Chen gave his mom a final hug before heading for the front door. "I still can't believe my boy got a full scholarship to study in the US." Her mom said. "It's all thanks to dad really." Chen replied. "Are you ready with all your belongings? Your passport?" Chen's dad appeared behind his mom. "All ready, dad." "Let's go then," His dad gave his mom a peck on the cheek. Chen and his father then left the house in a cab. "I'll miss you both!" His mother waved on as the taxi left. "You know very well by now why we have to lie to your mom." Chen's dad said. "Yeah, I know. So, how are we supposed to contact Archdeacon Sylvester?" Chan asked. "I'm right here, Chen." The taxi driver said. "Wow, that's creepy." Chen replied. "Didn't notice didn't ya? Ha-ha." Archdeacon Sylvester chuckled. He stopped the taxi beside a small chapel after twenty minutes or so. "Why are we stopping here?" Chen asked. "You'll see." His father replied. "Good day, reverend." A man in black clergy uniform greeted them. Archdeacon Sylvester gave a quick nod and said. "We'll be going now." "Very well," The man closed the door and led them to a small room at the back. "When'll be your next visit?" The man asked. "In a month's time, perhaps." Sylvester answered. "I'll be expecting your arrival then." He closed the door and locked it.
"This is the place where Sylvester will usually appear when he cross the dimension between Earth and Nirvana. Unlike Erik, he needs an anchor to travel between the two dimensions." Chen's father explained. "Yup, if you need any help getting through to Nirvana while you're on Earth or you need to transfer anything back, just leave a message to Father Benjamin just now." Sylvester added. "Do the Council of Light own churches here as well?" Chen asked. "Currently we only have three across the globe but we'll be adding another one starting next year." Chen's father said. "I, see. But what do they preach here? Don't tell me it's the same religion as back on Nirvana." Chen said. "That's right. That's the main reason why we have so little followers. But it's slowly growing." Sylvester answered. "Alright, we're set to go." The fabric of space-time dissolved as a bright gash split through the air. A vortex enlarged the gash into a space large enough for them to step into. "After you," Archdeacon Sylvester said. Chen's father stepped into the portal without hesitation followed by Chen. After that, the portal collapsed onto itself after Sylvester entered. The three of them reappeared inside the Church of the Holy Apostles. "I'll be on my way then. May the Light guides you on your path." Archdeacon Sylvester said and left. "Thank you, reverend." Chen's father replied. "Let's get the paperwork sort out first." Chen's father led him to the administration department. "Say, dad. What are your current position in the council now?" Chen asked. "I'm back to being an Archbishop but I think I'll apply to be a full time lecturer at the academy." His dad replied. The two walked into the busy office and began filling in sheets of papers. As a new member of the council and a new citizen of Argia, Chen had a lot of paperwork to fill in.
Kenneth walked into the kitchen while his mom was doing the dishes. It had been a while since the last time he had a meal with his family. "Hey, mom. Can I talk to you for a second?" Kenneth asked sheepishly, he wasn't used to talking to his mother. In fact, he seldom spoke to her ever since he started going to primary school. "What is it, Kenny? Are you worry about your new school in Australia?" Her mother replied while scrubbing the dishes without turning around. "I'm sure you'll do just fine. Your elder sister is there to guide you." She added. "It's not that, mom. Can we talk in private please?" Kenneth said hesitantly. "C'mon, Kenny. Whatever you need to discuss about, you can tell me right here. There's nothing to be shy about." His mother kept her attention on the dishes. "It's about grandpa," Kenneth said. "If it's grandpa you want to know about, I think you should ask you father." His mom replied. "I'm not talking about that grandpa, I meant Count Fleming." The plate her mom was washing plopped into the water-filled sink. "How much do you know?" She asked, her voice softer than before. "Everything." Kenneth replied. His mother gave a long sigh and removed her apron. "Honey, can you come here for a moment?" His mother called out. "Anything?" His father walked into the kitchen. "He knew." His mom said. "About what?" His father looked at him and then back at his mother. "Nirvana." His mother replied. "Oh…" There was a sudden sad look on his father's face. "Let's continue this upstairs, Kenny. Alright?" His dad said and left the kitchen. His mother waved her hand to usher him onwards.
Kenneth's father closed and locked the door after both of them had entered the room. "How did you know?" His father approached the wooden cabinet. "Erik brought me to Yume and I met grandpa in the Yume Summit." Kenneth replied. "I see. But Mr. Fleming is not the one who sent for you, did he tell you that?" His father asked. "He did. But he didn't tell me who it was." Kenneth answered. There was a faint purple glow on the wooden cabinet, lighting up symbols which weren't visible before. His father pulled out a wooden casket from the cabinet. "It was my dad who requested your presence. Your mother and I were star-crossed lovers. We caused our parents a great deal of trouble back then. However, everything resolved eventually on one condition. My father wants our eldest son to attend Idan, the Grand Academy of Magic. That's you, Kenny. He wants you to become a sorcerer, a wizard just like him." His father explained. "You don't have to if you don't want to. I can try to talk it over with him. Maybe the years have mellowed him, made him change his mind on things." He added. "It's alright, dad. I find it interesting there. In fact, I think I might wanna go and stay there." Kenneth answered. "Are you sure? You're still so young, you have a whole future ahead of you. You sure you want to do this?" His father tried to convince him otherwise. "It's okay, dad. Grandpa's there. Besides, I've made up my mind a long time ago. I'll come back to visit from time to time." Kenneth's resolve remained unshaken. "If that's what you really want. Your mother and I will respect that. Here, take this." His father handed him the wooden casket. "What's in it?" "Open it," His father said. Inside the wooden casket was an elegantly carved metal wand. "It was a present given to me by my father but I no longer have any use for it. Take it, you'll need it." Kenneth closed the wooden casket and thanked his dad. "When will you be leaving?" His father asked. "Tomorrow."
