"Congratulations to all of you who have earned the blessings of Averidia," the robed figures announced in unison.
"The Court of Souls has now concluded."
Their hands clapped together, light bursting outward like fireworks made of soul energy.
Minutes later, the surviving children were escorted into a vast waiting hall—lavish beyond belief. Marble floors gleamed, crystal chandeliers floated without chains, and soft golden light bathed everything in warmth. This was where families would reunite.
Clide sat on one of the plush benches, feet dangling slightly as he looked around.
This place feels… unreal.
He drifted into thought, replaying everything—the doors, the serpent, Averidia's words—
A gentle tap on his shoulder snapped him back.
"Oh—hey, Uri," Clide said.
Uriel smiled brightly. "I wanted to say congratulations. You really did it."
"Yeah… you too," Clide replied, scratching his cheek.
She hesitated, then sighed. "Our family butler is waiting outside. I have to go."
Clide nodded. "Stay safe, okay? I'm… I'm really glad we got to meet again."
Uriel turned back just before leaving, smiling softly. Then she walked away.
Clide stood, scanning the room.
That's when he spotted him.
A familiar head of white hair, golden eyes unmistakable—standing among a cluster of royals dressed in immaculate attire.
Clide smiled and walked over.
"Hey, Shiki!"
The surrounding kids turned instantly, whispering.
"Did he just call to Shikimori?"
"Does he know that commoner?"
"Who is that kid?"
Shiki paused.
For a moment, it looked like he might ignore Clide.
Then he exhaled—and stepped forward.
He extended his hand.
Clide blinked, then grinned and shook it.
"Great work earlier, Clide," Shikimori said genuinely.
"Don't kid yourself," Clide replied. "You did more than me. If it wasn't for your strength, I would've failed back there."
The other royals stared, confused by the familiarity.
Before Clide could finish—
Shiki's eyes suddenly glinted.
He shoved Clide aside just as a fist tore through the air where Clide's head had been.
The impact cracked the marble floor.
Gasps echoed through the room.
Standing there was a tall girl with sharp crimson eyes and long dark hair tied high. Her aura was suffocating—heavy with authority.
Evelyn Yatsui.
Shikimori's older sister.
Shiki spun toward her, furious.
"What the hell, sister!? What was that for?!"
Evelyn sneered.
"So this is what you've fallen to," she said coldly. "Frolicking with nameless commoners."
Her gaze slid to Clide, eyes narrowing.
"Especially one that reeks of Hollow."
She scoffed. "Disgusting."
The room fell silent.
Clide stiffened.
Shiki stepped forward immediately, placing himself between them.
"Enough," Shiki said, voice sharp. "You don't get to touch him."
Evelyn raised an eyebrow. "Him? Since when do you protect trash?"
Shiki's fists clenched.
"Since he saved my life," he snapped. "Since he fought beside me. Since he proved himself more than you ever bothered to notice."
Murmurs spread through the royals.
Evelyn's smile vanished.
"…You'd disgrace our name for this?"
Shiki met her glare without flinching.
"If protecting someone who earned his place here is a disgrace," he said, "then maybe the name's the problem."
Evelyn looked genuinely stunned.
Clide stared at Shiki's back, heart pounding as if it would burst out of his chest.
Shikimori condemned his older sister.
"Look at you, Evelyn—attacking a ten-year-old kid," he said coldly.
"Do you lack principle?"
Evelyn snapped back, eyes burning.
"Principle!? You talk about principle—weren't you the one who said all commoners were beneath you? Or am I remembering that wrong?"
Clide looked at Shiki and asked quietly, "Do you still feel the same?"
Shiki exhaled. "Nah. I'm a different person now."
Clide smiled.
Evelyn burst into hysterical laughter. She pointed at Clide, her voice dripping with disgust.
"It doesn't matter what age, gender, or heritage you are. Even if you weren't a commoner, you still smell hollow—and it makes me sick."
Shiki clicked his tongue. "Just blatant racism, huh, sis?"
"Shut the hell up, you hypocrite!"
