Night Falls Over Orario
After the last customer departed and the lantern-light faded from the streets, the Emporium settled into a rare silence. The marble floors reflected the glow of blue enchantment lamps, casting long, soft shadows across the interior.
Aeron stood alone between gleaming weapon displays, listening to the rhythmic quiet. Orario at night was a different creature—quieter, softer, but filled with unseen currents.
He closed his eyes.
Footsteps approached.
Soft. Deliberate. Light as drifting feathers.
Aiz Wallenstein.
---
Aiz's Training Session — Fully Expanded
Aiz appeared in the doorway of the back courtyard, her figure outlined by moonlight. Her golden eyes were calm but intent, focused entirely on him.
"Aeron," she said simply.
"Aiz. You came."
"Yes."
She hesitated—something she rarely did.
"My heartbeat… it still reacts when you move suddenly."
Aeron's lips curved faintly. "Good. That means your instincts are alive."
She stepped fully into the courtyard. The air felt different here—quieter, isolated, enclosed by smooth marble walls and the scent of late-night flowers carried on the breeze.
Aiz rested her hand on her sword hilt. "What do we do first?"
Aeron stepped closer until he stood a few paces away, the moon drawing silver lines along his hair.
"Close your eyes."
She obeyed instantly.
"Now," he murmured, "listen."
To her breathing.
To the faint breeze.
To him moving—
She stiffened when he stepped behind her.
"…You're tense," he said softly.
"I know."
Aeron circled her slowly, always just close enough that she felt his presence sliding across her awareness like a whisper.
"Control," he said quietly, "is not about eliminating reaction. It's about shaping it."
Aiz breathed out, long and slow.
Aeron inhaled her focus—sharp, steady, hungry for improvement.
"Good," he said. "Now—react."
He snapped his fingers.
Aiz's eyes flew open and she stepped back in a near-instant defensive stance, sword partially drawn.
Aeron smiled. "Faster than last time."
Aiz sheathed the blade, a faint warmth touching her cheeks. "I'm learning… because of you."
His gaze softened. It wasn't pity. It wasn't approval.
Just recognition.
"You learn because you push yourself," he said. "I only guide you."
Aiz looked directly into his eyes for a long, silent moment.
Her voice came quietly:
"…Thank you."
The sincerity hung between them like a delicate thread.
Aeron nodded once. "We'll continue tomorrow."
"Yes." Aiz stepped back. "Tomorrow."
When she left, she glanced back once—longer than she intended.
Aeron's calm expression lingered in her mind.
---
Riveria's Inner Conflict — And Confrontation
Riveria waited until Aiz had gone. She had positioned herself near the far wall, cloaked in shadows, watching the training without revealing herself.
She stepped out only when Aeron turned away.
Her emerald gaze was sharper tonight, conflicted in a way even she barely understood.
"You trained her again."
Aeron turned to her calmly. "I did."
"She trusts easily," Riveria said, approaching him. "Too easily."
"Do you think I would harm her?"
"I don't know what you're capable of," she replied, voice firm. "And that bothers me."
Aeron tilted his head, meeting her gaze without pressure or dominance—just clarity. "Does it bother you because you care about Aiz?"
Riveria hesitated.
Then exhaled quietly. "…Yes."
"And does it bother you," Aeron continued, voice lowering, "because you also want answers from me?"
Her eyes widened—just for a heartbeat.
She stepped closer, the moonlight catching in her hair.
"You are an anomaly, Aeron," she whispered. "Your strength, your presence, your composure… even the way you speak. None of it fits in this world."
"And you don't like anomalies?"
Riveria's voice lowered.
"…I find them difficult to ignore."
The silence between them grew warm, taut.
She looked away abruptly, ears faintly red. "Forget I said that. I'm only here to keep Aiz safe."
Aeron smiled softly.
"Of course."
She hated how gentle his smile was.
She hated how she didn't hate it.
Riveria left with a clipped motion, cloak swirling behind her—but her steps were slower than normal, as though reluctant to turn her back on him.
---
Rose Fannett — Thinking of Him
Elsewhere in Orario, Rose Fannett lay in bed—tail puffed beneath the sheets—unable to sleep.
Damn that elf.
Every time she closed her eyes, she saw his calm smile.
His gentle voice.
The way he'd leaned closer when he'd teased her.
Her ears grew hotter just remembering it.
She rolled over, groaning internally. "Why am I thinking about him?"
Her instinct said to dismiss it.
Her heart didn't.
After ten minutes of tossing, Rose sat up abruptly.
"…I'm checking the shop."
She dressed quickly, slipping into her Guild uniform, tail flicking irritably as she adjusted her belt.
