Elizabeth was currently playing a dress-up game on her iPad, carefully choosing outfits for an on-screen character.
"Ely," Viola called gently.
Elizabeth didn't look up.
Elizabeth was sometimes too long to pronounce casually, so Viola had shortened it to Ely.
Obviously, Elizabeth had protested at first.
"It is childish," she had declared proudly. "It does not suit my title as one of the Great Rulers."
But she folded almost instantly when Viola offered her snacks afterward.
"It's time to eat lunch," Viola said.
"Lunch?" Elizabeth finally glanced at her. "But I just woke up though."
Viola blinked.
From the looks of it, Elizabeth really had just woken up not long ago. The breakfast plate beside her was already empty.
Did she stay up late again using the iPad?
Viola pressed her fingers to her temples.
Maybe giving her an iPad was a terrible idea.
Goodness… is this what parents feel like?
She let out a small sigh.
"Are you sure you don't want to eat again?" Viola asked carefully.
"Yeah, I'm good," Elizabeth replied casually, not taking her eyes off the screen.
Her fingers continued tapping as if the real world didn't exist.
"Okay," Viola said. "Just tell me if you get hungry."
"Mm."
That was the only response she got.
Viola walked out of the room, quietly closing the door behind her.
Downstairs, Ezekiel was waiting.
"She's not hungry," Viola said as she returned.
Ezekiel nodded.
The two of them ate together in a quiet atmosphere. It wasn't awkward. Just peaceful.
After finishing lunch, they cleaned up the table and washed the dishes. The domestic routine felt strangely normal.
Once everything was done, they moved to the living room.
It was time to test the artifact.
Ezekiel slowly removed his hood.
He was wearing a simple black shirt and dark pants. His build was lean but defined, the result of years of training and battle.
Viola subconsciously stared at him for a moment before quickly looking away. She had seen him naked before, but this time felt different. Something in the air had shifted, and the awareness between them seemed sharper, heavier, as if the meaning of that closeness had quietly changed.
He took out the earrings.
Carefully, he put them on.
The moment the metal touched his ears, he adjusted his glasses and closed his eyes.
He focused.
The air around him shifted slightly.
He imagined a different body.
Not stronger.
Not bulkier.
Different.
He visualized a physique that would not draw attention. A body that would not intimidate. A body that would blend in.
Seconds later—
His body began to change.
It wasn't dramatic. There was no explosion of light or violent energy.
Instead, it was subtle.
His shoulders narrowed and his chest slimmed down.
The faint definition of his muscle faded.His waist became thinner.
His height gradually decreased, shrinking until he was nearly at Viola's eye level.
His overall build turned skinny, almost frail-looking. Not muscular. Not imposing.
He looked like a man who had been slightly malnourished.
His presence softened.
Gone was the quiet dominance in his posture. In its place was a more timid silhouette.
Viola was left completely stunned.
She circled Ezekiel slowly, eyes wide, trying to process what she was seeing.
With his white hair falling softly over his forehead, the thin silver glasses making his eyes appear smaller, and that gentle, almost harmless face paired with a much smaller frame, he looked like a completely different person.
If someone saw him now, they would probably mistake him for a teenager.
Not the powerful ranker who once stood at the top.
Not the man who had survived countless battles.
Just a quiet, slightly frail man who spent more time reading books than fighting monsters.
It was almost unbelievable.
Viola blinked.
"…Whoa."
The transformation was flawless.
If she hadn't witnessed it herself, she would never believe this was the same person.
Ezekiel opened his eyes slowly.
The world felt slightly different from this height.
He glanced down at his hands.
They were slimmer and lighter.
He clenched his fist.The strength was still there.
Hidden.
"What do you think?" Ezekiel asked, adjusting his glasses again as he tested the balance of his new height.
Viola blinked twice before answering.
"Yeah… I think they definitely won't recognize you like this."
He nodded once.
That was all he needed to hear.
But Viola crossed her arms and tilted her head adding her words.
"You look like someone who gets bullied in college."
Ezekiel looked at her flatly.
"That was the point."
She laughed.
---
After confirming that the first step of their
plan was successful, Ezekiel removed the earrings. His body gradually returned to its original build. The difference felt almost dramatic now that they had seen the contrast.
They both discarded the temporary disguises they had prepared earlier and changed back into their ordinary clothes.
The afternoon passed quietly.
They sat in the living room, papers spread across the table. Documents, possible locations, backup plans, alternative routes.
They discussed everything carefully, organizing each step with precision.
Time slipped by without them noticing.
And while they were deeply focused—
Thud thud thud.
Rapid noises echoed from upstairs.
Elizabeth came flying down the stairs and immediately ran straight to Viola, hugging her tightly.
"I want food! I want food!" she declared loudly. "Can you cook me that steak you made a few days ago?"
Viola blinked in surprise.
She glanced at the clock.
It was already past dinner time.
She quickly stood up.
"Yes, I'll make it for you now."
Elizabeth beamed proudly.
Viola headed toward the kitchen in a hurry, leaving Ezekiel and Elizabeth alone in the living room.
For a brief moment, silence settled between them.
Ezekiel had clearly seen what just happened. The way Elizabeth clung to Viola. The way Viola responded so naturally.
But the moment Viola disappeared into the kitchen-
He lowered his gaze and pretended to focus on the documents in front of him.
Elizabeth narrowed her eyes.
Thinking he couldn't see her, she crossed her arms and let out an irritated scoff.
"Tsk. What a pathetic man."