It had already been a while since Layla arrived at the house and set out to go looking for Kuro. Even though Shizuka told me not to go, I couldn’t just keep sitting around any longer. I had been sitting on Kuro’s bed, listening to the voices of Shizuka’s and Kuros mother Lisbeth’s voices. I couldn’t understand any of what they said, but just hearing them talk calmed my restless soul down a little. What Shizuka said, that Kuro is in danger, left me anxious. Kuro and I were like day and night. He was the one who overthought and I was the one who charged ahead without a plan. Somehow, it worked out for us so far. But sitting here, knowing he was out there, in danger… It was eating me alive. He was my best friend. He always had been. If something happened to him, I didn’t know what I’d do.

Since we were kids, the both of us strived to become the strongest adventurers. What started as a childish dream, manifested itself into a deeply rooted wish. We may not have had a good reason for our dream back then, but things changed. Instead of being the strongest for myself, I want to become the strongest to help others. Deep in my heart I could feel that it was the same for Kuro. When I tried to save Shizuka earlier, it felt very good. The power I had acquired finally served a purpose. It’s true that we had to be saved by the old man Gil in the end, but without my intervention the puppet would have taken Shizuka with her, or even worse, killed her.

I opened my status window to check out my skill list.

“Perception, huh?”

A humorless chuckle escaped me. I had been saved by a lucky coincidence. It wasn’t my power that saved Shizuka. It was nothing more than a pure coincidence. Unless… I could remember hearing a voice in my head saying something about requirements that have been met… What if skills weren’t acquired at random? What if I didn’t acquire the perception skill out of pure coincidence… If acquiring a skill was bound to a condition, maybe it was the same for the activation of the mana core and the acquiring of the status skill. Before I could explore that thought further, a knock on the door pulled me out of my trance. I took a last glance at my skill list and then closed my status window.

“Come in, the door is open.”

I didn’t even finish my sentence when the door started opening already. When Shizuka walked in, I could tell she had been crying. Her eyes were all puffy, and her face was bright red. I wanted to say something, maybe crack a joke to lighten the mood, but nothing came out. What could I even say? I just scooted over giving her some space to sit. She sat down quietly and for a while, we just sat like that, not saying even a single word

We just sat next to each other in the dark, without saying anything.

After what felt like ten minutes, Shizuka leaned into me, shaking. At first I froze. I didn't know what to do. But then I just wrapped my arms around her. She clung to me so tightly, like letting go wasn’t an option. Her tears soaked through my shirt but I didn't care. She needed this and maybe I did too.

“It's okay”

I said quietly, even though I wasn't sure if it really was.

“Shizuka, I-“

“Thank you... I was so afraid… I thought I was about to die. If you hadn’t come for me…”

Her fingers dug into my shoulders as she cut me off, as her body was completely overwhelmed by her emotions. I was at a loss for words, so I just held her tightly. We sat there for a while, just embracing each other. Whether it was a coincidence or not, it didn’t matter to me anymore. I saved her, and I would do everything in my power to become strong and save even more.

“Shizuka… I could never forgive myself if anything happened to you. You’re one of my best friends. When Kuro and I make ourselves on our way to the capital to become adventurers… I’ll miss you the most.”

She dried her tears and wiped her face on my shirt and looked up at me with her big, sparkling green eyes.

”You won't have to miss me.“ She said, ”I've decided. I can’t keep wandering aimlessly. I want to find my purpose. And I think I'll find it out there, with you and Kuro. I'll get stronger to keep up with you. Please, don’t leave me behind.”

The light shining in her eyes was proof of her determination. I thought about it for a moment, unsure if I should reject her or not. But was there really a reason to reject her? Kuro didn’t have a skill yet, so Shizuka was just about on his level. It would also be fun to travel with both of them, laugh and cry together. I could already imagine it in my head, the three of us completing our first mission for the adventurer’s guild. Deep down, I had wished for this.

I opened my mouth, wanting to tell her that I wanted nothing more than to have her join us on our journey, when we got interrupted. The door opened and Shizuka and I quickly scurried away from each other, our cheeks blushing lightly. Kuro’s mother stood in the doorway, with a slight smirk on her face. Her voice was warm and full of warm kindness and relief.

“Come down you two. They’re back.”

My brain needed a moment to realize the meaning of her words. I jumped up and ran past her, almost flying out of the room and down the stairs.

And… there he was. Beaten and bruised, a few cuts and a lot of mud decorated his face. I’ve gotten so used to his serious side that I had almost forgotten the cheerful and happy boy that I saw now. When I entered the living room, Kiyara and Layla, who had been sitting next to Kuro, got up to leave the two of us alone.

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“Okay boys, we’ll leave you two alone. I’m sure you have a lot to talk about. Kiya, let’s go see Anna, shall we?”

With that, both of them left us alone and went upstairs. I sat down next to Kuro. I was really glad for the opportunity to talk to him alone. I don’t know what it is, but Kiyara’s presence made me feel very uncomfortable. I waited until I couldn’t hear the steps on the stairs anymore, then I began to speak.

