Note of the autor: 「Hi guys, :D, we start this arc, i will trying to publish chapter frecuently.
Well se you ;>」
1
I got out of bed because the light found a gap in my curtain, illuminating my entire room like a detonated explosive.
"Ugh," I groaned, stretching.
I looked in the mirror, seeing my black hair and blue eyes shining in the sunlight. My brown wolf ears and tail clashed completely with the rest of me.
My room was filled with books, posters, and figures. A platypus-rabbit was sleeping peacefully on my rug.
"Patt," I said, giving him a gentle nudge with my foot.
He woke up, looking around the room in confusion.
"Where are Tinki and Trabis?" I asked.
"How should I know?" Patt replied telepathically. "Maybe they're in the kitchen."
He was probably right. I went on my way, opening the bedroom door.
I walked down the hallway to the bathroom, got in the shower, and bathed in ice cubes disguised as water.
"So cold," I muttered.
When I finished, I dried off with my green towel and headed back to my room. I put on my blue long-sleeved shirt, a brown short-sleeved leather vest, black pants, and boots that matched the vest.
"Ready," I said.
I went downstairs for breakfast, glancing at the clock in the hallway.
2026 / 05 / 29
9:00 AM. Saturday.
Exactly one month had passed since the incident with the stones. A lot had happened. My grandfather Morrison turned out to be a Virtue (Diligence, which gives him absurd physical capabilities), and they exist to combat the Sins.
I haven't heard anything from Morty... or my Uncle Darius.
Well, it makes sense; they're being hunted. But ever since then, my dreams with Merlin haven't returned.
That worries me a bit...
"GOOD MORNING, BIRTHDAY BOY!" my dad shouted.
He hugged me with inexplicable strength. Dad is a six-foot-six muscular wolf, but that doesn't mean he should squeeze me like a sardine in a tin.
Oh, right. Today is my 14th birthday.
"Good morning," I said.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DYLAN!" Tinki and Trabis chirped.
Dad let go, only to pat me repeatedly on the head.
"Ah, Dad, I'm not a doorbell," I complained.
"Oh come on, son, Dad is just playing," he said.
"Fine," I muttered.
I sat at the table where Tinki and Trabis were waiting.
"Hi, Tini," I said.
Even though her name is Tinki, I call her Tini—a nickname of endearment.
"Hi, Dylan," Tinki said. "Um, I think you noticed I fixed myself up."
I saw a butterfly clip on her head.
"Yes, it's very pretty," I said.
I stood up to pick her up in my arms, offering a smile.
"Tell me, Tini," I said, "won't you give me a birthday wish?"
"Well, happy birthday," she said, blushing—or so I thought.
I set her down and stroked Trabis's head while he ate some meat.
"HELLO DYLAN!" he shouted telepathically. "Happy birthday... wait, what is a birthday?"
"Just eat, Trabis," I said.
I went into the kitchen and leaned down to hug my mom.
"Good morning, sweetheart," Mom said. "Happy birthday."
She stroked my head and handed me a chocolate cake.
"This is your birthday breakfast," she said.
I rushed back to the table. MY GOD, it looked so good, with that white frosting and whipped cream, filled with caramel.
"Happy birthday to me," I said.
I devoured the cake in the blink of an eye, finishing with a burp.
"Wow, did you like it?" Patt asked.
Nooooo, it was so bad I had no choice but to eat it all; I'm going to go throw it up later, you hear me, Patt?
"Yes," I said aloud.
I took the plate to the sink and grabbed my leather backpack, sliding the straps over my shoulders. My supplies were inside. Trabis, Tinki, and Patt were already with me at the entrance.
"Bye, Mom! Bye, Dad!"
"Bye, my prince," Mom said.
"...."
Dad just stared at me with a smile.
"What?" I asked, laughing.
"Nothing, it's just... you," Dad said, hugging me again. "You're growing up so fast. I remember when you were just a cub..."
"Dad, I have to go to the agency," I said.
"Oh, right, right," Dad said, finally letting go. "Good luck, champ."
With that farewell, I left the house to start another average day.
2
Roberto approached the kitchen, where Tray was washing dishes. He hugged his wife from behind.
"What happened? You want another round of 'you-know-what'?" Tray asked.
"No, I just wanted to hold you, honey," Roberto said.
