"Good evening," celestine said, her voice steady but firm. "We need to report what we witnessed last night."
She stood near the entrance, her long black hair cascading down her back, catching the fluorescent lights above with a subtle sheen. Her deep brown eyes scanned the room, sharp and alert, taking in every investigator and every detail without missing a beat.
She stepped into the Novara Investigation Center, her dark coat moving lightly with each step, her eyes sharp and alert. Milo followed silently, clutching his pendant.
At the far side of the room, the investigators looked up. The Chief Investigator, a man with neatly combed brown hair, subtle wrinkles, and glasses, sipped his coffee while observing them carefully.
Beside him, the Digital Specialist, a young man with black hair, typed rapidly on a laptop, eyes flicking to multiple screens.
The Veteran Field Investigator, an older man with gray-streaked hair and a lined face, leaned slightly, assessing Milo and Celestine with sharp eyes.
The New Trainee, a young woman with a ponytail, scribbled notes quickly, glancing nervously between them and her screens.
The Records Officer, tidy with short black hair and glasses, paused his filing to focus on the newcomers.
The Chief Investigator adjusted his glasses slightly and gave a small, polite smile. His brown eyes softened as they focused on Celestine.
"Oh, Miss Celestine, welcome," he said, his voice calm but carrying a hint of nostalgia. "It's been a while… since I last saw you."
Celestine glanced at him briefly, her expression neutral but composed. "Indeed, it has been some time, Mr Garrick Holt... " she replied, her tone measured.
Milo noticed the subtle familiarity in the exchange, the kind of recognition that spoke of old connections and unspoken history.
Chief Investigator Garrick Holt looked at her, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"So, what brings you here so suddenly, Miss Celestine?" he asked, though he already suspected the reason.
Celestine met his gaze calmly, her voice steady and confident.
"I came to provide a full report on last night's events, Chief Holt. Everything you need to know about the green-haired boy and his gang," she replied, giving him exactly what he wanted to hear.
Chief Investigator Garrick Holt clasped his hands together, leaning slightly forward as his sharp brown eyes studied Celestine intently. Around him, the other investigators were immersed in their work, typing rapidly, flipping through files, or talking quietly on headsets, barely glancing up.
Celestine spoke with calm confidence.
"Last night, we witnessed a heinous crime against the Novara police, committed by that green-haired boy."
Chief Investigator Garrick Holt listened, his face unreadable, betraying no emotion at her words.
She continued, her voice steady and deliberate.
"Therefore, my young assistant…" she placed a hand gently atop Milo's head, "…and I investigated this matter, and we discovered that what is happening is a conspiracy orchestrated by the gang in the poor district, known as the Troublemakers, aimed at destroying Novara."
Holt's eyes narrowed slightly, but his expression remained neutral, his fingers still clasped together as he absorbed the gravity of her report.
Milo looked up at her, wide-eyed and slightly startled by the gesture. He never expected Celestine to cover for him so openly. A mix of surprise and gratitude flashed across his face as he remained still, letting her hand rest gently atop his head.
He whispered quietly to himself, almost in disbelief,
"So… she's really protecting me?"
The chief looked at Celestine with steady eyes, showing no emotion.
"So, Miss Celestine… what proof do you have to back up your claims?"
He asked calmly, as if he already knew much but wanted confirmation.
Celestine nodded slightly, her gaze fixed on the chief:
"We have concrete evidence. My assistant—he recorded their conversation."
Milo, who had been standing beside her the whole time, stepped forward. His heart still raced, but he maintained his composure.
He held out his phone from his pocket.
"Here… listen to this."
Milo placed the phone on the chief's desk and gestured for him to play the recording.
The voices of the four men inside the room began to echo, cold and deliberate:
> "...this way we'll make everyone fight each other in Novara, exploit the chaos to get into the old church in the wealthy district..."
"...there we take what we want and strike at the Church's credibility..."
"...the timing is perfect — no one will expect an inside assault..."
Milo smiled faintly, watching the expressions of the chief and the investigators.
The chief clasped his hands together, leaning slightly forward to listen carefully, his eyes growing sharper with each word that played.
The investigators, who had been busy with paperwork at first, suddenly stopped their work. Each face displayed shock and concern. Some whispered to themselves, while others exchanged alarmed glances.
The chief, who had remained calm throughout, pressed the edge of his glasses with his hand for a moment, then looked at Celestine with stern eyes:
"This… is bigger than I expected. If these actions are organized this way, the problem isn't just local chaos. It's a systematic plan to destroy the Church and threaten the stability of Novara."
