Lightning Island (according to the Etykipedia website):
Lightning Island is an island country located in the Pacific Ocean. With a territory of 31 km² and with plains as its predominant relief, urban development and local economy have led the island to be recognized as an internationally renowned urban center, with a population of 2 million inhabitants.
"Damn, that looks like a lot. Well, I don't know the data for Netern Island, so I can't compare them yet, but 2 million is a lot of people."
Tourism is relatively profitable despite the lack of notable tourist attractions. This is due to the high dissemination of foreign culture on the island, attracting the attention of people interested in the multiculturalism present on the island.
"Come to think of it, Netern Island also has this thing of pulling in cultural elements from outside, it makes sense that another island connected to it in some way would be like that too. Although I never understood how that works, wasn't Netern Island supposed to be isolated from the rest of the world?"
As a tropical island, rain is a frequent occurrence on Lightning Island, with the name of the island itself supposedly being based on a legend originating from ancient times due to the influence of strong storms.
"Look at that, this island also has its lore... But should I take an umbrella in case of an unforeseen event...?"
Despite having several international connections in both culture and economy, the island is geographically isolated from the rest of the world, being largely surrounded by ocean, with the only place visible from its horizon being a small deserted island known only as Horizon Island. Little is known about this island and if there is any-
"Getting interested in Lightning Island? Cool..."
"AAH!!"
Vektor lets out a high-pitched shriek of fright in response to his mother's voice suddenly coming from behind him.
"Do you need all this fuss? You're just browsing Etykipedia, that's not some indecent site you need to hide from me."
"M- Mom... What are you doing in my room...?"
"I was just coming to get a few more things to pack for the move. You should be doing that too, by the way. Instead, you're here on the computer... What, you want to go on another trip already?"
"K- Kinda... I'd been told about this island a few days ago, so I was curious..."
Vektor's mother already suspects that her son is hiding something, but she wants to see how far he can go without her needing to use her authority.
"If you want to go, just wait for us to finish moving and then just schedule a trip, it shouldn't be that expensive."
"N- No need! I was just researching to pass the time. After all, if I wanted I could go alone, if anything just call Sych..."
That last sentence confirms the suspicion. Wanting to go out alone has never been out of character for Vektor, and asking his best friend to go along seems like a reasonable thing to do for an average teenager.
However, this ordinary teenager is also an apprentice Drenn wanting to go alone to a place with his guardian Sych. A situation not uncommon for his mother, who has witnessed this same event several times in the past, once being encouraged by herself even though she was aware of the possible consequences.
Feeling unable to stop the repetitive fate before her, her gaze does not hide her slight discomfort and discontent, but her face remains serene and understanding.
"I see..."
"But if you want to come along, that's fine! I'm not saying I don't want your company. It's just that I was told Lightning Island was kinda dangerous, so...
(Damn it, I said too much! She's definitely gonna use this against me!)"
"Dangerous, huh...? Then where does all that interest come from?"
"(I knew it!)
Well, I was... interested in the culture, and stuff..."
Vektor's mother finally starts exerting pressure against her son for an answer. Even though it most likely won't change the outcome, the least she wants to do is get an idea of the reasons behind yet another journey:
"I know you, Vektor... You've never been this proactive without a reason."
"P- People change, okay? I also can have character development."
"Oh, really? So you're saying you changed out of nowhere? Can you confirm that to me while looking into my eyes?"
Under normal circumstances, Vektor would have no problem maintaining such a lie. However, against someone as intimidating and sharp-eyed as his mother, the person who knows him best, he has no chance of winning. He looks away so as not to meet his mother's menacing eyes, who firmly asks:
"I'll ask just this once: What's your reason for wanting to go to Lightning Island so much?"
"..."
Defeated, Vektor just lowers his head, closing his eyes.
"I want... to find that island's demon."
"Huh?"
Her intimidation instantly turns to confusion. Not so much for the mention of the demon, but because of Vektor's interest in finding that same demon. Still with his head down, Vektor contextualizes his response further:
"I heard about a legend of a demon that lives on that island. From what I got, the power I obtained may be similar to theirs, so I had the idea of going to see this demon on the island to see if there was any way I could learn to master my powers."
"..."
His mother's silence makes Vektor slowly raise his head, anticipating seeing an at least irritated expression, but to his surprise, he finds her back to her calm and understanding expression.
"I get it now..."
This time it's Vektor who's confused:
"So... Can I still go?"
"Sure, it should be fine."
"(Wait, what's this sudden change?)
Mom... I just said I'm going to look for a legendary demon, is that really okay?"
"Ah yes, that's just Master Noogard."
...
"...Huh?"
A really anticlimactic revelation released to the wind in the middle of what seemed to be becoming a tense discussion. Not even Vektor could have expected something so disappointing before even starting a new journey.
"Sorry, I should've told you sooner. Things really shouldn't be this complicated."
"(...No, they should be even more complicated than that.)"
"The original plan was for him to propose that you become his disciple. That's why he threw that whole celebration party."
"At this point in the game, I'm not gonna question anything anymore."
"But then that shorty spent the whole party messing around and didn't say anything. Then... all of that happened."
"But wait, if that's the case I can just go to Netern Island, right? If I'm not wrong, he's in the castle with Hayato right now..."
"Hm? Where did you hear that from? If he was in the castle, we would have no reason to move. The truth is, after that whole incident, he saw that the hills were a dangerous place to live and decided to move to his old house."
"Are you telling me we're moving to a risk area?"
"No, the area itself is safe. The problem... is something else. He can explain it to you better when you go see him. In short, his presence on Lightning Island is the safest thing to do right now."
"That's the part that worries me the most. I heard that island is a very dangerous place. Are you sure I'll be okay going there?"
"There are some really dangerous people over there, just like anywhere else. But as long as you don't draw their attention, you should be fine. You don't have any personal beef with anyone on that island, so just stay out of trouble and you'll be fine."
"(Okay, that raised some questions for me. Doesn't she know about my interaction with Kards? And can I say that I don't have a personal grudge against him? Well, he called me a friend, but I don't think someone exuding that much aura in front of me should be considered friendly...)"
Vektor's long reasoning is interrupted by his mother's voice, which regains some of its seriousness:
"Just remember one thing: Don't go around talking about your goal of finding Master Noogard. People don't call him a demon just for fun. If you do that, you'll most likely draw attention, and then I won't be able to guarantee your safety."
Feeling a slight weight fall on his shoulders, Vektor silently nods his head while trying to keep a determined expression on his face. His mother then provides the instructions for the next mission:
"Lightning Island is a much easier place to visit, so I won't need to use magic this time. However, try to follow the standard procedure correctly. Again, draw as little attention as possible. Once you're there, head to the island's forest and look for a house there. There's only one in the entire region, so it shouldn't be that hard."
"Got it."
"By the way, I'm sorry but I can't let Master Noogard know about your arrival for you. It's been a long time since I updated my contact info with him so I don't have his current phone number."
"That's fine, I can sort that out when I get there."
"What I mean by that is that you'll actually need to go to his house in person instead of him just picking you up."
"Well, at this point I'm used to it."
"If that's the case, I don't think I need to tell you anything else. As soon as we're done moving, you can start your journey as soon as you want. Now get up and help me pack."
On the night of December 19th, Vektor's next journey has just been pre-determined. A journey to find a little master who for some reason is called a legendary demon by the people of an island.