The Rage branch is known for turning its bearer into a berserker of tremendous strength, but at the cost of their sanity in battle.
All Spectrums have one strong point and many other weaknesses. That's why every Spectrum has its own role in battle.
'What kind of crazy things would you have done if I hadn't arrived in time?'
The thought of Kayn losing his mind was terrifying—just not for Nova.
'Still, it was good to see how strong he'd become over the past year.'
He clenched his fist, concentrating Serenity in a single point and suppressing Kayn's red aura until it diminished the negative effects. This caused Kayn to pause and breathe heavily, controlling his own power until it faded away.
With the Aberration already dead, Kayn looked up at the sky. He sighed and sat down on the colossus's belly.
'Fourth Level already, huh. It's certainly a great feat,' Nova thought, having faint memories of a not-so-distant past.
Those who grow strong through their own efforts deserve admiration. At least that's how it should be with honorable people, because when it comes to a jerk, you just call him one to his face.
***
"Man. Look at this mess."
Kayn, walking among the rubble and near the melted rock, scanned the surroundings with a calmer, more tired expression. His entire outfit was stained with blood, torn in places, and singed at the edges.
"What did you do with the Dimensional Portal?" Nova asked, approaching the squad leader.
The relaxed and calmer Kayn took out his communicator. He raised his index finger, as if to say he didn't want to be disturbed by anyone, and looked at his Faction's group chat on the screen.
'You always do this.'
Exasperated—and with no respect for personal space—Nova peered over Kayn's shoulder and looked at the communicator screen. He frowned to get a better look at what was there.
The screen displayed:
[
Master Li Hu:
[The Portal has been closed.]
[Did you have fun with the little toy that got away from me?]
[I hope so.]
[It was too easy.]
]
Nova put on a poker face. His thoughts were filled with insults.
'This stubborn Master is still as smug and arrogant as ever.'
Li Hu is the kind of powerful person who deserved to be called a jerk, but he was a jerk with merit since he was the Master of the Dimension Faction. And merit meant everything in human society.
'But... Master Li... It's been a long time since I last spoke to him.'
He took out his own communicator and looked at his contact list. He found Master Li's name there.
'I still have his code.'
After putting away his communicator, he turned his gaze back to Kayn's communicator.
Kayn seemed to have noticed that the cheeky Nova was watching, but he completely ignored this when he read the last words Master Li Hu left in the chat.
Master Li Hu:
[
[Kayn.]
[Tell those who helped that their pay will be delivered first thing tomorrow morning.]
[I'm tired.]
[I want to get some sleep.]
]
Suddenly, Kayn began to laugh. It seemed as if he had remembered something funny. The rumor was confirmed when, between laughs, he said:
"I'm sure that old idiot is still wearing his ridiculous ryutanin pajamas."
Ryutanin is the name of the Poki species.
Nova raised his eyebrows.
'Really? Where did he even get pajamas like that? … Could you actually buy Poki pajamas?'
If Kayn laughed at that, Nova understood completely. Ryutanin are considered the most adorable beings in the world. Many want to have one, but they are difficult to obtain since these creatures inhabit the Dark Islands, formerly known as the continent of Oceania.
Furthermore, although they remain in their baby form for years, they grow exponentially until they become majestic dragons.
"Hey, Nova. I think you're going a little overboard. Get off him," Kayn said.
"Sure. My mistake."
He raised both hands as if he were a criminal and took a step back. Kayn, exasperated, turned around and left the area. Meanwhile, Nova looked around, slowly lowering his hands.
Huh...
Among the rubble and buildings were the other Empaths. They all had to hide when Kayn went berserk. No one wanted to get accidentally hit by a Fourth Level berserker.
'I see some new faces around here. How many Empaths did Master Li Hu recruit during all this time?'
Being recruited by a Faction was completely different from applying to join a Faction. Possibly, just like Nova three years ago, these people were also recruited.
Some Empaths smiled as they were healed, celebrating the victory by the Healer-type Empaths, who are usually those with the Spectrum of Admiration branch.
This made Nova frown, analyzing everything he could see at that moment.
'Many Faction Masters take advantage of the fact that promising young people are naive.'
In order to grow their armies of Empaths, some Factions resort to recruiting young people who have just graduated from high school. Certainly, anyone with the necessary talent could become an Empath.
'Well, it's not like they're going to kidnap you or anything…'
Fortunately, you could leave the Faction whenever you wanted. That is, if you bothered to read the contract. There were many interesting clauses to consider. Nova wasn't going to be the only fool who didn't read the contract.
"Nova!"
Abby appeared to interrupt Nova's internal monologue. She ran with the timid awkwardness of a shy girl. The tip of her hat danced from side to side, and her short, loose skirt threatened to move more than necessary.
"Hi," Nova said.
Abby nodded.
"Hi. It's been a while, hasn't it?"
"Yes."
In front of others, he was always a man of few words.
"Thank you for helping us. No one else wanted to accept our help."
Abby bowed. Then she continued:
"I guess it's because there aren't many Empaths in the city since the other larger Factions in the city mobilized their forces to Lightflower. They say there's an emergency with a chain of Portals threatening the country."
Nova raised an eyebrow, dismayed.
'Uncle didn't say anything about that...'
"Nova? Are you listening to me?"
He sighed and nodded.
"Yes. I'm listening."
"I see. You seemed very focused and distant. It seems that part of you hasn't changed one bit. You always stay quiet, staring into space. You're very distracted, you know?"
"That's something Miyu tells me a lot."
Hearing the feline girl's name, Abby began to talk nonstop. Nova felt slightly exhausted. Listening to her was exhausting—she was one of those people who, once they start talking, won't shut up for anything in the world.
She is completely opposite to Nova, who prefers to say only what is necessary and nothing more.
'So Uncle went to fight in Lightflower. I'm sure they need him more than anything else in the world,' Nova thought, looking up at the sky.
Kayn called Abby, interrupting her lively conversation with the wall—that is, with Nova. She said goodbye hastily and ran to help the members of her Faction.
'Well, I guess I have nothing else to do here.'
The battle didn't last long, and the pay will surely be good. That gave Nova a little more confidence. He put his hands in his pockets and walked toward one of the seven roads. He climbed onto the sidewalk and looked back one last time.
In the distance, Kayn waved goodbye. Nova did the same and turned his gaze back to the road.
'I'm exhausted.'
His run home wouldn't take long. The disaster happened nearby, so the trip only took a few minutes. Once he was back inside, he didn't bother to take off his boots or raincoat.
Tired, he went into his room and threw himself face-first onto the bed.
While the whole world burned in Dimensional Portals and Empaths faced off against Aberrations, Nova fell into a deep sleep, not remembering who was sleeping beside him.