The group stops between the main building and the lush green field. The wind flows gently, carrying the calm of a day finally winding down. The setting sun paints everything gold—as if the world itself is telling them to breathe after the storm.
Standing alone is Mr. Mister. Different from his usual antique flair, his slicked-back hair now falls loose, and he quietly watches the trio.
"I trust there's no issue with what happened today..." he says, his gaze sharp.
"Yes, Mr. Reggie— I mean, Mr. Mister," Niko answers quickly.
Mr. Mister shoots him a glare but lets out a sigh.
"Forget what Ms. Quack said. Ever since she and I got into... an accident, she's been different. Multiple personalities—at least, that's the diagnosis." Mr. Mister pauses, then adds,
"As for the facility you saw—let's just say there was a miscommunication."
Lia squints. "Wait, the teacher from the greenhouse? She was creepy."
"That was Ms. Quack," Mr. Mister says, exasperated.
"Ms. Jobber is a senior citizen, mind you. She's still around the greenhouse sometimes—but not crawling on the floor or creeping around like that. She's mostly admin, not active field staff."
The three glance at each other awkwardly, lowering their heads. All except Rai.
Mr. Mister notices. Rai is clutching his right hand, still trembling. Pain? Fear?
"Lift your hand," Mr. Mister orders.
Rai hesitates, then raises it. Golden veins crawl from a growing mark in his palm, forming a strange black circle—almost like a cannon hole, etched into his skin.
"I see... I never thought I'd meet a descendant of him," Mr. Mister mutters, rubbing his chin.
"The what?" Lia blinks, confused.
"It's a lineage stuff," Niko chimes in.
"Some people born with special marks that grant them abilities. It only passes down through blood. Like one of our seniors has a special mark on his body—except his is on the left shoulder. His name is YoYo Yostar."
Lia furrows her brow.
"Quite bizarre, isn't it?" Niko shrugs. "I believe he's off on some adventure right now."
Lia doesn't even try to wrap her head around this. She simply chooses to ignore it all.
"I think you should go to the infirmary. You two should move along and get some rest," Mr. Mister said.
"Dismissed," then he turned and left them.
"What should we do, Niko?" asks Lia. Niko glances at Rai, still in shock and not quite himself.
"We've seen enough weird stuff today," Niko muttered. "Maybe... just this once, let's follow orders."
Rai, still holding his hand, nods and walks off on his own. The weight of the day clings to his shoulders, the mark in his palm pulsing like a brand.
"Should we tag along?" Lia whispers to Niko.
"We shouldn't. It's personal and I think we shouldn't interfere." Niko replied. Lia's bag starts moving around.
Bell hovers silently, then mutters, "He's right."
"Oh, now you're starting to talk." whines Lia, "Where were you all this time?"
"This whole thing? Nuh-uh. Ain't nobody got time for that!" it replies.
"I think my magic amplified his power... maybe close to the original strength—y'know, the kind people say is mythical nowadays," Bell explains.
"Then what about mine?" Niko shows his hand to Lia and Bell. But his version was the golden vein marks is creating a glove like marks, circling on each of his finger like rings on his right hand.
"Honestly? No clue. Either you've got some lineage magic too, or there's a missing link only you can uncover." Bell says, disappointed.
"So, you mean the sigil that marked on us that day were something powerful for our lineage? The thing on my collarbone?" Lia adds.
"Ummmm... You may say that. It's complicated." Bell replies.
The three of them went silent and move along to the dorm. At the dorm they say goodbye and left to their own room.
* * *
Meanwhile, at the infirmary…
"CONGRATULATIONS, SON!" the nurse shouts.
"Mom... I'm still in shock. I'm not exactly in party mode here…" Rai mutters, wincing.
"Easy for you to say! Our family's been sidelined for generations. The main branch always thought we were cut off from the true bloodline of your great-great-great-great-great grandparents. They're going to flip when they hear about this." She claps excitedly.
Rai forces a small smile.
"…What about Dad, Mom? Do you think he'll ever—"
"Don't." Her voice cuts sharp—firm and final. "Please don't bring him up again. The man left us for someone he thought could give him a proper descendant. But you—you're my only shining star." She pulls him into a hug. Rai rests his head on her shoulder, both of them silent in the moment.
* * *
RIIING
A phone rings in someone's home.
CLACK
"Hello?" a woman's voice answers.
"Moooooooooooom!" cries Lia.
"Awwww, Lia, baby… What's wrong? Did some ugly guy try to hit on you again?" her mom coos.
"That's—ugh—that's another story, Mom. But listen! I was just doing my usual studies at the academy, and then this mark started growing on my collarbone!"
"WHAT?! Tell me this isn't another excuse to get a tattoo, or I swear I will snap you like a twig!" her mom yells.
