Neon light from the massive billboard outside spilled through the bar's window, glinting off rows of empty glasses.
The air was thick with the scent of cheap alcohol and disinfectant—an odor born not of laughter, but of backroom deals.
Only a few people occupied the spacious bar: two dockworkers betting on a virtual race displayed on a flickering screen, and a woman in a shimmering dress staring blankly into her drink.
"Lord Arvandras, the situation here's getting worse. Governor Maedra still hasn't recovered, and it's been almost five years since his last public appearance," said a man with a backward cap at the counter.
"I've gathered more than enough from this city. The deeper I dig, the larger the mess becomes," replied the man called Arvandras, his voice calm beneath a dark silver mask.
"If you leave now, the Deputy Governor will act within six months at most. Our intel says he's already met with the Crystal Miners' Union in secret. He promised them outrageous concessions.
The only thing holding him back is the external pressure you've created," the man in the cap said earnestly.
"Lower your voice," Arvandras warned. "Even though my mask projects random illusions to those who see me, this topic is still far too delicate."
"My apologies," the man bowed low, pressing his forehead against the counter.
"Are you trying to draw attention to us? Sit properly."
The man quickly straightened up.
"That Mastari won't be able to move freely, no matter what he tries," Arvandras continued.
"Why are you so sure of that, sir?" the man—Hendrik—asked.
"Hendrik, ever heard the saying: knowing less can keep you alive longer?"
"But, sir… Deputy Governor Mastari has buried too many corpses beneath his garden. If we don't stop him soon, it'll turn into public outrage."
Arvandras stirred his drink slowly. "Don't worry. The people aren't as blind as you think."
He leaned forward slightly. "Remember the Titan Bridge incident a year ago? Mastari tried to blame a low-level engineer, but the public saw the data.
A few anomalies spread through social media, and suddenly volunteers and mercenary guilds formed a committee of their own. They proved it was his administration's fault.
Even though he faked trails to cover it up, not everyone was fooled.
Never underestimate those forced to open their eyes."
He swirled his glass, the ice clinking softly, before continuing.
"I've seen enough. I'll step away for now."
Hendrik frowned. "Then where will you go, sir?"
"Hendrik… remember what I said about that proverb."
The man fell silent, tracing a finger along the rim of his glass.
"Officially, the Nine Councilors reappeared in the capital three years ago," Arvandras went on.
"By Republic law, a governor's seat can only be forcibly replaced if left vacant for five consecutive years."
"We're certain the one who appeared wasn't the real Governor Maedra," Hendrik countered.
"That doesn't matter. What matters is that the public believes he's been absent for only three years.
That buys us time. Mastari can't act yet—not unless he finds some absurd justification for his next move."
He placed a few physical coins on the counter, drawing a raised brow from the bartender.
As Arvandras turned to leave, Hendrik's thought echoed quietly:
"Why is he still using physical money in this era?"
---
Under the midday sun, Arvandras stepped out onto the street.
The heat pressed down like a weight—but something colder prickled at the back of his neck. Someone was watching.
Without changing pace, he veered into a crowded traditional market.
He slipped between fishmongers and cloth stalls, moving like water, blending into the flow of bodies.
Within thirty seconds, he was gone.
His tail arrived seconds too late, staring at an empty alley, cursing under his breath.
---
In Kael's yard, wooden swords clashed with sharp, rhythmic cracks.
Siro's breathing was heavy, his swing fast—but Kael deflected it effortlessly with a flick of his wrist.
"Better," Kael said, "but you still rely too much on your shoulders."
A few meters away, Ruby groaned in frustration, trying to perfect the third form Kael had taught him.
"Damn it… how can something so simple be this hard!?" he shouted, earning a small laugh from Lyra on the porch.
When training ended, Ruby dropped onto the grass with a sigh.
Siro sat stiffly beside Lyra, keeping a polite distance, while Kael stood watching the fading light.
For a moment, he compared this quiet scene to the lonely days before school.
A smile tugged at his lips.
"Is this what you wanted me to feel, Mother?
If so… maybe you're smiling right now, wherever you are," he whispered, eyes on the small patch of flowers at the corner of the yard.
"Hey, are you possessed or something?" Ruby said, suddenly beside him.
Thud.
Kael's gentle punch landed on his stomach.
"Ow! That doesn't match the face you're making, damn it!" Ruby grunted, doubling over.
Kael walked past him toward Siro and Lyra.
"That looked painful," Siro said.
"Why'd you hit him?" Lyra asked as Kael sat down between them.
"Testing his endurance," Kael replied calmly, reaching for a cold drink.
Siro hesitated. "Kael… are you doing okay lately?"
"Hm?" Kael glanced up, confused.
A warm gust rustled the leaves overhead. The golden light of dusk bathed the yard.
"It's about Setnov," Siro continued. "Ruby told me about his family months ago.
By all logic, you should've faced some backlash after that incident."
"Yeah!" Ruby joined in, rubbing his side. "So what happened? Did they make a move behind the scenes?
It's weird that they've been quiet."
