Kyle was sitting cross-legged on a single-sized wooden bed. His shoulder-length silver hair was tied back in a ponytail, giving him an effortlessly cool and confident look. Also, now his eyes were completely visible, shining brightly within the dimly lit hotel room.
The room had a wooden interior with two single-sized beds, a table, and two chairs. On his left side, Regius's bed was empty because the latter went outside to meet someone he knew.
Kyle took a deep breath and fiddled with the Communication Crystal. He recalled a familiar coordinate number and infused his mana in the Crystal.
After a few seconds, the Crystal lit up with a bright light. Kyle waited patiently and after half a minute an old voice resounded in the room.
"Who is it? ....."
The tension around Kyle's shoulders loosened the moment he heard the old voice. It was laced with tiredness and unknown worry.
He opened his mouth to reply but the voice sounded again. This time a little expectant and anxious.
"Kyle? Is it you? My dear..?"
Kyle's lips moved upward slightly in a genuine smile and now if someone looked at him they would probably lose their hearts. With pale skin and exquisite facial features, he looked like a deity who had graced the mortals with his presence.
"Yes, it's me. Dad, how are doing?"
"Kyle...?"
Baron Ohan exclaimed with a choke.
Kyle wasn't sure but he knew the Baron was probably crying. His smile vanished and a frown appeared on his face.
'Did the Academy inform my family about my disappearance? No, it's not possible because except Elder Han no one knows about their current location.'
"Kyle, my son. How have you been? I received the news about your disappearance two months ago from your master. It pained my heart because I wasn't able to do anything for you. Your brothers were hell-bent on going to find you but they were stopped by Elder Han because he said it's not safe."
Kyle sighed.
'So, it was master who told them.'
"I am fine, father. Please, don't worry about me. I just got separated from my classmates but now I am in a safe place. I am sorry because of me you are always worried."
Kyle's voice was sincere. He had worried the old man so many times. First, because of him, they had to leave their house. Now, he just suddenly disappeared on them.
"No, No, don't apologize. It's not your fault. I am just happy you are safe. Wait, I will call Neon and Ray. After hearing the news about your disappearance they started training day and night because they wanted to become strong. So, Elder Han would tell them about the place where you were last seen."
After a few minutes, Ray and Neon's anxious voice resounded from the Crystal and Kyle chuckled lightly. He talked with them for a while and when the worry and tension within their voice vanished he spoke with hesitation.
"Umm, Dad. Would you believe me if I said my appearance changed for some reason? Like, now I looked a little too handsome. So, it's possible you won't recognize me when you see me next time."
There was silence for a few seconds but then Baron Ohan burst into laughter. Not just him, Ray and Neon's laughing voices resounded from the crystal.
Kyle was stunned.
'They didn't believe me?'
Kyle snapped out of his thoughts when Neon spoke with a chuckle.
"Kyle, my little brother. When the hell did you become a narcissist? I thought you never cared about beauty so why now? Did you hit your head or something?"
Kyle clicked his tongue and rolled his eyes.
"I am not lying. It's just happened naturally."
Ray chimed in with a laugh.
"Alright, Alright. We believe you. Just don't get kidnapped due to your otherworldly beauty. We still want to see the beautiful appearance of our little brother."
Kyle barely stopped the urge to facepalm. He grumbled in his mind.
"Bro, you wanna make a bet?"
Ray heard Kyle's voice and laughed again.
"No, I don't want to! You are always lucky with these types of things. I remember the last time I made a bet with you it wasn't a good experience at all! I lost all my money!"
Kyle raised his brow with a smile. It was very rare for him to make a bet with others because he only did it when he was hundred percent sure he would win.
After a minute, Baron Ohan suddenly recalled something and stopped Kyle from breaking the communication crystal connection.
"Wait a second, Kyle! Elder Han said his old communication device was lost so you won't be able to contact him. That's why when he came to inform us about your disappearance he asked us to inform him if you come back home. I will send him your communication Crystal coordinate number. So he will be able to contact you."
