The clock struck 7:00 a.m., and the large calendar hanging on the bedroom wall clearly marked today as Sunday.
Sunlight crept gently through the gap in the curtains, casting a warm glow across the corners of the room.
But a ten-year-old boy remained sprawled comfortably on his bed, wrapped in a thick blanket, lost in dreams far too cozy to leave behind.
The calm of the morning was abruptly shattered by the loud bang of a door flung open.
BAAANGG!!!
"LUCIAN, WAKE UP!!!"
That voice—sharp, unmistakable—belonged to none other than his mother.
Lucian jolted.
His eyes blinked halfway open, puffy and heavy with sleep. With a sluggish groan, he rolled to one side and yanked the blanket over his face, trying to retreat into the embrace of his dream.
"Mom… why are you being so loud…? It's Sunday…" he mumbled, barely audible, like a whisper from another world.
But his mother was relentless.
"Lucian! Have you forgotten? We have an event with the Quess family today!"
At the mention of that name, what little morning spirit Lucian had instantly drained away.
He let out a deep, dramatic sigh—the kind only a child could muster—his silent protest echoing louder than any words.
The Quess family.
That name was far from unfamiliar to Lucian.
Since he was little, he had often been brought to various family gatherings with them.
His father, Zaves Valenhardt, had been a long-time business partner of Tony Quess, the head of the Quess household.
Their collaboration didn't just yield great profits—it also forged a close bond between the two families.
"Hurry up, Lucian! Your father and your little brother are already at the table waiting for breakfast," his mother called again, now with a slightly annoyed tone—a mix of weariness and urgency.
With great reluctance, Lucian finally rolled out of bed.
He shuffled toward the bathroom like a morning zombie, letting out a long yawn as he went.
Not long after freshening up and changing clothes, he joined his family in the dining room, where they were already seated around a round table, the air rich with the delicious aroma of toast, boiled eggs, and warm tea.
At the end of the table sat his father, Zaves Valenhardt, a man in his mid-thirties, calmly enjoying a slice of bread and a cup of tea while reading from his tablet, thin silver-framed glasses perched on his nose.
Though often stern and disciplined, there was always a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips when he spoke to his children—a quiet testament to his love as a father.
"Lucian Valenhardt, since when did you become such a slacker?" Zaves asked, casting a sharp glance toward his son who had just taken his seat.
"If you keep this up, how do you expect to inherit the family business someday?"
Lucian let out a long sigh, picking up a piece of toast. "I'm not lazy, Dad. I just… really didn't know we had plans with the Quess family today," he replied, trying to defend himself.
His mother, seated across the table as she prepared warm milk for the youngest, simply chuckled softly.
"He's just lazy, darling. He realized it was Sunday last night, so he stayed up later than usual," his mother said with a chuckle.
Lucian immediately pouted, his cheeks turning slightly red. "Mom, don't say that!" he whined, half-embarrassed, half-annoyed.
Zaves let out a quiet chuckle, barely holding back a laugh. "Shall I sign you up for Sentinel training, then? So you'll know what it's like to face terrifying monsters?"
Lucian fell silent. His eyes dropped to his plate, and the laughter on his lips faded into a soft murmur,
"How could I ever join the Sentinels… I can't even use Arcane..."
The room suddenly fell quiet.
In a world where Arcane was the core power shared by all four races, Lucian was one of the rare few born without a single trace of Arcane flowing through his veins.
A condition so rare that some even considered it a disgrace.
Most newborns would show signs of Arcane right after birth. Soft glows, surges of energy, or even detectable pulses picked up by magical medical devices. But Lucian had shown none of them.
He was an anomaly in a world built on magic.
And at that breakfast table, though he appeared calm on the outside, Lucian's heart churned. He wasn't just upset about being woken up early, he was frustrated at how life constantly reminded him that he was different.
"Dad, what's today's event about anyway?" Lucian asked, idly swirling his spoon around his plate, trying to make this lazy Sunday morning feel less like a burden.
"Nothing formal," Zaves replied casually. "Mr. Tony just wants us to have a riverside meal. Says it's time for some family bonding."
Lucian managed a faint smile. In his mind, such gatherings didn't last long. A few hours of sitting, eating, chatting, then going home. Not too bad… or so he thought. Until one name crossed his mind.
"Is Cecilia coming too, Dad?" he asked, his voice flat, yet secretly hoping for a 'no'.
"Of course she is, Lucian. It's a family thing," Zaves answered immediately, without the slightest awareness of his son's growing dread.
Lucian slumped back into his chair, tilting his head toward the ceiling as if asking fate itself why that annoying girl had to come too.
Cecilia Quess.
The second child of Tony Quess. A cheerful girl with a smile that rarely left her face. Pretty, bright, and far too talented for someone her age.
She was the same age as Lucian, but her life seemed… perfect.
Even at such a young age, Cecilia could already control her Arcane with ease.
Her element was ice, she could conjure frozen crystals with a mere wave of her hand.
And what annoyed Lucian the most? His parents never stopped comparing him to her.
"Look at Cecilia, she's your age but already mastering her Arcane."
"Cecilia is such a gifted child…"
"If only you could be more like Cecilia, we'd be so proud."
Each word felt like a tiny needle pricking at his pride.
What made it worse was that Cecilia herself never seemed to realize just how irritating she was to him.
She loved drawing attention, teasing him, and sometimes even embarrassing him in public.
