Milo froze instantly, turning slowly…
trying to recognize the voice.
And suddenly
he stopped in his tracks.
He hadn't expected to see him now…
It was Solir.
His short blond hair fell slightly to one side, messy strands resting across his forehead, partially covering one of his eyes, as if the disorder carried a quiet sense of control.
He looked very different from before.
The signs of training were clear… his body more defined, slightly taller than he used to be.
Milo slowly approached him, his eyes observing him carefully.
And as they got closer…
he noticed something unexpected.
Solir… was now a few centimeters taller than him.
Milo smiled slowly as he looked at him.
"Seems like Herax was right about you…
you've changed in a short time."
Solir lowered his gaze slightly, looking at his hand in silence.
"Really?"
He paused for a moment, then said calmly:
"But… it's still not enough."
Milo looked at him for a moment, then asked calmly:
"Why did you disappear all this time?"
Solir lifted his gaze toward him…
but didn't answer directly.
As if he deliberately avoided the question.
"I came to visit you…"
He paused briefly, then added:
"But I think I'm late."
Milo noticed the way he avoided the question,
but chose not to push further.
He simply took a calm breath and said:
"No… you're not that late."
Solir lifted his gaze slightly, then asked calmly:
"Where did the others go?"
Milo replied simply:
"They left a few minutes ago."
Solir's expression shifted slightly, a hint of relief passing through him.
"Good…"
He paused briefly, then added in a calm tone:
"I have no desire to answer too many questions."
Milo looked at him in silence, as if he understood what he meant without needing further explanation.
Solir looked at Milo, a faint smile on his face:
"How about we take a little walk?"
Milo considered the suggestion for a moment, then remembered he needed to wait for Celestine.
"Wait a minute!" he muttered to himself, pulling out his phone to call her.
A few minutes later, Milo put the phone down and nodded:
"Alright… we can take a walk!"
Solir smiled, as if this moment was
Milo and Solir walked through the streets of the midtown district, passing through familiar, simple avenues.
They glanced around, taking in the subtle details of their surroundings… the faint sounds of life, people moving about, sunlight filtering between the buildings.
A silent calm hung between them, yet despite the quiet, each of them enjoyed the moment in their own way.
There weren't many words, but every step carried a sense of tranquility and ease.
Solir broke the silence with a calm question:
"Lilithia told me you took part in that mission… and that you were involved in the incident. How did it go?"
Milo paused for a moment, memories of that difficult day flickering through his mind. He seemed uneasy discussing the details.
"Ah… about that?" he said softly, eyes scanning the horizon.
"It was a tough day… and it's the reason I ended up in the hospital."
Solir looked at him, curious:
"Oh… and who caused this injury?"
Milo fell silent for a moment, memories of that painful encounter flashing through his mind, then replied calmly:
"A person named Toxivar."
Solir smiled slightly, tasting the name on his tongue:
"Toxivar? Hmmm… is he strong?"
Milo paused for a moment before replying, his voice slightly low:
"Yes… he's strong, but not to that extent. I only lost because I was weak… and I still am…"
A faint sadness crossed his face, as if the weight he carried had suddenly become visible.
Solir looked at him in astonishment:
"I never expected to see you lose… you were always ahead of all the bullies back in high school…"
Milo placed his hand behind his head and smiled, recalling memories from high school:
"They were really annoying…"
Solir gave a faint smile, nodding gently:
"Yeah…"
They stood for a moment, enjoying the quiet and calm surrounding them, each lost in their own memories, with a subtle sense of warmth and comfort between them.
Solir stood, looking at Milo with calm eyes, then said:
"What do you think about going somewhere… I go there often to reflect."
Milo gave a small smile, considering his suggestion:
"Alright… let's go."
They began walking together in a gentle silence, each enjoying the calm and the surroundings, as if time itself had paused for a moment between their quiet memories and conversation.
Milo followed Solir, and the two reached the far edge of the city, where the walls protected Novara from monster attacks.
Milo looked at Solir, surprised:
"Is this the place?"
Solir smiled lightly, then slipped through a small gap in the wall, climbing a narrow path leading upward.
He extended his hand to Milo:
"Come on, let's climb up here… it's a path to the top. Quick, before the guards see us!"
Milo smiled faintly and took his hand, as they quietly and swiftly ascended, enjoying the small thrill of avoiding attention, with the city sprawling beneath them.
Milo and Solir sat on the edge of the rock at the top of the walls, gazing at the sprawling nature before them.
Milo smiled, enjoying the calm and the beauty:
"So beautiful…"
Meanwhile, Solir looked back toward the city, then extended his hand, pointing toward the distant wealthy district, separated from
the middle area by a massive gate:
"Milo… I have a goal I want to achieve, and that goal lies in that direction."
Milo raised his eyes to Solir's hand, trying to understand the gesture, but he didn't fully grasp the meaning yet:
"What do you mean?"
Solir lowered his hand slowly, his golden eyes shining with unwavering determination.
"You'll find out soon…" he said quietly, yet the words carried an invisible force.
Milo smiled, curiosity stirring within him:
"O… okay."
He laid back on the ground, resting his back against it, raising his hands behind his head and closing his eyes, enjoying the calm.
Solir looked at him:
"Are you going to sleep?"
Milo replied calmly and comfortably:
"I'll take a short nap."
"Alright…" Solir said quietly, then turned his gaze to the sun, focusing on it for a brief moment.
A few traces of pain or longing crossed his face details Milo didn't notice, as his eyes were closed, lost in his own private calm.
Milo let the calm wash over him, the gentle breeze brushing against his face, as he drifted into a peaceful nap atop the city walls, unaware of the challenges that awaited.