The café was unusually quiet.
Soft instrumental music drifted through the air while the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled every corner of the building.
Outside, people hurried through the streets of Planet NTOEL, but inside, time seemed to slow.
Nora sat opposite Awakened Rose.
A steaming cup of coffee rested before each of them.
For a few moments, neither spoke.
Nora gently wrapped both hands around her cup before lowering her head slightly.
"I'm sorry."
Rose looked up.
"For what?"
"I didn't arrive on the agreed day."
Rose smiled warmly.
"I expected that."
Nora blinked.
"You did?"
Rose nodded before taking a small sip of coffee.
"You Initiates are always busy."
"Training."
"Learning."
"Trying not to die."
She chuckled softly.
"I don't blame you."
Nora smiled faintly.
She appreciated that Rose never treated her like a child.
Rose placed her cup back on the table.
"Actually..."
"I called you here for something important."
Nora already knew.
Long before entering the café...
She had already seen fragments of this conversation through her visions.
Even so, she remained silent.
Rose continued.
"My team and I are preparing for an expedition into the Spiritual Realm."
Nora nodded.
"Where?"
"Misty Mountain."
Those two words immediately caught Nora's attention.
"Misty Mountain?"
Rose nodded.
"According to recent government investigations..."
"A powerful creature has settled there."
Nora leaned forward slightly.
"What creature?"
Rose's expression became serious.
"A River Spawn."
Silence followed.
Nora had heard that name before.
Only in old academy records.
Very little information existed about it.
Rose continued.
"Our researchers believe it resembles an enormous eel."
"Its skin is covered by obsidian scales."
"It spends most of its life hidden beneath rivers."
"But..."
She paused.
"At night..."
"It changes."
Nora listened carefully.
"It crawls onto land."
"Its body mutates."
"Four powerful limbs emerge."
"Its speed increases dramatically."
"Its strength multiplies."
"It becomes something completely different."
Rose's voice became quieter.
"That is why almost every encounter with it ends in disaster."
Nora slowly nodded.
She finally understood why experienced Awakened were involved.
Then Rose smiled.
"Fortunately..."
"We're prepared."
Nora looked curious.
Rose leaned back proudly.
"Our captain possesses an Elite-ranked weapon."
Nora's eyes widened.
"An Elite Data?"
Rose laughed after seeing Nora's reaction.
"Don't misunderstand."
"Owning an Elite weapon doesn't suddenly make someone capable of killing Elite creatures."
"If that were true..."
"The world would be a much safer place."
She gently shook her head.
"The sword was purchased using years of accumulated academy credits."
"Our captain has practically dedicated his life to collecting relics."
"He owns an entire arsenal of Elite-ranked Data."
Nora slowly relaxed.
That sounded much more believable.
Even then...
Elite-ranked equipment remained unimaginably valuable.
Rose took another sip of coffee.
"The River Spawn itself isn't our primary objective."
Nora frowned.
"It isn't?"
Rose smiled mysteriously.
"No."
"Its egg is."
"The egg?"
Rose nodded.
"Our scholars believe the egg contains an incredible evolutionary catalyst."
"If consumed correctly..."
"It can elevate the class of certain beings."
She began counting on her fingers.
"An Initiate Beast may become an Initiate Calamity."
"An Awakened Beast may become an Awakened Calamity."
"And if fortune truly favors us..."
"We might even obtain one of its Data."
Nora remained silent.
Rose continued excitedly.
"Water manipulation."
"Body reinforcement."
"Defensive abilities."
"Maybe even regeneration."
"Nobody knows."
"That's why everyone wants it."
Nora finally asked,
"So..."
"Why invite me?"
Rose smiled.
"I was waiting for that question."
She placed both elbows on the table.
"First..."
"I trust you."
"Second..."
"The journey itself will benefit you."
She reached into her storage pouch before unfolding a detailed map.
Several shelters were marked.
"Our destination is Misty Mountain."
She pointed toward another location.
"Gold Steel Shelter."
"It serves as the nearest human settlement."
Then she pointed elsewhere.
"Your anchor currently resides within Seraphim Citadel."
Nora quietly nodded.
Rose traced another path across the map.
"Since your Citadel is much closer to Black Bone Shelter..."
"You'll meet us there."
"It's only about five kilometers away."
"From there..."
"We'll travel together."
Nora carefully observed the route.
Rose continued.
"The journey won't be short."
"It may take several months."
"We'll pass through caves."
"Ancient forests."
"Ruined cities."
"And plenty of monster territory."
She smiled.
"You'll gain plenty of shards."
"Perhaps even complete your current class before we arrive."
Nora thought quietly.
Months...
It would be dangerous.
Very dangerous.
But...
The opportunity was equally valuable.
Rose noticed her hesitation.
"You won't be alone."
"My team will protect you."
"If danger becomes overwhelming..."
"We retreat."
"Simple."
Nora slowly nodded.
Then another thought crossed her mind.
"The caves..."
"What creatures live there?"
Rose sighed.
"Mostly Initiate creatures."
"Different ranks."
"Different species."
"Nothing impossible."
"But enough to keep us busy."
She folded the map.
"So..."
"What do you think?"
Nora lowered her gaze.
She remembered the Thread of Seven Arms.
She remembered Runic Sorcery.
She remembered her flaw.
Every step toward becoming stronger mattered.
Besides...
Remaining inside the academy forever wouldn't solve anything.
She finally looked up.
"I'm coming."
Rose smiled immediately.
"I knew you'd say that."
Nora raised an eyebrow.
"You already knew?"
Rose laughed.
"I've been your teacher long enough."
"You never refuse an opportunity to become stronger."
The two quietly finished their coffee.
After paying the bill, they stepped outside together.
The afternoon sun illuminated Planet NTOEL.
People moved through the busy streets.
Vehicles flew overhead.
Everything looked peaceful.
Neither of them realized...
That this expedition to Misty Mountain would become one of the most dangerous journeys either of them had ever undertaken.
And by the time they returned...
Neither Nora...
Nor Awakened Rose...
Would be the same people who had walked out of that café.