❀══✧══❀
After their meeting, Raythem offered to give them some time.
Time to get to know each other, without pressure, without roles to play.
The next morning, Ryota found Evelynn and Yuta in the main room.
There was no sign of Raythem.
Nor of Scarlet.
He joined them, and the three greeted each other in an atmosphere that was still a little hesitant.
— Morning, you two. Sleep well? Ryota asked.
— Yes… although I'm not used to living in a place this big, Evelynn replied with a light laugh.
A silence immediately followed.
One of those awkward silences typical of new beginnings.
Evelynn eventually broke it.
— Say… would you like to get to know each other a bit more than just our names?
Ryota nodded almost immediately.
Yuta let out a small smile, showing he wasn't against the idea.
But a question crossed Ryota's mind.
— Uh… we're still missing the same person, right? Where's Scarlet?
— She left her room this morning, but after that… I don't know where she went, Yuta replied.
The three of them understood that she had no desire to spend time with them.
Even so, they decided to go look for her.
══ ✦ ══
Around six in the morning, while the residence was still asleep, Scarlet finally left her room.
She walked through the corridors in silence.
Not out of respect… but because she absolutely didn't want to answer anyone's questions.
Hours passed.
She eventually stopped in a vast underground hall.
A training ground.
The place was enormous.
Training weapons were neatly arranged everywhere: wooden sabers, bows and arrows, spears, staffs…
Scarlet began trying them one by one, instinctively searching for the one that felt the most natural in her hands.
Without realizing it, several hours had passed.
***
Ryota, Yuta, and Evelynn found her in the middle of the arena, busy testing another weapon.
— You don't waste time, do you? Ryota said lightly.
Scarlet saw them approaching and frowned slightly.
— You came looking for me? What for? she asked sharply.
— We didn't see you much yesterday… We wanted to get to know you too, Evelynn answered.
Scarlet exhaled and set the weapon down.
— Why would you want to know me? I've got nothing to say to you.
Silence followed.
Ryota and Evelynn exchanged a hesitant glance.
Yuta finally spoke.
— Look… I'm not very sociable either.
But that doesn't mean we shouldn't know who we're going to live with for a while.
They just want to know who you are. That's all.
Scarlet stared at him for a long moment, her scarlet eyes icy.
Then, unexpectedly, she gave in.
Without another word, she followed them back to the main room.
***
Once they were all gathered, Evelynn stood up, visibly enthusiastic.
— Nice to meet you… well, you already know my name.
I'm really happy to be with you today, and for the years to come.
Like I said yesterday, I barely remember anything about my past…
But I hope I'll be able to recover my memories thanks to you.
I have the power of Time, even though I don't really know what my abilities are yet.
I can't wait to train with all of you!
Her smile was radiant.
Scarlet, however, couldn't help thinking to herself:
— So that's what introducing yourself means? We already did that yesterday…
Ryota spoke next.
— I'm a half-dragon.
Until a few days ago, I was living with my little sister and my friend Kaïs on Andora.
It's a free world inhabited by hybrids.
My sister suffers from a serious illness… and I'm here to find a way to save her.
I have the power of the Sun, but aside from producing light at night… I don't know much more about it yet.
Evelynn looked ready to bombard him with questions, but she turned to Yuta instead.
— My turn then…
I'm from Earth.
I lived with my parents, but now my mother is gone…
And I left my father behind to come here.
I want revenge.
I have the power of the Stars, but I haven't really explored it yet.
That's it… sorry, I don't have much more to add.
— Don't worry, that's already a lot, Evelynn replied gently.
I don't even have a past to tell, she added with a laugh.
The three of them then turned toward Scarlet.
She sighed.
Then spoke.
Very little.
— Boring… I'm Scarlet.
I'm from Atlas. A rotten world full of human trash.
I have the power of Blood.
I don't have parents. No family.
Because they're all bastards. That's it.
Evelynn's smile faded slightly, replaced by a surprised expression.
Their image of Atlas had just shattered.
— I promise you'll feel comfortable with us, Evelynn said softly, almost sadly.
After these long-awaited — or feared — introductions, everyone returned to their own activities.