Meanwhile, in Geno's office in the Grand Empire, Aim rushed through the door.
Aim said, "Sir, we have news!"
Geno said, "Calm down, calm down. I'm immortal. You are not."
Aim said, "It's him. It's the kid—the idiot—"
Geno said, "Take a moment. Take a deep breath. I swear, at this rate, you look dead."
Vanessa said, "Well, after you skipped work and went to a strip club just yesterday, kinda makes sense the dude is dying from stress."
Geno said, "Makes sense. Now then, Aim, what were you saying?"
Aim said, "It's that idiot, the dumbass, the numbskull—"
Vanessa said, "I'm sorry to say, but I think you need to be a bit more specific."
Aim said, "Another one has emerged—the 45th! He did it! The news—the idiot dumbass actually did it!"
Geno said, "You with me? Yeah?"
Aim said, "Yeah."
Geno said, "Now, deep breaths. Deep breaths. Deep, deep breaths."
As Aim took a deep breath, he said, "The Leviathan has been subdued again in Eldoria."
Geno said, "Okay. And as interesting as it may sound, Lilith is alive, and as one of the 25 Princes of Hell, she is more than capable."
Aim said, "That's not the matter. It happened, sir."
Vanessa said, "Do you need some water? Or maybe a kiss from me?"
Aim said, "That's not it, ma'am."
Geno said, "Stop it with the curse words and guess it. Just say the name. I want a goddamn name and the news."
Aim said, "It's Liebe Faust. Take a look."
As he showed Geno the news, it stated: Young Knight Subdues the Leviathan.
Aim said, "Sir, Liebe Faust just crossed 1,600 km and subdued the boss, Quetzalcoatl, on his own. And as of right now, he is a 1st Tier S-Class Knight in Eldoria. But by our estimates, he might be in the top 100 strongest people in the world. He even stood up against Hǫfuðbjǫrn Magn in a one-on-one full-on clash despite the difference. And it has been reported he was the one who killed Sloth."
Geno said, "Now that's the spirit. Look who decided to finally grow a backbone."
As he laughed, he said, "Looks like someone isn't Lilith's baby boy anymore. The news sure is interesting, but how unfortunate they didn't publish how Liebe clashed with Hǫfuðbjǫrn Magn or beat Sloth. Quite unfortunate indeed. But again, if the world knew, every strong assassin would be out for his head. But again, we can't let the leader of the God-Knights be left at a tie with a 17-year-old. It's bad publicity. And tell Hǫfuðbjǫrn to visit my office. And Vanessa, looks like your descendant Álfrinn sure is up to something."
Vanessa said, "Makes sense to me. But I swear, that kid never listens to me. All he does is 'Lady Alice, Alice, Alice.' Kinda annoying."
Geno just laughed and said, "Let's celebrate. We finally made the boy into a man."
Meanwhile, in Symphonics, as Heaven entered the room, Alex said, "What's the news? Just the headlines will be enough."
Heaven said, "I bear good news. See this newspaper from Eldoria. It has been a week since it was published, so it took us so long to get it, but it stated the Leviathan was subdued."
Alex said, "Yeah, so Lilith must be so happy to finally be able to fight it alone."
Heaven said, "It's quite the opposite, Grand Maestro."
Alex said, "Is that so?"
Hell said, "Yeah, it was someone else who subdued it."
Alex said, "Someone stealing the prey from Lilith Faust? Now that's surprising. Who was it? Was it the new Grand Master of Eldoria? What was his name again?"
Heaven said, "Asten Chronus."
Alex said, "He can't beat me. Asterous was something, but now that Eldoria has lost Domr, Asterous, and Lady Mikhail in the past decade alone, with Lilith alone left to maintain balance, now who is it? This mystery man who is trying to restore balance?"
Hell said, "It's that damn punk-ass kid."
Alex said, "Hell, what did we say about politeness and curse words?"
Hell said, "Sorry, Maestro."
Heaven said, "The one who dealt the final blow and subdued the Leviathan, the one who killed Sloth and had a tie after having a one-on-one full-metal clash against the leader of the God-Kin, and the one who crossed 1,600 km deep into the Abyssal Zone just yesterday—Liebe Faust."
Alex said, "Lilith's boy? Did that? Tell me, tell me more! I want all of it—all the juicy details. And Hell, bring the champagne and the wine. Today, we are celebrating. Looks like someone sure decided to grow a spine."
Heaven said, "And Liebe is currently a 1st Tier S-Class Knight in Eldoria."
Alex said, "Damn, S-Class in one go? Someone sure is breaking ranks and records. What else?"
Heaven said, "The letter also states that… well, M said, 'I'm doing fine, and everyone is good. Thank you for training me again; I really appreciate it, I really do. And the Captain's second child, Marks, is 2 now. I will protect him no matter what.'"
