Aeryth stared out into the city, her hands clasped between her thighs. They were in District Five. A slightly better place than fourth, cleaner air—no burnt rubber or unnatural chemicals adrift. People went about their without pause. As if whatever happened two days ago hadn't happened. Aeryth couldn't look at them the same way that she did. The sight of the slaughter still lingered in her mind. Of the burnt flesh.

"I thought we were going to Spherical Dreams," Aeryth said quietly.

"Only the location and outlet have changed, the products, however, should remain the same. They both are part of the same branch, but a slightly more appropriate place than the one you've visited."

Aeryth nodded. "I see."

"How's your recovery going?"

"Fine," Aeryth replied. "I am completely healed, except for the slight tiredness."

Gu Yuan nodded. His iris was blue with a red outer ring. It was eye-catching.

Unlike the fourth district, the fifth didn't have any stalls. It was all glass shops and sparkly clean displays. She sighed.

"Is everything all right?"

Aeryth turned away her gaze from the window. "People here must have an easier life than those of the fourth district. And yet... their soul has the same sense of tiredness. Exhaustion in their eyes, the lack of light, is still the same."

"The standard of living is but an aspect of life, a slightly softer bed will not take away their nightmares."

"But their body will ache slightly less," Aeryth paused. "Yet, they look slightly worse. As if... their beds are harder."

She shook her head before Gu Yuan could reply. "It's not my place to question their lives."

"When does one can question the life of others?" Gu Yuan asked. Though he seemed unbothered, Aeryth felt a slight change in his expression, lips slightly down, jaw clenched.

"It depends on who they are..." Aeryth met his gaze. "For me, it's never. For you, I cannot say. Is it even worth questioning the life of others when your own is worthless?"

"For me... It's never as well." Gu Yuan shook his head. "I had expected a slightly more optimistic answer from you."

Aeryth couldn't help but smile. "Me, and optimistic? That's certainly a doomed expectation." She was sure even Sera, the real optimistic and not at all critical thinker, would not anticipate a positive answer from her.

Gu Yuan looked outside, "The people are tired not because of the work, but for the lack of something else. As for my expectations, I believe, one day, you'll have an optimistic answer."

"Oh really? I don't mind hearing the reason."

"Because..." Gu Yuan mumbled. "I want to believe there's still you inside, the one who shone like the idol of Elle."

"Once a pearl loses its luster, it never shines again. Only a remnant awaits its inevitable demise. You speak as if you've known the one dead inside of me," Aeryth's tone dimmed. She didn't ask how he knew. It didn't matter. She had lived in a village away from the true abnormality of the magic. Light could live memories of the dead. His questions were still in the realm of normality.

"I have..."

The carriage stopped.

"We are here," Gu Yuan opened the carriage and stepped outside. "I suggest you register with the Realm Traveling Commission after awakening. If necessary, you might need to leave this city once the auction is finished."

"I've tried. Unless I am awakened, they won't accept my registration."

"They don't want to deal with the consequence of a young girl dying outside the city. Or inside."

Aeryth nodded, "I'll try again after the awakening."

Gu Yuan nodded. He stood by the door as if to help her down. She required no such assistance. She was a hunter, not a frail noble girl.

"This is the same store, but only open to noble families and their close attendants."

Aeryth nodded. "Why are we here? I am not a close attendant of any noble family."

"Every child of House of Hearth is a close attendant of Lady Sia, so she enunciates, and I have no right to question her beliefs. If you feel wronged, feel free to file a complaint."

"I'd rather avoid bringing the ire of more people than I already have," Aeryth shrugged.

They walked through the glass door into the marble palace, jaded floor, and hundreds of people, dressed immaculately, studying them. Hot and stifling, the chandelier hung in the center. No one greeted them, fortunately.

The lounge was huge, circular sofas everywhere, people dressed in attires that screamed of wealth, unlike anything Aeryth had ever seen.

A maid walked past them, carrying a tray filled with juice. Aeryth's eyes followed her.

