The aroma of simmering broth and roasted herbs soon filled Hilda's lab, wrapping the room in a warmth that contrasted the earlier tension.
Raiden and Kent sat side by side at the long wooden bench, legs dangling just above the floor, watching as the healer moved around the small kitchen corner.
Neither of them spoke for a while, both pretending to be patient. But when even Raiden's stomach growled, Kent smirked.
"You're worse than me, you know that?"
Raiden rolled his eyes and shot back. "Not true. Yours growled first when she cut the fish. Everyone heard it."
"That was strategy," Kent said smoothly, folding his arms as though the matter was settled. "I was encouraging Hilda to make the right choice."
Raiden snorted. "Yeah, sure. Strategy."
The silence that followed was different this time—lighter, warmer. With no other sound in the room except for Hilda's humming while she cooked, the two brothers finally spoke more openly.
"You know," Kent began, his tone quieter than usual, "in a few months, I'll be leaving with Laura."
Raiden blinked, tilting his head. "Leaving? Where?"
Kent leaned back on the bench, sighing. "You really don't listen to family discussions, do you? I'll be joining her division. Training properly, travelling with her team, fighting in real missions. That's how I'll grow stronger."
Raiden shrugged, though his eyes narrowed in thought. "So… you're saying I'll be stuck here… Alone."
"That's right." Kent gave a slow nod, watching Raiden carefully, almost hoping for some reaction of sadness or panic. "You'll have no one to bother, no one to cover for you when you sneak out, no one to argue with."
"Perfect," Raiden said instantly, a sly grin flashing across his lips. "Less disturbance for me. More food, more space, and all of Father's and Mother's attention. You know, the good life."
Kent narrowed his eyes. "You are the disturbance, Raiden."
"Details," Raiden replied with a dismissive wave of his hand.
Still, there was a glimmer in his eyes that Kent noticed. Raiden might have been acting all playful, but there was no denying the faint shadow of loneliness hiding in his words.
After a pause, Raiden added, "Oh, and when you do leave, remind me before you go. I've got something I want you to pass on to Laura. In case I don't see her before then."
His words made Kent straighten up, and his brows furrowed. Though he kept his expression calm, the idea of Raiden speaking like that made his chest tighten. "Don't say it like you're not going to see her again. You live in the same estate—she visits often enough."
Raiden smirked. "Maybe. But just in case."
Kent bit his lip, holding back the urge to snap at him. He simply muttered, "When the time comes, we'll know."
Raiden leaned back, satisfied. He hadn't missed the flicker of annoyance on Kent's face, but beneath that annoyance, he had also sensed something else—Kent cared. And that, strangely enough, made him happy and feel warm.
But deep down, Raiden knew the truth. He would miss Kent and Laura when they left. He'd grown used to their presence—their banter, their scolding, even their silences. Being left alone in the estate sounded peaceful, yes, but also terribly lonely. And loneliness wasn't the kind of fear he wanted to admit.
Because fear led to weakness, and weakness was unacceptable.
The goddess's words echoed in his mind like a weight pressing on his chest: Defeat the Seven Great Evil Beasts.
His mission. His secret. The true reason he was here.
He couldn't afford to let emotions chain him down. He couldn't afford to show vulnerability. Not to his family. Not to anyone.
In fact, he couldn't afford for anyone to know what he really was.
He wasn't from this world. Not truly theirs. And the thought alone sent a shiver down his spine. If anyone ever pried into his memories…
Raiden's fists clenched under the table. 'I'll need protection. Something that guards my mind. Against illusions. Against mental attacks. Against everything.'
The decision was immediate and absolute. As soon as he had enough skill points, he'd acquire a defensive skill—one that would shield his mind from intrusion. That way, no matter what happened, his secrets would forever remain his alone.
Lost in his thoughts, Raiden barely noticed that Kent had been talking for some time, describing in detail the brutal training regimen Laura had put him through the last time he visited her. Something about harsh sparring sessions, early-morning drills, and mental discipline.
It was only when Kent frowned and waved a hand in front of his face that Raiden snapped out of his trance.
"Hey. Were you even listening?" Kent demanded.
Raiden blinked and put on an innocent look. "Oh, of course, I heard. You were saying… something about waking up before dawn, then running a thousand laps while singing our family anthem?"
Kent stared at him flatly. "That's not even close."
Raiden grinned mischievously. "Still sounds like something Laura would make you do."
Kent groaned, dragging his hands down his face. "Why do I even bother?"
Raiden chuckled, leaning forward with his elbows on the table. "Because you love me, dear brother. You'd miss me too much if you didn't talk."
Kent opened his mouth to retort, but just then, the rich aroma of fish soup hit them with full force as Hilda returned with a steaming pot in hand.
"Dinner is served," she announced cheerfully, setting bowls in front of them.
The argument was instantly abandoned as Kent's eyes lit up. "Finally!"
He grabbed his spoon and dug in, blowing on the hot broth before slurping noisily.
Raiden smirked at his brother's sudden shift in priorities.
"See? This is why I can never take you seriously," Raiden teased, scooping up from his own bowl.
Kent ignored him, too busy savoring the tender fish meat and fragrant soup.
Raiden tasted his share and let out a low whistle. "Okay, fine. This is amazing. Maybe letting the fish die wasn't such a bad idea."
Amused, Hilda shook her head. "Don't make a habit of killing your training subjects just to fill your stomachs."
Kent raised his spoon in mock salute. "No promises."
Raiden laughed, shaking his head as he returned to his meal.
For now, surrounded by warmth, food, and the company of the people closest to him, the weight of his secret mission slipped to the background.
But only for now.
Because deep in his heart, he knew the clock was always ticking.