"Well, I'm grateful to the Lord for getting me the best father and husband," Tray said, kissing Roberto.
"Dylan has grown so much," Roberto remarked.
"Yes," Tray agreed with a melancholy sigh. "He's not a child anymore."
"...."
"He doesn't draw on the walls anymore, he doesn't throw tantrums, he doesn't cry about everything... he's very smart," Tray said. "He's doing well in the Nium world and in Rastrean."
"...."
"Honey, Dylan can't be a baby forever," Tray added.
"But..." Roberto said, "he's my little boy."
"Yes, but... you have to control yourself," Tray said. "You interrogated Lisa as if Dylan were the bride and you were the toxic father-in-law."
Roberto didn't see it that way. He had only asked: "What do you do? What are your plans? Will you stay with my son forever? Will you marry him? What is your blood type?" and a long etcetera—but they were important things.
"Well, let's go to sleep," Tray said.
"Sleep?" Roberto asked, confused.
"Yes, but the 'other' way," Tray said. "The game Dylan used to interrupt when he was little."
"AH, yes, yes," Roberto realized.
And so the two went to their room (without making Dylan a brother, because Tray had a C-section).
3
I walked down the street. On Saturdays, people tend to do crazy things.
Tinki had to hide in my bag because there was a rock fight between "gangs" (really just teenagers acting like mobsters) over a girl. Not because she was pretty or someone's girlfriend, but because that girl hits like a truck.
A truck with zero tolerance for insults. A truck where, if you look at her wrong, you'll probably get punched. That girl's name is Carla Mirtha, my "childhood friend," and honestly, I don't know what our status quo is.
"Dylan, I love you," she usually says before kissing me.
"Dylan, I need time," she says before we drift apart.
It's a roller coaster. I never know which Carla I'll get: the one who loves me and wants to be my girlfriend, or the one who just wants to hang out.
It's very confusing. She told me she needed space, but a week later she said she wanted to be my girlfriend, only to then say she needed to think about it more...
At first, I understood, but now it's getting annoying. I kept walking until I reached her house.
"Carla!!!" I shouted.
She practically flew out, said goodbye to her mom (since they had reconciled), and approached me.
Tinki gave a frustrated sigh when Carla arrived.
"Her again," Tinki said telepathically.
"Calm down," I said. "Nothing bad is going to happen."
"It's not about something happening, it's just... forget it," Tinki rambled.
"....."
Indeed, I will never understand women.
"Hi, Dylan," Carla said. "How are you?"
"Good," I replied.
"Ah, I'm glad," she laughed. "Remember, you can count on me."
"Yeah..." I said.
We walked away from her house. Along the way, she asked me one thing: What do you feel for Carla now?
Well, I resolved that doubt a month ago when I was 13. I love them both, but now the question is: In what way do you love her?
Well... that's where things change. She is a woman, and I am a man, and... it's been a while since I stopped having purely romantic feelings.
I try to convince myself I want her as my girlfriend, but with her indecision, we seem more like "friends with benefits." Actually, right now she feels more like my sister than anything else.
Besides, there's someone else...
"Hi, Harold," Carla greeted.
"Hi Carla, Dylan," Harold replied.
He has brown hair, honey-colored eyes, and a mole on his forehead. He's a "hybrid" or "half-breed" like me, except he's from the Lizardwiz race, with an orange scaled tail and fangs that are actually scary.
"Hi, Harold," I said.
Harold was carrying a couple of bricks, showing off his muscle.
"Well, I'll leave you to it, my uncle needs me. See ya," Harold said before turning and disappearing.
Poor guy lost his parents when he was barely two and went to live with his uncle; the two of them live peacefully. He's lived here for exactly two years (though I never noticed), and apparently, he and Carla have a great "connection."
"Harold is handsome, don't you think?" Carla asked.
"Well... yeah," I said.
"You are too," Carla pointed out. "There's a reason you have a girlfriend, right?"
"What are you getting at?" I asked.
".... Nothing," Carla replied.
"....."
Ugh, I definitely don't understand women. We reached "Forsake," an abandoned house where time had clearly taken its toll. The only new thing about that house was a door made of birch wood with a golden handle.
"Insert the key and... done," I said, opening the door.
We stepped into a meadow of green grass, with trees and flowers nearby, under a brilliant blue sky like an LED light.