"What incident?" Lyra asked, puzzled.
Siro and Ruby exchanged a glance, then looked at Kael.
"Nothing happened," Kael said simply. "Setnov avoids me whenever I walk by."
"You didn't try talking to him?" Siro asked.
"For what purpose?"
Siro blinked, then laughed. "Yeah… that's fair."
"Hah! That's our Kael," Ruby added, chuckling.
"Hey! Are you two ignoring me?" Lyra protested.
"It's not ignoring," Ruby said, grinning. "It's just… not worth talking about, hahaha!"
Thunk. A plastic bottle bounced off his head.
"I didn't ask for your opinion!" Lyra snapped.
"Hey, you were the one who asked!" Ruby shot back.
"I wasn't asking you!" Thunk. Another bottle flew.
"Hahaha!" Siro burst out laughing—until a third bottle smacked him too.
Kael just smiled faintly.
Their bickering reminded him of his parents—arguing about trivial things: food portions, training schedules, bedtime.
It wasn't unpleasant.
["This really isn't so bad,"] he thought.
The noise faded as the sky deepened from gold to blue.
When the others finally prepared to leave, Lyra lingered behind.
"You're not going with them?" Kael asked.
Lyra shook her head, eyes lowered. There was something she wanted to say, but the words wouldn't come.
["Come on, just say it, Lyra. It's not that hard. Just ask him… No, that's stupid. He'll laugh at me. He'll—"]
"Go ahead," Kael said quietly. "Say it."
In his mind, Kael analyzed her posture, her eyes, the tension in her shoulders.
["Anxious. Defensive stance. Why? There's no visible threat. Human communication is horribly inefficient… There should really be a manual for this."]
Silence stretched. The porch lights clicked on automatically.
"Do you want me to walk you home?" he asked.
"Ah—no, I'm fine! I can go alone," she said quickly, though disappointment flashed across her face.
"Then let me help you pack," Kael said.
"A-ah… sure."
She left soon after. Kael watched from the porch until her silhouette disappeared down the road, then went back inside.
---
["Aaah, you idiot, Lyraaa!"] she screamed in her head as she rode her bike through the empty path.
She slowed, glancing back—no Kael in sight. Her chest tightened.
On impulse, she stopped by the roadside and plucked a wildflower.
"Go back… go home… go back… go home…" she whispered, tearing off petals one by one.
The final petal landed on go back.
The word lingered in the cool night air.
Her legs felt heavy. Go back? And embarrass myself again?
But if she didn't… she'd regret it all night.
"Alright," she whispered to the wind. "Just one question. If he says yes, I win. If not—at least I tried."
Her heart pounding, she turned her bike around and pedaled back toward Kael's house.
---
At a crossroads, Ruby and Siro slowed.
"We split here," Siro said.
"Wait. Don't you think it's weird?" Ruby asked.
"It's too dark for Lyra to be riding home alone. Usually, she'd be tailing us right now."
"Yeah… you're right," Siro replied.
"Ah, it's fine. I'll message Kael later—maybe he walked her home," Ruby said.
"Haha, true. No one could mess with her if Kael's around," Siro laughed.
"Exactly," Ruby grinned, and they rode off in different directions under a star-speckled sky.
---
Back at Kael's house, Lyra stood by the gate, frozen.
Her heart wavered again.
Deep breath. In… out… she told herself.
The front door wasn't fully closed. She glanced around—every detail of the quiet yard, the pale moonlight filtering through leaves.
Creak.
The door opened.
"Huh?" Lyra froze, hands fidgeting. [" What do I say? What was I supposed to say again!? Damn it—I forgot!"]
"Hmm? Come in," Kael said from the doorway.
He'd sensed a familiar presence nearby while reading, and when it stopped moving—without hostility—he decided to check.
"Come in. Night air isn't as kind as it feels," he added calmly.
"May I?" Lyra asked softly.
"Unless you plan on standing there all night," Kael said, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Lyra stepped inside, eyes wandering over the modest, neatly arranged room lit by a single hanging lamp.
"Sit here," Kael said, gesturing toward a long sofa facing the TV.
She nodded and sat, still a bit stiff.
"Want some tea?" he asked.
"Ah—yes, please. Sorry to trouble you."
Kael disappeared into the kitchen, leaving her alone in the quiet living room.
She took a slow breath, studying the surroundings, trying to calm herself.
Moments later, he returned and set a cup on the table between them.
"Here. Drink this—and relax."
"Thank you," she murmured.
"Now," Kael said, turning on the TV to ease the silence, "just say what you came to say."
"C-can I… study here tonight?" Lyra blurted out.
Kael blinked. "Doesn't bother me."
"Really?" she asked, eyes brightening.
"But there might be problems if I don't make sure first," he added, still fiddling with the remote.
Lyra laughed nervously. "Right. Of course. Make sure of whatever you need to."
Kael finally looked up, meeting her gaze directly. His eyes were steady—unblinking.
Lyra instantly turned away, her face flushed crimson.
---
To be continued…