The Boy Without Words

At 10:15

Jimmy returned home briefly.

He didn't waste time.

He packed everything. Potions? food? some necessary things and other things.

Bruno? Already invisible, watching the perimeter of the house and also that incubator.

Jimmy strapped on his black coat, slid his blindfold tighter, and stepped into the hallway.

...........

After a quiet, six-hour journey by bus through hills and lowlands, Jimmy finally stepped off at the familiar dusty terminal just outside his real hometown — a quiet village nestled at the forest's edge, untouched by the modern gloss of cities like Kirim or Veryith.

The moment his boots hit the gravel, a gentle breeze blew across his face. The air here smelled of pine and old stone. Nothing had changed.

The streets were quiet. The sun had already begun to dip, painting the rooftops in deep amber. With his coat draped over one shoulder and a blindfold shading his tired eyes, Jimmy made his way straight toward the local Nexus Headquarters, a modest structure near the town's old chapel.

........

As soon as Jimmy arrived from bus station, he stepped into the main hall, where only a few people remained — staff cleaning up, filing reports. The energy felt like a closing curtain — a final window.

Suddenly, a small girl near the reception pointed with excitement.

"Sister, sister — Jimmy came!"

At the front desk, the nun in her blue robes and the violet-uniformed receptionist turned at once. Uncle Goat was also nearby, organizing something in a side locker.

The nun's eyes lit up.

"Jimmy! School ended or you came just. Don't waste time like that, school is starting and you are already starting"

Jimmy raised a hand, signing a brief phrase by his phone.

"Competition. I'm going."

Uncle Goat chuckled. "So the silent one's grown up."

The receptionist practically leapt over her desk by taking his phone."Let's see what you've got. Hey! Hey! Jim, come here, come here! Quickly!"

"Only one hour remains. Come fast."

Jimmy strode up, showing the notification on his device. The receptionist scanned it, eyes widening.

"Whew… okay, name registered — barely. Two hour to confirmation at Vatican's Nexus Outpost."

She leaned in.

"Only Intermediate-level Whisps are allowed. Has that pet of yours evolved yet?"

Jimmy didn't answer.

She squinted."Hnnhhhh… mute bastard. Go! Go confirm it now — and if you want to skip the early selection matches, it'll cost you."

Jimmy pulled out his phone.

Beep. Paid.

At that moment, Mr. Goat returned from the back, panting slightly.

"You said competition?"He stared at Jimmy for a beat, then nodded."Let's get moving. We'll return here later."

Jimmy turned to the receptionist again and typed on his phone.

"Need to update Whisp profile before I go."

The receptionist smirked."Now our mute's talking, huh?"

Jimmy held up his watch: only minutes remained.

She waved him toward the left corridor."Fine, fine! Dr. Mu! We need you!"

.........

In the nearby testing hall, Dr. Mu, a bright-eyed data scientist with round glasses and a coffee stain on her coat, was waiting.

"Show me your Whisp."

Jimmy made an green array and released Peeko. Seeing this she shocked again 'when did it happen?' Jimmy said 'later I will talk'

Peeko burst from the light in a swirl of feathers, chirping excitedly.

He blinked dramatically, then flapped up to perch on Jimmy's shoulder.

And then—

"Dum ta dum ta!"

He darted through the air, did a backflip, landed on Dr. Mu's head, and chirped proudly.

The doctor froze, and then broke into laughter.

"Dumtadumta!"

She blinked, startled — then giggled.

"Where did you get this chubby, chaotic puffball? Too cute!"

She gently tugged his cheek.Peeko flared his tail like a prideful child.

Jimmy sighed — time was slipping.

He motioned.

"Please. Update it."

Dr. Mu laughed again."Okay, okay. Let me check the database... Pheanolix, is it?"

Her smile faded slightly as she scanned.

"...Odd entry. Rare name. Never heard of it."She glanced up."Where did you get him?"

Jimmy only typed:"Later."

She nodded and submitted the update.

"Done. Your profile's cleared and synced. You're official now."

But as she looked again at the database, she paused.

That name — Pheanolix — tugged at something in the back of her mind.

Before she could speak further, a receptionist poked in.

"Nun wants you to come say goodbye to him."

..........

Jimmy stepped out into the front plaza.

There, Peeko was causing joyful chaos — zipping between children's legs, hopping onto their heads, flapping down to drop pebbles in water buckets. The kids squealed with delight, chasing after him like a tiny carnival.

Even the nun laughed softly.

"He's become a little mascot already."

Dr. Mu emerged just in time to see it.

"He's going to give the world headaches, you know that?"

Only laughter.

After ten more minutes, the Nexus bus arrived.

Jimmy, Mr. Goat climbed aboard. As the vehicle hummed and began its route to Vatican City, Jimmy looked back once toward the hometown gate.

