“Wait, why are we heading to your home first and not just the Veil immediately?”

Vincent was the one to say those words, as the three young men, as well as a dragon-kin girl, were now preparing for their near-immediate departure towards their first mission as Novice Pathfinders. It was quite the unconventional way to get a first quest, but they couldn't exactly complain.

Most of the other students who got the opportunity to do field work were mostly picking their first missions and quests by themselves in the message boards present on the courtyard, sponsored by not just Aegis, but also other guilds and organisations. Felt like a real college, really.

It would therefore be the case that they're the only ones specifically chosen to be candidate operatives. All six of them, out of potentially thousands.

Was it this crucial for them to find new recruits? Perhaps, but they digressed. How they determined actual talent and potential were also beyond them.

This was still an opportunity to make a name for themselves, and if it meant that they got to potentially join the largest coalition of elite pathfinders, as well as other specialised individuals, then so be it.

Adrian turned to face him, as he holstered his new combat whip, aptly named ‘Azure’, onto his equipment belt. “Well, it's a minor detour regardless, and I figured since it would take a few days to reach the place, why not use my home as a place of stay?” He said, smiling as a hand rested upon his left side.

His new sword was also present upon the other side of his hip, an enchanted sword of significant power, made out of a mix of dwarven steel and mithril. Overall, even his combat attire, he experienced an upgrade.

The rest of the group barring Eldryn had also gone through such change. Vincent had a completely new revolver that feeds entirely on Essence, making ammo and limited stopping power virtually a non-issue, while also getting a master-crafted short sword alongside it. And Elysia herself—

“Ohohoho~! New weapon!” She exclaimed, bringing a rather large curved blade out, “An odachi!”

She seems to be ignoring the rest of the group’s conversation, as she was just marvelling at the weapon recently gifted to her by Cecilia for her birthday a few days ago. She hadn't opened it since, saying that she wanted to do it when they got to go on their first actual adventure.

“It is quite generous of you to do so, Mr. Hunter! Or perhaps Mr. Hero?” Eldryn interjected, turning his blindfolded face towards the blue-eyed man.

Adrian raised an eyebrow, “U-umm, I beg your pardon?”

“Your bloodline is quite known for their deeds throughout the centuries, to the point I could also consider you blessed! Such indomitability within your very being, to be able to reinforce your will in the most dire of need, it's impressive!”

“I-I am not actually a part of the family like that, Eldryn.” Adrian said with a chuckle, “I’m adopted, taken in when I was young and orphaned.”

“Hmmhmm…such revelations, that means you're even more worthy of the title!”

Adrian decided to just let this one slide, he couldn't really object to it. He didn't have any deeds that could deem him as a hero, nor would he consider himself as a true Hunt, but he didn't want to ruin the mood. Vincent, however, had something to comment on.

“How the hell can you even identify these things? Are you seeing souls and shit?” He said to the young priest.

“Why yes indeed! It's why I have blindfolded myself, for I need no such sights, I shall only rely on the gifts I’ve been bestowed upon birth!”

“Aren’t eyes also a gift…?” Adrian remarked, slightly chuckling. “But it looks like both of us are blessed, aren't we?”

“Indeed! The gods have favoured both us and she!” Eldryn responded, with his loud and proud voice as always.

“She…” Adrian trailed off, “Where has Marilyn gone actually? And Cecilia too.”

“Huh?” Vincent turned towards him, “They're having some kind of personal moment probably, you know the drill. Best to let them be, no?”

This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

“Vivi being emotionally sensitive towards people's personal issues? That's new!” And Elysia was the one to respond to that first, turning towards the group as she sheathed her treasured sword into its scabbard.

“Tch-huh?? It's just an obvious thing to do, okay!?” Vincent spoke out-loud, “And don't call me Vivi, it's embarrassing!”

“In solidarity with the dragon, I shall also call you Vivi, Vivi!” And Eldryn declared, “It shall be law.”

Vincent was clearly upset, grunting and huffing in frustration, but those two just laughed it off as if it were normal banter. In fact, it actually was. Adrian could see that the cowboy was really a soft man beneath his tough exterior, to the point that even Vincent himself believed that he was his outside self.

Whatever caused him to be that way though he didn't know, he might just let it rest for now. Because—

“I just hope that Cecilia can break through her, whatever it takes.”

