"Begin."
As Elder Gordon’s arm dropped, Azeron quickly sat up from his seat, eyes wide on Atticus.
’Finally.’
He felt thrilled that Atticus had accepted this battle. This way, he could witness what the boy was capable of firsthand.
"Kill him."
Azeron frowned at Atticus’ sudden words. But his expression froze as, in the next moment, an unseen bubble enveloped Deon, shrinking at a rapid pace until it vanished into nothingness.
"Huh...?"
In the death-like silence that followed, Azeron could hear his heart thumping against his chest. He rubbed his eyes with his arms, blinking heavily to clear anything that might have blocked his vision.
Deon was still gone.
Azeron spread out his senses to encompass the entire domain.
Deon was nowhere to be found.
"Is he... is he dead?"
His eyes slowly widened as he stared at Atticus. Had this boy really killed their greatest genius with a simple command?
"W-what just happened...?"
"W-where is Deon?"
The mouths of the Evoli elders around him hung open as they also realized what had happened.
However, of them all, none was as shocked as Gordon. The bulky elder’s trembling arm was still outstretched. He had barely dropped it when Atticus’ command had fallen.
Clearing his throat, Azeron hastily rose from his seat and ascended to where everyone could see him.
"THE WINNER OF THIS BATTLE... ATTICUS RAVENSTEIN!"
He declared with a resounding voice. Not a single sound came from the millions of spectators. The eyes of every soul were silently fixed on one figure, Atticus.
However, the boy in question merely walked out of the ring without any change in expression.
It didn’t appear as though he had done anything worthwhile.
...
"How do you feel?"
Atticus asked as he turned to Anorah. With their business with the Evoli settled, they were now heading toward the portal, having declined their escort, Go, from following them.
Anorah squinted slightly, trying to place her current feelings.
"To be honest... I’m not sure. It’s not every day you hear someone you thought was dead is alive. How am I supposed to feel?"
"Happy."
Atticus said without hesitation. He felt it was the only thing anyone should feel. If he heard right now that his grandma Freya was alive, he couldn’t imagine how thrilled he would feel.
"I am."
Anorah stared down at the artifact in her hand. It was the same artifact Azeron had given them to help her find her father. She nodded, smiling.
"I’m definitely happy."
’Beautiful.’
Atticus had almost forgotten how beautiful Anorah’s smile was. Right now he could feel a knot that had tightened in his heart loosen.
He smiled.
"As soon as we reach the Crown, we’ll find him."
From the information they had gotten, Anorah’s grandfather had been an Elder of the Evoli, but had run away after Anorah awakened her fragment, for the sake of protecting her. Her father, instead, for some reason, had chosen to remain behind.
He had ascended to the crown a few years ago.
Anorah silently nodded.
Atticus frowned. She had suddenly lowered her gaze as they walked, unusually quiet.
"What—"
"Thank you, Atticus."
Anorah suddenly stopped and stared at him with a serious look.
Atticus was slightly taken aback. Still, he nodded.
"It’s nothing."
"No. Thank you."
"Like I said, it’s no—"
"Thank you."
Anorah gave him a firm look.
"...Are you thanking me or threatening me?"
"What do you think?"
’She hasn’t changed.’
"You’re going to bully me into accepting your gratitude?"
"Of course not. I’d never do that."
Anorah silently took a step closer to him, a smile on her face.
’This is definitely a threat.’
Atticus cleared his throat, suddenly remembering the ache of all of Anorah’s past ’threats’.
"...You’re welcome." He finally said.
Anorah nodded with a bright smile, suddenly stepping back.
A moment later, they reached the portal.
As Atticus activated the portal back, Anorah suddenly leaned in and brought her mouth to his ear.
"The real thank you... you’ll get it tonight."
Atticus felt a sudden surge run through his body.
Giggling, Anorah entered the portal, leaving Atticus with wide open eyes.


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