The pale morning light streamed through the Guild's windows, filling the halls with a soft golden glow. The faint scent of metal and oil from the training rooms mingled with the aroma of paper and books, creating a sense of both activity and order.
Koruvian's eyes met Tavian's, calm and collected. His black hair swayed gently as if moved by a silent wind. The corridor seemed to shrink, the bustle of others fading in the silent tension between them.
Tavian's sharp gaze lingered, a subtle aura of danger radiating from him.
"Can we talk?" he asked, his smooth voice carrying restrained force.
Koruvian remained silent, cold, and immovable, his disdain clear. Tavian smiled casually.
"Alright… I suppose you agree, then. Let's begin."
The chamber grew heavier. Kazaya, the Eighth Guild Leader, finally spoke, slicing through the tension with his calm, sharp voice.
Ravena, Sixth Guild Leader, sat perfectly straight, her deep violet eyes carrying unsettling weight.
"Nova… turn on the screen," she commanded, her tone leaving no room for refusal.
The marble wall shimmered, and Nova appeared, elegant with short silver hair and faintly glowing blue eyes. With a hand gesture, the wall became a wide screen, revealing the lower floor.
On it, Tavian faced Koruvian, his casual tone clashing with Koruvian's pure disdain. Everyone froze, shock spreading across the room as the tension radiated from the display, thickening the air with anticipation.
Celestine immediately spoke, her voice calm yet sharp, cutting through the stunned silence:
"What... what does he want from Korushin's son...?"
Her sharp gaze never left the screen, analyzing every movement, every expression, as if trying to read Tavian's intentions before they even unfolded.
Kazhaya interrupted, his voice a mix of anger and impulsiveness:
"So we're just going to watch him like this?! Why don't I go down there and kill him?"
Ravena intervened immediately, her tone sharp and commanding:
"Stay in your place, Kazhaya!"
Ryen spoke up, his messy brown hair falling slightly over his forehead, eyes sharp with focus, and his posture radiating controlled energy:
"Anyway, Kazhaya, you're just a guild leader. You shouldn't even be here. This is our problem, after all."
Kazhaya replied to him:
"I'm here to do something you've all been too afraid to handle."
Ryen snapped angrily,
"Do you really want to start some problem with us, you idiot?!"
Selvara stood up immediately, slamming her hand on the table:
"What? Say it to my face!"
Bran raised his hand:
"Calm down... calm down, we're allies here."
Celestine remained silent
Kryne stood by the door, arms crossed.
He sighed,
"uh... starting up as usual."
Ravena slammed her hand on the table, her voice ringing out firmly,
"Stop this quarrel immediately!"
Selvara sat down and said softly,
"Ah... I'm sorry, I got a little carried away."
Ryen sighed, muttering angrily,
"Tch... useless."
Kazhaya remained seated, cold and indifferent, unaffected by what had happened.
Ravena spoke firmly,
"I didn't summon you here for a fight. We need to resolve this before Tavian causes trouble. The law can't stop him he's protected by a higher authority. We can't harm him here, or it will backfire. He's free to act in Novara, and that's the problem."
The scene shifted back to Tavian and Koruvian. Tavian had just finished his decisive action, while Koruvian watched silently, his expression unreadable. The tension between them hung heavy, charged with unspoken challenges.
Tavian spoke,
"So... what do you think of my offer?"
Koruvian glanced at him calmly.
"Frankly, I don't care about anything you just said. Just get out of my way."
Koruvian brushed past him, deliberately bumping his shoulder, then continued on without another thought.
Tavian looked back, slightly surprised, muttering,
"Oh... he's really angry!"
Koruvian appeared extremely angry as he pushed through the crowded lower floor. His black hair hung loosely around his face. He made his way toward the exit and finally stepped outside.
Tavian sighed,
"Alright, why not look for another boy, even though my offer will be rejected anyway."
As Hyrax and Milo exited the training room, the door vanished behind them.
Milo let out a long sigh, rubbing his shoulder.
"Ah... I'm really exhausted."
let out a weary sigh before a faint smile tugged at his lips.
Milo's gaze wandered through the busy street, scanning the crowd absentmindedly, until it stopped on someone waving from afar.
Tavian stood there, a smile stretched across his face as his hand rose in greeting.
Who's that? Milo thought, his brows furrowing slightly. Does he know me?
Hyrax noticed Milo's distracted look and leaned closer.
"Hey, Milo, what's wrong?"
Milo blinked quickly and shook his head.
"No... nothing. Let's just keep moving."
Tavian stepped forward, aiming for Milo, but froze. A heavy, oppressive presence filled the air.
He looked up at the staircase and saw Kazuhaya, glaring down with piercing, furious eyes.
A shiver ran down Tavian's spine, and a faint, uneasy smile touched his lips. Any thought of approaching Milo vanished instantly.
"A few minutes earlier, during the officials' discussion on the upper floor."
Ravena and the others were watching Tavian through the cameras.
"How should we handle him now?"
Kazhaya stood up.
