Chapter 27: Shocking News
POV Himmel:
I stared at the boy for a long time—the boy who had just challenged someone far stronger than himself, and was still alive. Remarkable... or foolish, I hadn't decided yet.
Lazily, I bent down and lifted his body like a sack of sand. "Alright, kid. Let's go."
Obviously, there was no reply. This kid was out cold like a rock.
I shrugged, then started walking inside the burnt and silent forest. Every step made a soft crunch on the dusty ground.
"A Novice fighting a Grandmaster…" I muttered, shaking my head slowly. "That sounds like a children's story, but I saw it myself. If someone else told me, I definitely wouldn't believe it."
The evening breeze swept across my face, carrying the scent of the forest and residual battle dust. I looked up. The sky was turning orange.
'If I walk, I won't get there until tomorrow morning,' I thought with a long sigh. 'I'd better fly instead...'
I snapped my fingers, and my body slowly lifted. The wind spun around me, gentle yet powerful.
A few seconds later, I was flying through the sky.
The air up there was cold and quiet. The world below seemed small, as if all problems could be ignored from this altitude.
Ren—that's what his friend called him back then—was sleeping soundly in my arms. His body was full of wounds, but his expression... was calm, as if all his pain had evaporated.
I stared at his face for a long time.
"Damn it... you're handsome even as a kid," I muttered, slightly jealous.
I accelerated my flight. Clouds broke behind me like water ripples. The twilight glow reflected on my robe, and at that moment, for some reason, I felt like I was carrying something that would shake the future.
"Get ready, kid," I said softly.
The sound was lost in the rush of the wind.
"You're going to live a much more epic... and probably more annoying life. Not just for training, but to get rid of my annoyance because you're handsome," I said.
It wasn't my fault; blame him for being handsome and making me jealous.
I let out a small, hard, but genuine laugh—a laugh that echoed in the twilight sky, marking the beginning of something new.
POV Abel:
It was already late evening, but I hadn't moved an inch, staring towards the forest where Ren fought. Clenching my hands tightly—I prayed.
"Please, Ren, come back…" I murmured, tears streaming down my face. My sobs were muffled in the silence. Even though reinforcements had been sent, it didn't lessen my high anxiety.
Luna and Sister Milly, who were behind me, just stared at my back, saying nothing. Luna and I were now at the orphanage.
Sister Milly closed her eyes, sighing. Though she didn't look sad, her hands trembled, holding back her own tears.
"Abel... he will definitely come back, I'm sure of it," she said, not knowing if she was reassuring me or herself.
I didn't answer. My eyes were still glued to the window—towards the forest. The night wind blew the curtain, bringing a chill and the smell of damp earth after the day's events.
"Yes, he will come back," I muttered softly.
Luna stared at me for a long time, then spoke in a low voice, "I believe it too... but, no one has returned from the forest since this afternoon."
I slowly turned to her, and for the first time tonight, my eyes met Luna's directly.
"He will return," I said firmly.
Luna let out a long sigh, then walked closer. Her hand reached out, patted my shoulder, and she offered a small smile.
"That's right. So, why don't you rest for a bit?" Luna said gently.
I smiled sadly. "No, I'll wait a little longer..."
The atmosphere in the room was silent. Only the sound of night insects and the gentle ticking of the wall clock could be heard.
Sister Milly, watching our conversation, gave a small smile, though behind her smile there was sadness. But she controlled her emotions.
"Abel, want to eat first?" she said. "You haven't eaten at all since you arrived here."
I stared at her for a long time, then weakly nodded my head, "Hmm... Yes.."
Sister Milly nodded, "I'll go prepare it first," she said, leaving the room.
But as Milly opened the door, two people blocked her way—Mia and Kyle. They stared sharply into Milly's eyes.
"Kyle, Mia? What are you doing here?" Milly asked.
Neither of them answered, they just walked past Sister Milly and hurried towards me. Mia ran toward me, hugging me.
"Abel! I missed you!!" Mia said happily.
"Mia..." I replied softly, returning her hug.
Kyle walked behind Mia. He tilted his head slightly and asked curiously.
"But why are you here, Abel?"
Luna and I exchanged glances. Then, as if just realizing Luna's presence—the two of them straightened up in unison.
Seeing that, I gave a small smile and introduced them to Luna.
"This is Luna, my personal maid. Say hello to her."
Hearing that, Luna slightly bowed her head and greeted Mia and Kyle. Their eyes widened in amazement.
"Wow! Abel has become a princess!" Mia cheered.
I scratched my cheek gently, laughing awkwardly. Then I pointed to the two of them, "Luna, these are Mia and Kyle, they are twins."
The two of them bowed their heads.
"My name is Kyle and—" Kyle pointed to Mia, "—and this is my younger sister, Mia."
"Nice to meet you!" Mia replied, waving her hand. Then she flinched and shook her head quickly.
"No, we're not here for that!" she snapped at herself. She turned toward me, "Abel! Ren hasn't returned since this afternoon!"
Kyle, standing next to her, continued, "Yeah, he suddenly left while we were shopping at the market. Do you know where he is?"
"..." Luna and I were silent. Sister Milly had already left to prepare the meal.
Kyle, seeing Luna and me awkwardly silent, continued. This time his voice was a bit rough, and his eyebrows furrowed.
"Abel... Nothing happened, right?"
He narrowed his eyes, staring sharply into my eyes. I tried to look away, but Kyle's voice sounded again.
"Answer me, Abel..." he said, "What happened...?"
My hands trembled, unable to speak. Tears started falling from my eyes again. Mia, who didn't know anything, snapped at Kyle.
"Kyle, what are you doing!? You're making Abel cry!!"
Kyle pursed his lips, not expecting that the always cheerful Abel was crying and that it was all because he asked a question.
Then he coughed and apologized, "I'm sorry if I was too harsh, Abel." He said, lowering his head.
I shook my head quickly, "It's okay, it wasn't your fault anyway, I'm just too much of a crybaby..."
Luna, who was next to me, spoke to Kyle with a sharp gaze. "You... have made Abel cry..."
I quickly wiped away my tears and stopped Luna from attacking Kyle, "Don't, Luna! He didn't do anything wrong!"
"..... Tch." Luna said nothing and just clicked her tongue.
Kyle glared at her but remained silent. Mia, who had only been watching while chewing on candy—I don't know where she got it from—finally spoke.
"You guys stop fighting! And Kyle, we're here to ask where Ren is, not to fight!" she said, kicking Kyle's rear end.
"Ouch!" Kyle winced.
Then Mia looked at me, "So, do you know where he is, Abel?" Mia asked, without intending to hurt, but the question worsened my mood.
Tears started coming out of my eyes again, making Mia widen her eyes, "W-What happened! Why is she crying!? Is this my fault!?"
Mia looked back and forth between Kyle and me frantically, questioning what her mistake was. Luna, seeing that, let out a long sigh.
"Hah... Abel, let me tell them about it," Luna said calmly.
Kyle and Mia looked at each other with curious faces. I turned toward Luna and nodded.
"Please... Hik..."
Hearing that, Luna stepped forward, about to speak, but—the door suddenly flew open loudly.
Kraak!
Milly rushed in and said to us, her breath slightly ragged.
"They're back!... The reinforcements have returned!"
.....
[Author's Note]
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