Celestine looked at the chief with a sharp, serious gaze, her eyes unwavering.
"I suggest you inform the Church about what's happening. They need to give us the orders to act—it's absolutely crucial."
The chief listened carefully, nodding slowly, understanding the gravity of her words.
"Alright… very well. But the boy beside you…" he said, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I noticed him on the cameras last night. Can you explain what he was doing before Miss Celestine arrived?"
Milo felt a sudden weight in his chest as all eyes turned toward him. He glanced at Celestine, who gave him a subtle nod, silently telling him to be honest and stay calm.
The chief spoke calmly, his voice smooth but probing, as if trying to catch Milo off guard.
"You were seen fighting someone in the wealthy district," he said, his gaze sharp. "(I mean Raiza.) Why did you do that?"
Milo felt the room tighten around him, the question loaded with implication. He glanced at Celestine, seeking reassurance before he responded.
The chief continued, his tone calm but probing, eyes fixed on Milo.
"You even fought against Miss Celestine herself," he said, "which makes me wonder if you really consider her your ally. From what I know about Miss Celestine, she prefers to work alone."
Milo remained composed, though a flicker of tension crossed his face. He knew he had to choose his words carefully.
Milo fidgeted, his hands trembling slightly, unable to form a proper sentence. His throat felt tight, and his eyes darted nervously between the serious gaze of the President and the other investig
Celestine exhaled quietly, drawing the attention of everyone in the room. Her gaze swept across the investigators, calm yet piercing.
"As usual, you don't change, sir," she said lightly, her tone carrying a hint of amusement. "Still doubting every new source."
The President looked at her, his expression unreadable.
"It's part of my job, Miss Celi," he replied calmly.
Celestine interrupted him, leaning slightly forward, her voice firm but measured:
"Last night, my assistant noticed someone tailing him. He contacted me immediately and informed me he was being followed. We lured that girl, and it became clear that she really was pursuing him."
Milo watched in quiet amazement, noticing how Celestine cleverly concealed the truth while still explaining the situation. Her ability to present the facts strategically impressed him, and he felt a mix of admiration and relief.
Celestine spoke with complete confidence and fluidity, her voice steady and commanding.
"The girl succeeded in provoking the boy, Milo," she said smoothly, glancing around the room as if addressing everyone present. "As you noticed on the cameras, he fought her. That girl… you, I, and almost everyone here know who she really is, and we know who her leader is."
Her gaze sharpened, directing a hint of anger toward the chief.
"So don't just describe her as someone living in the wealthy district," she continued, her tone firm. "Tell us who she really is… I believe you even know what her goal is."
Milo watched silently, impressed by how seamlessly Celestine guided the conversation, subtly cornering the chief without revealing anything he didn't already suspect.
The chief fell silent for a moment, his expression unreadable.
"Alright… alright," he finally said, his voice calm but firm. "I have nothing else… I will inform the Church about what we have obtained…"
Celestine nodded slightly, her tone composed and confident.
"Good," she replied. "I will also ask Lady Silvara to send a report to the Church, so we can determine the next steps. Thank you for your cooperation, Chief."
The room remained tense for a moment, the investigators quietly observing the exchange, while Milo felt a subtle relief at how smoothly Celestine had handled the situation.
The chief spoke calmly, his tone measured.
"Very well… you may leave now."
As Milo and Celestine turned to exit, the other investigators returned to their work, quietly murmuring among themselves.
The chief remained seated for a moment, his gaze lingering on the pair. There was a slight frown on his face, a subtle annoyance he couldn't fully hide. Whatever had just transpired clearly left him uneasy.
Milo walked beside Celestine, a small smile playing on his lips, feeling a light relief after how smoothly she handled the conversation. His eyes were alert but calm, reflecting a mix of admiration and gratitude toward her.
Celestine moved with calm confidence, her steps measured and deliberate. Her black hair swayed gently with each motion, framing a face that reflected both determination and sharp intelligence. She seemed unshaken by the tense investigation, guiding Milo effortlessly as they exited the building.
Celestine stopped and extended her hand to Milo, smiling warmly.
"It was a pleasure working with you, Arthur's son," she said.
Milo smiled back, shaking her hand firmly. As he lowered his hand, he quickly looked away, a hint of shyness coloring his face.
"Thank you… for helping me back there. Without you, things could have gone really badly," he admitted softly.
Celestine watched his reaction with a subtle smile.
"It's nothing… it's my duty. Now, leave the rest to me. We'll handle the Troublemakers," she said confidently.
Milo felt a small weight in his chest, a mix of relief and worry. What will happen with Toxivar? he wondered silently.
