"How are you feeling now?" Clair asked gently, the warmth in her voice revealing the closeness they once shared before Aura's disappearance.
"I'm fine," Aura replied simply.
They sat together on the balcony, a tray of delicate desserts placed between them. The sunlight glimmered off Aura's freshly washed black hair, the natural color now free of dye, and it shone like polished obsidian beneath the shade of the balcony's shelter.
Beside her sat Lola, Benedict, Clair, and Vivian—each wearing a look of quiet concern over her health.
"Fine? What do you mean fine?" Vivian's tone was sharper, her frown deepening. "Attempting suicide was never part of the deal."
"Come on, Vivian... I'm sorry," Aura murmured, nervous and awkward, knowing she'd done the one thing none of them ever expected of her.
"Glad he found a cure for you, though," Lola said.
"Yeah... Where is he, anyway? Shouldn't he be here with you?" Clair asked.
"He hasn't been visiting," Benedict answered for her. "At least, not when Aura's awake."
"He said he had other matters to attend to. Now that she's recovered, he wants to put everything he suspended back on track."
"If he's talking about the island, wasn't that already handled by Lisa?" Clair questioned.
"He's using that as his excuse," Lola scoffed.
"I know, right?" Aura added with a faint smirk.
"What do you mean?" Clair asked.
"He always avoids Aura whenever they've argued," Lola explained. "It's like he doesn't know how to face her."
"But if he says he's busy, then maybe he really is," Aura concluded.
"So... what exactly is this 'other thing' you two are talking about?" Vivian asked, glancing between them.
Lola went silent.
"Clair, you're the one managing the guild right now, correct?" Aura asked.
"Yes... why?" Clair replied, cautious.
"Have you spoken to him about the members? Or about how he plans to run the guild?"
"Why are you asking?" Lola interjected.
Aura leaned back slightly. "From what I hear, the guild's infrastructure is still under construction. Registration's complete, according to Lola. But functioning as a guild is more than just a building."
She met Clair's eyes. "How many members do you have so far? What's your routine? When will you start dungeon expeditions?"
"For now... Lisa, Lola, Mariam, and myself," Clair admitted. "Snow hasn't officially met any of us yet. I planned to reach out once the incident dies down, to see what he intends to do before the next prophecy."
"You mean the one about a new dungeon in six months?" Lola asked.
"Yes. But if he's so busy, I still wonder what he's actually doing," Clair said.
"Isn't that why I came to find you?" a familiar voice cut in.
They turned to see Snow approaching, his long black coat swaying in the breeze. Beneath it, he wore a fitted black shirt and trousers, paired with a striking two-toned earring and polished black shoes that made him look more like a runway model than a guild leader.
"And how come the three of you have turned this place into your permanent residence?" he added.
"I allowed it," Benedict said simply.
"Sure... but shouldn't you be considering Aura, who's still recovering?" Snow replied.
"And you shouldn't decide what I need, brother," Aura countered.
"My apologies, sis," he said with an awkward smile.
"Can you all give us a moment?" Aura requested.
At her words, the others quietly rose and left.
"You're in for an earful," Lola teased on her way out.
Snow could only stay silent, already resigned to whatever was coming.
"Sis..." he began.
"Sit," she instructed.
He obeyed without hesitation.
For a moment, Aura simply studied him. His features were sharper now, his presence heavier—an unspoken testament to the fact that he'd adapted to the role fate had thrust upon him. She said nothing of it, choosing instead to help him in her own way.
"You've changed," she murmured.
Snow said nothing.
"Before you speak, I want you to hear me out first," Aura continued. "I already know what you're going through... and that you're the successor of Creation."
His eyes widened in surprise, but she pressed on.
"I know the challenges ahead will be countless. I know there will come a day when the world may even hate you. But I want you to know that I'll support you in every way I can—and that I want to be part of your journey."
She took a quiet breath. "So yes, I understand if you feel you should apologize to me. But you don't owe me that. If anything... I owe you one. I'm sorry if my actions caused you trouble, and I'm thankful that you've kept me alive so many times... even when I didn't realize it."
Snow's heart trembled at her words. His eyes filled before he could stop them, and for once, he didn't try to speak. He simply let the tears fall, listening to her with every part of his being.
Snow sat quietly, eyes glistening, as Aura's voice softened.