By the time she reached the Emporium, the night wind had cooled her face but not her thoughts.
She knocked softly.
Aeron opened the door almost immediately.
"Rose," he said quietly. "To what do I owe this unexpected visit?"
Rose inhaled, trying to speak with composure.
"I… needed to confirm something."
Aeron inclined his head. "Come in."
The Emporium was empty, quiet, lit by soft blue enchantment lamps that made the marble glow. Rose stepped inside, feeling the difference immediately—there was something peaceful here at night.
She turned to face him.
"I needed to see if…"
Her voice wavered internally, but she forced herself to continue.
"If your store is following all regulations."
Aeron's expression softened. "Is that truly why you came?"
Rose's tail betrayed her—puffing once before she grabbed it angrily.
"Y-Yes. Obviously."
Aeron stepped closer.
Rose froze.
"You're welcome here anytime," he said gently. "Even without a reason."
Her heart skipped so violently that she swore he could hear it.
"…Goodnight," she whispered, then fled the shop with ears red as a tomato.
Aeron watched her go, smiling quietly.
---
Demeter's Gift — And The Warmest Conversation Yet
Later that evening, another knock sounded.
This one was soft. Rhythmic.
Warm.
Demeter.
She entered with a gentle radiance, holding a small basket of fruit—perfect, luscious, shimmering faintly with divine blessing.
"A small gift," she said warmly. "For someone bringing so much growth to the city."
Aeron accepted the basket.
"Thank you."
Demeter stepped closer, her eyes studying him carefully. "You carry calm within you… but also loneliness."
Aeron blinked. This goddess was perceptive in ways most weren't.
Demeter smiled softly. "Your energy is unlike any mortal. Or any god. You are something in between."
He didn't confirm or deny.
Demeter laughed quietly. "You do that a lot—reveal nothing while saying everything."
She sat gracefully on a marble bench, patting the space beside her.
Aeron joined her.
Demeter's warm aura washed over him like sunlight through leaves.
"You affect people deeply," she said. "Aiz, Riveria, Rose, even your employees."
She paused, eyeing him knowingly.
"And I admit… I'm not immune either."
Aeron looked at her calmly. "And what does that mean?"
Demeter leaned closer, her smile soft but sincere.
"It means you've caught my interest. And my heart does not wander lightly."
A gentle tension wove through the air.
Aeron responded in the same calm tone:
"Then I welcome your interest."
Demeter's breath caught.
And for the first time, a goddess of life felt her heartbeat quicken.
---
Dungeon Outbreak — Full Cinematic Scene
Midnight struck.
A roar shattered the calm.
Aeron's head snapped up.
Dungeon outbreak.
A large one.
He opened Creative Mode and vanished into the night sky—flying invisibly above the rooftops. Adventurers were already rushing toward Main Street as cracks tore open in the ground.
Monsters flooded out:
War Shadows
Needle Rabbits
Minotaurs—multiple
And dozens of goblins and kobolds
Chaos erupted.
Aeron observed from above.
He never panicked.
He saw Aiz rushing in.
Riveria casting from a distance.
Mikoto sprinting.
Takemikazuchi Familia trying to contain the wave.
Ganesha's group forming a barrier.
Aeron whispered:
"Time to help."
He created invisible walls of obsidian around fleeing civilians, guiding them to safety.
He lifted adventurers with unseen force when they were knocked away.
He dropped invisible barriers to redirect charging monsters.
No one saw him.
But everyone felt something shifting.
A Minotaur charged a crying child.
Aeron snapped his fingers.
A diamond blade materialized for a fraction of a second—too fast to be seen—and the Minotaur exploded into crystals.
The child blinked.
Then ran.
Riveria noticed something strange.
Her eyes narrowed.
"Aiz—something's wrong. The monsters are… dying without being attacked."
Aiz nodded. "I feel it too."
Aeron moved invisibly past them.
He touched a War Shadow—just a tap—and it shattered.
Riveria froze as the shards evaporated.
"…No magic I know of can do this."
Aeron drifted upward as the last monster fell.
He whispered gently:
"Good enough."
And the city began to calm.
---
Freya Makes Her Move
Far above, on Babel Tower's balcony, Freya watched everything unfold.
And she smiled.
Soft.
Hungry.
Knowing.
"Aeron," she whispered. "You're far more fascinating than I imagined."
Ottar waited behind her.
"What are your orders, my Lady?"
Freya stepped forward, wind stirring her silver hair.
"I want him invited to my manor."
Ottar inhaled sharply.
"He must see me," Freya murmured. "And I must see him. Up close."
She smiled—a goddess ready to hunt.