The sun rose over Novaria, the jewel in Luminia's crown bathed in early morning light. The city buzzed with mounting excitement as the New Light Festival preparations entered their final week. Colorful banners and lanterns adorned every street corner, the decorations transforming even Bazel Hospital's austere facade into something more festive, with delicate paper ornaments hanging in the entrance hall and along the corridors.

Angelo woke with determined energy coursing through him, his injuries protesting but unable to dampen his newfound resolve. The starched hospital sheets rustled as he rose, his movements carrying purpose born from fresh goals and the will to achieve them. The antiseptic smell of the hospital surrounded him as he navigated the maze-like corridors, searching for a specific room number.

"Your wounds have barely begun to heal," Blue's voice carried measured concern through their shared consciousness. "Are you certain you're ready for the rigors of training?"

Angelo's steps remained steady, his conviction evident in his voice. "We don't have the luxury of waiting. If I'm going to reach the level of an Arch Tournament champion, I need to push beyond normal limits." He closed his eyes, memories of Bill's final words lending weight to his resolve. "Whether it takes four times the effort or eight - I'll do whatever it takes."

"Your determination is admirable," Blue conceded, his analytical tone tinged with worry. "But there's a fine line between pushing limits and self-destruction. Reopened wounds could set your training back by weeks."

A cunning smirk played across Angelo's features as his bandages pulled tight with each step. "That's the beauty of our evolved state - Forged Energy can seal any wounds instantly. Besides, you and Red can't bleed out. If I push too far, you can always drag my unconscious body back here."

"Clever exploitation of our unique circumstances," Blue acknowledged with philosophical resignation. "Though perhaps tempting death's attention isn't the wisest training strategy."

Angelo's voice echoed softly in the empty corridor, his frustration evident. "This condition already holds me back enough - might as well take advantage of its few benefits."

Their conversation was interrupted by Red's disgusted mental cry. His smoky form, wandering as usual, had discovered the less appealing side of hospital operations. "Sweet merciful cosmos - you would not believe the horrors lurking in this kitchen! And they call this place sanitary?"

"Consider it karma for your trespassing habits," Angelo thought with dry amusement. "Let that mental image haunt you."

"Joke's on you," Red snickered, his mental voice dripping with mischief. "You do realize those nightmares end up on your dinner tray, right? Besides, you're hardly one to talk about trespassing - what exactly are you doing prowling these halls?"

Angelo's footsteps echoed against the polished floor as he countered, "There's a slight difference between walking through public corridors and your explorations of restricted areas." His eyes caught sight of his destination. "Here we are."

Room 404 loomed before him, the numbers gleaming dully in the morning light. Taking a deep breath that made his healing wounds twinge, Angelo pushed open the door.

"So there I was," Axel's eyes gleamed with mischief as he leaned forward, "the commander screaming what sounded like his mom's secret recipe on my right, a whole pack of enemies doing their best angry hornet impression on my left... and me? All I had were two blades that couldn't even cut through warm butter! But I-"

The scene that greeted him was unexpectedly animated. Axel's voice cut off mid-story, his scarred face lighting up with curiosity. "Well, what have we here? An unexpected visitor?"

Sleeser's familiar chuckle filled the room, his spiky yellowish-orange hair catching the light. "Ah, perfect timing for introductions. Axel, meet my most challenging student to date. Angelo, this is Axel - one of the finest warriors in my squad, though don't let him hear me say that."

"The infamous student himself!" Axel's enthusiasm radiated as he grinned. "Sleeser's told us plenty about you - though he neglected to mention you were more than just trouble!"

Angelo shifted uncomfortably under the attention, feeling suddenly out of his depth. "I... appreciate the welcome. Though I'm sure Sleeser exaggerates."

"Angelo," Force's gentle voice carried its usual quiet strength. "It's good to see you standing again. Recent events had us concerned."

"Force," Angelo acknowledged, surprised to find the calm warrior here as well. "Good to see you too."

