I woke up with the strange feeling that the world was too quiet.
For a few seconds, I remained still, staring at the high ceiling of the mansion's room. The morning light came through the open curtains, drawing soft shadows on the walls. My body still ached, not like an open wound, but like the echo of something that had been pushed beyond its limit.
I took a deep breath.
Only then did I notice the weight around me.
Liriel was sleeping against my shoulder, her breathing calm. Elara was farther away, curled up as if the cold could reach her even there. Vespera occupied the other side, one leg thrown over mine, completely carefree. Rai'kanna had her back turned, but she was so close that I could feel the warmth of her body.
I closed my eyes for a moment.
"What a mess," I murmured to myself.
No one woke up. Only silence answered.
Carefully, I slowly slipped away, avoiding waking any of them. I got out of bed and put on simple clothes. As I left the room, the mansion felt different. Not empty, but far too calm, as if it were watching.
I went down to the kitchen. Some servants were already awake, organizing breakfast. When they saw me, they gave a slight bow.
"Good morning, Lord Takumi."
I still felt strange about that.
"Good morning," I replied, a bit awkwardly.
I sat at the table while the smell of fresh bread and hot tea filled the room. For a few minutes, I just stayed there, watching the light pass through the windows.
The tournament was over. We had won. The humans were officially the most powerful guild that year.
And even so, I didn't feel euphoria.
I felt responsibility.
Soon after, footsteps echoed in the hallway. Elara was the first to appear, yawning, her hair loose and her eyes still heavy.
"You woke up early," she said, sitting in front of me.
"Or too late," I replied.
She smiled faintly.
Right after, Liriel and Vespera appeared together. Rai'kanna came right behind them, crossing her arms as soon as she saw me.
"About yesterday," she began.
"Later," I calmly interrupted. "Let's eat first."
The atmosphere grew strange for a few seconds, but no one disagreed.
During breakfast, we spoke little. Simple comments, nothing deep. It was as if everyone needed time to understand what had changed.
After eating, I went to the mansion's garden. The wind was light, carrying the scent of newly planted flowers. I walked slowly, trying to organize my thoughts.
"You feel it too?"
Scarlet's voice came from behind me.
I turned around. She was leaning against one of the columns, arms crossed, serious expression.
"Feel what?" I asked.
"This false calm," she replied. "After something big, it always comes."
"You seem used to it."
She shrugged. "Victories don't last. They only create expectations."
We stayed silent for a few seconds.
"Are you going to stay in Vailor?" I asked.
"For a while," she replied. "I want to see what you're going to do after this."
I nodded. I didn't know the answer.
Later that day, the guild sent messengers. Invitations, requests, proposals. Some wanted to hire us. Others just wanted to get close.
I refused almost all of them.
In the afternoon, Liriel called me to talk privately. We sat on the stone bench in the garden.
"What are you thinking?" she asked.
"That everything is moving too fast," I replied. "Yesterday I was fighting to survive. Today I'm a champion, a noble, a leader of something I can't even name."
She held my hand.
"You're not alone."
"I know," I replied. "That's what scares me the most."
When the sun began to set, the mansion filled up again. Rai'kanna and Lyannis were talking in the living room, laughing loudly. Elara was practicing light magic in the courtyard. Vespera was teasing the servants without malice, just for fun.
And I watched it all from a distance.
At night, I gathered everyone in the main hall.
"I want you to know something," I began. "The tournament is over. The fame came. But none of that changes who we are."
They looked at me attentively.
"If we stay here, it will be because we choose to. Not because of titles. Not because of expectations."
No one responded immediately.
Then Rai'kanna smiled.
"You're still the same."
Maybe that was true.
When night fully fell, I went back up to the room. This time, alone. I lay down on the bed, feeling the exhaustion finally win.
The tournament was over.
But the world was not going to wait for me to rest.
And, for the first time, I was fully aware of that.