Erik rang the doorbell on Kenneth's font door. His mother answered the door. "Good morning, how are you doing Mrs. Fong?" Calvin greeted. "Madam," Erik gave a light nod. "Erik! Long time no see." She gave him a hug. "You too, Calvin." Mrs. Fong patted Calvin on the head. "Is Ken ready yet?" Calvin asked. "Kenny, your friends are here!" Mrs. Fong shouted. Kenneth emerged from behind with a large luggage bag by his side. "I'm coming! You don't need to yell!" Kenneth put on his shoes. "I'll miss you, sweetie." His mom gave him hugs and kisses. "Mom! You're embarrassing me!" Kenneth gently pushed his mom aside. "Take care, kiddo!" His father patted his head. "We'll be going then," Erik said. "What took you so long?" Calvin whispered. "I got a lot of stuff to pack, okay?" Kenneth answered in an equally soft tone. The small abacus melted and expanded to cover Erik's right hand in shinning golden glow. A dark vortex gradually expanded after Erik drew an imaginary circle in mid-air. A minute later, the hole grew to the size of a door. "After you," Erik said. The three of them walked into the portal with Erik picking up the rear. They emerged outside the lawn of the dorm they used to stay after some time in limbo. "Welcome back," Count Fleming greeted them. "Grandpa!" Count Fleming embraced his grandson. "Ha-ha-ha. So, I guess your mom agreed?" He asked. "They both said yes. But on the condition that I go study in Idan." Kenneth answered. "Ah, the promise. It's been a while since I last saw that man. I'll bring you to see him myself. Thanks for all the trouble, general." Count Fleming saluted General Erik. "My pleasure." General Erik returned the salute. Kenneth and Count Fleming walked towards a car outside. "Thanks for taking care of the young prince, general." Lady Christina emerged from the dorm with Alia beside her. Erik responded with a slight bow. "Time to go, Calvin. Your father's waiting." Lady Christina pointed at a jet hovering above the lawn. "I'll miss you, Erik. Thanks for everything." Calvin shook Erik's hand. "Same here, kid. You'll make a fine king one day." Erik replied. The three of them walked towards the jet and was transported inside by a grappler beam. The beam lifted them off their feet and moved them into the jet via a shutter door on the underside. Erik waved on as the jet blasted into the distance.
Count Fleming brought Kenneth back to the River Fairy Cottage in Vanilla Valley. "What are we doing back here?" Kenneth asked. He had been asking the same question the moment he realized where their ride was taking them. "Like I said, be patient. Idan has a lot of entrances, this is one of them." Count Fleming led the two of them through the maze-like wooden walkways to a secluded location. Two guards were on duty in front of a huge tree trunk. They stopped them before they could proceed any further. "What business do you have in Idan?" One of the guard asked. "Tell Señor Ecuador his grandson's here to see him." Count Fleming replied. "A moment please," The guard said and then mumbled in a foreign tongue. An owl made of energy was conjured from a magic circle. The owl flapped its wings and flew into the tree trunk behind the guards. "Have a seat," The other guard pointed at the benches beside them. Count Fleming and Kenneth waited for ten minutes before one of the guard responded. The wooden trunk glowed all of a sudden. Magic symbols which weren't apparent before lit up and a portal opened in the tree trunk. An elderly man in blue robe stepped out. He had a long white beard and grey hair. On top of his head sat a rusty wizard hat. "Fleming," He had a kind face and a gentle voice. "Matthew." Count Fleming replied and shook Matthew's hand. "You must be Kenneth." Matthew put a hand on Kenneth's shoulder and leant forward to take a closer look at his face. Kenneth couldn't remember much about his paternal grandfather as he supposedly died when he was very young. "It's time you get to know more about the Ecuador family roots." Matthew ushered Kenneth towards the portal in the tree trunk. "Aren't you coming, grandpa?" Kenneth asked. "Nah, I have some business to attend to. Have fun! And call if you need anything." Count Fleming said. Matthew turned around and said. "You still have the pendant I gave you ages ago?" "I prefer calling beforehand." Count Fleming replied. "Works for me. See ya, Fleming." The two of them stepped into the portal. Kenneth emerged in a world very different from anything he could have imagined. "Welcome to Idan, grandson." Matthew said.