"Madam Ravena, I can get him out of here. Trust me."
Ravena asked,
"How?"
Ryen intervened, scowling,
"He's just trying to gain your trust so he can get out of here."
Ravena responded calmly,
"Ryen, calm down. Kazhaya, tell me how you'll do it."
Kazhaya moved toward the exit door.
"I have my own ways."
Selvara interrupted him,
"Wait! Madam Ravena hasn't approved your plan yet."
Ravena sighed,
"Hah... Selvara, just let him..."
Bran watched them and sighed, clearly tired of the ongoing commotion.
Kryne stepped aside, letting Kazhaya pass. The Eighth Guild Leader descended to the lower floor, his focus fixed solely on Tavian. Only a few steps separated them, yet the air between them felt heavier than a mountain.
Milo noticed Tavian's attention shift entirely away from him, a knot of unease tightening in his chest.
"Milo! Come on!" Hyrax called.
"Alright, alright," Milo replied, though his thoughts whispered uneasily: Something's going on here…
Kazhaya advanced toward Tavian, anger blazing in his eyes.
"Oh… it's been a long time, Kazhaya," Tavian said casually.
"Shut up! I came to kill you," Kazhaya snapped, charging a small amount of energy.
Tavian smirked, teasing, "Don't let hatred ruin everything. Why not join us instead?"
Suddenly, the crowd noticed Kazhaya. Fans called for photos and autographs, overwhelming him. Frustrated, he groaned, only to be quickly guided away by Celestine.
"Everyone, back! Kazhaya is busy," she commanded, pulling him through the crowd and up the stairs. Guards blocked bystanders from following.
Outside, Milo and Hyrax observed, tense.
"Did you see him? He was furious," Milo said.
"Why would he be angry? Because of the crowd?" Hyrax asked.
"Something else is going on," Milo replied, scanning the area.
A man with long green hair appeared before them, a sly smile on his face.
"You again… what do you want?" Milo asked.
The man's calm voice carried weight:
"Milo… right? I am Toxivar, a friend of Lucas. I'm not your enemy."
Milo froze, disbelief and curiosity mixing in his eyes.
"You know him?"
Toxivar nodded with a faint smile.
"Yes. Ask Lucas about me when you see him next."
Milo took a deep breath, trying to steady himself.
"Alright... but what do you want from me?"
Toxivar replied calmly,
"I need to speak with you... just the two of us. Let's meet at the park in the evening, by the fountain."
Milo frowned slightly, unsure but cautious, and responded,
"Alright... as you wish. But don't even think about doing anything bad."
Toxivar lowered his head and placed a hand over his heart.
"Thank you, Milo!"
Midday sunlight streamed through the city windows, carrying a gentle warmth. The streets bustled with people and vehicles, yet the atmosphere felt calmer compared to the tension at the Guild.
Milo and Hirax stepped out after training, each lost in thought about the mysterious Toxivar encounter. The sunlight highlighted their fatigue, but they remained alert.
They headed to a nearby restaurant for a light meal. While eating, Hirax looked at Milo.
"Hey… who is Lucas? And what's the deal with that guy?"
Milo avoided the topic, low and evasive.
"Nothing… just a passing matter."
Hirax smiled, teasing lightly.
"As usual… you hide things from me."
Suddenly, a loud voice called out:
"Hiiiraaaax!"
Reader reminder: Ryo is Herax's friend and part of Milo's group. He's playful and often creates humorous or lighthearted situations.
Some tears streamed down Ryo's face.
Herax asked, concerned,
"Ryo... what's wrong?"
Milo looked on, surprised.
Ryo replied, almost wailing,
"I got rejected... again!"
Herax laughed heartily at him.
"Come on, come sit."
Milo asked, curious,
"Don't you get tired... or give up?"
Ryo sat beside them, a faint slap mark visible on his face.
Milo and Herax both laughed when they saw it.
Herax patted Ryo on the back while chuckling,
"Don't worry, don't worry... there are still plenty of beautiful girls in Novara."
Ryo shouted at them,
"Stop laughing at meeee!"
Milo and Herax were still laughing, but said,
"Alright, alright..."
After a brief laugh, the three returned to their meal, the atmosphere lighter.
In a quiet room, Tavian sat on a couch with a black-haired girl asleep in his lap. Holding a phone in his other hand, he spoke firmly,
"Hello… did you get what I ordered?"
On the other end, a blonde Guild Agency employee responded, focused and attentive,
"Yes, everything is done as you asked, sir."
Tavian ran his fingers through the girl's hair.
"Good job. Finish your work like the others, then call me."
"Yes, sir," she whispered, ending the call.
Celestine watched sharply.
"Oh… an employee avoiding work and talking to someone? Who is your master?"
The girl's forehead beaded with sweat, her face turning angry as she glared at Celestine. Her eyes gleamed with caution, quickly formulating a plan to protect her master's schemes.
Celestine stood calmly, her suspicions peaking, sensing that behind this temporary truce, something much larger was unfolding.