It happened so suddenly that Zeo's heart skipped a beat.
This—this was exactly what he had been trying to avoid. Getting involved with the Creators, stepping into their world, becoming part of something far larger than himself. And yet, here he was, standing before the very center of that storm. Becoming Shin's student was not just an opportunity—it was a chain. One that tied him directly to everything he had tried to stay away from.
Gray's eyes widened in visible shock as he spoke, unable to hide his disbelief. "Your student? I thought you were never interested in taking one. Why now?"
Even Razya felt it—the shift, the weight of what had just happened. Worry settled deep inside her, not for the present, but for Zeo's future. She knew what he wanted… to return, to leave all of this behind. But this decision… might take that choice away from him.
Zeo himself said nothing at first. Silence wrapped around him as his thoughts collided, clashed, and scattered. But eventually, he lifted his gaze toward Shin, steady yet uncertain.
"Why?"
The question was simple, but it carried everything he couldn't put into words.
Shin was about to answer immediately—but he stopped.
For a brief moment, something unreadable passed through his eyes. Hesitation. Not weakness—but restraint. As if the truth he could give… was not one he should.
Then, after that silence, he spoke.
"Because… we both need each other."
The answer lingered.
Zeo lowered his gaze slightly, thinking. Survival—that had always been his priority. To endure until the story reached its end… so he could return. That was the only goal he had allowed himself to hold onto.
But now—
He had seen it.
Power like Gray's. Control. Authority.
And if someone like that came again… but with real intent to kill—
Would he survive?
His thoughts sharpened.
This power… isn't bad.
And training… means survival.
Slowly, he nodded.
Acceptance.
Razya's eyes widened as soon as she realized his decision. Her hands trembled slightly, a quiet fear rising within her—not just for what was to come, but for the lie she carried… one that might soon be exposed.
Gray exhaled, a soft sigh escaping him, though whether it carried relief or concern was unclear.
Shin gave a simple instruction—Zeo was to come to the headquarters after one day of rest.
And just like that—
It was decided.
Yet Gray did not leave with Shin.
Instead, he walked toward Zeo, a faint smile resting on his face—one that was difficult to read. It wasn't mockery. Nor hostility. Something in between.
Zeo tensed slightly, instinctively preparing himself.
But Gray simply extended his hand.
"Sorry for earlier," he said calmly. "I was sent to check on what kind of new Creator would refuse to come to headquarters. Looks like… I got my answer."
There was no hostility left in his voice now.
Zeo hesitated for a moment—then reached out and shook his hand.
The tension dissolved.
"Anyway," Gray continued, his tone softer, "thanks for accepting the Captain's offer."
Zeo frowned slightly, confusion flickering across his face.
But Gray didn't explain.
He simply turned and walked away, leaving those words hanging in the air like something unfinished.
Something important.
Time passed quietly after that.
Zeo eventually sat down, his thoughts drifting, trying to make sense of everything that had just happened. The world felt heavier now—not because it had changed, but because he had.
Razya approached him after a while, her expression thoughtful.
"What are you going to do now?" she asked gently. "That day is getting closer."
Zeo paused, thinking.
Then he replied, almost casually, "There are still two months before Ash reaches the capital. He'll face some trouble… but I know he won't die."
His gaze shifted toward the distance, where Ash rested peacefully beneath a tree, unaware of everything unfolding around him.
"So… I'll leave him for now," Zeo continued. "I'll come back when that day arrives."
Razya didn't question him.
Maybe because she trusted him.
Or maybe because she knew… some paths couldn't be changed.
Far away, within the quiet stillness of another place—
Shin stood outside a room, lost in thought.
So deeply immersed that even the world around him seemed to fade.
Until—
A presence approached.
Before he could notice, a hand gently rested on his shoulder.
"Lusy…? You came early?" Shin asked, slightly surprised.
She smiled, a hint of pride in her voice. "I'm jobless, remember? Of course I'd come as soon as you called."
Shin sighed lightly. "You always bring that up."
"Because you're the reason for it."
Before their exchange could continue, another presence entered.
"Ben. You're on time for once?" Lusy said, clearly amused.
Ben ignored her completely.
"No other Creators?" he asked calmly, glancing at Shin. "Then this must be serious."
Lusy smirked. "Look at you, acting all mature. Weren't you the one crying on the ground back then?"
Ben's jaw tightened.
"What do you want, Miss Lusy?"
Their clash carried a familiar hostility—one sharpened by years of shared history.
Shin watched them for a moment… then clapped his hands once.
"We need to talk."
That was enough.
The tension dissolved—temporarily.
They entered the room, and Shin explained everything.
Zeo.
His powers.
The anomaly.
When he finished, silence followed.
Ben leaned back slightly, deep in thought.
But Lusy—
She was worried.
"What are you planning to do about him?" she asked.
Shin took a slow breath before answering.
When he did—
Both of them froze.
"You're… taking a student?" Lusy's voice carried disbelief.
Ben frowned slightly. "You've never taken one. Not even reincarnations. Why now?"
Shin's expression softened.
"I want someone… who can look after this world after I'm gone."
The moment those words left his mouth—
Lusy stood up.
Anger flared instantly.
"What does that mean?" Her voice trembled—not with weakness, but with something deeper.
Shin raised his hand slightly. "That's not what I meant."
He paused.
"I mean… I can't lead the Fourth Era."
The room grew still.
"Someone has to take my place. And I don't want either of you to carry that burden."
His gaze lowered slightly.
"He's more suitable."
"And after all… he can use my power as well."
Ben understood.
He didn't interrupt.
But Lusy—
Her fingers tightened, and the ground beneath them trembled slightly.
"For the future?" she said quietly. "Are you afraid of something?"
Her voice rose.
"We've always been with you."
Ben spoke calmly, "Calm down, Lusy. He just wants to leave something behind. We all do."
She exhaled slowly, forcing herself to sit again.
"...Fine."
But her glare didn't leave Shin.
"I'll let it go for now. But if I find out you're planning something with your life…"
Her voice turned cold.
"I'll kill you myself."
Shin smiled faintly—and nodded.
"Understood."
Ben shifted slightly. "Does the boy even know what he is?"
Shin shook his head. "Not yet. But I plan to tell him."
Ben's expression darkened slightly.
"Take it slow," he said. "You don't need to rush him."
A pause.
"…Like we did with Zaraf."
Silence.
Heavy.
Unspoken regret lingered in the room.
Lusy broke it with a smirk.
"If you're taking him as a student, you should learn from Ben here. He might be a crybaby—but he's good at teaching."
Ben frowned.
Clearly irritated.
The next day—
Zeo arrived at the headquarters.
He looked around, observing everything carefully.
"I don't think I can bend this world like mine," he muttered.
Razya nodded. "Of course you can't. You're outside its system. This world doesn't respond to you the way yours does."
A faint regret passed through him.
Then—
A presence.
Zeo looked up.
"Captain Shin?"
Shin stood before him.
Silent.
Observing.
Then he spoke.
"There's something you need to understand… before your training begins."
Zeo frowned slightly. "What is it?"
Shin turned, walking slowly.
"About the one who held your power before you."
Zeo's breath caught.
"…The previous holder of all elements?"
And just like that—
The next truth began to unfold.