"What now? You planning to demolish the training ground?"
Kelsey's expression was far from pleased as she stared at the two men who had clearly not held back in their sparring.Ace, under her withering gaze, awkwardly lowered his head in guilt.Revy, on the other hand, seemed completely unfazed—which, naturally, frustrated Kelsey even more.
"Gentlemen, I'm afraid you'll need to find another time for your 'training match'... And let me be clear—anything you break during these little duels, you'll pay for in full!"
Then she turned to Revy, face stony.
"As for you, Revy—put your current duties on hold. You have a mission in two days."
Revy raised an eyebrow.
"…Related to Lungmen?"
"Yes. The Doctor, Amiya, and I will be heading to Lungmen to discuss potential cooperation with their leadership. We'll need a close protection detail."
Revy nodded.It wasn't trust that made her pick him—just pragmatism.He knew his reputation as a former Catastrophe Messenger had weight in Lungmen.
"You chose me because of who I used to be—back when I saved Lungmen twice from Catastrophes, and both the city's lawful and underground factions owed me."
"Exactly. With you around, we might avoid some… unnecessary complications."
Revy smirked.
"I can keep things smooth, sure. But don't count on miracles. I can talk to the gangs, maybe, but I've only got a nodding relationship with Wei Yenwu. I'll handle the security—but stay out of your business talks. That okay?"
Kelsey pondered briefly, then nodded.
"Fine. That's within our expectations."
"Careful with Wei. He's not someone you want to piss off. If you do, I won't be able to help. Best I could do is… avenge you afterward."
Kelsey didn't respond immediately. She just gave Revy an odd look, then sighed.
"Just do your job properly. After this mission, I'll get Amiya's approval to bring your 'little sister' here for treatment."
Dream Sequence: A Familiar Place
After several days, Revy once again returned to that dream.
Same scenery.Same girl.Still standing quietly, watching him.
It was as though time didn't exist here.
"You're here."
Talli (or "Terry") broke the silence. As she saw Revy appear, a brief flicker of joy crossed her eyes—but she masked it well.
"Yeah."Revy opened his mouth as if to speak but faltered.Eventually, he asked awkwardly:"…You okay?"
"I'm fine. You don't need to worry about me—but thank you for caring."
Her mood visibly improved with his presence, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
"Looks like you're getting used to coming here and seeing me, huh?"
"Talli… You know why I'm here."Revy said softly."I want answers."
"Alright. I suppose I do owe you some."She tilted her head slightly."Then, Revy—what do you most want to know? The 'Demon King'? Your body? The purpose of this space—"
"—or… me?"
"Tell me about yourself."Revy took a deep breath."Even now, I still don't know who you really are… or why I keep ending up in this place."
"Then I'm afraid you'll be disappointed—I'm not her."
Revy's disappointment was obvious, though he tried to hide it.
"But… you're not entirely wrong either."Talli continued."I am connected to Theresa."
That caught Revy's attention.
"But before I answer directly—think about something, Revy.When Babel collapsed… what did Theresa leave behind?"
Revy frowned at the question.
"She left behind her Originium Arts… Amiya inherited them."
"Exactly. Amiya received Theresa's 'future'."
Talli nodded, her voice calm.
"She inherited the role of leader, the emotion-control Arts. Because of that succession, Rhodes Island was given the chance to move forward."
"But that's not all Theresa left behind. What else?"
"Kelsey?"Revy pondered aloud."Kelsey used Babel's legacy to create Rhodes Island… she inherited the organization's unfinished parts, right?"
"Yes. Kelsey inherited the 'present'—the physical foundation: the ship, the finances, the networks. These gave rise to Rhodes Island Pharmaceuticals."
"Is there more?"Revy tilted his head, now unsure.
"You already know the answer, Revy."
Talli looked at him, expression unreadable.
"There's 'future', 'present'… and naturally, there must be a 'past'."
"When someone dies, something is always lost.""And that 'something'… is memory."
Revy's heart began to pound.
"But Theresa didn't take her memories to the grave.""She passed them on—to the one she trusted most. Someone who had to be there when she died, who witnessed it in full."
Revy's eyes widened.
"Yes. I think you know already."
"Amiya… Kelsey… and you, Revy.Each of you inherited one part of Theresa's legacy—future, present, and past."
Then Talli slowly raised her hand and pointed at herself.
"And I… I am the embodiment of Theresa's memories—the fragment that lives within your mind."