The laboratory was dim, almost devoid of light. At its center stood a massive glass cylinder. Inside, fist-sized crystals drifted slowly in the air, glowing brightly. The light they emitted was strong enough to make the shadows on the walls seem alive.
A young man with glasses stood beside the cylinder. The white toga he wore contrasted sharply with the darkness of the room. He remained silent, watching the floating crystals with careful attention.
The door behind him slid open with a soft sound.
Without turning around, he asked, "Have they left?"
"Just now," the voice replied, stepping closer.
The newcomer stopped at his side. They stood shoulder to shoulder, both gazing at the contents of the glass chamber.
"Any progress, Denis?"
"Almost." Denis finally turned his head. "What about you, Jasmine? Have you told him yet?"
Jasmine fell silent for a moment. "Not yet. For now… I don't want to."
"Why?"
"Just leave it. Let him find out on his own."
"… Don't you feel sorry for him?"
Jasmine gave a faint smile and looked at Denis. "Of course I do. He's precious to me as well."
"… I see," Denis murmured softly.
Jasmine turned her gaze back to the glowing crystals. "I received a call from Kozack earlier."
Denis frowned slightly. "What did he say?"
"About this project, of course."
"And… what was your answer?"
Jasmine let out a long breath. "For now, I'm not interested in their offer."
Denis looked at the glass cylinder. "Is it because of Avra?"
"… That's one of the reasons." Her tone grew colder. "But there's something else. I don't fully trust them yet."
Denis watched her, waiting for more.
Jasmine's eyes hardened—so different from the usual gentleness she showed.
"Especially… that person."
—
※ ※ ※ — ※ ※ ※
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[POV: Azca]
Three days have passed since our first mission began.
The journey toward the southern region felt long, even though our actual travel time was fairly quick. We could have taken public transportation, but we weren't traveling for leisure—we were investigating.
That was why we chose a longer, safer route. Sometimes we used a drone to scout from the air when necessary. The rest of the time, we moved on foot—through rural areas, city outskirts, and open forests.
Like now.
In a forest not far from the southern territory, we were looking for a place to rest before darkness fully descended.
Suddenly, Naira stopped.
"Look! There's smoke over there!"
Dania narrowed her eyes. "You're right… Maybe someone's resting?"
"… Let's check it out," I suggested.
"Wait," Naira grabbed my arm. "It could be enemies."
"If they were enemies or spies, they wouldn't light a campfire with smoke that obvious. It's too conspicuous." I looked toward the rising smoke. "Besides, I know this area fairly well. They could be refugees."
Naira and Dania exchanged glances before nodding.
We followed a footpath that seemed well-worn. The ground was packed hard, almost free of shrubs. A few minutes later, makeshift tents came into view.
There were dozens of them. Some were cooking, some gathering firewood, others building new shelters. But one thing was the same among them all—tired faces and eyes that had lost their light.
We approached quietly.
Someone noticed us. A young man tying bundles of firewood froze when he saw me.
"A-Azca?!" His voice trembled.
I gave a small smile. "Hey, Marco. Long time no see."
He stood slowly, still looking as if he couldn't believe it. "You… how have you been? And where are the others?"
My smile faded.
Elijah. Petra. Thomas.
"… They're…" My voice caught.
Marco fell silent, then lowered his head in understanding. "I see…" he murmured. "I'm just glad you're still alive."
Alive, huh?
For some reason, the word felt heavy. I failed to save them. I realized everything too late.
"And," Marco glanced at the two girls behind me, "who are they?"
"This is Naira and Dania. My teammates now. I joined Avelion."
"Avelion…" he repeated softly.
"By the way, why are you all here?" I asked.
Marco sighed. "We're refugees. A group started kidnapping children and young women. Then armed forces arrived. They clashed without caring about civilians. Yesterday… the center of Ascorfield was destroyed by a massive explosion."
"An explosion?" Naira's gaze sharpened. "An energy bomb?"
"We don't know. From here, it looked like a storm of fire falling from the sky."
Naira went quiet. "Could it be… him?"
"Who?" I asked.
"Someone from Wolvord. A Core user."
"If that's the case, Asteria might have arrived too," Dania added.
"I don't think so," Marco replied. "The forces that came weren't from Asteria."
I rested my chin on my hand. "So… more than one group is moving."
"Since the leader of the Black Robes died," Naira said quietly, "new groups have been emerging. They're no longer afraid of the kingdom."
Marco nodded. "That's why we left. Until things are truly safe."
