The sun rose, spilling warm rays across Milo's living room. He sat at the breakfast table, preparing for another day of training and missions.
Across from him, Milena arranged the breakfast tray, her warm smile making the room feel calm and comfortable. They exchanged light, casual words, gestures natural and unhurried.
Milo stepped outside, morning light spilling over the streets of Novara. The air was fresh, carrying scents of damp earth and baked bread. Children ran through alleys, vendors called softly, and faint voices drifted from a nearby alley as he walked toward Hirax's house.
"...did you hear? The Seventh Guild is back from their mission," one said, excitement tinged with awe in his voice.
Yeah... I heard about it. They managed to defeat that monster," the man said in a low voice, a mix of surprise and respect lacing his words.
Milo muttered, sighing deeply.
"With all that's happening the Trouble Makers, the Talented Gang, and the Church… I no longer care about news outside Novara."
He arrived at Hirax's house and knocked firmly, the sound echoing through the quiet morning streets.
Milo didn't get any response.
"Hmm... seems like he's not home..." he muttered to himself.
Suddenly, a hand rested on Milo's shoulder. Startled, he jumped back, only to realize it was Hirax.
"Yo, Milo! How's it going?" Hirax said.
Milo looked at him, still catching his breath.
"You scared me, man!" he exclaimed.
Hirax opened the topic,
"Less than a month left until the teste to become hunters, Milo."
Milo looked at him and replied,
"Y-yeah... about twenty-four days. Still plenty of time to train."
"Yeah, my friend. Tomorrow we'll head to the Guild Agency to train as usual, right?"
Milo replied, "Of course, Hira."
As they walked, Hirax asked Milo,
"Milo, yesterday when you went and left Lilith and me... what happened?"
Milo fell silent, trying to hide the truth.
Hirax placed his hands on Milo's shoulders.
"Come on, tell me and stop hiding things from me!"
Milo sighed deeply.
"Ugh... alright, Hirax! I found out who attacked Sally."
Hirax was stunned.
"Whaaaat? Where are they?"
Milo replied calmly,
"I fought them... and beat them badly."
Hirax put his hand on his face.
Hirax said,
"You acted too hastily."
Milo looked at him and replied,
"hirax... if you had seen the person who attacked Sally in front of you, what would you have done?"
Milo smiled faintly,
"I'd guess... you would have done worse than I did."
Hirax glanced to the side,
"I would've... broken his bones."
Milo nodded slightly,
"I tried talking to him first, but he didn't even feel a shred of remorse."
Hirax folded his arms, eyes narrowing with concern.
"Well… you eased my mind with what you did, but I feel like you're hiding something."
Milo met his gaze steadily.
"The people who attacked Sally are members of the Talented Gang. It's huge, and their leader is extremely strong."
Milo looked at him seriously, a mix of gratitude and caution gleaming in his eyes.
"So... that means they might target me for revenge..."
Hirax raised his eyebrows slightly, surprised.
"Oh... is that how it is... That's really dangerous."
Milo replied calmly but tensely,
"Yes... it's dangerous for me."
Hirax interrupted firmly:
"No… it's dangerous for them! Anyone who goes after you, I'll go after them. No matter who… I'll defeat them."
Milo felt a slight relief amidst his friend's unwavering determination.
Milo smiled warmly.
"Thanks, Hirax."
Suddenly, Hirax playfully smacked Milo on the head.
"Ouch! Why?" Milo exclaimed, holding his head.
Hirax grinned,
"That's for hiding things from me."
Hirax nodded seriously.
"No matter what path you take, I'm with you. Don't go down a dark path—or I'll stop you myself."
Milo let out a relieved sigh.
"Thanks… really, Hirax. But… I allied with a gang too the Trouble Makers. One of them showed me where the people who attacked Sally are."
Hirax's expression tensed.
"All this happened… and you didn't tell me?"
Milo shrugged, regretful.
"I didn't want to drag you into this. We need to stay focused we're leaving Novara to discover the world."
Hirax replied firmly:
"Yeah… and don't do anything reckless, Milo."
Later, Milo, Hirax, Lilithia, and Ryo spent the day wandering Novara, visiting the market, talking and laughing. Ryo shared stories of girls who had rejected him, making everyone laugh, while Milo and Hirax relaxed, enjoying the warmth of friendship.
As afternoon faded, Milo and friends sat by the fountain, watching the sun set, enjoying a quiet moment of friendship and calm.
