"Show them what a trainee can do, Schwarian," Vollner said, patting his shoulder.
The weight of that hand lingered longer than the words.
Schwarian offered a faint smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. He exhaled slowly, as if steadying something inside himself.
"You can count on me, Mr. Vollner. And thank—"
Erich's phone rang.
The sharp sound cut through the room like a blade.
Erich answered immediately. "Yes, Ark? Any updates—"
Schwarian watched his expression change.
"What? Another family?"
The air in the room shifted.
"In the same manner?"
A long pause.
Erich's jaw tightened. "Alright. I'll be there in half an hour."
The call ended.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Erich picked up his coat and car keys, movements measured but faster than before. He looked at Schwarian—not as a trainee, but as someone he cared about.
"I have to go," he said. "But remember what I told you. Focus on the present. Prepare for the future. The past hurts—but if you let it control your present, it will destroy your future. And all that will be left is regret."
The word regret settled heavily between them.
Schwarian nodded, swallowing something unspoken. "Yeah… you should go. They need you there."
Erich paused, then placed a firm hand on Schwarian's back.
"Stay strong, boy," he said quietly.
Schwarian stood by the window as Erich stepped into the rain. It poured heavily into the dark night, relentless and cold. The engine started, headlights slicing through the darkness like two narrow blades of light.
From the driver's seat, Erich glanced back.
Schwarian was still there. Watching.
Schwarian raised his thumb, a small gesture against a large night. "Best of luck, Mr. Vollner," he muttered.
Erich smiled faintly and drove away, swallowed by rain.
Schwarian remained by the window long after the lights disappeared.
He didn't move.
***
Morning came without mercy.
Schwarian woke with a sharp breath, chest rising too fast. His skin felt damp. For a few seconds, he didn't know where he was.
Then the ceiling came into focus.
He dragged a hand down his face and pushed himself out of bed.
Standing still, he stared at his reflection in the mirror. His eyes looked tired. Older than they should.
He held that gaze a second too long.
The door slammed open.
"Schwarian! Get up already!" Elara burst in. "And make me some food, dude!!"
He flinched hard—shoulders tensing before he could stop them.
"What the hell?" he hissed. "You scared the shit out of me."
"Tch. Don't be a dummy," Elara scoffed. "Getting scared by a twenty-year-old university student?"
She clicked her tongue, teasing. "You've got a long way to go, Schwarian Blumhart. Hehe…"
She paused, grinning.
"Now that you're fully awake," she added, "go make me a delicious breakfast."
Schwarian sighed. "Fine… fine. Your Highness."
"Good boy," Elara said with a smirk.
The words hit differently.
Schwarian's expression stilled.
He gave her a flat, unreadable stare.
Elara's brows furrowed. "What?"
He looked away first. "Uh… never mind."
He walked past her.
Elara watched him go, confusion creeping in.
"…Did I say something wrong?"
***
Downstairs, Schwarian moved quietly through the kitchen. Not rushed. Not relaxed. Just efficient.
Elara took her seat at the table, studying him from across the room.
He placed a plate in front of her.
"Woah, that was fast… thanks for the meal, though," she said lightly.
He nodded once and sat opposite her.
"Hmm… yummy," she said after a bite.
The compliment lingered, but he didn't respond.
Her smile slowly faded.
Her fork slowed. Hovered.
She seemed to drift somewhere else.
Schwarian noticed immediately.
He always noticed.
"By the way, Schwarian…" she said softly, not meeting his eyes. "What do you think about… love?"
The word lingered between them.
His grip on the spoon tightened just enough to make the metal creak faintly against the plate.
He didn't look up.
The spoon touched the ceramic with a small, controlled sound.
"Huh?"
His voice came out drier than he intended.
He finally glanced at her—but only briefly—before looking down again.
"Sorry—did I hurt you?" Elara asked quickly, panic replacing teasing. "I didn't mean to. I'm sorry."
Schwarian stayed silent.
The quiet stretched long enough to make her uneasy.
He kept his gaze lowered, thumb brushing absently against the edge of the plate.
Then—
"No."
Soft. Controlled.
"Don't apologize," he added. "You probably asked because you had something in mind."
He looked at her properly this time.
"What is it?"
Elara's ears turned red.
"W-well… the th-thing is… is that—"
His phone buzzed.
Loud. Sharp. Intrusive.
They both froze.
Elara's shoulders dropped slightly.
"A Riss has been detected… hasn't it?" she asked quietly.
He checked the screen.
And nodded.
He was already standing, reaching for his fedora and coat. Movements automatic. Practiced.
"We'll continue this later," he said.
He moved toward the door.
Elara followed.
"Schwarian…" Her voice was smaller now. "Please try to come home early today. Just today."
He paused with his hand on the handle.
For a second, he really looked at her.
Not teasing. Not joking.
Just her.
"I promise," he said. "I'll come back early."
He stepped outside.
The door closed behind him.
And she stood there a moment longer than she meant to.