Project Superior: The Chronicles of the Unseen

"Oh, hey, Jona!" Percival said with a smile.

"It's been a while, hasn't it?" he added.

"Yeah, brother, it’s been years," Jonathan replied, clapping him on the shoulder.

Percival chuckled. "Well, I’ve been pretty busy these past few years," he explained. "Just couldn’t find the time to visit my brother."

Jonathan laughed softly. "Don’t worry about it," he said. "No matter how long you're away, you’ll always be family when you come back."

Percival’s grin widened. "That’s good to hear, brother."

Xavier, watching the exchange, was confused and glanced between the two men. Jonathan noticed and turned to him.

"Xavier, meet my twin brother, Percival Ashford," Jonathan introduced with a proud smile.

Xavier blinked in shock. He had no idea his father had a brother—let alone an identical twin.

Percival stepped forward, handing Xavier a small box. "I heard you love vanilla chocolates," he said with a grin.

Xavier eagerly accepted the gift, thanking him with a smile.

Just then, Violet, Jason, Jupiter, Princess Misaki, and the rest of Xavier’s friends burst into the room. They were eager to catch up with him but froze when they saw someone who looked exactly like Jonathan.

Violet, stunned, stared at her father before her gaze shifted to Percival. "Uncle Percival?" she gasped, recognizing him. Her face lit up as she rushed over, hugging him tightly, making him wheeze under her enthusiasm.

"I’ve missed you so much, Uncle Percival!" Violet exclaimed, her voice full of joy.

Percival chuckled, patting her back. "I missed you too, Violet."

After greeting Xavier’s friends and Princess Misaki, Percival exchanged a warmer smile with Jupiter. His usually reserved demeanor seemed more open now, especially toward Jupiter, who smiled back.

Turning to Jonathan, Percival said, "How about we grab some lunch? That’ll give Xavier some time with his friends."

Jonathan agreed enthusiastically, and the two brothers waved goodbye as they left the room.

Violet turned to Xavier and hugged him tightly. "I’ve missed you so much, little brother!" she said, her voice full of emotion.

Xavier smiled, hugging her back. "Yeah, it’s been a year since we last saw each other."

Violet pulled back, looking confused. "A year? What are you talking about? It’s only been seven months since you disappeared."

Xavier frowned. "What? Seven months? Are you sure?"

Princess Misaki nodded. "It’s September 3rd, 1808."

Xavier’s eyes widened. "Seven months? That’s crazy. It felt like a whole year!"

Violet’s eyes narrowed. "You were spotted by the imperial soldiers just last week, when you arrived at the kingdom’s docks."

Xavier shook his head in disbelief. "I could’ve sworn it was a year."

Jason, curious, asked, "Why did you think it was that long?"

Xavier took a deep breath. "I was fighting a varmint. It grabbed me and dragged me into its portal—the one it used to enter our world."

Everyone fell silent.

"I managed to escape, but I got trapped in another dimension. I spent a whole year there... alone."

The room erupted in gasps. Elowen, wide-eyed, exclaimed, "You survived the varmint’s portal of despair?"

"Yeah," Xavier replied, shrugging as if it were no big deal.

Elowen grinned. "That’s incredible, Xavier!"

Xavier looked around, confused by everyone’s horrified expressions. Princess Misaki explained, "It’s shocking because... no one has ever come back from one of those portals. Soldiers from all four great races have disappeared into them, never to return."

As Xavier processed that, Jupiter smirked and teased, "You’ve gotten stronger, haven’t you?"

Xavier grinned. "Of course. I achieved my Expert Core—and fully mastered it."

The room fell into stunned silence again. Jupiter was speechless. "Already? You fully mastered it?"

Xavier nodded. "Yep."

Jupiter let out a low whistle, looking a bit deflated. "I just reached the mastered level of my core a few days ago, and I’m still trying to get the hang of it..."

Jason and Princess Misaki exchanged knowing glances, clearly thinking the same thing.

Violet smiled proudly at Xavier, patting his head. "That’s amazing, little brother. I’m so proud of you."

As they continued chatting, Princess Jasmine entered the room, carrying gifts. The sight of her made Xavier blush, and everyone noticed.

Violet, hiding a grin, suggested they give Xavier and Jasmine some alone time. They all agreed and said their goodbyes.

As they left, Princess Jasmine approached Xavier, smiling warmly. "I’m so glad to see you’re okay," she said softly.

Xavier fumbled for words, his face reddening. "Yeah, I’m glad to see you too."

Jasmine handed him the gifts she’d brought. "I brought these for you," she said, her voice tender.

Xavier took them, his cheeks growing even redder as Jasmine stepped closer.

With a sweet smile, she said, "You were so brave, Xavier. Protecting everyone from the varmint… you’re a true hero."

Embarrassed, Xavier chuckled nervously. "It was nothing… I just did what I had to do."

Jasmine leaned in and kissed his forehead. "A kiss for a heroic knight," she whispered with a grin.

Xavier froze, his face burning, completely unable to move. Jasmine looked at him, concerned. "Xavier? Are you okay?"

