Areyos Orionis's Point of View
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The ranking of the most powerful students had now been revealed. As I expected, all the Devas were in the top 10. It was the end of classes; the sunset bathed the academy in its soft rays, leaving me deep in thought. I had many questions after what I saw in combat class. As Erina subtly made me understand, she had information that should interest me, both about herself and the Devas. As we walked with Yoko and Kaiser, who was still sulking from losing his match, two familiar figures approached.
"Mr. Rey, Miss Yoko, Mr. Kaiser! How are you?" Sorey called out as he approached with another guy. It was Keldo, the human with the 'Base Gear mode'.
"Hey Sorey, how are you doing?" I said nonchalantly.
"I'm good, and you?" he replied enthusiastically.
"Ahh, Sorey, just call me directly by my first name," said Yoko after sighing.
"Ah... uh, sorry, Yoko," he said, embarrassed.
"You guys were super today; you're really too awesome," he said, all enthusiastic.
"I confirm, you are truly extraordinary fighters," Keldo added.
"Uh, thanks," I responded, disconcerted by their enthusiasm. Sorey then noticed Kaiser was thoughtful.
"Everything okay, Mr. Kaiser? You know, it's not a big deal if you lost that last fight; he just caught you by surprise, that's all," Sorey commented, trying to pacify Kaiser.
"It's true, Sendaris always have that surprise effect the first time," Keldo interjected.
"Ahh, I guess you're right; it's no use moping. I'll rather find out how to counter that," Kaiser said after a sigh.
"Just don't meet his gaze when his Kaimetsugan is activated; that's how you face a Sendaris," said Keldo with a smile.
"How do you know that?" Yoko asked, intrigued.
"Well, among humans, if escape is impossible, that's the advice given to all fighters when they encounter a Sendaris," he responded.
"You mean the first order given to warriors when they encounter a Sendaris is to flee?!" Yoko asked, surprised.
"Yeah, they're usually extremely powerful; no one would pick a fight with a Sendaris."
"That won't stop me, but thanks for the tip," Kaiser retorted.
"I liked your fight, Keldo," I said suddenly. "Human technology is quite interesting, especially what you call 'firearms,' right?" I added.
"Ah, thanks a lot, Areyos. I plan to upgrade my armor and add some new guns to it," he said, looking confident.
"Guns?" I repeated, confused.
"Yeah, it's a more informal way to say firearms," said Sorey, laughing.
"Ah, I see." I responded. "Well, we need to leave; I've got things I can't put off," I said then.
"Alright, see you later, Mr. Areyos; we've got training to do with Keldo," Sorey said.
"Yeah, hurry up so I can beat you again," Keldo said confidently.
"So, Keldo is stronger than Sorey, how interesting..." I thought to myself. We resumed our walk towards the academy's gate. Erina and Melios were there, standing and discussing.
"Hi you two," I greeted them.
"Rey and his gang, you all look in good shape," said Erina, with her always charming and mysterious smile.
"Eri, you seem pretty cheerful for someone who almost killed their classmate today," I threw at her.
"That's not a reason not to be happy. Everyone dies eventually; you're not going to blame me for helping the Grim Reaper with his job from time to time," she replied with the same smile.
"I sincerely question your hobbies." I said, smiling slightly.
"How do you always manage to meet psychopaths when I'm not around?" Kaiser asked me nonchalantly.
"Oh, please, I'm not a psychopath; I'm just saying life goes and comes... after all, it's kinda how it's made." Erina replied with a flirtatious smile. Kaiser almost blushed with embarrassment and brought a hand to his face.
"What is she talking about?" Yoko asked Kaiser, looking innocent.
"Don't pay attention; it's for your own good," Kaiser replied, narrowing his eyes at Erina.
"Alright, what info do you have for me?" I asked suddenly.
"Let's find a place to sit first." Erina said.
"We could've gone to the store, but unfortunately, it's destroyed; we should think about rebuilding it," said Kaiser.
"Yeah, true, we could've gotten something to eat too," I said with a hint of regret in my voice.
"Which store are you talking about?"
"The one that was in the news this morning," I answered.
"Seriously!? You went to that store too? What a coincidence," Erina was astonished.
"Cut the crap, we've never seen you there, yet we go there every day," Kaiser interjected.
"I never said I went there myself; I sent my lackey to buy cookies," she admitted.
"Are you talking about Mero?" I asked.
"It's Melo, Rey, and yes, that's who I sent."
"We can go to my place. Nia will make something to eat," Yoko proposed.
"Oh yeah? You don't mind me coming to your place? I felt like killing you today, though," said Erina nonchalantly.
