Sonata wondered how did her father survived throughout the whole ordeal against Reverse? It made her worried that how long has it been for him to stuck in there with Suona's father, at least she was glad that she's not alone in this world. However, she began to doubt if he still the same person she used to know--but she decided to think about that later. Now she was back in the mess where she lived with Claire and Gabriel, luckily there's an empty bedroom and her father will be staying here (because Gabriel need another male to keep him company). "Crap, we need to buy your father some clothes. I guess we need to find the one with his size when he turns into his human form."

Claire grumbled, picking her father's noble clothes that he gave to her (most of them still fancy and new despite being old) while Gabriel ironing his clothes and Sonata helped them by folding them. "I also have my father's clothes, but not sure if he will handing over his old clothes... because most of them are needed for his official meetings despite he bought new ones," Gabriel said, ironing the clothes that his best friend handed to him. "By the way, when my father will become human?" Sonata asked, before he answered. "Dr. Chamberlain said that he will become human after two days so we have to wait, the same goes for Suona's father."

Suona placed some clothes from Huaxian Town of Welkin on the table next to Claire, she had to find the size that similar to either Lloyd and Alastair's (perhaps Senja's size) for him."Phew... I got some clothes with his size," she murmured with a sigh, before she smiled happily at Sonata. "Are you excited, Sonata? I can't wait to see him the day after tomorrow!"

Sonata's wolf ear twitched at her statement, before she match a cheerful smile at her. "Yeah, I can't wait!"

Claire accepted Suona's clothes that was bought and checked the size, she nodded as she said to her. "Suona, has there any Huaxian Mail-Hunters in NPS other than you and Master Senja?" she asked, Suona hummed before she shrugged. "I don't think I have met them nor encounter them... I don't think some of them who are commoners will be interested, let alone a noble... I'll be real with you guys here. Sonata did have met them before, and it was not a pleasing experience."

That made them stopped as Gabriel turned off the iron, while Sonata listened despite knowing this already. "Huh? I thought they were all friendly and very clever," he said, while Suona shake her head a little. "Yeah, not all of them but there's some that you guys have to be careful... not all of the Huaxian nobles are approachable. They are competitive and cruel to each other, regardless of their social classes and statuses--not even their backgrounds and they have a long story of battles. They only befriend to people as long they're beneficial, but not all of them do that--but I don't befriend Sonata for benefits! We're friends from the beginning!"

Suona clarified honestly which made Sonata laughed, they know each other after all that made Claire and Gabriel's mood brighten up by their interactions. After that, Sonata has something to say to Suona before she will depart to her delivery service--so she reminded her first. "Suona, if you saw a Marauder with a claw mark that I made on his wrist--don't let him capture you," she said, Suona nodded with a grin due to the reminder of 'a Marauder with a claw mark' and she remembered how Sonata got scared to see him.

"Got it!"

They didn't realize that someone is listening from outside the mess, before the figure left.

The next day...

Suona observed the path to the Stardust Express Station, she feel so damn scared that a Husk creatures would attack her--but still, she continued to take her time walking there until she finally arrived there--looking around cautiously to check if any other letters to be delivered and if any package that comes with those letters. 'So, this is where Sonata encountered a disturbing stranger...' she thought, humming softly.

Suona shrieked when she saw the man was about to shoot someone who was laying unconscious with his flintlock on his hand, her eyes widened at the sight of the claw mark that was on his wrist and she manage to recognize that. She growled, before she aimed her Spring Snow Suite, Symphony No. 40 in G Minor in front of the Marauder.

"You!"

The mysterious young man didn't say anything as he glanced to his side, seeing her with her weapon equipped before him. Suona plucked one string, creating a light purple pastel-like blast towards him--even though it didn't kill him; it can potentially and fatally tear his internal organs in process. What the blazes?! Why did the man still standing like that? There's no way he could survive an attack like this! Suona thought with a surprise in her heart, no wonder why Sonata refuse to attack him--something disturbing and intimidating making her feel like she want to step back from him. "Let go of him, now! Or I will shoot you!" she threatened.

The young man coughed out small amount of blood before he wiped the blood from his mouth, his gaze never leaving Suona's turquoise emerald colored eyes. He didn't know why but he ended up dropping the unconscious man from his hand, his internal organ has been ruptured and he spat more amount of blood again before he ran off from there. "Strange... what kind of Marauder is this?" she whispered, strapping back her weapon as she checked on the young man.

The girl checked on the unconscious fallen victim that was dropped by the man; her expression changed from anger to worry as she examined the man. Oh wait, he's still breathing--it made her sighed in relief since there's no sign of wounds and he was just getting knocked out.

