Kyle arrived at noon, the front of the building rose majestically, and its sleek glass structure reached skywards almost catching the sunlight. Intricate symbols reminiscing the ancient summons and summoners adorned the facade of the building.
He slowly proceeded inside, still with gloom in his eyes.
"This way, Kyle!" Shouted a voice that sounded familiar.
"Huh...."
"Oh, It's you Uncle Finn", Kyle expressed dismally.
"Yeah of course, who else would it be?" the bald man replied, stroking his peculiar white and red beard.
"I heard what happened to you, and I want you to know that you'll be alright", he said, putting his hands on the young boy's shoulders.
"Thanks, Uncle Finn, but I'm sure I won't be alright," Kyle said, removing Finn's hands.
"How can the son of Eric Vaden not have the magic potency to call forth a summon?"
"I left Mom and Kuzan at home with hopes of showing them my summon when I got back, but that's all a fairytale now", he continued.
"You know, even your father wasn't the most talented when we were kids", Finn added.
"What?" Kyle exclaimed with eyes that had brightened a bit, he was now focused on what his uncle said.
"I'm not lying...Do you know the current Summon King?" he asked
"I do, what was his name again, King Shadowlife?"
"King Shadowheart… Yulius Shadowheart precisely", Finn corrected Kyle.
"Ok, but what about him?" Kyle asked.
"Your dad, Him, and I were all very good friends back in the day".
"Both of them were sore losers… they got summons alright, but they couldn't seem to get along with their summons, causing them to fail several times in the academy".
"Yulius was even more miserable, but your dad had his Bloodline trait going for him".
"But that didn't stop them from giving up, they strived, got along with their initial summons, grew stronger, and even gained more high-rank summons".
"Yulius was able to attain three S-rank summons, while your dad had one, but mastered his ability to move between this realm and that of the summons". Finn concluded, cracking his fingers audibly.
Now, Kyle's expression had changed from that of dolefulness to one of admiration.
"Dad is pretty cool, but Yulius is amazing", he quickly commented.
"Three S-rank summons… I read even A-ranks are hard to come by, and he has three", Kyle added as he folded his arms.
"Well yes, his growth was exponential", Finn replied.
"Alright, that settles it, I've decided to become the Summon King," Kyle said with a more determined look.
"Even though you don't have a summon?" asked Finn, stroking his chin.
"Oh, that." Kyle retorted.
"I'll just have to achieve it without any summons."
"Surely you know that's not possible, Kyle."
"But hold on, there is a way that would be possible for you to get a summon," Finn spoke with a face that seemed like it was just lit up.
"Really?" Kyle responded, although skeptical.
"Yes, I can help you, but it requires your innate ability."
"You mean, Realm Walking?" Kyle asked.
"The ability is passed down to you by your father through his blood, normally it would manifest when you're 17, but I can take you through a process that would make you unlock it instantly."
"How would that help me get a summon?" Kyle inquired.
"You would travel to the Summon World and bond with one… Sounds easy enough right?"
"Well, I guess so," Kyle answered.
"Then it's settled". Finn agreed.
"Uhm, Uncle, I know you're Dad's friend and all, but why do you help me?" asked Kyle.
"Because I can see your determination, I believe you can be the best there is," Finn said, with a smile on his face.
"Alright, what do I have to do?" queried Kyle.
"I'll be here at the Link Hall by nighttime," Finn answered.
"Alright then, I'll be on my way home now," Kyle said, waving to Finn as he turned his back and walked away.
He did not notice the smile on Finn's face had turned to a grimace.
*********
"I'm home, Mom," Kyle mentioned, sitting down on the sofa.
Just then, Kyle heard an argument coming from the inner parts of the house. He went to check what the ruckus was about.
"He's your son too!" Kyle's mother shouted.
"No son of mine won't be able to attain a summon." retorted a middle-aged man with white hair and a scar under his left lower eyelid.
"Mom, Dad." Kyle stepped in to interrupt.
"I'm sorry, I failed you guys, but I'll make it up to you."
"It's not your fault Kyle, you didn't ask to be born like this." his mom stated, hugging him in the process.
"Say something, Eric!" She spoke after turning her head towards the man.
"Kyle, you didn't fail us, you failed yourself and your brother." Kyle's dad uttered with a stern look on his face.
"Eric…"
"We won't always be around to protect you guys, and you can't protect yourself without a summon."
"Our world is different from those that do not have any magic. It's a struggle out here, but you just don't realize it yet."
"In this world, you're either strong or dead, that's how it is," he concluded.
"I must meet Uncle Finn, just wait and see, Dad." thought Kyle, removing himself from his mother's hug.
"Lisa, leave the boy alone, he must find out what to do to prevent himself from being a liability."
Kyle ran out from their presence, clenching his fists so hard with eyes blazing with resolve.
"We have to check Kuzan," Eric spoke, immediately looking at his wife's face.
"But, he's just 13, that's surely not allowed," Lisa responded.
"Normally I would be allowed to, but it takes time to process the application for making an exception out of Kuzan."
"We'll go to the Link Hall by nighttime while Kyle is asleep. Kuzan loves summons, so he'll be sure to come if we tell him." Eric added.
"Alright, but I'm coming with you," Lisa answered, with a look of concern.
"I hope that Kuzan doesn't turn out like his elder brother," Eric spoke, leaving his wife to herself.
Meanwhile, Kyle was thinking about everything that occurred in the Link Hall, he remembered the red-haired kid who insulted him as he was heading out.
"What did he say his name was again?... Ethan?...Yeah, Ethan."
"I'll pay him a visit after I get my summons." Kyle thought in his head.