He was still fixated on his reflection, which had now returned to normal, yet the remnants of that strange sensation still churned within him.
The siren suddenly stopped, replacing the roar of chaos with an abrupt silence.
Then, the rumble of footsteps and the low clamor of students' voices began to fill the corridor. Those who had previously evacuated to the lower floor were now crowding back upstairs.
Some of them were momentarily startled by the disordered state of the corridor and Noah standing alone in the midst of it, wounds and blood still visible. However, they chose to ignore him, continuing on their way as if nothing had happened.
But Noah remained transfixed, staring at his own reflection in the display glass, still processing everything that had just occurred. The world around him seemed to move in slow motion.
"Noah!"
Noah jolted. He turned and saw Rei standing there with a face full of worry.
Rei was taken aback by Noah's condition. His clothes were torn and dirty, there were scorch marks on his shoulder, and dried blood trailed from his nose to his lips.
"What happened to you?" he asked. But before Noah could answer, Rei immediately blurted out, "This is Tareo's doing, isn't it?"
Noah didn't answer, still lost in his troubled thoughts.
"I'm going to get back at them!" Rei said angrily, turning to leave. However, Noah quickly grabbed his shoulder.
"Let it go, Rei. I'm fine," Noah said, his voice suddenly calm but heavy.
"But—!" Rei choked, his eyes still burning with anger.
"Trust me. I've already taught them a lesson," Noah said with a convincing smile that successfully hid the turmoil still churning in his chest.
"You should go to a healer to treat your wounds," Rei said, his voice full of concern.
Noah just shook his head and turned away. "It's too much trouble." Around him, students hurriedly grabbed their bags and rushed past Noah.
Why? he wondered, his eyes scanning the still-panicked crowd.
Rei caught up to him.
"Rei, is it not over outside?"
"No new demons have come out, but the Rift hasn't closed yet, so all students are allowed to go home early," he explained. "Hurry, we need to get our bags!"
The two of them entered the nearly empty classroom and went to their respective desks. At that moment, Noah glanced out the window. The Rifters were still standing guard in a tight formation around the Rift, their magic glowing like a silent warning, though they seemed to be waiting calmly.
Then, with a calmness that contrasted sharply with the day's chaos, he neatly arranged his books into his bag and slung it over his shoulder with determination.
They descended from the upper floor, and after just a few steps into the lower corridor, Noah accidentally spotted Sena, her face panicked as she searched for someone. Her eyes then stopped on Noah.
"Noah, where have you been—!" Sena exclaimed, then cut herself short. "What happened to your nose?!"
Noah reflexively touched his nose and found a visible smear of blood. "Ah, this? I just bumped into a wall during the earthquake earlier," he said quickly, then nudged Rei. "Right, Rei?"
Rei was about to protest, but when Sena looked at him with an innocent gaze and Noah stepped on his foot, he immediately changed his attitude. "yeah... he's really careless." he said, sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck. "Hey, can we get to know each other? I'm Rei, and you are?"
"I'm Sena, nice to meet you," she replied with a friendly smile.
What's with your face, Rei? Noah thought, noticing Rei's flushed cheeks.
"Wait a second, stay still, Noah!" Sena said suddenly. Both of her hands moved toward his face.
"What are you trying to do?"
A warm light then emanated from her palms, enveloping Noah and slowly healing his wounds. Noah felt the pain in his nose gradually fade away.
Has she learned to control her magic? Noah thought, amazed.
After the healing light subsided, Sena lowered her hands.
They stared at each other in a moment of silence, before finally being interrupted by Rei's cough, feeling left out.
Noah quickly broke the silence, "Sena, don't we have to gather to go home soon?"
"Yes, our bus is already waiting outside," Sena answered, pointing toward the exit.
They walked back along the corridor with Sena leading the way, followed by Noah and Rei walking side by side behind her.
"Who is she? How are you so close to her?" Rei whispered curiously.
Noah sighed. "It's a long story. You wouldn't believe it, but she was almost attacked by a wolf once, and I happened to save her."
"Damn, I'm jealous of you. This is just like the romance novels I read at home," Rei whispered with sparkling eyes.
"Don't exaggerate," Noah retorted shortly.
As they neared the end of the bright corridor, they saw Haru and Allen already waiting. Noah quickly paused for a moment, wiping his nose once more to ensure no blood remained, then swiftly placed his bag in front of his body to hide his dirty and burnt clothes.
"What's that, Noah? You look ridiculous," Haru said with a light laugh, seeing him clutching his bag tightly.
"Hurry up, the bus is waiting! I want to go home now," Noah said as he passed them, pretending to catch up with Sena. "See you, Rei! Catch up tomorrow!"