All with that sweet, innocent smile and playful giggles that only made adults fonder of her instead of scolding her.
---
Lucian's father, mother, and his three-year-old younger brother were already waiting inside the sleek black family car.
The back door opened automatically, and Lucian trudged toward it, still groggy and reluctant.
He slumped into the middle seat, leaning against the window, eyes gazing up at the sky, wishing the ride would go by quickly—and without any annoying surprises.
Once everyone was ready, Zaves started the engine.
A soft vrrrooom broke the morning stillness, followed by the cheerful babble of Lucian's little brother from his car seat in the back.
"Where are we going, Papa?" murmured the little boy, his words not yet fully formed, but sounding sweet and sincere from his tiny lips.
Zaves, checking the rearview mirror, turned briefly toward his youngest and smiled warmly.
"We're going to eat by the riverside, sweetheart. It's a beautiful place—you're going to love it," he said, reaching back to gently pinch the boy's soft cheek, making him giggle with delight.
Lucian glanced over, and although still feeling lazy, he couldn't help but smile faintly at the sight of his father and little brother.
Maybe this trip wouldn't be so bad after all.
The car began to move, gliding past the familiar streets of District C, which gradually shifted from rows of sleek modern houses to a soothing stretch of green landscape.
Along the way, laughter and chatter filled the car.
His mother began recounting a funny moment from the night before, how the little one had cursed at their father for refusing to feed him.
His father followed up with a silly comment, and Lucian's baby brother burst into laughter, even though he didn't really understand the joke.
Lucian, though mostly a quiet observer, felt a warmth rising in his chest.
Maybe… just maybe, it would be a decent Sunday after all.
Roughly thirty minutes later, the car came to a gentle stop beside a picturesque river that flowed peacefully through the heart of the green zone.
Paradise River, people called it.
Located in District D, just one district away from their home in District C, but the atmosphere was worlds apart.
Here, the air was calm, serene, and fresh.
The sunlight danced on the water's surface, making it shimmer like a stream of diamonds. Tall trees swayed gently in the breeze, and the soft gurgle of the clear river filled the air with tranquil harmony.
On the riverside, another car was already parked.
Lucian recognized it instantly and his face changed.
The Quess family had arrived.
And if they were here, that could only mean…
"Cecilia must be here too," he muttered under his breath, half-sighing, half-bracing himself for the possibility that this peaceful morning could still go downhill.
---
A gentle morning breeze whispered through the air, brushing their faces and rustling the treetops.
Fresh air blanketed the Paradise River, making every step they took across the green meadow feel light and easy.
Lucian walked alongside his family, heading toward a group of people sitting on a large blanket laid out on the riverside.
The blanket was wide enough to fit ten people, perfect for a big family gathering.
At the far end, a man stood and waved enthusiastically, clearly recognizing them.
"Hey! Over here!" he called out in his booming, spirited voice, the unmistakable sound of Tony Quess, Zaves Valenhardt's longtime business partner and close friend.
A warm smile spread across Zaves's face. He quickened his pace, followed by his wife carrying the youngest child, and Lucian walking beside them.
When they reached the group, the two men embraced tightly, a clear sign of deep friendship forged over many years.
Soon, the wives greeted each other too, their cheerful chatter bubbling up like old friends picking up a conversation mid-sentence.
While Lucian watched them interact, a deep yet gentle voice spoke beside him.
"Hey, Lucian. You've grown, haven't you?"
Lucian quickly turned toward the source of the voice.
His eyes narrowed slightly as he tried to recognize the young man who looked unfamiliar… yet oddly familiar.
It took him a few seconds before it finally clicked.
"Big bro!!" Lucian exclaimed, eyes lighting up. Without hesitation, he ran straight into the young man's arms, hugging him with unrestrained enthusiasm.
The young man chuckled softly, gently ruffling Lucian's hair.
"Haha, it's been a while, Lucian," he said warmly.
Julien Quess the eldest son of Tony Quess and the only sibling of Cecilia Quess. At seventeen, he was already known for his brilliance, currently studying at the most prestigious university in District K.
Due to his demanding schedule, Julien rarely attended family gatherings, making his presence today a pleasant surprise.
"You're on break?" Lucian asked, eyes full of excitement.
"Yeah. I've got a two-week holiday. Things calmed down a bit, so I figured I'd tag along for today's family gathering" Julien replied with a calm smile.
"Awesome! So how long—"
Before Lucian could finish his sentence, a sharp, pointed voice cut through the air.
"You talk too much. He's my brother, you know!"
Lucian turned, and just as he expected, there she was Cecilia Quess, hands on her hips, long black hair swaying slightly in the breeze.
Lucian squinted and crossed his arms.
"We're both Mans. You wouldn't understand Man stuff."
Cecilia raised a brow.
"You're a man, sure, but weaker than me. Remember when you slipped on the rainwater and cried? I slipped three times and laughed every time instead of bawling like you did."
She smirked, one corner of her lips curling upward.
"What a crybaby."
Lucian's face turned red, equal parts embarrassment and irritation. He muttered under his breath, unable to come up with a comeback because, annoyingly, she wasn't wrong.
Meanwhile, Julien merely chuckled quietly, watching the familiar exchange unfold like clockwork.
Despite all the teasing, jabs, and faux animosity, he knew deep down that there was something special an invisible thread that connected Lucian and Cecilia in a way they themselves didn't fully grasp yet.