Squaring his shoulders, Angelo tried to focus on his purpose. "Sleeser, there's something important I need to discuss-"

"Discussions can wait!" Axel interrupted, gesturing enthusiastically to a nearby chair. "You've got perfect timing - I was just getting to the good part of this story. Trust me, you'll want to hear how this ends!"

Angelo's eyes sought Sleeser's, finding amused approval in his mentor's nod. With barely concealed reluctance, he moved toward the offered chair, his original purpose temporarily derailed by hospital room camaraderie.

The morning light filtered through the hospital window as Axel regaled them with increasingly outrageous stories from his service, his animated gestures and infectious laughter filling the sterile room with warmth. His tales gradually shifted from epic battles to good-natured roasting of his squad leader.

"Say Angelo," Axel leaned forward conspiratorially, his eyes gleaming with mischief, "bet you didn't know Sleeser isn't even his first name. It's actually Ju-" He cut off abruptly as Sleeser's expression transformed into something Angelo had never witnessed before - a look so stern it could have frozen fire.

"My whole life has been a lie!" Angelo exclaimed, his own troubles momentarily forgotten in the face of this revelation. "Come on, now I really have to know!" His eyes darted between mentor and squad member like a spectator at a tennis match.

Sleeser ran a hand down his face, his usual confidence cracking slightly. "Axel..." His voice carried a warning edge. "We had an agreement about this."

"Oh come on," Axel's grin widened as he gestured toward Angelo. "The kid's practically family at this point, right?"

Angelo nodded eagerly, trying not to look too much like an excited puppy.

A deep sigh escaped Sleeser, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "It's... Julius," he muttered, the name seeming to pain him physically.

Red's laughter exploded through their shared consciousness with enough force to make Angelo wince. "HAHAHA JULIUS SLEESER! You can't make this shit up! It's like something out of a bad historical drama!"

"Julius?" Angelo repeated, tasting the unfamiliar name. "Julius Sleeser?"

"Yes, yes," Sleeser waved a hand dismissively, his spiky hair seeming to droop with his embarrassment. "I know it sounds like something from those ancient nobility chronicles. Hence why I go by Sleeser."

"Have you considered, um..." Angelo searched for a diplomatic way to phrase it, "legally modifying it?"

Sleeser's expression softened, a hint of fondness creeping in. "It's my grandfather's name. Mother would be heartbroken. Besides," he added with a wry smile, "she doesn't need to know most people just call me Sleeser."

The conversation might have continued, but movement caught Angelo's eye - Red's crimson smoke was seeping through the window cracks like blood through water. His essence coalesced behind Axel's chair, taking on solid form with predatory grace.

"Axel, behi-" Angelo's warning died in his throat as Axel's deep blue aura erupted to life with devastating speed. In the space between heartbeats, Red's materialized form was cleaved in two, his essence dissolving back into smoke that rushed toward Angelo like a crimson tide.

Axel's entire demeanor had transformed, his earlier joviality replaced by lethal focus. His aura crackled with barely contained power as he scanned the window. "Stay sharp," he commanded, his voice carrying the weight of battlefield experience. "We've got company."

Sleeser and Angelo exchanged knowing looks before their gazes drifted to Force, who merely offered his characteristic gentle smile in return.

"Actually..." Angelo cleared his throat awkwardly, "there's nothing to worry about. Well, unless you count Red's wounded pride."

Axel's confusion was evident in the way his aura flickered. "Come again?"

"That was... partially my fault. Though Red really should know better by now." Angelo's attempt at explanation only deepened Axel's bewilderment.

With a resigned sigh, Angelo gestured for Axel to power down. "Just deactivate your aura. It'll be easier to show you." Once Axel complied, Angelo spoke again: "Blue?"

Azure smoke spiraled up beside him, condensing into another gray-tinted version of Angelo. The sight made Axel's jaw drop.

"What in the name of..." Axel blinked rapidly. "So this was just some failed prank attempt?"

