Chapter 4: A Lonely Home

Our conversation continued, extending into the late evening, until the time came for us to part ways and return to our respective houses. Walking alone for a while, I arrived in front of a spacious two-story house that outwardly appeared like any ordinary Western-style residence. Despite my parents being the strongest mages in the city, they preferred to live modestly, avoiding any ostentatious displays of their power. We led a seemingly normal life in this unassuming home.

"I'm home!" I called out as I entered the house. As usual, there was no response. The house felt eerily empty, devoid of any human presence. "Empty, just like always," I muttered to myself, resigned to the solitude that had become a regular occurrence. From a young age, I had grown accustomed to being left alone. My parents, both renowned seven-star magicians, were frequently occupied with missions outside of the city. Their duties did not cease even after I was born. Initially, they made an effort to spend time with me when I was a small child. However, as I grew older, they gradually distanced themselves, leaving me alone more and more.

At first, their absences were brief, but as time went on, they stretched into weeks. I could never understand why they were so willing to leave a young child behind. It was a question that plagued my mind, but no matter how much I pondered, the reality remained unchanged—my parents frequently left me at home. The time I spent with them, even though they were my family, was minuscule compared to the time I spent with my classmates at school.

This pattern continued until my mother became pregnant again. The birth of my younger twin brother and sister brought about a shift in my parents' behavior. They began to spend more time at home, seemingly prioritizing my siblings over me. Most of their attention was directed towards them, and our interactions became increasingly sparse. This differential treatment became a source of frustration for me. I often wondered why they couldn't have shown the same care and consideration when I was a child. They could have sent me to my grandparents' house, just like they did with my siblings. Was it really that difficult? Sometimes, I couldn't help but feel a tinge of jealousy towards my younger siblings. If they hadn't been born, perhaps our family dynamic would have remained unchanged, and I wouldn't have felt the same deep-seated hurt I experienced now.

There were moments when I wanted nothing more than to harbor resentment towards my parents, but I held myself back. I came to realize that my siblings weren't to blame; they were innocent in all of this. It was the circumstances they were born into that caused me to suffer. From that point on, I learned to cope with my situation, and life continued as it had before.

Entering my house, I made my way upstairs to my room to change my clothes. Descending to the kitchen afterward, I sought a refreshing drink and noticed a letter resting on the kitchen table. Given the empty house, it must have been a letter from my parents. I picked it up and proceeded to the living room, where I settled down to read.

"William, your father and I are taking your brother and sister to your grandparents' house. This trip was unplanned, but with their early awakening, we felt it necessary to bring them to a safer environment. As you know, there have been recent cases of kidnappings targeting early awakened children. Your grandparents have also expressed their desire to teach and care for them. We're unsure when we'll return, as their education and safety are paramount. I understand you have school and graduation approaching in three months. Good luck with your studies. We'll miss you. Love, your mother."

Reading the letter, I was struck with a mix of emotions. I couldn't help but ponder the nature of my parents' actions. Were they simply being irresponsible for leaving me alone or were they acting out of a sense of protectiveness towards my siblings? It was a question I couldn't answer definitively. Nevertheless, the knowledge that my parents would be absent until my graduation day added another layer of misery to my already somber day.

There were times when I questioned my place in this family. Comparing the treatment my younger siblings received to my own, the disparity was evident. Despite appearing more composed and mature than my brother and sister, my heart still ached from the differences in our upbringing.

Lost in my lamentation and frustration, I left my house and sought solace in the company of our neighbor—an old man in his fifties who lived alone. From a young age, I had always found refuge in his home whenever I had free time. Over the years, he had become more of a family to me than my own parents, given the amount of time we spent together. It was he who had taken care of me when I was small, providing the support and companionship that I yearned for.