Isabela leaned forward, her eyes still wide.

  “He called it… rock, paper, scissors.”

  Valerius froze. His gaze snapped toward her.

  “…What did you just say?”

  “I said, we played a game called rock, paper, scissors.”

  Though they spoke in Stern, the name Isabela used was not Stern at all — it was English.

  Valerius’s voice sharpened. “Do you even know what those words mean?”

  She shook her head quickly. “No… it was just the name of the game. We were in the middle of it when we suddenly appeared next to you.”

  Eryndor’s brow furrowed, intrigued. “Fascinating.”

  Ziraiah frowned. “Wait… how can they have that game here?”

  Juvian blinked. “You know it too?”

  “Yeah,” Ziraiah said with a shrug.

  Irisa interjected smoothly. “They must have picked it up from the Earthers.”

  “Earthers?” Juvian asked.

  “People from another world,” Irisa explained flatly.

  Isabela’s eyes widened. “There are people… from another world?”

  Valerius leaned back, voice calm but cutting.

  “We’re Earthers too, you know.”

  “WHAT?!” Isabela shouted, leaping to her feet.

  Valerius turned to Ziraiah, his expression unimpressed.

  “You didn’t tell them?”

  Before she could answer, Pungence’s voice boomed through the cabin, sharp as thunder.

  “Why must you run your mouth? Is he always like this?”

  “Yes,” Ziraiah and Eryndor said at the same time, deadpan.

  Juvian frowned. “But aren’t we supposed to know something this important?”

  “No,” Pungence snapped, his tone absolute. “I don’t want you tangled in this world of ours. It’s too dangerous. Look at what happened to Eryndor and Ziraiah — and you know how strong they are. How did your parents even let you go to that place?”

  Juvian muttered, “Isabela blackmailed Father.”

  Pungence then laughed, his deep voice booming.

  “Haaaahaha!”

  Across the cabin, Mr. Baby piped up, lounging in his seat.

  “So wait—unu sayin’ dem Earthers? Naw, dat don’t mek no sense. Dem people tiny.”

  Everyone turned to stare at him — the irony written plain as day.

  Mr. Baby scowled. “What? Stop look pon mi like dat!”

  Isabela broke the silence, her voice trembling with wonder.

  “How can there be other worlds? Uncle Pungence, is it true? Are there really… other worlds out there?”

  Pungence gripped the steering the waver, his gaze firm.

  “You don’t need to know.”

  Mr. Baby chuckled from his seat, tipping back with casual ease.

  “Eh, but mi know tings. Dem Earthers even have a whole island to demself. But somehow—nobody cyan step foot pon it.”

  The cabin stilled. Pungence’s head turned slowly toward him, eyes narrowing.

  “…And how do you know that?”

  Mr. Baby smirked, flashing teeth. “Mi can snatch memories too, yuh nuh.”

  Pungence’s gaze hardened. “Duly noted.”

  Mr. Baby’s grin twitched. Bomboclaat… mi shouldn’t have seh dat. He quickly yanked a round, squishy baby bottle from his bag and started sucking noisily.

  Ziraiah blinked, incredulous. “Wait… are you drinking from a baby bottle?”

  Mr. Baby glared. “Got a problem wid dat?”

  Valerius leaned forward, smirking.

  “He’s got a thing for bras too. Or maybe it’s just a boob thing. That bottle does look like one, though.”

  “Val!” Ziraiah gasped, trying to hold in her laughter — and failing.

  Valerius burst out laughing. “Mr. Baby, are you really proud of that name?”

  Even Pungence chuckled.

  “Shut yuh mout!” Mr. Baby roared. In a blur, he leapt onto Valerius, fists flailing like a toddler’s tantrum. He pummeled Val’s face with tiny blows, poked at his eyes, even bit at his shoulder.

  Valerius didn’t move an inch. His smile widened.

  “Who you makin’ fun of, huh?!” Mr. Baby shouted, clawing at him. He jabbed Valerius in the eyes with both fingers—then recoiled, clutching his hand. “Aaaawww! What kinda eyes yuh have, man?”

  Valerius laughed so hard his stomach hurt. “Looks like without your Seed, you’re just like any other baby.”

