For exactly three days, Aurora Covenant did absolutely nothing.
They ate, they slept, they argued about Mira's sudden internet fame. And together, they collectively agreed not to think about the sky splitting open again.
On the morning of the fourth day, Nox brought the vacation to an end.
"We're training."
Groans echoed throughout the common room. Mira fell backward across the couch with a dramatic thud. "No."
Kaida didn't even look up from her laptop. "Denied."
Garrick gave a heavy sigh. "We just cleared an S-rank gate, Nox."
Orion turned a page in his book. "...Statistically, we deserve at least one more day."
Nox didn't budge. "We have three days before KAMB begins assigning raids."
Lucien looked up, surprised. "Three?"
"Yes."
"And you want to spend them training."
"Yes."
Mira slowly raised a finger. "...Counterpoint."
"No."
"But you didn't even hear the counterpoint!"
"No."
Kairos quietly sipped his tea, then murmured, "...I think he's right."
Everyone turned to him. Kairos froze mid-sip. "...Sorry."
Mira gasped. "Betrayal."
Nox checked the clock. "Training floor. Ten minutes."
He left the room without another word. A brief silence followed before Garrick stood up, cracking his knuckles. "Well, I guess we're training."
Mira pointed an accusing finger at Kairos. "This is your fault."
Kairos shrank back. "...Sorry."
__
8F - Training Floor
The top floor of the Aurora Covenant headquarters was designed for pure destruction: reinforced walls, authority-resistant materials, and energy dampeners embedded deep into the floor.
Even so, Mira managed to break something within five minutes.
"PEACHES!" A massive spectral wolf appeared mid-air and crashed straight into one of the structural columns. The barrier cracked. Seris pinched the bridge of her nose. "...Mira."
"It slipped!"
"Your summon weighs half a ton."
"It slipped enthusiastically!"
Garrick stepped forward, rolling his shoulders to loosen up. "Who's first?"
Lucien raised a hand. "I'll spar."
Kaida glanced over. "With who?"
Lucien shrugged. "Anyone."
Mira immediately pointed at Garrick. "Mountain vs. Sun Boy."
Garrick grinned. "Alright."
The two stepped into the center ring. Nox watched quietly from the sidelines as Lucien moved first. He was fast. Garrick barely got his shield up before the impact landed.
BOOM.
The floor shook. Mira cheered. "Oh, we're doing this today!"
Garrick planted his feet firmly. "Your turn."
Stone surged from the floor as Atlas's authority manifested, and Lucien's golden light flared in response. The two powers collided with a roar.
Kaida whistled softly. "That's going to break something."
Orion fired a practice arrow into the ceiling without looking. "Already did."
__
Meanwhile, Kairos stood on the far side of the floor. Four small elements floated around his hands: fire, wind, water, and earth. They moved slowly, carefully.
Seris watched from nearby. "Steady breathing."
Kairos nodded. "...Okay."
The wind flickered. The water began to wobble. The fire sputtered, and the chunk of earth dropped. Kairos panicked. "Wait—"
The elements collided. A small explosion of steam and dust erupted in his face. Mira clapped excitedly. "SCIENCE!"
Kairos coughed, waving away the smoke. "...I hate this."
Seris handed him a towel. "You're improving."
Kairos blinked. "...I am?"
"You didn't lose control."
Kairos stared at the swirling elements again. Slowly, they began to stabilize. For the first time, the four elements orbited in a smooth, perfect circle. His eyes widened. "...Oh."
Seris smiled faintly. "See?"
__
After several hours, the group collapsed in various states of exhaustion. Mira lay face-down on the floor. "I regret everything."
Garrick leaned against a wall, catching his breath. Lucien wiped sweat from his hair, while Orion sat calmly reading again. Kairos was near the window with Seris, and Kaida was already analyzing the energy readings. Only Nox remained standing.
Lucien glanced at him. "You're not tired?"
"I wasn't fighting."
Lucien stood back up. "Then spar with me."
Nox raised an eyebrow. "That seems unnecessary."
Lucien smiled. "Come on."
The others immediately looked interested. Mira lifted her head off the floor. "Oh, this I want to see."
Nox sighed quietly and stepped forward. Lucien attacked first—fast and direct. Nox sidestepped him easily. Lucien adjusted, but Nox moved again. After three exchanges, Lucien stopped.
"...You're predicting me."
"Yes."
Lucien folded his arms. "That's unfair."
"You asked to spar."
Lucien laughed softly. "Fair." They stood there for a moment, neither moving. Then, Lucien reached out suddenly and flicked Nox's forehead.
Nox blinked. "That was unnecessary."
Lucien grinned. "Payback."
"For what?"
"For making us train."
Mira groaned from the floor. "...Worth it."
__
Later that night, the building was quiet. Nox stood on the balcony outside the strategy room, watching the lights of Seoul stretch across the horizon. Lucien joined him a few minutes later.
"You push them hard."
"They need it."
Lucien leaned against the railing. "They trust you."
Nox didn't respond. Lucien looked at him. "...I do too."
The wind shifted slightly. Nox finally spoke. "We don't have much time."
Lucien nodded. "I know."
For a moment, neither said a word. Then Lucien gently nudged Nox's shoulder. "Next time we enter a gate..."
Nox glanced at him. "...Yes?"
Lucien smiled faintly. "We're still holding hands."
Nox stared at him. Lucien walked back inside before Nox could even think of an answer. Nox stood there for a moment longer in the quiet night air—then he followed.