Path of the Unmentioned: The Missing Piece Chapter 184: The One Who Started It All [8]

Kyle’s eyelids fluttered open, slow and heavy. His vision was blurry at first. Just shapes, colors, light.

And then slowly. It all began to clear.

A white ceiling above. The soft beep of nearby machines. The clean, sharp scent of antiseptic.

And then. Golden light.

It glowed softly, pulsing like a heartbeat.

Warmth spread through his chest. Threading into his bones, his skin, his very being. He looked down slowly.

Vice Principal Seris Voidcrest was leaning over him. Her silver-white hair falling gently over her shoulders like threads of moonlight.

Her hands hovered above his chest. The golden light flowing from her palms and into him. Her sharp, glowing eyes were focused on her work.

It wasn’t just normal healing.

[Soul Heal].

A ability Seris had gained from the System’s Trials. It didn’t just heal wounds.

It nded the soul itself.

Seris’s gaze flicked up to et his.

"You are awake earlier than expected," she said, her tone smooth but unreadable. "Stay still. This isn’t finished"

Kyle tried to nod, but even that felt like a lot. His throat was dry, his limbs sore.

That was more than he had expected.

To his side. Soone inhaled sharply.

He turned his head, slowly.

\n(o)v.e\l

Aurelia stood by the bed. Arms crossed tightly over her chest. Her usually sharp eyes were rimd with dark circles, and for once, she looked... worried.

Her hair was neat. But the tension in her shoulders was clear.

She was scared.

And next to her...

Seraphina.

She stood still, not saying anything at first. Her soft pink eyes locked onto his.

Her lips parted. Then closed again. Like she wanted to speak but didn’t know how.

Finally. She found the words. "Kyle..."

But Aurelia cut in, her voice sharp. "You left him."

Seraphina didn’t flinch. But her jaw tightened.

"I thought the threat was outside. I didn’t realize—"

"It’s okay," Kyle said quickly. His voice was hoarse. "I’m fine. See?"

He tried to sit up, ignoring the warning glance from Seris.

"I’m fine," he repeated.

Seraphina looked at him, guilt flickering in her expression. "You are not fine. You—"

"Alive," Kyle said. Finishing the sentence with a tired smile. "Thanks to you."

She stared at him for a second longer. Then sighed and ran a hand through her hair. "You’re impossible."

Aurelia’s arms loosened just a little. Though she said nothing.

Before the tension could stretch again. The door opened with a quiet creak.

A dic stepped in. A man in his forties with tired eyes and a clipboard.

"You’re awake," he said, almost surprised.

He walked over to the monitor beside Kyle’s bed, checking the readings.

"Vitals are stable. No signs of lasting mana damage. I recomnd at least a week of rest."

Kyle opened his mouth to argue.

"Rest," Aurelia repeated before he could speak. Her tone firm.

Kyle closed his mouth.

The dic gave a slight nod and scribbled sothing on his chart.

"You’re cleared for discharge. But if you feel any dizziness, nausea, or sudden mana surges—"

"I’ll co straight back," Kyle said quickly.

The dic gave him a look. Like he didn’t believe a word of it, but didn’t push.

———

[Elderre – Teleportation Gate ]

The teleportation chamber was wide and circular, with glowing runes carved into its stone walls and floor.

Mana shimred faintly around the tall pillars that lined the space.

In the center stood the teleportation arch, swirling with pale energy.

Kyle stood near the edge, adjusting his stiff jacket.

Even after leaving the hospital bed. The air still slled like herbs and clean linen. His body felt sore, but it was manageable.

Aurelia stood beside him, arms crossed. Her eyes scanning the every corner like she was expecting soone, or sothing. To jump out.

Seris was already at the front, collecting four teleportation slips from the clerk.

The destination: Valtheras City.

Seraphina lingered on Kyle’s other side. For once, she seed unsure. Quiet.

Then, suddenly. She frowned.

"Wait," she said. Her voice cutting through the silence. "Where’s that cat?"

Kyle froze.

Aurelia blinked. "Mochi?"

Seraphina’s lips pressed into a thin line. "She was in your room when—" Her voice caught, slightly.

"She must not have... survived the explosion."

Kyle opened his mouth to answer...

Then ca a soft rustle.

The collar of his jacket shifted.

And then—

Pop.

A small. Sleek black head poked out. Golden eyes blinking sleepily at the sudden light.

Mochi yawned. Showing off tiny white fangs. Then nuzzled back into Kyle’s jacket like she was annoyed at being disturbed.

Seraphina froze.

Aurelia’s eyebrows shot up.

Seris. Who had been silent, slowly turned her head

No one said anything for a long mont.

"...How?" Seraphina finally asked. Her voice barely above a whisper. "How did she survive the attack?"

"I don’t know," Kyle said quickly.

"She... must’ve left the room before the explosion. She disappears sotis." He tried to keep his tone casual.

Seris moved.

Without a word. She reached out and plucked Mochi from Kyle’s collar in one smooth motion. Holding the small cat up by the middle with one hand.

Mochi dangled, clearly unimpressed. Her tail flicking back and forth with growing irritation.

Kyle’s body tensed. ’Did she notice sothing?’

Seris tilted her head slightly, golden eyes narrowing. "Well," she murmured, studying the little cat. "Aren’t you a cute little thing?"

Mochi flattened her ears and made a grumbling sound.

Then—

Twist.

She wriggled free from Seris’s grip and landed with a soft thud on the stone floor.

Shaking herself once before darting right back to Kyle.

With precise little claws. She scaled up the front of his clothes and disappeared once again into his jacket.

Kyle laughed awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. "Guess she doesn’t like strangers."

Seris didn’t respond right away. Her gaze lingered on the bulge in his coat a mont longer, little disappointed.

Then she turned back to the teleportation gate. "Let’s go," she said simply.

The carved runes along the archway pulsed blue, and the air shimred like heat rising off pavent.

Aurelia stepped through first.

Kyle followed. Feeling the comforting weight of Mochi against his chest.

Then Seraphina.

Finally. Seris passed through behind them.

———

[Valtheras City]

The gate spat them out just outside Valtheras.

The sky was clear, city lights glowing in the distance. The soft hum of traffic and the faint buzz of mana lines filled the air.

Kyle stumbled as he landed. His body still sore from everything that had happened. The dizziness from teleportation didn’t help.

Aurelia caught his arm before he could tip over. Her grip steady. "I told you to rest."

"I am resting," Kyle mumbled. "Just... standing up."

Seraphina let out a soft laugh beside them.

Since it still wasn’t safe for Kyle to use Seris’s space portals. They flagged a mana-taxi and headed straight for Solvayne Academy.

As they reached the academy gate.

Seris stepped forward with her usual graceful stride. She didn’t turn around as she spoke.

"Kyle"

Kyle straightened instinctively. "Yes, Vice Principal?"

)

Her golden eyes flicked over her shoulder. "My office. Tomorrow morning. We have things to discuss."

It wasn’t phrased as a request.

Kyle nodded. "Understood."

Without another word. Seris turned and walked away.

"Co on," Aurelia said, glancing at him. "Let’s get to our quarters"

Seraphina fell into step on Kyle’s other side. Her hands shoved into her pockets.

Mochi purred softly from inside his jacket.

Kyle allowed himself to breathe.

———