A few months later…

  Time passed quickly at the villa. Toma’s daily life had recently consisted of intense studying and constant training.

  The final exams were approaching, and Carter and Iseon called the team together for a meeting in the library.

  Toma and the others headed there full of hope.

  “What do you think they want to tell us at the meeting?” Lyrien wondered.

  Toma remained optimistic. “I’m sure we’re going to talk about the final exams—there’s only a month left until they start.”

  Arlen nodded in agreement. “Yes, we’ve studied hard and prepared well over the past months. I’m sure we’ll graduate successfully!”

  “Yes, I think so too!” Toma added.

  But the moment the three friends stepped into the library, their confidence faltered.

  Carter’s serious voice cut through the room. “Come, take a seat!”

  Iseon stood beside him, his face calm but solemn.

  “As you may have already guessed, we would like to speak with you about your upcoming final exams. Carter and I have discussed this a great deal over the past few days, and believe me, we took many factors into consideration.”

  Carter took over the conversation.

  “That’s right. And believe me, we made our decision in your best interest. We’ve decided that you will not be allowed to participate in the upcoming final exam. This discussion is over!”

  The words hit like a hammer.

  Toma and Arlen froze.

  Toma struggled to breathe. “What? Wait! Wait just a second! What do you mean discussion closed?!”

  Arlen immediately supported him. “Yeah, how can it be that we’re not allowed to go? We agreed that we’d be there for the final exams!”

  Carter crossed his arms, unmoved. “You can be there. At the next one.”

  Lyrien remained calm, her voice steady. “And when will the next one be?”

  “Late spring – early summer.”

  Toma snapped. “What?! That’s at least seven months away!”

  “I know,” Carter admitted without hesitation. “But with your current performance, you won’t be able to pass the final exams. You need to study more in every subject—I discussed it thoroughly with Iseon. At the moment, only Lyrien has a chance of graduating, because she’s much more diligent than you boys.”

  Arlen looked away in frustration. “Oh come on… another seven months…”

  Iseon’s voice softened. “I’m sorry, boys, but Inspector Carter and I want you to be able to pass your final exams smoothly. So let’s continue studying the way we have been.”

  “Exactly,” Carter concluded firmly. “Discussion closed. You may leave!”

  “But—” Toma tried to argue.

  Carter cut him off instantly. “No buts! Toma, you just recently had your 16th birthday. You’re still very young. You’ll have plenty of time to be a warrior.”

  Anger burned in Toma’s chest.

  Before he could explode, Lyrien gently stepped in. “Come on, Toma. It’s better if we just go.”

  They left the library and stepped out onto the terrace for fresh air.

  But Toma couldn’t calm down.

  “I can’t believe this!”

  Arlen’s face showed the same disappointment.

  Lyrien tried to ease the tension. “I’m sorry, guys, but Carter and Mr. Iseon are right. Let’s try to use these remaining seven months to improve as much as possible.”

  “That’s true,” Arlen admitted after a moment. “That’s the best thing we can do right now.”

  Toma let out a heavy sigh. “Yeah… but still… seven months is such a long time…”

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  “Maybe,” Arlen continued thoughtfully, “but I think the real problem is that we got carried away imagining our success.”

  Toma slowly nodded. “Maybe…”

  And so, in the months that followed, they continued preparing for graduation.

  ***

  A few more months went by, and Carter found himself on another investigation. Seated at his desk in his office, he held three photographs in his hand.

  Kiron, Amon, Kaden.

  The three men responsible for the destruction in New Hale City.

  His eyes narrowed as he stared at their faces.

  “Who exactly are you? And where are you hiding?”

  Meanwhile, outside, Lyrien, Arlen, and Toma were training together.

  The sound of footsteps approached, and Carter’s voice reached them. “Sorry to disturb you, but could I talk to you for a few minutes? More precisely, Toma and Arlen. I want to speak with you. Lyrien isn’t involved in this matter.”

  “Of course!”

  “Go ahead, Carter!”

  Carter stepped closer, his expression serious. “Do you still remember our last mission against the giant demon? I know it was almost a year ago now, but I assume you know what I’m talking about.”

  Toma answered without hesitation. “Of course! I could never forget it—we risked our lives that day…”

  Arlen nodded firmly. “Yes, we remember. But what about them? Have they resurfaced?”

  Carter scratched the back of his head. “Yes… it seems so. And they hacked into the global network system…”

  Arlen’s eyes widened. “What? So they control the entire internet and all online activity?”

  “Not anymore,” Carter clarified, his tone turning colder. “But they broadcast a message that is forbidden, and every internet user could see it at exactly the same time.”

  Determination filled Toma’s eyes. “And what will our task be?”

  A faint smile appeared on Carter’s face. “I like how straightforward you are, Toma. Your task would be to come with me tomorrow to the capital, to the Cybersecurity and Defense Center, where we can investigate the case.”

  “That sounds great!”