"I'm afraid the situation is rather more complex," Blue replied, his cultured tones so different from Angelo's that Axel did a double-take. "I am Blue, and it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. The entity you dispatched with such impressive efficiency was Red, our more... spirited counterpart."

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

Axel turned to Sleeser, his expression helpless. "I am completely lost here."

Sleeser's laughter filled the room. "Now this is priceless! Red, wherever you are, you've accomplished something I thought impossible - you've actually confused Axel!"

"I live to serve," Red's mental voice dripped with theatrical humility as his essence performed an elaborate salute that only Angelo and Blue could sense. "Though I must say, some appreciation for my sacrifices is long overdue."

Angelo cut through the moment, wanting to clear up Axel's obvious confusion. "Look, the short version is that my body's energy somehow split into three distinct parts - myself, Red, and Blue. We share an existence, and they can manifest independently at will. Red just happens to use that ability primarily for chaos and pranks. Though," he added with grudging admiration, "I don't think any of us expected that level of reaction speed."

"No kidding!" Red's internal voice carried genuine awe. "I didn't even get to my signature 'BOO!' before he turned me into a smoke show. Talk about stealing my thunder!"

Sleeser seized upon the moment of levity, clearly grateful for any distraction from his name revelation. "Speaking of impressive displays," he said, steering the conversation in a safer direction, "what actually brought you here this morning? Something tells me it wasn't just to uncover my true identity."

The morning sunlight caught the determination in Angelo's eyes. "Right. I need to take my training to the next level. Figured you'd know the best approach."

Sleeser's posture shifted subtly, his playful demeanor giving way to the measured authority of a seasoned instructor. "Now that you've evolved, your priority should be acclimation. Think of your evolved state as a new baseline - it needs to become as natural as breathing."

"I don't follow," Angelo frowned, his bandages pulling tight as he leaned forward. "I've already got the hang of my Forged Energy. The applications are practically second nature."

Blue interjected. "I believe you're missing the underlying principle," he observed, his voice carrying its characteristic analytical energy. "Consider our battle with Jill - the fight was relatively brief, yet you collapsed immediately after victory. Blood loss was certainly a factor, but the rapid stamina depletion from your evolved state was equally significant."

"Full marks, Blue," Sleeser's eyes gleamed with approval. "Couldn't have explained it better myself."

Understanding dawned in Angelo's expression. "So there's a way to reduce the stamina drain? To make it more efficient?"

"Exactly," Sleeser nodded, his spiky hair catching the light. "With proper training, you can optimize your evolved state until it demands no more energy than your standard aura. That's when it truly becomes your new normal." He paused for dramatic effect, a mischievous glint returning to his eye. "And the method to achieve this is... meditation!"

Sleeser's theatrical revelation fell flat as Angelo merely raised an eyebrow, prompting a look of betrayal from his mentor. "What happened to the kid who'd throw a fit at the mere mention of sitting still?"

"Police training involved plenty of meditation," Angelo shrugged, his mature response clearly throwing Sleeser off balance. "I'm not that impulsive kid anymore."

"You're taking all the fun out of this," Sleeser pouted, though pride flickered beneath his disappointment. "But there is a crucial difference here. You'll need to maintain your evolved state during meditation - let your body adapt to its new potential. And don't neglect your physical training," he added, his voice taking on a sterner edge. "Spiritual growth without physical foundation is like a house built on sand."

"Right," Angelo nodded, rising from his chair with newfound purpose. Then a smirk played across his face. "Thanks for the guidance... Julius."

Sleeser's eye twitched at the name, the power dynamic between mentor and student shifting palpably. "I'm already regretting this day," he muttered, running a hand through his spiky hair.

Blue's form began to dissolve into azure mist. "It has been enlightening," he offered politely before streaming back into Angelo's body.

"See you around," Angelo's farewell carried a hint of playful threat as he turned to leave. The morning sun painted long shadows across the hospital floor as he made his way to check out, his mind already mapping out training scenarios. His injuries still ached beneath their bandages, but the pain seemed distant compared to the burning drive that pushed him forward.