The young man seemed to be sixteen-years old like her and Sonata, but he looked taller than her and a Huaxian. He has a reddish-brown hair that styled neck-length, straight, and his long uneven bangs parted to the right side of his face. When he opened his eyes, he has light brown eyes and wears a spectacles with porcelain complexion. He wears a white-colored, Huaxian-style jacket trimmed with black lines that bordered on the long sleeves and tassels hanging from each side of his hip. He wears a black uniform with Mandarin collars underneath, along a black trousers and knee-high, black buccaneer boots with silver tips.

How did he ended up here? How come did he... there's no time for that. Suona frowned, before she look down at him. "Are you okay?" she asked, shaking his shoulder.

The young man blinked in confusion, why he's here? The young fellow quickly got up on his feet after he regain consciousness, Suona looked at him confused as she backed away and stand up on her feet. "H-How did I...?" he asked, looking around and checking his own clothes. "That creepy Marauder guy was dragging you earlier, so I attacked him while you were unconscious," Suona explained to him, waving her hands to emphasize her words. "I'm glad that he dropped you safely. I never thought that a Marauder is trying to kill you..."

The young man seemed surprised, but nodded in understanding of her answer. His expression suddenly went cold and unfriendly in a manner that made Suona flinched at his sudden change. He never smiled, not even a single grin--like he was holding back of his emotions so he won't cry and feeling weak at the same time. With his known rationality-over-emotion, rule-abiding nature can often lead people to mistake him as a cold and heartless person.

Suona seems to know this young fellow, is he the heir of the Hausen House? The infamous Xinglan Hausen? From what she heard of him, he was quite famous but also very unapproachable due to his status as a young lord. She was unnerved by him, the quiet lad kept on staring at her but he didn't say anything to her; it felt uncomfortable to her if he stays quiet. It's like he has no energy to open his mouth and talk. 'Oh crap, he was so damn intimidating... is this how noble, handsome Huaxian men look like?!' she thought with a creeped out expression, nervously looking at him.

"D-Do you mind if I can escort you back to Welkin City? I'm Suona Fermata, sixteen years old. I'm an Emissary from National Postal Service, we were in charge of delivering letters, packages and protect people from Husk creatures and Marauders!" she introduced herself.

As much Xinglan want to refuse her offer, he couldn't as he was vulnerable by the sign that he felt very drained that he couldn't walk on his feet anymore, and if she have some work, it must be important and he couldn't get in her way. "Escort me back there," he ordered, his tone is so deep and confident and it sounds very proud.

Suona sighed and decided to escort him to Stardust Express Station nearby, waiting for the train to arrive. 'But, why a Marauder looking for me? Where is this place, anyway?' he thought; of course he's confused, his mind is still fuzzy and stuff from that attack earlier and why there's an endless rocky lands here.

In the National Postal Service...

For Emissaries, nobles and commoners are treated equally--either as citizen of Canaria or part of National Postal Service in Welkin City. Xinglan felt like he wasn't treated inferior by the Emissaries and the citizens, despite being born in wealthy family. To solve this kind of awkward feelings, Suona called Sonata, Claire, Gabriel and Vincent to meet him--and turns out the conversation was difficult due to his anti-social nature.

"Wait, what? You saved a heir of Hausen Family from that Marauder you encountered?"

Sonata asked, seeing how Xinglan look around while sitting on the lobby couch of their office. "Yeah... he was about to get killed by the Marauder you mentioned yesterday, but I saved him and well... the rest is a long story," Suona explained, frowning a little. 'Strange, is he already used to this scenery--or is he judging us for such a job like the government's organization? Is it because the old guards have to protect us, so they all despise how we worked with commoners?' Gabriel thought, he know that some Huaxian nobles in Canaria are known to be arrogant, overbearing, abusive and control their subject in their residence--more worse than Canarian nobles, from emperors to dukes; he know Hausen bloodline did use the people under them.

"Suona," Xinglan spoke, his gaze fixated to her. "Can you stop bring those people to speak with me?" he added. Well, that's true, every minute since he arrived in the office--nobles, courtesans and commoners alike are meeting with him to investigate whether he's their beloved young lord or not, because of his manner that looks nothing but little--he stood up before Suona apologized. "Sorry, people seem to look for you... I'm sorry for their disturbance..."

It's like a lie, but since Suona apologize to him--it's like he expected that she seems to be naive of things to do, he glanced over her friends but he mostly darted his gaze on Suona. All because she has an ancestry of Huaxian, along her father Suiren. What on the racism hell...? The Huaxian aristocrats are mostly discriminative towards people who are not their kinds, making it worse that there's no Mail-Hunters of Huaxian ancestry in the National Postal Service. The Huaxian commoners are still kind and tolerable, but not the noble lords.

