After bidding farewell to his sponsor, Logan vowed to return after he knew what the class would do the following days.
He was given some coins as pocket money as he left and told that should he need anything, he only needed to tell the main butler, Mr. Alric, to send word.
Logan felt an unexpected comfort growing inside him. In this unfamiliar world, he had found two people, Rubina and her father, who not only appreciated his ability but welcomed him into their home without hesitation.
They were easy to be around, something he had rarely experienced in his otherwise lonely, complicated life.
He remembered coming home each day to an empty house, where he had to cook and clean for himself. His mom was always working late hours, constant overtime. Things only grew worse as he got older and she began dating again.
She still cared, of course. They'd talk briefly when she returned, maybe share a few forced conversations, but the warmth of a family? That had faded long ago.
It made him notice something about Rubina.
Even without a mother, she lived surrounded by people who adored her. Servants who would gladly sweep the ground before she walked on it.
Yes, she lacked something too but the way she lived, the way people moved around her, was different.
Logan had long since left the Rosengard estate, but he knew he'd return soon. His monster needed him. It wasn't just about food anymore. He could feel a thread forming between them, something more than instinct.
Maybe, with time, that bond would grow into something real. Like friendship, like a real family.
Then, without warning, his thoughts turned to his dog. The one he'd lost in a tragic accident.
And just like that, the wall around his heart began to rise again.
What pet… it was more interested in food than being with me.
The boy sighed, trying to shake off the cloud of negative thoughts pressing on his chest.
He focused instead on not losing the contents of his stomach as the cart rattled violently along the uneven road.
Gripping whatever he could for support, Logan cursed under his breath just loud enough to vent, but not loud enough for the coachman to hear.
Nearly half an hour passed this way, each bump making it harder to stay composed, until the cart came to an abrupt stop.
A pair of guards approached to inspect the contents, and after a few sharp knocks, one of them opened the carriage door.
"Greetings, hero! Good to see you. I trust the trip wasn't too rough?" the guard said with an enthusiastic grin. He barely waited for Logan to reply before giving a curt nod. "Seems everything's in order. That'll be all have a great night!"
With a quick and overly formal salute, the burly man shut the door, clearly satisfied just to see Logan safe. Logan, as always, found the formality a bit too much to get used to.
Not long after, the carriage pulled up to its destination. As the door opened, Logan stepped out and immediately recognized the building in front of him.
The "Castle Inn."
That was the nickname their class had given the place. A cross between noble estate and luxury lodge, it looked less like a dorm and more like a royal retreat.
He waved a casual goodbye to the carriage driver, watching for a moment as the strange dragon-faced vehicle rolled away into the night.
He wasn't the only one arriving in such flashy fashion several other gaudy carriages were pulling in as well, making him wonder if this trend had spread among the nobles or was simply another way to impress the summoned "heroes."
Logan than tilted his head up toward the sky to relax himself.
The boy stared at the night sky, the moons above casting light in various colors that still puzzled Logan. It was cold enough to make him tremble, yet the beautiful scene brought a small sense of peace.
Would she be looking for him now? Calling the police, searching his room for clues? And his father... would he even notice? Would he care enough to join the search or would he be too busy playing family with someone new?
Maybe being here was better, but the war that caused all of this weighed on him. He glanced around to observe the other students' expressions.
Logan wondered how they were coping with everything. Nearby, a group of kids had gathered around a boy making tiny flames dance on his fingers, drawing cheers and momentary smiles.
In another corner, a girl sobbed quietly while her friend hugged her, whispering comfort. It was a sharp contrast; some were distracted by wonder, others still drowning in fear.
Despite the chaos and uncertainty, Logan sensed an odd unity among them. They were all caught in this together… but was he really part of that group, or did he need to find his own path?
He took a deep breath, trying to clear away the darker thoughts. At that moment, a new carriage stopped outside the inn.
This one was different, simple, elegant, and without the flashy decorations the others had. Its plain design almost made it seem out of place.
Logan's curiosity rose as the coachman opened the door.
Lisa stepped down with graceful poise, dressed in a white two-piece outfit that shielded her from the cold.
The design reminded Logan of priestly garb, and he immediately guessed she had visited the Oracle. He recalled the strange interaction from the day before and wondered if she'd somehow been marked as one of his tamed beings.
A mischievous grin formed on his lips as he decided to test the theory. He waited for Lisa to get close enough and then sent a message through his mental link.
[Hey Lizzy!]
The girl, exhausted from a day of people praising her for things she didn't care about, froze in place.
That nickname was something she hadn't heard since childhood.
She stumbled slightly, confused by the fact it hadn't come from a voice, but rather… a thought.
Lisa thought she was hallucinating at first.
It was faint, but familiar, the way Logan used to call her when they were kids.
"Logan?" she whispered, unsure if she was imagining it.
Logan's grin widened.
[It's nice to see you…] he said, testing his powers while struggling to maintain a straight face at her startled reaction.
Lisa couldn't help but light up, a soft laugh escaping her lips. "Hey, that actually scared me… How did you do that?"
[You should stop talking like that, it'll look like I'm ignoring you. Anyway, it's a bit of a mystery I wanted to talk to you about…] Logan replied, rubbing his forehead as a dull throb reminded him that the skill was more draining than expected.
Lisa tilted her head, concerned. "Logan, are you okay? You look a bit pale."
He offered a weak smile. "I'm fine, just a little tired. Using that skill takes a lot out of me."
Lisa's expression shifted to something more mischievous. "Oh? Well, since we're talking about skills, maybe I should try one of mine. Stay still for a second."
She stepped closer and raised her hand to his forehead, pretending she was going to heal him. Logan closed his eyes, bracing for a wave of warmth, but instead, a sharp sting made him yelp and clutch his head.
Lisa broke into laughter, delighted that her old trick still worked.
"Hey! That's not healing!" Logan shouted, rubbing his forehead.
"And that's not what you called me before," Lisa pouted, clearly disappointed he'd switched to using her full name out loud.
"Fine, fine," Logan muttered, lowering his hand as she reached forward again.
This time, her touch was gentle and sincere. Warmth radiated from her palm, easing the dull ache in his head as a genuine healing spell took effect.
Logan relaxed, eyes closed, as the soothing energy flowed through him. It was simple, but in that moment, it felt like the most comfort he'd had in days.
"Better?" Lisa asked, her voice soft but with concerned laced on it.
Logan opened his eyes and gave a faint smile. "Much better. Thanks."
Lisa nodded, satisfied. "Good. How about we find a place to rest? My feet are killing me, and I want to hear about that skill of yours before Alma and the rest of the class come back. I'm sure you'll slip back into loner mode like always."
Logan blinked, realizing he'd let his guard down more than usual. He glanced around, relieved to see only a few students nearby none close enough to overhear them.
"Alright, let's find a quiet spot," he agreed, nodding toward a secluded corner of the inn with benches overlooking the garden.
They made their way over and settled into the cozy nook. Logan leaned back while Lisa sat beside him, removing her shoes and gently massaging her feet, her hands glowing faintly with a healing spell.
"So," she said, eyes bright with curiosity, "about this skill of yours. What exactly did you discover?"