The Goddess dismissed them with a quiet gesture.
The great doors of the throne hall opened.
Arin and Caelum stepped out into the corridor.
For a while, neither spoke.
The atmosphere felt lighter than before — but not entirely.
As they walked back toward Arin's chamber, Caelum suddenly spoke.
"What a strange human."
There was the faintest curve at the corner of his lips.
Arin blinked.
"What?"
Caelum glanced at him briefly.
"Nothing."
And he walked ahead quietly.
Arin frowned slightly.
"…What was that supposed to mean?"
But Caelum gave no further explanation.
---
When Arin returned to his room, he finally exhaled fully.
He fell back onto his bed.
Stared at the ceiling.
"So much information…"
After resting a little, he sat up and raised his hand.
A soft glow formed.
Cutie appeared.
Smaller than yesterday.
But stable.
"Hey," Arin said gently.
"So… why couldn't you protect me from the Goddess?"
Cutie flickered.
"It… was sudden…"
"And… very powerful…"
The words were still broken — but clearer than before.
Arin nodded slowly.
"Hmmm."
"Then why were you scared of her?"
Cutie answered instantly.
"Because she is scary."
Arin's face automatically showed agreement.
"…Yeah, I kind of—"
He quickly coughed.
"I mean."
"Other than that."
Cutie glowed faintly, as if trying to think.
"I… don't… remember…"
The light dimmed slightly.
Sleepiness overtook it.
Arin sighed softly.
"Forget it."
"You did well."
The glow warmed gently.
"Thank… you…"
And then it vanished.
As if it had fallen asleep.
Arin smiled faintly.
"Even ancient void fragments need sleep, huh…"
He lay back down.
And soon, exhaustion pulled him under too.
---
Morning arrived gently.
Soft light spilled into the room.
Arin stretched lazily.
Washed up.
Then raised his hand.
"Good morning, Cutie."
The faint glow appeared.
"Good… morning…"
Still sleepy.
Arin chuckled.
After that, he decided to take a walk.
The palace gardens were peaceful in the morning.
White stone paths.
Golden light filtering through tall trees.
Soft wind.
He sat on a bench and summoned Cutie again.
"Look," Arin said softly.
"It's beautiful, right?"
Cutie floated beside him.
"Hmm… ye…s…"
But the voice sounded faint.
Arin tilted his head.
"What happened?"
"I'm… hung…ry…"
Arin blinked.
"…Uh?"
"So what do you eat again?"
"Anything…"
A pause.
"But my favorite… is mana…"
Arin stared at it.
"…Right."
Mana.
Of course.
He had no idea how that worked.
"Wait here."
"Okay…"
---
Arin quickly searched the garden.
He soon spotted Caelum walking calmly among the trees.
Hands behind his back.
Observing the leaves.
Arin jogged over.
"Uh… hey, I have a doubt."
Without looking at him, Caelum replied,
"What is it?"
"Is it okay… if Cutie eats mana?"
Now Caelum turned.
Slowly.
He looked at Arin.
"Do you understand what mana is?"
"…Energy?"
Caelum inhaled lightly.
"Mana is the fundamental spiritual current that permeates existence."
"It exists in the atmosphere."
"In living beings."
"In divine constructs."
"It is the foundation of spellcraft and reality manipulation."
Arin stared blankly.
Caelum continued.
"Consuming moderate atmospheric mana should be harmless."
"As long as it does not destabilize the balance."
Arin nodded quickly.
"Uh—yes, yes."
"I got it."
Caelum raised one eyebrow.
"Really?"
"Yes."
Arin scratched his head.
"Totally."
And immediately walked away.
Caelum watched him go.
Then sighed quietly.
"…He understood nothing."
And returned to his walk.
---
Back at the bench, Arin summoned Cutie again.
"Okay."
"You can eat mana."
"But only enough to fill your tummy."
"If you have one."
"Not more than that."
Cutie brightened instantly.
"Okay!"
Happily.
Arin watched.
The air around them shimmered faintly.
Tiny particles of light — barely visible before — began drifting toward Cutie.
Like fireflies.
Like threads of glowing mist.
Cutie absorbed them gently at first.
Then more steadily.
Arin's eyes widened.
"…Whoa."
He could actually see it now.
The mana in the air.
Flowing.
Entering Cutie.
The glow became brighter.
Its size increased.
Not massive.
But noticeably larger than before.
The light stabilized.
Then stopped absorbing.
Cutie floated happily.
"Thank you…"
"It was delicious."
Arin laughed softly.
"I'm glad you liked it."
Cutie continued cheerfully,
"Heaven mana… very pure…"
"Palace mana… more refined…"
"Very tasty…"
Arin waved his hand casually.
"Yeah, yeah."
"Good for you."
"As long as you're happy."
Cutie glowed warmly.
Arin stood up.
"Alright."
"Now rest well."
The glow flickered once.
Then vanished peacefully.
Arin stretched.
He didn't notice—
That the flowers around the bench had slightly dimmed.
Just slightly.
Almost unnoticeable.
But somewhere nearby—
Caelum paused mid-step.
His gaze shifted subtly toward the garden air.
"…Hmm."
Then he continued walking.