"Okay, can we not discuss your similarities with Huaxian aristocrats here--since we also treated ourselves like equal as well as others? Sorry if I sound rude, but... we don't tolerate discrimination here," Sonata interjected, catching them off guard. Xinglan seems to be a lone wolf and easily reject people, hence he avoided socializing and ended up intimidating. "Call Master Senja here," Claire whispered, making Sonata nodded quickly and fetched her. "Please wait here!"

A few minutes later, Senja arrived alongside Dr. Chamberlain who was busy with his stuff and both Sonata and Suona's fathers who are still on a process, this made Xinglan facepalmed mentally at first--until he saw Senja who has a half-ancestry of Huaxian bloodline on his left. Senja is a social butterfly, he always do the ice breaking to all Mail-Hunters and everyone so they won't be hesitate on befriending others as they try to get closer to him with his funny jokes and wisecracks, he likes making his way to someone's heart with warmth and cheerful personality. This man also has a great talent on making others to do their own work correctly and politely.

Xinglan blinked, he was confused that why is he so friendly--considering that he's from a prestigious family. "I'm Senja, Senjaya Christiadjie. I'm the Coordinator-General of National Postal Service, also part of the HR Department!" he introduced himself, shaking Xinglan's hand gently. At first, Xinglan not interested on welcoming this half-Huaxian fellow, but his handshake... it was just like that and made him change his mind a little. "Uhh... nice to meet you, I'm Xinglan Hausen, heir of the Hausen House. Anyways, I came here because I just moved out from my homeland after those Marauders destroyed them. Then, after I shipped my belongings in here--I was about to go to the station after transferring from other train and this man... was about to kill me."

Sonata listens when he explained the details on how did he get here, he handed the receipt of his shippings and turns out all of his belongings were in the National Postal Service's storage room. "Oh, so you want to stay in Welkin?" Senja asked, he nodded as he folded his arms. "Yes, and... I'm looking for a job, not sure if there's any vacant jobs available in this city..." he murmured at the end, until he heard him spoke.

"Do you want to become a Mail-Hunter? There will be paychecks."

Xinglan was surprised by his offer, he also saw the infamous Postmaster-General known as Lloyd Warren standing beside Alastair, the Vice Postmaster-General that he have heard before. At first, he doubt if he can work here due to the beliefs in his heritage that not all of his race can become a Mail-Hunter--but he wanted to get out from his comfort zone and try new things for once--it would teach him not to hold back, his logic and practicalities--now his own morals. Due to the tight environment in his aristocratic clan and how they perceive new people and different races, the young lord can't tolerate any social skills but he was going to try it again--that's what his instincts were telling him.

"Yeah, I guess I want become one..." he answered shortly. He will accept the invitation even it's less than perfect and far from normal, but still he accepted the offer. "Oh right, no privileges," Suona added with a grin, one thing that Huaxian aristocrat clansmen hates; no privileges.

And, she's right--he rolled his eyes. The haughty behavior that Xinglan has, was also so annoying. That's no fun for him, and he feels disinterested. "Darn, I was about to request you to give me a nobility in the department, if you do I will not join you," he stated, until Lloyd cleared his throat and smiled at him. "We'll let you in, without your clan getting politically involved with our organization. As much you don't like it, you need to learn that not everything can be achieved easily--you have to try by yourself."

That's only mean one thing, it made Xinglan's eyes widened in shock as he looked at him. Xinglan was just cold and closed off to people he's not familiar with. Well, he didn't seem to be interested in leaving his comfort zone before, but now he decided to try them--ever since his family treated him back in the past.

"Listen, not everything is about advantages; you have no money so you need to start over, you have no choice but to play with the commoners--and if you hate it, you can quit. But you'll no longer have a chance to be a Mail-Hunter because no one else would want an outsider like you DISRESPECTING other people and all of us. Are we clear on that?" Senja lightly shouted to him, this is a wake up call--treating those who treated the Mail-Hunters terribly, nobles or commoners like crap are the most intolerant and easy to give up.

Xinglan felt his pride is like, nothing special there that keeps the high standard--when he realized it is so shallow that nothing worth defending. His complexation reverted back to normal as he stood up before bowing to them, thanking them that he was invited to take part on this competition. "Well then," he murmured, turning to Senja. "When I will pass the test, I will act all proper... Master Senja."

Senja felt like he hit the jackpot, a candidate that does not see people like him as different--this is the right choice. 'That should add him as the last person to the entrance exam, that should become two-hundred candidates...' Lloyd thought, before he glanced over Xinglan with an amused grin. 'What a hardworking young lad...' Vincent thought, while he leaning back against his vintage motorbike and adjusting his goggles.

