In the hall, the clash of wooden swords echoed, like an internal struggle brought to life. Neven moved with the agility of a cheetah, effortlessly weaving through Aria's stiff defenses. His relentless attacks pushed Aria back until she was cornered against the cold stone wall. She gripped her wooden sword, her arms trembling, sweat dripping like rain.

"Tired?" Neven asked, a hint of concern in his voice.

"I can keep going..." Aria's sword wavered slightly as she lowered her arm, her breathing rapid.

Neven lowered his gaze, his eyes reflecting the glow of the firepit. "If you need help, I'll do everything I can. But I hope we can be honest with each other. I want to understand you, and the secrets you keep hidden."

He looked down at Aria, the pressure making her heart race. "I mean no harm," Aria murmured, her voice barely audible.

Their eyes met, and Neven's gaze softened. Aria could even see her reflection in his shimmering pupils.

"Don't be afraid. Trust me, I'm your most trustworthy friend," Neven said, his tone gentle yet firm.

Aria bit her lip, hesitating whether to tell him. Just then, footsteps echoed from the stairs. Oak yawned as he descended, rubbing his eyes lazily, bidding goodnight as he passed through the hall and disappeared through the doorway.

As Oak left, Neven sheathed Aria's wooden sword. "It's getting late. Let's call it a day."

Aria sighed in relief, bidding a hasty farewell before slipping back into her room as if she had committed some wrongdoing. As she closed the door, leaning against it, a strong sense of guilt washed over her. Neven's concealment filled her heart with darkness, trapping her like quicksand, impossible to escape.

The next morning, Starguard Legion faced its darkest hour. The towering Blackstone Moon Tower stood in the center of the Moon Tower courtyard, its pinnacle shining brightly. Lyra led the entire legion, awaiting the arrival of the new Grand Mentor, Alpha. Alpha had deliberately arranged for Tailsting Legion to train in the courtyard, evidently wanting his soldiers to witness the spectacle. In Tailsting Legion, Damian Blackwood stood proudly on the opposite side, arrogantly raising his head as if to look down on Starguard Legion through his nostrils.

"Why doesn't Damian Blackwood know Neven? He's only been missing for three years," Aria asked Sable beside her, the two standing at the back of the line, while Oak's towering figure stood at the front.

"Damian only joined as a recruit last year, all thanks to Alpha's favoritism. Of course, he hasn't met Neven. He was promoted to Executive Commander in less than a year, but no one in Tailsting Legion respects him. That's why he often selects new recruits for missions, those recruits have never really seen Neven," Sable said disdainfully. "Look at that nose of his, it could fit a whole onion." He sneered, eliciting a light chuckle from Aria.

Time passed by in silence, until everyone shivered in the cold wind, Alpha finally appeared in the courtyard. His voice carried a hint of provocation as he asked Lyra, who led the waiting team, "It seems like not everyone's here today. Neven didn't show up?" Alpha scanned the crowd with a smug look, and upon receiving confirmation, he sneered, "Someone as undisciplined as him hasn't been thrown in jail yet?"

The crowd fell silent, a surge of resentment welling up in their hearts.

"The reason you're all here today, I'm sure you know," Alpha's voice was sharp and cutting, echoing in every corner of the Moon Tower courtyard like a blade slicing through the icy surface of a lake. "Here at the Moon Tower, the Starguard Legion is the worst-performing legion. Starting today, the Starguard Legion is responsible for all patrols outside the Moon Tower. No one is allowed to skip, no matter the reason. Everyone must patrol in teams, including newcomers."

Across the courtyard, the Tailsting Legion erupted in mocking cheers.

"Grand Mentor, we're short-staffed, and we have tasks during the day," Lyra's face turned purple with anger as she attempted to protest.

"Then you should all work even harder," Alpha sneered, his tone as cold as ice, "Listen up, Starguard Legion, from now on, if anyone innocently disobeys orders, I will enforce the strictest penalties under the Moon Tower Treaty." His voice was cold and severe, "I demand that each and every one of you give it your all, no excuses."

Lyra felt a wave of despair, but she knew she couldn't show weakness in front of her team members. She forced herself to stand tall and gave Alpha a nod, indicating they would do their utmost.

With a disdainful glance, Alpha turned and walked away, leaving behind a group of disheartened and angry soldiers.

"What do we do now?" someone whispered.

"We can only do our best," Lyra said in a low voice, "We can't let the Grand Mentor succeed."

After receiving Alpha's orders, Lyra had to reluctantly start assigning tasks, causing chaos within the Starguard Legion. Everyone hurriedly received their assignments and rushed off to execute them. Aria felt helpless as she was also assigned to the patrol roster. Holding the list, which was filled with Lunar Essence characters, she was pondering who was on duty when she accidentally stepped on someone's foot.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to," Aria apologized as she lifted her head, only to find the person deliberately blocking her path was Neven. "Neven, I thought you weren't coming?" she asked in surprise.

"Alpha didn't notice me," Neven replied.

"Are you joining the patrol too?"

"Yes," Neven pointed to a name on the list. "I asked Lyra to assign us to the same team. I'm worried you won't be able to handle it."

"Will you be leading the night patrol?"

"No."

At that moment, murmurs arose from the surrounding crowd. Neven's appearance caused quite a stir, as if a cold current had swept through. The legion members avoided him as if he were a plague, whispering about his sudden return and the trouble it might bring.

"Look, there's Neven, daring to come back!"

"Yeah, he disappeared three years ago, who knows what trouble he'll bring this time."

