Layla cradled Lucy gently in her arms, standing quietly by her side. Even in sleep, Lucy's face carried sorrow, tears still clinging to the corners of her eyes, her small brows furrowed as if reliving Brandish's departure in her dreams.
Layla softly wiped away her daughter's tears with one hand and stroked her back tenderly. Slowly, Lucy's expression eased, and her brow relaxed.
Seeing his daughter's state improve, Jude gave Layla a small nod and quietly withdrew.
Since Lucy would not wake for some time, Noah cast a gentle gravity spell, lifting Layla and Lucy together as if weightless, guiding them back toward Lucy's room.
He carefully placed Lucy onto her bed, then slowly released the spell.
Layla sat on the edge of the bed, gazing down at her daughter with love.
She knew what Lucy needed most was not words but companionship. So she resolved to stay by her side, so that when Lucy awoke, her mother's face would be the first thing she saw.
Layla gave Noah a small wave, signaling for him to leave and not remain.
Noah nodded silently, turned, and left the room, closing the door softly behind him.
After some thought, he decided to finish dismantling and collecting the last of the equipment near the gate. There was little left anyway.
After notifying Jude, Noah went out, disassembled the final pieces, informed King Thomas, and returned once more to the Heartfilia estate.
By then, Lucy had already woken. She sat in the living room with Layla, reading a book, her spirits noticeably lifted.
When Noah arrived, he could see at once that Lucy's mood had recovered. She seemed no different from usual, proof that Layla's presence had worked wonders.
Satisfied, Noah said to Layla:
"Now that everything is settled, I'll be heading off."
Lucy, who had been happy to see Noah, suddenly grew anxious at his words.
"Brother Noah, you're leaving too?"
Noah could only smile helplessly.
"That's right. I'm always coming and going, aren't I? This time is no different. We'll meet again soon."
Lucy realized she had overreacted, her emotions still raw from Brandish's departure. Embarrassed, she smiled shyly at Noah.
"Don't be too sad. If things go smoothly, you'll see Brandish again in a month or two.
You should start thinking now about what you want to say and share with her when that time comes."
At those words, Lucy's eyes lit up. She fell into thoughtful silence, clearly lost in imagining her reunion with her friend.
Noah glanced at Layla, who gave him a reassuring smile and nod. He smiled back, then quietly waved goodbye and slipped out of the room.
After checking the time, Noah decided to head straight to a certain place and lie in wait. With luck, he might catch two people there.
The place was where Roubaul was compiling the history of the Nirubit tribe and documenting the creation of Nirvana.
For the past two years, Noah's thought-body had been working alongside Roubaul to organize the tribe's records. The old man, having changed his perspective, had devoted himself to writing down their culture and legacy in painstaking detail, determined that his people would not be forgotten. Because of this thoroughness, progress was slow.
But Noah saw this as a good thing. A tribe once guided by kindness and ideals should not fade into obscurity. Their memory deserved to endure.
And any tribe capable of producing someone as powerful as Roubaul surely had deep roots. Such a people should not vanish silently into history.
When Noah arrived, Roubaul greeted him warmly, a smile on his face.
"Why come here in person this time? Hasn't it always been your thought-body assisting me? Did you decide to finally lend a hand yourself?"
Having spent so much time with the old man, Noah was comfortable with him. Knowing Roubaul's gentle nature, he felt no restraint. He rolled his eyes and replied playfully:
"If my thought-body is helping here, isn't that still me helping? Besides, I'm usually drowning in research. Just keeping up with my own studies is exhausting enough."
Of course, Roubaul understood Noah's daily life. This was the stage of Noah's rapid growth, and the old man's earlier words had only been a joke. Even if Noah truly wanted to help with the work, Roubaul would never allow it.
"So, what brings you here in person this time? You usually don't come yourself," Roubaul asked, curious.
Noah didn't answer immediately. Instead, his gaze drifted to the bustling figures moving about outside.
"No matter how many times I see it, it's still incredible. You've created so many phantoms with distinct personalities all on your own. Your power is amazing."
Roubaul looked at the young boy's earnest expression and chuckled warmly.
"You're the most talented and hardworking mage I've ever met. To reach such strength in such a short time there's no need for you to envy anyone."
Noah glanced around at the building they were standing in and asked:
"Are you rebuilding the home you used to live in?"
Roubaul's eyes softened with nostalgia as he took in the recreated walls.
"Since I intend to preserve all the knowledge of the Nirubit people, it's only natural to recreate the original buildings. When I look at this place, I feel as though I'm still living alongside my tribe, four hundred years ago."
Sensing the sorrow in the old man's tone, Noah decided not to linger on the painful subject. Instead, he smoothly shifted the conversation.
"I came here this time for three reasons. First, I have some questions about magic that I want to ask you. Second, I want to recover my current thought-body and create a stronger one. Third, I came to see if I might find someone here."
Roubaul studied him closely, admiration in his eyes.
"Your strength has grown so much it's remarkable. But tell me, did you just say you planned to squat here?"
Noah nodded.
"Yes. I'm waiting for them. I don't know if they'll actually come, so I'll stay here and wait. If they do appear, that would be best."
"It seems this person is very important to you, if you're willing to wait in advance like this."
"Of course. I'll also search around, though I suspect it will be difficult to find them directly."
"Then do as you wish," Roubaul replied with a nod. "I believe that whatever you're striving for will succeed."
"Thank you for your support."
Noah first recovered his original thought-body, then released a new one. This one was far stronger than the last, capable of assisting Roubaul more effectively.
Day after day, Noah discussed magic with the old man. He had countless ideas that required Roubaul's insight.
Roubaul, for his part, deeply admired Noah's diligence and talent. Wanting to pass on as much knowledge as he could, he readily shared everything he knew.
Noah took joy in these discussions. During breaks, he went out to search, but still he found no trace of the person he sought.