The four hooded figures descend the stairs toward the city's third sector, heading for Niter's home. They draw everyone's attention along the way, as the citizens stare openly at the Barrier of Power walking with his face uncovered. Although the warrior dislikes such attention, he notices something to his left out of the corner of his eye and smiles faintly—allowing his real students to leap from building to building without being noticed.
Already in the district of the black- and blue-skinned Oksilis, the youths land on the balcony of a three-story house with a dull thud that the residents inside can hear. Exhausted from maintaining such intense control of Fiu in their muscles, they can barely keep their breathing steady. Alexa bends over, hands on her knees, drawing the worried attention of her companions. Emily steps closer and whispers, "Are you okay?"
"Yes… I'm just tired," Alexa answers.
Before they can rest any longer, they hear someone climbing toward them. Without hesitation, Francesca grabs the edge of the roof and pulls herself up, followed by Tyron. Emily climbs next, but as she does, she notices Alexa barely managing to hold on—her strength nearly gone. Alexa slips. Emily immediately dives to catch her, but someone grips Emily's ankle to keep her from falling—it's Tyron. Alexa ends up hanging from Emily's grasp, and together they manage to pull her up just in time, moments before a rugged, dark-skinned adult opens the door below.
The four continue toward Niter's building, but both their bodies and minds beg for rest. When they finally spot their destination just a few meters away, they realize their bad luck: Niter's house is the only three-story building in the area. There's no way to reach the roof except by climbing or running straight up the wall.
They stop and watch as their master and his clones walk down the street. Once he enters the house, there will be nothing left to distract the civilians from noticing them. With little time, they try to think of a solution.
"If we focus enough Fiu into our legs, we could jump straight to the roof in one leap," Emily suggests.
Alexa hesitates—she's already exhausted—and exchanges a glance with Tyron, who nods, clearly no better off. Francesca squints, estimating the distance. "About five hundred meters."
She exhales deeply, steps forward, and declares, "I'll go first. You three have more Fiu because your power depends more on emotion. Mine specializes in control, so I'm the one who can calculate the exact amount needed."
"But what about the quantity?" Emily asks, worried.
"I still have a little left," Francesca replies, eyes fixed on Niter's roof. "I'll get one shot. Hopefully enough to avoid being crushed by gravity afterward."
Francesca lowers herself into position, hands on the ground, thumbs aligned with her fingers for support. She raises her hips, slides her right leg forward and her left back, then focuses. Warmth floods into her legs as she compensates for the planet's stronger gravity. The sensation intensifies—from her feet, to her knees, to her thighs—until every fiber in her lower body vibrates with energy.
She rises, takes a few steps, and releases all that stored force at once. She rockets forward at incredible speed—too much speed. Realizing she'll overshoot, she instantly redirects the energy from her legs into her arms. She manages to grab the roof but is forced to cling using Fiu alone, scraping her palms raw against the rough surface. At last, she stops just short of falling, sprawled on the roof and gasping for air.
She pulls out her phone and types quickly:
"Triple your usual Fiu in your legs. Focus until you feel it strongest around your knees—that should counter this planet's gravity."
Emily reads and nods. Alexa, noticing how slowly Francesca rises, says, "I have the least control, so I'll go last. I'll probably overshoot—you'll have to stop me."
Tyron gently pushes Alexa back by the shoulder and steps forward instead. He takes the same sprinter's stance Francesca used, closes his eyes, and imagines a bottle filling to one-third. The cold sensation of positive Fiu spreads into his legs. He opens his eyes, takes a few steps, and jumps.
For a brief two seconds, Tyron marvels at the city's beauty—its lights, its advanced design—before realizing he's about to crash straight into Francesca. Their eyes meet; her expression clearly says, Yes, I know—you're an idiot.
They collide and roll across the roof. Tyron ends up on top of her and immediately jumps up, face burning red. "S-sorry!" he blurts, turning away.
Francesca stays silent, then notices his left hand extended to help her up. Still annoyed, she accepts—it's clear he can barely keep control of his energy, and her palms are burning with pain. Tyron, meanwhile, is internally screaming with joy at the contact… until he realizes his hand is wet.
He looks down. Blood.
"Fran—did I hurt you?!" he asks, panicked.
"What do you care?" she snaps.
"Let me see your hands."
"No! Pay attention—Wind's focusing!"
Tyron sighs heavily. "I know you're angry because I ran away. I hate myself for it too. You don't have to forgive me—but you can't stop me from worrying about you. You matter to me. Hate me if you want, but put your pride aside and let me see your hands!"
Her heart skips. His words echo something Mario once told her: 'Even if you don't want me watching you practice, I'll stay—because you matter to me.'
Her face warms beneath the hood. I won't forgive him… but Mario said to follow my heart… What would Emily do?
Without looking at him, she extends her hands.
Tyron's face turns crimson as he sees her palms—raw, bleeding. He quickly pulls out his scarf and hood, wrapping her hands carefully. "I brought these for patrols… didn't think I'd use them like this," he mutters. "Th-thanks… for letting me."
He looks up to find Emily and Alexa staring at them in confusion. Before the awkwardness grows, Francesca surprises him with a soft smile and a faint blush. "You're welcome."
Tyron's brain short-circuits. Instinctively, he snaps a photo with his phone.
"TYRON!" Francesca yells. "Don't take pictures without my permission!"
They immediately start arguing again.
Emily laughs quietly. "Looks like they're getting along again."
"Yeah," Alexa smiles. "They look like a couple."
Emily blushes, imagining herself in a similar situation—with Gregorio.
At last, Alexa prepares to jump. She launches—but falls short. As she drops, she focuses cold air into her feet and blasts herself upward just enough for Francesca and Tyron to grab her arm and pull her up. Emily goes last, but her speed is far greater than theirs. The three barely manage to stop her momentum, sliding off the roof—
Until suddenly, they float back up.
Niter stands below, using his psychic powers to pull them safely onto the roof. Smiling, he invites them inside.
Moments later, four glowing orbs slam into their foreheads. Pain explodes through their heads as the memories of their clones merge with their own.
"So… we have a restraining order," one of them mutters.
"Yes," Jayden replies calmly.
FLASHBACK
In the King's chamber, Muster confronts the students. Tyron attacks in anger—but Jayden stops the blade at the last instant, letting it cut Muster's hand instead.
"I saved the boy from prison," Jayden tells Muster telepathically. "Not you. When I get the chance—I'll kill you."
END FLASHBACK
Back in the present, the group processes everything. Francesca presents the golden cube. Alexa shows the bottles. Emily displays the photos of Niter and Roxy.
Niter examines the items—until Jayden forces him to drink the strange liquid. His psychic power surges out of control, nearly destroying the room, until Jayden disperses the energy.
Later, Niter studies the photos. "Roxy is our chief medical officer… she's been away since another Viudent attack."
"Interesting," Jayden mutters. "Time to go."
As evening falls, the group returns to the forest. Before they leave, Jayden raises his tea cup and says casually:
"Merry Christmas, brats."
They freeze—then smile.
"Thanks! You too!"
Jayden watches them go, then sighs and looks at the wrapped gifts in his room.
"…I suppose I should shower and get ready before leaving."