~2 hours later~
Groan I stretched my arms as I put the last of the books down.
"So that's how space magic works..." I muttered to myself as I swirled a bit of mana around my hand.
I pulled out the watch and saw it displaying [20 seconds].
"Oh, time to leave already," I said and stood up.
I walked down an aisle and found Brakos still thinking by himself.
"Um, Brakos...?" I asked when he didn't react to my presence.
He looked up at me a little unfocused and smiled, "Ah, right, Jack, sorry. Ugh, you're done reading now, yes?"
I nodded. "I am, but are you ok? You got all weird when I said [Sanburēdo] was still intact."
His smile faltered slightly, but he composed himself and said, "I'm ok. I just thought it was lost a long time ago. Hearing that you met someone who can wield it was just a shock."
I raised an eyebrow and said, "Earlier I heard you say it was destroyed."
His smile faltered more this time, and he failed to cover it up.
Watching his face, I continued, "I know it was forged by a Primordial, so that makes it very hard to destroy and even harder to reforge, but that doesn't mean it's impossible, right? Someone like the Dwarven God, or even some other divine smith?"
Brakos stared at me with a conflicted expression.
Sigh "You won't drop this if I ask, will you?"
I stared at him with a blank expression.
"Thought not. Ohh, ok. The sword was destroyed shortly after the Sunless Year, and both me and Luna confirmed it. I have no idea how it's back, and that is concerning — especially if he isn't aware."
I nodded and added, "I was wondering about that too. How could the Sun God not tell the difference between his own essence and some priest?"
Brakos looked at me and said, "I wasn't talking about him."
I turned to him, confused. "Then who are you talking abou— oh... that one..."
"...Yeah. He would have told me about it," Brakos said.
I took a moment to think before asking, "Kion will likely want me to examine the sword eventually and see if I can break the bond with its creator. Should I check if there are signs of it being reforged?"
Brakos nodded. "Please do. It will allow us to get a better idea of how it reappeared."
I nodded and checked the watch.
[17 seconds]
"Well, I should go," I said, putting it back in my pocket.
Brakos nodded. "I will ask around with the others and find out what I can. Please be careful. The Shadow won't go down without a fight."
I nodded. "I know. That is why I am preparing."
He nodded back and snapped his fingers.
A door manifested next to me, and I pulled out the key, put it in the lock, and turned it.
Click
VWOOM
The portal showed the meeting room and everyone still frozen. I turned back to Brakos and gave him a firm nod before walking through.
~
Back in the meeting room, I quickly sat back down and picked up the encoded map, basing my position and such on when I remembered sound stopping.
...
...
...
"-u have to-" Zareth began to say.
"It's a polyalphabetic cipher with your name as the key," I said as I glanced over the new map, laughing to myself for having to repeat myself.
The room once again fell silent, and I smiled.
This time, making sure time didn't stop, I looked up from the map. "If you are all still surprised by me doing this kind of shit, then I think you need to remind yourselves of who I am... or at least... who you know me to be."
Everyone stared at me, surprised, but Kion showed a high level of respect as well.
I smiled and rolled up the map, then put it in my storage ring.
"Ok, I think that is everything. If we have nothing else to discuss, the five of us have class soon," I said as I pointed at the clock again.
[1:45 pm]
"Oh, we should get going!" Orin said, getting up.
Everyone nodded.
Before we left, however, Zareth said to everyone, "Thank you all for coming to this meeting. I know this was a little odd one, but thanks anyway.
There is no doubt that this is a lot for some of you, but this is what I believe adventurers are for — fighting monsters and protecting people so they can live happy lives, but also, for some, to save the world from ancient evils."
Orin, Zek, Ark, and Araki all listened to Zareth as Kion and I made eye contact and smiled.
"You will all be rewarded once the Shadow is dealt with; however, I would like to keep this on the down low once everything is finished. We can't allow this to become public and cause panic. I hope you all understand.
Jack has already filled us in on how pretending it's a shadow spirit rather than a god works, so if anyone asks, that is what you say, got it?"
They all nodded, agreeing.
I nodded as well and led everyone out and back toward the academy.
...
As we walked, I noticed Ark lagging a step behind. He looked like he wanted to say something but kept stopping himself.
I quietly raised a soundproof barrier and asked, "What's on your mind?"
He hesitated, eyes flicking to the ground. "I… I think I should stay out of all this."
I slowed my pace and turned toward him. "Why do you say that?"
Ark fidgeted with his hands, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm not good in a fight. We both know that. And I can't use magic like you, Zek, or even Araki. I just… I feel useless. Like I'll only get in the way."
I stayed silent for a few moments, letting the wind fill the space between us before I answered.
"If that's what you want," I said quietly, "I won't push you."
He blinked, clearly not expecting that. "…Really?"
I nodded and offered him a small smile. "Yeah. I don't want to force you into danger you're not ready for. If staying on the sidelines feels safer, then that's okay. I won't ever blame you for that."
Ark looked down, guilt shadowing his expression. I stepped closer and wrapped an arm around his shoulders, pulling him into a quiet hug.
He froze for a second, then returned it, clinging tight.
We stood like that for a while, letting our embrace speak for itself.
As we neared the academy gates, he spoke again, voice small and fragile. "…Do you think I'm a coward?"
I looked down at him, then shook my head.
"No," I said softly. "You're not a coward, Ark. You just haven't found your courage yet."
He turned to me, eyes glistening. "What do you mean?"
I smiled faintly. "Courage isn't something people start with. It's something they build — one step at a time. Most people spend their lives doing what's comfortable, never realizing how small their world's become. But courage… real courage… comes from stepping outside that comfort. From choosing to keep moving, even when you're scared."
He swallowed, listening carefully.
"You're still learning who you are," I continued. "You're new to all this — fighting, adventuring, magic, the chaos of it all. And maybe this life isn't what you want. That's fine. You'll find what is. Everyone does, eventually."
I gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze. "When you do, I'll be there. Every step of the way. You won't face it alone."
Ark nodded, a shaky breath leaving him. A single tear slipped down his cheek, and he wiped it quickly, smiling through it.
"…Thanks, Jack."
"Anytime," I said quietly. "That's what I'm here for."