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Sunlight washed over Angelo as he stepped through the hospital's main doors, the crisp autumn air refreshing after the sterile atmosphere inside. He paused, fishing his phone from his pocket as an important detail surfaced through his eagerness.

"Can't exactly reach Arch rank if I don't know where I'm starting from," he muttered, thumbing through the ACE test scheduling app. His shoulders tensed slightly at the thought of the results, but determination won out over apprehension. "There's a slot tomorrow morning..."

Red's voice echoed through their shared consciousness with characteristic mischief. "Put me down for 'Novice' in the betting pool."

"Keep pushing it and you won't get to recharge for a week," Angelo threatened mentally, his finger hovering over the scheduling button.

"Ha!" Red's smugness radiated through their link. "That would mean no training for you either, dumbass!"

Angelo's mental groan carried his grudging defeat. "...point taken."

Their bickering ceased as a figure approached through the morning crowd. She moved like someone carrying an invisible weight, her stunning red hair catching the sunlight in stark contrast to the cloud of melancholy that seemed to surround her. Brilliant green eyes refused to meet Angelo's gaze directly, though they held a depth of pain that made him unconsciously straighten.

"E-Excuse me," her voice barely carried over the bustle of the morning crowd moving past the hospital grounds. "You're Angelo, aren't you?"

Angelo shifted his weight, suddenly acutely aware of his healing wounds. "Yes... can I help you with something?"

"Could we talk privately?" She gestured toward a small grove of trees where benches sat empty, sheltered from the morning bustle. "If... if that's okay," she added hastily, her confidence seeming to waver.

"Last private chat request didn't end so well," Angelo's voice carried an edge of dark memory. Internally, he reached out. "What's your read on this one, Red?"

"She's legit," Red replied with uncharacteristic directness.

"What happened to your hyper-vigilant paranoia? You were throwing red flags left and right with Jill."

"This one's different - not like that psycho bitch with her perfect makeup and fake-ass smile. She looks miserable as hell but at least she's not trying to hide it."

Angelo studied the girl for a moment longer, making her fidget uncomfortably under his gaze. She dropped her eyes to the ground, hands clasped tightly in front of her, before his nod finally broke the tension. "Alright, I'll hear you out."

Relief flickered across her features as they moved to the benches. The trees cast dappled shadows across them, creating an oddly intimate atmosphere in the middle of the busy hospital grounds. Angelo sat, gesturing for her to continue.

"My name is Neiva," she began, gathering her courage like a shield. "And I want to join your team."

Angelo stared at her, momentarily struck speechless. "Team? What team? I'm not recruiting."

"Please, just... hear me out," Neiva shifted her weight, autumn leaves crunching beneath her feet. "If you knew my reasons, you might think differently."

Angelo leaned back against the bench, curiosity winning out over dismissal. The morning air carried the antiseptic smell of the hospital mixed with the earthier scents of fallen leaves.

"Four years ago, when I was thirteen," Neiva's voice grew distant, lost in painful memory, "an Auron broke into our home. My father - he was an Auron too, but before he could even activate his aura..." Her voice cracked, hands clenching at her sides. "My mother hid me, tried to lead the intruder away. She confronted him..." The words died in her throat, the memory too raw to voice.

Shadows from the overhanging branches played across her face as she continued. "I lost everything that day. And he escaped - they couldn't catch him." Bitterness crept into her tone, making her sound far older than her seventeen years.

"After that, everything just... stopped mattering. Chess club, Auron training, even tennis..." A ghost of pride flickered across her features. "I could have gone pro, you know? But I couldn't find the will to continue. I dropped out of school, shut down completely." The aura of gloom around her seemed to intensify, making even the morning sunlight feel dim. "The psychologists, the social workers - they all tried. Eventually, even they gave up on me."

