"Milo stood in front of his house, taking a slow breath after a long day full of thoughts and emotions. He gently pushed the door, hearing its soft creak as it opened, then stepped inside. The warm air of the house embraced him gently, and the quiet seemed to ease the weight of everything he had been through. 'I'm home...' he muttered to himself, leaving the door behind and feeling a brief moment of relief."
Milo stepped inside, the warm air of the house immediately wrapping around him like a gentle embrace. On the living room sofa, Melina was sitting, her long brown hair cascading elegantly over her shoulders, and her deep brown eyes shining with care and affection. Her gentle face bore a slight resemblance to Milo's, but it was softer and more beautiful, and her calm, warm smile filled the room with a sense of comfort.
She looked up at him and said softly, "Oh, you came a little early. So, how was your day?"
Milo paused for a moment, feeling a sense of peace in her presence, though a faint tension still lingered from his earlier encounter with Toxivar. He replied, trying to hide the day's fatigue and the weight of his thoughts
Melina stood and walked toward Milo, her eyes full of concern.
"Huh... why do you look pale again? Did someone steal your necklace again?" she asked worriedly.
Milo replied coolly, "It's already around my neck."
Melina smiled and gently placed her hand on his head.
"Yes... I know," she said.
She noticed that Milo had grown slightly taller than her, and she smiled softly, teasing, "Ugh... you've become taller than me..."
Milo spoke to her, still looking a little pale, his eyes lost in thought.
"Melina... I..." he began softly.
Melina interrupted him gently but firmly, her tone warm and caring:
"So, little brother... are you going to tell me what's bothering you? Because I feel like you've started hiding a lot from me..."
Milo paused for a moment, feeling the weight of her words, his gaze meeting hers, realizing once again that Melina always notices more than he shows.
Milo replied softly, "Tomorrow... not now. I'm tired."
He was heading toward the stairs to go up, but she gently grabbed his hand.
"Really? Tomorrow?" she asked, surprised and concerned.
Milo looked at her, his eyes full of sincerity, and replied calmly, "Yes... I promise."
Melina smiled faintly, feeling relieved that her brother still trusted her and shared his feelings, even if only in small steps.
Melina smiled softly and said, "Good night then."
Milo replied with a faint smile, "Good night."
The house remained quiet, a gentle calm settling over the place after a long day filled with tension and events.
In the early morning, the first rays of sunlight gently filtered through the curtains, scattering a warm golden light across the floors and walls. The air was fresh and slightly cool, carrying the scent of grass and dew glistening on the windows and leaves outside. Birds had begun their soft morning songs, as if celebrating the start of a new day. Everything around the house remained calm and peaceful, the quiet from the night still lingering, filling Milo with a sense of tranquility and renewal as he prepared for the day ahead.
In the morning, Milo's face was clearly defined under the first rays of sunlight. His skin was fair, with a slight touch of paleness, and his brown eyes reflected the golden light streaming through the windows. His light brown hair was slightly messy, falling gently over his forehead, and his lips rested naturally. His strong, well-proportioned features appeared distinct in the morning light, giving him a calm and steady presence despite the quiet that filled the room.
Milo got up and headed to the bathroom to wash his face, the cold water refreshing his skin and clearing the remnants of sleep from his eyes. After finishing his morning routine, he returned to the living room where the breakfast table was set.
He sat down on the chair, taking a deep breath before starting his meal, while the first rays of sunlight filled the room with warmth, marking the beginning of a new day in their quiet home.
Milo looked at his sister in front of him, who appeared annoyed as she stared at him.
"What???" he asked, surprised, trying to read the reason behind her irritation.
Melina frowned slightly, her eyes still fixed on him sharply, as if expecting him to explain what she sensed from his behavior or presence.
Melina stared at him sharply, placing her hand lightly on the table.
"You promised me you would tell me what's bothering you, but all you do is just stare at me like that!"
Milo replied, surprised, "What? When did I promise?"
Melina lightly thumped the table in frustration and said sharply, yet with a hint of laughter,
"You fool... are you pretending not to notice?"
Milo recoiled slightly in his seat, raising his hands quickly,
"I'm just joking... calm down!"
