After Noa's brutal battle and the end of the first clash between the two teams, the second confrontation is scheduled to take place a day later.
In the meantime, Lyly has left the kingdom of Garion thanks to her spatial ability. She now finds herself somewhere in the world, seated beneath a palanquin, calmly enjoying a cup of hot coffee.
"Hmm… I think I should've added a bit more sugar."
She glances at the still-steaming black coffee in her white cup, then places it on a small round table beside her.
Her voice grows more serious as she addresses the person sitting across from her.
— So… why did you ask me to come all the way here, Master André?
André Hyperion, seated opposite her, simply stares into his cup, deep in thought.
He finally raises his eyes toward her.
Despite the fatigue and dark circles under his eyes, his gaze carries an almost suffocating authority.
— From the sound of it… you don't seem very happy to see me.
Lyly's expression shifts, a hint of embarrassment surfacing as she recalls a memory—something André immediately notices. After all, she was his student.
— I'm truly sorry if I gave that impression… It's just that you're not the type of person who calls someone over just because you feel like seeing them again.
André isn't surprised by her response, remaining as impassive and serious as ever when he speaks.
— Indeed… I wanted to know how my grandchildren, Noa and Lise, are doing in the selection.
Lyly brushes a strand of hair behind her ear, lowering her gaze slightly.
— Well… even though I'm not authorized to share information about the selection… since it's you asking, it shouldn't be a problem. Even though they haven't seen each other yet, they're both progressing at an incredible pace… especially the older brother, Noa.
Hearing this, André takes a sip of his coffee without finishing it. Lyly watches him discreetly.
"He didn't come all the way here just to get information about them… it's too simple… he wants something more important."
André sets his cup down, exhales softly, and adjusts his glasses, maintaining his usual cold distance.
— Tell me… you are aware that the capital of the Eastern Empire was threatened by Célestia, aren't you?
Lyly slowly takes a sip of her coffee before answering.
— Yes, of course. In your letter, you mentioned that they arrived shortly after the departure of the guardian of the Corrector Avatar… and that you disappeared after that weapon was activated.
She keeps her eyes open, her gaze thoughtful at the strange timing of the question.
"Why is he asking me this…? He knows I already know… so why bring it up?"
André, still calm and unreadable, doesn't look at her anymore.
— One of the members of Célestia who threatened the capital called himself Vandale Psaimone.
Lyly's eyes widen. She spits out her coffee, nearly choking in shock. She jumps to her feet, knocking over her chair.
— WHAT?! HOW?! DID HE… DID HE MEET NOA?! WHAT DID THEY SAY TO EACH OTHER?!
André tells her to calm down and sit.
— Fortunately, Noa wasn't present when he arrived. They didn't interact or even see each other.
Half-relieved but still shaken, Lyly picks up her chair and sits back down, letting out a deep sigh.
— Thank goodness… If those two had actually spoken, it would've been catastrophic… but how is it even possible that—
André quickly replies that he and David were just as surprised and that he has no idea how it's possible. One thing is certain: they must not cross paths anytime soon.
— And that's why I'd like to ask you a favor.
Still unsettled, Lyly rubs her eyes.
— A favor? What is it?
André doesn't hesitate.
— In the event that Noa becomes a leader… I want you to prevent him, by any means necessary, from participating in the hunt for the Speaker.
Lyly is surprised at first, then quickly understands.
— You want to reduce the chances of him encountering that man?
André slowly nods.
— Since the destruction of the kingdom of Zhaorin, the world has become unstable. Every nation fears this could lead to a new holy war between the eight primary clans and the rest.
He continues:
— To prevent that, the only person with information about that organization is the Speaker, Kanix. The entire world is searching for him… and I doubt Célestia will stay out of it.
Lyly follows his reasoning:
— So if Célestia is involved… and that man is sent… then a meeting with Noa could turn into a nightmare.
She sighs.
— I understand now why you called me here…
André stands up and tightens his black tie.
— I will also take part in the hunt. Additionally, my grandchildren and one of my sons-in-law are already in the kingdom of Varion. I'm counting on you to keep Noa from joining us.
Lyly lets out a faint smile, but a question comes to her mind.
— Tell me… do you remember who the former guardian of the Corrector Avatar was?
The old man pauses briefly and glances at her.
— I don't remember either… because of the memory alteration. And I don't know who she passed her role on to.
Without another word, he leaves the palanquin without looking back.
For Lyly, that single glance said more than enough.
"Alright… if that's how it is… I know I shouldn't get involved… but something tells me that soon… people are going to die."
Back in Garion.
Leaning against a wall in a long, dark corridor, Tomaru—covered in bandages and scratches—replays what he saw before the end of the fight.
He thinks about the clash… the intensity of the duel, Noa's performance… but most of all, his eye, and the way it manifested the moment he opened it.
"Noa Hyperion… I think I truly misjudged you."
He can't get that image or that feeling out of his head.
He had met countless people consumed by selfish desires… but what he saw in Noa was nothing like that.
He had never felt an aura filled with so many contradictory emotions… but above all…
"Could that really have been a human…? It felt like I was facing… a corpse… No… more like a pure amalgamation of negative emotions concentrated into a single point…"
Tomaru places his hand on his forehead. It was the first time he had felt such fear since witnessing his mother's murder.
"That guy is dangerous… far more than anyone else."
Yet he still wonders how many people Noa is willing to sacrifice to achieve his goal.
— Tomaru… is that right?
He looks up as someone approaches through the shadows of the corridor, walking slowly, calmly, elegantly, without completely breaking the silence.
— Hm… Leader Harman?
The S-rank stops close enough to be seen, maintaining his smile and strange optimism. The young man gathers his strength and stands up, without stepping closer.
— You wanted to speak with me?
Harman nods.
— Even though you lost, I saw your fight against Noa Hyperion… and I observed a far greater potential.
Harman has a talent for seeing such things. To him, Tomaru is like a young sprout growing in a cave… a plant that has only just begun to grow.
— My potential doesn't matter anymore.
He looks at his right hand, still covered in scratches and barely healed wounds, with a resigned expression.
— I'm not fooling myself… If my team loses the next match, my chances of becoming a leader will be reduced to nothing. No matter how strong I am… I won't get another opportunity.
Harman lets him finish. This rational answer doesn't disappoint him—in fact, he expected it.
"As I thought… this boy has no idea of his true worth… and clearly, he's never had the chance to develop it in the right environment… If I leave him here, he'll wither away without ever seeing the light."
— Then come with me.
Tomaru looks at him, surprised by the unexpected offer.
Harman turns and starts walking back the way he came.
— If you want to stay in an environment where you don't belong… that's your choice.
He pauses.
— But if you want to grow at the same pace as the others without being left behind… then follow me.
Tomaru hesitates.
This is exactly what he wanted.
If he refuses, he'll continue down a predictable, stagnant path.
But if he accepts…
He makes his decision.
And steps forward with determination behind Harman, ready to face whatever awaits him at the end of the corridor.