"I just wish we could have a fresh start," she said, her gaze gentle. "All of us—Mother, Lola, Theresa... and maybe even look forward with a bit more hope."
Snow sniffed, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Alright."
Aura stepped closer, wrapping him in a warm embrace. They stayed like that for a long, unspoken moment before she sat beside him, studying his face with a sister's quiet adoration.
"I heard you're starting a new guild," Aura said.
Snow nodded. "Clair's handling most of that."
"And you? Do you already have a recruitment system? A structure for your hunters?"
"I do," he replied, leaning back. "I'm aiming for six hunters capable of wielding Egos. They'll lead other hunters who can use Mana Blades. So far, Lisa's been chosen as an Ego Bearer—she's more of a strategist than a frontliner."
"And what about Lola and Clair?" Aura asked.
"They've already registered but haven't been assigned roles yet. That's one of the reasons I came back after finishing what I needed to do."
"And what was that?"
"I bought a beach," Snow said casually. "Turned it into a private training ground."
"I see..." Aura smiled faintly. "By the way, Vivian's quite the capable one. Do you think I could have her?"
Snow raised a brow. "She's not an object, brother," Aura replied dryly. "If you want her to work with you, I can talk to her. Actually... could I join your guild?"
Snow paused, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. "Join the guild?"
"Yes. And if I join, Vivian will likely follow me there."
"...Deal." Snow smirked.
A voice cut in. "And what exactly are you two talking about?"
Lola approached with Clair, Vivian, and Theresa in tow.
"We were negotiating ownership of Vivian," Snow teased.
Vivian's eyes widened. "Hey! Don't go trading me like some commodity!"
The siblings burst into laughter.
Eventually, the group settled. Snow, still with a purpose in mind, found his gaze locked on Clair.
"What? Will you stop staring at me?" Clair muttered.
"I was just wondering... how strong are you now?" Snow asked.
"I'm still ranked third, if that helps," she replied.
Snow nodded. "Good enough. Sis, mind if I borrow them?"
Aura gave a small nod. "Go ahead. I'll handle things here with Vivian."
"Thanks."
In an instant, Snow and the trio—Theresa, Clair, and Lola—vanished.
When their vision cleared, they stood on the edge of a pristine shoreline, the air crisp with the scent of salt and sea. Before them was a modest-looking beach house, though its surroundings radiated an undeniable allure.
"Where... are we?" Clair asked.
"A temporary training base for guild members," Snow said.
"Training?" Lola tilted her head.
"What do you mean?" Clair asked.
Snow glanced at her with a faint smile. "Have you forgotten your... condition, Clair?"
Her expression stiffened. "...Of course not."
Inside, the beach house was far larger than it seemed from the outside. The spacious living room could host a crowd, with a dining hall adjacent to it. To the left was a game room, and to the right, a gleaming kitchen. Upstairs, ten empty yet lavish rooms awaited their future occupants.
But the real surprise came when Snow led them to a hidden compartment.
A concealed platform descended for nearly two minutes before revealing an expansive underground hall. Six glass display cases stood in perfect alignment, each holding a white uniform with intricate, uncolored patterns—designs waiting for their wielder's touch.
Every set came with a matching white veil and a transparent cape that seemed to shimmer faintly in the light. Behind each display was a secondary design—simpler but dignified—meant for those who would serve under the uniform's bearer.
Snow stood before them, his expression unreadable, yet a quiet pride lingered in his eyes.
"Did you set up all of this?" Lola asked.
"Yes," Snow replied calmly.
He began walking toward a distant door, passing a long glass wall that displayed an array of weapons—each ranging from legendary to mythic. There were guns, bows, snipers, swords, spears, shields, daggers, staves, wands, and more, each glowing faintly with an aura of power. Snow didn't comment, allowing them to admire the collection in silence.
The door opened into a vast hall, the size of a football field—spacious enough to make even the largest training facilities seem small.
"So... why did you bring us here?" Theresa asked.
"Training," Snow answered, still walking forward.
"What kind of training needs a place this big?" Clair questioned.
"This room is a simulator. It can recreate whatever scenario I choose," he explained.
"So... you're about to run a simulation?" Lola asked.
"Yes. But before we begin, I want you three to prepare."
"Alright," Lola said, stepping forward and drawing her blade.
