The doors to the royal chamber closed behind them with a heavy thud.
For a moment—
No one spoke.
Not because they had nothing to say.
But because everything just happened.
Rauk was the first to break.
"…So."
He scratched the back of his head.
"…We're working for the king now."
Silence.
Takemi nodded.
"…Yeah."
"…Cool."
Another pause.
"…What the hell?"
Lira let out a quiet breath, pinching the bridge of her nose.
"…We just got assigned a mission involving ancient weapons, sealed demons, a forgotten hero…"
She glanced at Takemi.
"…And you."
Takemi blinked.
"…Hey, why does that sound like I'm the problem?"
Rauk snorted.
"…Because you are the problem."
"…I didn't ask for this!"
"…Yeah, but it keeps happening to you," Rauk replied.
The academy grounds felt… normal.
Too normal.
Students walking.
Training.
Laughing.
Arguing.
Like the world wasn't quietly on the edge of something terrible.
Takemi squinted slightly.
"…Feels weird."
Lira nodded.
"…That's because we know something they don't."
Rauk stretched his arms.
"…And honestly? I'd rather be ignorant right now."
Takemi stopped walking.
"…Alright."
Both of them looked at him.
"…We need a healer."
Rauk raised a finger.
"…Correction."
"…We really need a healer."
Lira crossed her arms.
"…Preferably one who won't run away mid-battle."
Takemi nodded.
"…Yeah… that too."
As they walked through the courtyard—
Whispers followed them.
"…That's them…"
"…They came back from the ruins…"
"…I heard they fought something crazy…"
"…Isn't that the guy who passed out?"
Takemi's eye twitched.
"…I didn't pass out."
Rauk grinned.
"…You absolutely did."
"…I was strategically unconscious."
Lira sighed.
"…That's not a thing."
They stopped near a stone fountain.
Water flowed quietly, reflecting the sky above.
Lira spoke first.
"…Eastern district. Temple lineage."
Takemi nodded.
"…Refuses every team invitation."
Rauk crossed his arms.
"…So we're trying to recruit someone who doesn't want to be recruited."
Takemi shrugged.
"…Sounds like a challenge."
"…Sounds like a headache," Lira corrected.
They didn't rush to find her.
Instead—
They asked around.
Bad idea.
Attempt #1
Rauk approached a random student.
"…Hey, you know a cleric girl from the eastern district?"
The student froze.
"…Oh."
Then immediately walked away.
Rauk blinked.
"…What did I do?"
Lira didn't even look at him.
"…Your face."
"…Wow."
Attempt #2
Lira tried next.
"…Excuse me, do you know where—"
"…No."
"…I haven't finished my sentence."
"…Still no."
The student left.
Lira stood there, slightly offended.
"…Do I look that unapproachable?"
Takemi and Rauk both nodded.
"…Wow. Okay."
Attempt #3
Takemi stepped forward.
"…Alright, my turn."
He approached a smaller student.
"…Hey, quick question—"
"…I don't have money!"
The kid ran.
Takemi stood there.
"…I wasn't asking for money…"
Rauk laughed.
"…You look like you would."
"…How??"
After several failed attempts—
An older student finally spoke.
"…You're looking for her, right?"
Takemi nodded.
"…Yeah."
The student sighed.
"…Training grounds."
"…South side."
"…Near the old chapel."
Lira's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Alone?"
"…Always."
The path changed.
Less crowded.
Quieter.
The academy noise faded behind them.
Stone paths turned older.
Cracked.
Covered slightly with moss.
Rauk looked around.
"…This place feels different."
Lira nodded.
"…It's one of the oldest sections of the academy."
Takemi said nothing.
But he felt it too.
They reached it.
A small, worn chapel stood at the edge of an open training field.
The structure was simple—
Stone walls.
Faded carvings.
A bell tower that hadn't rung in years.
Nearby—
A single figure.
She stood alone.
White and silver robes, slightly worn from use.
A staff rested beside her.
Long hair tied loosely behind her.
She wasn't flashy.
Not intimidating.
But—
There was something about her presence.
Calm.
Quiet.
Unmoving.
"…Is she… praying?" Rauk whispered.
"…No," Lira said softly.
"…She's focusing."
The air around her felt… steady.
Like nothing could disturb it.
Takemi scratched his cheek.
"…So… how do we start this?"
Rauk grinned.
"…Easy."
He stepped forward confidently.
"…HEY!"
Lira immediately covered her face.
"…Oh no."
Rauk waved.
"…You! Cleric girl!"
The girl didn't move.
Didn't react.
Didn't even blink.
Rauk frowned.
"…Did she not hear me?"
Takemi sighed.
"…Or she's ignoring you."
"…Rude."
Takemi stepped forward.
Slower this time.
"…Hey."
No response.
He got closer.
"…We're not here to bother you."
Still nothing.
Lira muttered.
"…She's definitely ignoring us."
Takemi stopped a few steps away.
"…We just want to talk."
Silence.
Then—
She spoke.
"…Everyone says that."
Her voice was calm.
But distant.
She turned slightly—
Just enough for them to see her eyes.
Sharp.
Tired.
Uninterested.
"…I'm not joining your team."
No hesitation.
No curiosity.
Just a flat answer.
Rauk blinked.
"…We didn't even ask yet."
"…You were going to."
"…Well—yeah, but still—"
She turned fully now.
Her gaze landed on Takemi.
"…You went to the ruins."
Takemi nodded.
"…Yeah."
"…And came back alive."
"…Barely."
She studied him for a moment.
Then—
"…Find someone else."
No one spoke.
Because honestly—
That was fast.
Takemi scratched his head.
"…Okay… but can we at least talk?"
She picked up her staff.
"…Talking leads to expectations."
"…Expectations lead to attachment."
"…Attachment leads to mistakes."
Rauk blinked.
"…That escalated fast."
Takemi sighed.
"…You're not wrong."
That made her pause.
Just slightly.
"…But going alone doesn't fix that either."
Silence.
Lira watched carefully now.
Something shifted—
Just a little.
"…Why do you want a healer?" she asked.
Takemi answered honestly.
"…Because we almost died."
Rauk nodded.
"…Very accurate."
Lira added—
"…And next time, we might not get lucky."
The girl looked at them again.
Not dismissive this time.
Just… thinking.
"…That's not my problem."
She turned away again.
Conversation over.
Takemi didn't move.
"…It will be."
That made her stop.
"…What?"
"…Because whatever's coming…"
He looked toward the horizon slightly.
"…It's not going to leave anyone alone."
Silence.
The wind passed through the field.
Soft.
Cold.
She didn't answer.
Not yet.
But this time—
She didn't walk away either.
And sometimes—
That's where things start.