"Mom and Dad,
I am sorry for being such a disappointing son. Despite everything you've done for me, I couldn't become an Evolver. I'm sorry for being such a waste. I know I haven't lived up to your expectations, and I've disrespected you in my childish stubbornness. But I can't become what you want me to be, at least not right now.
I'm setting out on a journey full of uncertainties, and I won't return until I've become an Evolver. Please forgive me for all the hurt I've caused, and let Sweety know that her big brother loves her a lot.
From— Your Unfilial Son"
.....
When Summer's family returned to their estate the next day, they found the letter he had left behind. As his mother, Varona, read it, her heart shattered.
"No… Summer… my son!" she cried, her voice breaking as tears streamed down her face. She collapsed into a chair, her body trembling with grief. Summer's father, trying to stay composed, placed a hand on her shoulder, but even he couldn't mask the deep sorrow in his eyes.
"It's all your fault!" Varona's grief quickly turned to anger as she looked at her husband. "Why did you have to be so hard on him? You gave him all that pressure and didn't even go with him to support him. Who knows what he must have felt after finding out the result… No, it's my fault too. I treated him like a stranger when I should have shown him how much we love him. Where has my son gone in desperation?"
Summer's father, his voice heavy with remorse, replied, "Varona, please stop blaming yourself. You're right. I should have gone with him… I should have been there to check on him."
Just then, little Silia, their youngest daughter, came into the room, her eyes wide with concern as she saw her mother crying. "Mommy, why are you crying? Did Sum-Sum leave our house? Will I never see him again? Who will bring me creamy chocolate then?"
Seeing this, Reena and Ruby, the older siblings, quickly stepped forward. They knew that explaining the situation to a five-year-old would be heartbreaking, and they needed to protect Silia from the weight of their grief.
"Come, Sweety," Reena said gently, picking Silia up in her arms. "I'll give you some creamy chocolate. Your brother hasn't left you anywhere. I'm sure he'll be back…"
But even as she spoke, Reena's voice faltered. She knew how stubborn Summer could be. If he didn't awaken his Evolution Gene, he might never come back. The thought crushed her, but she forced a smile for Silia's sake.
As they left the room, a somber mood hung over the family. They tried to be cheerful for Silia, but the weight of Summer's absence lingered in their hearts, filling the house with a sense of loss and uncertainty.
As Salvatore and his wife entered the room, tension hung in the air.
"Brother, I didn't find the family heirloom," Salvatore said, his voice heavy with exhaustion. "I searched everywhere, but the pendant is missing. I think Dad might have given it to Summer before he passed, and Summer might have gone there as a last resort."
"What!" Spencer's brow furrowed in concern, while Varona's face drained of all color. The news hit her like a tidal wave, the gravity of the situation sinking in.
"Spencer, you have to find him soon. No matter the cost. He can't survive there alone," she pleaded, her voice cracking with desperation as she clutched his collar.
"Calm down, Varona," Spencer replied, trying to steady his voice despite the growing unease gnawing at him. "Summer's not foolish enough to go there without a plan. I'll call the special cops now. I'm sure they'll be able to find him."
His words were meant to reassure, but even Spencer couldn't completely mask the uncertainty he felt. The Primal Zone was no place for someone unprepared, and the thought of Summer out there, alone, was haunting.
"Don't worry, Sister-in-law," Summer's Aunt stepped forward to console Varona, her voice soft but firm. "He's a bright kid. He'll be fine. I am sure he knows what he's doing."
But Varona's eyes remained clouded with fear. The dangers that lurked in the Primal Zone were too many to count—dangers that even seasoned Evolvers struggled to survive. The uncertainty of Summer's fate hung heavy in the room, leaving everyone tense and anxious.
---
Meanwhile, Summer and the escort team continued their flight over the vast Midterrainian Sea, heading toward the Primal Zone on the other side.
From the aircraft's windows, Summer could see numerous large ships also making their way toward the same destination. Their purpose was clear—Evolvers, ready to hunt in the perilous lands ahead.
"What? Riding on a ship over this dangerous sea is more challenging than flying, Summy," Alisha commented, noticing his distracted gaze. Over time, they had grown familiar with each other, and they had started calling him by a shortened version of his name.
Summer didn't mind—after all, it was just a name; what mattered were the intentions behind it.
"Yeah, they'll face more challenges than we do," Yang added with a chuckle. "See, that's why they've banded together in such large groups. Safety in numbers, especially in this Sea."
"Oh..." Summer nodded, not showing much emotion, his gaze still distant.
"At least smile a little, rude guy," Silver quipped from the side, trying to lighten the mood.
Summer forced a wry smile, but it was more out of politeness than anything else. Inside, he couldn't help but think, *How could they understand the turmoil my life has been?* He was once a cheerful guy, full of life, but fate had stripped that away from him. The harsh realities he'd faced had stolen his smile, leaving behind nothing but an empty shell of flesh and bone.
Smiling now felt unnatural, almost like a forgotten skill that he had to relearn.
"Ah, forget it, Silver," Alisha chimed in, sensing the tension. "He's new among us. He needs time to adapt."
Summer appreciated Alisha's understanding, but deep down, he wondered if he could ever truly adapt again—if he could ever reclaim the part of himself that had been lost.