Chapter 129: Arrival in the Capital, A Tour Begins
[3rd June, Vyraazeth City (Capital), Dragon Kingdom]
The early morning light filtered faintly through the train's windows.
Rey sat in his seat, stilling his breath as he pulled himself out of training.
Two days had passed since he left his hometown.
Two days of station stops, shifting passengers, and restless waiting.
Now, at last, he was here.
The capital.
Every youth on the train carried the same hope burning in their chest—the entrance exam. The key that could decide their path, their fate.
Rey was no different. Yet unlike many, he carried a quiet certainty in himself. Not arrogance. Not pride. Only the confidence born from relentless effort and the strength he had carved out with his own hands.
In this exam, marks mattered little. What truly mattered was progress—how far and how fast one could climb the path of cultivation. Strength was the only language this world respected.
The train slowed, plunging into an underground tunnel beneath the city. The vibrations in the track changed, and Rey leaned toward the window. His patience was rewarded as light finally cut through the dark.
The train emerged into the open like a beast rising from the depths. Vyraazeth City sprawled ahead. Familiar from his past life, yet foreign now, a city reborn in his eyes.
The station came into view. Passengers stood, gathering bags and lining the aisles. Rey reached into his inventory and pulled out a simple travel bag—mostly for show.
His real belongings remained hidden away.
His mother had nagged him not carrying much more, and he had just smiled, unable to explain.
He stepped into the aisle, falling naturally into the moving line of passengers. With his built frame and steady gaze, no one dared to complain about his presence.
His body had changed in these months—muscle hardened by training, his posture sharpened by combat.
As he left the train, he caught a glimpse of two attendants in the corner of his eye—the very same who once gossiped about him. He gave them nothing but a smirk before walking away.
A chill ran down their backs.
"…You said he looked weak."
"I—I thought he was skinny in loose clothes… How was I supposed to know he was built like that?"
"Fool. If we had tried anything last night, we'd be corpses today."
They sighed, neither realising how close they had come to disaster.
Rey inhaled deeply, finally free from the confines of the train. The air of the capital felt fresher, heavier, alive with countless auras. He scanned the crowd and moved toward the main entrance, where his uncle was supposed to meet him.
He remembered the photo his mother had shown him. It was old, taken in youth. His uncle would surely look different now.
The station gates bustled, but no familiar face greeted him. Rey frowned. 'Maybe he's waiting in the parking lot.'
He turned to head that way—then stopped.
A striking car stood just outside the station gates. Sleek, brown body with black stripes, polished until it gleamed. A noble's car, without question. Beside it stood a middle-aged man in refined attire with gentleman look, surveying the crowd with a calm dignified gaze, almost like someone above from the commoners world, with sharp gaze.
'Probably waiting for someone else.' Rey dismissed the thought and continued to the parking lot.
Yet after searching every row, no uncle appeared. Irritation pricked at him. He reached for his phone, ready to call his mother, when his gaze drifted back to the same car.
This time, his eyes caught the silver letters etched on its side:
H. Valemont.
Rey froze.
That name carried the weight of his family's bloodline. His uncle.
'Perfect. My first impression is already ruined.' He groaned inwardly. The man's gaze flickered toward him briefly, unreadable, before shifting away.
Steeling himself, Rey approached. The crowd instinctively parted, watching with curiosity. Many expected a confrontation—a noble scolding of a reckless youth. But the outcome was far from their imagination.
The man looked directly at him. "Took you long enough to recognise your own uncle." His tone was stern, but not cold.
"Can't blame you, though. Years without meeting… I'll forgive this one mistake. Get in the car. We're already fifteen minutes past arrival." He clicked his tongue. "Did Jasmine not tell you how I look now?"
Rey bowed his head slightly. "Sorry, Uncle. Mother did show me your picture, but it was an old one. You look… very different now."
"Oh?" A faint smile tugged at the man's lips. "Different how?"
Rey answered carefully. "In that picture, you seemed carefree. Jolly. Extroverted. But now… you're mature. Serious. The kind of man people follow. A leader."
His uncle chuckled, a rare warmth breaking through his composed demeanour. "Hah. Buttered words, but not untrue. Well, get in before the crowd grows restless." He gestured to the seat beside him.
Rey hesitated, then realised something—he didn't know the man's full name.
The uncle arched a brow. "Oh, by the way… You do know my name, don't you? Or did Jasmine forget to mention that, too?"
