The journey back was peaceful.
The "unforeseen incident" regarding the train lines in the morning had vanished without a trace, precisely because it was never real to begin with. It was just an event orchestrated by the Academy for the exam anyway. Even if there had been actual damage to the infrastructure, the city's automated repair drones would have fixed the tracks in minutes.
The Arc-Train glided over the magnetic rails with a smooth, rhythmic hum that almost lulled Ryn to sleep right then and there.
He spent the ride staring out the window, watching the towering, neon-lit spires of the Academy District fade into the modest, warm glow of the residential suburbs.
By the time he stepped off the platform and hailed an automated Arc-Taxi, the sky had turned a deep, bruised purple.
The ride was short and silent.
"Destination arrived," the vehicle's robotic voice announced as it lowered to the curb.
Ryn paid the fare with a tap of his wrist and stepped out in front of his home.
It stood in stark contrast to the imposing, sterile architecture of the Academy - a modest, two-story house with a sloping roof and a small, well-tended garden where his mother grew herbs. It wasn't a grand estate like the ones in the Core District, nor was it a high-tech fortress, but it radiated a warmth that no amount of arcana could replicate.
Because it was home, his home.
"..." Ryn raised his wrist to the sensor panel. A soft beep from his Arc-Watch confirmed his identity, and the door slid open with a whisper.
"I'm home," Ryn called out, stepping into the warm light of the entryway.
He took off his shoes, placing them neatly on the rack beside the others, waiting for the inevitable tackle-hug or the sound of running feet.
But silence answered him.
Ryn paused, his hand hovering over his jacket zipper. Usually, the house was chaotic at this hour. Raya should be thundering down the hallway, or the newsfeed should be blaring from the living room.
He walked down the hallway, the silence pressing against his ears. The savory scent of roasted chicken drifted from the dining room, but it felt incongruous with the heavy, stagnant air.
He stepped into the dining area and stopped.
They were all there, frozen like a tableau of worry.
His father, Raul, sat at the head of the table, staring at his clasped hands as if praying. His mother, Kaya, was opposite him, her eyes fixed on a spot on the tablecloth, her face pale.
And Raya... she was sitting between them, unusually small and quiet, fidgeting with the hem of her shirt.
"Why is everyone so serious?" Ryn asked, his brows knitting together in confusion.
At the sound, three heads snapped up instantly.
For a second, they just stared at him, blinking as if he were an apparition. Then, the heavy atmosphere shattered like glass.
"Brother Ryn!"
Raya practically exploded out of her chair. She sprinted across the room, her small feet thumping against the floorboards.
"Oof!"
Ryn caught her as she launched herself at him, wrapping her arms around his waist and burying her face in his stomach.
"You're back! You're back!" she squealed, her voice muffled by his jacket.
"I'm back," Ryn chuckled, ruffling her hair. "Did you think I got eaten by a monster?"
"Ryn!" Kaya stood up, her face lighting up with immense relief. She rushed over, pulling him into a hug right over Raya's head. "Thank goodness... You're safe. You're really safe."
Raul let out a long, shaky breath, the tension leaving his frame. He stood up, his stern face softening into a weary smile.
"Welcome home, son," Raul said, walking over and placing a heavy hand on Ryn's shoulder. "You're late. We were... worried."
"The exam took longer than expected," Ryn explained, gently patting his mother's back and helping his sister take a breath. "And the train was a bit crowded."
"It doesn't matter," Kaya said, pulling back to inspect his face, checking for any scratches. "As long as you're home. Come, sit. The food is getting cold."
"Yeah! Eat! Eat!" Raya pulled on his hand, dragging him toward the table. "Mama made chicken!"
Ryn let himself be dragged, a genuine, relaxed smile finally settling on his face.
"Alright, alright," he laughed. "But let me take a quick bath first."
"Ah, right! But hurry!" Raya chirped, reluctantly letting go of his hand.
"I have already prepared the bath and laid out your pajamas," Kaya said, her smile returning as she bustled toward the kitchen. "Take your time. I will be reheating the food so it's perfect when you come out."
