Cale spent a good three days seizing Velence's ability, so long that he felt sorry. He reconstructed his memories of the second wave with the help of the dragon and gradually all the other High-Magicians. It was exhausting for all of them to look at the whole battle from different angles, but when they finally went through all of them on the morning of the 4th day, the mood was lousy. Except for this one Thormod, which showed up only once in Grischa's memory, there was nothing to see. Not even the Thormod who would presumably have to control the creatures. Velence's eyes paid special attention to make sure that none of the Thormods disguised as humans had approached either, but their search was unsuccessful.

<"I'm sorry to have wasted your time like this">, Cale spoke up dejectedly, leaning back in his chair. It annoyed him immensely not to have found any information why this Thormod had attacked alone. If he really was just a student, then this action made no sense at all. Either Cale was overlooking something he strongly suspected, or Ninett Merensen had been mistaken.

<"It doesn't matter. I'm always happy to help.">

<"You are actually very kind and accommodating. I can't believe I lived 300 years believing that you and humans wanted to destroy.">

<"I must disappoint you, even we dragons dislike some humans. Though that doesn't apply to your entire species.">

<"Can't say I blame you, we humans can be pretty cruel.">

At the statement, Cale heard the odd laugh he was already used to from Fengari, but Velence fell silent again relatively quickly. Presumably, the dragon thought to himself that this reaction was inappropriate, but Cale didn't mind it much. After the events of his second life, he basically didn't trust people he didn't know one bit. In that respect, he was not so different from William, even if he did not show his distrust openly. To a certain extent, thanks to experiences, he can quickly tell when someone came to him with honest intentions or wanted to do something bad.

<"Come to think of it..... have you ever killed a person, Velence?">

<"I have, yes. The last one half a millennium ago. Not since then, generally we dragons are also not allowed to intervene unless the gods allow us to. Self-defense counts as well.">

<"Were there any humans who were dangerous to you?">

<"There were, yes. There were people who killed some of our kind, you must know. But as long as the gods did not consider it a mistake, we accept that.">

Reluctantly, Cale shook his head. The dragons were 100% loyal to the gods, even if they gave their lives for it. But at the same time, this also meant that some dragons could not be allowed to live in the eyes of the gods. Whatever the reason may have been, he could only partially understand the gods' actions. If it was their job to keep the world alive and provide balance, then that applied to the dragons just as it did to humans.

<"Do you have a wish, Velence?">

<"A wish?">

<"Yes, something you would like to do, even though it may seem impossible. Perhaps even something the gods would forbid if they knew about it.">

<"If you ask me like that...">, the dragon replied thoughtfully. <"...then, yes. I would have one wish. I would like to understand what Evlogia saw.">

<"Who was Evlogia, if I may ask?">.

<"She was probably the dragon I spent the most time with. The gods dispatched her before the dawn of your era, and not a day goes by that I don't think of her. Of all my siblings, she was the one who resisted the gods the most and wanted to learn more about the world.">

<"Really?">

<"Yes. Evlogia was strange, and I used to have a hard time following what was going through her mind. She often defied the rules of Goddess Parousia and left the sacred island without permission. Sometimes she was not seen for days.">

<"What was she doing during that time?">

<"Testing the limits of the world. How high is the sky? How far is the sea? Where does our world end?">, Velence explained, leaving Cale silent. These were questions he had asked himself as well, but it was fascinating to see that there were dragons who didn't accept everything for no reason.

<"She was important to you, wasn't she?">

<"She was, though I didn't really realize this until later. Her behavior was strangely refreshing and I miss the way she saw things. I wonder how she would have reacted in our situation">, Velence explained, as Cale's gaze focused on the lights of the city. <"Until her last moment, she fought for me to understand her thoughts. To see... what she saw...">

<"And do you try to understand it?">

<"Yes, though it is difficult for me. Her whole purpose in life was dedicated to exploring the world, but I could never understand why">, the leader of the dragons explained.

<"As a human, I can understand that curiosity">, Cale spoke up. <"The older we humans get, the more aware we become of our own death. Therefore, we try to search for the meaning of our lives, and when I hear your stories about Evlogia, it will have been similar for her.">

<"A meaning to life?">

<"Yes. A reason that drives us forward in life. A reason why we try to be somewhat careful with the time we have been given.">

<"Is this purpose in life the same for all people?">

<"Rather not, no. It is different for each person. For some it is something material, for others it is togetherness. For some it is the mission to be happy, others want to achieve something with their life. It probably depends on the circumstances in which this person grew up and the other people he came into contact with. There are also people who never find such a purpose in life, or don't realize what it was until the end.">

<"Then what is your purpose in life?">, the dragon finally interjected, causing Cale to fall silent for a moment and swallow nervously.