Melina sighed slightly, then said softly, "Alright... go ahead..."
Milo looked at her for a moment, realizing that his sister was giving him a chance to speak, and he sat down calmly, ready to open up about what had been bothering him.
Milo turned to her, surprised by her tone, taking a deep breath before asking,
"Melina... do you think the Church is unfair?"
Melina looked at Milo in silence, then said seriously,
"This is a matter far more dangerous than you realize, Milo..."
Melina sighed slightly before speaking seriously,
"The class system in Novara is completely unfair, Milo. Some people live in complete luxury, while others endure lives full of suffering. Even the opportunities to improve their lives are nearly nonexistent.
And their justification isn't enough... hundreds of years have passed, and they still haven't found the Foundation Stone."
Melina continued, her tone calm but firm,
"But Milo... talking about this, or even thinking about fighting the Church, is impossible. They control everything in Novara... everything in the city is under their ranks."
Milo spoke to her in a calm tone,
"Yes... I know, but..."
Melina interrupted him, smiling lightly,
"If this bothers you, it's a simple matter."
She continued encouragingly,
"Milo... we're in the middle class, more or less. You have opportunities to do whatever you want. You can make a name for yourself in this city, just like our father did."
Milo replied in a serious tone,
"That's not what bothers me the most... there's something else troubling.
There's a gang called the 'Trouble Makers'... they are a gang that wants to..."
Melina interrupted him, surprised,
"Oh... so you know about them too?"
Milo was surprised, saying,
"Whaaaat? You know about them too?"
Melina felt annoyed by his question and replied in a slightly sharp tone,
"And what... do you think I don't know anything about what's happening here, Milo?"
Then she continued, curious and firm,
"So... what's the problem with them?"
Milo said,
"You know about their goal, right? Their goal is to fight the Church."
Melina interrupted him quickly,
"No... that's not exactly their goal. The members of this gang are almost completely uncoordinated. That's what I know about them... the objectives of the leaders are not fully understood."
Milo replied seriously,
"Alright... but I'm afraid that if they try to fight the Church, a war could break out in this city and it might involve us too."
Melina answered calmly and firmly,
"Milo... are you sure that a single gang could stand against the Church, with its full ranks of government, agencies, guilds, and squads? That's impossible."
Milo replied,
"Alright..."
He felt a bit of reassurance and relaxed slightly in his chair.
Melina spoke as she stood up,
"My work shift will start soon, I'm a bit late."
She stood and began preparing her clothes for work.
Milo continued his breakfast quietly, when suddenly Melina called out,
"Milo!"
He turned to see her, and she said with a smile,
"Don't worry about what's happening. Just focus on your personal life. You need to become a great hunter like our father, not a mischievous one, alright?"
Milo smiled at her and replied,
"Of course, sis."
After finishing getting ready, Milo stood for a moment in front of the mirror, studying his reflection.
His face still carried the traces of youth, yet his brown eyes held a maturity beyond his years.
His light brown hair fell slightly over his forehead, brushed into place with his hand. He wore his usual training outfit: a light black shirt, dark trousers that allowed easy movement, and sturdy leather boots.
Reaching toward the small table beside his bed, he picked up his familiar necklace and placed it carefully around his neck. The moment the cool metal touched his skin, a memory of his late mother surfaced, filling him with a brief pang of longing and emptiness. With a deep breath, he forced himself to set the thought aside.
Opening the door of his room, Milo stepped out quietly, then made his way outside the house, heading toward the Guild Agency, ready for another day of training.
The streets of Novara were already beginning to stir with life as Milo stepped outside. Vendors were setting up their stalls, the smell of fresh bread and spices drifting through the morning air. Children ran along the narrow alleys, their laughter echoing between the old stone walls, while merchants called out to early customers with eager voices.
The city, built on ancient stone foundations, seemed timeless, its towering buildings casting long shadows across the cobblestone paths. Milo walked steadily through the bustle, the weight of his necklace resting against his chest, a constant reminder of both his past and his purpose.
her presence was still and calm, almost mysterious, as if the noise of the guild barely touched her. She rarely spoke much, and even now her tone was quiet, carrying more thought than words.
