Blake was currently at a site inspection in Montclair.
His company was preparing to establish a distribution house there. While Montclair wasnāt the most populated city in Guhang, it still connected several important settlements, making it a valuable location strategically.
"Hm?"
His attention shifted when his phone vibrated.
Pulling it out, he noticed the call wasnāt actually a call but a message from Lara, his secretary, who was currently overseas on a business trip.
There was only a short line attached alongside a link.
Related to Kyle.
That alone was enough to make Blake focus completely.
The link redirected him to a short video showing the collapsed section of an industrial building.
Blake frowned instantly.
If Lara believed this had something to do with Kyle, then he had no reason to dismiss it lightly.
Without wasting time, he contacted someone from the CPB and quickly received the full report.
{Yes, sir. It happened this morning. By the time we arrived, he was already leaving the area. Honestly... he looked pretty roughed up after the fight.}
The moment the call ended, Blake immediately dialed another number.
Naturally, it was Kyle.
....
"Guh, stop talking for one second," Kyle groaned while holding the phone away slightly. "At this rate, Iām just going to hang up."
{Try it and Iāll personally come there. Five minutes is all Iād need.}
"Iām listening," Kyle surrendered instantly, having no desire to get scolded face-to-face.
A soft smile appeared on Amandaās lips as she stirred the food quietly, already able to imagine exactly what Blake was saying on the other side.
{Your first day there and you already end up in an incident. Then you go into a rift raid without armor or weapons. What exactly was the plan? Conducting an interview with the monster?}
"Man..." Kyle rubbed his forehead helplessly. "I genuinely didnāt expect to get dragged into a rift raid on my first day. But thinking about it now... I probably shouldāve seen it coming."
After all, he only had ten days left before officially joining the academy.
Every single day mattered right now.
{Are you with Amanda right now?}
"Yeah... wait, how do you know?" Kyle asked in confusion. Amanda hadnāt made a single sound since he picked up the call.
{Just a guess. Now hand the phone to her.}
Kyle let out a sigh and rose from the chair, only for Amanda to immediately warn,
"No entry into the kitchen!"
Clearly, she had no intention of letting him discover what she was cooking.
Kyle instantly covered his eyes with one hand and slowly walked toward her with the other arm stretched out in front of him.
Amanda burst into laughter at the ridiculous sight.
Honestly, she couldāve just walked over to him herself.
Still smiling, she took the phone from his hand. "Yes, Brother?"
Kyle stepped back afterward and deliberately turned around, refusing to ruin the surprise for himself.
From behind, he could hear Amanda humming softly as she listened, sounding oddly attentive, as though Blake was assigning her some important mission.
"Okay, I understand... Ah, I wonāt nee... well, alright. Yes, yes, I get it. Ehe."
A few moments later, Amanda walked back over and handed the phone to Kyle.
"Here."
Kyle glanced at the screen.
The call was still connected.
Placing the phone back against his ear, he asked suspiciously, "What exactly did you tell her?"
{Nothing much. Just go wherever she takes you. Since Lara isnāt in town, Iāve assigned her the responsibility of buying you proper gear.}
Kyle let out a quiet sigh.
Well, he had already been planning to buy equipment sooner or later, so he couldnāt really complain.
"Alright, I understand."
{Good. Now, if youā}
"Blake."
Kyle spoke just as Blake seemed ready to end the call.
{Yes?}
Kyle glanced toward Amanda before lowering his voice slightly. "This sudden visit from Uncle and Aunt... do you know anything about it?"
{Ah, that.} Blake paused briefly. {Yeah, actually. I spoke with Uncle earlier today. Theyāre specifically coming here to meet you.}
Kyle frowned immediately. "Why me?"
{Meeting you is probably just the excuse.} Blake sounded slightly hesitant now. {Honestly... I think Father called him over for something else.}
That hesitation instantly caught Kyleās attention.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"What?" he asked. "Is there something youāre hiding from me?"
Blake remained silent for a few moments before finally speaking.
{Itās nothing serious. Well... if you want, you can come over for a few hours and meet them. You and Sean used to get along pretty well back then.}
Kyleās shoulders slumped slightly.
"Yeah... thatās true," he admitted quietly. "But Iām not really sure."
{Then donāt force yourself.} Blakeās voice softened a little. {Just do whatever feels right to you. And for now, focus on eating properly and getting some rest.}
Kyle gave a quiet hum in response.
A second later, the call disconnected.
Kyle returned to his seat just as Amanda asked,
"Is someone coming over?"
"Yeah." He leaned back slightly. "Momās elder brother is visiting with his family. I used to be pretty close with them, but now..." He exhaled softly. "I donāt know. My scheduleās become so hectic lately that I donāt think Iāll even have the time to properly meet them."
Between his hours at the base, training, and streaming, nearly every part of his day was already occupied.
Even weekends werenāt really weekends anymore.
Amanda listened quietly before giving a small nod of understanding.
"So weāre going shopping now?" Kyle asked, deliberately changing the topic. "Do you know any place that sells equipment for Nightwalkers?"
Amanda nodded immediately. "There are only a few reliable places around here, and I know someone who can get you exactly what you need."
Kyle leaned farther into the chair. "The problem is, I donāt even know what I need yet."
This whole world was still new to him.
Honestly, until recently, the mere thought of wearing armor wouldāve made him cringe.
Amanda smiled faintly at his reaction. "Donāt worry. Sheāll understand without you having to explain much. Sheās the best when it comes to equipment and gear."
Kyleās brows rose slightly.
Amanda sounded unusually confident about this person.
Well...
He supposed there was only one way to find out.