Evening settled quietly over Novara's walls, the last traces of sunset fading beyond the horizon, leaving the sky drenched in deep shades of blue.
The air had grown slightly colder, and the breeze slipping through the stone carried a strange stillness… one that wasn't entirely comforting.
Milo slowly opened his eyes.
He blinked a few times, as if trying to remember where he was, then gradually sat up, running a hand through his hair, traces of sleep still lingering on his face.
"Oh… you're awake."
Solir said calmly, looking at Milo without changing his posture.
Milo slowly sat up, his eyes drifting toward the horizon… toward the fading sunset beyond the city.
For a few seconds, he seemed lost in the view…
Then suddenly
His eyes widened slightly, as if something had just clicked in his mind.
"How… how long was I asleep?!"
Solir remained silent for a moment, still gazing into the distance.
"Hours…" he said calmly, then added without looking at him:
"Why do you ask?"
Milo froze for a second… then suddenly stood up.
"Damn it! I told her I wouldn't be late!"
Solir extended his hand, holding Milo's phone out to him.
"Your phone was ringing."
Milo quickly took it and looked at the screen
His eyes widened even more.
"Celestine…?!"
"Damn it! But… why didn't you wake me up?!"
Solir slightly turned his gaze away, as if the answer didn't matter much to him.
"You looked extremely tired…" he said calmly.
"I didn't want to ruin your sleep."
Milo let out a quiet sigh.
"Alright… it's fine."
He slipped his phone into his pocket, then took a step forward
and jumped off the wall.
Solir's eyes widened slightly.
"Huh?"
Milo landed firmly on the ground, steady on his feet, though his body shook slightly from the impact.
"That… hurt a little"
Solir looked down at him from above, watching him in silence for a moment before asking:
"Where are you going?"
Milo raised his hand, waving without fully turning back.
"I've got something to take care of."
He smiled faintly, then added:
"I hope we meet again, Solir…"
He paused briefly, then said in a lighter tone:
"And try not to disappear like that again."
Solir smiled softly.
"Take care of yourself."
He slowly lay back, resting against the stone, letting out a quiet breath…
his eyes drifting toward the sky as the last traces of light faded away.
Milo ran through the streets, his steps quick as he pulled out his phone, typing a message in a hurry.
"Sorry… I fell asleep by accident.
I didn't mean to keep you waiting."
Only a few moments passed before his phone vibrated in his hand.
He opened the message quickly.
"...
Alright, it's fine.
But I waited for a whole hour by the hospital, you know?!"
Milo paused for a moment, feeling a slight pang of guilt.
Then another message appeared:
"Anyway… what do you think about meeting somewhere now?"
Milo lifted his head and glanced at his phone, quickly typing:
"Where?"
After a short while of exchanging messages, Milo made his way to the café they had agreed on.
He stepped inside and looked around. The café wasn't crowded; only a few people were scattered across tables, chatting quietly.
Milo sat down on one of the chairs, keeping an eye on his surroundings as his order arrived.
He waited for a few minutes, his gaze drifting across the tables, a mix of anticipation and curiosity stirring in his chest as he waited for Celestine to appear.
Suddenly, the café door opened, and Celestine stepped in quietly, carrying a small bag over her shoulder.
She wore elegant clothes, simple yet reflecting her refined taste and calm presence.
Celestine sat down in front of Milo, her gaze steady on him for a moment.
"Late?" she asked softly, with a hint of hidden amusement in her tone.
Milo gave her a gentle smile, easing the tension between them.
"Just a few minutes…" he replied calmly, as if time hadn't mattered at all.
Celestine ordered her coffee.
Meanwhile milo chose a small cup of warm tea.
Celestine took a sip of her coffee, her eyes observing Milo for a moment.
He spoke calmly, as if the words had slipped out without much thought:
"Coffee… I've never liked coffee before."
Celestine raised an eyebrow slightly, looking a little surprised by his remark, her eyes showing a mix of astonishment and curiosity.
"Oh…" she murmured, then smiled softly, "For me, It's very comforting."
Milo said with a light smile, glancing at Celestine:
"You seem like someone who stays up late a lot."
Celestine gently set her cup down on the table, her eyes carrying a hint of amusement:
"Isn't that obvious?"
A minute passed as Milo sipped his tea quietly, his attention reflecting the calm around him."So… did you want something?"
Celestine gently placed her hand on the table and leaned on it slightly, her eyes focused on Milo with a friendly seriousness.
"Oh… right. But before that, how are your preparations for the test going?"
Milo: "I'm ready… I think."
Celestine looked at him, her eyes full of concern:
"I hope the mission you took part in had meaning… helped you, even just a little."
Milo looked down, a slight sadness showing on his face:
"Ah… yes."
Celestine looked at Milo and sighed:
"Ah… Milo, did your loss affect you that much? It's just a loss, you know."
Milo shook his head slightly, smiling but with a hint of sadness:
"No, it's not like that… I'm just like this, I dislike myself a little when I lose."
"Especially since my opponent wasn't that strong compared to yours."
Celestine placed her hand on her head:
"Ah… don't worry, sometimes we dislike ourselves to improve."
"But Milo, the important thing is that this won't affect you much."
Celestine held her cup:
"Just train more in the coming days, and everything will be fine… I trust you."
After a short sip, Celestine put down her cup:
"Ah… I know I'm not good at comforting, but I hope that…"
Milo interrupted her:
"No, no… thank you, Celestine."
Celestine paused for a moment, then continued:
"Alright then, I really wanted to help you with your training, but I'll be very busy with work in the coming days, so good luck!"
A moment of silence passed between them.
Milo broke the silence and asked,
"What did you do about the Numbers?"
Celestine lifted her gaze toward him:
"The Numbers… Novara now considers them enemies and they are wanted for justice. They caused unrest among the people and influenced some youths to rebel against their city. So Novara has placed monetary rewards for anyone who brings them to her alive…"
Milo looked curious, and also somewhat worried:
"And what about Toxivar?"
Celestine replied:
"As for him, he's not much different from them, but since he killed some of Novara's police, the punishment will not be merciful."
Celestine added:
"As for the rebellious youths who followed them under the name of the Troublemakers, Novara is conducting patrols to discipline them and guide them in a better way."
Celestine finished her words:
"Any other questions?"
Milo replied:
"No, I appreciate your explanation."
A moment of silence passed, and Milo was lost in his thoughts,
while Celestine held her phone, browsing through a few things calmly.
"Milo!"
Milo looked at her after she called his name.
Celestine set her phone on the table and said,
"The reason I asked to meet you again is that I want you to work with me…"
Milo looked a little surprised:
"Work with you?"
She shook her head:
"Yes, I know you'll become an adventurer and leave Novara for missions, but I also want you to work with me sometimes when you return, and help me when you're available…"
Milo thought for a moment:
"I don't have a big problem with it, but… why me?"
Celestine smiled cautiously, trying to avoid the question:
"Let's just say… my personal matters, you wouldn't understand."
Milo looked at her, puzzled:
"That's strange… I'll think about it, so give me some time."
Celestine sighed:
"Alright, I'll give you some time to think."
Time passed, and they occasionally talked about random topics, or remained silent.
After a while, Celestine paid for her order and Milo's, then left.
Milo stayed in the café for a few more minutes, then left as well, heading home.
Milo arrived home and entered, greeted by his sister as usual, with love and warmth.
After spending some time with her and having dinner, he went up to the upper floor and prepared for bed.