[Gradion orphanage center]

As soon as they left Leo in the hospital, Butler and Ethan headed to a cozy building in the heart of the city. The sun was shining brightly in the clear blue sky, and the birds were singing sweetly as they flew over the rooftops.

"Young master, why are we here?" He asked Ethan curiously.

"We are here to recruit our next member and vice team leader," Ethan replied.

"Who is it?" Butler wondered.

"Have you heard of the 'Arcane Archer'?" Ethan asked.

Butler gasped in astonishment. "Are you talking about my daughter?" he exclaimed.

"What? She is your daughter?" Ethan said, surprised.

"Yes, young master. You must've remembered her. When both of you were kids, you used to play together," Butler said.

"Yes, I remember. Her name was Emily, right?" Ethan said.

"That's right, young master," Butler said.

"Then I think it would be tough to recruit her," Ethan said.

"Don't worry, young master. I will help you in convincing her," Butler said.

They both walked inside the door and saw a spacious and colorful hall, where several children were playing, reading, or doing other activities.

The hall had a wooden floor, white walls, and large windows that let in natural light. There were also paintings, posters, and banners that decorated the walls, showing the children’s creativity and talents.

The hall was divided into different zones, such as a library, a play area, a study area, and a dining area. There were also some couches, chairs, and tables where the children could sit and relax. The hall was filled with laughter, chatter, and music, creating a lively and cheerful atmosphere.

"Is it you, Bennet?" An old woman approached the butler and asked.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"Yes, director. How are you?"

"I'm fine. Are you here to meet your daughter?"

"Yes, do you perhaps know where she is?"

"Yes. She would be in her office. Her office is the last third right one on the second floor." She explained.

"Okay. Thank you."

"By the way who is he?" She pointed at Ethan.

"He is young master Ethan. Last time you saw him he was 8 years old."

"Oh now I remember." She was about to leave before she turned her towards Ethan and said, "You and Emily still make a good pair." She teased.

Ethan didn't paid any attention to her bickering and headed towards Emily room.

The butler knocked on the door and felt a surge of nostalgia as he heard his daughter's voice.

"Who is it?" Emily asked.

"It's me, Emily."

"Oh Dad, come in."

They both entered the room and saw Emily reading some documents on her desk. She looked up and saw a familiar face standing beside her father.

"So Ethan what are you doing here?" She directly got to point.

"....I am here to recruit you for my new team." Ethan hesitated as he knew what her response going to be.

"I am sorry but I'm not interested. Now go." She said nonchalantly.

"Emily, you should be more respectful to the young master." The butler chided.

The butler always wondered how his daughter could treat Ethan so casually. He was the heir of Phoenix guild as well as a member of Echleon and yet she acted like he was just a normal friend.

"Oh come on, Dad. Shouldn't it be the other way? Don't you remember I am 4 months older than him?" She said casually.

"You're still annoying." Ethan muttered.

He remembered how she used to drag him to play with her when they were kids. How she forced him to go to different places with her. How she always teased him.

To him, she was annoying.

"And you're still an aloof doll." She retorted.

She also remembered how he always had a same dull expression on his face. How he always kept his distance from others. How he always stayed aloof.

To her, he was an aloof doll.

"Are you sure you don't want to join my team?" Ethan changed the topic, knowing he would never win an argument with her.

"Yes, I'm sure. And I don't understand why you're doing this. It's not like you at all."

"You don't need to know."

"Is it because of Mark?"

"You shouldn't be curious about unnecessary things."

Ethan released a strong bloodlust that filled the room with a suffocating pressure.

"Are you still a human?" Emily asked, activating her aura to counter his.

Their eyes met, red and brown, reflecting each other's images.

"Fine. I don't need you on my team anyway." Ethan stopped his bloodlust and turned to leave.

-------

[Few hours later]

Ethan was sitting on a bench near the playground, watching the children play. He felt a pang of nostalgia as he saw a scene that reminded him of his past.

A little boy was playing house with a little girl. It seemed like the boy was reluctant at first, but he soon smiled as he saw the girl's happiness.

"They look like us, don't they?" A sweet voice said behind him.

He turned his head and saw Emily standing there, smiling softly. A smile that he always found annoying.

"What do you want?" He asked coldly.

"Are you still mad that I turned you down?" She teased.

"Stop bothering me."

"Fine, fine."

She sat down next to him on the bench and followed his gaze to the pair of children.

They watched them in silence for a while.

“It’s about Mark, isn’t it?” Emily finally said.

Ethan remained silent.

"Come on, talk to me."

"You're better off not knowing." Ethan said, looking at her with concern.

Emily noticed the seriousness in his eyes and realized that it was something important.

"Okay. I'll join your team."

"What? What did you say?" Ethan was surprised by her sudden change of mind.

"I said I'll join your team. Isn't that what you wanted?"

"Ye..Yeah." Ethan stuttered and continued, "I welcome you as the vice leader of our team."

"By the way, what's our team name?"

"I haven't decided yet. How about Phantom Legion?"

"What? No way."

"Then how about Silent Vanguard?"

"No, let me name it. How about Twilight?"

"That's good."

"Okay then, our team name is Twilight."

And that's how Twilight got their vice leader and Ethan reunited with his childhood friend.