"You were upset..." Yoko began before pausing. "...And no, I don't mind you coming over. You'll have the chance to meet the parents of the murder victim you're helping to investigate. And thank you for that, by the way," she added. Erina's face kept an inscrutable expression, torn between confusion and curiosity.
"You're quite lucky to think that way..." said Erina, her voice carrying deep and distant thoughts as she turned away. What did she mean by that?
"Let's go then," Yoko said, falling into step, a bit disconcerted by Erina's reaction. We chose to walk rather than fly, discussing everything and nothing. Melios was interested in Metaryon culture, wondering how our society functions. The functioning of human society seems quite different from that of the Metaryons. They don't have a single king for all, but rather what they call presidents, each governing large parts of the human continent. I'm not really in a position to understand if it's an advantage or not; I need more details on how it works. Upon arriving at Yoko's, I could sense through my seismic sense that only her mother and Nia were there. Clearly, Mr. Belserion would be back later in the evening.
"Hi, I'm back," said Yoko, opening the door.
"Hey, honey, how was your day?" said Mrs. Belserion, turning around, taking a book from the shelf in front of her where books were arranged. "Oh, I see you've brought friends; welcome."
"Hello again, Mrs. Belserion," Kaiser and I greeted with warm smiles.
"Hello, Mrs. Belserion, I'm glad to meet you; my name is Erina, and this is Melios," said Erina.
"Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Belserion, thank you for hosting us," said Melios, slightly bowing his head in greeting and politeness.
"Please, make yourselves comfortable," she invited as Nia came down the stairs.
"Kai, Rey, Yoko! How are you?" said Nia, all happy once downstairs.
"Hey Nia, come here for a hug," I said, smiling, inviting her with my arm. She came joyfully into my embrace, her arms wrapping around me as I stroked her hair.
"School's so long, isn't it?" she said.
"It's true, you have no idea how much I'm looking forward to the holidays," I responded.
"Ha ha ha, you're exaggerating, Rey; it's only been a week since classes started," laughed Mrs. Belserion, which made the others laugh too.
"Alright, given the number of girls, I guess I don't have to cook tonight. Would you mind making dinner, girls?"
"Not at all, I can manage on my own; Yoko and Erina must be tired after their day. They had martial arts class as their last session," explained Nia.
"Wow, you remember that?" Yoko said, looking perplexed.
"Yeah, I always remember details when you guys talk," Nia said, smiling.
"It's okay, Nia; I'll rest for a while, I've got papers to grade for tomorrow. Don't make too much noise; I'm going to my room."
"Okay, mom--... okay, Mrs. Belserion," Nia responded, her words cut off by a slight hesitation. Had she hesitated to call Mrs. Belserion 'mom'? Mrs. Belserion seemed to have noticed, showing a surprised look before going upstairs. Nia didn't notice because she had her eyes lowered.
"Well, while Nia makes dinner, we can talk," I said, sitting in the armchair. The others settled down, ready to discuss. Erina started the conversation.
"Indeed. Melios contacted me over the weekend to inform me that some Devas are joining the academy. So, my instinct tells me it's not a coincidence."
"Why do you think that?" Kaiser asked.
"I told you, it's my instinct," she said.
"And Miss Erina was right; after executing her plan, I continued to observe Reiner using my psychic vision," Melios explained.
"Your psychic vision?" I asked.
"Yes, it's a magic that allows me to attach a piece of my mana somewhere and see through it, no matter where I am, until it runs out," he clarified.
"That's interesting magic," said Kaiser.
"You said it. Thanks to that, I could follow Reiner Fox's movements to his home."
"You attached some mana to him?" I asked.
"Exactly. I stuck some on his forehead without him noticing. That way, I could see the face of the person who eliminated him," Melios said, his tone becoming more serious.
"So, he was really eliminated," I said, thoughtful.
"You knew this was going to happen, I see." Melios said. "However, you'll be surprised to learn who eliminated Reiner," he added.
"Spit it out," said Kaiser impatiently.
"It's the person who moved the formidable Anos Sendaris himself, along with the prince and princess of Atheria, to join the prestigious Moore Academy," Melios said with a piercing look.
"You mean--" Yoko started, shock in her gaze before Kaiser completed her sentence in a calmer tone:
"Klaus Varray, number one at Moore Academy."
"It's true we don't know how powerful Klaus really is. On the first day, he made the analysis sphere explode," I said pensively.
"Do you think it would be enough to beat my sister?" Yoko asked me.
"Maybe. The sphere used on the first day was tough enough to withstand the power of Metaryons at their third transformation," Erina explained.