I looked at the tents. "It must be hard for you."
He gave a faint smile. "By the way, what brings you here?"
"We're investigating a suspicious organization," Dania answered.
"They want to open the Gate of Ereshkigal," I added.
Marco's eyes widened. "E-Ereshkigal?! Why?! Wasn't that the great catastrophe from hundreds of years ago?!"
"We don't know their reason yet. For now, we're gathering information."
"… And you're heading to Ascorfield now?"
"If possible, yes. But it's already dark. And Wolvord's forces have arrived. So for now, we'll rest while observing from a distance."
"I see. Oh—if you'd like, you can stay with us. Sorry it's nothing fancy."
"Thank you. That's more than enough," I replied.
"Then follow me."
Marco led us into the refugee camp, and we were welcomed warmly. Most of them recognized me, so they treated us like old friends. From time to time, we helped—building tents, gathering firewood, or searching for food supplies.
The most remarkable sight was Dania using her elemental abilities to collect water, create fire, and even shape the earth into steps along steep paths. She was full of energy. Her cheerful aura seemed to cast away the refugees' sorrow.
I was grateful to have her on my team.
Night grew deeper.
We were lying inside a tent after sharing dinner. Dania had fallen asleep first—she looked exhausted after helping so much. Only Naira and I were still awake. Moonlight slipped through the entrance flap, slicing through the darkness.
"Can't sleep either, Naira?"
"Obviously. I told you, I can't sleep without my doll."
She glanced at the round object beside me. "I didn't know this weird AI could sleep."
"Percy's gathering energy. You could call it sleeping, I guess. Even if he's an owl-type drone."
We laughed softly, briefly disturbing Dania. Then silence returned.
"By the way, Naira. Are your parents still alive?"
"They passed away when I was little. My father died in war, and my mother from cancer. After that, I was raised by the Argadinata family."
I turned to her. "Argadinata? You mean Professor Denis's family?"
"Yes. Why do you ask?"
I stared at the tent ceiling.
"I don't know what it feels like to have parents. I grew up in an orphanage. They said I was found beneath rubble when I was still a baby. No one else survived."
"That's why you're curious what it feels like?"
I nodded.
Silence settled between us. Naira moved closer and suddenly hugged me, one hand gently stroking my head.
"W-What are you doing, Naira?!"
"You said you wanted to know what parental affection feels like, right?"
"Well, yeah—but what is this?"
"My mom used to hold me like this when I was sad."
"…!"
"I could feel her love, even through something this simple. It felt warm, so comforting. I never wanted to leave her embrace. Ever."
"… You just want to turn me into your sleeping doll, don't you?"
Naira chuckled softly. "So you noticed."
"…"
She sighed. "Honestly, I miss those moments too."
For some reason… I could hear the sorrow in her voice. Slowly, I returned her embrace.
"See? You like it too."
"I'm just a little cold," I muttered, burying my face against her anyway.
"Sure, sure. Good girl."
"Stop patting my head. Don't treat me like a kid."
She ignored me and held me tighter. Strangely, I felt at ease.
"… I often dream about something similar," I said. "I see two people smiling at me. Then they're eroded by light. I don't want them to go. Even when I scream and beg, they never hear me."
"… That time you screamed in your sleep… was it because of them?"
"Ya. Whenever I start feeling comfortable around someone or something, I dream of them. When Sister Jasmine saved me, I felt that warmth too. Honestly, that dream terrifies me. That's why I keep my distance from people. I don't want to place my heart in their hands."
"Don't you get along well with others?"
"I do. But I keep myself within certain limits."
Naira paused. "Can I say something?"
"What?"
"… Aren't you actually… missing them?"
My eyes widened. "Missing them?"
"Ya. You want to see them, but you can't. You're afraid of losing the people who mean the most to you. So you run away from it all—even if it means sacrificing your own feelings."
"…"
"Loss hurts. That's life. Maybe God allows us to feel the pain of loss so we'll cherish what we still have. So we'll understand how precious the people around us are. Don't ever turn away from what you feel, even if it hurts. Face it. Don't give up."
"… You're different today, Naira."
"Different how? I feel the same as always."
"Usually you're more like my caretaker at the orphanage."
"Oh? Is that how you see me?"
I laughed when she complained and pinched my cheek. Then she laughed too.
"… Naira."
"Ya?"
"Don't go too far away from me. I'm afraid I'll have another nightmare."
"… I'll always stay by your side," she said softly. "Always."
※ ※ ※ (Chapter – 07) ※ ※ ※