  He grabbed the bottle from Mr. Baby’s bag, squishing it between his fingers. His laughter doubled.

  “Oh my god, it’s even squishy!”

  “Gimme dat back!” Mr. Baby shrieked, jumping at him with all the fury of a child. “Yuh lucky dese hands too small fi strangle yuh! The only ting stoppin’ mi from endin’ yuh…” His eyelids drooped. “…is nap time…”

  And with that, he flopped down on the floor and began snoring instantly.

  Valerius stared in disbelief. “…No way. He’s seriously asleep.”

  Pungence erupted into booming laughter. “Haaahahahaha! If he wasn’t a criminal, I’d almost like him. But that little twirp is a menace to society.”

  Ziraiah tilted her head. “What did he even do?”

  Pungence wiped a tear of laughter from his eye.

  “He’s a thief. And the worst kind. Once kidnapped a bunch of noble children and demanded ransom.”

  The others stiffened, shocked.

  But Pungence’s grin widened.

  “The reason I let him off? He never hurts people. When we found those noble children, they were well-fed, healthy. Haaahahaha! They were even enjoying themselves. I don’t show mercy to criminals… but this one—” he chuckled again, shaking his head, “—this one’s different. A criminal with a heart.”

  The Waver sliced through the skies, the sprawling jewel of Heful — capital of Zitry — coming into view. Its skyline glimmered with crystalline towers and sprawling stonework, both ancient and modern woven together by veins of glowing mana conduits.

  Valerius pressed his face against the window, eyes widening.

  “Wow… this place is really nice. Is that a train?”

  Ziraiah smiled faintly. “Yep. But it doesn’t use an engine — it runs on mana crystals.”

  She leaned closer to the glass, her voice rising with excitement. “Val, come look! That’s our school over there.”

  Valerius moved beside her, peering down at the massive academy sprawling across the city’s heart. Its towers glowed with wards, banners fluttering proudly.

  “That’s a school? Damn.”

  Ziraiah pointed further along the skyline. “And over there — that’s the royal castle. Where Juvian and Isebala live.”

  Valerius blinked, turning toward them. “You guys are royalty?”

  Juvian nodded matter-of-factly. “Yes.”

  “…Cool.”

  Ziraiah grinned, tugging his arm. “Wanna go to our school, Val?”

  Valerius groaned. “Why the hell would I wanna go to school? You know I don’t like school. I already know everything, remember?”

  Her brow arched. “You sure about that?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “This is Yilheim. There are a lot of things you don’t know.”

  Valerius shrugged. “I can just read books about this world.”

  “Come on, Val.” Ziraiah’s voice softened. “It’ll be fun. Don’t you want to make friends?”

  Eryndor folded his arms, his tone cutting. “Perhaps it is for the best. Those nobles are vainglorious, pompous, and intolerable. Were Valerius among them, bones would undoubtedly be broken.”

  Ziraiah shot him a look. “He’s got self-control.” She turned back to Valerius. “…Right, Val?”

  Valerius smirked. “Yeah, I’ve got self-control.”

  Eryndor’s brow arched, his voice laced with quiet reproach. “Who precisely do you take me for? Must I remind you of the multitude you’ve already consigned to hospital beds?”

  Valerius’s voice rose. “Those guys deserved it.”

  Irisa tilted her head, intrigued. “Was that during your time on Earth? Now I’m curious.”

  “Earth?” Juvian repeated. “Is that where they’re from?”

  Pungence’s eyes flicked sharply toward Irisa. His voice was cold. “How do you know that name?”

  Irisa met his gaze without flinching. “I know a lot.”

  “…I see.” Pungence whispered.

  Eryndor exhaled, fingers pressing against the bridge of his nose. “When Valerius was but five years of age, he brutalized a grown man nearly to death—merely for casting an indecorous glance toward our mother. The man was left crippled, bereft of the ability to walk. Valerius was, of course, punished with severity… but the damage had already been wrought.”

  Eliana’s eyes widened. “At five years old? How strong was he?”

  “Stronger than any man,” Eryndor said evenly, his tone measured as steel. “A strength in which he once took unbridled pride—until this world, in its cruelty, deigned to humble him.”

  Valerius groaned. “Dude, why’d you have to tell them that?”