"What!? That doesn't make sense! He can't be that powerful already!" Kaiser exclaimed loudly.
"Shhh, Kaiser, Mrs. Belserion is working, remember?" Nia suddenly intervened, feeling our eyes on her.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt..." she said, lowering her eyes. She might not be used to speaking up or giving instructions, so she felt embarrassed. I knew how to put her at ease.
Erina Shelter's Point of View
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Nia's reaction was cute and innocent. I wonder how this shopkeeper ended up in this house. She hesitated to call Yoko's mother 'mom' earlier. Strange, did she lose her parents, or did they abandon her? Moreover, this hesitation is also a sign of novelty and appreciation. She must be new here. If I go by the fact that she was selling at the store that got destroyed last night and Rey's call regarding Marlow Moore, this girl is probably here for her safety because Marlow might have tried to eliminate her. But for what reason?
"She's right, Kaiser, take that microphone out of your mouth and lower your voice," said Areyos, nonchalant as usual.
"Alright, I get it," Kaiser responded, looking annoyed. "And what do you mean by 'the microphone'!?" he then asked, igniting his fist.
"I don't know what you're talking about; I didn't mention any microphone," said Areyos, feigning humorous forgetfulness.
"Are you mocking me or what!?" he shouted. At the same time, Mrs. Belserion shouted from her room, "Kaiser! Lower your voice!" Silence filled the room.
"I told you to lower your voice; you should've listened," Nia added after a small laugh, then went back to cooking, which made everyone laugh while Kaiser scratched his head. That's when I noticed something... subtle. He did a check with Rey while we were laughing. Did they create this situation so Nia wouldn't feel bad about asking Kaiser to lower his voice? Maybe Kaiser even raised his voice because he anticipated Mrs. Belserion's reaction. They're playing the fools to make others laugh, to make them feel good in their presence... This atmosphere is new to me. I've never been surrounded by so many people at once.
"Alright, let's get back to business," said Kaiser.
"As I was saying, it's not impossible for Klaus's power level to be that high already. He's the son of General Varray, who is also very powerful," he continued.
"But then we should report this information to General Barrios, what do you think?" Yoko said.
"It's pointless; we're not sure of anything. He might have the potential to beat Megan, but the chances are still relatively low. Megan had already reached the Awakening," Melios said.
"Awakening? What is that?" I asked, confused.
"The Awakening is a state, an absolute form of power according to several sources; others call it the divine state. It's a state where a being becomes a god," Melios explained.
"Becoming a god!?" Yoko exclaimed.
"Professor Shiki's words suddenly make sense," murmured Sorey.
"Yes. When a being reaches the Awakening, their body, soul, and mind, along with all their energy systems, transcend their mortal state to become celestial. This means no force in this world can affect them, neither physically nor spiritually. Their powers surpass those of their opponents and dominate the laws of nature itself.
That's why these beings are often considered gods. Their existence goes beyond natural limits, including death itself. But the question remains: are they truly gods? That's still a mystery to explore... but everything about them gives that illusion," Melios explained, with a tone both grave and captivating.
"So, Megan was supposed to be immortal?" Areyos asked, looking surprised.
"It's more complicated than that; we can talk about Type 1 immortality, called 'Eternal Life.' It's the first of the 9 possible types of immortality. This form of immortality prevents aging and disease, basically all forms of natural death.
"You're joking!!! With all that, how did she lose!?" Yoko asked, shocked.
"It's simple; she faced someone else in Awakening," I said, with a piercing look.
"Klaus..." Yoko murmured, shocked.
"We're not sure. If he were in Awakening, the second sphere, which came directly from the army that Commander Dante Zaron brought, would have indicated the presence of the celestial in Klaus's energy systems. Once in Awakening, there's no going back, it's a permanent state" Melios explained.
"That's why we think either Klaus took Megan by surprise using celestial weapons, or someone else who can also create clones like Klaus killed her," I said.
"It's unlikely to be Klaus in that case. Because in her journal, my sister seemed to know who she was facing," Yoko resumed.
"In that case, it complicates things. If there was a real confrontation, then Megan's opponent was a celestial being because no ordinary being on earth would have even the slightest chance of winning; we can already rule out Klaus because he clearly wouldn't have stood a chance despite his power and his ability to create clones," Melios said, straightening up.
"Whatever it is, I can feel something brewing in the shadows. Klaus and the other Devas might be linked to Megan's real killer, or maybe he just used Reiner Fox's body to gather information in Baringer and has nothing to do with Megan's killer... maybe even that killer is already dead as the reports suggest," I explained.
"No, I'm sure that killer is still alive somewhere," Yoko exclaimed.
