Kian knocked on the large wooden door in front of him several times, but no sound came from inside. It was as if no one was there. The group waiting by the door began to wait patiently.
Akira looked around curiously.
— Maybe no one's inside?
Kian smiled and nodded.
— The door will open soon.
Minutes passed. They waited for about ten minutes. The silence was broken only by nature and the distant calls of birds. Suddenly, a loud noise came from Renzo's stomach.
Renzo grimaced and grumbled:
— Ugh… how much longer are we waiting?
Kian patiently tried to explain:
— He's probably meditating right now. He'll finish soon.
Renzo raised his eyebrows and muttered:
— Okay… but is there food? I'm starving.
Kian smiled faintly and replied:
— Inside the—
Just then, an unexpected voice rang out. A man with white hair, appearing to be in his thirties and around six feet tall, sat on top of the giant door and called down to them:
— Hahaha! Of course there's food! Whatever you want!
Everyone looked up in surprise. The man's face bore a slightly crazy, yet energetic grin.
— Morvan… these are— Kian started to explain.
But the man interrupted him. He jumped down from the edge of the roof and appeared behind Renzo with almost invisible speed. Leaning close to his ear in a dark, intimidating voice, he asked:
— What kind of food do you want?
Renzo's eyes went wide. He jumped back in shock.
— H-hey! Don't sneak up on people like that!
The man grinned, his lips curling into a wild smile.
Akira stepped forward, raising his voice angrily.
— There are wounded—
But the man quickly brought his hand over Akira's mouth, silencing him.
In a low but firm voice he said:
— Stop. I'm not talking to you yet.
Akira looked at him in surprise, thinking: What kind of madman is this…
Morvan then turned to Seraphina. He gently took her hand and bowed theatrically.
— Welcome, my lady.
Seraphina's face instantly turned bright red. But instead of shying away, anger overtook her, and she slapped him hard.
— Ahhh!
Morvan rubbed his cheek, still grinning broadly.
Kian's patience was wearing thin. Frowning, he shouted sternly:
— Morvan!
Morvan narrowed his eyes and scolded Kian angrily:
— Quiet! How many times do I have to tell you to respect your elders! And we haven't even finished meeting the kids you brought.
"I noticed they're injured—" Kian tried to object.
But Morvan ignored him again, this time turning to Gareth and Raiga.
— Your names?
"My name's Gareth," the first boy said briefly.
"Raiga," came the cold response from the second.
Morvan nodded, then turned to Yui. He studied her for a moment. Yui smiled warmly.
— Hello. You must be Morvan, right?
They stared at each other for a while. Morvan's gaze deepened but he said nothing. Then, turning serious, he addressed Kian.
— Kid… didn't I tell you not to bring strangers? And you don't even know who you brought.
Kian was surprised. He had never seen Morvan this serious.
— Is there a problem, Morvan?
Akira couldn't hold back and shouted furiously:
— Hey, bastard! Don't ignore me!
Morvan said nothing. He silently opened the door.
— Kian, tend to the wounded. Then come to me.
Kian asked:
— What are you going to do?
"Isn't it obvious?" Morvan said, spreading a huge grin across his face.
— I'll continue my meditation!
The man opened the door and vanished in an instant.
Raiga muttered in amazement:
— This guy… is so fast.
Kian nodded.
— Yes, he's very fast and strong.
Renzo excitedly dashed into the house.
— Come on, let's eat!
Gareth eagerly joined him.
Kian took a deep breath.
— The wounded come with me. The others can do whatever they want.
Renzo rubbed his hands together and asked:
— Which way's the kitchen?
Kian shrugged.
— I don't know either.
Akira looked at him suspiciously.
— You've been living here a long time, how do you not know?
Kian didn't answer. He silently gestured for Raiga and Akira to come ahead.
— We're here. Come inside.
Raiga raised an eyebrow.
— Don't give me orders, kid.
Akira tried to calm him down:
— Raiga, relax!
Raiga looked at him mockingly.
— Shut up, idiot!
Akira retorted angrily:
— You'd be dead if it weren't for me, idiot!
While the arguing continued, they lay down on the beds. Kian picked up a needle and thread and began stitching their wounds.
"Ahhh!" Akira shouted in pain.
Raiga sneered.
— Never had stitches before, huh, idiot?
Akira gritted his teeth.
— No… I've never fought like this before.
Raiga shouted in disbelief.
— Because of you, we could've died!
Akira turned his gaze to Kian.
— Where's your family?
The boy answered coldly and clearly:
— They're dead.
A moment of silence fell over the room. Akira and Raiga looked at him in shock.
Raiga spoke in a low voice:
— My condolences…
Akira added in a softer tone:
— So… what happened to them? If you don't want to answer, that's fine.