He didn’t respond.

"Xavier?" she asked again, her tone more worried. "Xavier!"

Hours later, Xavier and his father, Jonathan, were walking around outside. Jonathan asked how he was feeling, and Xavier replied that he was fine, just a little dizzy.

Jonathan sighed, then spoke. "You know, we were all worried sick after what happened at the Forest Crown Hunt. The whole family, even your grandfather, searched everywhere for you."

Xavier winced. "I’m sorry for making everyone worry."

Jonathan ruffled his hair. "No need to apologize. We’re just happy you’re safe."

After a pause, Xavier grinned and said, "I never thought you had a twin brother!"

Jonathan laughed. "Yeah, Percival and I haven’t seen each other much over the years."

The conversation shifted, and Xavier, his curiosity piqued, asked Jonathan about their childhood. Jonathan explained how he and Percival had been polar opposites—Jonathan the rebellious one, and Percival the charming genius.

They shared stories and laughter until Xavier asked a question that left Jonathan speechless.

"Father, who are my real parents?"

Jonathan’s face paled, his voice soft as he asked, "What do you mean by that, Xavier?"

Xavier hesitated for a moment before replying, "You don't have to lie to me anymore, Father. I know I’m adopted."

Jonathan blinked in disbelief, but Xavier continued, "I’ve always known... I don’t look like you, or Aleksander, or Violet, not even Grandpa."

Jonathan stood speechless, his heart heavy with the weight of his son's words. It hurt more than he expected that Xavier might not see him as his true father. Sensing this, Xavier immediately softened, guilt lining his expression.

"I'm sorry," Xavier said quietly, his voice wavering. "I didn’t mean to hurt you, I just... I want to know who my real parents were. Where I came from."

Jonathan exhaled slowly, gathering his thoughts. "Xavier," he began, "we found you when you were just a baby, in a shipping container on a vessel from the Imperial Kingdom of France. We searched for your family, tried to find answers, but we never could." His voice grew tender. "So we made you ours. You became part of this family, no different from Aleksander or Violet."

Xavier, his head bowed, murmured, "France, huh? I would’ve never guessed."

Jonathan pulled him into a tight embrace, sensing the sadness in his son's voice. "It doesn’t matter where you came from. Blood or no blood, you'll always be my Xavier."

Tears welled up in Xavier’s eyes. "Why do you love me so much, even though I'm not your real son?"

Jonathan smiled gently. "Because love isn’t about blood, Xavier. It’s about what you give and who you choose to be."

Xavier wiped at his eyes, then asked, "Why do you always talk about love like it’s something so... important?"

Jonathan chuckled, looking off toward the horizon. "Love is everything, my boy. It’s kind, it’s selfless. It’s not proud or envious. It forgives, it lets go of pain, and it sacrifices for the people you care about. Love’s what makes someone a good person, a good man."

Xavier stood in awe as his father spoke, understanding dawning on his young face. Jonathan placed a hand on his shoulder. "I want you, Aleksander, and Violet to use your gifts to help others, to live with kindness in your hearts. In this world, so many people with power are driven by pride, thinking they're better than everyone else. But I don't want that for you."

Xavier frowned thoughtfully. "Why should I help others? No one’s going to save me when I need it."

Jonathan smiled knowingly. "You reap what you sow in life. If you help others, if you show them love and goodness, trust me—they’ll come back to you when you least expect it. But the real question, Xavier, is this: Who do you want to be?"

Xavier’s eyes lit up with determination. "I want to be a knight," he declared, his voice filled with resolve.

"A knight?" Jonathan asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, but not just any knight. A heroic one. I want to protect people and guide them, just like you said."

Jonathan’s expression grew serious. "Being a knight—especially a heroic one—means facing hardship. It means suffering, sacrifice. Are you ready for that?"

Xavier nodded with a broad smile. "I am!"

Jonathan’s heart swelled with pride. He lifted Xavier into his arms. "Then I’ll be cheering you on, my son."

Xavier beamed, joy radiating from him. As they continued their walk, Aleksander appeared, holding flowers and gifts meant for Xavier’s hospital room. He stopped dead in his tracks, stunned to see his little brother up and walking.

"Xavier!" Aleksander shouted, rushing over.

Xavier grinned wide, throwing his arms around Aleksander. "I missed you, big brother."

Aleksander, still in shock, dropped the flowers and returned the hug with relief. "You’re awake... I can’t believe it!"

Xavier pulled back, his brow furrowing in concern. "Are you okay, Aleks?"

"Yeah, I’m fine," Aleksander assured him with a soft smile. "I’m just relieved you’re alright."

Xavier’s grin grew wider, and there was a hint of smugness in his voice. "You don’t have to worry anymore—I’m stronger than ever!"

Aleksander chuckled and teased, "Strong, huh? How about we spar later, then?"

Xavier’s face paled. "Uh, no thanks. I don’t want to die."

Aleksander playfully smacked his brother’s head. "Relax, I wouldn’t hurt you. Don’t say stuff like that!"

Xavier laughed. "I know, I know."