A day ago, in the outside world, Riya Ironhart cried a sea of tears after Skyler vanished from his own room.
Johnson Ironhart contacted his guild and immediately mobilized all the Lights under his command, regardless of their abilities, to search for his son at any cost.
Receiving no news throughout the entire afternoon and evening, an announcement was made across Nowan City in the middle of the night on Star-Net, declaring that the individual who had dared to kidnap his son would face a fate worse than death. It was best for them to surrender. Moreover, in the city, anyone who could provide information about Skyler would be rewarded.
In just one night, the entire city became aware of Skyler Ironhart's disappearance. His pictures flooded all online platforms, capturing the attention of many.
Those who had previously seen his face in the videos from the day he awakened as a seemingly useless light elementist with only 1-star potential recognized him.
Skyler's bad past, which had hardly faded from public memory, reignited as a heated topic online once again.
Many speculated that he might have run away, but why would he? Where could he go without any powers? Moreover, if that were true, why would he leave behind his phone, clothes, and even his shoes in his room? It felt as if he had evaporated into thin air.
Suddenly, a comment appeared in the comments section, suggesting that maybe he too had been forcefully teleported to the initial test of Battle Royale this year.
But how was that possible?
So, it was dismissed.
However, even after the night passed in search, the couple couldn't find Skyler.
Early the next morning, standing atop the rooftop of the tallest building in Nowan City, surrounded by many lights, Riya felt a soft tap on her shoulder from one of her friends, a tall blonde woman dressed in a blue suit. However, the words that followed cast a shadow over everyone's expressions.
"Maybe... I'm just saying maybe Skyler has been kidnapped by the villains—those who call themselves the Dark Lights and cause harm to the public?"
Emily paused for a moment when she noticed Riya's expression fall. Nevertheless, she continued with her words.
"The video of the day when Skyler awakened was everywhere for a while... I fear that one of those villains might have taken him for some kind of experiment."
All the lights around the two, who were scanning the horizon with binoculars and monitoring several screens set up on the rooftop connected to cameras throughout the city, paused at the words.
If what Emily just said was true, then there would be no way they could find Skyler.
These Dark Lights, known as villains, operate covertly in the underworld and are wanted criminals everywhere in Eldoria. All of them have huge bounties on their heads, but their leaders never get caught because they are powerful, and many of them have the ability to control the dead. If Skyler had indeed been kidnapped by one of those deranged and crazy individuals, it is likely that the kid is already dead.
Johnson's commanding voice, instructing everyone to focus on their jobs, snapped them out of their thoughts. He walked up to Emily with a solemn expression and placed a hand on Riya's tense back. His wife had just stopped crying, and he didn't want her to shed any more tears.
"Don't think so negatively. We need to find Skyler. I will ensure that my and Riya's son will be back home safe and sound—"
His words were cut short when suddenly one of the lights around them shouted that they had received a call saying they knew where Skyler was currently.
Instantly, everyone gathered around the person, their eyes widening as they heard the informer's news. A gruff, unsteady old voice echoed from the phone.
"I am... not drunk. Hiccup. Give me the reward money. I can see that kid you are looking for right in front of me. Yep, he is on TV. He is fighting a lot of fire wolves... with some other kids. Wow, shit, his aim with the bow is so damn crazy. I am betting on him that he is going to kill the most beasts!"
Everyone glanced at each other, shocked. The most shocked were Riya and Johnson. The old voice stopped, and Johnson quickly snatched the phone before shouting.
"Where are you? What are you talking about? What fire wolves? Give me your location... right now!"
Emily glanced at another person.
"Track this man's location!"
Before the man seated before one of the monitor screens could begin tracking, the old voice echoed once more.
"Sshh... why are you shouting? Oh, someone next to me is saying the other kids are from a famous Starlight Academy, and I'm going to lose money. Haha, why... hiccup... are you looking for the blue-eyed kid when he's right there... inside the Battle Royale? Anyway, hurry, send me my reward. I want to place a big bet on him."
Riya lost her footing in a daze. She would have fallen if Johnson hadn't grabbed her. Emily whispered with wide eyes.
"Battle Royale? But how..."
Johnson hurriedly shouted.
"Now's not the time to ponder how and why! Everyone, hurry up and start the livestreams that Starlight Academy is broadcasting to showcase their students' performances!"
All the lights nodded, and before long, the display on the screens around them shifted, now showcasing those participating in the preliminary test of Battle Royale.
They saw countless young students, and the channels sometimes even highlighted the youths of other academies who were performing exceptionally well. Therefore, they narrowed their focus solely on the students of Starlight Academy.
Suddenly, one of the men shouted.
"I think I found them!"
Riya and the others rushed toward him. Their eyes locked onto the screen in front of him, which displayed four individuals in Starlight Academy uniforms and a familiar youth with a bow beside them.
The news anchor was commenting on a student named Max, stating that his and his team's performance the previous day in the forest was one of the best so far.
Her eyes trembled slightly.
"Oh! Honey! It's really Sky! Oh no! What should we do? The preliminary test is much safer for those students who have trained in the academies... but our Sky..."
Before she could say any more, Johnson pointed at the screen.
"Look closely! That's Jenny with him. His sister is with him. Thank goodness... He will be fine. He will be fine."
Hearing this, many sighed in relief. They had seen Skyler come into the guild and train, and they knew the kid wasn't strong enough to survive in the Battle Royal. They had no idea why Skyler had been called to that dangerous test when he was not even eligible, but fortunately, he had somehow found his sister and would have a better chance of survival with her by his side.
They were all astonished when they saw Skyler throwing a javelin with such ease, as if he had used it countless times. His throw accurately struck the monster!
"Wow... that was impressive."
One of the Lights tried to lighten the mood, and everyone agreed with him. Emily sat down in one of the chairs.
"Of course, he is the son of the most powerful Lights in Nowan City, after all."
Riya took a deep breath and composed herself. Johnson patted her on the back. They couldn't enter the preliminary test of the Battle Royal, so they had to place their hopes in their daughter, Jenny, to bring her brother back home safely...
However, things escalated in the next moment. A monster wave passed through the forest, and all the Lights watched as the group of students, including Jenny, left the injured Skyler behind.
The drones recording the scene followed the four fleeing students, and soon, Skyler's figure disappeared from the screen.
Emily gasped.
"Omg... the kid won't survive..."
Johnson just stared at the screen. The image of Skyler's injured figure and how his own sister had abandoned him replayed in his mind over and over. He was in denial. His daughter couldn't do this...
"Jenny Ironhart!"
He shouted, and in that instant, Riya fainted. Perhaps she was unable to accept the reality of what she had just witnessed; that's why, even as a powerful Light, she succumbed to unconsciousness.