Celestine began walking slowly, her steps measured and calm.
"I have to leave now… I have work with the Guild Agency. Goodbye," she said over her shoulder.
Milo watched her leave, his gaze following her every step. A thousand questions lingered in his mind, things he hadn't asked, things he wished he could know. Yet another thought kept gnawing at him, something he desired deeply, though he wasn't sure how to voice it even to himself.
The corridor felt quiet now, almost empty, but his mind buzzed with uncertainty and anticipation.
Milo headed back to his home, the streets of Novara stretching before him. The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the cobblestones, and the city was alive with the clatter of carts, chatter of pedestrians, and distant calls of street vendors. The scent of food from nearby stalls mixed with the faint smell of the river that ran through the city, a reminder of the bustling life around him.
As he neared his neighborhood, Milo's eyes caught a familiar figure in the distance. The person raised his hand in greeting.
"Miloooo!"
It was him Hirax.
Hirax rushed toward Milo with quick, determined steps, his brown eyes glowing with a mix of worry and relief. Before Milo could react, Hirax wrapped him in a tight embrace, his large arms encircling him firmly. The rhythm of their heartbeats seemed to sync for a moment, and the warmth of Hirax's body washed away any lingering tension or doubt in Milo.
Hirax gently set Milo down, placing both hands firmly on his shoulders. His brown eyes bore into Milo's, a mix of relief and exasperation shining through.
"Where have you been, man?" he asked, his voice carrying both concern and a hint of frustration.
Milo looked at him, brow slightly furrowed.
"What do you mean, man? We've both disappeared from each other's radar."
Hirax looked at Milo, concern written across his face.
"You look really worn out… has something happened to you these past few days?"
Milo shook his head, trying to appear unaffected.
"Don't worry… it's nothing too serious."
Herax stared at him intently, his expression serious.
"You fought one of the Talented… and lost, didn't you?"
Herax looked at him, slightly angry and frustrated.
"Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you ask for my help?"
Milo looked at him, exhausted, then lowered his head.
"It happened suddenly… I couldn't ask anyone for help. But don't worry, I've mostly dealt with their trouble."
Herax nodded in understanding.
"Alright, Milo… but what about that green-haired boy who caused the incident this morning? You know him, right…"
Milo answered calmly, though a hint of seriousness slipped into his voice.
"Yes… I know him well. Simply put, he's part of a gang that wants to destroy Novara. And I'm pretty sure they're getting ready to make a move."
Herax's eyes widened slightly, surprise flashing across his face.
"Destroy Novara?! And how the hell do they plan to do that?"
Milo shrugged a little, tiredness showing in his posture.
"I don't know everything… but the Church will deal with them. So don't worry. They'll be stopped before they can even move."
Milo's eyes drift upward, past Herax's hair, and something tiny catches his attention.
He reacts instantly, reaching out and grabbing the small creature.
Herax blinks in confusion.
"What is that?"
Milo looks at it in his hand.
"It's a spider… still attached to its web."
He follows the thin thread with his eyes, tracing it upward…
until he notices Lilithia sitting above them on a high beam, legs crossed, quietly reading a book.
She lifts her gaze slowly, seeing the two of them staring up at her.
"Yo, you two," she says.
Lilithia closes her book with one hand and gracefully jumps down from the beam.
She lands lightly beside them, barely making a sound.
She stands straight, her long dark hair falling over her shoulders.
She's wearing a black oversized sweater with sleeves that cover half her hands,
and slim dark pants tucked into short boots.
A few silver rings decorate her fingers, and her eyes deep and calm give her that quiet, mysterious presence she's known for.
She looks at Milo and Herax.
"I heard what you two were talking about," she says, her tone soft but interested.
"That was… kind of exciting."
Milo smiles at her,
"Lilithia…"
He can't help but notice her outfit how well it suits her, how effortlessly beautiful and balanced she looks.
Herax looks at her too.
"Oh, Lilithia… we meet again."
Lilithia walks ahead a few steps, expecting them to follow.
"Come on, you two boring guys. Let's walk and talk."
Herax watches her, slightly surprised.
"She seems energetic today… what's up with her?"
Milo answers casually,
"Maybe the book she's reading is interesting?"
Milo and Herax finally start walking after her, falling into step a short distance behind. Lilithia walks with her usual calm grace, her long dark hair swaying lightly with each step. The quiet street around them is dim, touched by the soft glow of the lamps overhead. Milo walks with his hands in his pockets, relaxed but thoughtful, while Herax walks beside him with steady, confident steps. The three of them move together down the path, their shadows stretching long behind them as the evening breeze brushes past.