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  “There is no detriment,” Eryndor replied with composure. “It is hardly a secret.”

  The Waver descended, docking smoothly into the hangar beside Pungence’s estate. Its great doors parted to reveal a sprawling home ontop of a mountain, overlooking the city with the best view Heful had to offer.

  Pungence rose from his seat, one massive hand gripping Mr. Baby by the head as if he were nothing more than a toy.

  “Oi!” Mr. Baby protested, legs kicking. “Easy, man — yuh squeezin’ mi skull too tight!”

  The others disembarked.

  Eryndor stretched, looking around. “This is home, Valerius.”

  Valerius stepped out, eyes widening at the scale of the house. “Whose place is this?”

  “Pungence’s,” Ziraiah said proudly.

  Valerius blinked. “He must be rich.”

  “Oh, he is,” Ziraiah replied. “This estate has the best view in the entire city.”

  Pungence’s deep voice rumbled. “Eliana, you’ll stay with me for a while, we have something to discuss. I’ll inform your parents myself. As for you…” He held up Mr. Baby by the head, dangling him like a rag doll. “…once I resume duty, you’re going straight to Strikers Hell. Regretting your decision now, aren’t you?”

  Mr. Baby just sucked his teeth. “Tch.”

  Pungence’s gaze shifted, locking on Irisa. “And you… before you leave, you’ll tell me how you know about Earth. You don’t have a choice in the matter.”

  He opened the door, gesturing. “Juvian, Isebala — go home.”

  As they filed inside, his voice cut back to Valerius, heavy with warning.

  “Valerius. Bravo poisons those around you. Prolonged exposure leads to death. You’ll have to learn to seal it. I will teach you how.”

  Valerius froze. Bravo can… be sealed? He thought of Esky. Why didn’t she ever tell me that?

  Ziraiah’s eyes widened. “Wait, are you saying he’s been poisoning us?”

  “Yes,” Pungence said bluntly. “But don’t worry. It won’t harm you. You’re strong enough to endure it. But people like Eliana — without augmentation — they aren’t safe.”

  Eliana stiffened, her face paling.

  Pungence’s voice softened, just slightly. “Don’t worry, Eliana. You’ve only been exposed for a short while. You’ll be fine.”

  The moment they stepped into the house, Andrea — Aunty Ann — rushed forward. She wrapped Ziraiah in a crushing hug, tears streaming down her face.

  “My babyyyyy… I’m so sorry you had to go through all that.”

  Her eyes flicked to Pungence, sharpening with fury.

  “I told you! Those people are evil! The poor girl nearly killed her own brother! What would have happened if that old man hadn’t saved her?”

  Ziraiah clung to her, whispering. “Sorry, Aunty Ann. But going was worth it. Because… look who we found.”

  Valerius stepped through the doorway.

  Andrea’s eyes widened. “…Oh my. The lost brother.”

  Ziraiah blinked. “How did you—”

  “Please,” Andrea said softly, “anyone can tell.”

  Eryndor followed behind. Andrea swept him into a hug. “I’m so glad you’re safe.”

  He smiled faintly.

  Then she turned to Valerius, standing rigid in the entryway. She stepped close, her eyes narrowing as she looked him up and down.

  “Where did you learn Bravo? And how do you have two kinds?”

  Valerius froze. “Uh—”

  “Stop it, Andrea,” Pungence interrupted, his voice firm. “Don’t ambush the boy like that. Let him breath. He’ll explain everything in time.”

  Irisa stood silently in the corner, her silver eyes gleaming with curiosity. So she felt it too.

  Andrea’s eyes softened as she approached Eliana.

  “You’ve grown up so much, Princess. How are your mother and father?”

  Eliana rubbed her ear shyly. “They’re fine.”

  Andrea's gaze shifted toward Pungence. “ Pungence… when was the last time we went to Ignir together?”

  Pungence tilted his head. “I don’t know.”

  Andrea sighed sharply. “Of course you don’t. You never remember anything.”

  Pungence’s brows furrowed. “What’s that supposed to mean? Hey—”

  But Andrea had already turned away. She looped her arm through Eliana’s and said warmly, “Come. I’ll take you to the place your father used to stay when he visited. It’s not as big as your castle, but… it’s comfortable.”

