The mysterious man pulled up his hood as he approached, a smile playing on his lips. "You've gotten stronger since the last time we met, Nova," he said, his voice smooth and steady.
Nova narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing him, and then recognition dawned on her face. John, however, looked from Nova to the stranger, utterly lost. "Who are you?" he asked, his confusion obvious.
Nova's gaze shifted to John, her expression puzzled. How could he not know? Isn't he from the other kingdom? she wondered, before answering. "This is the king of the other kingdom—Merlin." Then, with a hint of doubt, she added, "How did you not recognize him?"
Merlin turned his attention to John, taking a step closer. "John, isn't it?" he asked, studying him.
"Yeah, that's me," John replied, eyeing Merlin's lavish attire with growing curiosity.
"I've heard so much about you," Merlin says, snapping his fingers, releasing them from their frozen stance. He pretends to know John, even winking at him before shifting his attention to Nova. "So, tell me, what are you two fighting for?" he asks, his eyes twinkling with curiosity.
Nova hesitates, still baffled by John's failure to recognize the king from the neighbouring kingdom. Finally, she replies, "We were just sparring—to pass the time."
Merlin chuckles, amused. "Just sparring, hmm?" He glances between John and Nova, then adds, "You both realize what would happen if you actually used your full power, right?" He pauses for effect before answering his own question. "This entire planet would be destroyed."
Both John and Nova are at a loss for words, unsure of how to react to Merlin's cryptic words. "Now, I'm not going to lecture you two," Merlin says, his mood suddenly shifting. Turning his back to them, he takes a few slow steps, pauses, and lets out a sigh. "I'm so old now," he mutters.
In the blink of an eye, Merlin vanishes. John and Nova glance around, bewildered, but there's no sign of him. "Well, that was… odd," John says, shrinking his staff and slipping it into his pocket.
Nova remains silent, staring down, lost in thought. Her mind swirls with questions, trying to make sense of everything they've just heard—yet nothing seems to fit together.
"Well, I'm heading back," John says, turning to walk toward the city.
Nova snaps back to the present, watching him walk away. Remembering something she'd meant to ask, she calls out, "Wait!" and quickly flies to catch up.
John stops and squints up at her, the sunlight making it hard to see. "What is it?" he asks.
"You took the entrance exam, right?" Nova asks, curiosity sparking in her eyes.
"Yeah," John replies, unsure where she's going with this.
"So… what rank did they assign you?" she asks, genuinely curious—after all, he seems as strong as she is.
John thinks back, trying to remember. "I think they assigned me as an S-rank, number 10," he replies, John started heading toward the city to meet up with Marc, his steps quick with anticipation.
Nova watched him go, lost in thought. I suppose it makes sense that he's ranked alongside me, she mused, but number 10 is usually reserved for the weakest. He withstood my strongest attacks, so maybe he wasn't even using his staff during his evaluation.
Still unsure what to make of him, Nova cast her gaze skyward and took off, rocketing through the atmosphere until she reached the quiet of outer space. She drifted until the moon lay before her, her favourite retreat—a place untouched by the noise and distractions of others. Whenever she needed true solitude, she found herself drawn here, where silence reigned absolute.
Nova let out a deep sigh, unsure whether she could really trust John. Something about him reminded her of Velon, though she couldn't be certain. "Where are you when I need you, Velon," she murmured softly. "I don't know what to do." Her gaze drifted to Earth, its vibrant colors filling her vision, stirring memories and questions.
A voice came from behind, pulling her out of her thoughts. "So, you like coming up here too, huh, Nova?"
Startled, she tensed, instinctively raising her arms in defense. But then a wave of relief washed over her as she recognized Merlin. "Oh, it's you," she said, relaxing as she turned her gaze back to Earth.
Merlin approached her slowly, stopping a few steps away. "So… what brings you here?" he asked, his voice calm and steady.
Nova thought for a moment, her hands slipping into her pockets. "This is where I come when I need to think," she replied, glancing over her shoulder at him. "What about you, Merlin? What are you doing up here?"
He looked out into the void, a distant expression crossing his face. "I'm looking for something," he said, his hands also tucked in his pockets.
The two had shared a close bond over the years. Despite Merlin's position as king, she had always spoken to him as a friend. He was her mentor as well, the one who had taught her how to harness her power and control it.
Nova's expression grew serious. "So… what do you think of John?" she asked, a hint of concern sharpening her tone as she looked directly at him.
"What do you mean?" he asked, though he knew perfectly well.
Nova turned to face him, her gaze piercing. "I mean, is he really from your kingdom?" She searched his face, wanting the truth.
"Yes," Merlin replied smoothly, though it was a lie.
Nova walked over to a piece of moon rock and settled onto it, resting her chin in her hand, still uncertain. Merlin looked up, scanning the stars as if searching for something. His eyes narrowed; he had found it.
"Listen, I'll be gone for a while," he said, extending his hand. With a swift motion, he cut through the fabric of space and time, opening a pale blue portal that led to the World Tree.
Nova turned, catching sight of the gateway just as he stepped toward it. "Wait, where are you—" she began, reaching out, but the portal closed before he could respond.
Nova let out another sigh before turning her gaze back to Earth. After spending hours lost in thought, her phone buzzed, displaying a call from the Hero Association. She picked up, her voice steady as she answered, "Nova speaking."
"We need you right away. There's been another wyvern attack," came the urgent voice on the other end.
"Understood. I'll be there shortly," she replied, standing up and ending the call. With a small sigh, she murmured, "Guess rest will have to wait," and then launched herself, speeding toward Earth.