. We can talk later."
Aeiana nodded, and Kyle smiled faintly before heading to his room. It wasn't the cold air that made him shiver—it was the emptiness in his heart.
There were so many things he wanted to discuss with his parents—about Null, about his lineage. Maybe they could help him find a clue about Null. But for now, he needed some space.
He felt overwhelmed. The Awakening ceremony. Null. The decision about whether to drop out or not. And clues—though he wasn't sure any existed.
He closed his eyes, trying to shut out the noise in his mind. Tonight, he would tell his parents everything.
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Kyle was awakened by a soft knocking on his door.
He blinked, his eyes adjusting to the pitch-black darkness outside. The sun must have set while he was lost in his dreams.
Home was always the best.
In this place, he could sleep without a care in the world, feeling the comfort that only home could offer.
He lifted his body from the bed and walked to the bathroom, splashing cold water on his face. After changing into fresh clothes, he left his room.
In the kitchen, his parents were chatting as they prepared the meal.
"Mom," he said, his voice soft.
"You're awake! Come, let's eat," Aeiana smiled warmly at him.
Dinner was exquisite, as always. Every dish was tailored to his tastes—his mother's way of showing care.
He washed the dishes afterward, feeling a quiet sense of responsibility. His parents smiled at his actions and moved into the living room, chatting and watching television.
Kyle needed to prepare himself. So, he washed the dishes, thinking of it as his way of helping since his mother had cooked the meal.
After finishing, he joined his parents in the living room, sitting beside his mother.
"Mom, I haven't awakened," Kyle said quietly.
At his words, Kalum's brow furrowed in confusion, and Aeiana mirrored his concern.
"I mean... everyone else has awakened, but I haven't."
Kyle looked at his parents, hoping for some kind of response. Consolation? No. He was trying to appear tough, to convince them that everything was fine.
"Hmm..." Kalum paused, his mind working as he considered his words.
"What are you going to do, son?" Aeiana asked gently, her gaze fixed on him.
"I'm lost, Mom. The professor called my situation 'Null.' They said it's rare, and there's not enough research on it. Honestly, I don't know what to do."
Kyle's voice cracked, and for a moment, his fragility was apparent.
Aeiana rubbed his shoulder, offering silent comfort.
"Null?" Kalum repeated, his voice low.
"Yeah, Null. It's a state of no power, no direction. But I don't want to give up. The professor gave me until next semester to figure out how to awaken my power."
"Dad, Null is the label for those who haven't awakened yet. It's as if there's no dormant power in their bodies. It's a case that hasn't been seen in centuries. But, Dad, maybe... maybe you know something about Null?"
"Null... I don't know much. But if you're asking about something from a hundred years ago, there might be some records in the attic. You know, our family has lived in this place for generations. The first person to build this house was Kaius, your great-great-grandfather. That was a hundred years ago."
Kyle's eyes brightened at his father's words.
It wasn't certain, but perhaps he could find something in those old records.
"Kaius was a renowned researcher and mage," Kalum continued. "The stories passed down through generations speak of him. You know, a hundred years ago was the Apocalyptic War. Kaius was one of the frontliners, battling monstrous creatures known as Abyssiyptic. The war was a tragedy, and though the creatures no longer exist, the war itself left scars on this land."
"Arcadia is a deserted place, a result of the war. Afterward, Kaius found this land and built our home here. Our family has lived here ever since. Go to the attic; perhaps you'll find something there."
Aeiana nodded in agreement, patting Kyle's hand gently.
"Son, don't overwork yourself. With or without power, you are still our son. We will always protect you."
Kyle's heart ached slightly at her words. His mother was an incredible mage, and his father was a former knight who had once worked for the Awakener Organization, eradicating villains.
Arcadia had been under the protection of his mother's magic barrier, and his father had served as a hero before his retirement due to injury. To compensate, the government had made him the mayor of Arcadia.
His father was the reason Kyle had wanted to be a hero.
Both of his parents were extraordinary—one a great mage, the other a great knight.
And then there was him.
A Null.
No, I still have a chance.
Maybe the attic holds the answers I'm looking for.