Reaching home, Subaru, shocked by the amulet's history, robotically passed the night. Though Sakura and the others felt the dissonance, they remained quiet. They knew better than to interrupt him while he was brooding.
Despite their burning curiosity, they reined it in, hoping Subaru would tell them when the time came.
Hinata was the first to notice:
Mom, look, Subaru's not wearing that amulet.
Talking with her eyes, she motioned toward Subaru. Sakura finally noticed what was bothering her. Poor boy, no wonder he looked so dazed. He had lost his mother's only keepsake.
Not knowing the misunderstanding, Subaru continued to eat dinner, ruminating over the forgotten history. So, if what the old woman said was true, then what actually happened to Britain afterward? Did it fall as was said in history? Does the Pendragon family still exist?
Still reeling from the blast from the past, Subaru barely managed to get ready for bed, all thanks to years of muscle memory. Ah, who cares? Tomorrow's problems are for tomorrow's me...
Waking up in the morning, as Subaru got ready, a hesitant Sakura gingerly walked up to him. Feeling the strange atmosphere, Subaru paused while brushing his teeth, confused by her weird behavior.
"Umm...Subaru, dear, are you okay? Feeling anything different? Now concerned, Subaru slightly backed off. Feeling his aunt's concerned tone, he felt that something bad had happened or would happen (last time she found his porn stash, she burned it in their family grill, much to his chagrin).
""Why are you asking?" Feeling his questioning gaze, she answered stiffly, her eyes darting left, "Well, you didn't seem to enjoy eating yesterday. No need to panic; you'll find the amulet someday, for sure!"
Hands now flailing, Sakura felt deeply embarrassed, following the advice of her stupid daughter. Just you wait...
Hearing this, Subaru laughed, feeling warm at his family's caring thoughts. Wiping away the tears from his eyes, he replied, "No need, Auntie Sakura. I already found it, secured away in my safe. I was just brooding."
Sensing he did not want to continue, she tactfully backed off, not before calling him to breakfast.
Alright, time to get busy...
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Stretching his legs, Subaru got ready for "training."
"Alright, let's go! Armor on!"
Feeling himself being covered, he stretched each arm and leg, feeling the suit's mobility. Good, let's start...
"Laser shield!"
For a brief moment, nothing happened, making Subaru feel lame. This persisted for a good five minutes before a small, weak light screen emerged from his palms.
This is lame...baby steps, Subaru, baby steps...
He kept the shield for as long as possible (one minute exactly). Feeling mentally pressured, he let go, collapsing onto the ground. Breathing heavily, he rested, trying to catch his breath.
This is a long-term project, anyway...
Rising back up, he got into a stance, punching left, right, left, right...
Feeling himself getting into the groove, he happily trained, the weight of his parents' death slowly leaving.
Unbeknownst to him, a silent green eye monitored his every movement, beeping ever so often.