  “Okay, we’re definitely coming!”

  Beside them, Lyrien let out a long sigh. “Oh, I’m so jealous… It’s so nice that you get to go to the capital.”

  Carter laughed softly. “You know what, Lyrien? You can come with us too. We’ll spend a few days in the capital and look around.”

  Her eyes lit up instantly. “Wow, seriously?”

  “That’s amazing!”

  “Thank you, Carter!”

  ***

  They set off early the next morning.

  For a change, this time they didn’t travel by limousine but by a luxury sports car.

  Toma sat in the passenger seat beside Carter, clearly enjoying the ride. “This car is crazy!”

  Behind the wheel, Carter smirked. “I know. The capital isn’t far—with this car, we’ll get there quickly. In the capital, a lot of people drive luxury cars like this, so that’s why I brought it. Besides, it’s hard to get around crowded cities with a limousine.”

  Toma’s gaze drifted to the speedometer. His eyes widened in shock. “Are we going nearly 250?!”

  A laugh escaped Carter. “Relax, this is the highway. I can push the car as much as I want here. And I don’t buy these cars just for show—I like to use their speed.”

  “That’s so cool!”

  With Carter driving at extreme speed, they reached their destination quickly.

  They had arrived in the capital.

  First, they stopped at a nearby five-star hotel, dropped off their belongings, and immediately set off again. There was no time for sightseeing now—they headed straight for the Cybersecurity and Defense Center.

  Still, Toma and Arlen couldn’t help staring at the city with wide eyes.

  They had never seen anything like it.

  In the heart of the city, a slender tower pierced the sky, its glass surface glowing gold in the light of dusk. Looking up at it almost made them dizzy, its peak blending into the pink-blue sky. The surrounding skyscrapers mirrored the water and city lights, their reflective surfaces making it seem as if the buildings themselves were alive.

  As they walked along the promenade, softly lit stone pavement stretched beneath their feet. Carefully shaped green spaces and palm trees lined the path. The air carried a faint humidity from the nearby water, and the gentle rhythm of fountains filled the space. From the turquoise surface, golden columns of water rose, their light reflecting across the glass buildings.

  As they approached a curved bridge, the city felt both modern and ceremonial. Every structure was clean and monumental, every line deliberate and elegant. The fading sunlight and evening illumination together created a strange, dreamlike atmosphere.

  The city wasn’t just spectacular.

  It was captivating.

  Open spaces, breathtaking heights, and futuristic architecture surrounded them—coldly modern, yet filled with warm light.

  Toma’s breath caught as he turned to Carter. “Is this the heart of the city?”

  A small smile appeared on Carter’s face. “No. This is just one district—a small part of the capital.”

  Even Lyrien stared in awe. “I’ve never been here before… This city is breathtaking. How should I say it… It feels modern, yet traditional and clean at the same time…”

  Carter nodded. “That’s because the city was built using Elven technology, combined with human architectural design.”

  He then pointed toward the distant skyline.

  “Do you see that massive tower-like building far away? It’s the royal palace. The most beautiful building in the entire capital. That’s the true heart of the city. The royal family lives there, all warrior divisions gather there, and every major political assembly takes place there.”

  “That’s incredible!”

  Still, confusion lingered on Toma and Arlen’s faces.

  Toma looked around at the crowds. “But… why are there so many people?”

  Arlen nodded in agreement. “I’ve never seen this many before.”

  “Me neither!” Toma added. “There are people here with all kinds of skin tones.”

  “And people with completely different eye shapes too.” Arlen remarked.

  Carter let out a quiet sigh. “Hey… did you two grow up in a cave or something? There are many kinds of people here. If someone has a different skin color or eye shape, it simply means they come from another part of the planet. This is the city of diversity. Everyone here is free and equal.”

  He glanced at their bright hair with a faint smirk.

  “Just because you’ve only seen people from your village doesn’t mean others wouldn’t find you unusual too—with your blue and red hair. People aren’t defined by their appearance, but by who they are inside.”

  Toma nodded slowly. “Yeah… I agree. We come from a small village. We’ve never met people like this before. It really feels like another world… But my goal is to protect everyone. No matter who they are.”

  Arlen nodded firmly. “I feel the same way.”

  Carter reached over and ruffled both of their hair. “You’re good kids. Trust me, you’ll get used to the capital soon enough.”

  He turned forward again.

  “But for now, let’s keep moving. We still have somewhere to be.”

  “Okay!”

  “Let’s go!”

  The novel has now passed its first 50 chapters, and I want to sincerely thank everyone who has been reading the story.

  That said, this is still just the beginning.

  Starting from Chapter 51, the story moves into its first major arc, where the world, conflicts, and characters begin to expand in a much bigger way. The stakes rise, the pacing intensifies, and the deeper layers of the story start to unfold.

  If you've been waiting to see where things truly begin — this is where it happens.

  Make sure to follow so you don’t miss what comes next!