Rey's smile stiffened. He couldn't answer.
His uncle's eyes narrowed slightly, amusement glinting behind them.
"Hush…" The man adjusted his sunglasses, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "My sister is really something. To not even tell her child his uncle's name. I'll settle that with her later. For now, it's Hosric. Hosric Valemont. Your mother's brother—and your uncle."
Rey nodded quickly, committing the name to memory as they slid into the car. The sleek vehicle purred to life, pulling away from the station and into the veins of the capital.
Hosric glanced at him through the corner of his shades. "So, Rey. As Jasmine told me, you're aiming for the entrance exam at the new university. First time in the capital, too. My son's preparing as well. Hopefully, you'll both get in."
"Yes, Uncle. This is my first time back here. And… I'll do my best." Rey replied, eyes wandering over the towering structures, busy streets, and the sheer scale of the capital.
Hosric chuckled. "Then let's not rush to your lodgings. You've come all this way—might as well see the city first."
Without waiting for permission, he turned the wheel, heading straight toward a main district.
"Though," he added casually, "I can't bring you inside certain places. Same reason you aren't staying at our mansion. Hope you don't mind."
Rey shook his head. "No, Uncle. You've already spent your time showing me around. Asking for more would be selfish."
Hosric's smirk deepened. 'This kid… not like those pampered brats from high society. Just like Jasmine said. Good.'
And so the tour began.
Hosric drove him through bustling food districts, past martial academies where young aspirants sparred in courtyards, the massive Hunter Mall gleaming like a fortress of commerce, and the sprawling Hunter Market with its chaos of stalls and weapons.
Everywhere they went, the pulse of the capital screamed of power, ambition, and opportunity.
Hosric's phone buzzed again and again during the ride. Each time, he ignored it, brushing it off with a shake of his head.
Eventually, they stopped by a café famous enough to stretch lines across the block. Rey offered to wait, but Hosric waved him off. "You'd be here an hour. Leave it to me."
Hosric disappeared into the café. Rey remained in the car. The phone rang again, vibrating across the seat. He hesitated, then picked it up.
"Hello, who is it?"
A gruff voice answered immediately. "Who are you? Where's Mr. Hosric?"
"He went to grab shakes from the café. I'm just waiting in the car."
"…A kid? Hmph. Your voice doesn't match the family members. Still… if he's letting you sit there, you must matter. Who are you?"
"I'm his nephew," Rey replied plainly. "He's showing me the city."
A pause. Then the man's tone hardened. "Listen carefully. When he returns, tell him he must go back to the office. The workload is piling up."
"Alright. I'll tell him."
The call ended. Rey placed the phone down, frowning.
Hosric soon returned, holding two chilled shakes. He handed one to Rey before noticing the boy's expression. "What's wrong? Long face doesn't suit you."
"There was a call. From your office. They said the workload's too high—you should head back."
Hosric sighed, running a hand through his hair. "That naggy assistant of mine. Always dragging me back. Don't mind him. We still have places left to—"
"No, Uncle." Rey met his gaze seriously. "You've already done more than enough. Please, return to your work. I can manage from here."
For a moment, Hosric simply looked at him. Then he exhaled slowly, a faint trace of pride in his eyes. "…You're too considerate for your own good. Fine. But before I go back, I'll show you where you'll be staying."
The car veered off the bustling main streets, slipping into a quieter district. The scenery changed. Cluttered markets gave way to broad, polished roads. Rows of elegant houses and looming mansions stretched on both sides, each more extravagant than the last.
Hosric's car pulled into one such lane, finally stopping in front of a property.
Rey stepped out, taking a sip of the shake—then froze mid-slurp.
Hosric stood before the building with his back straight, voice calm. "It's a small house, so don't raise your expectations. But it's spacious enough for one person. You won't feel cramped."
Rey's jaw nearly hit the ground.
The "small house" in front of him was quite the surprise. It completely overturned his notion of what a house should be.
With its meticulously manicured gardens, imposing stone walls, and an air of sophistication that practically shouted wealth, it certainly blended right in with the neighbourhood—whatever that says about the society around it.
Rey stared, dumbfounded.
Hosric just smirked.
--> To be continued…
What type of house is he going to get? Is it an apartment or an old, worn-out house? Be prepared for some crazy stuff, and add it to your library for instant updates so you won't miss anything.