Milo raised his voice slightly over the buzz of the guild.
"Lilithia!"
Lilithia glanced at him calmly and gave a gentle nod, acknowledging his call without losing her usual composure.
Milo and Lilithia stood for a moment, the guild bustling around them, yet their small corner felt oddly calm.
"So… how have you been lately?" Milo asked, leaning slightly against the edge of the training hall doorway.
Lilithia tilted her head thoughtfully, her dark hair falling over one shoulder. "I've been… fine. Busy with my own training, as usual.
Milo replied to her softly, "I'm fine, thanks."
Lilithia tilted her head slightly, her voice calm but curious. "Where's Herax? I thought he was always with you during training… I don't see him around."
Milo shrugged lightly. "I think he's busy helping his parents with their work, so he probably won't come today. He hasn't even replied to my messages."
Lilithia nodded gently, her expression neutral. "Oh… alright then."
Milo waved goodbye to her and opened the door to enter his room.
Suddenly, Lilithia called out, "Milo… wait!"
He turned to look at her. She brushed her hair back and looked away for a moment before asking softly, "Could I… train with you?"
Milo smiled. "Of course!"
They entered the training room, and a calm, clear voice greeted them.
"Welcome, I am Nova, the assistant system of the Guild Agency. I will guide you through your training and provide necessary information."
Nova raised her digital hand, pointing to a list of commands appearing on the side of the screen, with instructions explaining how to use the magical training room.
Nova noticed Milo and Lilithia.
"Oh, you two must be the newcomers. Milo, you were with your friend that time when you fought against each other, and you, Lilithia, were training alone against the monsters. You both showed a very good level."
Lilithia looked at Milo. "Hmm… you faced Herax. How was the fight?"
Milo looked back at her. "It was fun."
Lilithia smiled faintly. "Then… Milo, shall we face each other?"
Milo was surprised. "You mean… a fight?"
Lilithia smiled. "Yes!"
Nova prepared the training arena for them, and the two stood facing each other.
Lilithia spoke, her tone calm but determined: "I've been working on improving my abilities… making them stronger. It would be good to use them now and see if they've really grown."
Milo got ready, adjusting his hair slightly and preparing himself, focusing on the upcoming spar.
Nova began the preparations, her calm voice echoing through the arena:
"Alright… get ready. Begin!"
Milo and Lilithia immediately assumed their stances, their gazes locked on each other, tension and anticipation filling the magical training room. The air seemed to hum with energy as both prepared to test their skills.
With swift precision, Lilithia launched a long spider thread toward Milo, the silk shooting through the air like a living extension of herself. Strong yet flexible, it sliced forward, aiming to bind him or slow his movements within the arena.
Milo's eyes narrowed as he caught the motion, his muscles tensing as he prepared to react, the atmosphere in the training room growing heavier with anticipation.
The thread caught him, tightening around his arm. With a sharp pull, Lilithia tried to drag Milo toward her, stepping forward quickly to close the distance. But despite her effort, he resisted, his stance firm, his strength holding him in place.
As she reached him, Lilithia snapped her leg upward, aiming a kick straight at his neck. Milo raised his free hand, blocking the strike with a sharp smack. His other hand gripped the thread tightly, muscles flexing as he yanked it hard, twisting his body. The pull dragged Lilithia with him, forcing her balance to shift
but before he could throw her, she cut the thread in an instant, severing the connection and slipping free.
Lilithia shot out two threads in a flash, both latching onto Milo's shoulders. With a sharp tug, she propelled herself toward him, slamming both feet into his stomach. The impact landed solidly, but Milo barely staggered, his core holding strong. He caught her arms in an instant, gripping tightly to stop her escape.
Milo pulled, muscles tightening, but Lilithia twisted backward, her body moving with agile precision. A thread shot from her leg, anchoring to the ceiling above. From her arms, a slick adhesive substance spread across her skin, forcing Milo's grip to slip away. In a swift motion, she broke free and swung upward, suspending herself high above him, dangling like a spider ready to strike its prey.
Milo tilted his head up, watching her with a sharp gaze.