"Tinki," I said.
Trabis, Patt, and Tinki had hidden in my shadow (because of the rock fight I perfectly dodged), and she grabbed my hand.
"Gravity Intelep," I cast.
'Gravity Intelep' is a basic teleportation spell. It only costs one reserve and has no consequences, but the catch is I have to leave a mark in the place I want to go and recharge it every 24 hours.
Anyway, an electric sensation traveled up my arm to my key, generating a vibration. A pink light enveloped us, creating a dull thudding sound.
4
The flash disappeared as we finally arrived at the Richios Agency. Carla, Lisa, Elizabeth, Elias, and Harold were all there.
"Well, I guess... see you," Carla said, and as fast as a hummingbird, she hurried away.
She left me standing in the center of the agency. The floor was made of blue-green tiles, with a fountain and wooden benches nearby.
I walked a bit until I reached the bridge with golden railings and a wooden floor. As I took my steps, I remembered Lisa.
"Dylan," she told me yesterday. "Look for me in the library, I want to see you."
".....Hehehe, Lisa-sweetie, what are you going to give me?" I thought.
I felt like my backpack vanished and glowing crystals surrounded me as I thought of her—her beautiful honey eyes and her silky brown hair.
Tinki pulled my hand, bringing me back to reality. She was looking at me with concern.
"Are you okay?" she asked. "It looks like someone cast a spell to remove your neurons."
"Maybe that spell does exist, Tinki," I replied. "It's called love."
We walked until we reached the building with four towers. Large extensions with yellowish windows and chalk-gray walls, under a blue tiled roof.
"I'm off," Patt said. "I'm going to the Evo tower."
"Okay," I said.
The agency is divided into four towers. The third is for the Evos, where they train their elemental affinity. (They can only use elements they have an affinity for, unlike mages who can use any element but do better with their own.)
Patt left for his tower along with Trabis and Tinki, because even though they wanted to stay with me, today I wanted something special. I rushed to the library. Elizabeth and Elias were just arriving today, but I've been coming since last week. I ran, squeezing the little air I had in my lungs; I wanted to see her. My body demanded it.
I ran through the hallway, paying zero attention to anything around me, until I reached a common library—nothing fancy, just giant bookshelves.
"Lisa," I said.
She came running toward me with a huge smile. She was wearing a white blouse, a blue skirt, and red shoes. She kissed me, our lips clashing, and feelings clouded my mind as I held her tight.
"Happy birthday," she said.
"Thank you," I said.
"Aren't you expecting anything else?" she asked.
"You are my greatest gift," I replied.
"Hehe, silly," Lisa said.
She kissed me again as I sat on the floor with Lisa on top of me. As we kissed, my emotions ebbed and flowed until my mind was completely clouded... I wanted us to be like this all day.
"Ah, Dylan," Lisa whispered.
The kiss stopped. For some reason, annoyance flooded me.
"What?" I said, trying to hide the bitterness.
"Um... apparently, you got excited," Lisa said.
I didn't understand what she meant until... I felt that my "little friend" was excited. Erect. Standing tall.
"Remember, son, always use protection," Mom's voice echoed in my head.
Mom... IT'S NOT THE TIME TO THINK ABOUT THAT!!!! I mean, we're 14, right? We SHOULDN'T be doing "that."
"Ah, ah, I'm sorry," I said, trying to move Lisa off me, but she stopped me.
Lisa began to move suggestively, rubbing against my "little friend."
"You know? It wouldn't be a bad gift," Lisa said.
"Li-Lisa, I, I-I, ....I," I stammered.
Strange, burning feelings... desire invaded me, clouding my mind, and the option to continue stopped being an option and became an obligation...
"Tyler!" shouted Fuyumura Milos, my secretary. "Do not do these kinds of things in public!"
She had a hunched posture, long black hair, and eyes of the same color—sharp and intimidating.
"Ah, I guess we'll see each other later," Lisa said, giving me one last kiss on the cheek.
She stood up and left.
5
And just like that, the tension, the fire, and my urge to continue were gone, replaced by shame and the desire to bury myself ten feet underground.
"Hi, Fuyumura," I said with a sly smile.
".... Do you think I'll ignore the fact that you tried to have sex in the library?" she asked in an annoyed tone.