Noah then gently took Sena's hand and quickly led her toward the bus door.
"Safe," he whispered in relief once they both stepped onto the bus.
***
Finally, after an exhausting journey, Noah arrived in his room. With a weary body, he tossed his bag into the corner and collapsed into his study chair. He leaned his head back, tilting it upward, while his fingertips curiously touched the corner of his right eye.
I was truly amazing earlier, he thought inwardly, a faint smile spreading across his face. could dodge all their attacks as if I could see their movements before they happened.
Wow!! What is this power of mine?!
It's so cool! Even though it made my head ache a little, how do I activate it again?
Suddenly, Tareo's words echoed in his mind again: 'Where are your parents? Did they abandon you?'
His smile instantly faded. His gaze drifted to the bookshelf where his mysterious black book was kept. He noticed a faint, almost invisible dark energy flowing from outside the window, being absorbed by the book. Driven by curiosity, he took the book and carefully placed it on the table.
Holding his breath, he opened it. Instantly, a black energy intertwined with red flashes briefly illuminated between the pages, then vanished as quickly as it appeared. Noah was startled, his heart pounding rapidly.
He began flipping through the pages one by one with trembling hands until he reached the final pages. His eyes widened.
Shouldn't this be empty?
The pages that had always been blank were now filled with ancient writings.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
His door opened.
With a reflexive movement, Noah snatched the book and hid it back on his bookshelf.
"Noah, why did you go straight to your room without eating?!" asked Sister Maria, her voice soft yet full of concern.
"I'll eat after finishing this, Sister," Noah replied, trying to sound normal.
"Alright," said Sister, turning to leave the room.
Just before the door closed, Noah called out to her. "Sister…"
Sister Maria stopped and turned back. "Yes? What is it?"
"May I ask you something?" Noah's voice sounded serious and slightly hesitant.
"Of course. What do you want to ask?"
"Do you know who brought me to this orphanage back then?"
Sister Maria fell silent for a moment, then her expression softened. She reentered the room and sat on the edge of Noah's bed.
Noah swiveled his chair to face Sister directly, his eyes filled with long-held questions.
I never asked about my parents because I hated them... but this time, I want to know...
Sister began softly, "I don't remember the exact time, but it was around 11 years ago. I was still new here back then." She paused briefly, as if trying to recall long-buried details. "The one who brought you wasn't an adult, but a little black-haired boy who might have been only 7 years old. His clothes were very crumpled and dirty. He carried you, who was still a baby, probably around 1 year old. Feeling sorry for him, I asked what he wanted. He didn't answer, only trying to hand you over."
"Then I took you," Sister continued, a faint smile gracing her face. "I asked what the name of this cute baby was. 'Noah Lucenhart.' Sister was immediately surprised—wow, what a beautiful name! And while I was busy calming you down as you began to fuss... he had already disappeared. It made me a little worried and scared, but after seeing you, I felt that everything would surely be alright."
Who is he? Noah's heart raced.
"Sister," Noah interrupted, his voice trembling with hope and tension, "Did you manage to ask his name?"
Sister shook her head slowly, her face filled with gentle regret. "Unfortunately, no. He vanished right after handing you over. But..." She paused for a moment, her eyes distant as she remembered something. "Perhaps he was your brother. Your faces... were very similar to how you look now. Only the hair color was different."
Brother? Impossible...
Noah sat silently, his mind racing. All this time, he had believed he was completely alone—a discarded child with no blood ties to anyone. But now, a glimmer of hope mixed with confusion enveloped him. There was someone who might still share a blood relation with him, someone who had once brought him to a safe place, someone who... had left him.
If so, what was the reason?
Sister Maria stood up, interrupting Noah's deep contemplation. "Perhaps there was a special reason he brought you here, Noah. Remember, he was also just a child back then and clearly couldn't provide for you. He held you tightly before handing you over to me. His hands were trembling, but his eyes were full of determination and a few tears. That's what made Sister believe he loved you."
Sister placed a warm hand on Noah's shoulder. "Maybe someday you will meet him again."
"That's all Sister knows," she said, turning toward the door. "I need to return to the kitchen. You should go there quickly to eat."
"Yes, Sister," Noah replied softly. As Sister was about to close the door, Noah called out to her one more time. "Sister..."
Sister Maria turned back, the afternoon sunlight streaming through the roof illuminating her patient face.
"Thank you... for taking care of me all this time..."
Sister responded with a sincere smile and a meaningful nod before finally closing the door gently, leaving Noah alone with a multitude of new questions and a slightly lighter heart.
If he really is my brother, what happened to Mom and Dad that made him bring me here?
Noah bowed his head, covering his face with both hands.
My head is too dizzy. I think I need to rest.