"Thanks, Mom. I'll be done in five minutes," Ryn promised.
He tossed his bag onto the nearby sofa and headed straight for the bathroom.
The room was warm and filled with steam. Ryn quickly stripped off his clothes and stepped under the shower spray. As the hot water hit his skin, washing away the sweat of the journey and the phantom fatigue of the simulation, he let out a long sigh. The tension that he had unconsciously held in his muscles all day finally melted away.
After scrubbing thoroughly, he turned the knob to cold, letting the icy water shock his system awake for a brief moment before turning it off.
He stepped out, grabbing a towel to dry his hair.
As he wiped the steam from the mirror, he paused.
Ryn stared at his reflection, water dripping from his bangs. His gaze drifted down, lingering on his chest for a moment longer than necessary. His expression was unreadable, a mix of old memories and hidden resolve, before he shook his head and looked away.
He dressed quickly in the fresh, loose loungewear his mother had prepared and stepped out of the bathroom.
The savory aroma of the reheated chicken stew hit him immediately, making his stomach grumble loudly.
"Just in time," Raul said, gesturing to Ryn's seat.
Ryn sat down, the warmth of the room wrapping around him. With his father taking the first bite, the family began to eat.
For a few minutes, the only sounds were clinking cutlery and content chewing.
"So," Raul started, breaking the silence after swallowing a bite of chicken. "How did the exam go? Nothing... serious happened, right?"
He was trying to sound casual, but Ryn could hear the underlying concern. They knew the Academy exams could be brutal, especially the most powerful one, the Stellar Nexus Academy.
"It was fine," Ryn reassured them, taking a sip of water. "Nothing bad happened. I stuck to the plan, safety first. I didn't do anything reckless."
He didn't want to lie, but if he told the truth, then the consequences would be dire.
Thinking of something, he added, "I even made a friend."
"A friend?" Kaya blinked, pleasantly surprised.
"Yeah. His name is Asher," Ryn said, spearing a piece of carrot. "He's a bit of a weird guy... talks a lot and has strange ideas about fun. But he's a good guy."
Raul and Kaya exchanged a look, their smiles widening. To hear that their son, who usually kept to himself, had already made a connection was a huge relief.
"That is wonderful to hear," Kaya beamed. "You must bring him over for dinner sometime if you both get in."
"Maybe," Ryn shrugged noncommittally, though a small smile tugged at his lips.
The dinner continued with lighthearted chatter, the heavy atmosphere from earlier completely forgotten.
"Awh... Raya's full," Raya announced dramatically, leaning back in her chair and patting her small tummy with both hands.
"Me too," Ryn mimicked her, leaning back and patting his own stomach in the exact same rhythm.
They both giggled while Kaya shook her head fondly.
"Thank you for the meal!" Ryn and Raya chorused.
Kaya immediately stood up and began stacking the empty plates.
Ryn pushed his chair back and reached out to grab the salad bowl near him. "Here, let me help-"
"Ah, no you don't," Kaya said firmly, gently swatting his hand away before he could lift it. "You had a long, exhausting exam today. I can handle the dishes."
"But-"
"No buts," she cut him off with a warm, uncompromising smile. "Go rest. You look like you're about to fall asleep standing up."
Ryn blinked, realizing she was right. It wasn't physical exhaustion; the exam had been a breeze, but the mental fatigue of maintaining his 'average' persona and dealing with everything today was heavier than he thought.
"Alright," he relented, dropping his hands. "In that case... I'll head back to my room. I really need to crash."
"Go ahead," Kaya said, turning toward the sink. "And go straight to sleep, Ryn. No playing games today."
"I won't, Mom," Ryn laughed softly. "Goodnight, Dad. Goodnight, little angel."
"Goodnight, Brother!"
"Rest well, son," Raul nodded.
Ryn walked up the stairs, the sounds of his family fading behind him. He entered his room, closed the door, and let the quiet embrace him.