Kian's face grew serious. He looked at the knife on the table. His fingers trembled.
— You say "that's fine" if I don't answer… How can you speak like that while carrying it inside you?!
Suddenly, he grabbed the knife and lunged at Akira.
Raiga shouted:
— Akira!
Just as the knife was about to strike, Morvan appeared and caught the boy's hand.
— Kian! Come with me!
— B-but Morvan, he, he—
Morvan forcibly took the knife, threw it against the wall, and grabbed Kian with both hands, dragging him along. The boy struggled, but it was useless.
— It's all his fault! L-let me go! Let me go!
Akira and Raiga were frozen, unable to comprehend what was happening.
Before leaving the door, Morvan looked at Akira.
— Don't worry. Nothing will happen to you while I'm here.
Akira gritted his teeth.
— Okay.
Morvan threw Kian outside roughly and shouted angrily:
— That kid isn't at fault!
Kian shouted in rage:
— Chaos killed my family! It… it was all because of that spirit!
— You don't understand, Kian.
— You're not explaining because you won't!
Morvan narrowed his eyes.
— If you kill that child… the spirit inside won't die. Spirits don't die without merging with a body.
Kian clenched his teeth.
— How do you know it won't merge? It could happen any moment!
"No…" Morvan said, eyes glinting. — Nobody knows that better than I do.
Kian's angry gaze remained fixed, but eventually he slowly calmed down.
— Okay. Okay, I won't do anything. But if what you say happens… if they merge… I'll kill him.
Morvan laughed.
— If they merge, someone else will kill him before you anyway.
A dark grin spread across Kian's face.
— I knew it… you want to kill him too.
At that moment, Yui approached them and asked curiously:
— How are Akira and Raiga doing?
Morvan remained silent.
Kian answered.
— I stitched their wounds. The bleeding has stopped, don't worry. They'll survive.
Yui asked:
— When can they get up?
Kian answered immediately.
— At best, in—
"Five," Morvan said sharply.
Kian looked at him in shock.
— Five? But I was just sa—
— Case closed.
Yui smiled, meeting Morvan's gaze.
— I understand, Morvan. Spending five days with you should be fun.
But Morvan suddenly grew furious. His eyes seemed to blaze.
— No. You will leave.
Yui nodded.
— Morvan… dwelling on the past this much isn't healthy.
Morvan's calm demeanor was gone. He was almost shaking with anger.
Kian looked at the two in surprise.
— D-do you know each other?
"Yes," Yui said with a smile.
— I met Morvan in Eldravon. We even did some fun things together for a while—
"Get lost!" Morvan roared.
Kian intervened.
— Calm down, Morvan.
Then he turned to Yui.
— You only have one horse, but don't worry. We have plenty. After you eat, you'll leave. When the wounded recover, you'll return.
Morvan took a deep breath, trying to calm himself.
— Exactly. After the meal, you leave. There aren't enough beds here anyway.
Yui responded with a slight smile.
— I seem to recall we had made plenty of space here.
Morvan pulled a knife from his pocket and, without hesitation, threw it at Yui.
But Yui caught the knife mid-air without even blinking.
Kian quickly stepped in and separated the two. Yui, calm as ever, turned her back and headed toward Akira and Raiga.
She entered the room with a concerned look in her eyes.
— Akira, Raiga… how are you feeling? Are you okay?
When Akira saw Yui, a small smile appeared on his face.
— The kid stitched us up. He said we'd be fine.
Raiga grumbled angrily.
— That kid was crazy!
Akira nodded thoughtfully.
— Don't say that… maybe he has his reasons.
He thought to himself: Considering what Valtherion did, his behavior makes sense.
Raiga didn't give up.
— What reason could he possibly have for someone he just met?
Hearing Raiga's words, Yui frowned. She thought to herself, staying here any longer won't be good. But she kept a sweet smile on her face.
Akira looked at her in surprise.
— Yui! Why are you smiling?
— I'm glad you're okay. I was very worried.
Yui's words brought faint smiles to Akira and Raiga's faces. The three of them shared a short, sincere moment together.
— We'll eat here and then head to the capital. We have to submit a report anyway.
Akira immediately protested.
— Couldn't we stay at least one day? Don't we need rest?
Yui replied.
— You're already staying here.
Raiga asked suspiciously.
— Then why are you leaving?
— This isn't a very hospitable place. That old man kicked me out.
Akira raised his eyebrows.
— Old man?
Raiga added sarcastically.
— You mean that guy?
Akira shook his head.
— That man is at most thirty-five. Old man?
Yui let out a short laugh.
— True, he's not actually old… I just said that because his hair is white.
At that moment, Raiga grumbled impatiently.
— When do we eat?
— Renzo and Gareth are cooking, Yui replied.