"If negotiations go right, you may need to attend the auction in Ashets. The lance is beyond a rare-grade artifact. Where does it lie? That even I fail to fathom. Something that would make even the lord of this city go into a frenzy."

"Isn't that bad for your house?" Aeryth asked. The maid placed a tray on the table. Two guests sat on it, their legs stretched on the tea table.

"It's not. So, Lady Sia assures." Gu Yuan also looked at the maid.

"I see." She didn't like the idea of attending the auction, but if she must, then so be it.

I am going to perform an awakening today. One step closer to my freedom. Once the lances sell, I can take the money and leave this place for good.

"Our destination is this way." He said, gesturing her to follow. Aeryth's eyes didn't leave the maid as she walked.

She walked a little confident, patting herself for the accomplishment. She didn't need anyone else's approval. Not anymore. Certainly not Light's.

The younger of the two reached out and picked up the juice, not acknowledging the maid, who stood, head lowered.

This place was similar to the one in the night bazaar, just far more lustrous and grande.

Aeryth nodded. Followed behind him.

She checked her mask once more, just in case.

"Are you curious about the maid?"

"I don't care about them," her voice came out sharp. Gu Yuan nodded as they continued, sullying the emerald floor.

"Why are beggars allowed to step in this place?"

Aeryth looked down at her nineteen-hundred jades battle dress. It looked expensive, by her standards, at least.

She looked at the duo, and their gaze met. One of them narrowed their eyes.

Aeryth's vision darkened as if a hammer struck the back of her head. Her breath grew sharp, she hurried behind Gu Yuan.

The boy chortled. Aeryth's fist clenched, but she could tell they outclassed her, and this was not the place to start a brawl. Finlay had held back for the sake of enjoyment, they wouldn't.

What did he even do? Some kind of mind magic?

Gu Yuan took a step back, "You have a habit of walking behind people," he stated.

"I do?" She knitted her brows. She remembered walking behind Sera in almost every scenario. "I didn't notice."

"It's perfectly fine, I suppose," he shrugged. "Try not to lag behind. This place is... not very friendly."

"That's the theme of this entire city if I exclude Tor's smithy. Or Yura's restaurant."

"Ironic, isn't it?" Gu Yuan said. His voice eluded as if he believed she should understand what was ironic.

It may be related to Tor's curse or something. I don't need to know.

She nodded slightly, and they continued.

They went up to the second floor and met the yellow-skinned goblin, who was as tall as an adult male, though this one was a woman, at least her curves suggested. Her salmon-pink lipstick stretched as she smiled at them.

"A new face," she whispered, eyes trained on Aeryth. "What's your name dear?"

Aeryth forced a smile, "I'm Ary. It's a pleasure to meet you, miss."

"Ary," the woman nodded. "Call me, Feray. Welcome to my shop. What can I get you?"

"I need a grade four concentrated lightning bone marrow."

Feray quirked a brow toward Gu Yuan. He nodded. "Gibk, not sold one in years," She said, clearing her throat, which sounded like a toad's moan. "An extremely uncommon thing in this part of the world."

Aeryth nodded. "That's natural, I guess."

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"I'll get it for ya. Anything else?"

Aeryth looked at Gu Yuan as if it was all right to ask. He nodded. She hoped that the weapon would sell for an expensive price. "Two chieftain class monster's mana core, perception variation, three intelligence variation, and ashes of the dead spirit... that's enough, I guess." She still needed one more thing, but everything was too expensive, and she didn't trust the weapon to be worth that much. And she had a solution.

"Be back in a bit."

"Three intelligence variations, that's a lot of power." Gu Yuan commented. "Should you desire, we can get you a theorist to help with the magic circle. It's not the kind of power that an amateur should handle."

"I can handle it," Aeryth said without an ounce of doubt. "It's not even the most reckless thing I've done in the last week." She added as if that would provide credence to her image.

