"I mean… when you want to visit the warehouse," Veronika added quickly, her voice dipping just a little softer than before, as if she had caught herself stepping too far forward and gently pulled back. "Or… when you want to know about new products."
There was a pause after that, small but noticeable, like a thread pulled too tight between two people who didn't quite know what to do with it.
***
"Ah… yes, of course…" Arceus scratched his cheek, his smile turning slightly awkward as he looked away for a second, letting the moment settle instead of stretching it further.
The air between them held a faint warmth, not uncomfortable, but unfamiliar. It lingered just long enough to be noticed… and then—
Footsteps.
Slow.
Measured.
Heavy in a way that carried presence.
***
Alaric Von Seraph descended the stairs, each step creaking faintly under his weight, his figure emerging from the dim stairwell like someone returning from a place deeper than just another floor.
In his hand—
A small blue amulet.
***
It was shaped like a smooth oval stone, polished to a quiet sheen, with a single deep-black dot embedded at its center. The surface caught the light in a strange way, not reflecting it fully, but bending it, as if the object held a depth that the eye couldn't quite measure.
***
Arceus straightened instinctively.
***
"Here."
Alaric extended it toward him.
***
"Wear this whenever you're out in public."
***
Arceus took it carefully.
***
The moment it touched his palm, a cool weight settled into his hand, denser than it looked. A faint pulse followed, spreading warmth through his fingers like a quiet heartbeat.
***
Ding!
[You found the Amulet of Velmura.]
[A seal was detected on the amulet. Would you like to break the seal?]
***
"Seal…?" Arceus murmured under his breath, his brows knitting slightly as his thumb brushed over the smooth surface.
***
Before he could think further—
***
"Wait—!"
***
Veronika's voice cut through sharply.
***
She had stood up without realizing it, her chair scraping lightly against the floor as her eyes locked onto the amulet in his hand.
***
"That's the Amulet of Velmura," she said, disbelief clear in her tone. "From the family vault. You're… giving it away?"
***
Arceus blinked, caught between the system's prompt and her reaction.
His gaze shifted.
From her—
To Alaric.
***
The old man simply shook his head, calm as ever.
"I'm not giving it away," he said, his tone steady.
***
Then his eyes met Arceus's.
***
"I'm lending it."
***
A brief pause followed, the weight of that word settling deeper than expected.
***
"It was originally meant to suppress mana," Alaric continued, folding one arm behind his back. "But for you… it will serve a different purpose."
***
His gaze sharpened slightly.
***
"It will conceal your connection."
***
Arceus's fingers tightened slightly around the amulet.
***
"Other spirit masters won't be able to detect Nemesis… as long as you're wearing it."
***
A beat.
***
"Keep it on. At all times."
***
The room fell quiet again.
***
Arceus looked down at the amulet in his hand.
Then back at Alaric.
***
He understood.
Even if no one said it outright.
***
This wasn't something casually handed out.
***
A rare warmth spread through his chest, steady and genuine.
***
"Thank you," he said, bowing slightly. "I mean it."
***
Alaric gave a short nod.
***
"Just don't lose it," he replied gruffly, though the faint curve at the corner of his lips betrayed something softer.
***
At that moment—
***
Celia stepped back into the room.
***
Her gaze immediately landed on the amulet as Arceus lifted it and slipped it around his neck. The chain brushed lightly against his collarbone, the stone resting just above his chest.
***
She didn't speak.
***
But her eyes lingered.
Just a second longer than usual.
***
Then—
"We should get going."
***
Her voice was calm.
Simple.
***
Arceus blinked once, pulled back from his thoughts, and nodded.
***
"Right."
***
He turned toward Veronika.
***
"I'll come by tomorrow."
***
She gave a small bow.
"Goodbye."
***
Alaric waved lazily, already turning away toward the tavern, stretching his arms as if the entire matter had already been filed away in his mind.
***
Outside—
***
The air felt different.
Lighter.
***
Arceus stepped toward the car, one foot already inside—
***
And then—
***
A thought struck him.
Sharp.
Sudden.
***
"Ah… wait."
***
He paused, patting his pocket as if searching for something.
***
Celia turned slightly, one brow lifting.
"What now?"
***
***
Back inside—
***
The reception hall was quiet again.
The faint scent of jasmine lingered in the air, mixing with the soft hum of the old lights.
***
Veronika sat at her desk, flipping through her journal.
The white cat lay beside her, curled into itself, its breathing shallow but steady.
***
The door creaked.
***
"Hm?"
She looked up.
***
Arceus stepped in again, offering a small, slightly sheepish smile.
***
"You forgot something?" she asked.
***
"Kind of."
***
He glanced around briefly.
Empty.
***
Then he stepped closer.
***
From his hand—
A small glass vial appeared.
***
Bluish-green liquid shimmered faintly inside, catching the light like something alive, something quietly luminous.
***
Veronika's eyes locked onto it instantly.
***
"What's this?"
***
"This is called a Jade Spirit Tonic," Arceus said simply, holding it out.
***
She straightened unconsciously, her fingers hovering for a second before taking it.
***
"Jade Spirit Tonic…?" she repeated, her voice softer now. "I've never heard of it."
***
Her gaze didn't leave the vial.
***
There was something about it.
Something that pulled at her attention, like a quiet whisper she couldn't quite hear.
***
Arceus spoke again.
***
"It's a curative."
***
"It can heal internal injuries… toxins… lingering conditions."
***
A small pause.
***
"As long as the beast isn't a King Tier."
***
His eyes flicked toward the cat.
***
"It should cure your companion."
***
Veronika's brows furrowed.
***
Her gaze shifted.
From the vial—
To him.
***
"Something like that exists?"
***
Arceus nodded.
***
"I'll bet my life on it."
***
The words landed without hesitation.
Without exaggeration.
***
For a moment—
She just stared.
***
Then slowly—
She reached out.
Took the vial properly this time.
With both hands.
***
Careful.
Almost reverent.
***
"If what you're saying is true…" she said quietly, her fingers tightening slightly around the glass, "then this must be expensive."
***
Her gaze lowered.
***
"I can't accept something like this."
***
Arceus shook his head lightly.
***
"Your uncle helped me."
***
A faint smile.
***
"Consider this… me returning the favor."
***
Veronika hesitated.
Her fingers curled tighter.
***
"I…"
***
Then—
She stood.
Bowed.
***
"Thank you."
***
Arceus waved it off.
***
"No need."
***
He turned.
Walked out.
***
And as the door closed behind him—
***
A faint ache crept into his chest.
***
"Damn expensive medicine…" he muttered under his breath.
***
100,000 credits.
***
The number echoed.
Loud.
Painfully real.
***
He could have sold it.
For double.
Maybe more.
***
His lips twitched.
***
He almost wanted to laugh.
Or cry.
***
But instead—
He just exhaled.
***
"It's fine…"
***
Because somewhere deep down—
He knew.
***
Some transactions—
Weren't meant to profit.
***
***
Inside—
***
Silence returned.
***
Veronika stood still for a moment, the vial still in her hands.
***
Then—
***
Meow.
***
A soft sound broke the quiet.
***
She looked down.
***
The snow-furred cat had opened its eyes.
***
Slow.
Heavy.
***
Its pale gaze shifted toward her.
Then—
Toward the vial.
***
One paw lifted weakly.
Tapped against the desk.
***
"Betty…" Veronika whispered, her voice barely audible.
***
"You're awake?"
***
Meow.
***
The sound was softer this time.
But clearer.
***
Alive.