"Do you have everything you need, honey?"
The Juladee family stood by their large brown wooden front door. Samuel brushed his rust-colored hair to the side, adding an elegant feel to his character. He wore a light black zip-up jacket and the same-colored sweatpants.
In his hand was a large black duffle bag that had changes of clothes and other bare necessities.
Nodding at his mother, Samuel spoke up. "Yes, Mother." His flaxen-colored eyes radiated in the gleaming sun.
"The Protector's exam... I'll pray to Mt. Ignis that it doesn't go wrong." Julian hurriedly clasped his burly fingers together and voiced a calm, pleading prayer.
Thea followed suit, which prompted the little Amariel to copy her mother and father eagerly. She tried to repeat the prayer her father was muttering, but ended up mumbling incomprehensible words.
Heart, their sickly elder sister, was also present at Samuel's farewell. She was situated in a smaller chair right by Julian's side. Her brown hair was ragged and worn out, and the face she bore was frail and caved in at the cheeks.
Straightening his jacket, Samuel approached, then wrapped his arms around Heart and spoke, "I love you. Stay safe." Heart's eyelids struggled to stay awake, but her facial expression noticeably relaxed.
Samuel retracted his arms and faced his two parents. Thea wore a light blue cardigan and navy jeans, while her spouse wore his usual white t-shirt and black pants. Julian's hair was straightened and combed nicely, just like his son's.
Feeling tears well up in her eyes, Thea took initiative and embraced her son, who immediately relaxed and reciprocated. Julian joined in and wrapped his long arms around both, securing them in a hug.
"If anything happens, please send me a letter." The maturity of his voice was unfit for a 13-year-old. Julian and Thea silently confirmed and continued hugging their son, who showed no signs of wanting to escape.
As she watched her brother and parents hug, Amariel, who could barely walk, waited patiently and eagerly for her turn.
After noticing his adorable baby sister, Samuel left his parents' embrace and crouched down to Amariel's level. With a sudden motion, he swiftly lifted her above the air and kissed her cheeks.
"Stay safe, Amariel! I'll bring you so many presents!" When dealing with his younger sister, Samuel often raised his voice in glee as he played with her.
The Juladee family situation was rough as it was with Heart, and Samuel didn't want Amariel to live without the constant barrage of love from an elder sibling, so he always spent time with her.
Amariel blushed and broke into elated laughter as she was spun in the air.
Setting her down, Samuel kissed her forehead one more time before roughly patting her head.
Picking up his duffle bag and surveying his surroundings, which were a narrow hallway that led to either the basement or the main living area, Samuel walked toward the door.
"Please be careful." Thea urged Samuel, resisting the feeling of keeping him in her arms for the rest of eternity.
Julian put his arm around Thea's shoulder and smiled, "You got this!" He winked at Samuel and put his finger in a thumbs-up motion.
Samuel nodded softly and opened the door.
"I will."
Off he went, to the capital of Lebrad, the great and powerful city of Kheelburg.
Kheelburg was often known as the 'Smartest City in the Western Cradle' with its vast abundance of universities and laboratories.
The Juladee family wasn't poor, but they weren't wealthy either. So after saving for a while, they managed to pay the transportation fees from Glento all the way to Kheelburg.
After Julian closed the door, the same frail voice belonging to Heart spoke out once more. "...Sam...uel..."
Julian hesitated before muttering. "He already left, honey."
Amariel's shoulders slumped as Thea approached Heart and rubbed her back. "I know you'll miss him. We all will."
She sighed. "But this is a great opportunity for him. Who knows, maybe they will give him supernatural powers like the Transcended?"
Julian nodded as he picked up Amariel. "You're right. If he passes, the salary will be very high, and he might even get powers. That's a win-win in my eyes."
The Transcended were a group of people with supernatural abilities that were located in Lebrad.
Not to be confused with Theales the Elevated, the Transcended fought against their counterparts in the 4th Era Great Separation War. A war that took 124 years to cease, signifying the separation of the three nations in the Western Cradle, who used to be a part of one giant country.
The root of both groups' power remains a hidden mystery. All that is known is that the Transcended are docile and noble protectors who have served their country since the beginning of its independence.
Julian smacked his forehead. "Wait, Thea. Emperor Sorin doesn't have control over the Transcended, remember?"
Despite their docility, Emperor Leopold Sorin, the current monarch of Lebrad, had not claimed control over the Transcended.
They don't even have data on them either. Thea exhaled, "That's such a shame. The Frery Massacre would have looked very different if the Transcended had been there."
Leopold Sorin had never publicly called for the Transcended, even during desperate times. Why? No one knows.
Sorin's monarchy has always been questionable, especially considering the fact that the man himself is locked in the royal palace. Not utilizing a docile yet powerful group has sparked some relevant inquiries.
"Well, we will wait and see how Samuel's exam goes." Fixing her back, Thea began walking toward the stairs, which led to the dining table.
"You're right. Let's eat breakfast first." Julian, who already had Amariel in his arms, quickly went up the stairs and placed her in a chair.
He then hurriedly went down the stairs and carried Heart this time. "...Sam...uel...?" Filled with pauses and voice cracks, Heart inquired about her brother's absence.
Julian's face darkened, but before he could answer his daughter, the other one's energetic voice exclaimed at the dining table. "Thamueo!"
Chuckling, Julian felt his face brighten. "It's SAM-uel, my darling." Looking back at Heart, he answered, "And he will not be back for a long time. Samuel has a very big test to take."
Amariel turned her head toward Heart, who had just been placed in the chair beside her, and widened her eyes.
Two chubby little hands were raised and pointed at the paralyzed girl. "Hawt. Hawt." Amariel's voice muffled the actual word she tried to say: Heart.
"Hewp Hawt!" She repeated it one more time. "Hewp Hawt!" Her head turned back and forth between Julian and her sister.
"Help... Heart?" Julian couldn't help but question the sentence his one-year-old daughter just said. "Help... Heart?"
Amariel nodded her head fiercely. "Hewp Hawt!"
The procedure continued. Amariel Juladee was serious all the way through.