Still, Gu Yuan said nothing. Feray returned quickly, carrying four iron boxes. Each one of them had four curved and elegant legs extended out of them like a small stool. Feray had two in her arm, and the other two were carried by a smaller goblin with a green skin tone, he wore rags.

Is she even a goblin? Aeryth wondered. Feray didn't seem anything like a goblin after all.

"I'll write up a bill," Feray looked at Gu Yuan, "I shall put it on the accounts payables, right?"

Gu Yuan nodded.

"I'll write up the bill. Feel free to examine the boxes in the meantime," Feray gestured at the packed box on the counter.

"That won't be necessary."

Aeryth didn't say anything. It must be a trust thing.

After a few minutes, Feray handed her the bill, written in a scroll.

They returned to the carriage. One of the maids helped them carry it. Aeryth tried to pick one up, but her exhaustion still hampered her physical powers it seemed.

While they were in the carriageway back, she noticed something. The total cost was one hundred and forty thousand. It was not the cause of concern, but the price of bone marrow was ninety-eight thousand jades.

"I thought this place would be more expensive than the one in the fourth district."

"It is. The service charges are calculated separately, but there's no occupational and business tax for stores in this district, unlike the second, so the total of an individual time might be lower."

Aeryth nodded. Even though this place was bigger and richer, they were not charged as much.

This place is big, nothing like our village. People here are strangers, and so are laws. I shouldn't think much about it.

Gu Yuan carried all four metal boxes to the church, balancing. They were not big, but dense.

"Are these necessary?"

"It is. These are created with magic-resistant metal, which gives them natural warding. Otherwise, people can easily tell what's inside and may even steal it if they have the right skills."

Aeryth nodded.

"That's a lot of shopping," Grace smiled.

"These are necessary items to sustain the magic circle for my awakening," Aeryth informed.

"They are heavy." Gu Yuan added.

"Where can I find Preist Herbert?" Aeryth asked.

Grace took two boxes from him and almost stumbled from the weight, "No joke, they are heavy. I'll look for him after dropping these in your room."

She took one of the boxes from Grace, feeling left out.

They went up the stairs and placed them in the corner of her room.

"Thank you for everything, Gu Yuan," Aeryth said.

"I am just doing my duty."

"..." Aeryth stared at him, wondering if he knew anything about Sera.

"Is something the matter?" Gu Yuan asked.

"Do you know anything about Sera? I just want to know if she is fine."

"She is more than fine. The last adventure has proved to be a boon for her, and she is forging a new power for herself. We do not know when she will be free again." Gu Yuan looked at Grace. "Please keep this a secret."

Grace nodded. "That's great to hear," She smiled, "I still remember the time when she decided to hide in the church after throwing a rock at Truman's home. She has grown so much since then."

"She had not." Gu Yuan sighed. "I'll take my leave then."

Aeryth nodded. Soon Grace also left.

Aeryth plopped on the bed. She was exhausted for no reason.

Self-healing is bad. At least, it's free.

She closed her eyes.

----------------------------------------

Herbert sat on his desk. Despite the comfort of his chair, his brows were slanted, lips pressed thin. His glass reflected a jade green paper, and a writing as beautiful as a sketch of Great Ay-Ura himself.

His thumb pressed against the fold line of the smooth paper. He pinched the other end with his gloved finger and tore the green slip in two, then four, and a few more times. They fell off his hand, and a gust of wind turned them into millions of dust-sized particles sparkling out of the window. The green speck in the light blue sky, he saw, as they vanished.

Someone knocked on the door.

"Enter," His voice was always calm, collected, and controlled. The virtue of being a figure people looked up to and found solace in was that he must appear at an equanimity at all times.

Grace pushed the door in, stepped inside, and closed it behind her, leaning against the door. She sighed, a little relieved. "Aeryth came back. She seeks you."

"How is she doing?" His right hand still stung of his healing being rejected. That had happened before. Twice. Once, when he tried to perform healing on Light. And other times, he tried on a divine beast above the stations of humans.