"Maybe, maybe not. We shouldn't rule out the possibility that he's also dead, which wouldn't be surprising given Megan Belserion's power, and that Klaus just used Reiner's body for another project," I said nonchalantly.
"It's true. She's right, Yoko. Better to keep that possibility in mind in case we discover these Devas have nothing to do with Megan. If her killer is still alive somewhere, we'll find out," said Rey, with a gentle look.
"Dinner's ready!" announced Nia, setting down the steaming plates and bowls on the dining table. As her skillful hands lifted the lids, a cloud of appetizing aromas rose into the air, enveloping the room in delicious warmth.
The spicy scent of simmered meatballs mingled with that of tender, perfectly grilled meat, still beaded with juice. The rice, cooked to perfection, wafted a gentle fragrance of butter and fresh herbs, while the crunchy vegetables added colorful touches: bright carrots, red and yellow peppers, and vibrant green broccoli. Next to them, small bowls filled with sauces, condiments, and sides - tangy pickles, roasted nuts, and a slightly lemony salad - awaited discovery.
We left our seats to approach the table, almost entranced by this explosion of smells. The air was saturated with flavors, and just by breathing, we felt like we were already tasting this feast. Sitting before these dishes, our taste buds tingled with anticipation, ready to dive into this gourmet universe.
"Wow, this looks good," Melios said with a smile, as he stuck his fork into the juicy meat on his plate. His knife blade slid effortlessly through the tender flesh, revealing a perfect cook, with golden juices gently flowing.
Meanwhile, Kaiser and Rey hadn't waited to serve themselves. They were already deep into their plates, tasting with obvious enthusiasm, their delighted expressions betraying the meal's delight. The clinking of cutlery against plates, mixed with their murmurs of appreciation, filled the room with a warm and convivial atmosphere.
"You could've waited for us to start together," said Yoko, squinting.
"You're too slow; it's going to get cold," they said, continuing to eat.
"Hmm, I'll serve you last next time," said Nia.
"Huh? C'mon, Nia, don't listen to Yoko; she eats like a turtle," said Rey.
"What do you mean, like a turtle!?" Yoko exclaimed.
"By the way, I bet she won't finish everything you served her, so--" he said, stealing a meatball from Yoko's plate with his wooden chopsticks.
"Give it back!" Yoko said, chasing Rey around the house, which made us laugh a lot.
"I'm home," said Mr. Belserion entering. "Yoko? Since when do you stand up while eating?" he asked, confused, seeing Yoko with chopsticks in hand.
"It's Rey who makes me run," she replied, embarrassed, pointing in a direction.
"But he's sitting there, what are you talking about?"
Indeed, that clever Areyos had used his 'flash' technique to return to his seat in a flash, leaving Yoko standing alone. Yoko was even more embarrassed when she realized she was pointing at nothing.
"Ahh, forget it," she sighed, seeing Areyos sitting with an innocent smile on his lips.
"Hello everyone, welcome," Mr. Belserion greeted us warmly. "I see you've made new friends, Yoko."
"Yeah, you could say that."
"Hello, Mr. Belserion, you must be tired; would you like me to serve you some food?" Nia asked in a very polite tone.
"Nia! Are you okay?" Mr. Belserion greeted warmly. "Just smelling what you've prepared has made me hungry; I'd love for you to serve me some food," he added.
"I'll bring it right away," she said, heading to the kitchen.
"I'll be on the balcony, upstairs." Yoko... she really has an... ordinary family. Very different from mine. I observe the scene around me, every detail striking me as if I'd never really taken the time to notice them before. The evening continues, but I'm elsewhere, lost in the contrast between our lives. Rey and Kaiser, they really know how to make a moment unforgettable, with their laughter and stories floating in the air like a familiar melody.
Outside, the moon rises slowly, bathing the kingdom in silver light. The night sky stretches before me, a carpet of scattered stars, shining in their vastness. It was time to go back, into the icy void of my room.
"That was a great evening; we should do this again," said Yoko.
"I'll think about it," I said, turning to Rey. "What's next for the case?"
"We wait and stay vigilant," he replied, watching Nia go to take care of the dishes.
"Very well," I responded, satisfied.
"I'll find a way to keep an eye on Klaus and the other Devas. Because of their psychic power, even if I managed to attach a piece of my mana to them, the psychic vision would be disrupted, and I wouldn't see anything. Plus, it's far too dangerous to follow them physically; they could notice."
"Indeed, let's avoid drawing their attention for now," said Kaiser. Suddenly, I received a message in my magic ring. It was from Areyos. He was asking if I could ensure Nia's security in the shadows. He probably didn't want the others to know what I do when I'm not in class until I've told them myself. It was respectful of him.
