The explosion that shook Novara echoed powerfully across the horizon.
Outside the city walls, not far away, Number One, Aporrhesis, stood with one foot on a rock, staring toward the city. His amber eyes gleamed under the twilight, and his light orange hair fluttered in the gentle breeze.
A prominent scar on his cheek added a harsh and sorrowful edge to his face, as if the weight of the entire world rested on his shoulders. His dark cloak concealed his body completely, giving him a mysterious and commanding presence.
Behind him, the other numbers stood. Number Four's face showed clear sorrow, while Number Two remained cold as always, and Toxivar, Number Five, was silent, showing no reaction at all.
The truth was clear in all their eyes: Number Three, Deiton, was dead he had detonated himself, and likely destroyed the place they had been seeking all along…
Number One moved toward them, his steps firm and decisive, his expression a mixture of seriousness and anger.
"Let's return to our home," he said in a low, commanding voice, each word heavy with the weight of tragedy.
Two days had passed since the incident that shook Novara…
But the city itself had not changed.
Life continued as usual, the walls still standing strong, and the streets still full of movement.
Only one place bore the mark of what happened…
the exact site of the explosion.
The damaged laboratory was now surrounded by workers and guards. The sound of tools filled the area as repairs moved forward steady pace. Broken sections were being rebuilt, and debris carefully cleared, as if the incident needed to be erased as quickly as possible.
This wasn't just repair…
it was the complete removal of any trace of what happened.
Elsewhere in Novara, preparations continued without pause.
At the academy and training grounds, all focus was on one thing:
the final preparations for the new adventurers' test.
Inside one of the quiet hospital rooms in Novara, soft white light filled the space, and the faint scent of disinfectant lingered in the air.
Milo stood beside the bed, slightly lifting his shirt, revealing his well-balanced physique. He wasn't overly muscular, nor thin his body was toned and athletic, reflecting constant training and real combat experience. Faint traces of past injuries still marked his skin, though they were already beginning to fade
His brown hair fell naturally around his forehead and neck, and his eyes carried an unusual calm despite everything he had gone through. Around his neck hung that simple necklace he never parted with.
The doctor stepped closer, carefully examining the area of the injury before stepping back, folding her arms.
"The symptoms of the poison you were affected by have completely disappeared… you're fine now."
Milo looked at her and gave a small, sincere smile.
"Thank you very much."
He lowered his shirt and turned toward the door, his steps calm yet steady.
"Milo…"
He stopped, without turning immediately.
The doctor continued, her tone slightly hesitant, as if the question had been on her mind for a while:
"Tell me… that person you said you faced… the weapon that injured you…"
She paused briefly, then looked at him seriously.
"Was it… a legendary weapon?"
Silence filled the room for a brief moment…
Milo turned slightly, glancing at her from the corner of his eye.
"Yes… it was a legendary weapon."
The doctor's eyes widened slightly, her interest clearly deepening. She stepped closer, as if trying to grasp the meaning behind his words.
"It's a strange weapon… I've never seen anything like it before. But…" she paused briefly, thinking, then continued in a more serious tone,
"the poison that affected you… it wasn't actually trying to harm you."
Milo frowned slightly, unimpressed.
"So?"
The doctor took a light breath, trying to make him understand her point.
"No… you don't understand."
She looked at him directly, her eyes filled with concern and analysis.
"A few days ago, when they found the bodies of the police officers that person killed…"
She paused for a moment, recalling the scene, then continued:
"the poison used back then… was far more lethal."
A heavy silence filled the room…
As if those words had just opened the door to something far more complicated than it seemed.
Milo remained silent for a moment, his expression calm as if none of it truly mattered to him.
"There's no connection between me and that person."
He walked toward the door without hesitation, placing his hand on the handle.
"Anyway… thank you again for taking care of me."
He paused briefly, then added quietly,
"Goodbye."
He opened the door and stepped out, his footsteps steady, never once looking back.
Inside the room, the doctor remained where she stood, staring at the closed door, a hint of confusion on her face.
"Well… never mind."
She let out a small sigh and murmured,
"Goodbye, boy… take care of yourself."
Milo stopped just outside the room, quietly closing the door behind him.
He lifted his gaze and saw the person who had brought him here waiting.
Celestine stood before him, as composed as ever.
She wore elegant clothing, as usual, reflecting her refined presence and unshakable confidence. Her long black hair flowed freely this time, fading into a deep purple at the ends, subtly catching the corridor's light.
She looked at him with her sharp eyes, observing his condition without revealing much emotion.
"Milo… how is your condition?"
Milo gave a faint smile, his expression calm as always.
"Everything's fine… all the symptoms are gone."
Celestine stepped closer, gently placing her hands on his shoulders.
Her gaze lowered slightly, as if she was finally allowing her worry to surface.
"Thank God you're alright…"
She paused for a moment, her voice softer, more sincere:
"I was really worried."
Milo: "You're not responsible for this… no need to worry so much."
Celestine lifts her head to look at him:
"I was the one who accepted your request, and I'm the one who made you part of that mission… how could I not worry?"