Heaven said, "That's it."
Alex said, "I wish she would go into more details. What did she say?"
Heaven said, "Let me repeat: 'Captain's second child, Marks, is 2 now. I will protect him no matter what.'"
Alex said, "The dumbass. Why the hell did we let her stay in Symphonics and train her for one and a half years? The dumbass is wasting time on a child no one cares about."
Heaven said, "Maestro, you seem to disagree."
Alex said, "Yeah, I'm, in fact, I'm quite disappointed. No matter what—even if Liebe has relinquished his claim to the throne of Faust—no matter what, that child will never measure up to Liebe. He is just an insect waiting to die."
Heaven said, "Why are you so fond of Liebe while hating the other child, Maestro?"
Alex said, "That the coal that can withstand the harshest of pressure can form crystal. Do you know why? Hell?"
Hell said, "Of course we do, Maestro. It's something you said about not all children can catch up to their parents or something, something."
Heaven said, "Because most children of famous people die either by assassination or due to the pure pressure and stress."
Alex said, "Exactly. And that's why that child will die either way. If Lilith really knew what was best for that child, she should have had it adopted. It will just die being a child of one of the 25 Princes of Hell. The only reason Liebe is alive is because he is a warrior, and now he is strong enough to be considered as one of the commanders for the personal forces of one of the 25 Princes of Hell. But this child is not. He doesn't even have the signature attribute of the Faust family. He will die out either way. Lilith is letting her emotions get in the way. As much as I respect her as a friend, I can't approve of such acts."
Hell said, "Yeah, Liebe is indeed quite unfortunate. Well, nothing to do."
Heaven said, "Is it just me, or does it seem like Liebe is taking the worst routes on purpose—ones that are taking him further away from his goals?"
Alex said, "The routes he is taking are the hardest ones, but they are letting him evolve. And by the time he reaches his goal, he would be someone who exists on a level league. Now, enough with the depression. Let's celebrate like there's no tomorrow."
Hell said, "Hey, Maestro, why is it that you think so highly of the kid?"
Alex said, "Well, I'm not sure, but maybe it's because he is like a son to me since I don't have any children, and maybe it's the old age. Now, like I said, let's drink till dawn."
Meanwhile, in Eldoria, as they went shopping while most of the team were in the background, Liebe and Alysa looked around.
Alysa said, "What do you want to do today?"
Liebe said, "Well, I suppose I need to restock on a few stamina, mana, and recovery potions since I've been using them quite a bit. And maybe a new pair of boots and gloves, since two pairs is a bit hard to stay consistent with since, you know, every day I go out, I somehow end up getting everything dirty and all, and drying takes quite some time for boots and stuff. And maybe a few things to keep my swords and things polished."
Alysa just placed her hand on her forehead and said, "Oh god, we are here today to have fun, you know—make you look different, and also maybe get your long hair into a bit of a style."
Liebe said, "I guess so."
Alysa said, "Great. Let's start with that."
Liebe said, "Well, guess I really didn't get much of a chance to take care of it in the Abyssal Zone. So, here."
As he took out his hair from his sleeves, Alysa said, "Well, it has definitely lost the silkiness like it had. Let's start with that."
As they went to a salon, and after a while, Liebe's hair was back to its origin—the jet-black silky hair. And when Liebe came out, everyone was shocked.
Licht said, "Well, someone looks handsome."
Lilith said, "Exactly."
Gelda said, "Perfection."
Alysa said, "I think I just had an orgasm."
Licht said, "That was a bit much."
Alysa said, "Sadly, it was true."
Liebe said, "Well, so what's next on the to-do list?"
Alysa said, "Many things, but the main part is have fun. But one second—"
In a few minutes, she made a small ponytail near the back. Alysa said, "Now it's perfect."
Liebe said, "Now it might be a bit much."
Alysa said, "Now, let's get you looking fresh in something besides your uniform. What are you thinking?"
Liebe said, "Well, since I like black, how about a simple black shirt and a tie?"
Alysa said, "Okay, then. And afterwards, maybe I can get a dress for myself."
Liebe said, "Sure."
And after a while, Alysa said, "You look perfect."
Licht said, "And who called? Got the pretty-boy prince here. Dude might damage our schedule."
Liebe said, "That was a bit much."
Licht said, "Sure. And Alysa, get something for me to wear, too. Anything is good as long as it's comfortable and casual would be great."
Alysa said, "Sure."
Liebe said, "Well, time to get you a dress."
After trying a few things, Alysa said, "Which one to get?"
Liebe said, "They all look great, but I feel like something is missing."
Alysa said, "What?"
Liebe said, "Somehow, I can't put my finger on it."
Alysa said, "Well, if you can't, then why not find something for me to try?"
Liebe said, "Sure, I guess. Why not try this? Even though it's not the best for winter."
Alysa said, "Sure."