"Well, it's time to leave; I need to study for tomorrow and catch up on the lesson I missed last week," said Melios.
"True, let's go," I said, standing up. "Thanks, Nia, you cook like a goddess," I thanked Nia.
"Thank you so much, Miss Erina," she said, all happy.
We left the house, Areyos and me first, while the others followed.
"Why do you want me to invest resources in protecting Nia?" I whispered to Rey.
"Marlow Moore tried to kill her because she and her mother are rejected Moores." He began, looking serious, contrasting with his evening mood. "She managed from nothing to succeed in having her store and selling incredible and delicious things at relatively low prices because, if she couldn't be happy, she loved seeing others happy. That's why we got close to her. She's a pure soul."
"Are you sure it's not because of her cooking?" I said teasingly.
"Ha ha, no," said Areyos, with a soft, thoughtful voice. "She and Yoko are like little sisters to me. The existence of my heart depends on the life of a small group of people. Without them to stop it, the monster in me would take over. Anyone who makes them suffer will feel my cold blade at their throat..." He paused. His look said a lot about what would happen to those who touched these people. But what he said next both disturbed and warmed me, "...that's why I asked you to stay alive because if you get killed, I'll make the family and friends of your killer suffer in atrocious ways, and I'll ensure to torture him for life."
Those words... Is this his way of saying I matter to him too? "Stop, you're not like that," I said to him, trying to dodge my own reflections.
"Because you're still alive," he said immediately. His look was piercing and cold, like my brother's.
"I'll need to find you an extra heart to prevent you from becoming like my brother... I don't want you to change," I said. He looked into my eyes for a moment before looking forward.
"Marlow Moore forced Nia's grandmother to commit suicide in front of her last night." He resumed. "Then two of his guards chased her through the city. Unwilling to die, she ran to the store where Yoko's ring-linked communication sphere was. Despite her injuries and broken spirit, her will to survive overcame her pains and traumas... Her grandmother was the only one who hadn't abandoned her, so her loss..."
Areyos couldn't finish his sentence. He just clenched his fist, and I felt my heart tighten before glancing at Nia, looking happy and fulfilled.
"You were her first choice... she knew you would save her..." I whispered.
"I rushed to save her as soon as we got the call."
"How?... How can she go through that and be joyful the next day?"
"She's not entirely joyful; she puts others' needs before her own pain, that's all. She doesn't want us to worry about her because she thinks we have better things to do. But I bet she cries alone at night. That's why I'm asking you to ensure her safety in the shadows, to prevent her from suffering more. I'll owe you another favor to ask anytime if you do," said Areyos, looking lost. So this is what Areyos is capable of for the people he loves? I couldn't help but feel a serenity knowing he counted me among those who make up his heart.
"I'll ensure her safety. And concerning the favor," I paused, head lowered. Before continuing, I raised my gaze to meet Rey's, a determined look, "If despite everything, Nia gets killed, let me avenge her."
Areyos looked at me a bit surprised before smiling, "It's a deal, Eri."
"And from now on, she's also my little sister," I added, turning back to Nia who was watching Yoko, Melios, and Kaiser talking.
I placed my hand on her head and then tenderly kissed her forehead, a gesture that stopped the conversation of the other three. "If anyone bothers you or you feel in danger, I want to be your first choice. In the blink of an eye, I'll be there," I said, handing her a multifunctional magic pendant from the ring, similar to the multifunctional rings.
"T-Thank you, Miss Erina," she said, bowing her head in gratitude.
"No formalities between us, call me Eri or big sister," I said, causing astonishment from the others, who dared not say a word.
"Understood, Eri," she said, a charming smile appearing on her face.
"Melios, I want a green code on Nia's head, and a black code on anyone who dares bother her, and make sure the warning goes through all the alleys of Baringer."
"A black code? What's that?" Yoko asked.
"Trust me, you'd prefer to die tortured than get a black code from a Shelter," said Melios nonchalantly, which scared Yoko quite a bit.
"Melios!" I said in an authoritative tone.
"Oops, sorry, Miss Erina!" he said, panicked, which made everyone else laugh.
"Alright, see you later," I said before flying off with Melios. That night, somewhere between laughter and silence, opened my eyes to a side of life I didn't know. A simple side, almost... mundane, but so fascinating. Light exchanges, moments stolen from routine, where people let go, forget constraints. Fun, unpretentious conversations that flow like little spontaneous touches of happiness. A world I hadn't suspected, yet it seemed so natural, so alive.
To be continued...