"Then four months ago," her eyes sparked with the first real life Angelo had seen in them, "I saw the news. The Angel of Death had claimed another victim." Her hands trembled slightly as she pulled out her phone, pulling up a screenshot. "Kim Kenver," she turned the screen toward Angelo. "The man who murdered my parents."

The image showed a balding man with round glasses, his face unremarkable except for the knowledge of his crimes.

"Oh yeah, the fat bastard," Red's bloodthirsty glee echoed in their shared mind. "That one was especially satisfying."

Angelo's eyes narrowed at the image. "I remember him. Offered him a chance at redemption. He didn't even pause to consider it."

"You see?" Neiva's voice carried desperate hope. "You're the only light I've found in all this darkness. Please, let me join you!"

"Most guys would kill for this kind of attention," Red snickered internally.

Blue's measured tones cut through. "I don't believe romance is her motivation, Red."

"Sorry," Angelo's voice was firm but not unkind. "I got my last partner killed. I won't risk that happening again."

"I don't mind," Neiva's response carried a chill that seemed to drop the temperature around them.

"Besides," Angelo pressed, "you're not even an Auron. How could you contribute?"

The words struck like physical blows, but Neiva refused to go down. "You could train me! Help me finish my Auron training. Then I could help bring justice to others like me!"

"I'm not a teacher."

"Please! I'll do anything! I'll prove my worth!"

"Anything?" Angelo snapped, frustration breaking through. "Then maybe you can find a lead on my parents' case!"

"Your parents' case?"

Angelo cursed internally, looking away - he hadn't meant to reveal that.

"No, really," determination blazed in Neiva's eyes. "What happened? Let me help!"

"Let her try," Blue's calm voice cut through Angelo's resistance. "If she fails, she'll leave us alone. If she succeeds, we finally have a lead. There's no downside."

"Sending her on an impossible mission, huh?" Angelo thought back, then addressed Neiva. "Fine. One chance. But if you fail, I don't want to hear about joining me again. Clear?"

"And if I succeed, you'll let me join?" Her eyes sparked with desperate hope.

"If you succeed," Angelo emphasized. "Don't get your hopes up."

"Tell me everything you know," she pressed, satisfaction creeping into her voice. "I can't investigate without details."

Angelo's expression darkened. "Almost eighteen years ago, in Ashford, my parents died in a lab accident - in their basement lab. According to recently discovered police files, it wasn't an accident at all. No evidence pointed to any specific group. That's all I know."

"We should exchange contact information," she said, her earlier meekness giving way to barely concealed satisfaction. "How else will I report my findings?" The false innocence in her voice made it clear she'd been maneuvering toward this outcome, though her underlying desperation remained evident.

They exchanged contact information, Neiva's earlier gloom replaced by fierce determination. "I'll find something, no matter what it takes!" She practically bounced in place. "Don't forget our promise!" She called over her shoulder as she ran off, leaving Angelo to wave half-heartedly after her.

"Well, you've at least brightened her day," Blue observed. "That counts for something."

"Whatever," Angelo dismissed, settling onto the bench. "Doubt we'll hear from her again. Might as well use this spot for meditation." His aura flickered to life, his oranging eyes closed as he reached for his evolved state. Pain prickled through his healing wounds, but he pushed through it. The orange glow intensified around him, casting strange shadows on the hospital grounds.

"Yes... excellent! Soon these chains shall shatter and I will rain chaos upon this unsuspecting world! MUAHAHAHA!" Red's theatrical villainy echoed through their shared mind.

"I'm trying to concentrate here," Angelo's mental voice carried exasperation. "Blue, he's your problem once he recharges. Consider yourself promoted to babysitter."

"I must protest this arbitrary assignment," Blue replied with dignified offense. "Why should I be responsible for his... recreational activities?"

"Because I need to focus, and you're the only one with nothing better to do." Angelo's tone brooked no argument as he settled deeper into meditation, leaving his two counterparts to sort out their new dynamic.

As hospital life continued around him, Angelo focused on mastering his evolved state, while somewhere in the city, a determined girl began her search for answers about a tragedy nearly two decades old.