"Are you serious?" Theresa muttered, but followed her, readying her weapon. Clair, as if bored, unsheathed her sword—a blade shimmering with cold.
"Starlight," Snow called.
"Why are you—" Lola began, but before she could finish, the environment shifted.
The walls twisted, colors drained away, and in moments, they were no longer in the training hall but inside the throne room of Asmodeus.
Starlight's form warped into the towering Knight himself, wielding Calib.
"Your opponent is Asmodeus," Snow said, his voice echoing ominously.
"Your job is simple—survive." His figure began to fade from the scene.
-------------------------------------
SIMULATION BEGINS
DIFFICULTY: EASY
PLEASE SURVIVE FROM ASMODEUS
-------------------------------------
The holographic display hovered before them, stating their objective.
"Very well," Lola said—only for her head to separate from her shoulders before she could take a step.
Theresa froze. "How—" Her words were cut short as a burning hole appeared in her chest.
Clair raised her blade, but her hands were severed in an instant, followed by her head.
-------------------------------------
SIMULATION ENDED
DIFFICULTY: EASY
YOU DIED
-------------------------------------
The scenery dissolved, returning to the normal training hall. The three stood stunned, still processing what had just happened.
"What are you doing?" Snow asked.
"You didn't tell us the simulation would be this ridiculous!" Lola snapped.
Snow sighed. "Do you know Asmodeus was the boss of the sixth floor of Ulkis Dungeon?"
Lola's eyes widened. "If this is the one Ruciel mentioned... was he really that strong?"
"In the Ulkis Dungeon? Yes. But what you just fought was him... on the easiest mode."
The three fell silent.
Starlight, now back in her usual form, quietly nibbled on cookies, watching them without a word.
"So, why make Clair and Lola train this hard?" Theresa asked.
"In four months, a dungeon will appear. It cannot be cleared unless an outbreak occurs," Snow said flatly. "There will be seven bosses—stronger than AZAZELLION—they are servants of Chronos. If you can't beat asmodeus on easy mode, you have no place in that battle."
Theresa had no reply.
"We're only two capable fighters in the guild," Clair admitted. "Mariam wants to join, but you haven't given her permission."
Snow exhaled quietly. "Fine. Tell Lisa and Maria to be here tomorrow."
"Understood," Clair said.
"Is it alright if I keep training here with them, even though I'm not part of your guild?" Theresa asked.
"As you like," Snow replied, turning to leave. "Get used to the simulation."
At his words, the environment shifted again.
SIMULATION RESTARTING
"Alright," Lola said, fire in her eyes.
-------------------------------------
SIMULATION BEGINS
DIFFICULTY: EASY
PLEASE SURVIVE FROM ASMODEUS
-------------------------------------
This time, she charged forward first, swinging in a flurry of strikes—but none even grazed him. Before she could adapt, a single projectile slammed into her chest, sending her flying.
Yet she dashed forward, unleashing slicing gusts of wind that tore through the surroundings. CLAIR, seeing her charge, stepped in from the rear, channeling frost into a devastating strike that shattered the ground—but even together, they failed to leave so much as a scratch on Asmodeus.
Theresa embedded flame magic into her sword, letting out a sharp battle cry as she hurled it forward in a blaze of heat. The blade struck with explosive force... yet Asmodeus didn't even flinch. At the faintest flick of his sword, the three of them fell—cut down in an instant.
-------------------------------------
SIMULATION ENDED
DIFFICULTY: EASY
YOU DIED
-------------------------------------
"Damn it!" Clair cursed.
"Again!" Lola barked.
Before Theresa or Clair could even catch their breath, the simulator restarted at her command.
SIMULATION RESTARTING
-------------------------------------
SIMULATION BEGINS
DIFFICULTY: EASY
PLEASE SURVIVE FROM ASMODEUS
-------------------------------------
Again, Lola took the front line. Again, she charged. Again, she died. Over and over—fifty tries, then seventy, then a hundred. Each time, she adjusted her stance, shifted her timing, learned the tiniest nuance of his patterns. And by the hundredth attempt, she'd finally begun to read his strikes and sense a weakness.
"She's incredible..." Theresa murmured from outside Asmodeus's range, watching alongside Clair.
Earlier, Lola had ordered them both to stand back. She wanted to face Asmodeus alone—wanted to know exactly how far the "easy mode" truly went.
