Friday, 21:00
I sat on a bench, staring absently at my phone while waiting for the air-train to arrive.
Opening the files Smallsnake had sent me, each line stirred something strange inside me.
「Galxicus – Information」
Guild Rank:
[Bronze] [Silver] [Gold] [Platinum] [Diamond]
History:
The guild was founded in 2045. Under my father, Ronald Dover, it rose from Bronze to Silver within ten years.
Current Status:
— No debts.
— Stable at Silver.
— Administration secured through Arthur Dover's support.
I exhaled slowly at the words before me.
Arthur's name was etched clearly into the family registry:
"Arthur Dover – 28 years old, E+."
This was nothing new to me. He had always been family. But seeing it here, recorded like stone… felt different.
E+. To outsiders, it meant weak, insignificant, unworthy of attention.
But I knew better. The power Arthur carried behind his mask could never fit into those numbers. That so-called "weak older brother" on record… was in truth the strongest shield protecting us all.
21:15
The train arrived, and each passing second brought me closer to home.
Why did I long to meet these people—strangers to me in one sense—so deeply?
Perhaps it was because their affection felt like rediscovering the family I'd lost in my old world.
Or perhaps it was just the remnants of the old Ren—the guilt, the longing, the echoes of a boy who once lived in this body.
Whatever the reason, the ache was real.
And it hurt.
[Station – Departure]
The air-train lifted into the skies, Ashton's glowing skyline shrinking beneath me. The massive city split into five districts: North, South, East, West, and Central.
My destination lay in the North District—territory under Syndicate control.
But I didn't care.
Because there… my family was waiting.
The Dover Home
The villa rose before me, its white walls gleaming, its warm lights spilling across a wide garden. I drew a deep breath and rang the bell.
The door opened. A blonde-haired, blue-eyed woman spread her arms wide.
"Welcome home, Ren!"
Before I could react, she embraced me. Her warmth sank into my chest.
Strange… but comforting.
On the couch sat a man who looked like an older, sterner version of myself. Jet-black hair, piercing eyes.
Ronald Dover—my father.
"Welcome back," he said in a deep, steady voice.
I sat beside him. My mother, Samantha, bombarded me with questions while Ronald offered short, grounding remarks.
When I spoke of Holberg, Samantha's eyes widened.
"There was fighting there?! You didn't tell us a word, you little rascal! If you'd died, I—"
Ronald laid a calming hand on her shoulder. "He's here. With us. That's what matters."
And in that moment, a warmth I hadn't felt in years swelled within me.
Nola
Tiny footsteps echoed. A little girl in pajamas shuffled in, hugging a stuffed bear half her size. Her black hair spilled down to her waist.
"…Big Bwudar?"
Nola. My little sister.
She raised her arms, and I lifted her into my embrace. A genuine smile crept onto my face. As she clung to my neck, a fierce, protective instinct blazed to life within me.
Arthur's Arrival
The door opened once more. Quiet footsteps entered.
Arthur.
But this time, without the mask. His jet-black hair fell across his shoulders, and his icy blue eyes filled the room with a presence no one could ignore.
Samantha stood quickly. "Arthur, you're here at last."
Ronald nodded. "All the children together. Just as it should be."
Nola rubbed her eyes and stretched her arms toward him.
"…Other Bwudar?"
Arthur smiled for the first time. He scooped her up and brushed a hand through her hair.
"Yes, little lady. Your other brother."
Peace settled in my chest. A missing piece had finally fallen into place.
At dinner, Samantha filled our plates. "Ren, tell us everything about your first term at the Academy!"
Ronald added, "Especially your training. Which skills have you sharpened?"
I answered hesitantly at first, but the words soon flowed—about Holberg, about my friends, about the exams. I spared them my secrets, but they could still read the exhaustion in my eyes.
Ronald listened quietly, interjecting with "Well done," or "Be careful" when needed. Samantha never stopped fussing:
"Did you eat properly? Did you change your clothes often? My God, you've gotten so thin!"
Arthur said nothing. He simply sat, his icy blue gaze fixed on me. No words—just the weight of his presence, a silent support.
When the topic turned to the guild, Ronald's face hardened.
"Galxicus remains at Silver. With Arthur's aid, we cleared the debts, but we must stay cautious. The Syndicate is watching."
Samantha sighed. "At least we're together. That's our greatest strength."
Arthur tapped the table once.
"Yes. Family is the greatest shield."
Night — The Garden
When the house had quieted and everyone retired, Arthur called me outside.
"Ren."
"Yes?"
"You can no longer rely on the Academy. From now on, I will handle your training. Tomorrow morning, meet me in the garden. Your first lesson begins."
My heart pounded.
"Truly? You'll… train me yourself?"
His icy blue eyes gleamed under the night.
"Yes. Your strength cannot be measured by ranks. What will sustain you… is will. And that, I will teach you."
I swallowed hard. "…Alright, brother."
For a fleeting moment, Arthur's lips curved into the faintest smile.
"Now you've chosen the right word."