Milo stood for a moment, looking at Celestine, thinking to himself:
I never expected her to be like this… I thought she was an emotionless person when I first saw her.
Celestine let go of Milo's hands and looked him straight in the eyes.
"Milo… I wanted to…"
Suddenly, the sound of running echoed through the corridor, filled with panic:
"Miiiiiiilooo!"
Both froze, their gazes following the source of the voice.
And quickly, Milo realized who it was… Herax.
The voice grew closer, and Herax came into view, running down the corridor.
His thick black hair reached the top of his neck, and his build was muscular, clearly strong without being overly bulky. His steps were fast, slightly heavy, and his face was filled with concern as he headed straight toward Milo.
"Milo!"
He slowed down just before reaching him, catching his breath.
Behind him, the rest of Milo's friends approached more calmly…
Lilithia, Saly Lyn, and Ryo, walking toward them
Celestine paused for a moment, then stepped slightly back, giving Milo and his friends some space.
She watched them in silence…
a faint smile forming on her lips.
Herax looked at Milo, his concern clear.
"Are you okay? Nothing happened to you… right?"
Milo lifted his head and gave him a faint smile.
"Yeah… no need to worry."
Lilithia smiled softly, her long dark hair falling smoothly, her dark outfit adding to her calm presence.
"It's good to know you're alright."
Saly Lyn continued, looking at Milo with slight annoyance and concern, her pink hair a bit shorter in a new style, her outfit neat with a small bag hanging from her shoulder.
"We were really worried about you, Milo!"
Behind them, Ryo stood silently, looking down… his eyes filled with tears.
Milo's expression shifted slightly, surprised by his reaction.
He hadn't expected him to be this affected.
"Ryo?"
But… he wasn't sad because of Milo.
Reo suddenly lifted his head, then rushed forward, grabbing Milo by the collar and pulling him closer, his face filled with jealousy and anger.
"Who is that beautiful woman with you?!"
In a swift motion, Saly Lyn grabbed Reo's hair.
"Ah! Wait, Saly!" he shouted, wincing in pain.
"I worked hard on fixing my hair!"
She lifted his head slightly, glaring at him in annoyance.
"Is that really all you care about, you idiot?!"
Milo looked at them, slightly embarrassed and flustered.
"Wait, hold on!"
He raised his hand, pointing toward Celestine.
"She's… just a relative of mine, nothing more!"
Celestine raised her hand slightly, greeting them calmly.
Then she looked at Milo and said:
"Alright, Milo… I have someone else to visit, so I'll be going now."
Milo looked at her:
"Okay… but I'll wait for you near the hospital exit."
A faint, teasing smirk formed on Celestine's lips, as if something crossed her mind.
"Alright… goodbye."
Before turning away, she made a small gesture
blowing a kiss in his direction, just to annoy him… and spark suspicion.
Milo froze in place, his eyes widening in shock.
"A-A-A?!"
Milo slowly turned toward his friends…
Saly Lyn stood with both hands on her hips, leaning forward slightly, giving him a suspicious look:
"Hmmm? "
Beside her, Lilithia covered her mouth, letting out a soft laugh.
Ryo on the other hand, stood there in shock, his eyes wide, jealousy written all over his face.
Meanwhile, Herax looked at Milo differently…
a mix of admiration and pride in his eyes.
Saly Lyn stepped forward, still with her hands on her hips, staring at Milo suspiciously.
"Hmmm… so?"
She narrowed her eyes slightly.
"Your relative… right?"
Milo swallowed nervously.
"I-I… yes, like I said…"
Suddenly
"Liar!!!"
Ryo shouted, pointing at him in shock and anger.
"Since when do your relatives blow you kisses?! That makes no sense!"
Lilithia chimed in with a soft laugh:
"Honestly… I'd like to know too."
Herax stepped closer to Milo, placing a hand on his shoulder with a proud smile.
"I didn't expect this from you, Milo…"
Milo froze, clearly flustered.
"You're all misunderstanding this!"
But Saly wasn't convinced. She leaned closer, staring straight at him.
"Then explain."
A brief silence fell…
And Milo had no answer.
Milo spent some quiet time with his friends, occasionally laughing at small funny moments, and sometimes exchanging calm glances.
Herax looked proud, Ryo still slightly shaken, while Saly and Lilithia exchanged light teasing and laughter.
After a few minutes, everyone stood up one by one, ready to leave.
Milo paused for a moment, looking around, then gave a faint smile.
Everything's alright now.
After a few moments, everyone left the hospital, waving goodbye to Milo with smiles, then departed one by one.
Milo remained standing, looking toward the exit, waiting for Celestine.
He took a deep breath, his mind wandering.
Should I go and look for her there… or wait?
As Milo turned to head back inside, he heard a very familiar voice calling his name.
He froze instantly, turning slowly, trying to recognize who it was…
And suddenly, he stopped in his tracks.
He hadn't expected to see this person now… nor did he think he would meet them anytime soon!