At the port of the base, Chief Kade sat in a chair a few feet from the landing platform. He was calm and patient, occasionally glancing at his watch as he waited. Moments later, a vehicle swooped in, kicking up dust and wind as it landed. Kade smiled, the kind of smile someone gives when greeting a close relative.
The vehicle finally came to a stop, and the door hissed open.
A teenage girl stepped out. She had red hair, green eyes, and was wearing a designer t-shirt and joggers, with a matching head warmer.
"Took you long enough," Kade said with a grin, standing up. The girl spotted him and walked toward him, pausing for a moment before laughing softly.
"Since my dad's a chief now, am I supposed to hug him?" she teased.
Kade chuckled. "What do you think, Fey? You haven't seen me in six months."
"But it's not my fault!" Fey pouted. "You're always busy, and I told you I wanted to live with you."
"You still need to finish school and enter the academy," Kade replied.
"What if I don't want to go to the academy?" Fey shot back, crossing her arms. "What if I want to become a hunter like you, Dad?"
Kade's smile grew. "How about we take a walk?"
They left the port and walked down the street, engaging in a father-daughter conversation.
A few minutes later, they were near the library.
"So, hunters are supposed to take the spoil of an intermediate beast before they can become hunters?" Fey asked, curiosity evident in her voice.
Kade nodded. "Yep."
"Well, that sounds ridiculous," Fey commented, scrunching her nose.
"It wouldn't sound so ridiculous if you knew what spoil I took," Kade said with a grin. "I gave it to your mom as an anniversary gift."
Fey's eyes widened in surprise. "You mean the silver clothing?"
"Yes, the silver clothing."
"Wow," Fey whispered, clearly impressed.
Kade sighed and looked ahead. "Things are changing. Now that Hugo Dwayne is sponsoring people who lack experience, even those with no powers, to become hunters..."
Fey frowned. "Why would he do that?"
"I'm not sure. All I know is he's backing a project to let the unprivileged become hunters."
"Yeah, but in a way, it's nice of him to think about others. There are people who dream of becoming hunters but can't, just because they're weak," Fey said thoughtfully.
They stopped at a junction, taking a moment to gather their thoughts.
"There's a reason the weak aren't chosen to become hunters," Kade said, his tone turning serious. "Give them a week, maybe a month at most, and they wouldn't survive out there."
Fey frowned, clearly trying to understand. "You're right, but if they want to become hunters, Hugo will give them everything they need. Doesn't everyone deserve a chance?"
Kade looked at her, his eyes softening. "You sound just like your mom—always so considerate."
Fey smiled proudly. "Right."
For a moment, their eyes locked, a silent understanding passing between them.
"I know you want to be a hunter, but…" Kade hesitated. "Something about it feels uncertain."
Fey squeezed his hand. "Dad, this is just one phase. If I can prove to you that I can do it, will you consider it?"
Kade smiled wryly, his mouth twitching as he pretended to deliberate. "Dad." Fey's voice was firm now.
"Fine," Kade said with a reluctant sigh, pulling out a watch and handing it to her. "Wear this. Find a team before midnight. If you do, you'll be a young hunter."
Fey took the watch, her face lighting up with excitement. "Thank you, Dad!" She gave him a tight hug, then pulled away and started crossing the street. "I better go. Time's ticking."
She looked back at him briefly before sprinting off.
Kade stood there for a moment, alone, and pulled a necklace from his pocket. It held a small picture of a young woman with red hair and hazel eyes. His gaze softened as he looked at it, a hint of melancholy crossing his face.
Meanwhile, Fey was hurrying past the library when something caught her eye. She glanced toward the entrance and saw a boy with black hair standing there, holding an umbrella above him. but he looked calm, unmoving.