Little Joe wasn't feeling well, and after all that confusion, he felt even worse.
"I want to go home," Ylsean said to him.
"Wait a moment, little brother, this situation is almost resolved."
In the end, they decided that Professor Nali would continue to lead the requests made by Baron Roderick, and the alleged criminal would be taken away by the baron's knights to decide his punishment for such an affront.
Dimmy still wanted to show the news to little Joe, but the situation was complicated because he himself had the face of Professor Nali, whom people mistakenly thought was his warrior sister, the brave Miau Lee. And little Joe had the face of the baron's son, in other words, his own face. It was such a complicated scenario that it was better for them not to stay together until that effect passed.
"I would really like to accompany you and see the news that your father prepared for us, but I'm not feeling well," Ylsean said, noticing her brother's sadness and interrupting the dialogue.
"Except for the prisoner, let's all go," she continued.
They headed to the courtyard as a curious group, Professor Nali beside Knight Clavius, and in front, little Joe with Dimmy's face and Dimmy with Professor Nali's face, while lovely Ylsean stood between them.
"Look at this, little Joe. Transfer stones, energy stones, essence stone, and absorption stones, all donated by my father. And to make up for all the mess and confusion I caused, I want to give you a reward. Choose any of these stones, and it shall be yours."
Still not feeling well, little Joe pointed weakly towards a transfer stone, perhaps thinking it was edible.
"I'm sorry, everyone, but I can't take it anymore," little Joe said before being caught by Knight Clavius as he nearly stumbled.
"Let's leave the rest of the visit for another day, Miss Ylsean. We should take little Joe home," Knight Clavius said.
With that, he whistled, and a beautiful carriage pulled by handsome white horses appeared, escorted by eight more knights. Clavius opened the door and settled little Joe comfortably in one of the seats, while the real Professor Nali still tried to comprehend what was truly happening.
"Could someone please tell me how and why all this confusion happened?" she asked.
"In the first place, Professor Nali, this confusion happened because you interfered where you weren't needed. As Captain of the Silver Claws Order, I must warn you: I don't want to hear any comments about what happened here today. Even if you don't understand what happened, don't open your mouth," Clavius replied sternly.
"Are you threatening me, Clavius?" Professor Nali asked, momentarily upset.
"Don't be so rude to Professor Nali, Sir Knight," Ylsean said, embracing the professor.
"Professor, please, do not discuss today's events with anyone. Everything will be clarified at the appropriate time," Ylsean added.
"And what will you do with my sister?" Nali innocently asked.
"It's truly unbelievable how far your naivety can go, Professor Nali. Before you get more worried, know that this is not your real sister. Goodbye," Clavius said, ordering the coachman to depart immediately. The horses raced away, leaving a bewildered professor unsure what to think after hearing that this wasn't even her sister.
It wasn't even 11 o'clock when the carriage stopped at the farm entrance, catching the attention of everyone working there. Dondinel came running, fearing something bad had happened to his son.
After a quick explanation, Ylsean asked Clavius to hand little Joe over to his father. With a serious expression, Dondinel bid farewell to Ylsean and Clavius, taking his son in his arms and hurriedly heading to his room to let him rest properly.
Seeing her son in her husband's arms, Carlie rushed over, tears already in her eyes, seeking an explanation. Her shock was palpable when she realized this wasn't her son.
"Stay calm, Carlie. Despite this strange appearance, this is truly our little Joe. Don't worry, it's just the effect of an essence stone," her husband reassured her.
With care, he laid little Joe on the bed, removed his shoes, unbuttoned his shirt, and made him comfortable. Carlie watched for a moment before returning to her duties, unaware of the small object in Joe's hand that he held tightly.
Half an hour later, smelling her son's favorite snacks being prepared by his mother, little Joe started dreaming of eating them. Instinctively, believing he held a delicious snack, he threw it into his mouth and swallowed.
Then his body began to glow and burn with fever. Carlie noticed and began wiping his body with cool water-soaked cloths, trying to ease the fever that wouldn't leave the boy.
Meanwhile, his father hurried to find expensive remedies, fearing his son might face the same problem as his wife. Suddenly, the scene faded away. The version of little Joe, connected to numerous wires, hoses, and connections, was about to awaken, and this time the mental disconnection between worlds was so strong that Lowo, test subject 1, woke up trembling and shouting desperately.
Dr. Carlie quickly ran to his aid, followed by her boss upon noticing the commotion. Before she could reach test subject 1, he grabbed the button that deactivated all the equipment from her hand and pressed it himself.