In a blur, Evelyn dashed forward and threw a devastating punch. Shiki barely managed to block it with his sword. The impact exploded outward, the shockwave sending him flying across the ground.
Before he could even push himself up, Evelyn was already there.
Shiki slashed at her—but she vanished.
She reappeared behind him, grabbed his hair, and lifted him effortlessly with one hand. Her fist slammed into his stomach, driving the air from his lungs.
She reeled back for another strike—
Suddenly, her senses screamed.
Acting on instinct, Evelyn threw the punch anyway.
Someone caught it.
Her eyes widened in shock.
It was Clide.
"Stop this bullshit!!" he shouted.
He twisted his body and launched a punch of his own—one so powerful the air around his fist trembled violently.
In Evelyn's mind, only one thought echoed:
If that lands… it's going to hurt like hell.
She wasn't in a good position to dodge.
So she braced herself and took it head-on.
Before Clide's punch could connect, a thunderous voice rang out—
"Enough!!"
An overwhelming force froze Clide mid-strike, his fist stopping inches from Evelyn's face. The sheer pressure blasted her hair backward.
She immediately released Shikimori and staggered back.
Then she saw who stood before them.
Her hands began to shake.
A towering figure stood before them.
A muscular man with weathered gray hair and a thick beard, his massive arms folded over a blue tank top. Draped over his shoulders was a red trench coat—worn the same way Evelyn wore hers, his hands tucked casually outside the sleeves.
On his hardened face stretched a grin so wide it felt carved there by battle itself.
He was human.
Yet his presence pressed down like a god standing among mortals.
This was the man known as the—
"Heaven-Breaking Fist."
Bellium Crimson.
Evelyn stiffened.
"Master Bellium," she said quickly, bowing deeply, her voice tight with nerves.
"I apologize, I wa—"
"Enough."
Bellium cut her off without raising his voice.
"My disciple, Evelyn Yatsui," he said calmly, his smile never fading.
"You disappointed me."
Evelyn swallowed.
"You disobeyed direct orders. As punishment, your workload will be doubled."
"But Master, I—"
She clenched her fists. "…Fine."
Bellium turned his gaze toward the two boys.
The moment his eyes landed on them, both Shiki and Clide felt chills crawl down their spines.
Then—
Bellium burst out laughing.
"Relax," he said, waving a hand. "I'm just messing with you. You're not in trouble."
Both boys released breaths they didn't realize they were holding.
Bellium tilted his head, studying Shiki.
"Shikimori, was it? I've heard that name before."
Shiki straightened.
"It's the name of the legendary heroine—Shikimori Yatsui, the Sword Saint."
Bellium's eyes widened before he laughed again.
"Ah! I knew that already kid!"
He slapped his knee. "So you're the new Shikimori, huh? Thought they were usually girls… ah, whatever."
His gaze shifted to Clide.
"And you," Bellium said slowly. "State. Your. Name."
Clide stood stiff.
"Y-Yes sir… I'm Clide Heatherson."
"Heatherson…" Bellium muttered. "Never heard of you."
Then his grin sharpened.
"But I see something in you, kid. You're special."
Evelyn snapped her head up.
"Master, he's a nobody—no noble blood, he's not speci—"
Bellium's smile vanished.
"Did. I. Give. You. Permission. To. Speak?"
Evelyn froze.
"…No, sir."
Bellium turned away as if nothing had happened.
"Anyway," he continued casually, "your families sent me to make sure you get home safely—and to make sure this hothead doesn't cause more trouble."
He grabbed Evelyn by the collar of her trench coat and started dragging her away.
"Come on, Shikimori."
Shiki hesitated, then turned back.
"Well… goodbye, Clide. Hope we meet again."
Clide waved, smiling.
"Yeah. Me too."
As Bellium walked off, he laughed loudly.
"Seriously, Evelyn—did you almost get your shit rocked by a ten-year-old?"
"MASTER—!"
Their voices faded into the distance.
Clide turned to sit back down—
Then he heard it.
"Clide."
He turned.
"Mom!"
"Dad!"
Arthur and Madeline Heatherson stood at the entrance, smiling with relief.
Clide ran to them, his heart finally at ease.