"Your entrance examination will began tomorrow, we'll get your stuff into the residence that will be reserved for you--so be prepared," Alastair announced, before he ordered Cordelia and Gilbert in writing down his name and marking him as a candidate.

Few hours later...

Dr. Chamberlain was eyeing on the three Hybrid Children during his assessment regarding their physiology and behavior, he examined Sonya's claw-like nails and her eyes--while Marie was preparing some hearty meals for the three. "I heard you’re doing research about these hybrids,” Lloyd said curiously while looking at the three children--they have been kept in incubator rooms ever since they were still under their watch for further analysis.

“Yes, Master Lloyd,” Dr. Chamberlain answered as he observed the Hybrid Children inside the room, where Marie was taking care of them carefully and happily--but sometimes she can be eccentric and annoying but he likes her company nonetheless. “Do you have any idea about it?” Lloyd asked again curiously, he knows how much Alastair hates mysteries—he would rather not investigate on it. “They have been experimented by Reverse for a long period of time, making their genetic code changed,” the doctor murmured, seeing his friend and superior nodded. "I see..."

Marie was monitoring the three kids; Sonya, Serena and Irina inside the room and saw how they are still alive while they’re kept in isolation rooms. She noticed that they’re still conscious and awake while they’re being treated. However they were being a brat from throwing mean glances to her, making her sighed with a pout. "I think we need to discipline them, they won't behave when we tried to cure them. I mean, look at them!" she whined, seeing Irina sticking out her tongue at her. "They won't even eat the food we made for them!"

Lloyd whistled to see them inside the incubator room, before he sighed with a smile. "Kids these days... at least they don't look like Sonata and Suona though..."

“They also gained the ability that the Husks possess, such as superhuman strength and speed,” Dr. Chamberlain explained to Lloyd and Alastair, folding his arms. “But their memory are still intact; their personality is still the same. However, the side effects of the ability is unknown. We need to study more about these things--if possible we want to try treating them with medication to see if they can recover fully from their conditions.”

“Right... as for these children, are they brainwashed by the Reverse?” Alastair asked, Dr. Chamberlain nodded. “Correct, as a result of this Hybridization, they were brainwashed by the Reverse--they believe that they are doing right for the sake of all other people in this country, by doing something that beyond morality,” Dr. Chamberlain stated, observing the three children. “Because of this, they think that they are giving hope to everyone, even if it costs their own lives. But, the path that they did is never been right--it costs lives of people and innocents, and even their own lives. This apply to the Marauders too, they're like a soldiers to them and serve them until they no longer able to fight."

Maria agreed, before she explained with a smile. "We need to investigate more before we begin our treatment, I want to be sure that we aren’t making a mistake before starting any therapy on them,” she explained as she gestured around the laboratories, before tucking her hands into the pockets of her lab coat. “We need more data and information on how they were made into what they are right now; we have to be careful about this because we don’t want to make them worse,” Dr. Chamberlain added.

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

Lloyd nodded, understanding what Dr. Chamberlain meant—he’s right; they need to be sure before they treat them because if the treatment isn’t effective enough it will end up badly. “If we’re going to treat them with medicine—we need to be sure that we won’t cause further harm than good,” he added. “Which is why it took some time.”

“I understand, thank you Doctor.”

Both of them thanked him before they left the laboratory, Alastair let out a soft sigh when he think about this--before he turned to look at his Postmaster-General who was still thinking on how to proceed and deal with these three kids who’ve been affected by this Hybridization. They still have time to figure out how to deal with them; Lloyd was thinking on something else... something different... it made him getting headache by his thoughts.

"This is... this will lead to political issue to the Canaria Government, because they’re covering this up--especially the Prime Minister's scandal that exposed and the military had to cover up that mess. When I was in Altalune, the situation was horrible that I can't take any sides during the meeting. Turns out, the Prime Minister had a 'debt' with Reverse Organization--from what I gathered."

Alastair narrowed his eyes when his friend-colleague explaining about the politics and the issue in the government, which means there's something wrong in there and the issue isn't just about Hybrids--there's more within of Canaria that nobody know. “They must be behind this, and there’s no mistaking it that there’s something fishy about this whole situation.”

Lloyd nodded, he folded his arms with a smile at his friend and subordinate. “I don’t want to be involved in government’s matter either, but we can’t leave these Hybrid Children like this. They might be a threat to our citizens, even if it cost something.”

The thought made him shiver--because he was thinking if this is true, there will be a chance for them to escape—and if they escaped they can become a huge problem for humanity. Until, they heard a sudden loud crash that made their heads turned to the direction of the medical room. "Uhm... what was that?" he asked, Alastair narrowed his eyes. "That must be the Winter Wolf and Spring Serpent, we need to call the others."