Aeryth was the third. Was she Light? Or a divine beast? He wondered, hoped for the latter, of course. That little girl was already unfortunate; he didn't wish further misery on her.

"Fine, if exhausted still."

"Her mana is shallow, and the self-regeneration spell is ravenous. Holding on to her consciousness only shows the testament of her sheer will. Not that she requires testament after what she had already done and lived through twice."

"Will she be fine?"

"I believe so," He said, pulling up another note. "The other day, she went down to the lower district." He was interested in the girl because Light saved her.

Light was kind, but she was a closed person. It was unusual to see her worried about someone and worry as apparent on her face as a full moon on still water. And a fourteen-year-old, unawakened girl surviving a death parade was unheard of in its own right.

"Lower district," Grace frowned. "Why would she go there?"

"As far as I've managed to understand, Elder Tor had come down with a fever, most likely due to his old age. Aeryth took it upon herself to find the medic that he had been seeing."

"Medic," Grace spoke harshly. "You mean that dreg."

"Isa, the miracle doctor," Herbert said with a slight smile, watching Grace's face twist into a scowl. While it was not a pleasant thing, few things made Grace angry, and it was a sight to behold. Call him a sinner, but he couldn't bring himself to correct her.

"A quack doctor," anger apparent in her voice.

The city was corrupted to its core. A quack doctor and a miracle doctor had a simple distinction, the wealth they possessed and their background. Could they afford to buy a license or not?

"She does the same thing we do here." He spoke cautiously. This was the moment, he would get a mild concussion.

"You're looking out for Aeryth?" She diverted the topic. Her voice was back to calm and composed.

Herbert smiled. How much had she grown in the past month? If they had the same conversation a month prior, he was sure his office would've been torn to shreds by now. Looking after Aeryth for a few days had done wonder on her rash temper. It matured her in a good way and taught her to not give in to the impulse as easily.

Aeryth, having woken up from the nightmare, had ignored everything anyone said for the first few days. He was sure Grace would give up on Aeryth like the nurse before her. Taking care of an unresponsive patient was the hardest task, after all.

But Grace persisted. Perhaps, out of pity, or perhaps, out of stubbornness, or just to be noticed by Light. Regardless, she matured after seeing the patience and politeness Aeryth had even after going through everything. The sincerity in her voice when she apologized for her behavior and how she fought her inner grief to not make Grace's job worse.

The experience forged Grace into a new person, someone who he believed would make a fine priest for this place after him. Perhaps, she would outrank him one day.

"I am not. Light requested me to not interfere with the girl. According to her, if we tried to help Aeryth, it would backfire and hurt her more than anything. She is powerless."

"That is exactly why I wanted her to stay here. Did you see in what condition she came here? She was going to die," Grace had even argued with Light over the matter. Not that she could convince Light. Herbert didn't even believe the Holy Mother to be capable of such accomplishment.

"Grace, on this matter, I am with Light. Her mental state will not allow her to be helped. To accept it. Every time we try to do something, it will hurt her. Show her how powerless she is."

"She is a child. She is supposed to be powerless." Grace took a ferocious step forward. As if prepared for a physical brawl should he dare to argue against.

"She was born to be their guardian. Raised as one. An unmatched prodigy. She does not see herself as the victim. But as a failure. Every person she ever loved is dead. And she blames herself for the powerlessness. There's nothing for us to help her with. You can change a mind shaped for one thing since birth. Each attempt at help would make her worse, for she would believe it to be the proof of her powerlessness."

"That's cruel and wrong," Grace's fist clenched. "Someone needs to sit her down and tell her she is not a guardian of anything. If Light didn't do it, I will."

Grace turned and approached the door.

"And how do you expect her to react?" Herbert asked. Grace stopped. "You let your irrational mind control you again."

"But."

"But, she is getting better. She sought shelter here. She accepted my healing. We can only hope and pray to Elle that Aeryth grows and opens herself to help. Perhaps growing stronger will help. We can only wait," He paused.