Akira's eyes widened.
— Renzo and Gareth?
Yui nodded.
— Yes. Apparently, they're chefs. I was very surprised too.
Raiga frowned.
— I'll never eat anything they make!
Yui rolled her eyes.
— Then I guess you'd rather stay hungry.
Raiga's face fell instantly. Akira laughed.
— Hahaha! Idiot!
Yui stayed in the room a little longer, then headed to the dining hall. Upon entering, she saw the table already set. She first brought plates to Akira and Raiga, then returned and sat with the others.
— So everyone was waiting for me.
But not many seemed to be waiting at the table. Renzo and Gareth were already engrossed in their meal, while Morvan was finishing his and getting up.
— Thank you for waiting, Kian. And… um?
— My name's Seraphina, the young girl said in a slightly formal tone.
— Nice to meet you. I'm Yui Volt. Morvan, why don't you stay at the table a bit longer?
Morvan replied with a stern expression.
— I need to meditate.
Yui raised her eyebrows.
— Really? Some kind of hundred-year meditation going on?
Kian asked in surprise.
— Hundred years? What are you talking about?
— Doesn't matter, Morvan said, quietly leaving the hall.
Yui watched him leave, then sat down to start eating.
Kian turned to Yui curiously.
— Yui, what's really going on between you and Morvan? Did you… fight or something?
Yui glanced away slightly, parting her lips as she spoke.
— It's not about me… but he had some issues with someone I know.
Kian frowned slightly.
— What kind of issues?
After a short pause, Yui shrugged.
— I don't know.
Kian sensed that Yui wasn't telling the whole truth. His gaze froze briefly, but he chose not to press further.
A short silence followed. Then Seraphina spoke, lightening the mood.
— I didn't know you could cook.
Renzo puffed out his chest proudly.
— Of course! We make the best food in the kingdom.
Seraphina looked skeptical.
— Aren't you exaggerating?
Gareth quickly intervened.
— No, he's telling the truth. Renzo's father owns the largest restaurant in Eldravon. I'm his cousin, and I work there too.
Seraphina's eyes widened.
— What! I didn't know that.
Yui seized the opportunity.
— Then you'll treat us to a meal now.
Renzo quickly added.
— If you pay, of course.
Seraphina frowned.
— But then it wouldn't be a treat, right?
Gareth smiled cunningly.
— You're right. Then I'll give you a discount.
Yui snapped.
— Are you trying to scam us, Gareth?
"No, not at all," Gareth laughed.
— We were already planning to cook a special meal just for Akira.
Seraphina immediately stiffened.
— Then do it, at least.
But then she started thinking. I want to do something for Akira too… but what can I do?
Renzo grinned mischievously.
— Sera, weren't you noble? You must have a lot of money.
Seraphina stammered.
— True, but… what could I get him?
Yui jumped in.
— I think Akira's sword broke in the battle. If you get him a nice one, he'd be thrilled… he might even fall for you.
Seraphina turned bright red.
— W-what are you saying! I don't want something like that!
Everyone at the table was shocked.
Renzo grinned.
— So you…
Gareth jumped in immediately.
— Yes, yes! Definitely! Let's tell Akira now!
"No! S-stop!" Seraphina's voice was trembling.
Yui couldn't hold back her laughter.
— You really like Akira.
— N-no, definitely not! Seraphina shouted, her face crimson.
Yui laughed even harder. Seraphina, embarrassed, jumped up and ran out of the room.
After Seraphina left, Gareth spoke.
— Well… we won't say anything then.
Renzo pushed his glass aside and spoke firmly.
— Of course we won't!
After saying this, Renzo and Gareth left the table.
— We're preparing the horses. Finish your meal and get ready.
Yui nodded.
— Okay, I'll be there soon.
Now, Yui was alone in the room with Kian. Silence hung heavy. Finally, Kian spoke.
— Are you going to tell me what's really going on with Morvan?
Yui averted her eyes.
— I don't know more than I told you. And why ask me instead of him?
— He doesn't like talking about himself.
Getting no answer from Yui, Kian left the room.
Yui thought to herself: For now, I'll leave Akira alone with the old man.
She stood up, gathered her things, and before heading to the horses, she stopped by Akira and Raiga's room one last time. They were still struggling to sit up on the bed.
Akira was surprised to see Yui.
— Yui… you're still here.
— I'll leave now. Just wanted to see you one last time.
Raiga grumbled, his voice tinged with irritation.
— When you go, tell that blue bastard not to give us weird tasks again.
Yui laughed softly.
— Haha, okay, I'll tell him. But you know… he's a weird personality.
Akira sighed.
— We know… he'll probably say, "You need these missions to get stronger."
Raiga slammed his fist on the bed in frustration.
— We almost died!