"Well, I'll ignore the fact that you read BL," I countered.
".....What do you know?" she asked.
"A lot," I said.
Yes, in this world there is BL—usually between a muscular general and a skinny blond prince.
Reading that stuff is basically killing your reputation.
"...." Fuyumura stared at me. "You are a spawn of evil."
"...."
I looked at her with a malicious grin.
"Maybe," I said.
"To the point," Fuyumura said. "There will be a tournament in two weeks.
All the youth from the agencies gather to see which agency is the best in the competition."
Then she paused to look at me. I already knew what was coming, because the descendant of Merlin has to be great, right?
"I need you tomorrow. You are one of the few who has to go, whether you want to or not."
"...."
Great. And I just wanted to be lazy tomorrow.
"Ugh, okay," I said.
"Good," she replied.
Then she grabbed a book.
"I'll expect you tomorrow at the Evo tower."
She walked out the door without another word.
Ugh, dammit.
"Eliiiii, I don't want to go!!!!!!!" I groaned, resting my head on the sofa in the lounge area.
"By Odin, Dylan," Elizabeth said. Her reddish-orange hair and emerald eyes were the same as ever.
"Fuhaha! It would be a great opportunity," Elias added.
We were in an area with a table and two sofas. I was on one with Elizabeth sitting beside me; Elias was opposite us on the other sofa.
"For once, Elias, you're right," Elizabeth said. "Anyway, how's it going with Carla?"
"Ah," I sighed.
"For the love of... Dylan, haven't you cleared things up?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yes, but no," I said.
"..."
"Ester would say something like... I don't know what Ester would say, but I'm sure she'd say something," Elias remarked.
"....."
"Dylan, are you still looking for Morty?" Elizabeth asked.
"What?" I said.
"You heard me," Elizabeth repeated.
"...."
I'm not....
Or....
No....
Or....
I....
"I want answers," I said. "That's all."
"To what?" Elizabeth asked.
"I don't know..."
"You never know anything," Elias noted.
"Hey, it's my birthday, at least give me a gift or a compliment," I requested.
"We already told you: 'Gifts are for the six of us,'" Elizabeth repeated.
"Exactly," Elias said, eating a chocolate cookie I had brought.
Then I got up from the sofa so we could head to my house. I picked up the Evos and we reached the normal world. The Mist (like in Percy Jackson) is an invisible layer to everything "non-normal."
We got home, and Lisa and my dad greeted us, shouting:
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"
"Thank you," I said.
We went into the living room, where a chocolate cake was waiting for us. Everyone found a seat and started talking about their lives. Elias about how hard it was to sand a sword; Lisa about... toxicity; Dad about... being careful who you cross; and finally, Mom with the typical speech:
"You are my greatest pride, I love you."
Carla wasn't there, nor was Harold. They said:
"Sorry, Dylan, we're busy."
In what? How? Where? How much? Why?
I'm starting to have a lot of doubts, so many...
"I hope our paths cross again, Dylan Tyler."
Morty's voice appeared the instant I blew out the candles. What did he want? Why? Where is he? What did he do? Why did he do it?
I don't know...
Something is eating at me, but it's better to ignore it for now and focus later. I just want to celebrate my birthday in peace.
"See ya, Dylan," Elizabeth and Elias said before leaving.
Patt and Trabis were quickly eating the leftovers of the cake.
"Goodbye," I said.
"Goodbye, love," Lisa said, giving me a kiss on the mouth.
"Bye, sweetie," I said.
We both laughed, and she left.
Tinki was sleeping on my mom's lap.
My gifts were:
A book series (Eragon)
A Switch (with several games)
A notebook
A magic stone (for healing)
And money, both magical and normal ($720 of each—I love you, grandparents!)
Overall, I liked them. Dad grabbed my arm and said:
"I have one more gift for you."
He gave me a hug.
"You're sleeping with Dad tonight."
After bathing and putting the Evos in a good spot to sleep (and giving Trabis some chamomile tea so he'd sleep), I lay in my bed while Dad pulled me to his chest.
"Dad, I have to go to a tournament," I said.
"I know, son," he told me.
We both fell silent.
"I remember when you were five and you couldn't or wouldn't sleep without me," Dad said.
"Yeah," I said.
After a few minutes, we both fell asleep hugging each other.
Today was a good birthday.