After a long, weary journey, Tony finally returned to his humble abode. He carefully creaked open the weathered wooden door and stepped into their modest dwelling. Inside, there were no modern luxuries to be found—no television set, no fan to alleviate the oppressive heat, not even an electric bulb. Only the soft, flickering glow of a solitary candle illuminated their meager existence, bearing testament to their profound poverty.
Upon his arrival, a joyful voice pierced the silence. "Brother, you're back!" exclaimed a little girl, throwing her arms around Tony in an eager hug. "How are you, Lilian?" he warmly replied, returning the embrace. She couldn't contain her excitement and asked, "Did you bring any food?" Tony grinned and handed her one of the bags he had brought. "Why don't you see for yourself?" he teased. Lilian eagerly opened the bag to find an abundance of sustenance, and Tony surprised her with a rare treat—a chocolate bar he had managed to afford with his last bit of spare change.
Lilian, her eyes lighting up like a hungry lion who had just spotted its prey, asked, "How did you manage to afford all of this today?" Tony, masking the truth, replied with a smile, "I just worked a little harder, that's all." He didn't want to reveal that he had sold his phone to provide for their meager feast.
Concerned about their mother's worsening condition, Tony inquired about her whereabouts. Lilian's face fell as she replied, "She's in her room, and her sickness is growing more severe by the hour." With a heavy heart, Tony hurried to his mother's bedside, finding her shrouded in a thick blanket. The room was enveloped in darkness, with only a feeble candle's glow for illumination.
"Mum," he whispered, his voice trembling as he caressed her hand, attempting to rouse her from her slumber. Weakly, she acknowledged his presence, her once-beautiful face now marked by suffering and destitution. In her youth, she had been a dancer, but circumstances had united her with Tony's late father, Wilcox.
Tony couldn't hold back his concern. Her hands felt as cold as if she had just emerged from a refrigerator, a stark reminder of her heart condition that was slowly consuming her. He urgently needed to get her to the hospital, knowing that the medicine he had brought was only a temporary relief for her ailment.
With a forced smile, he produced a small tin of medicine from his pocket and offered it to her. "Thanks," she murmured weakly, her eyes filled with concern. "How was school and work today?" Tony lied again, sparing her the painful truth of his school bullies and expulsion, fearing it would worsen her condition. "I brought some food, Mum. You can join Lilian in the living room for dinner," he suggested as he helped her to her feet.
An hour later, Tony sat outside his home, lost in thought. His gaze fixed on the moon and stars above, as if seeking answers in the silent night.
Tyker was an unforgiving place to live, where those fortunate enough to have a mage in the family could escape poverty's clutches. However, Tony was different. He possessed the gift to free his family from the grip of poverty, but it remained elusive, like a tortoise hiding in its shell.
As his sister's words echoed in his mind, he contemplated their dire circumstances. The government seemed indifferent to their suffering, despite claiming democracy, which often felt more like tyranny. Yet, Tony clung to a glimmer of hope—the upcoming tournament with its ten-thousand-Dars prize. It was a beacon of opportunity that could change their lives forever.
The presidential building stood tall and majestic, its architecture a testament to Tyker's affluence. Crafted from the finest materials available, it pierced the sky with its skyscraper design, casting an imposing shadow over the city. Within its opulent walls resided the Danny family.
Seated around a lavishly set dining table were Flash, Charlotte, and a formidable-looking man. A delectable array of dishes adorned the table, offering a diverse selection of meats, fruits, and vegetables. Mr. Danny, the President of Central Tyker, turned his penetrating gaze toward Flash and made a surprising announcement.
"Flash, I want you to join the tournament I'm hosting," he declared.
Flash, taken aback, questioned, "Me? But isn't the tournament meant for less fortunate mages?"
"I want to gauge your progress, Flash. I'm disappointed you haven't reached Charlotte's level," Mr. Danny replied, his words stoking an envious flame within Flash.
"But Dad, we're both grade B mages," Flash protested.
"You may both be grade B, but Charlotte is at level six, while you're still at level five," Mr. Danny retorted firmly. "And that's final. The tournament is just two weeks away; you need to prepare."
Flash could only lower his head in frustration. His father's favoritism toward Charlotte, who shared his affinity for lightning magic, was evident. Flash's mother, Hannah, had tragically passed away during childbirth, leaving him and Charlotte as twins.
Mr. Danny was a formidable grade S mage, one of the few in Tyker. His strength and power commanded respect and fear, even among other presidents. Tyker itself was a hidden eighth continent on Earth, concealed by powerful magic. It comprised seven sectors: Central Tyker, Northern Tyker, Eastern Tyker, Western Tyker, Southern Tyker, Humble Land, and the perilous Outside Zone inhabited by monstrous creatures.
Each sector had its own president, and all of them were encircled by protective walls to keep the Outside Zone's dangers at bay.
As the night gave way to morning, Tony remained in his room, engrossed in books borrowed from the Mage Academy. He had spent the entire night uncovering secrets and techniques to unlock his dormant talent. Tony flipped through the pages with unwavering focus, determined to make a breakthrough.
Suddenly, a gentle knock at his door interrupted his concentration. It was Lilian, his younger sister, who had an early-rising habit and had come to wake him for school. To her surprise, Tony was already awake and absorbed in his studies.
"Big brother?" Lilian asked with amazement, her innocent curiosity shining through. She was known for her early mornings, and Tony had decided she could help him kickstart his day.
"What, surprised to see me up?" Tony responded with a smile.
"Yeah, are you studying for a test or something?" Lilian inquired, noticing his intense focus on the book.
"Okay, then I'll check on you when breakfast is ready," she said before leaving the room. Tony continued to immerse himself in his studies, gathering valuable information about the upcoming tournament, which was now just two days away. With registration closing today, he knew he had to hurry if he wanted to participate.