When Zeth woke up, he found himself in his own bed. Sola, who had fallen asleep next to him, caught his eye. "She must have been worried," Zeth thought to himself. His mind felt empty, as if his brain had been burned from thinking too much. He quietly left the room without waking Sola.
The population of n1 was now 41 people. Twelve individuals had died during yesterday's exploration. Zeth was the only one who had returned unscathed. Furthermore, all the leaders had perished, and only Ron remained from the founders. Zeth pondered over this. It pained him, wondering why he was the only one who had survived. "Why me?" he mumbled with an empty expression. He went to the park, where no one was present at this early hour. He sat down and contemplated whether Ron had calmed down. If so, he thought, he should report to him about what happened yesterday.
"Zeth!" Zaun shouted.
Zeth looked at Zaun with a vacant expression. Zaun, like everyone else in n1, was aware of the events from yesterday.
"What's up?" Zaun asked.
"I'm fine." Zeth replied.
"I'm sorry about yesterday. But hey, my friend, you killed the devil that even wizards couldn't defeat! It was your first expedition, and there was no magic involved!"
".."
Zeth didn't respond. He pondered over the fact that there was no trace of magic left, yet he had displayed extraordinary strength yesterday. He had also demonstrated healing abilities, just like the devil he faced. It wasn't normal, and Zeth realized this.
"Hey, where's your necklace? That shiny stone was beautiful, did you lose it?"
Zeth glanced downward for a moment. Yes, he had lost his necklace. It had remained in the devil's hands yesterday.
"Devorium," Zeth said.
"Devo-what?"
"That's the name of the stone, I think. I lost it during the fight yesterday."
"Ah, I see. Well, I'll leave you alone then, I have things to do."
Zeth gave a blank look, seeming to agree. After sitting in the park for another hour, contemplating the events of yesterday, Zeth decided to go to the council building. As he made his way there, he thought about Malerva. She had lost her mother, and the last time Zeth saw her, she was crying before he fainted. He wanted to visit Malerva, but it was still too early. He continued towards the council building.
Zeth saw Ron, who was watching his arrival, sitting outside the council building.
..
"I came to report," Zeth said with an empty expression.
"Come, let's go inside," Ron said.
They went to the meeting room.
Ron looked around. He had never come here alone before, and it saddened him. Its just so empty. He turned to Zeth and said, "I apologize for yesterday. I lost control."
"No problem," Zeth said. He thought to himself that anyone would have lost control in that situation.
And the meeting began.