That night...

Sonata was awake earlier than usual today, before she saw Suona helping Xinglan with the stuff he carried in the house and he seems... cooperative than before. Oh well, at least he was trying his best with his social skills and she watched him talking to Suona in his usual monotone voice, but he was less impassive than before. "Did you know that something happened in Dr. Chamberlain's lab recently? There was a sudden crashing sound and it creeping me out, y'know..." one of the Mail-Hunters spoke to each other outside their mess, making Sonata wondered what was that all about.

As she find out her two best friends Claire and Gabriel were napping in their separate rooms next to hers--Suona also came early, Sonata let them rest so she can visit her father--she was told that her father will turn back to human in the next day. However, she was curious because it's her first time seeing her father in the flesh in her life--so she was eager to see him for herself. Adjusting the hold of the clothes that was for Suona's father and for hers too, she heard one of the Masters' voice.

"Sonata, Suona! Good to see you there!"

Senja greeted both of the girls while approaching them, he didn't expect his subordinate to be here at night. "Master Senja! Good to see you too! We're going to visit the lab because Dr. Chamberlain called us here," Sonata explained, nodding at Suona who yawned from helping Xinglan with his stuff. "Yeah... I had to help on proctoring the candidates tomorrow," she said with a pout, the Coordinator-General laughed as he patted their shoulders. "It's alright, want me to come with you guys?" he asked, they nodded before the three of them went to the lab in the department next to the National Postal Service Headquarters.

"Alright, where is he--"

Suona shrieked to see the bed is empty, the giant wolf is not there and the dragon also not here. "Huh, I thought these creatures were here last time...?" she asked, but she could see the human footprints--which means he was somewhere. Sonata shrieked when she heard a noise so she hide behind her superior Senja, it made him grew defensive that he look around for danger while looking at her suspiciously. Suona also got scared that she hugged Sonata and they moved away from the end of the laboratory--towards the sound. "Wait here, I'll go check it out myself," Senja said to Sonata, but she shook her head and refused.

"Don't leave us here, Master Senja! What if something happens!?"

Sonata spoke fearfully, Suona nodded as she hugged Sonata close--making him nervous that he also don't want to be left behind. She knows what kind of monster should a stranger approaching to someone or stalked from behind. Suona almost screamed when someone touched her shoulder, making the two screamed to see a hand. Dr. Chamberlain appeared from behind with the other medics, they were disheveled after hiding from the 'incident' happened earlier.

"Sheesh, you scared us, Doc!"

Senja shouted in response while holding his chest, seeing Dr. Chamberlain yawning and adjusting his glasses. "No offense," he quickly added, making the doctor shrugged--but he didn't mind. "We were hiding because we thought someone might see us, it's just that... we've been trying to get the creatures out of the wall for the past few hours, but we can't find any trace of these two! Turns out they becomes human!"

Sonata stood there like a statue, distraught from what she just heard. Suona also went blank-faced just by listening to them, making the two girls stared at each other before looking back at them. "I-Is that true!?" the Spring Serpent Mail-Hunter exclaimed, but neither of the two men answered. Until the silence broken when Sonata's mentor, slamming the door of the lab as he yelled. "Finally... I found him, in my office!"

Lloyd was yawning as he popped out behind his subordinate Alastair, he looks like he was exhausted from searching them. "Also, Suona's father is in my office too... as a human," he added, making the latter blushed as Suona heard what he said--she wanted to throw herself into the dumpster due to how embarrassing she was feeling right now!

"NO! I don't want to see my father in his human form without me being there first!" Suona shouted at Lloyd, making Sonata shake her head at her outburst. "I mean... you haven't seen him though..." she said, before she saw Claire is here while bringing her father's old clothes after waking up all of a sudden--so does Gabriel who also had to carry his other clothes. "Woah, why are you guys here?!" she asked, before Claire sighed. "My father called us all of a sudden and..."

"And, I already put on some clothes on him-which is my old clothes as a noble."

Alastair added, before he sighed deeply. "If you want to see your father, follow me," he told Sonata, before she quickly ran after him with Lloyd--while her friend Suona was dragging with Senja along the path. After they were in the hallway, Sonata decided to peek inside the open door before walking inside--she couldn't wait anymore.