“Shizuka was… She was attacked when she came here. When I found her, a puppet tried to do something to her. I managed to protect her with a new skill and with Gil’s help”

Something flashed inside Kuro’s eyes. Was it anger? No… The flash I saw in his eyes right now… it was the feeling you have when something you had already expected happens. The bruises, cuts and dirt on his face… Whoever attacked Shizuka must have attacked him as well. I had to know for sure.

“Were you… also attacked by a puppet?”

I hesitated, the question was caught in my throat like a stone I couldn't swallow. Even though I felt I already knew the answer. My heart was pounding as i waited for him to speak

“Not just by a puppet, but by its master and another mage as well. We were trapped in an illusion. When we found out that we were, they showed themselves and attacked us.”

My stomach tightened at his words. A puppet, its master and a mage, possibly even more of them lurking out of sight? The thought of such an organized attack made my blood run cold.

Together with the puppet that attacked Shizuka… This could have been the work of a whole adventurer’s party… Even though I’ve never heard of a party with three or even more mages.

“I don’t know how, but Shizuka knew you were in danger and told Layla to go help you immediately after she arrived. Impressive that Kiyara was able to protect both of you long enough.”

Kuro’s lips twitched and for the first time since we started talking, a genuine grin broke through, softening his features that were previously strained from exhaustion.

“It wasn’t just Kiyara, you know? I… My mana core… it finally awakened. I was about to die, this… this monster had me trapped. She called herself a Soul Eater… I don’t know what would’ve happened if I couldn’t shake her off there.”

His shoulders were visibly shaking. His mana core had awakened. After all these years he had spent waiting, he finally did it…

“Do you remember what I told you? Stop worrying too much. You survived, so why overthink the past? Forget about that and tell me how you managed to survive!”

I tried my best not to show it, but inside I was so happy. Kuro, who had waited so long, finally awakened. That meant that there was nothing standing in our way of becoming adventurers.

“I acquired a skill… A voice in my head said something about conditions that have been met.”

His voice sounded like he was hesitant to tell me about it, as if it was something shameful. I looked at him full of expectations, wanting to hear the full truth about his skill.

“My skill is luck. Because of my skill, Layla arrived in time to save me from a blade that was aimed at my back.”

Luck… Unpredictable, but clearly strong at the right moment. I almost told him about my own new skill but held it back. This was Kuro’s time. After everything he'd been through, he deserved to own this victory.

I smiled, my voice soft. “You did it, Kuro. You waited so long and now… you've made it.

I felt a hot tear running down my cheek. I was so happy for him. I had watched him being torn down by not having a skill for such a long time. There was a gentleness in his eyes that I had not seen for a long time. A fire that had been reignited. Normally I wouldn’t let anyone see me cry, but because these were tears of pure happiness and joy, I let them fall freely.

Kuros’s tears started falling, but they weren't tears of joy.There was something heavier behind them, something raw and painful. Even with his mana core awakened, even with this skill that he got, it was clearly the weight of what happened still crushing him.

“They got what they wanted. Neither were they after me nor after Kiyara. I… I stole a book from the library earlier. That’s what they were after. Maybe they didn’t try to kill Shizuka… What if she has something they want?”

Shizuka had… something those guys wanted? That would mean she was still in danger. It would be good to take her with us on our journey so we could protect her. Should I tell Kuro that Shizuka wanted to tag along? No, better not, it’s not important right now.

“Kuro, it’s okay. You’re well and alive, that’s all that matters.”

I grabbed his shoulder and squeezed it gently, trying to show him my support. I can’t remember how long we sat there. After what felt like an hour, Shizuka came down the stairs and joined us. When she saw Kuro cry, she came over and wrapped his arms around his neck, telling him everything would be alright.

For the next few hours, we exchanged everything that had happened between each other, leaving out no details. Except for my new skill, I still haven’t told them about it yet. Eventually Layla, Kiyara, and Kuro’s mother Lisbeth joined us in the living room and I told them what had happened to me and Shizuka as well.

Even after everything that happened we decided to celebrate Layla’s return. It felt strange to laugh and eat together after so much chaos, but maybe that's exactly what we needed… a moment to breathe, to be normal even if only for a little while. Initially, I had planned to challenge Layla to a duel, to see how good my swordplay had become. Considering the circumstances, this would have been highly inappropriate. I would get my chance eventually. Maybe even sooner than I myself had anticipated. Loud giggling from the other side of the large table in the living room caught my attention. I didn’t know how she got there, but Kuro’s little sister Anna had been sat down on the armchair next to the table, with Layla, Lisbeth and Kiyara taking turns feeding her. Layla was pretty drunk, so I guessed she went upstairs at some point and brought her sister down to the party. It was nice seeing everyone so carefree.

At the end of the party, when tiredness filled our eyes, we decided that everyone would stay at the Moonshade family’s home. There was only one guest room, which had been Layla’s room when she was still living here, so Kuro, Shizuka and I decided to sleep in the living room in sleeping bags. It was very noble of Kuro to give his bed to Kiyara, what a gentleman. The sleeping bags were old, but due to their amazing Quality they were in perfect shape. I couldn’t wrap my head around why a normal family would need such high quality sleeping bags, but in the end it didn’t matter. Everything that mattered was that I had a very good and relaxing sleep that night.