In the wealthy district, streets were clean, buildings grand, and guards patrolled silently.
Tavian stood by his mansion's entrance, relaxed but alert. He placed his hand on the polished door handle, and a servant appeared, bowing respectfully.
In a calm yet firm voice, the servant said,
"Welcome back, sir... you are late tonight."
Tavian's voice was calm and composed as he spoke to the servant,
"Prepare my bath... I will be bathing shortly."
The servant replied promptly, "Yes, Master Tavian."
Suddenly, a commotion erupted at Tavian's gates. Two guards struggled with a scar-faced man.
Tavian stepped out calmly, scanning the scene with sharp eyes. He raised a hand, and his guards immediately obeyed.
The scar-faced man froze, stumbled, and fell to his knees before Tavian, gasping and struggling to steady himself.
"T-Tavian... my lord Tavian..." he stammered, his voice trembling with a mix of fear and awe.
Tavian's dark eyes swept over Raund.
"Raund."
Raund, scarred and kneeling, replied strained but composed, "Yes… it's me."
"Who dared to do this to you?" Tavian asked, stepping closer, his presence heavy and commanding.
"Follow me. We'll speak in the guest room," he ordered.
They walked down the corridor into the same spacious, dimly lit room Tavian had met Lola in.
Tavian stood confidently, Raiza beside him, katana at her waist, eyes steady and alert, reflecting both loyalty and lethal readiness.
Raund sat slouched, exhausted but alert, his scarred forehead catching the dim light.
A girl with short gray hair and glasses stood by the window, watching silently, calm yet alert, assessing the scene.
Tavian's voice cut through the tense silence of the room.
"Alright," he said calmly, his eyes fixed on Braund.
Braund spoke, his voice still catching slightly from the pain.
"I was at the tavern in the poor district, just having a drink, when a boy(Milo) showed up. He attacked me… and struck everyone with me," he said, his tone a mixture of anger and disbelief.
Tavian's calm, authoritative voice filled the room as he called out:
"oh ok... Adelheid!"
The girl with short gray hair turned her gaze toward Raund, poised and alert.
Adelheid handed Raund a screen.
"Describe the person who attacked you."
Raund took a breath and spoke steadily:
"The boy… light brown hair, slightly messy, brown eyes, lean but strong, quick and precise movements. He wears a dark shirt and trousers, and a necklace that seems important."
Adelheid showed the screen to Tavian.
"This is the person, Sir Tavian."
Tavian's eyes widened slightly.
"Hmmm… this face isn't unfamiliar. He is Arthur's son."
Adelheid spoke first, her tone calm:
"Hmmm… Arthur's son."
She looked up at Tafvian, then asked,
"Sir Tafvian, what shall we do about him?"
Raiza stepped forward, her voice steady and sharp:
"Sir Tafvian, if you wish, I can bring him to you alive or dead, as you prefer."
Tavian looked at Braund with sharp eyes, his voice low but cutting:
"Why did he attacked you?"
Braund swallowed hard, anxiety clear on his face, stammering:
"I… I think… because I attacked his friend, sir"
Tavian fell silent for a moment, eyes narrowing as if weighing every word. Then he spoke, slow and cold:
"And why did you attack her?"
Braund's answer came out rushed, fear making him stumble over his words.
"Because… because it was… fun."
Tavian stepped to Braund, his presence radiating authority.
"Braund, I brought you into the Talented because I saw potential. But you assault innocent people for sport. Do you think my protection lasts if you break my rules?"
Braund trembled, stammering, "I… I won't do it again… I'm sorry, sir… please forgive me…"
Tavian released him.
"Good… make sure your words are true. Leave."
Braund bolted for the door, heart racing, and quickly exited.
Tavian sat back and let out a slow breath, then spoke.
"Raiza, I want you to bring Milo here."
Raiza readied herself, hand moving toward her katana.
"As you wish." she answered.
Tavian raised a hand, stopping her.
"Not now. Only when I tell you."
Raiza froze, released her grip, and lowered the sword.
"Understood, sir."
Tavian turned his gaze to Milo's image on the screen. A faint, cold smile touched his lips.
"Hmm… I'm eager to see your strength, Arthur's son."
After Braund left, silence settled over the room.
All eyes focused on Milo's image on the screen, filled with anticipation and danger.
Tavian watched quietly, a faint, mysterious smile playing on his lips.