Returning to Dominate The World With My Knowledge System-Chapter 100: Helena and Devin

The soft whir of the terminal doors gave way to sunlight as Tyler stepped out into the arrival zone. The air was familiar, clean, warm and nothing like the thick, charged heat of Gumua.

And standing not far from the edge of the crowd, waiting with wide eyes and brimming smiles, were two people Tyler had thought about every single day since he left.

Helena and Devin spotted him the second he emerged. Before he could even blink or call out, they were rushing toward him.

"Tyler!" his mother cried, her voice nearly cracking from joy.

"Big Bro!" Devin shouted, already weaving between passengers.

They reached him at the same time, crashing into him in a double hug that nearly knocked the air out of his lungs.

Tyler didn’t speak. He just smiled, holding both of them tight.

His mother’s arms wrapped around his back with a kind of desperation that said more than words ever could. Her chin pressed into his shoulder, and her breath hitched.

Devin wrapped himself around Tyler’s waist, clinging like a younger brother who still hadn’t gotten used to being apart.

After a long few seconds, Helena pulled back slightly and held Tyler at arm’s length. She looked at his face—his eyes, his cheeks, the curve of his jaw. She squinted and gave him a frown that tried, and failed, to hide the emotion on her face.

"You’ve lost weight," she murmured, brushing a hand over his shoulder. "And you look like you haven’t slept."

"I’m fine, Mom," Tyler said, softly, and chuckled.

He knew that his mom would say something like that. Even if he ate a lot and had gained considerable weight, to her, he had lost weight.

Helena ignored that and pulled him back into another hug.

"I haven’t seen my baby boy for over two months," she whispered. "Let me hold you again."

Devin didn’t say anything, just grinned wide and elbowed Tyler lightly once the second hug ended.

"You really took your time, man. I was starting to think you forgot about us."

"Never," Tyler said, resting a hand on Devin’s head and ruffling his hair.

The three of them walked together toward the parking lot. To Tyler, it was almost surreal how normal everything felt again—like the months he’d spent in another part of the world, building something that would one day change everything, could just fade away for a moment.

Helena led the way to the car. Tyler tossed his bag into the backseat and got into the passenger seat. Devin got in the backseat.

As Helena started the engine and pulled onto the road, a soft breeze came through the half-open windows.

"So," Helena said casually, eyes on the road, "how was the trip?"

"Smooth," Tyler said. "Long, but smooth."

"And your business in Gumua? Still going well?"

"More than well," Tyler said, with a small grin.

She didn’t respond right away. For a moment, Helena’s fingers tightened slightly around the steering wheel. Her eyes flicked toward the rearview mirror, watching her son.

"I saw the news, you know," she said. "The protests. The change in government. Everyone’s saying it was peaceful... almost like it was planned."

Tyler said nothing, and the silence that followed wasn’t awkward—but it was heavy.

Helena smiled faintly to herself. "Of course, I know you wouldn’t get involved in something like that. You’re just a sixteen-year-old boy."

Tyler didn’t confirm or deny anything. He just stared out the window, letting her words hang between them.

Helena didn’t push as always. She never did.

She had a feeling that there was a high possibility that Tyler was involved but due to how ridiculous the thought was, she quickly dismissed it.

Tyler was just a sixteen-year-old kid that would be 17 in a few days. There was no way that he would be involved in such. Still she couldn’t shake off that feeling

But instead of dwelling on the topic, she changed the subject. "You’ve missed a lot. Devin’s grown louder. And taller."

"Mom!" Devin objected, laughing.

Tyler smirked. "You do look taller."

"Told you!" Devin said triumphantly. "I’ve been drinking milk and doing stretches. I’ll be taller than you in no time."

"You’ll need a ladder."

They laughed and kept catching up—Helena asking about the food in Gumua, about the weather, the people.

Tyler gave general answers, careful not to say too much. Devin jumped in every now and then with wild questions about his speculations on what Tyler could possibly be doing in Gumua, most of which Tyler deflected with jokes.

They arrived home a little over thirty minutes later.

Tyler stepped out, stretching slightly. He took a deep breath, letting the familiar air fill his lungs.

"Home," he murmured.

Inside, the mansion hadn’t changed either.

Helena quickly disappeared into the kitchen without a word, to prepare food for Tyler who has just arrived from a very long and tiring trip.

"I’m making stew," she called.

"Thanks, mom" Tyler replied.

Tyler headed upstairs. His room was clean, the bed freshly made. He smiled, knowing Helena probably came in once a week just to keep it from gathering dust.

He dropped his bag in the corner, stripped out of his travel clothes, and stepped into the bathroom.

The shower was hot and quiet. Steam curled up around him. As the water touched his body, a wave of relaxation washed over him and his body lossened on its own.

After drying off and changing into a fresh pair of shorts and a loose t-shirt, Tyler came back downstairs. Devin was waiting for him in the living room.

The younger boy didn’t say anything—just handed him a controller and turned on the console.

Tyler sat down beside him.

They didn’t talk much as the game loaded. The screen flashed, and the match began.

Devin was faster and more confident. He had gotten better since the last time they played. Tyler still won the first match, but just barely.

The second round went to Devin.

He jumped up from the couch and pointed. "Told you! You’re rusty!"

Tyler laughed. "I let you win."

"Keep telling yourself that."

They played a few more rounds before Helena called from the kitchen.

"Food’s ready!"

Tyler stood, stretching. "Smells delicious as always, mom."

They all gathered at the small dining table. The stew was spicy and thick, poured over rice and paired with fried plantains. It was perfect.

They ate, they laughed, and for a while, Tyler forgot about everything waiting for him back in Gumua.