That evening, after the small celebration settled and the house grew quiet again, Gothim called everyone into the main hall.
Cloud, Ray, and Cally gathered around as he stood near the long table, his expression serious once more.
"I have something important to tell you," Gothim said.
The mood immediately shifted.
"There will be guests arriving tomorrow," he continued. "Important ones."
Cloud tilted her head slightly. "Guests? What kind of guests?"
Gothim didn't answer directly at first. His eyes moved briefly to Ray, then Cally, as if measuring their reactions.
"You don't need to worry," he added. "But you all must prepare. Keep the house in order. Be alert."
Cally frowned slightly. "Should we increase security?"
"No," Gothim replied calmly. "Not yet. These guests are… expected. But unpredictable."
Ray's instincts immediately sharpened at the word unpredictable. Ever since his training began with the mysterious man, he had learned to pay attention to hidden tension in people's voices.
Cloud noticed the shift in atmosphere and tried to lighten it. "Are they friends or business partners?"
Gothim paused. "Both… and neither."
That answer made the room even quieter.
After a moment, he continued, "I will explain more when they arrive. For now, just make sure everything is ready."
Cloud sighed softly. "So basically, we should just prepare for something we don't understand."
"Exactly," Gothim said.
Ray exchanged a glance with Cloud. There was something unsettling about the way Gothim spoke—not fear, but seriousness that hinted at deeper problems beneath the surface.
Cally crossed his arms. "We'll handle it, sir."
Gothim nodded. "I trust you will."
With that, he dismissed them.
As everyone left the hall, the mansion suddenly felt heavier again, as if the peaceful atmosphere from earlier had been pushed aside.
Cloud walked beside Ray as they headed upstairs. "What do you think he meant?" she asked quietly.
Ray shook his head slightly. "I don't know… but I don't think it's normal visitors."
Cloud glanced at him. "You always say that."
Ray didn't respond immediately. He just looked ahead, his thoughts already drifting toward the unknown training and the strange power growing inside him.
Outside, the night deepened over the mansion.
And somewhere beyond it, something—or someone—was already on the way.