Back on Planet Diamond, Jade slowly stepped out of the sleeping pod.
The transparent cover slid open with a soft hiss as cool air washed over him.
At first glance, he appeared perfectly healthy.
There wasn't a single scratch on his body.
No bruises.
No cuts.
No broken bones.
The sleeping pod had preserved his physical body exactly as it had been before entering the Spiritual Realm, repairing only superficial damage sustained to his consciousness.
Yet Jade knew the truth.
His body might have been unharmed...
But his essence pathways certainly were not.
The familiar burning sensation still spread through his chest every time he attempted to circulate essence. It felt as though countless tiny needles were tearing through his veins.
Jade let out a helpless sigh.
"So it really wasn't just my imagination..."
Using Ling as support, he slowly limped back toward his apartment.
The little shadow wrapped itself around his injured leg, silently reducing the burden on his damaged body.
"You've become surprisingly useful," Jade muttered.
Ling folded its tiny arms proudly before nodding as if accepting the compliment.
Jade couldn't help but smile.
After returning to his room, he carefully sat on the edge of his bed.
Only then did he notice how filthy he was.
Although his physical wounds had disappeared, his body was still covered in dried blood, dirt, and the lingering smell of the Spiritual Realm.
"I seriously need a bath..."
Without hesitation, he summoned Aviana.
Golden-black particles drifted out from his Soul Sea before gathering into a graceful figure.
Aviana appeared in her human form.
Her long black-and-gold hair fluttered gently despite the still air inside the room.
She glanced at Jade once before immediately noticing the exhausted expression on his face.
"You look terrible."
"I feel even worse."
Jade scratched the back of his head awkwardly before looking at her.
"Aviana..."
"Could you... give me a sponge bath?"
"I just came back from the Spiritual Realm, and moving around hurts more than I'd like to admit."
Aviana stared at him silently.
Then she sighed.
"Of course you injured yourself."
"You disappear for two or three days, return half-dead, and now expect me to clean you up."
Jade laughed weakly.
"When you put it like that..."
"You sound like my mother."
A small smile appeared on Aviana's lips.
"Someone has to."
She fetched warm water and a clean cloth before gently helping Jade clean away the dirt and dried blood covering his body.
The room remained quiet for a while.
Only the sound of dripping water could be heard.
Eventually, Aviana broke the silence.
"You know..."
"I've been thinking."
Jade raised an eyebrow.
"About what?"
She continued wiping his shoulder before answering.
"I don't want to spend all my time inside your Soul Sea anymore."
"It's so unbelievably boring."
She paused before adding with a mischievous smile,
"It's f***ing boring."
Jade laughed.
"I never imagined you'd start complaining."
"I've had enough time to think."
Aviana folded the cloth neatly before continuing.
"I want to live like a human."
"I want to walk around."
"I want to see cities."
"I want to experience this world instead of sitting inside your Soul Sea forever."
Jade looked at her thoughtfully.
"Then you probably shouldn't keep wearing armor everywhere."
"If you want people to think you're human..."
"You'll have to dress like one."
Aviana leaned closer while continuing to clean his arm.
"I'll wear whatever I want."
"Besides..."
She smiled knowingly.
"If I die..."
"You die."
"Remember?"
Jade immediately remembered the contract connecting their lives.
If either of them died...
The other would follow.
He nodded slowly.
"I remember."
Then a grin spread across his face.
"Which is exactly why you should stay safely inside my Soul Sea."
Aviana blinked.
Then rolled her eyes.
"Never mind."
"That sounds incredibly creepy."
"I'll pretend I never heard your advice."
Jade chuckled.
"Fair enough."
Not long afterward, the bath was finished.
Jade felt refreshed for the first time since leaving the Spiritual Realm.
Aviana quietly left the room.
When she returned several minutes later, she was no longer wearing her familiar armor.
Instead...
She wore the academy uniform.
Black trousers.
A crisp white shirt.
A neatly fitted academy jacket.
The simple outfit somehow suited her perfectly.
Without the armor, she looked less like a summoned creature and more like an ordinary academy student.
An extraordinarily beautiful one.
As she walked through the residential district, countless people unconsciously turned to look at her.
Some slowed their steps.
Others simply stared.
Her flawless appearance drew attention wherever she went.
Completely unaware of the chaos she was causing, Aviana calmly entered one of the nearby government sleeping pods.
Some time later...
She returned carrying a tray filled with freshly prepared food.
The delicious aroma immediately filled the room.
Jade's stomach growled loudly.
He stared at the tray in confusion.
"Where did you get all this?"
Aviana placed the tray on the table before sitting opposite him.
"I went back to the Spiritual Realm."
Jade nearly dropped his spoon.
"...You what?"
She nodded casually.
"Unlike you, I appeared inside a human citadel."
"So I hunted a few creatures."
"I sold their corpses."
"They paid me in Spiritual Coins."
"I exchanged them for human currency after returning..."
"...then bought ingredients and cooked."
Jade looked at her in complete disbelief.
"How many creatures did you kill?"
Aviana thought for a moment.
"About fifteen."
"All Initiate-class monsters."
Jade froze.
Then slowly looked at the food.
Then back at Aviana.
"...Fifteen?"
She nodded innocently.
"Was that too many?"
Jade immediately grabbed the plate.
"No."
"That's amazing."
He practically devoured the meal.
After spending days eating raw monster meat, ordinary cooked food tasted like the greatest feast imaginable.
Within minutes...
Every plate was empty.
Jade leaned back comfortably.
"I've never appreciated normal food this much."
Aviana smiled proudly.
"I noticed."
After cleaning the dishes, she looked back at him.
"So..."
"What are you planning to do while I continue hunting in the Spiritual Realm?"
Jade thought for a few moments.
Then answered,
"I'll study."
"The ancient language."
"The inscription inside that abandoned citadel..."
"I need to know what it said."
Aviana nodded.
"Good."
She stood up.
"At this rate..."
"I might become an Initiate Mystic before you."
Jade laughed helplessly.
"I wouldn't even be surprised."
Then another thought crossed his mind.
"Oh."
"I think Ling should go with you."
The little shadow immediately looked up.
Its body stiffened.
Jade continued.
"He won't spy on you."
"He'll just explore the Spiritual Realm."
"He seems to enjoy wandering around."
Ling immediately crossed its tiny arms before shaking its head dramatically, as though declaring,
"You don't get to decide my life."
Jade pretended not to notice.
Aviana couldn't help but laugh.
"I think he's protesting."
"I know."
"But he's still going."
Ling threw both tiny hands into the air in exaggerated frustration.
After glaring at Jade for several seconds, the little shadow finally sighed in defeat before jumping onto Aviana's shoulder.
Seeing the two standing together, Jade smiled quietly.
For the first time since returning from the Trial...
The room no longer felt empty.