After returning home Arius sat in the lounge beside his mother and sister then said in a calm voice while looking at them
"Today… I will stay only with you No training no battles and nothing else Because tomorrow I have a long journey to a distant place"
Yuna raised her head and smiled tenderly saying
"A journey? Son where are we going this time?"
Arius turned his eyes toward her with a small smile a mixture of warmth and a mysterious coldness
"It is not important where the most important thing is that we do what you and Lina want"
Lina jumped from her place with excitement and said
"Then we will go shopping! I want us to buy new clothes and walk around like other normal people"
Arius laughed lightly then said
"Alright as you wish my pampered sister"
"And me!" Yuna said looking at them with emotion "I want us to enjoy the day as if nothing else exists in this world"
And indeed they all set off to the bright city streets wandering between shops buying clothes and visiting the places people usually frequent Arius was different that day he was not the cold warrior instead he appeared as a normal young man living rare moments with his family
They sat in a luxurious restaurant and on the table various dishes were gathered while Lina took pictures of them non stop Yuna laughed saying
"I never imagined the day I would see Arius smiling for the camera"
Lina answered her with loving sarcasm
"Believe me mother if we publish these photos everyone will think he is just a young man who loves outings not a warrior who threatens worlds"
Arius settled for a mysterious smile while sipping from his glass
As evening fell and while they were preparing to return home Lina turned to Arius saying
"Brother I want us to stop by the bookstore first I need a specific book that is not in our library"
Arius raised his eyebrows and said
"Our library is huge Lina what are you missing after all those shelves full of books?"
She answered with insistence
"This book is not with us so… you have no excuse We are going"
Arius laughed surrendering and said
"As you wish"
They arrived at the bookstore and Lina began searching through the shelves until she found the required book When she stepped toward the accountant to pay for it she suddenly bumped into someone She took a step back apologizing quickly but when she raised her eyes to see who she collided with… she froze in her place
She whispered in shock
"… Akany?"
The girl turned and her eyes widened in surprise as well then she called out in a slightly trembling voice
"Lina?!"
The moment was frozen as if time had stopped Arius's gaze was drawn immediately toward that strange girl and a faint smile was drawn on his lips as he watched the tension between his sister and her old friend who appeared suddenly
On the next morning Arius woke up early unusually he opened his eyes steadily as if something inside him had woken him up earlier than everyone else He got down quietly from his bed dressed and then left his room with silent steps
The first thing he did was head toward his mother's room he opened the door lightly and saw Yuna sleeping peacefully He approached her quietly stood for a moment contemplating her kind face then leaned in and whispered
"I will not be gone for long mother"
He kissed her forehead gently as if his heart wanted to keep her warmth with him wherever he went Then he left without making any sound
After that he headed toward Lina's room he opened the door quietly and saw his sister sleeping without a cover He stepped with light strides lifted the cover and placed it on her then stood watching her for a moment before smiling a small smile and left
He went down to the lower floor and left the house As soon as he reached the outside he released his energy and used teleportation to disappear in a single moment like a flash of lightning piercing through space
–––
On the planet "Arlin" Wang was busy training Raymos with unusual harshness and sweat was pouring from the latter as he tried to keep up with him But suddenly Wang stopped when he heard the sound of footsteps coming from the palace
Arlin descended from the stairs of her palace yawning lightly her features looking exhausted from sleep but maintaining her usual prestige She raised her hand to cover her mouth and said
"Good morning... I feel very hungry I want breakfast"
Wang smiled lightly then waved to Raymos saying
"Rest for a bit we will continue after eating"
The three sat around the table and the maids brought the food quickly While they were eating breakfast Arlin looked toward Raymos with a scrutinizing eye and noticed that he was absent minded
"What is wrong with you Raymos? You are not yourself today"
Raymos placed the spoon quietly breathed deeply then raised his gaze to her and said in a serious voice
"The truth... I have a matter I have been thinking about for a long time but I was hesitant to speak about it"
A short silence prevailed even Wang stopped eating and stared at him with interest while Arlin tilted her head slightly waiting for the rest of his words
Raymos said while watching the two with scrutinizing eyes
"The truth is I am surprised by Arius's manners these days"
Arlin opened her eyes in surprise and said
"Oh? And from what aspect do you mean Raymos?"
Raymos smiled faintly then continued
"Since the tournament and after everything that happened then I noticed a big change in Arius's character and actions"
Wang looked at them and said quietly
"The truth is I also noticed some things Arius became more reserved these days and the strangest thing is that he refused training although his desire for development was intense previously"
Arlin laughed lightly and looked at Raymos
"Perhaps Arius became arrogant after the performance he gave in the tournament and felt that he no longer needed to develop"
Raymos shook his head with a tone tinged with anxiety
"Arius is not the type who stops developing just because he became stronger Something must have happened with him"
He was silent for a moment then completed in a low voice
"A few days ago I saw him standing in the garden When I followed him I saw something strange with him... something was bowing before him and suddenly it disappeared He returned after that and his clothes were torn and his body showed signs of many blows When I asked him where he was he merely asked about the time then left"
Wang said with clear concern
"Arius must be going through something and he does not want to worry us"
Arlin sat thinking deeply about all that was said trying to conclude what was happening but all her attempts failed She could not explain this mystery surrounding Arius as if something inside him remained hidden from everyone
In the eighth world Ayana was moving quietly between the plants in her garden pouring water carefully on every flower as if she was giving life to every leaf and greenery with a touch of her hands The morning was quiet and the sun's rays seeped gently between the tree leaves giving the place a warm aura full of serenity
Suddenly she heard a voice saying
"What are you doing?"
Her heart contracted for a moment and she raised her head slowly to find Arius sitting on a tree trunk watching her with a strange smile characterized by mystery
He descended in front of her with quiet steps and said with a calm smile
"Is this you? Have you come to visit me?"
Ayana smiled with joy and began to feel the warmth of his presence around her
"Of course I am happy to see you my friends always rejoice at such visits"
She took him by his hand to her special section in the palace following his steps lightly as if she had been waiting for this meeting for a long time They sat together and she ordered the servants to bring a luxurious drink for them to enjoy the conversation in quiet and comfort
Ayana smiled and said
"You were truly wonderful in the tournament"
Arius replied with a calm smile and his eyes shining with warmth
"All of that is thanks to your encouragement and trust in me this is what gave me the strength to perform the best"
Ayana was happy with his words then Arius said in a faint voice
"I was thinking of visiting you for a while but circumstances did not allow me I hope you excuse my absence"
Ayana sighed lightly then decided to ask him about the topic she told him about previously Arius said frankly
"I refused that for I live with my family and I cannot leave them"
She felt sadness filling her chest but before she spoke a word Arius approached her and held her face between his hands with unexpected tenderness
"I have a beautiful surprise for you"
Ayana was very happy believing that Arius wanted to woo her and get closer to her
"What is it?" she said looking into his eyes with curiosity
Arius looked at her seriously and asked her
"Tell me Ayana what are your feelings toward mortals?"
She replied sincerely
"They are ordinary beings some of them are good and some are bad"
Arius smiled coldly and his tone of voice carried something of mystery
"And you with which side of them are you oh do not worry for I am with the evil side"
Ayana was confused for a moment she did not know what to say but said frankly
"And I am also with the evil side"
Arius smiled coldly and said mockingly
"You fools… you have exposed yourself"
A moment of silence passed over her and Ayana realized she had put herself in an embarrassing situation but she could not help but smile shyly while Arius continued to watch her with eyes full of mystery and challenge as if they both knew more than what she was saying .