After putting it on, it was female trousers with a shirt and boots. Alysa said, "How does it look?"
Liebe said, "Somehow great. I don't know how, but you look about 10 times hotter."
Alysa said, "Then why don't I get a few more?"
Liebe said, "Wait, let me get something."
After a few minutes, she tried it. It was a black sweater, black jacket, skirt, and high-thigh boots.
Liebe said, "Perfect. This is the one."
Alysa said, "Wait a second. Let me get something for you."
After Liebe tried his, it was a black T-shirt, a leather jacket, and jeans.
Liebe said, "Not bad."
Alysa said, "Now we match."
Liebe said, "Yeah, but we look like a biker couple."
Alysa said, "Yeah, so what's wrong with that?"
Liebe said, "Idiots may get the wrong idea that we're bikers, specially since I don't know how to ride one."
Alysa said, "So what? Learn how to ride one."
Liebe said, "Now that's a bit excessive, and my center of gravity is pretty bad."
Alysa said, "No, it's romantic."
Liebe said, "Still excessive."
Alysa said, "Romantic."
Liebe said, "Licht, you help us decide. Is it romantic or excessive?"
Licht said, "I don't know, plus keep me out of your lovers' quarrels. I'm already single enough as is."
Liebe said, "Do it, or else she won't feed you, and I won't babysit you. Now, you choose."
Licht said, "How am I supposed to choose?"
Seeing this, Gelda said, "They look so cute together."
Lilith said, "I'm so proud. Liebe knows girls' fashion as well."
Gelda said, "Says the one who doesn't and is unfortunately also a female."
Lilith said, "Shush, shush, let me watch their activities."
Liebe said, "Well, today sure was fun."
Alysa said, "Same."
Licht said, "I'm starving."
Liebe said, "Same. I can eat about three Ignisaurous right now."
Licht said, "Not that much."
As they reached the dorms, Liebe said, "Oh yeah, I can't get in because of your thing."
Alysa said, "I'm sure it's done by now."
Liebe said, "Wait, before we go in, I have something for you."
Alysa said, "For me?"
Liebe said, "This." As he gave her a pendant with the Black Rose emblem.
Liebe said, "Sorry, I couldn't think of anything more couple-like, but I made this using my attribute metal magic. I used gold for the gold parts mixed with copper, black titanium for the black parts, and for purple, I used some Aldinium. And for the white, I used Caldinium and silver. And for the engravings with our letters, L and A, I used a fusion of silver and Aldinium."
Alysa said, "It's beautiful."
Liebe said, "This is the closest I can go to romance. Someone once said romance is doing what you believe is right to make the other person happy and to always follow your heart while doing it."
Then Lilith screamed, "I taught him that!"
Gelda said, "Shut up, don't ruin the moment, dumbass."
Liebe said, "Sadly, I am someone who has forsaken their heart, so this is as far as the fragments of my heart could take me. Unfortunately, it wasn't very far. But all I know is, wherever I may be, in the world , those fragments always show me the way back , back to you to you. "
Alysa teared up and said, "I don't know what to say."
Liebe said, "Umm, do you still want it?"
As Licht, Gelda, and Lilith screamed, "Dumbass! Idiot! Do it right!"
Alysa nodded and said, "No."
Liebe said, "I'm sorry."
Alysa said, "Just making it enough isn't love. Put it on me, Liebe."
Gelda, Licht, and Lilith took a huge sigh of relief as they said at once, "At least someone in the relationship has common sense and knows what to do."
After Liebe put it on, Alysa said, "How does it look?"
Liebe said, "Well, you know when you were trying on the dresses and I said something felt missing?"
Alysa said, "Yeah."
Liebe said, "Well, what was missing is now here—the fragments of my heart besides you."
Alysa said ," And I love you , the real you with , fragmented or even without your heart.I love the real you.I m helpessly in love with the real you . And if you ever cant find me then i will find you no matter what wherever you may be "
Liebe said , "sure lets always find each other in the world."
As Liebe and everyone walked in, it was dim. As Liebe turned on the lights, everyone screamed, "Happy Birthday, Liebe!"
Liebe said, "What?"
Eldrie, Lara, Nora, and Stal said, "Happy birthday, Lord!"
Liebe said, "What is this?"
Gelda said, "Today is November 17th, as far as I know, so it's your birthday. And believe it or not, Lilith was the one who planned it."
Lilith said, "Well, I'm bad at remembering dates, and it becomes easier for me remembering by events, and thought might as well."
Liebe said, "Thanks, Mom."
From afar, Alem said, "There, happy now, you big baby?"
Álfrinn said, "I don't know if this is what I was hoping for, but I can say this looks like Lady Alice's foresight wasn't too far off."
As Álfrinn clapped thrice, he said, "Not bad, hare-brain.This may not be what i wanted but, I can live with this."