The next day began without rush.
The light entered through the mansion's windows softly, without the usual urgency of missions or problems waiting. I got up without feeling any weight in my body, something that hadn't happened in a long time.
Silence still dominated the environment.
But it wasn't empty.
It was… comfortable.
I went down to the hall and found Scarlett already awake. She was sitting with a calm posture, looking out the window.
"You always wake up early," I said.
She slightly turned her face. "Habit."
I nodded.
It didn't take long for the others to start appearing.
Rai'kanna came soon after, still fixing her hair. "It's been a while since I woke up without thinking about fighting."
Lyannis appeared right behind her. "I still wanted to sleep more."
"You always do," Rai'kanna replied.
Elara came down with calm steps. "Excessive rest is also a waste."
Vespera crossed her arms. "But the minimum necessary is important."
Liriel appeared last, with the same serene expression. "Today feels… different."
I looked at everyone.
"It's because there's nothing pressuring us."
Lyannis smiled. "I could get used to this."
"You won't," Rai'kanna said.
She didn't respond.
Because she knew.
After a while, we decided to go out.
Not out of necessity.
But out of habit.
The city was as always.
Constant movement, mixed voices, merchants calling for attention, people walking nonstop. Everything followed the usual rhythm of Vailor.
But something… was different.
This time, the looks weren't just curious.
They were… recognizing.
At first, it was subtle.
One person stopping mid-conversation when seeing us.
Another quickly looking away.
Some whispers.
Nothing direct.
Not yet.
Lyannis noticed first. "Okay… this is more obvious."
Rai'kanna looked around. "They're talking."
Scarlett remained calm. "I expected it."
Elara analyzed carefully. "The pattern changed."
Vespera added. "It's no longer curiosity."
Liriel said quietly: "It's recognition."
I kept walking.
Without reacting.
Without showing discomfort.
But listening.
"It's him…"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, it's the same…"
"The hero…"
The words were quiet.
But enough.
Lyannis smiled faintly. "Well, look at that."
Rai'kanna let out a soft laugh. "Now it's official."
Scarlett crossed her arms. "It was only a matter of time."
Elara kept her focus. "The information spread quickly."
Vespera agreed. "More than expected."
Liriel simply observed.
We continued walking toward the guild.
And this time…
There was no doubt.
When we entered, the atmosphere changed.
Conversations stopped.
Eyes turned directly toward us.
Without disguise.
Without hesitation.
The silence lasted only a few seconds.
But it was enough.
One of the adventurers slowly stood up.
Not with hostility.
But with respect.
"So it's true…"
Another added. "You came back."
Rai'kanna crossed her arms. "This turned into a spectacle."
Lyannis seemed amused. "I said it would happen."
Scarlett maintained her firm posture.
Elara observed.
Vespera analyzed.
Liriel remained calm.
I ignored the excess.
I went straight to the counter.
The receptionist took a second to react, but quickly composed herself.
"Welcome…"
She hesitated.
And then said:
"Great Hero."
The silence returned.
But this time…
Heavier.
I looked at her for a moment.
"It's just Takumi."
She quickly nodded. "Yes… of course."
But the way she had spoken before…
Had already made it clear.
Rai'kanna approached, smiling faintly. "Good luck trying to avoid that."
Lyannis laughed quietly. "Too late."
Scarlett spoke in a lower tone. "You won't be able to change how they see you."
Elara agreed. "Public perception has already been formed."
Vespera added. "And reinforced."
Liriel looked at me. "But that doesn't change who you are."
I nodded.
"And it doesn't need to."
I gathered some basic information.
Nothing urgent.
Nothing relevant.
Just… confirming.
When I stepped away from the counter, some adventurers approached.
Not aggressively.
But respectfully.
"Did you really defeat the third general?"
"What was the battle like?"
"Is it true that you led every front?"
The questions came.
Direct.
Without filter.
Rai'kanna stepped forward. "Don't you people have anything better to do?"
Lyannis crossed her arms, smiling. "Let them."
Scarlett maintained her firm posture.
Elara observed.
Vespera analyzed.
Liriel waited.
I looked at them.
"It was a war."
Simple.
Without detail.
Without exaggeration.
They fell silent for a moment.
And then one of them nodded. "…I understand."
Another added. "Even so… thank you."
I didn't answer.
There was no need.
We left the guild soon after.
The city looked the same.
But it wasn't.
Now, there was no more doubt.
The name had already spread.
And not just mine.
Lyannis commented as we walked. "Heroines, huh?"
Rai'kanna laughed. "This is still going to cause trouble."
Scarlett sighed softly. "It's not something we can avoid."
Elara analyzed. "But we can control how we react."
Vespera nodded. "That defines the impact."
Liriel looked at the sky for a moment. "Recognition is also responsibility."
I kept walking.
Without responding.
But understanding.
The title didn't change who I was.
But it changed… what they expected from me.
And that…
Was inevitable.
We stopped for a moment, looking at the city.
Constant movement.
Life continuing.
Nothing had stopped.
And it never would.
I took a deep breath.
And moved forward.
Because now…
It wasn't just about fighting anymore.
It was about what came after that.