Ikku and the others stood frozen for a few seconds.
The silence that had settled in Ryu's office felt heavy, almost unreal. The words they had just heard seemed to belong to another world… and yet, weren't their own adventures already just as impossible?
Ever since Ikku had discovered the first jewel, their reality had changed completely.
Finally, Zeno broke the silence.
"What do you propose?"
Ryu crossed his arms, his expression serious.
"We no longer have much of a choice. Ikku… you are the one who discovered the first jewel in history. Your discovery reignited the flame in adventurers all over the world. From now on, everyone will start searching for the others."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"So we're going to place all our bets on you."
Ikku blinked in disbelief.
"Me?! What do you mean?"
"We're going to gather every piece of information we have about the jewels and share it with you. If you managed to find one, then there's a good chance you'll be able to find the others as well."
Ikku immediately shook his head.
"But I only found that jewel by pure luck!"
A faint smile appeared on Ryu's lips.
"Exactly… so let's rely on that luck once again."
Then his expression turned serious again.
"We'll call you back once we've gathered all the information. Until then… keep this conversation to yourselves and continue living your lives as usual."
When the group left Ryu's office, exhaustion suddenly crashed down on them.
The day had felt endless.
Zeno turned toward them.
"Well, kids… today was exhausting for everyone. Even if Hypsen didn't keep you for treatment, I strongly suggest you go home and get some rest."
A rare smile appeared on his face.
"No missions for this week."
The four teenagers instantly looked up.
"But… I'd like to invite you all out to eat tomorrow."
Their eyes lit up instantly.
Like children who had just been promised a reward.
"YEEES!! Master Zeno, you're the best!" Yumé shouted.
"I'm in," Kenny added with a grin.
"Same here," Carla said.
"Me too!" Ikku finished.
Zeno nodded.
"Good. Then I'll see you tomorrow."
And just like that…
He disappeared.
Another teleportation.
Ikku sighed.
"Just so you guys know… I'm taking the first shower."
Carla burst out laughing.
"Ikku… there are three bathrooms in our apartment."
"And I'm still not waiting my turn!" he shot back with a grin.
But Kenny wasn't laughing.
"Let's go home first."
His serious tone immediately caught their attention.
Yumé frowned.
"What's going on?"
Kenny looked away.
"I'll explain once we get home."
No one pressed further.
They trusted Kenny completely.
Without asking any more questions, they headed back to their apartment.
Meanwhile, at Hypsen's laboratory…
In a quiet medical room, Fenrir lay on a treatment bed, still unconscious.
Tenma sat beside him, patiently waiting.
His eyes never left his friend.
The door opened softly.
Nina stepped inside.
"So? How is he?"
Tenma let out a small sigh.
"Nothing serious. He should wake up soon."
Nina released a breath of relief.
"That's a relief."
Tenma lowered his gaze to the floor.
His shoulders began to tremble.
Tears started forming in his eyes.
"Tenma…?" Nina asked gently. "What's wrong?"
The boy's voice cracked.
"I… I couldn't protect Fenrir…"
A hand suddenly rested on his shoulder.
Tenma looked up.
Zeno was standing behind him.
"On the contrary," Zeno said calmly. "Nina told us what happened."
Tenma stayed silent.
"If you hadn't stepped in, Nina wouldn't have had the chance to alert Ryu. Who knows what might have happened otherwise."
Tenma looked down again.
But another scene replayed in his mind.
Jack.
And Darius's words.
He had promised Kenny he wouldn't say anything.
After a moment, he turned toward Zeno.
"Master Zeno…?"
"Yes?"
"Is Nexus a just organization?"
Zeno raised an eyebrow.
"A just organization?"
"I mean… are we truly serving what's right?"
Zeno studied the young boy carefully.
Tenma looked deeply troubled.
After a few seconds of thought, Zeno answered calmly.
"To be honest… Nexus does not serve 'good.'"
Tenma lifted his head.
"But it doesn't serve evil either."
Zeno's gaze drifted for a moment.
