In an area that resembled a medium-sized apartment, two women sat together, chatting without any real commitment or urgency.
One of them was seated on a small stool by the counter that separated the kitchen from the rest of the room. She calmly sipped a drink, dressed in light sleepwear.
It was Freya, enjoying the cool night air alongside her friend Ravina, who was preparing tea for them to enjoy before resting.
- They should be finishing the meeting by now!
Freya commented, referring to the Order's gathering.
Ravina, who had her back turned while watching the kettle on the stove, shifted her attention and glanced toward Freya. Her gaze then moved to the window, where the night had deepened, scattered with countless stars aiding the moon in illuminating the streets below.
- Indeed! They should be heading out soon. I keep wondering how Eylam is doing.
- Ever since that day he left, he hasn't come visit us again. I thought it would be fine, but…
Ravina paused for a moment, still staring out the window.
- Honestly, he's been missed.
- Things have been so dull and monotonous without him around… it's strange.
Freya, who had been lifting her drink to her lips, lowered it slightly, her expression softening.
She felt the same.
His presence had become necessary far too quickly—and unexpectedly.
It hadn't even been that long since he arrived, and yet he already occupied an important space in their once tedious lives.
- Well, we just have to wait and see if he—
Freya began, but something in front of her made her stop mid-sentence.
Ravina, who had returned her attention to the kettle, noticed the sudden silence and turned around.
Freya was staring off to the side—at something invisible.
Ravina knew exactly what it was.
- A message from the Divinity!
Ravina murmured.
When she was young, Freya had been blessed with an incredibly important position—second only to their true nature.
Freya was the Apostle of the Goddess of Magic and Spells.
From early on, she displayed an extraordinary talent for magic despite her young age. Enchanted by her potential and her eternal race, the Goddess chose her without hesitation.
One day, She manifested personally and appointed Freya as her representative in the world of Caelith.
- What is it, Freya? Did the Goddess send you a message?
Freya nodded as she read the content.
[ "To the Divinity of Magic and Spells", she says that in a few minutes, the young man Evo Eylam will be paying you two a visit. ]
Freya immediately relayed the message to Ravina.
- She says Ev will be arriving here in a few minutes.
Freya frowned slightly as she explained.
Ravina found it strange for the Goddess to warn them of something so trivial.
It felt far too suspicious.
- Why would she notify us about something so simple?
Freya didn't understand either. It seemed unnecessary… which only reinforced the idea that there was more behind it.
- Well, that's what I want to know!
- Goddess, there's something else to this, isn't there?
- Because otherwise, there would be no reason for this message.
Soon, another message arrived.
[ "To the Divinity of Magic and Spells", she laughs awkwardly and says you are correct. ]
It wasn't surprising to discover something hidden.
But what truly stirred their curiosity was the reason—especially since it involved Evo.
Freya decided to ask directly:
- Then tell me, what's going on? What's the reason for all this?
[ "To the Divinity of Magic and Spells", she says she doesn't have time to explain right now, but asks that you both trust almost everything he tells you shortly. ]
Freya frowned, frustrated… but her eyes quickly brightened with curiosity.
Ravina approached, drying her hands.
- So… what did she say?
- Well, she said she doesn't have time to explain! It seems he's already close.
But she asked us to believe almost everything he's going to say when he arrives.
Ravina found the entire situation strange and unsettling.
It seemed whatever was coming was serious—serious enough for a Divinity to interfere.
- Well, then we sho—
Knock! Knock!
Ravina was interrupted by the sound at the door.
Freya's office was right next door, sharing a wall with their apartment. The sound echoed faintly.
They exchanged glances, understanding without the need for words.
- Evo's here!
They said simultaneously.
- Ravina, can you go greet him and bring him in?
- Okay, I'm going!
She nodded and headed toward the office.
Upon arriving, she slowly opened the door.
And what she saw on the other side was shocking.
..............
A few seconds earlier
Evo walked down the dark hallway, barely illuminated, with only a few faint lights breaking the shadows.
He walked with one hand in his pocket, lost in thought.
His destination was Freya's office.
He was uneasy—especially given the late hour.
- Is it really okay to bother them at this time?
- Maybe I should come back tomorrow…
- I don't even know how to act around them after everything that's happened.
- And on top of that, I remembered the stupid scene I made the other day…
He recalled the embarrassment he felt when he brought them the skewers. After that fiasco, he never approached them again.
His face burned just thinking about it.
- Ahhhh, damn it!
Evo ruffled his hair in frustration.
After a long breath, he decided to just get it over with.
After a few more steps, he reached a door with a plaque:
"Director's Office"
He stood still for a few seconds, motionless.
His expression was monotone—as if trying to hide his nerves.
Then he knocked.
Knock! Knock!
Footsteps approached.
The door opened, revealing a mature beauty with blond hair and red eyes, wearing a serene smile.
She was dressed in light sleepwear: a white nightgown and short shorts.
If this had been a few days earlier, Evo would have been completely flustered.
But now he maintained a calm posture and cold eyes.
Ravina greeted him gently:
- Eylam! What brings you here?
She smiled, but internally, she analyzed everything.
The way he was acting… wasn't normal.
He seemed distant. Cold.
Even the shine in his eyes—the one he had when they were together—was gone.
It squeezed her heart.
But she held her composure.
- "I need to know everything before jumping to conclusions… I must stay calm."
Evo gave a small bow. His voice came out apathetic, distant.
- Forgive me, Secretary Ravina, for showing up so late… and during your rest.
He didn't sound like the young man who laughed with them days ago.
Her chest tightened again, but she stayed composed.
- Don't worry, Eylam.
- I'm sure you must have an important reason for coming at this hour.
- And Freya and I were just having a drink… relax. Come in.
She welcomed him kindly.
Evo hesitated for a moment. Then he entered, and Ravina guided him to the apartment next door.
When they arrived, they found Freya sitting on the spacious living room sofa.
Her eyes met his…
And what she felt was a painful shock.
The way Evo looked at her… something was deeply wrong.
It was as if he were someone else entirely.
And it only worsened when he greeted her with a formal bow, as though she were merely his superior.
- I greet the Director and apologize for the late visit.
Freya froze.
She tried to speak… but her lips trembled.
In the end, all she managed to utter was:
- E-Ev?!