Spellbound Empire: Reincarnated in Balance

"Laziel, wake up, you lazy kid!" Dad's voice cut through my dreams like a lightning bolt. Before I could pretend to still be asleep, he yanked the blanket off me with the energy of someone training for the Olympics.

I groaned, throwing an arm over my face. "Still your kid, though. Can't trade me in for a better one~."

"You're getting a sibling," he said, as casual as someone ordering coffee.

I sat up so fast my head spun. "Hold up- what? A sibling? Wait, wait, wait. You and Mom didn't-" My voice dropped to a horrified whisper. "New Year's wasn't that kind of party, was it?"

Dad pinched the bridge of his nose. "No, you idiot. We're adopting a boy. His family didn't make it through yesterday's monster outbreak. He's four. Try not to traumatize him. And what were you even thinking- nevermind"

"Oh." I blinked, the weight of his words sinking in. "Damn. That's heavy." I paused, then grinned. "But hey, I'm gonna be the most badass big brother he'll ever have!"

Dad just sighed. "His name's Zyron. You'll meet him after school. Now get moving- it's already 7:30."

"Seven- wait, hold up! It's Sunday! You're supposed to let me sleep in on Sundays!"

"You have soccer practice at 10."

I flopped back onto my pillow with a groan. "Ugh. Fine. I'm up."

Dragging myself out of bed, I grabbed my phone and shuffled to the bathroom. Once inside, I cranked up my playlist and started singing loud enough for the neighbors to hear,

"Uh, one, one, one

Peace, peace, peace

Uh, yeah, we come in peace, peace, peace…"

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By the time I was showered and dressed, I felt slightly more human. Downstairs, Mom was rummaging through drawers, muttering to herself.

"Hun," she said to Dad, who was buried in his newspaper. "Have you seen my gadgets? I need to get them repaired today."

I froze mid-bite of toast.

(Crap. I forgot to put them back after I used them yesterday!)

Dad glanced up briefly. "No idea-"

"Bye!" I shouted, stuffing the rest of my breakfast in my mouth and grabbing my soccer gear.

"But it's only 8-"

"Practice! Gotta go! Love you, bye!"

I bolted out the door like a man on a mission- or, in my case, a kid trying to avoid certain death by parental wrath.

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By the time I reached Nerath's house, I was panting. He opened the door, his hair looking like he'd slept in a wind tunnel.

"Laziel? What's up? You're never early."

"Dude!" I wheezed. "I'm getting a little brother!"

His eyebrows shot up. "For real? Like, a human one? Or is this another one of your 'I found a magical pet' stories?"

"Human! We're adopting him. His name's Zyron. He's four." I grinned. "I'm gonna teach him everything- soccer, monster hunting, how to be a legend."

Nerath smirked. "Man, that kid's in for a wild ride. You're gonna be that sibling, huh?"

"You know it."

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When we got to the field, the vibe was electric. The Thunderbolts were already there, showing off like usual. Their captain, Jax, was doing his signature move: spinning the ball on one finger while glaring at us like we'd insulted his mother.

"Look at this guy," I muttered to Nerath. "Thinks he's in a Nike ad"

"What Nike ad?"

"Nothing~ eh"

"He's good, though," Nerath said. "We gotta bring our A-game"

"A-game's my middle name," I replied with a smirk. "Well, no, but you get the point ey"

The whistle blew, and the game was on. The Thunderbolts came out swinging- literally. Jax sent a lightning-charged pass that nearly took out one of our defenders. But Nerath intercepted it like a boss, weaving through their midfielders with his speed magic.

"Pass it, Nerath!" I yelled, and he sent the ball flying my way. I caught it with my chest, dodged a defender, and lined up my shot.

"Fireball kick!" I roared, and the ball erupted into flames, streaking toward the goal. Their goalie dove, but it was too fast.

"YES! I'm the Rin!!" I shouted, throwing my arms in the air as our team cheered.

"Rin who-?" One of my teammates said looking confused.

"Nothing hahaha" I laughed as I looked at Jax with a smirk.

Jax wasn't about to let that slide. "You're dead, Laziel!" he yelled, rallying his team for a counterattack.

What followed was an all-out magical brawl. Lightning bolts, water whips, and even a freaking tornado came our way, but we fought back with everything we had. Nerath used his wind magic to send the ball soaring across the field, while our defender, Kaya, blocked an earth-shattering kick from one of their forwards.

With just minutes left on the clock, the score was tied. Sweat dripped down my face as I met Nerath's gaze.

"Let's end this," I said.

He nodded, determination blazing in his eyes.

The Thunderbolts made their final push, with Jax charging straight toward me. I braced myself as he unleashed a lightning-infused kick, but Kaya deflected it just in time. The ball ricocheted toward Nerath, who sprinted down the field like his life depended on it.

"Laz, it's all you!" he shouted, sending the ball my way.

I didn't hesitate. Summoning every ounce of magic I had, I focused on the ball. Flames erupted around me, forming a fiery vortex.

"Let's finish this!" I roared, launching the ball with a blazing spiral. It shot through the air like a meteor, leaving a trail of fire in its wake.

Time seemed to slow as the ball streaked toward the goal. The Thunderbolts' goalie dove, but he was too late.

"GOAL!"

The field exploded in cheers as my teammates swarmed me, shouting and laughing. Jax glared at me from across the field, muttering something I was pretty sure wasn't a compliment.

As we celebrated, I couldn't help but think about Zyron. If today was this crazy, what kind of adventures were waiting once he joined the family?

One thing was certain- life with me as his big brother was gonna be nothing short of legendary.

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_To Be Continue_