"Poor Girl. She does not deserve this."

"She is strong. She handles herself better than how I expected," Herbert nodded. "I'll visit her once... I settle certain matters."

"Is it related to the Dew factory? That Letter and The Spy."

Of the people in the church, Grace was the only one with the maturity to not freak out at the current state of Lesterforge. The true state, not the one that everyone knew.

"Of the things that concern me, I say with great pain, dew factory is not my biggest concern."

Grace remained quiet for a moment, gathering her thoughts. "What are you expecting?"

"The lance is a prelude. The sight on the street was just an omen. As for what I expect? A war. Civil unrest. Death of this city's guardian. If the mayor fails to account for the incident of the death fest and fails to come up with a countermeasure for the wandering undead Knights, then another Death Fest might be this place. We are not above the calamity," He placed his chin on his clasped hand over the counter, looking at Grace. "I am writing a letter to the regional divine seeker, Priest Witerose, to send a Paladin."

"I see," Grace nodded. Then, it dawned on her. Her eyes widened. "You want me to travel to Friedan Holdings?"

"Correct. I do not trust anyone else up for the job," it was only a part truth, maybe insignificant to the selfish reason he wanted her to leave.

"You just want me to stay away from this place when it all blows up."

It was church, and as much as he would've preferred to shake his head, he must speak the truth. "That is true."

Grace was quiet for a moment. "I will not leave. Not right now. This is my home."

"You will do service to the church still. I am not asking you to run away."

"Yet, that is exactly what you want me to do." Grace's fist clenched. "Will you die, too?"

"Perhaps... most likely. I do not wish to. But I have sworn to be here, to our Holy Mother, to Elle, and to the people of the Forge. I must stay here as and if it sinks."

"Then, I will stay here. I am not going to abandon you." Her voice rose. It was frowned upon to scream in the church. They seek peace and serenity, after all. Perhaps the situation demanded her to break the rules.

"I am afraid you don't have a say, Grace. You'll leave the day after tomorrow," he sighed as she turned and stormed out. Eyes red, tears barely held in those sapphire eyes. It didn't matter.

He left his office, walked through the hallowed corridors of the church, up the stairs, and stopped at Aeryth's room. He knocked.

He heard the shuffling. "Who?" The alarm in her voice was a bad sign. Did something happen?

"It is me, the priest."

"Ah, please come in," Aeryth's voice grew soft. Always doubtful and confused.

Herbert opened the door. The first thing he noted was the red eyes and the sweat covering her face. The sheet curled and wrenched as if she squeezed them. "A nightmare?" He asked, making himself comfortable on the chair. He kept his distance so as to not make her uncomfortable.

"It's nothing," she replied.

Herbert had not expected anything better. She was too young for the scars she bore. No one in this world was old enough to have them, certainly not the young girl. "Grace said you were looking for me."

"It's about the awakening. Gu Yuan said I should talk to you about it."

"Ah, I remember," Herbert recalled his conversation with Light over the matter. "During the awakening ceremony, you will need to take off the Suppression Jewel, or it may break."

"But if I do." Aeryth hesitated.

"I am aware. As such, Light has left an aura-warding spell that should hold off your presence inside. I will cast it for you when you are prepared. You will create your ritual circle, yes?"

"I will."

That was a marvel. The ritual ceremony circle had a hundred and twelve runes of five different families, divided into three layers. It took a normal mage a year's worth of studying to reach this level. Yet, she could do it in a month.

"Will you perform the spell right now?" Herbert asked.

"Whenever you're free."

"Then, I propose tomorrow morning. I have a few preparations to make."

"Thank you for your help." Aeryth lowered her head.

Herbert shook his head. He had done nothing, not even an ounce of what he should do to help the poor girl. But the spell that existed to heal a mind was the spell that would violate her remaining sense of self. Take away what little the girl inside was. He could only nod and feel ashamed at his powerlessness, just as the little girl in front of him had felt for not protecting her village.