Kyle raised his brow.
"Alright. I am waiting."
He cut the connection and started waiting. After around ten minutes, Kyle Crystal buzzed. He picked it up instantly and a loud angry voice resounded from the communication crystal.
"Kyle you rascal! Where the hell are you? Do you have any idea how much panic you gave my old heart when you just disappeared into thin air?"
Kyle almost wanted to grab his ears. The voice was so loud, that's why he hurriedly distanced himself from the Crystal and waited patiently.
After grumbling and scolding Kyle for ten minutes straight, Han finally calmed down.
"Kyle, are you even listening to what I am saying? Where are you right now?"
Kyle replied with a serious expression.
"I am currently in an elf's city called 'Baylon'. It's located on the west side of Kingdom Tersia. I lost my storage rings. That's why I am too poor to return to Kingdom Escalante myself."
Han was silent for a few seconds seemingly contemplating something. No, no he was definitely not scheming regarding Kyle's storage rings.
"Kyle, remember I told you about a secret Realm? It's going to open soon. Do you still want to enter that Realm? Think carefully because the Realm is very dangerous. In the past, a lot of people entered that Realm but only a few returned alive."
Kyle blinked. He didn't expect to hear such a topic so suddenly. He thought for a while. Han had previously told him about the realm, it was dangerous indeed but if he got scared so easily how would he become strong in the future? Wouldn't his dream to achieve a stage beyond (SSS+)-Rank becomes a joke if he started fearing every little hardship?
"Master, I am strong enough to protect myself. I want to enter the secret realm because I know if I don't face dangers I won't become strong. However, how will I do it? I remember only those who won in the Academies tournament were eligible to enter the realm. I wasn't even able to participate in the tournament. So, do I still have a chance to enter the realm?"
Han stayed quiet for another few seconds but then he sighed.
"Young kids nowadays are all the same. They always want to take risks but you are right if you don't face hardships you won't achieve true strength. Also, after the tournament, the top 200 kids from Kingdom Escalante are already selected. So now you can't enter the secret realm through Kingdom Escalante."
Kyle stayed quiet and attentively listened to the old man.
"However, ... I think you can try to get a spot through Kingdom Tersia. I got the news they haven't filled their 200 spots yet."
A surprised expression appeared on Kyle's face. Why would the elf's Kingdom give him a chance to fight for a spot they have secured for their own Kingdom? Kyle's voice turned serious.
"How? If it's possible and fair I want to try."
Han mused with a chuckle.
"Don't worry it's fair. I can't give you a spot directly and you have to fight for it yourself. Moreover, even though the population is low there are many humans and demi-humans living in Kingdom Tersia. So, the elves didn't forbid them to fight for a spot."
Kyle's eyes sparkled, if they gave him a chance then he would surely grab it. After a few seconds, Han's voice resounded again. This time his voice was very serious.
"Kid, stay where you are and don't leave. I will contact one of my friends, he will pick you up. There's no need for you to return to the Academy for the time being."
Kyle sighed, he wanted to meet Bia, Nine, Alec, and the others as soon as possible but it was fine. In the end, all of them would go to the secret Realm. He would meet them there.
"Alright, I will wait here. Master, please take Bia to the place where the secret Realm will open. She wanted to come find me but I stopped her and now I don't think we would be able to meet soon."
Han laughed when he grasped the meaning behind Kyle's words.
"Rascal, how are you so sure that you would be able to get a spot for the secret Realm? Do you even know how many young kids will fight for these spots in Kingdom Tersia?"
After saying goodbye, Kyle closed the communication crystal and shrugged his shoulders. it was true he didn't know how many individuals would fight for the spots but he was one hundred percent sure he would win!
'Tsk, now that I am (B-)-Rank and my mana stat is so high. I don't think anyone my age can defeat me.'
Kyle shuddered at his thoughts. Neon was right he was becoming a narcissist!
.....
*Author Note; I am gonna introduce the fl soon~ Does anyone wanna suggest a name?
