The Cheat Seed

Chapter 22 {Dave's Vlog}

Dave Vagner made his way to the massive private villa he owned by the coast, his steps heavy despite his athletic build. The sun was setting, painting the horizon in shades of orange and gold that once would have captivated him. Now, the beauty passed unnoticed as he pushed open the wrought iron gate with a slight gesture of his hand—no physical touch needed. He'd mastered telekinesis just yesterday, but the achievement felt hollow.

His father lounged on a luxurious armchair on the veranda, while his mother sat by the swimming pool, her legs dangling in the crystalline water. She swirled her feet, creating ripples that caught the fading sunlight. Neither parent spoke as their son approached, though their eyes followed his every movement with undisguised concern.

When his father spotted Dave, he rose from his chair, abandoning the financial report he'd been reviewing. The older man moved with surprising grace for someone who had spent most of his life laboring in fields.

"Son," he said simply, opening his arms.

Dave allowed himself to be folded into his father's embrace, feeling the strength in those arms—arms that had once struggled to put food on the table, now draped in expensive fabrics. His father kissed the top of his head, a gesture that would have embarrassed Dave to death two years ago.

"You're outgrowing me, Dave. That's my child." His father's voice caught, a slight sniffle betraying his emotion.

Dave pulled away, uncomfortable with the display of affection. "Ah, c'mon Dad. I'm 18 already. Stop with this smoochy-smoochy stuff."

His gloomy tone did nothing to deter his mother, who abandoned her poolside perch and practically sprinted toward him, water droplets trailing behind her. She wrapped her arms around him, her perfume enveloping him in a cloud of jasmine.

"Welcome home, Davey! Mommy made some amazing dinner tonight. There's so much food you could feed three entire houses."

Dave scowled, extracting himself from her grip. "Then it's better to feed three poor houses."

He brushed past them toward the villa, not looking back to see the hurt expressions on their faces. The massive residence loomed before him—a testament to what could be achieved when the world discovered a Legendary seed user in its midst. Marble columns, panoramic windows, a roof that seemed to float above the structure—all his, and all meaningless.

His parents watched him go, their earlier joy evaporating into the cool evening air.

"He still hasn't forgotten him," Dave's father said quietly, moving to embrace his wife as they both stared at their son's retreating back.

"How could he? He had the happiest time of his life with Marcus." Dave's mother leaned into her husband's chest, closing her eyes as a tear escaped, dropping onto the paved path. "He used to be so energetic. Now look at him, honey... he's... he looks dead."

Dave's father shook his head sadly. "Because he is, honey."

She lifted her gaze to meet his, confusion mixing with grief.

"Because he is dead inside," he clarified, his voice barely above a whisper.

Inside the villa, Dave took the stairs two at a time, reaching his bedroom in what felt like a single breath. He stripped off his academy uniform and changed into a casual t-shirt and loose shorts. Closing the door behind him, he moved toward his desk with measured steps that belied his inner turmoil.

He pulled out the chair and dropped into it with a heavy sigh. His eyes were barely open—not from sleepiness or exhaustion, but from an emotional weight that had settled on him two years ago and never lifted. A weight called Marcus.

His only friend. The only friend he'd cared about. The only friend he'd made in his eighteen years of life. Marcus's sudden suicide—no, disappearance, he corrected himself—had left him hollow, as if he too had died that day on the academy rooftop.

Dave rested his head against the chair and stared at the ceiling, watching the patterns of light and shadow dance as his thoughts wandered to memories of Marcus. Days filled with laughter, with playful insults, with dreams of the future. Days that now seemed to belong to another lifetime.

Coming back to himself, Dave reached for the drawer beside him and pulled out a leather-bound diary. His log recorder. Each day since Marcus's disappearance, Dave had faithfully documented his life, preserving every detail for the day Marcus would return and want to know what he'd missed.

He grabbed a pen from the stand and opened the diary to a fresh page, the paper crisp beneath his fingers.

'Year 2023

October 23rd

It's been 2 years since Marcus die... Vanished!! His birthday is tomorrow and I have prepared for the birthday party. Brought many presents for his parents and his cute sister. Evelyn resembles him a lot. I smile like a moron whenever I see her play around. But I also feel empty when I leave her behind.

Mr. and Mrs. Orno were always there for me when I needed them, and Marcus too. But here I am, his only friend who failed him.'

A tear splashed onto the page. Dave rubbed the moisture from his eyes and carefully dried the damp spot on the paper.

'Ah, what am I even saying? I am pretty sure he'll come back for us. He is not the type to leave his loved ones behind but... Leaving that matter aside. As I said, I have prepared all the necessary things for his birthday party.

I still remember how bloodshot his parents' eyes were when they heard about the incident. They registered a complaint against the school management and blamed them for their son's deat... disappearance.

I myself have done what I could to support them. Being a Legendary seed user has helped me a lot till now, but during all that mess, my power, my seed couldn't do anything. For false accusations, Marcus's dad was charged and pulled from his position as One of The King's Ten Mages. Mr. Orno accepted it with pride and left with a challenge to the king—that he'd bring back his son and make him the best of the best. The King didn't charge him with anything, as he thought it was just words from a grieving father who had lost his son...

Even though I told them they could stay with us in the villa, they refused. Mr. Albert Orno now works with the farmers in the fields, and Mrs. Reirin Orno started her own bakery in the capital city. It's small, but I've arranged for people to deliver funds secretly. The one thing the Orno family rejected was sympathy. Haizzz.

But trust me, Marcus, I'll take revenge for you. I'll get that Gabriel son of a pig and his digger girlfriend. Because your friend is now a Legendary Seed User, ranking top 3 on the Revoker board at the age of 18... all because of you. I am doing this for you, Marcus. So come back home, my best and only friend.'

Dave tossed the pen into the air, watching as it landed perfectly in the pen stand. He closed the diary and carefully returned it to the drawer, locking it with a fire spell—a precaution that would have seemed paranoid to anyone who didn't understand the value of those written words.

Thoughts of Marcus accompanied him as he crossed to his king-sized bed. He slid beneath the silken covers and snapped his fingers, extinguishing the lights with a casual display of power that would have impressed anyone but himself.

Sleep came quickly despite the weight on his heart. Dave surrendered to it willingly, unaware that tomorrow would bring the greatest surprise of his life—a reunion he'd dreamed of but never truly believed possible.