"Nexus is simply an organization that gathers adventurers, researchers, and fighters… people willing to push humanity forward."
He crossed his arms.
"I would say Nexus serves progress… and curiosity."
Then he looked Tenma straight in the eyes.
"Good and evil are concepts that change with time."
He gently placed a hand on Tenma's head.
"You must choose for yourself what you want to serve."
At that exact moment…
Fenrir's eyes slowly opened.
"Tenma…?" he murmured weakly.
Tenma's eyes widened.
"FENRIR!!"
He immediately hugged him tightly.
"I'm sorry! I couldn't protect you! Please forgive me!"
His voice trembled.
"I promise… I'll become stronger!"
Zeno watched the scene quietly.
Then he smiled faintly.
"Looks like everyone made it through."
He turned toward the door.
"Well… I should be going now. Take care of yourselves, kids."
And he left the room.
"Tenma! Let Fenrir breathe!" Nina snapped.
Tenma quickly let go.
"How do you feel?" she asked.
Fenrir slowly sat up.
"Just… a little tired. But nothing's broken."
"Good."
She smiled.
"Hypsen said we could leave once you woke up."
Tenma fell silent again.
Then he looked at Fenrir.
"Fenrir… it's been a few months since the war in Flaris ended."
Fenrir shrugged.
"Yeah, I know. Why bring that up?"
Tenma hesitated.
"Apparently… the war ended thanks to certain people."
He paused.
"What would you do if you had the chance to meet them?"
Fenrir thought for a moment.
Then answered simply.
"I'd thank them."
He smiled.
"After all, they made one of our dreams come true."
He looked at Tenma.
"We owe them that much, don't you think?"
Tenma lowered his gaze.
"You're right…"
He stood up.
"Come on. Let's go home."
Meanwhile, at Ikku's apartment.
The four friends were sitting in the living room.
All eyes were on Kenny.
"You wanted to tell us something?" Ikku asked.
Kenny nodded.
"Yeah."
He took a deep breath.
"If Darius left… it wasn't really because of Gabriel's intervention."
The others exchanged glances.
"Actually… someone else showed up before him."
Yumé leaned forward.
"Really? Who?"
Kenny looked directly at Ikku.
"Jack the Smoke."
Ikku jumped to his feet.
"JACK?!"
He stood up abruptly.
"Jack was here?! Why?! Did he say anything?!"
"Calm down, Ikku," Carla said.
She crossed her arms.
"Let Kenny finish."
Kenny continued.
"To be honest… he didn't say much."
He shrugged.
"He just told me to say hello to you."
Ikku frowned.
"And?"
"And that if you're looking for answers… you just have to find him."
Ikku let out a loud sigh.
"That bastard and his mysterious lines…"
He ran a hand through his hair.
"That doesn't help us at all."
Carla spoke up.
"Don't you think it's strange?"
"What do you mean?" Yumé asked.
"In less than a year… we've encountered all three Calamities."
Silence fell over the room.
Kenny slowly nodded.
"Yeah… and I get the feeling those three are somehow connected to the jewels."
He looked at his friends.
"I think major changes are coming."
Ikku crossed his arms.
"Really?"
"Yeah."
Kenny met his gaze.
"The moment you discovered that jewel… you changed the world."
He paused.
"And now…"
His voice grew heavier.
"There's no turning back."
Ikku remained silent.
Kenny was right.
Everything had started because of him.
Guilt and regret crossed his mind…
But soon they were replaced by another feeling.
Excitement.
Just two years ago, he had been invisible to everyone.
Even to his own father.
And now…
He had become a figure known across the world.
Maybe even…
A target.
Ikku suddenly stood up and looked at his friends.
"Kenny… Yumé… Carla…"
His eyes burned with determination.
"What's waiting for us will probably be even more exciting."
Then his smile turned serious.
"But also far more dangerous."
He paused.
"Do you still want to follow me?"
They didn't even need to answer.
Their smiles said everything.
And Ikku understood.
No matter what happened…
They would stand by his side.
And the adventure of our hero…
was closer than ever to its climax. 🔥