Chapter 24: Return to Roots
The first rays of sunlight poured over the towering spires of the academy, casting long shadows on the cobblestone pathways. Rudra sat in his dorm room, staring at the system interface that glowed faintly before him.
> Mission Complete: Investigate Syndicate's Interest in You
Rewards Claimed:
Talent Insight unlocked: Bloodline Revelation
Skill Upgrade: Thunderstorm Deity → Enhanced Thunderstorm Deity
Bonus XP: +1500
His status panel flickered to life as the system summarized the changes.
Rudra Kairous: Current Status
Level: 26
Talent: Enhanced Thunderstorm Deity (S+ Rank, Abnormal Phenomenon Tier)
Skills Unlocked:
Thunder Wrath Surge: Summon a destructive electrical storm that deals area damage.
Lightning Phase: Temporarily transform into pure lightning to evade attacks.
Appraisal Eye (Advanced): Identify detailed abilities, weaknesses, and origins of entities.
Rudra couldn't help but smirk. Enhanced, huh? Looks like I'm making progress.
A knock at the door broke his train of thought. "Rudra, you ready?" Nand's voice came through, his tone cheerful as always.
"Yeah, give me a minute!" Rudra called back, closing the interface. Today, he and Nand were heading to the Kairous family estate. The thought of home filled him with both excitement and apprehension. After everything he'd learned about his bloodline and the Syndicate's interest, there was so much to uncover—and protect.
On the Road
The two boarded a sleek transport carriage powered by a hybrid mana-engine, the academy's newest invention for long-distance travel.
"Bro, going home is always bittersweet for me," Nand said, leaning back in his seat. "Mom's going to scold me for not eating enough, then feed me until I can't move."
"Sounds about right," Rudra replied, chuckling. "Your mom's cooking could probably level up anyone's talent."
"What about your family, huh? Think your dad's going to grill you about the academy rankings?"
Rudra sighed. "Probably. But it's not just that. There's... a lot of history tied to my family. And with everything going on, I feel like I'm walking into a storm."
Nand nodded, uncharacteristically serious for a moment. "Whatever it is, we'll handle it together, bro. And hey, if it's about food, you know I've got your back."
The Kairous Estate
As the carriage pulled up to the sprawling Kairous estate, Rudra felt a pang of nostalgia. The grand stone mansion was surrounded by lush gardens and a protective barrier that shimmered faintly in the sunlight.
Before they could step inside, a small figure darted out from the main door. "Rudra bhaiya!"
A girl no older than ten launched herself into Rudra's arms, giggling uncontrollably. She had sparkling black eyes and an aura that felt... unusual.
"Raina!" Rudra laughed, spinning her around. "You've grown so much!"
"Of course I have," she said proudly. "I'm going to be as strong as you one day!"
Nand, watching from the side, chuckled. "Looks like your sister's got more enthusiasm than you do, bro."
Raina turned to Nand, placing her hands on her hips. "And who are you?"
"Your bhaiya's best friend," Nand said, bowing dramatically. "The great Nand, eater of a thousand biryanis!"
Raina giggled. "You're funny!"
Revelations at Home
Inside, the family gathered around a lavish table. Rudra's father, Arjun Kairous, a stern yet kind man with a commanding presence, sat at the head. Beside him was Rudra's mother, Meera, whose warm smile made the grand dining hall feel cozier.
As they ate, Rudra shared stories from the academy, omitting the more dangerous details. But his father's sharp gaze didn't miss much.
"Rudra," Arjun said finally, "you've been holding something back. What's troubling you?"
Rudra hesitated, then decided to come clean. "The Syndicate. They're targeting me because of our bloodline. They see me as a threat, and they're trying to manipulate the academy from within."
The room fell silent.
Meera's hand tightened around her glass. "This bloodline... It's been a blessing and a curse for generations."
"Why does it matter so much to them?" Rudra asked.
Arjun's expression darkened. "Our bloodline carries remnants of celestial energy—energy capable of rivaling the gods themselves. In the wrong hands, it could destroy entire nations."
"And Raina?" Rudra asked, glancing at his sister, who was happily munching on a piece of bread.
"She inherited the bloodline too," Meera said softly. "But her talent was sealed at birth. It's too dangerous to awaken until she's older."
Rudra's system suddenly pinged:
> Side Quest Unlocked: Protect Raina and Discover the Seal's Origin.
Reward: Bloodline Awakening Artifact.
He hid his surprise, nodding solemnly. "I'll do everything I can to protect her—and our family."
Meanwhile, in a dimly lit chamber far from the Kairous estate, a figure cloaked in shadow addressed a group of masked individuals.
"The Kairous bloodline must be extinguished," the leader hissed. "It is the last obstacle to our plans. Focus all efforts on Rudra Kairous. Break him, and the rest will fall."
Another figure stepped forward. "What about the girl?"
"Leave her for now. The seal is intact, but if it breaks... we will act."
Back at the Estate
After dinner, Rudra and Nand lounged in the garden, watching the stars.
"You know, your family's pretty intense," Nand said, biting into an apple. "But they're good people."
"Yeah," Rudra agreed, his gaze fixed on the night sky. "I just wish we didn't have to deal with all this bloodline drama."
Raina popped up beside them, grinning. "You're not allowed to be sad, bhaiya. You promised to teach me how to fight!"
Rudra laughed, ruffling her hair. "Alright, alright. But only if you promise to eat all your vegetables."
Nand burst out laughing. "Oh, she's got you wrapped around her little finger, bro."
Rudra rolled his eyes but smiled. For now, amidst the chaos, there