<"That's a tough question for someone who's had five lives. In my first life, I probably wanted survival more than life. I wanted money and maybe even some recognition to have the time to devote to other things. But now... there I am living for others. I want nothing more than to know the people I care about are safe. Especially in terms of finally reaching the end of my life and not having to repeat all the sadness and pain.">

<"Is rebirth a bad thing in your eyes?">

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

<"Considering the fact that I don't know if there will ever be an end, yes. Eternal life may sound nice, but now I don't think I am lucky.">

For a moment, Cale closed his eyes and took a deep breath before continuing with his explanation.

<"The most painful thing for me isn't the fact that I'm fighting or getting hurt alone. It's the fact that the people I create memories with forget me completely, leaving only my own memories.">

He opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling. This sentence probably summed up his emotional state pretty well. When he woke up in his second life, he was almost glad that he had been given another chance. But now, after going down so many paths and having to see the happiness and suffering from others over and over again, he hated it. The sheer fact that his friends, while he lived with them, became memories. But at the same time, they were also the reason he couldn't give up.

<"It's probably hard to comprehend when your decision has been taken away from you by the gods">, Cale explained. <"Evlogia seemed like a good dragon. I wish I could have met her.">

<"I'm sure you would have liked each other.">

With a smile on his face, Cale stood up and stretched for a moment before approaching the window and opening it. In the distance, the sun was just rising, announcing the new day. Yesterday he thought it would rain today, but the clouds in the sky seemed to have passed. He missed not having William, Ben and Fengari around, but on the other hand he was happy.

<"Thank you so much for your time, Velence. If there is anything I can do for you, please let me know."

<"Maybe I'll take you up on that offer sometime">, Velence replied calmly, and then took his leave before his mana disappeared. The High-Magician, on the other hand, took advantage of the early morning hours and went to the bathroom, washing himself and putting on fresh clothes before leaving the apartment with a fruit in his hand.

Since he had not come out of the apartment for days, he felt the need to talk to Grischa. He had not yet received an answer as to what this new crystal was all about and since when he had developed it, which is why he made his way to the second seat's apartment.

The moment he was close enough to passively feel his mana source, he realized Aaron was with him.

Cale knocked twice on the door before opening it and looking to his right into the hallway where the room was located. Somehow he expected Grischa to appear there, but instead his voice could be heard.

"Come join us, I'm too lazy to get up."

Without comment, he closed the door behind him and followed the voice. When Cale entered the bedroom, he discovered the two High-Magicians lying on the bed surrounded by dozens of sketches and notes, their eyes closed.

"Have you guys been sleeping? What have you been up to all night?"

"Not sure myself", Grischa merely replied.

"I think I slept in between, yeah", Aaron added, opening his eyes and turning to the side, so he could see Cale. "Did you find out anything?"

"Not really, no. The Thormod was the only one who showed up. At least this close to town."

"I was getting hopeful with your smile. Then why are you so cheerful?"

"Not so sure myself", Cale replied, dropping between the two men on the bed. "Probably just relieved that it was just that one Thormod, even if it doesn't answer any of our questions."

"Always look on the bright side of life", Grischa interjected, clearing his throat in amusement.

"How's your ship coming along, Grin?"

"I'm waiting for my wings. They should be ready in two days, and then we can take off on our maiden flight."

"I'm looking forward to that", Cale volunteered enthusiastically, and could feel Aaron getting back on his back as well.

"You've flown before, why are you looking forward to the ship?"

"I've never flown ON the ship, you know."

"But on a dragon, isn't that kind of the same thing?", Aaron interjected.

"Definitely not. If you ever fly with Fengari, who at her speed can easily get to the southern tip of Winstest in half a day, then we'll talk more, Aaron."

"..."

"Sounds like a deal to me, Aaron", the inventor commented with amusement.

"I think I'll pass."

"Thought so", Cale merely replied. He opened his eyes and looked up at the ceiling as he thought about what he had been talking about with Velence. Secretly, he hoped to himself that this moment would not become a memory that would remain only with him, but this very thought frightened him.