  Her voice sharpened suddenly. “STEREEN!”

  From somewhere deeper in the house came the quick reply: “Yes, Aunty Ann!”

  “Take the guests to their rooms. And get a cell ready for that Baby. I’ve got a few words for him.”

  Valerius raised a brow at Eryndor. “You have a cell here?”

  “Indeed,” Eryndor affirmed with a deliberate nod. “Beneath the mountain—hollowed deep into its heart.”

  Before Valerius could respond, Ziraiah came dashing back into the hall, grabbing his hand.

  “Come on! Let’s show Val around!”

  Andrea’s voice rang sharp. “What did I say about running in the house?”

  Ziraiah froze, cheeks red. “Sorry, Aunty Ann…”

  ---

  She led Valerius deeper into the estate until they reached a wide chamber lined with glowing runes. In the center stood a treadmill, racks of massive weights, and strange, glowing exercise equipment that radiated faint energy.

  “This,” Ziraiah announced proudly, “is our training hall.”

  Valerius squinted at the machines. “You can really train with these?”

  Ziraiah grinned. “Don’t worry. It’s not like Earth. All of this is enchanted. The whole room is enchanted.”

  “Enchanted?” Valerius muttered, skeptical.

  “See?” Ziraiah folded her arms, smirking. “You don’t know anything. That’s why you should go to school. Even Eryndor goes — and he’s smarter than you.”

  Valerius shot her a glare. “And so what?”

  Ziraiah just sighed and pointed toward the chamber. “Go on. Try it out.”

  Valerius raised a brow. “Where are you going?”

  She skipped toward the control booth, which overlooked the chamber with a reinforced window.

  “The room is controlled from here. Pungence used to train here — so let’s see if you can even keep up.”

  Valerius smirked, folding his arms. “Is that a challenge?”

  Ziraiah grabbed the mic in the booth, her voice echoing through the chamber’s speakers.

  “If you think you’re tough enough, go for it. Let’s start easy… ten times gravity.”

  She flicked a glowing switch. The room hummed — and suddenly the pull of gravity deepened tenfold.

  Valerius rolled his shoulders, unimpressed. “Really? I don’t feel anything.”

  Ziraiah smirked. “Did you know gravity isn’t the same everywhere in the world? Pungence told us there are places even we can’t walk in.”

  Valerius nodded faintly. “Where I was… the gravity was different too. I couldn’t move for months.”

  Ziraiah’s smirk widened. “Then let’s crank it up.”

  She twisted the dial. The weight doubled, then surged.

  “One hundred thousand G.”

  Valerius didn’t flinch. “Still nothing.”

  “Fine.” Ziraiah’s grin turned sly as she twisted the dial.

  “One million G.”

  The training chamber rumbled, the floor groaning under the sudden spike in gravity. Valerius didn’t so much as flinch. He stood there casually, arms folded, a faint smirk on his lips.

  “Okay, Val,” Ziraiah muttered, narrowing her eyes. She spun the dial again.

  “Fifty million.”

  The air grew heavy, the walls of the chamber creaked like they were ready to collapse. Valerius only lifted a hand and gave her a lazy wave, still smiling as if nothing had changed.

  Ziraiah’s grin widened. “Show-off.”

  With a flick of her wrist.

  “One. Billion.”

  “Okay…” He exhaled, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “I’m starting to feel something.”

  The room groaned under the sudden pressure. The floor remained intact, the air itself thickened.

  Valerius’s arms flexed as his muscles resisted. A bead of sweat trickled down his brow.

  “You okay, Val?” Ziraiah teased through the mic.

  “Of course.” His voice was steady, though his jaw clenched.

  “Really? Cuz it looks like you’re sweating.”

  Valerius scoffed. “I’m not sweating.”

  Ziraiah leaned closer to the glass, laughing. “Dude — you’re literally sweating.”

  Eryndor stood behind her, hands clasped calmly, but a faint smile tugged at his lips.

  “This,” Ziraiah continued, “is the room where Pungence used to beat the hell out of Eryndor.”

  “Kindly refrain from articulating it in so graceless a manner,” Eryndor interjected dryly.

  ---

  To Be Continued...