Adrian prayed for such an event to happen. He had promised to Marilyn that they would help each other a year ago, when they first talked personally to each other. And this shall be one of those moments where he would fulfil that creed, in spirit at least.

————————

To know more about the meaning behind one’s loss, one had to possess an understanding of it. Therefore, what would loss represent?

For most people, that would be a hard question to answer. Each individual had their own interpretation of such a term and experience. Those who have experienced loss in their lives would have a different perspective compared to those who have not. Yet even when speaking of such things, those who have lost someone and grieved in turn have different ways of viewing it.

Some viewed it negatively, others not so much. They might cope with such an event in a myriad of ways as well, from celebrating the late person’s life to crying for them for days on end. People in general adapt in different ways towards experiences they've found to be threatening their psychological and emotional well-being.

However, for her specifically…

“—I’m your sister first and foremost, and a good sister has to be there for her sibling, right?”

Her loss could be said as something different, a unique circumstance. For she was truly isolated.

Removed from history, from the story itself, her older sister Helena Althorn was a light of Marilyn's second life. But now, she felt as if the world cursed her to not be granted such a thing. To the point that no one she knew could even remember who Helena was, as even the world had forgotten she ever existed.

Aside from Marilyn's own memories of a forgotten past, her heart crystal that she had been given, and her new emerald eye that was covered by an eye-patch were the only reminders of that person.

Not even people who mourned in their lonesome were truly alone, as they could find comfort in knowing that the impact of their loved ones were still tangible in other people's lives.

But for her, the only impact Helena left was her own to remember. Truly, she was—

“You don't need to do this, Lia.” She said, “Just leave me alone, I’ll heal.”

She didn't know if that would be a guarantee, but she felt as if she had to say that. She had to be alone. She had to distance herself.

“But…why?” Cecilia responded, “You're grieving, I want to understand. Please, don't be stubborn about this.”

Marilyn did not want to hurt anyone else by being close to them. Her closest relationship was with Helena, and look where that got her. Even if the same event wouldn't occur, she didn't want to experience this kind of mourning in any capacity again.

And so, her gaze was dark, devoid of a joyful life, her expression mournful. One could see that perhaps she could start crying at any moment. “...no need.” She said, “Just…go ahead and prepare for the journey, Lia.”

Cecilia didn't buy any of her attempts, she was that confident that Marilyn was just bluffing. It was insensitive of her, but her eyes judged so. This wasn't the first time it happened, so she and the others had known about it very clearly.

“You’re acting like an idiot, you know? I don't like that. You don't have to carry the burden all by yourself,” said the princess. “I don't know what you're dealing with, but I know you're in pain right now. I want to help you out, so please just let me listen, I will try to understand.”

Marilyn's single silver eye glanced at her. There was no clear expression that could be read, other than grief and disappointment. “If you want to remain as my friend…leave.”

“...what are you—”

“I don't want to share whatever pain I experienced,” she said. “I don't want to hurt you, or anyone. Let me bear the burden by myself, I’ll try to find a way to get through. I always do that, Lia.”

“No you don't!” Cecilia raised her voice, saddened, her heart tightened, “If you did, we wouldn't have been this close! You do remember how pathetic you were one year ago, right!?”

“...” She was silent, her eyes shifting away from Cecilia, as if she was actually hurt by this act she put up.

“But…if you want some time to think about it…fine.” Cecilia's voice softened as she took a step forward, hesitating for a moment.

She could see the way Marilyn’s body tensed, her walls still firmly in place. But Cecilia ignored the distance in her friend’s eyes. She wrapped her arms around Marilyn, pulling her into a gentle, firm hug.

Marilyn froze, unsure how to respond to her action. She didn’t hug her back, but Cecilia didn’t let go. She just held her, as if saying everything Marilyn didn’t want to hear out loud; that she didn't have to be alone, that she could take that step to lighten her pain.

"I’ll be here when you're ready," Cecilia whispered, finally stepping away. Marilyn’s silver eye lingered on her retreating form, but she said nothing.

She manually blinked again, to catch her own attention, before sighing. She turned to her necklace, bearing that heart crystal, and held it close to her own heart as it glowed.

Small tears flowed, falling onto the hand that grabbed onto the crystalline symbol of love.

“Helena…what should I do…?”