Inspired

As the sunset casts a soft orange glow over the garden, a voice calls out from inside the house

"Helen, Kaiser, Amelia! Time for dinner!"

"It's dinner time!" Helen says cheerfully, turning her wheelchair toward the door. Kaiser and Amelia follow, brushing some dirt off their clothes after getting a bit messy in the garden

In the kitchen, Hugo has prepared a vibrant spread. The table is filled with simple yet enticing dishes: vegetable soup, crispy bread, and the main course - grilled fish seasoned richly with spices Helen had brought back from the market

"Take a seat, everyone" Hugo says warmly

"You've gone to so much effort, Mr. Hugo" Kaiser comments, sitting down "Everything looks delicious"

Helen sits beside Hugo, her eyes shining brightly at the sight of the table

"Dad, you're amazing! I've always said it - your cooking is the best!"

Hugo chuckles, gently patting Helen on the head

"You always flatter me, but I don't mind"

The four of them sit together at the table. As Hugo ladles soup into bowls, Helen eagerly serves food to Kaiser and Amelia

"Kaiser, Amelia, you both have to eat a lot. Dad's cooking is amazing, I promise!"

"Thank you, Helen" Kaiser says, accepting the piece of bread she hands him. He glances at Hugo with respect

"Mr. Hugo, this soup is truly delicious. I didn't know you were such a talented cook"

Hugo laughs heartily

"That's thanks to Helen. She always praises my cooking, so I try my best not to disappoint her"

"You're always amazing, Dad" Helen says proudly "If there were a cooking competition, you'd win for sure"

Amelia watches the father and daughter with a soft smile

"You two really have a wonderful bond. Seeing you together is so heartwarming"

Hugo shrugs modestly, though his smile is uncontainable

"We just try to make the best of life. Sometimes it's tough, but I believe that as long as we have each other, everything will be okay"

Helen takes her father's hand, her violet eyes shimmering

"That's right! I always believe that, too."

The meal continues in a cozy, joyful atmosphere, with laughter and conversation filling the room. Helen excitedly recounts her experience teaching Amelia how to care for flowers, while Hugo keeps asking Kaiser about his classes and life at the academy. Amelia shares amusing stories from her own experiences, making Helen burst into laughter repeatedly

After dinner, Hugo clears the table, waving off Kaiser and Amelia's offer to help

"You've both had a long day. Let me take care of this"

"Thank you so much, Mr. Hugo" Kaiser says, bowing respectfully "I'm truly grateful for your hospitality"

At the door, Helen wheels herself over to see them off

"Thank you both for spending time with me today" she says, her eyes glowing with happiness "It was such a fun day"

"We had a great time with you too" Kaiser replies, crouching down to pat Helen on the head "Next time, I'll visit again. Deal?"

"Promise?" Helen asks eagerly

"Promise" Kaiser nods

Amelia crouches down as well, gently holding Helen's hand

"I'll come back too. Next time, I'll bring you a gift"

"That's not necessary" Helen says with a smile, her cheeks slightly pink "Just having you both here is enough to make me happy"

As they step outside, Hugo waves from behind Helen

"Take care, you two. Thank you for spending time with her"

"We were honored to" Kaiser and Amelia reply in unison "Have a good evening, Mr. Hugo and Helen"

Under the faint moonlight, the two walk slowly down the quiet road back to the academy. Amelia glances at Kaiser, her voice gentle

"Helen's family is truly wonderful. I feel so lucky to have met them"

Kaiser smiles, his eyes thoughtful

"They really are. Despite the hardships they face, Helen and Hugo hold on to their faith and hope. That's something truly admirable"

Amelia nods "We should do something to help them, don't you think?"

"We should, but we'll need to be careful" Kaiser replies. "I don't want them to feel like a burden"

They continue their conversation as their shadows stretch long on the tranquil path

—

The next morning, soft sunlight filters through the curtains as Kaiser slowly opens his eyes and stretches before getting out of bed. After a restful night's sleep, he feels full of energy

He walks over to the corner of the room where a full-length mirror stands and picks out a more polished outfit for the day ahead. First, he selects a pair of brown trousers - simple yet neat, giving off an air of tidiness and elegance. Standing in front of the mirror, Kaiser pauses briefly, observing his reflection

Under the thin fabric of his sleepwear, the toned contours of his upper body are clearly visible. His shoulders are broad and firm, with thick, defined muscles shaped by years of diligent training. His chest exudes strength, while his abdominal muscles are distinctly arranged in tight, chiseled blocks. Even his arms, relaxed at his sides, show veins running along their length

Kaiser stands still for a moment, letting himself unwind in the quiet. Then, slowly, a faint black mark begins to emerge around his neck - his Stigma

'Much better' he thinks, his gaze softening as he looks at the familiar mark in the mirror. Thanks to Myreni's patient guidance, Kaiser has learned how to conceal it, a task that requires some concentration. Not having to maintain the disguise now feels like a mental burden lifted, bringing a quiet sense of relief

After a few moments of stillness, Kaiser picks up a black turtleneck sweater from a nearby chair. The thick, soft fabric fits perfectly on his body. He pulls it on, the high neckline completely covering the Stigma. The sweater hugs his broad shoulders, accentuating his strong yet refined appearance

Adjusting the collar and slipping on his Mana bracelet, Kaiser heads toward the door, ready to leave his room. He makes his way out of the dormitory

"Huh?" Kaiser notices a letter in the mailbox for room 3-2 and walks over to pick it up

On the envelope, the name "Zani" is written clearly and neatly, making Kaiser pause for a moment

'They replied to my letter this quickly?' he wonders, feeling a mix of surprise and anticipation.

With the letter in hand, Kaiser steps outside and finds a bench beneath a tree. He sits down, the gentle morning sunlight filtering through the leaves, creating soft patches of light on the ground. Carefully, he opens the envelope and pulls out the letter

Zani's handwriting is neat and sharp yet familiar. Kaiser's eyes scan the words quickly, and a warm feeling rises in his chest

"Dear Kaiser

Farah, Myreni, and I all miss you very much. Even though we can't meet often, I want you to know that everyone is so proud of you - especially after hearing about your impressive performance in the school's aptitude test. You've done really well"

Kaiser smiles faintly. He can almost hear Zani's gentle yet firm tone in every word.

"However, I want to remind you not to let success make you arrogant. Talent is important, but humility and continuous effort are what will take you far. There are many strong individuals out there, and you'll need to learn how to adapt to every challenge"

"Near your school, there are areas designed to simulate monster dungeons, where creatures tend to make their lairs. These places are not only great for practicing combat skills, but you can also collect drops from the monsters and sell them to earn some extra income. It's an effective way to learn, train, and prepare for real-life battles"

Kaiser's eyes light up at this suggestion

"Whatever you do, please be careful, Kaiser. Your safety is always the most important thing. Write to us whenever you want, and don't forget that you always have people supporting you from behind"

Zani ends the letter with a brief but heartfelt note, like an older sister's gentle reminder of care

Kaiser folds the letter, holding it in his hands for a while as his gaze drifts to the clear blue sky

"Thank you, Zani" he murmurs softly, a smile forming on his lips. Placing the letter into his coat pocket