The man with the friendly smile in front of her was a young doctor who earned his specialist degree at a relatively young age.
He wasn't just known for his genius. He possessed healing powers that helped him cure patients with a success rate of up to ninety-seven percent.
Dr. Darren Watch, an orthopedic specialist.
He could even restore a severed hand to its original state. He was known as a friendly and kind person, never boasting about his abilities. However, everyone had their own shortcomings.
He sometimes behaved somewhat oddly and sometimes spoke about things that were a little beyond reason.
Was it because of his genius that he possessed a higher level of imagination than the average person? No one knew.
But even so, he wasn't a bad person.
"The one who told you that story?" The nurse asked.
"Yes."
"How did that person come up with such a theory?"
"I don't know, I don't know either." Darren replied with a relaxed smile.
For a moment, the nurse thought perhaps the person Darren was talking about was as strange as he was.
"Ah, I see. Sorry, sir, if that's the case, I'll excuse myself." The nurse quickly left the room, as she still had other duties.
"Yes, please."
After the nurse left, Darren paused for a moment, took his thin-rimmed glasses from his white coat pocket, and looked at the book he was holding.
"It seems it's been almost two years..." He leafed through the pages of the book.
"I'll visit him next week." Darren smiled and placed the book on his desk.
He returned to his work, scanning the documents on his desk.
...
It was noon, at the headquarters near the sea south of Lumiville, in the Terania Sea.
"Reporting, sir! The reinforcements have arrived."
"Very well."
Three reinforcement squads, each consisting of twenty men, had arrived.
"Greetings! I greet the Major and Captain. Thank you for your assistance."
A major and two captains returned the lieutenant's salute.
"Thank you for your hard work."
The leader of the 'Eagle' squad, Major Jihan Rei.
The leader of the 'Alpha' squad, Captain Anser Edward.
The leader of the 'Zeta' squad, Captain Luke Morran.
Although the powers awakened by some people have the same basis, there are actually differences in the strengths that each person has.
The awakened power or what people usually call awakened, is basically the power to enhance each person's physique. But even so, each individual has a different basis.
Let's say if the punching power of an ordinary human is five percent, then those who awaken their powers or are called awakened will have a punching power of up to fifteen percent.
But not all awakened have the same level of strength.
Scientists believe that a person's strength level is influenced by their physical foundation.
And also not all awakened have the same power.
Although their physique is increased, there are some of them who have higher increases in certain parts.
For example, there are people who awaken more power in their eyes, then they will have sharper vision than anyone else and can even see from a very long distance, which is impossible for ordinary people to see from that distance.
There are also those who possess speeds faster than anyone else, sometimes even their eyes can't keep up.
Some possess greater destructive power than others.
All of their senses are significantly heightened.
There's also a special case that not all Awakened possess, Magical power.
The cause of this magical power is still unknown. It resonates with natural elements, such as fire, water, wind, earth, and even ice.
There's also something even more special than natural magic, Holy power.
This holy power can purify poison, cure disease, and even exterminate the Undead from the Black Gate.
Unlike elemental magic, it's said that holy power is obtained from a truly pure and clean heart and soul.
But can someone like that be found in a world like this?
Of course they exist, even if only one in a thousand.
"Greetings, Major! Please cooperate." Luke and Anser greeted Major Jihan Rei, who was eight years their senior.
"Yes, please cooperate, Captain. By the way, there's no need to be so stiff, relax, it's fine." Jihan replied with a smile.
"Okay. Thank you, sir." Luke and Anser replied in unison.
...
Since Zain had left, Zidane decided to return to the orphanage. He saw the children outside, occasionally peeking out the window.
"Why are you all outside? Aren't you coming in?" Zidane asked.
"Ah, Uncle Zidane is back. There... there's a visitor inside, and we stayed outside because we weren't going to disturb him." Answered Sena, a nine year old girl.
"A guest?"
"Yes, Uncle. If I heard correctly, the visitor is from the city and he's a minister." Fifteen year old boy, Kai, replied.
Hearing this, a thought crossed Zidane's mind.
"Is it possible?" He wondered.
He wondered if he should go in now or later. But out of curiosity, Zidane decided to enter.
"Excuse me, Mrs. Charlotte."
As Zidane entered the room, he saw two familiar figures, Evan and Rian.
Seeing Zidane enter, Evan and especially Rian looked a little surprised.
And there was someone else who was surprised.
"Zidane... You're Zidane, right?" Gio rose from his seat and looked at Zidane.
Zidane's attention was drawn to Gio.
"Village chief... Long time no see." Zidane smiled awkwardly.
Gio approached Zidane and patted him on both shoulders.
"Oh my, look at this kid... He's so tall now."
Gio's eyes were slightly glistening with tears.
Gio looked at Charlotte,
"Charlotte, you didn't tell me Zidane was coming?" Then at Zidane,
"And you, Zidane, didn't come to me either?"
Charlotte and Zidane subconsciously looked at each other. One sentence crossed their minds.
"Sorry, I forgot to tell you."
"Sorry, sir, I forgot."
Witnessing this, Evan chuckled, and the corner of Rian's lips twitched as he held back laughter. Hearing this, Gio's face was a mixture of happiness, sadness, and emptiness.
"Yes... I'm not worth remembering anyway..."
"Ah, come on, sir, it's not like that... I did intend to come to you, it's just that it got delayed."
Zidane tried to persuade Gio, who looked a little hurt. Charlotte also helped Zidane a little.
"Wow, I didn't expect Lieutenant Colonel Arden to live here." Evan spoke, trying to change the atmosphere.
"Yes, he's a very enthusiastic kid. Back then, he often helped with the village's construction and farming." Gio answered Evan enthusiastically.
"Yes, but even so, he only sent a letter once. And then he just disappeared without a word." Charlotte responded.
"Ahahaha." Zidane laughed awkwardly and scratched the back of his head, unsure how to respond.
...
"So, what's the situation?" Major Jihan asked the lieutenant on duty.
"The red gate was found above sea level, about ten kilometers from the pier. There are no signs of cracks yet, but all personnel have been ordered to retreat as the terrain is quite dangerous."
"The weather isn't too bad, although the waves are quite high. How about using a drone to monitor?" Luke suggested.
"That's good. If we deploy a ship, there's a chance of cracks forming and sudden changes in the weather. The scouts will have a hard time escaping." Jihan replied thoughtfully.
"Okay. We'll do it." Jihan agreed.
"Then let me lead the reconnaissance." Anser volunteered.
"Okay."
The reconnaissance was underway.
...
"Then, Mr. Zain, we'll take our leave."
In front of a newly dug grave, the four people who had carried the coffin had left. Only two remained.
"Sir... won't I be able to see my grandmother again?" A boy around ten years old asked Zain.
The boy wasn't crying, no, rather, he was holding back tears.
"You can still visit her here."
"But I can't talk to her anymore."
"Still, keep talking. Maybe she can hear you even if she can't answer you."
"Really?"
"Yes."
The boy lowered his head. Zain stroked his head.
"Cry when you feel like it. Don't hold it in. Maybe someday you'll miss this sadness."
The boy looked at Zain. Although he didn't understand what Zain was saying, tears began to flow from his eyes.
The sound of the wind accompanied the boy's cries.