Faintly, in the breeze, the old chimes rang.

............

The sun was already dipping low as the bus slowed before the colossal city gates.

Jimmy peered out from behind his blindfold.

Even through the tinted glass, Vatican City radiated something different — older, grander, like time itself had folded over to watch this place. The walls weren't just tall — they were towering. Ancient stone laced with living silver veins and moss that shimmered like dew under moonlight.

But what caught Jimmy's attention were the two massive sculptures carved into the entrance pillars.

On the left: KyronalysA six-winged avian beast, feathers layered in crystalline frost and crackling arcs of electricity. Its wings were spread wide — the top pair curved like blades, the middle held low in defense, and the bottom tucked in like a meditative monk. Its sharp beak pointed toward the sky. Tiny runes ran along its wings like old circuitry — glowing faintly blue.

On the right: VoltahrA majestic tiger-like Whisp, thickly built and armoured with plates of gleaming metal. Its legs were encased in spiral helm-like guards, and its tail ended in a jagged, dual-orb formation — one larger orb orbited the top, while a smaller one pulsed beneath it. Lightning marks streaked from its shoulders down to its claws, and its mouth was half-open, revealing fangs like molten obsidian.

Jimmy leaned forward slightly.

These weren't just statues.

They were guardians.

"This city," Mr. Goat muttered beside him, watching the gate rise, "was built for the Concord's oldest test. Long before they even called it a competition."

Jimmy nodded once, absorbing the weight of it.

....................

As the bus hissed to a stop, Jimmy stepped down, the soles of his shoes hitting the ancient stone road of Vatican City with a soft tap. The sky above was laced with burnt gold — the last hour before dusk — and the city around him was alive with energy.

He didn't hesitate.

The towering Nexus branch stood like a marble fortress near the heart of the city, banners fluttering with emblems of different factions, guilds, and academy symbols. A digital board above the gates pulsed with lists of names, all in flux, all belonging to competitors arriving for the coming tournament.

Jimmy slipped inside just before the next rush.

The lobby was flooded — young caretakers, excited trainers, proud parents, and more than a few overconfident elites jostling for their place. The air buzzed with the chatter of battle potential and whispered rankings.

Uncle Goat, who had followed behind, placed a reassuring hand on Jimmy's shoulder and pointed to a far wall."See that counter, boy? That's for those who already pre-registered. You're in that lane. Less fuss."

Jimmy nodded and quickly slipped into the shorter line. It still moved slowly — but after about 24 minutes, he finally reached the front.

The receptionist, a bored teenager in a silver Nexus vest, didn't even look up."Next."

Jimmy slid his phone and confirmation code across the counter. The receptionist scanned it, blinked in surprise, then gave a stiff nod."Jimmy. Confirmed. You're officially resister and directly advanced for the match no need from preliminaries. Also you will get a notification in next 5 hour of your match. Next!"

Jimmy stepped back into the open plaza, the weight of the process behind him, but a new anticipation beginning to build in his chest.

...................

As he came outside, he asked. "Where do we stay now?" he signed with one hand, typing it into his communicator for clarity.

Uncle Goat, adjusting his shoulder bag, chuckled."Don't worry. You'll stay with me. Come on."

They turned from the main roads and soon began weaving through quieter paths. The noise of the Nexus faded, replaced by the soothing rustle of wind and old wood. As they reached the older part of the city — beyond the sleek towers — traditional Japanese-style houses came into view, their tiled curved roofs, and wooden beams painted in aged earth tones.

Finally, they arrived at a house tucked between two Bingons trees — an old minka, sturdy and proud, its paper walls glowing with warm orange light from within.

As Jimmy approached the gate, a small boy burst out from the sliding door with wide eyes.

"Ah! Uncle Goat's back!" the boy shouted with joy. "Dad! Dad! Uncle's here!"

From inside, a gruff voice responded, "Tell him to get his old legs in here before dinner gets cold!"

The boy ran up and stared at Jimmy curiously."Who's he? He looks cool! Is he a fighter too? Why's he wearing that blindfold?"

Uncle Goat ruffled the boy's hair."He's a special one. And yeah… he's going to fight. Maybe even win."

Jimmy just gave a polite nod. The boy grinned up at him."I'm gonna watch you win, mister! Bet you're stronger than Dad!"

From inside, another voice laughed."Kid, don't go betting on strangers!"

The door slid open wider, revealing a cozy interior of tatami mats, low tables, and the comforting scent of miso and grilled fish. Lanterns swayed slightly in the breeze.

"Come in," said the man inside, "We've got space, and the bath's already heating. Rest up. Big days ahead."

Jimmy stepped in, the warmth of the room wrapping around him like a long-forgotten comfort.

Outside, the wind carried the sound of distant cheering from the city centre — but inside the Minka, it was peace.