"Another name to choose?"
Staring at the long string of question marks on his attribute panel, Noah rubbed his head helplessly.
He had always been terrible at naming things.
Otherwise, titles like Dragonborn or Neltharion wouldn't have happened-and he wouldn't have nearly crashed headfirst into trouble in the previous universe.
Now he had to name an angel clone.
That alone was enough to give him a headache.
"It's not like I can just call him Michael, right?" Noah muttered while flying through the sky.
"Tyrael? No. That guy turned into a Black man. I really can't accept that."
He thought for a long time.
Nothing came.
And while he was lost in thought, his completely unrestrained flight attracted attention.
One after another, the Ministries of Magic along his route noticed him.
That triggered another wave of chaos.
A mage flying openly through the sky, without concealment, forced those Ministries to scramble to erase traces and cover things up.
By the time Noah realized what he'd caused, he felt extremely embarrassed.
After offering a round of sincere apologies, he simply teleported back to the London Sanctum.
Problem solved.
Back in London, Noah looked up at the sky.
It was still afternoon.
After a brief pause, a faint smile appeared on his face.
In the next instant, he stepped into the Mirror Dimension.
The scenery shifted.
A woman stood before him.
Her head was lowered as she processed documents.
Black magic robes.
Gold-rimmed glasses.
A quill floated under her control, writing steadily.
Seeing her like this made Noah's chest tighten slightly.
Just as he was about to reveal himself, a knock sounded on Hermione's office door.
Noah stopped.
He didn't want to interrupt her work.
This was a rare chance to see what Hermione actually did during the day.
To be honest, despite being together for so long, Noah knew surprisingly little about her current life.
Most of his memories were still stuck in their school years.
"Kenn? Is something wrong?"
The door opened.
It was Kenn.
He walked over with a helpless expression and placed a report on Hermione's desk.
"Our old friend caused trouble again," Kenn said. "No one's protested, but the news still reached us."
"Hm?"
Hermione paused, picked up the report, and glanced through it.
Her expression immediately turned complicated-half amused, half exasperated.
Taking advantage of the moment, Noah slipped behind her to read it as well.
He already had a bad feeling.
Sure enough, the report was about him.
Specifically, about him flying around openly in the sky.
Even Noah himself went quiet.
He hadn't expected his talent for causing trouble to be this strong.
"How should I respond?" Kenn spread his hands.
"By the way, Noah still hasn't come to see you? He made such a big scene, so he should be free by now. I'm already prepared to take over your work."
"Kenn," Hermione frowned, then sighed.
"People will misunderstand if you talk like that."
"And Noah might just be busy. He just completed a breakthrough. Maybe he still needs to report in."
"Maybe," Kenn sighed.
"Hermione, trust Noah. He loves-"
"I know, Kenn," Hermione interrupted, sounding tired but calm.
"Of course I trust him. I'll keep waiting."
"And instead of worrying about me, why don't you think about your own engagement?"
Hearing this exchange made Noah uncomfortable.
Thinking back, it really did seem like he'd grown distant.
Not just from his friends.
Even from Hermione.
If he kept going like this, would he still have friends?
Friendships were precious.
Especially those formed in childhood.
They weren't replaceable.
Noah knew many people now, but his circle had never been large.
Just like in the Sanctum, the people closest to him were always those who'd been there the longest.
Only now did Noah truly understand why the Ancient One had told him to rest.
Strength and status often came with loneliness.
He had no intention of accepting that.
So he had to change something.
Watching Kenn turn to leave, Noah casually raised his hand.
A crumpled ball of paper shot forward and struck the back of Kenn's head.
Kenn reacted instantly.
But the moment he sensed the attack, a binding spell wrapped around him.
He froze.
Stunned.
Hermione was equally startled.
Then she turned her head.
And smiled.
"Kenn," Noah's voice came from behind him, calm and familiar, "next time you speak ill of me, try not to do it in front of my girlfriend. That's not very wise."
The restraints vanished instantly.
"You bastard!" Kenn spun around, furious.
"When did I say anything bad about you?! I was helping you!"
"I know," Noah said, smiling.
He stepped forward, punched Kenn lightly in the chest, then pulled him into a hug.
"Thanks, man. But you don't need to help me like that."
"Hey-hey-stop that!" Kenn laughed.
Then he glanced at Hermione and immediately put on a horrified expression.
"Don't be so sentimental. If you want to act like this, wait until your girlfriend isn't here."
Noah let go at once.
Then punched him again.
To be honest, Noah had worried there might be awkwardness.
Distance.
But he realized he'd overthought it.
Friends from the same dorm were still the same.
Even if their positions were worlds apart, nothing had changed.
"Seriously," Kenn said, rubbing his chest, "you were the smartest back then, and now you've developed the best. So why are you the worst at finding a girlfriend?"
"Look at Ed. He's changed several already. You were the most unstable one of the four."
"Sorry," Noah said calmly, walking to Hermione's side and resting a hand on her shoulder.
"I'm actually the most stable one."
He glanced at Kenn.
"Looks like your wish is about to come true. I'll have to borrow your Minister of Magic for a while."
"Noah..." Hermione looked up, about to speak.
Kenn beat her to it.
"No problem. She's all yours. Just remember to bring her back."
"Of course, if she needs special leave later, that's fine too."
"Damn it, Kenn!" Hermione snapped.
She wasn't stupid.
She understood exactly what he meant.
Kenn didn't care.
Even though Hermione was his superior, he treated her exactly the same.
If someone else from the Ministry saw this, they wouldn't believe it.
Kenn had always been cold and aloof.
Seeing this side of him was jarring.
He waved casually and walked toward the door.
Just before leaving, Noah called out.
"By the way-when are you getting married?"
"Married?" Kenn tilted his head.
"Still a while. Why?"
"I was thinking of being your best man."
"Looks like that'll take time."
"Not that long," Kenn said, turning back.
"You're my best man. Lawrence and Ed too."
"And you'll be my kid's godfather."
"Got it?"
Noah smiled.
He had no objections.
Three godchildren.
Maybe more in the future.
He'd already prepared himself mentally.
Watching Kenn leave, Noah turned to Hermione.
She shot him a resentful look.
Embarrassed.
Trying to hide her nerves.
"Let's go," Noah said naturally, taking her hand.
"Someone's taken over your work."
"You're on vacation now."
"Vacation?" Hermione leaned against his shoulder, half amused, half annoyed.
"Is this approved by the Sorcerer Supreme? Or the council?"
"Approved by your boyfriend," Noah replied easily.
"Let's take a walk. Then we'll ask someone for an answer."
"What answer?"
Noah smiled.
"Tell me."
"Do you want to go back to the past?"
"???"