"EEEKKK!! No!! It's real!! It's some kind of magical thing, and no matter how much isopropyl alcohol I rub on it, it won't go away!" Lia wails.
"You better get rid of it, or—"
"How's it going, my lovely girl?" a man's voice joins in.
"DAAAAAAD!!" Lia cries harder. Around her, people in the girls' dorm common room start turning their heads.
"Calm down, sweetheart. What's going on?" her dad asks gently.
"There's a magical mark that popped up on my collarbone! And one of my friends said it's a lineage thing! Can you help me out here? I thought we were just a normal business family!" she pleads.
The line goes quiet.
Lia sniffs, waiting, but the silence stretches uncomfortably long.
"Dad? Mom?"
Nothing. Just a soft murmur in the background—whispers, movement.
"…Lia, sweetheart, you still there?" her dad finally speaks.
"I'm here…" she sniffles.
"Listen to me carefully. I think you've awakened something your grandma used to have. We're going to visit her and ask about the mark. Can you describe it for me?"
"Huh? Umm… It's like a circle… with spikes around it. Like a sun?"
There's a pause—then:
"I KNEW IT!" her dad shouts.
"That's all I need to know, baby. We'll see you soon. But first, we have to confirm something with Grandma. Stay safe at the academy, alright?"
"…Okay, Dad," Lia mutters through soft sobs.
She slowly hangs up the phone. Everyone in the common room is still staring.
"…WHAT?! Mind your own business!" she snaps.
The room clears in seconds.
* * *
Meanwhile, in the boys' dorms…
The silence in the boys' dorm feels heavier tonight.
"Lineage, huh…" he mutters, staring at his hand.
The mark glows faintly — golden ring-like lines circling his fingers.
He leans forward, head heavy with questions.
Where do I even start…?
He only remembers the orphanage.
Nothing before that.
Nothing at all.
He rubs his temples, still staring at the faint golden glow.
That's when Bell appears—floating upside-down like he's been eavesdropping the whole time.
"Curious about your lineage too, aren't we?" Bell grins.
Niko looks at Bell for a moment… then looks away.
"I don't even know who my parents were, Bell. All I know is that I was someone's unwanted baby, left on an orphanage's doorstep." Niko broods.
"You see… I think I can help you," says Bell.
Niko's ears twitch. "Really?" He gives Bell a side-eye.
"Of course. I just need a small drop of your blood. That's all." Bell grins mischievously.
Niko leans back, arms crossed. "Seriously? This is what it's about? A blood sacrifice? You want orphan blood for your ancient paper cult?"
"What the hell is wrong with you? You think I'm a vampiric grimoire or something?" Bell snaps.
"Listen—your blood will just trigger my pages to analyze your lineage. Then, poof—your personal data prints out: parents, strengths, weaknesses, hobbies, bank account, even your cringe phase."
"I doubt you'd keep that private. You'll leak my info or sell it to some shady offshore bidder."
"Wow. Calling me a data broker now? That's low, even for you. Anyway. You in or what?" Bell challenges him.
"Aight, bet."
SCRATCH.A quick papercut. A drop of blood lands on Bell's page.
"Huh. Interesting… but also, annoying. Parts of your lineage are... redacted. Censored. Typical redacted coding — guess they didn't want me digging up their dirty laundry." grumble Bell.
Letters begin appearing, slowly filling the parchment. Full name. Date of birth. Skills. And then—his parents' names.
"Cassian Vale... and Genevieve Jobber?" Niko reads aloud.
Bell's eye glows, "HUH?! Cassian Vale is your father?! THAT Cassian Vale?!"
Niko stared at the page, his mind reeling.
Who was Cassian Vale, and why did Bell sound so shaken?
"What's wrong with you?" he said aloud.
"OHOHOHOHO—NOW this is getting interesting!" Bell cackles.
Niko furrows his brow and keeps reading.
"Allergic to… bullshit. Yeah, sounds about right. Bank account… eh. But—this is real? These are my parents?"
He slowly sits back, a strange relief washing over him.
"…But what now?" Niko wonders aloud.
Bell floats beside him. "Well, your mom's name is Jobber. Isn't that also the name of the teacher from the greenhouse earlier?"
Niko's eyes widen. "Oh crap, you're right! She might be…!" He leaps to his feet, pacing in excitement, "I can start from there—I finally have a lead!"
He spins around the room, full of new energy.
Meanwhile, Bell floats still, expression darkening.
"…Oh boy…" Bell murmurs.
"I wish I could spill your father's sins. But… I'm bound not to."
Bell's page curls at the edges—as if remembering a scar no one dared to reopen.
"To think… I once believed his group was just another curious band of mages who stumbled upon me by accident…" Its voice drops to a whisper. "…I was wrong."
* * *