Yui spoke without losing her smile.
— Anyway, I'm leaving now. If you don't come within five days, I'll come here.
Raiga turned to Akira sarcastically.
— That kid might be crazy, but the guy seems normal.
Akira sighed deeply.
— Are you sure? I think that guy's even crazier.
Yui interjected, her voice confident.
— Morvan may seem a bit crazy, but he's actually sane.
Akira looked at Yui with a suspicious gaze.
— You know him?
Yui replied.
— We met a long time ago in the capital. But he doesn't like me because of a friend of mine.
Raiga raised an eyebrow.
— Why?
Yui, after a short pause, nodded slightly.
— I don't know. Between them…
— But then it's weird that he doesn't like you, right?
Yui pursed her lips and smiled faintly.
— Yes, weird. I guess you're right, he's an odd person.
After saying her final words, Yui left the room and headed toward the horses. Outside, three horses were already lined up. Yui's horse waited quietly beside them.
— Let's go.
Kian asked nervously.
— I showed Renzo and Gareth the way, but… are you sure you can go?
Renzo responded with a confident grin.
— Absolutely.
Gareth also responded confidently.
— We're just going straight anyway.
Seraphina added.
— As long as we don't stray anywhere, it's fine.
Yui nodded.
— Okay then, no problem. Let's go. We still have to report to the others.
— You're right. We also need to report to Lady Sorane. We've been gone for a long time.
The four of them mounted their horses and rode off. Kian waved after them.
Meanwhile, inside, Akira and Raiga were still struggling to sit up on the bed.
Akira turned to Raiga.
— Hey, idiot.
— What is it, idiot?
— I know your name, but nothing else about you. If we introduce ourselves a bit, we can understand each other better.
Raiga responded briefly and firmly.
— I don't care.
Akira persisted.
— Come on.
— No.
Akira stared at the ceiling and took a deep breath.
— Then I'll start. My mom and dad died in the war shortly after I was born.
Raiga turned his head to look at him.
— You've said that before. Condolences again.
— Thank you. Since my parents aren't alive, I live with my grandparents.
— No siblings?
Akira's eyes narrowed slightly.
— I had an older sister… She was the person I valued the most.
Raiga's expression grew serious.
— What happened to her?
— She died when I was eight.
Raiga paused for a moment, then sighed deeply.
— I'm sorry… Can you tell me how she died? If you don't want to, that's fine.
Akira closed his eyes.
— No, it's fine. I'll tell you. But first, I want to hear your story.
Raiga muttered.
— Ugh… nothing I can do… My parents also died when I was little. No siblings. If you ask how they died… They were killed by Earth Chaos.
Akira frowned.
— Earth Chaos?
Raiga looked surprised.
— Even though you carry the spirit inside, you don't know anything?
— Unfortunately, it doesn't tell me anything. It just shouts "It."
Raiga shot Akira a disdainful look.
— You must have heard as a kid… Volgrath siblings and their father, Valtherion.
Akira remembered.
— Yes, I heard that. But what is this "Chaos" you're talking about?
Raiga explained in a narrative tone.
— People use positive and negative energy to manifest powers. But around 180 years ago, someone was born who used something beyond human energy… His name was Valtherion.
Akira hesitated.
— So my old man doesn't use human energy… that's why he's strong.
Raiga nodded.
— Exactly. The nine siblings, Valtherion's children, can also use this energy.
— How do you know so much?
Raiga clenched his fists.
— Because since my parents died, I've researched all of this until now.
— Seriously?
— Yes. But despite knowing all this, there are still pieces of the puzzle missing.
Akira fell into thought.
— The war 100 years ago wasn't started by the Chaos siblings and Valtherion… they were victims.
— Exactly… I came to the same conclusion. But it's still very absurd.
Just then, the door opened. Morvan entered with a stern expression.
— Get up, we're leaving.
Akira tried to sit up in surprise.
— Hey hey, what are you saying?
Raiga grumbled.
— We're barely able to stand, you crazy idiot.
Morvan's eyes were cold.
— Speak properly. And you don't have time to slack off.
Akira waved his hand impatiently.
— Say it clearly then!
Morvan's voice was firm.
— This is a dojo. You will train. So get up immediately.
Meanwhile, elsewhere, the door to a dark room opened. A man stepped inside, kneeling before someone sitting in front of him. Small sparks of fire flickered in his hands.
— Lord… what are your orders?
The man sitting in the darkness took a heavy breath. His eyes gleamed with menace.
— The sword… I want the legendary sword. Bring it to me.
The man bowed.
— As you command.
Just as he was heading toward the door, Rion's cold voice echoed in the room:
— I trust you.
The man responded without turning.
— Don't worry. I won't betray your trust.
The door closed, and the room was plunged back into darkness.