Milo and Herax followed Lilithia as she moved lightly and energetically through the streets of Novara. Their footsteps echoed on the ancient cobblestones, while the sunlight reflected off the surrounding buildings.
As they reached Orion Square, the space opened up before them: stone benches scattered around, a small fountain at the center catching the sunlight, and short trees casting gentle shadows over some of the seats. The air carried the gentle sound of flowing water and distant birds, with a light breeze refreshing the area.
Lilithia stepped toward one of the benches, pausing for a moment to breathe deeply, then looked at Milo and Herax:
"Come on, sit down, so we can talk freely."
Milo smiled, Herax glanced around with admiration, and a sense of calm settled over all three of them, a quiet reprieve from the bustle of the city.
Lilithia sat on the bench, quietly opening her book, her eyes following the letters occasionally, but she didn't forget to glance at Milo and Herax. After a moment, she looked up and began speaking:
"What have you been doing all this time…?" she asked curiously. "Milo, you… were fighting gang members, weren't you?"
Milo nodded slightly, a bit embarrassed, and replied in a low voice:
"N… no, not exactly like that…"
Lilithia smiled lightly, her face still serious, then turned to Herax:
"And you, Herax… you were helping your family carry goods, along with a part-time job, right?"
Herax responded confidently but understandingly:
"Yes… it was necessary, but everything is fine."
Milo looked at Lilithia and asked,
"And what about you?"
Lilithia smiled calmly, her eyes still on the pages of her book, though she glanced up slightly to answer:
"I've been researching the history of Novara."
Both Milo and Herax looked at her with interest, captivated by what she said.
Herax commented in surprise,
"History of Novara? Didn't we study that?"
Milo nodded and replied,
"We only studied simple things about it, but…"
Lilithia raised her eyebrows with a small smile, responding:
"You're not looking for trivialities, Milo."
Milo smiled lightly, curiosity in his voice:
"Yes, yes… honestly, the history of Novara was…"
But before Lilithia could continue, Milo interrupted,
"Distorted, right?"
The gentle breeze passed through the trees, and the soft murmur of the Orion Square fountain added a sense of calm and focus, as they all listened to each other
Lilithia looked at Milo with a serious gaze, a faint smile on her lips:
"Yes… very much so!"
During the calm of Orion Square, another figure suddenly appeared.
It was Ryo.
Milo and Herax turned to him in surprise, while Lilithia gave a slight, polite nod.
Ryo suddenly appeared in Orion Square, his black hair, sometimes dyed blond, glinting under the sunlight, and his brown eyes shining with his usual confidence.
He smiled flirtatiously as he approached the group.
Milo grabbed Ryo by the collar, forcing him to stop.
Milo was surprised by Ryo's actions, and Herax looked sharply at him:
"Ryo, what are you doing?"
Tears welled up in Ryo's eyes as he shouted angrily:
"How dare you get involved with such a beautiful woman?"
Milo looked at him, trying to clarify the misunderstanding:
"Wait, that's not…"
But Ryo cut him off sharply:
"You're lying! I saw you leaving your house with her! You bastard, Milo!"
Herax and Lilithia exchanged glances filled with suspicion toward Milo, who looked completely shocked.
"Wait, wait! Let me explain, this is a misunderstanding!"
After Milo explained the situation to Ryo, the four of them continued to spend time together, talking and laughing, even though they couldn't continue their discussion about Novara's past. As the sun dipped lower, the sky shifted to shades of orange and gold, signaling the end of the day, and each headed toward their own home.
Milo walked down the quiet street, the evening air carrying a slight coolness along with the scent of the earth after the day's heat and the fragrance of flowers beginning to bloom in the evening. The soft glow of street lamps flickered gently along the sidewalks, while the trees cast long shadows on the stone walls.
A few steps ahead, Milo spotted his front door, standing quietly as if waiting for him. He paused for a moment, took a deep breath, and felt a lightness on his shoulders, as if the weight of the day was slowly lifting.
He reached for the handle and slowly pushed the door open, a soft creak filling the air, welcoming him into the familiar calm of his home. The warm scent of the house greeted him, a mix of aged wooden furniture and the lingering aroma of leftover cooking from lunch.
He sank onto the couch, carefully removing his shoes, and glanced around, savoring the peaceful atmosphere that filled the house after a long day of events and adventures.
Milo smiled as he sat on the couch, his voice calm and warm:
"I'm back, sister."
His sister looked at him with a gentle smile, her eyes filled with affection:
"Welcome back, little brother..."