"What do you think of my new crystal, Caleb?"

"Ah, I was going to ask you that anyway. What by the Elder's beard were you doing? Where did that suddenly appear from?"

"Was it the first time you saw him?"

"Yes."

"That's a relief, I was beginning to think I was totally predictable", Grischa replied, straightening up. Interested, Cale turned his head in the mage's direction and watched him brush his hair aside and look down at him. "I've been working on the Sky Fire Crystal on and off since Fabio was born. I originally wanted to finish it for his 18th birthday, but after learning the truth about this world, I suddenly felt the need to bring my project forward. According to your narrative, I never managed to complete this one in the other lives, so I took the liberty of finishing the Sky Fire Crystal this past week in addition to my testing on the Flight Crystal."

"So you basically wasted your sleep and valuable time on a glowing flower", Aaron spoke up wryly.

"I had to wait anyway. It's not like you can build a giant flying ship in a day", Grischa immediately defended himself, but Cale had to laugh at the statement.

"You won, definitely. It was really nice, I wish we could watch that every year", Cale replied.

"We can, let's make it a tradition, Caleb!", the 1st seat exclaimed delightedly, bracing himself as he cast an expectant glance at his friend.

"Fine by me."

"Perfect. Now all we have to do is think long enough, including the old man back there", Grischa interjected at the statement, glancing at Aaron, who rose with a jerk.

"I'm not that old."

"I'm not that old", Grischa repeated in a disguised voice. Cale watched Aaron grow red in the face, but did not complain.

"If anything you're young, kid", Cale defended the third seat.

"Here we go again", Grischa threw back in irritation.

"Once you grow up, you might even understand the meaning, little one", Cale replied challengingly and could see Grischa completely at a loss for words. Aaron, on the other hand, broke down completely and began to laugh out loud, which caused the two High-Magicians to turn to him in surprise. He was bent over on the bed, holding his mouth with one hand, as if trying to hold back his voice. In vain. A smile appeared on both Cale's and Grischa's faces before the two lay back down and closed their eyes. Wordlessly, they listened to Aaron's laughing voice for a while until he finally calmed down.

"Laughter suits you, Aaron. You should do it more often", Grischa finally admitted.

"I try my best", the High-Magician replied, looking down at the others, who were beside him with grins. "The people of faith have come forward. They are bringing all the people back from exile and securing the Death Region before they go to check on Tsuke. They have told us that they have received reports for a long time that creatures have multiplied exponentially there and suspect that Thormods are hiding there as well. We haven't told them that we've known about the city for a long time."

"It's probably better that way. It may be some time before we let them in on the existence of the dragons, and even then I'm not sure if they'd just take it. It's easier if they see it with their own eyes, even if it will cost lives", Cale simply replied.

"Ice cold", Grischa commented on Cale's neutral statement, even if he felt similarly about it. The Faith People had always been a strenuous company, a wonder they had listened at all to the warning about the Thormods. "If Frignez accepts the story as well, then Sylve is the only problem right now".

"How come you told the chief about the dragons anyway? Just like that?", Aaron abruptly gave voice, causing Cale to open his eyes and look at the man squatting and staring at him a good half meter away.

"I know Ninett pretty well, I have to admit. I've spent probably most of my life with him and the healers", Cale clarified. "Call it intuition, but I had a feeling during the conversation that Ninett was the right person to tell him the truth."

"Quite a risk factor you took there. Did you actually find anything useful?"

"We talked a bit about the Thormods, and he said he'd heard something about that before, but in a completely different context. He didn't realize that the people without mana were the same people from his memory until he saw the body."

"And what did he say?"

"That he could tell from the painting on the body that this Thormod was a disciple, a child, that is. He said there are still warriors, leaders and saints. I made drawings for all of them, I can show you that later. I was going to mention that at the upcoming meeting anyway", Cale explained calmly, completely avoiding the fact of what it had to do with the Thormods' origins in relation to Holy Mana. As sorry as he was to lie to Aaron and Grischa now, he didn't want to risk losing Frignez's trust, at least not yet.

"And your mother? What about her?"

"She was a saint, according to his description. Don't ask me what that means. All Ninett could tell me was that she was revered like a god."

"Is that perhaps why she mixed under the humans with her shape-shifting ability? What if she didn't want the whole thing in the first place?", Grischa finally interjected, which is why they both turned to the 1st seat.

"Maybe."