The tall fellow appears be youthful and have an appearance of a twenty-five years old, despite being around thirty-seven old--in addition of lean and muscular stature. He has winter-white colored short hair with long bangs reaching his mid-cheeks and almost covering his teal-blue eyes and he has winter snow-like alabaster complexion; these hair, eye and skin color are matching with Sonata's features. His black pupils matching with hers, instead of being sharp like a wolf-it was round when he's a human. He wears the clothes that her mentor worn on him (which is fancy and noble-styled clothings, Alastair know suitable fashion) consists of black pants with red lining that covers his legs and white shirt with thin sleeves that goes to his upper arms; which was decorated by golden trimming on it. He wore the same shoes as well that was polished to shine like glass.

Sonata hid behind a bookcase, while Suona froze to see Sonata's father. "Damn, I didn't know your dad will be like this... you know what I mean," Senja commented, he saw Sonata's father wore the nobleman clothes properly to show some manners and class (while Alastair actually helping him wearing that).

"Huh? I don't remember my father is usually this charming?"

Sonata grumbled, before Suona cleared her throat. "Can I... met my dad on the other side?" she asked Lloyd, he nodded while he guide her to his office to meet her father. Suona quickly followed him to another room while she was hiding, while Sonata looked shy and tried to avoid looking at her father--she didn't expect him to be so tall and strong--yet handsome.

The tall, young man has a white and light purple scruffy neck-length messy hair with long bangs almost covering his turquoise-blue eyes and fair complexion, he still has the black serpent-like pupils on his eyes and would dilate if he's nervous. Due to his tall and lean appearance, he resembles his daughter Suona--except her short height and has the features of her mother's heritage as a human. He wears a white, black and teal-green changshan that Gabriel put on him, with a black pants and black knee-length boots.

"How about we ask their names?"

Lloyd asked Dr. Chamberlain while watching the bewildered yet peaceful look on the man's face, Alastair doesn't know much about this man. "They don't have human names, I think it would be easier for us to give him a name, don't you think?" he added, so they looked back to Sonata and she was still standing awkwardly behind her mentor but she couldn't just look at him in the eye.

"I'm not good with names but... I'll give him one. How about this, Solvine Nocturna? Please tell me it's unregistered by any living species in this world!" Sonata commented nervously. "Let's see... it's unregistered for this country," Dr. Chamberlain said while giving his data files to Postmaster-General, he nodded. "Yes, this is the first and only name that is never taken away for decades of years, it's an old name in our country." he spoke, even Sonata knows that the name was registered and nodded.

"How about yours, Suona?"

Suona hummed, before she answered. "How about Suiren Fermata?" she knew this name is unregistered, so Alastair take out the data file and turns out it was unregistered on the data list of all people in Canaria. "Even his name has never existed in our nation, so you did a great job, Suona."

Sonata finally moved from where she was hiding as she walked to her father, watching his eyes went soft and gazed at her silently. Her father... or Solvine now looked healthy, still handsome and strong. "Father," Sonata greeted him politely, bowing her head slightly as she took a step forward to approach him in a slow manner. Her father didn't move his expression, only his hands holding onto the table for balance as he sat on the chair--this is his first time having a human encounter with his daughter and it's awkward for them both. But then, her father finally replied in monotone voice:

"Hello, my daughter..."

Suona also want to test it out to her own father, she immediately bow her head to her father--who is human now. But, due to her scaredy-cat nature to her own kind... she was avoiding contact with them. However, she's more courageous and loudmouth than before. When her father bowed his head and turn his eyes to her, his gaze softened at her and still kind and caring as he used to be.

"Suona, is this you?" he asked, he looked much more calmer and less grumpy than he was in his beast form. "Yes, it's me... and you're..." Suona muttered, she didn't know what to feel when she see her father is human now, yet he was very calm and have her name.

Suona almost fainted when her father pulled her closer towards him to hug her, feeling embarrassed because everyone is there. In the end, Alastair decided to not separate the father and daughter. Sonata shrieked when her own father hold her hand, studying the smooth and soft human hand of hers.

Few minutes later…

"Wait, what?! You wanted me to teach your father human norms?!"

Alastair snapped with surprise, he knew his apprentice Sonata trying to bond with her father--but he still trying to adjust with humans after he returned to human form as well as his apprentices that has yet to learn how to talk to others.

"I mean... you're right though."

Gabriel grumbled, seeing how Solvine trying to grab a cup of tea that's on the table in the kitchen, only to spill the contents all over on himself when his arm was shaking so violently that he almost fell on the floor. Then, Suiren also trying to stand on his own but he literally fell face-first on the floor when his body was not used to walking like a human. "Not to mention, he even doesn't know how to talk!" Claire added which Senja face-palmed after the scene, being not used to walking on two legs--he felt like he had to ask his superior about this.

