Before Ferinish and Faller stood a woman wearing glasses. Her hard, serious expression made her question sound important.
"Let me see if I understand this. You simply destroyed all the Renkatas in the last Inferius that were sent on a mission?"
"I am sorry, Miss Sinhaygter. We got way too excited during the mission!" (Faller apologized, standing like a scolded child.)
By instinct, Ferinish did the same.
"You know that both the association and I need them. But I will forgive you only because you are with a novice!"
The woman clicked her shoes and walked away. Ferinish, still keeping her head down, looked at Faller.
"Who is that woman?"
"That is Aurora Sinhaygter, known as the most intelligent woman of all. Many say she surpassed even the 'Servant of Truth'."
"… And she is our leader in the Destruction Hunters class. Her intelligence is extremely valuable to everyone here."
Ferinish looked confused by the term and asked,
"Servant of Truth?"
"Yes. He was a mysterious member of the Complexity Hunters. But after the Second Renkai Awakening, he was never seen again."
"…"
Ferinish seemed to be drawing her own conclusions.
***
Sitting on a chair, Slady was eating a brownie he had recommended from a snack shop. Elisa and Shaphira, who had just finished a small mission, looked hungry.
"Thank you, Slady. This is amazing!" (Shaphira said while eating a pastry.)
"I agree. Everything is really good." (Elisa said while drinking a milkshake.)
"I am proud of how you are adapting to the A.C.D. (Demon Hunters Association). You deserve to be spoiled a little." (He replied with a small smile.)
The girls looked pleased with the simple treat, continuing to eat and talk with their mouths full.
"Hey, Slady. Now that you are back in Libretãnhya, are you going to return to working in your 'Service'?"
Slady coughed, remembering how he referred to his assassination work. Elisa became quieter, wanting to listen.
"No. I think I will actually be a librarian."
Both were surprised. Elisa raised an eyebrow and Shaphira tilted her head, her ears moving beneath her hair.
"What do you mean?" (Elisa asked.)
"Does being a librarian pay well?" (Shaphira added.)
"Despite all the technology and navigation systems, this kind of work still gives me a good amount of Lynes, especially if people rent or buy books. Of course, my old 'service' was a very significant extra income. But for now, I will be a librarian."
The two girls talked among themselves for a few seconds. After separating, they spoke sincerely.
"If that is what you want, Ferinish and the two of us will help. You should be better at managing money." (Elisa confirmed.)
"Oh yes! Elisa told me that Faller and Victoria 'are not the best examples of Lyes management'." (He mimicked Elisa's voice.)
The other girl rolled her eyes at the imitation.
Suddenly, a cough was heard. When they looked to the side, it was Faller and Ferinish.
"How long has it been, Slady?!"
Before he could react, Slady was lifted like a child and hugged tightly by Faller. The girls laughed, and Ferinish simply enjoyed the scene of her partner trying to escape his friend's arms.
***
"But it is great to know you are well!"
Victoria commented. She looked much more beautiful, wearing a dress fitted with magical equipment and ribbons in her hair that gave her a more majestic appearance.
"It really is…"
He looked past Victoria's shoulders and saw Faller helping in the kitchen, Ferinish trying to do the same. Behind him, Shaphira and Elisa were resting on the sofa.
"It is good to see everyone together, honestly."
"Yes, I feel the same way. It is nice to see that Faller found a friend and someone he can see as a rival."
"Yes…"
Slady looked at Ferinish, feeling glad to see her overcoming her social fears and accepting small gestures of touch, though nothing excessive.
"I am also happy that Ferinish can rely on people other than just me."
"Exactly."
Victoria wrapped an arm around her friend's shoulder, pulling him gently against her soft chest.
"You know, everything seems balanced, does it not, Slady? You and I are the calm part of the relationships. Ferinish and Faller are the dominant and more powerful part." (She gently stroked his mechanical arm.)
"That makes sense…" (He said, his voice muffled.)
"Ferinish seems to be a good woman, strong and protective. You are very lucky, Slady."
"I am. Very much."
***
At the D.I.C.L. (Libretãnhya Criminal Investigation Department), Rin Yuang lightly knocked on the door of Roger's office slash dormitory. The door opened, revealing the man shirtless, likely in training.
"What do you want?"
Rin was surprised by the sight, but decided to return to her friendly yet serious tone.
"Can we talk, my friend?"
"… Just come in."
The woman entered the room, sitting on her friend's bed and observing the surroundings.
The room was simple, but full of physical training equipment.
Roger sat on a chair, resting his elbows on his knees, waiting for Rin Yuang to speak. She stayed silent for a few seconds, then took a breath and asked,
"I do not want to interfere, but why are you acting like this? You treat me badly, and even your younger sister does not feel safe around you."
"…"
The man put a hand on his head and, with a sigh, replied with the same seriousness.
"I do not know. Suddenly, it is as if I feel nothing anymore. That is why I distanced myself. I do not want to cause problems."
"But we can talk about this, Roger. You are my work partner, and even though we are competing for a position, our friendship is more important than a mere status."
Roger remained silent for a few seconds, then stood up and placed his hands on the sides of Rin's face, squeezing her cheeks in a way that was not friendly at all.
"No. And to be honest, I do not feel anything for you anymore. I will get that position, even if I have to sacrifice you to do it." (He said in a low tone.)
The harsh and cruel words struck Rin's heart like a knife to her soul. She tried to control her emotions, but she could not.
"And you had better not cry, woman. Because that makes me feel even more disgusted by your weakness."
He released her abruptly and opened the door to his dormitory.
"Get out. Now."
Slowly, Rin Yuang left the office, her heart shattered into countless pieces. She entered her dormitory and sat in a corner, beginning to cry silently.
"What did I do to make him hate me? Am I really that weak? Am I such a terrible investigator?"
Her mind was in conflict. Everything made her think she should give up on everything, that she was too weak to face human cruelty.
But a memory surfaced in her mind.
***
"I trust you."
***
Maybe Rin Yuang did not have the support of her "friend". Maybe she did not have the strength or the stomach to face injustice.
But when she remembered her past, those she lost, the battles, the families destroyed not only by Renkai Creatures but also by criminals, she stood up and wiped her tears away.
"I do not fight for power. I do not care how much it hurts. I fight for justice. I will not let Roger be right this time…"
She clenched her fist.
"I will arrest the Theatrical Assassin, no matter how dangerous he is…"
"I will give my life so that justice is done!"