"I heard he was expelled from the legion because of a failed mission."

"Regardless, I want nothing to do with him."

The soldiers' eyes were filled with vigilance and contempt, some even deliberately shoulder-checked Neven, displaying open hostility. Despite this, Neven remained calm, but Aria could sense the restraint and composure within him. He didn't respond to the provocations, silently standing his ground as if the surrounding mockery had no effect on him.

"Everyone, to training!" Lyra roared, her voice echoing like thunder across the Moon Tower courtyard, scattering everyone. Her eyes were filled with respect and concern for Neven.

"Are you okay?" Lyra approached Neven, asking in a low voice.

"I'm fine," Neven smiled faintly, but there was a hint of exhaustion in his expression, "These things don't matter. We have more important things to do."

Lyra nodded and turned to Aria, her gaze softening, "Aria, you've been assigned to the last patrol team. It means you have more time to improve yourself, and I believe you'll do great."

Aria forced a stiff smile. She knew nothing about night patrols.

The atmosphere at the training ground gradually returned to normal, but Aria's heart still echoed with the tension and unease of that moment. Neven's appearance brought not only turmoil but also an invisible pressure and challenge. She knew the road ahead would be even more difficult, but she also understood that everything she endured was necessary in her quest to find her memories.

As the evening descended, Aria embarked on her first patrol.

She followed Sable and Oak to the rendezvous point, where Oak, wearing a concerned expression, remarked, "She's just a mortal girl, can't even handle a sword properly, lacks Essence Power, and her swordsmanship is subpar. She's so thin, a strong gust of wind could blow her away..." Oak pointed out her shortcomings.

Aria became their greatest concern. Despite Neven's efforts to teach her swordsmanship, without Essence Power, she couldn't navigate the challenges like the Lunar Essence.

"Where are we patrolling tonight?" Aria nervously inspected her rapier.

"We're operating near the Moon Tower. The Night Ghouls won't come close to it," Oak reassured her while checking the horse's gear. "This part seems loose, let me fix it... There, all set..." He suddenly paused, his hands still, and blinked, looking ahead. Aria stood on the opposite side of the horse, surprised to see tears swirling in Oak's eyes. Then, she followed his gaze.

In the distance, a tall figure gradually became clear, bathed in the golden light of the setting sun behind him. Neven approached slowly, leading a chestnut warhorse. He was clad in the Lunar Essence tribe's distinctive silver-white armor, which shimmered faintly in the sunset, exuding a formidable aura.

The night patrol cavalry halted in their tracks, whispering as Neven emerged. Oak's eyes gleamed upon seeing Neven, and he almost ecstatically strode forward, unabashedly pulling Neven into an embrace. "Neven! Finally, seeing you again, my brother!" Oak exclaimed with excitement, his towering figure enveloping Neven tightly. In that moment, the air was filled with the trials and emotions shared between comrades.

Neven patted Oak's back, struggling to breathe, "Oak, ease up... you're squeezing the life out of me."

Realizing he was holding too tight, Oak quickly released him, his face flushed. "Sorry, I was just so overjoyed," he said, wiping away tears from the corners of his eyes, his voice choked with emotion.

"Why not ride your horse?" Sable pointed to Neven's warhorse.

"It's too conspicuous," Neven replied with a wry smile.

"Welcome back to the team, Neven," Sable approached, extending his hand for a handshake."By the way, it seems like your chest emblem is broken."

Neven reached up to adjust his armor. Oak's hug had been too strong, deforming the metal chest emblem. With a soft sigh, he removed the distorted emblem and casually tossed it into the snow.

Aria stood nervously to the side, observing everything. She was both surprised and relieved by Neven's arrival; she had thought he wouldn't show up after the legion soldiers accused him that day. "Hello, I thought you weren't coming... I mean... I'm glad you're here," Aria said, noticing Neven's gaze on her and nervously chuckling.

"I didn't want Alpha to have his way," he replied, half-jokingly.

Feeling the relaxed atmosphere from Neven, Aria gradually let go of her nerves. "Yeah, prison isn't a nice place," she agreed.

Watching the scene unfold, Sable couldn't help but laugh. "Looks like we're not just hunting Night Ghouls, but we're also protecting this young lady."

Aria sighed, feeling like she was causing trouble for everyone again.

"I'll be by your side, don't worry," Neven said, lifting the corners of his mouth.

Aria tightened her grip on the lightweight sword in her hand, the panic in her heart still lingering. His words didn't sound like reassurance at all. Neven couldn't control the soul stone, and now he couldn't even protect himself.

As night fell, their figures gradually blended into the dusk, embarking on this challenging night patrol journey.

Aria's anxiety was like a dark cloud looming overhead. Although she was most worried about the Nighe Ghoul attack, which hadn't materialized, Neven's issue was far more serious. His actions were extremely passive; he couldn't keep up with the team at the forefront. Even during the search, he deliberately slowed down, lingering at the back of the group. Despite Neven once being their leader, the members of the Starguard Legion looked at him with suspicion and disdain. Whenever he glanced forward, those who were whispering immediately averted their unfriendly gaze.

The team ventured into a dense forest. When Aria looked back again, she found Neven had vanished without a trace.

In the dim forest, there was only a chestnut-red horse standing alone. Aria's heart surged with unease as she guided her mount through the thicket-covered path, rushing towards Neven's horse. The surroundings were silent, with only the eerie sound of the wind brushing against the treetops. In the distance, sunlight pierced through the foliage, where Neven was squatting, seemingly searching for something that had caught his attention.