Claire sighed with a smile at her best friend, before Suona heard her spoke. "Alright, we'll help you guys--it's not something we cannot do; at least we got new member of National Postal Service," Mathilda said, before their superior Lloyd agreed with a smile--scratching behind his head. "Of course, I was meaning to find new recruits for the NPS' empty positions... so why don't we recruit these two? It would be a good idea."

Alastair approached the two of them carefully. Solvine watched with serious stare and Suiren watch with a confused frown. "My name is Alastor Westenra Farron Jr, Vice Postmaster-General of National Postal Service, you may address me as Master Alastair," he introduced himself, before he continued. "You're having a problem with holding a cup of tea, I assume?" he asked, trying to keep his cold tone suppressed from his voice to make the man understand them easily. "And, having a problem walking on your own too?" he added, seeing the people have stopped to listen to Alastair's voice to keep their wits about him.

Alastair was being patient despite his stern and serious expression, but he was willing to listen and help him to learn those things as fast as possible. "Now, let's try to start from the most basic things," Alastair instructed the man in monotone voice, he's using a calm voice as if he's talking to a young child.

"When you're a wolf, you walk on four legs, right? Can you do it in your human form?" he asked softly, Solvine lowered his chin and raised one brow at the serious person who ask him to try. "It's not too hard, I assure you. As for you, when you're a serpent dragon--you either fly or slither with your stomach," Alastair explained, before noticing how uncomfortable the young male was looking. "We're going to teach you everything, until you learned how to understand everything,"

Alastair repeated again, as he saw his superior and friend Lloyd coming with Dr. Chamberlain. Lloyd guided him to stand up on his feet again by supporting his shoulder and arm when the man was stumbling, while Gabriel supported the back of the man. Dr. Chamberlain examined the man's legs with his hands when both Alastair and Lloyd keep the man standing, before he check Suiren's ones as well and he explained to them. "His motor nerves seem fine, there's no damage to his joints or limbs... but his leg muscles are weak and not trained yet..." he said when he was inspecting his ankles, before he continued. "You need to train him to walk and run, but we will have to start with sitting and walking first."

Dr. Chamberlain used his reflex hammer to test the strength of the man's knee and flex his knees and elbows, all of these help a lot. "His knee seems stable... his forearm bones have retained their flexibility," he looked down when Solvine staring directly into Dr. Chamberlain's face, yet his expression and emotion didn't give off any interest at all--because he still trying to adapt with humans. "Okay, looks like you need a lot of training here," Dr. Chamberlain informed them, before he continued. "I recommend you start with walking exercises and standing practice."

This is going to be exhausting.

Few hours later...

Sonata has to teach her father Solvine is to learn how to do things a normal human would, before he can learn how to do things properly. It took a while, but eventually her father eventually learns how to eat and drink on his own. The second is Claire teaching him martial arts and how to fight, and Gabriel teaching him how to perform basic tasks, while Suona teaching him how to walk, sit, stand, and how to socialize with his daughter or anyone else. Lastly, they eventually need Dr. Chamberlain's input and supervision, every step along the way. It applies to Suiren as well, given the same training like Solvine--so they can be familiar to each other and both Gabriel and Claire also had to teach Suiren as well.

But it seems he got the hang of it eventually, although still not fast enough because he's still not used to his new strength and skills, even if it will take time to adjust his skills to match the strength and speed. As for Senja, he had to teach the two of them to speak properly and other languages so he told them to read several books and how to write--the next is Mathilda taught them sports... she literally taught them swimming, acrobatics, gymnastics, team sports, equestrian sports, trampoline, cycling and fishing... it was a literal hell for the two of them. She also taught them various ways to express themselves, from table manners, attitude and moral compass.

Vincent teach them how to ride vintage motorbikes, because of Solvine didn't expect him to be calm and collected just like Gabriel. Gilbert had to teach them about how Emissaries--the postal workers of National Postal Service worked from delivering mails and defeating Husk creatures, even Cordelia teach them how to treat people politely, how to respect his elders and superiors--even learning how to perform basic chores like cooking, cleaning and such.

Lloyd taught about the Husk creatures, and how to defeat these giant insect with jewel-like armors with Automotive Gear weapons. He also taught him the mechanism and the Melodic Ambers--the source of ammunition that produced thunderous blast known as Melodic Scores, along strategy and tactics. Alastair mostly taught them how to use Automotive Gear weapons--to the point of making him becoming a full-fledged Master; after making the two join them.

Oh dear, this day is full of nothing but severe exhaustion just to teach them human language and things; this caused Solvine and Suiren went 'reborn' to the max due to being physically and mentally drained from the high endurance tests. However, their physiques were built and becoming lean and muscularly--which make the men look attractive.

