Rem Oswaldt appeared in the courtyard next to Dasnor. It seemed to her that centuries had passed since their last meeting. This theory could be confirmed by the drastic changes in his appearance. There were no traces left from the pampered schoolboy who had spent almost all of his free time on social networks. Despite the tiring heat, Rem was wearing a PRISM suit like a typical bureaucrat. Niji noticed a bag over his shoulder and a belt full of all kinds of test tubes and alchemical grenades. It looked reasonable, given that he had arrived at what he could call the enemy’s den.

“Oi, black-and-white, did Viktor let you in?” Dasnor asked through gritted teeth.

“Is there a problem with that?”

Both looked at each other with barely concealed hatred. Previously, Rem would never have the guts to respond harshly even to the most evident insult, so his changes were not only external. At the peak of the tension, Dammit shouted, “Don’t be such a douche, Grumpy!”

He threw the bokken back to his teammate. Rem backed away a bit when Dasnor caught the wooden sword instinctively, not even looking at it. He swung the bokken, but decided not to take a combat stance. Supported by her wind power, Niji jumped down to the guys.

“Hi, Rem! Good to see you!”

They hugged, but there was no former warmth between them any longer.

“Why are you here? Did you find anything?”

“Yes,” he nodded and faced the Amber. “I’d like to speak to Niji in private.”

Dasnor opened his mouth to indicate Rem’s place in his own rating of losers, but in the end he just clicked his tongue and went to the house. Dammit disappeared as well. The old friends went to the brick fence that surrounded the mansion. “Hitomi+Dammit” and a cute cat face were scribbled on its wall.

“I was hoping to find you at your place,” Rem said in a low voice. “I’ve checked the pub as well. Poor people are still waiting for the Champion to appear. You didn’t answer any of my messages, so… I figured I should come here.”

“Yeah, we were celebrating Beckz’ victory here. Sorry, the night was… eventful.” Niji went red.

The Lackluster observed the area. However much he could have changed, his cautiousness wasn’t something to get rid of easily.

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“It’s fine, Rem,” Niji reassured him. “These people also try to help me with... you know.”

“‘kay. I’ve got you something.”

He took a folder from his bag and handed it to the girl.

“There is everything I managed to dig up about artifact-based amplifiers and the means to delete them. But I don’t understand most of what’s written there. You’d need an experienced Celestial for that.”

“Thank you so much!”

“I hope there is something useful. I got the gist that it’s next to impossible to erase the amplifier… the consequences are not what you can call pleasant… but there’s valuable info about the source. That shield we’d found was one of legendary artifacts that…”

“Yeah, I know… oh. Sorry... you must have put a lot of effort in this research, so forgive me for sounding too harsh.”

“Well, you’ve never been the one to sit around… still, I am currently reading a lot about different relics. If it’s the origin of an amplifier, you’d better look for a solution of the same kind, right? And I also gave up trying to get any help from the Omnious. They are so smug that they refuse to help even PRISM officials.”

“Speaking of which… how is Shiny?”

“Still pouting. She believes you’re a traitor. Why don’t you tell her the truth?”

“Are you crazy?! She is in the Special Unit!”

“But I’m in PRISM too.”

“And you still keep my secret. That means I was right about who I can trust.”

Rem’s face brightened a bit, and he ruffled his hair, smiling for the first time since appearing there. As he went speechless for a while, Niji tried to fake some interest: “So… what about you? How’s your job in PRISM? Do you help Izumi-sensei?”

“Yeah, my career suddenly skyrocketed.”

“Yeah…”

Another awkward silence—and the Elementalist realized that there was nothing more for them to share. She failed to understand what she was feeling and why. On the one hand, she desperately needed her friend, the only one who selflessly supported her. On the other, she really wanted him to leave. Right now. She explained to herself that Rem’s presence was unnerving to Dasnor, and she didn’t want to have a conflict with him later… but she was not sure that this was the true reason behind her feeling so disconnected. The sparkle in Rem’s eyes went out again.

“You hardly write to me… I am worried about you, Niji. And… I miss you.”

The sun was still burning, and the heat irritated Niji more than ever. She couldn’t bring herself to say anything. It was like her mind had gone numb and blocked any possible reaction.

“‘kay, I guess I should go,” Rem said, looking very embarrassed. “Too many chores to do, and I’ve wasted enough time already. If you need anything, just drop me a line, okay? See ya!”

Before the mage girl had the strength to utter at least something—that she was missing him as well or how much she appreciated his help—the Lackluster waved his hand goodbye and went outside the courtyard. After half a minute she heard a sound of a car starting up.

Niji stood still, shifting from foot to foot. She had a feeling they both had been watched all this time, and she squeezed the folder she was given. She did not know yet that it contained absolutely nothing useful, but the hope of salvation arose in her again with its stubborn perseverance.