"Impressive, Lilithia. Your control over the threads has grown stronger than before."
A small, pleased smile curved her lips at his words. Still hanging upside down, she extended her hand toward him and fired a wide net in his direction.
Milo reacted instantly, sidestepping the sticky trap as it struck the ground where he had been standing. Lilithia flipped gracefully, landing lightly on her feet, her eyes fixed on him with a spark of determination.
Lilithia's voice carried a calm but playful edge as she spoke,
"You have a unique ability too, Milo… but you're not using it, are you?"
Milo exhaled, his expression firm.
"That's right. But it's not a power for training like this. It's dangerous too harmful. I won't use it against my friends."
Lilithia's lips curved into a mischievous smile, her eyes glinting with challenge.
"Then I'll just have to force you to use it."
Lilithia placed her hand on the ground, spreading numerous threads around her. Milo watched carefully, ready to apply what he had learned during training. The threads rapidly spread across the floor, moving toward him as if tracking his every motion.
Milo dodged with agility, leaping to the side to evade the trap she had set. Suddenly, Lilithia shook her hand forcefully, sending a thread toward Milo's foot mid-air.
"Damn!" Milo exclaimed, catching the thread quickly before it could pull him in.
Lilithia then channeled her energy around Milo, swirling it rapidly, while generating even more threads to pin him in place, making him feel like prey caught in her grasp.
Milo laughed lightly, "I guess I look like a meal now."
Lilithia smiled, "You fell for it."
Milo suddenly closed his eyes, spreading his energy subtly and squeezing it just enough. The threads binding him snapped instantly. He freed his body completely, bending slightly to regain balance.
Lilithia was stunned. He had freed himself so quickly. She tried to put some distance between them, but Milo dashed toward her at speed.
Lilithia threw threads and webs at him to keep him away, but he caught them easily with his bare hands, snapping them apart. He then launched a quick punch toward her face, stopping just as he got close to her.
Lilithia suggested to Milo,
"So, what do you think about continuing the rest of our training and facing the monster stages here, Milo?"
Milo replied with a smile,
"Absolutely!"
The evening atmosphere was calm after a long day, with the colors of the sunset filtering between the buildings, casting a warm light on the streets. A gentle breeze passed through the alleys, carrying the scent of fresh air mingled with the aroma of earth and nearby gardens. Shadows began to stretch across the sidewalks and walls as the city gradually settled into quiet after the day's bustle, giving a sense of peace and comfort to anyone walking through the streets.
Milo walked beside Lilithia with a relaxed but alert posture, his light brown hair slightly tousled from the day's training, and his eyes still carrying a faint sparkle of excitement. He wore his usual attire: a fitted shirt and sturdy pants suitable for combat practice, with his necklace resting against his chest, giving him a composed yet energetic look.
Lilithia moved gracefully beside him, her long dark hair falling over her shoulders and swaying slightly with each step. Her quiet, poised demeanor contrasted with the subtle warmth in her gaze, and her simple training outfit allowed for easy movement, highlighting her agility and the elegant precision of her every motion. Together, they looked like a balanced pair, one exuding strength and resolve, the other calmness and finesse.
Milo asked her,
"Where has Solir disappeared to again? I haven't seen him in a while."
Lilithia replied,
"That's just how he is… he likes to work alone. I think he's training somewhere, maybe even outside Novara. But he'll show up in the next test."
Milo nodded thoughtfully,
"Hmm… alright."
A moment later, Lilithia's phone rang.
When Lilithia answers and begins speaking, she looks visibly flustered and shocked.
Milo notices immediately and asks,
"Lilithia… what's wrong?"
She replies, her voice trembling slightly due to a poor connection,
"It's… Sally! She's been attacked!"
Milo's eyes widen in surprise, his body stiffening at the news.
Milo felt his heart race, his eyes widening in shock and worry for Sally. Lilithia stood beside him, tense and bewildered, gripping the phone tightly.
A brief silence fell over them, then Milo took a deep breath, his gaze fixed on the horizon as if preparing for the next step.
The chapter ends here, leaving a sense of tension and the clear feeling that something significant is about to happen.