"Defeating Husk creatures is an easy task... but teaching Winter Wolf and Spring Serpent who becomes human? I want to die from teaching old people," Senja whined, he felt like his life is gone just to teach how to fight or hunt for them--at least he still hunts the Husks for them. "Give it a break, we had to teach everything--especially their manners," Lloyd mumbled, flopping his entire body on the chair as he had to teach so many things for them.

"They're not that old, Senja!" Mathilda yelled at her fellow co-worker, with disappointment and shock.

Gabriel rolled his eyes, sighing while Gilbert sighed as he straighten his arms--they're all exhausted from training and teaching a grown-man to use his newfound skills and abilities as a human. Vincent was rubbing his eyes, knowing that Sonata had so much difficulty with her father--even he gets confused too. Not even Suona who tried to teach her father something is easy, so the entire National Postal Service's forces have to gather together so they can show them the skills and strengths of the organization they are part of and share it with each other.

--Seventh Day of the Festival of Lights--First Week--

"I'm tired..."

Sonata entered the employee mess of National Postal Service in Blue Notes as she slumped on the couch, yawning as she stretched her arms and rolling around--despite Elizabeth's hiss at her for disturbing her nap. "I know," Claire said as she yawned, she had been eating lunch while talking to her best friend Sonata as well as her other best friend Gabriel in her table. "You should bond with your father, he's still himself--just that he's in his human form, thanks to the rune ear cuff you put on his ear.”

Sonata nodded at Claire when she said that, while he was still resting inside his room. "Yeah... but my father still not used talking as a human being, despite used to be a giant wolf. Suona's father also trying to adapt as well, he currently stays with Suona in the next complex with us," Sonata murmured, she ate her food quickly as she was hungry and wanted to rest. "Well, at least he's adjusting quickly with everything."

"And, my father works on the same schedule like mine; it doesn't matter anymore, I'm happy that my father is here with me..."

Sonata whispered, looking around as she looked for her father-before she spotted him behind her.

"Claire! I feel awkward! He's behind me now!"

Solvine has gained a new attributes, his signature Emissary uniform consists of dark Prussian blue and gold platinum majestic collared cape draped on his shoulders with gold musical note pendants attached on both collars--with wolf prints. Underneath his dark Prussian blue cape is a white formal shirt underneath his black suit with tailcoat that has gold platinum musical note pendants on the V-neck and buttons, a black vest and dark Prussian blue ascot tie--along black trouser tucked into his dark gray riding boots-he wears a black fingerless gloves and a strap on his left leg; which is his Automotive Gear and he wears chained spectacles (only wearing it during paperwork and reports with his typewriter).

His Automotive Gear; Cantabile's Caprice Op. 17--a gunblade weapon and Decresendo-type; a long slug and projectile with electromagnetic forces and purplish-blue Melodic Amber with wolf symbol on the gunblade, with a long blade that is shaped like a saber with a silver blade on the upper part; the lower half is formed by a small cylinder that is shaped like an artillery shell. It has a red and purple light on the front and back portion of the barrel, with the two chains attached to the bottom half of the gunblade. It had a holster, and the grip of the gunblade is made by metal with a leathery feel on its surface.

'Well then, he'll be working for the first time in the next morning...'

Sonata thought, sighing softly at her father who tilted his head at the trio in front of them—after he made a cup of warm chocolate for himself at the pantry. "Oh right, how was the Master-class Promotion Exam, Master Solvine? Yesterday you passed the exam to become a Deputy Postmaster-General and Director-General of Inspectorate Code of Ethics Department. As for Master Suiren, what is his position?" Gabriel asked, seeing Solvine narrowed his eyes slightly but with a calm face. It makes Sonata happy to see her father's expressions can be translated easily when he's a human now.

"It's alright, I guess... as for Master Suiren, he became an Administrative-General of National Postal Service and Director-General of Technical and Engineering Department."

Solvine answered and his voice made everyone stop talking to listen his deep and stern sounding voice, although it was his ACTUAL and original voice of a quiet young man in the outside--his voice still retains a bit of its nature from his beast-wolf form. However, Sonata can tell he was still calm yet sharp of a man--and he became soft when his daughter Sonata is around. "The exam was indeed difficult, but I manage to do it smoothly, according to the regulations."

Solvine said, he glanced over Sonata. He grew cold and emotionless towards his own people--but with Lloyd and Senja, he somehow smiled--even to his own daughter he always smile genuinely because he cared a lot about her. "Also, there will be an entrance exam tomorrow so I will be assisting the proctoring with them, Master Suiren and I will be busy since it's in the middle of the festival."

"It's alright, we'll be assisting you guys too!"

Suona added, she hoped that Xinglan won't mess up the whole exam--he needs to work harder for tomorrow.