///IS THAT IT?///
The voice boomed for the first time.
The three froze in shock. Across every failed attempt, Asmodeus had never once spoken—until now.
///YOUR STRUGGLE IS FUTILE, MORTAL/// he said, his tone laced with disappointment.
"Don't look down on me!" Lola shot back.
With a sharp breath, she unleashed her ultimate skill. The air shook as her strikes crashed down like a meteor storm. A deafening quake ripped through the space, dust and smoke rolling in all directions.
But when the haze cleared, Asmodeus stood there... barely scratched.
///WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT///
His eyes glowed red from within the smoke. In a blur, he vanished—reappearing right in front of her. Lola felt the cold steel punch through her chest, blood flooding her mouth.
With one effortless swing, he flung her across the arena like a rag doll.
///YOUR STRUGGLE WAS FUTILE///
He turned and walked back to his place, as if nothing had happened.
-------------------------------------
SIMULATION ENDED
DIFFICULTY: EASY
YOU DIED
-------------------------------------
"D... damn it," Lola gasped, her voice hoarse.
Clair and Theresa rushed to her side, helping her up.
(Is Asmodeus really this impossible? Even my ultimate didn't faze him...) she thought.
(How did he... how did Snow beat something like this at full strength?)
For the first time, Lola felt genuine shame. She had worn her S-Rank like a crown, but now it felt hollow—earned only because of Snow's help, not her own merit.
"You okay?" Clair asked, steadying her.
"Y... yeah. Let's take a break upstairs," Lola said.
They climbed back to the lounge, where Snow sat on the couch watching the news. Outside, night had already fallen—they'd spent the entire day in the simulation.
"How was it?" Snow asked without looking up.
"You're here relaxing while we've been training our asses off," Theresa muttered.
"You can stop. It won't change anything," Snow said calmly.
"What do you mean, stop?! And why didn't you tell us he could talk?" Clair snapped.
"Of course he can talk. But he only speaks when you interest him," Snow said.
Theresa's brows rose. "Wait... does that mean Asmodeus found Lola interesting?"
Snow turned his gaze on her. "Did you?"
"I wouldn't be this pissed if I hadn't," Lola grumbled, sinking into the couch.
Snow chuckled.
"What's so funny?" she demanded.
"Nothing. I guess you finally understand how I felt when I fought him." He gave a few slow claps. "Your approach wasn't wrong. I'll give you that." Then he looked to Clair.
"Lola, starting tomorrow, you're sitting out. You'll watch Clair."
"What? Why?" Lola protested.
"She needs to earn Asmodeus's interest too."
"And me?" Theresa asked.
"You can train with them casually," Snow said with a faint smile.
Clair narrowed her eyes. "Is this some kind of punishment?"
"No. You already own a mana blade. Even if it's basic, you're holding yourself back—afraid of breaking it. That's a limiter you need to remove. To do that, you'll fight Asmodeus."
"What's a mana blade?" Clair asked.
"You remember the Lakan incident?" Snow asked.
"Of course," Clair said as if the question insulted her intelligence.
"That building is in ruins because of a mana blade. Yours is the lowest grade, compared to Arthur's or Ibrahim's."
Lola crossed her arms. "Blades like that are rare. She's right to be cautious."
"If you're worried about a mere mana blade," Snow's gaze turned cold, "you'll never be worthy of an ego blade."
"You saw the weapons below us?" he asked.
"Yes," they answered together.
"Every one of them is a mana blade of the highest grade. But none of you will wield one—until you can defeat Asmodeus at his highest level. For now, beat him in easy mode, and I'll reward you with something appropriate."
He stood, heading for the stairs. "Get some rest. Eat. I've prepared your meals. Make sure Maria and Lisa are here by noon tomorrow."
They sat in silence as he left.
"...I missed this side of him," Lola murmured, nostalgic for their old training days.
"Why do I feel he's cold to me?" Clair asked.
"No idea," Lola said with a frown.
"Maybe you're not living up to his expectations?" Theresa suggested.
"You think so?" Clair asked.
"Just my guess. Let's see what happens tomorrow." Theresa said
the three ended their day with their meals and shower and proceeded to their bed while not hearing or seeing snow afterwards.
-----------------------------------
to be continued...