Flying above the minivan, Maia spewed a massive amount of purple vapor and roared at the sky with the full power of her lungs. The dragoness was angry—and with good reason.
Just as Miyu had seen, black lightning flashed across the asphalt. A ghostly moan echoed, and with a purple, ethereal, and ominous flash, the portal opened in the middle of the road, stretching out like a two-dimensional entity.
'This is not good,' Nova thought.
If what Viktor said was true, and Category 5 or higher Aberrations were coming out of the portals, the entire team was in danger. On the other hand, with the faction's Master here, there was nothing to worry about.
The man jumped off Maia's back and landed right in front of the portal.
Nova slammed on the brakes a few meters behind and waited. The team was already prepared to join the fight, but that wouldn't be necessary.
The portal trembled, and then a hand pierced through the ether—a gigantic, bony hand, coal-black in color, as large as an entire human body.
Viktor laughed, of course, because this was ridiculous.
The Aberration poked out its skeletal head, with sunken eyes burning in white flames. Its skull was oval-shaped and elongated backward from the parietal and occipital bones, as if it were a sack hanging from the top of its head.
The nasal area was elongated, shaped like a cone rounded at the tip, and its jaw held dry, yellowed fangs.
"Why don't you go back home?!"
Just one second later, Viktor kicked the skeleton straight in the face, and from the sheer force of the blow, it was sent flying back to where it came from.
For an instant, the Aberration's skull could be seen shattering into pieces as it was forced back into the portal.
Viktor wiped his hands with a satisfied smile. He took his time pulling a plate out of his pocket, then tossed it beneath the portal.
The plate transformed and did its job, absorbing the energy until the portal finally closed.
From inside the car, everyone witnessed Viktor's power.
Even though it wasn't the power of his Spectrums—nor energy manipulation—it was still astonishing that a person could defeat an Aberration—certainly Category 5—with a single blow.
Miyu sighed. She had used her Future Vision to see different outcomes of the fight, but all of them showed the same scene. Viktor kicked the Aberration, and it was sent back inside the portal.
Disappointed, she said:
"I wish I could send Aberrations flying like that."
She wanted to be as strong as the Master.
Of course, Elara allowed herself to admire the clean, elegant kick Viktor delivered to the Aberration. It was a smooth motion, his leg snapping like a whip.
"It's incredible."
Of course it was. And they weren't the only ones who thought so. Nova simply had his own way of seeing things.
'It's incredible how everything he does is always so show-offy…'
The cockroach was no longer on the road.
They resumed their journey until they reached the camp. They parked near someone else's vehicle, beside a few stacked logs, and finally stretched their legs as they got out of the car.
'There aren't many people here.'
That was his first impression of the place.
There was a small tent with boxes full of survival food. There was also a girl wearing a tight green robe, holding a large wooden staff, sitting atop one of the boxes.
In addition, there were four Council soldiers and two Empaths dressed with comical extravagance. One wore a pink trench coat, and the other fuzzy white-and-blue clothing.
It was like looking at singers from the old era.
As was customary for Viktor, he appeared behind his recruits, walking casually. The man's intention was to speak privately with his nephew—something Miyu and Elara understood without a single word being said.
Both of them stayed on the sidelines.
"You'll stay here. Since there's little energy in this area, it's less likely for a portal to open."
"I was hoping you'd say that," Nova replied, walking behind Viktor.
"You shouldn't have come if you already knew I wouldn't let you near the incursion."
"That makes sense. No one would allow a quartet of weaklings to be on the front lines with the Elites."
Viktor looked back at Nova.
"You won't be on the front lines, but you can watch from here."
"I was hoping you'd say that too."
Letting out a small laugh, Viktor turned his gaze forward.
"So, is that why you stayed?"
Nova sighed. He looked back, where Miyu and Elara were chatting animatedly. And Rober? The boy was talking to the girl at the supply tent. It seemed the canine boy was asking for food.
'Didn't waste any time, huh.'
Then he turned his gaze back to the man's back.
"It's not just that. I want to learn a little more about the strongest Empaths. I thought that if I brought my friends, they'd learn too."
"Learning is a good excuse, but do you realize you're dragging your team into danger?"
Nova raised his eyebrows, surprised. Even though he couldn't see his uncle's expression, he could hear the change in his tone.
The man was being serious.
"Everyone agreed."
Viktor sighed.
"Listen to me. It's not about whether everyone agreed or not."
Stopping near a fallen log, he placed his hands on Nova's shoulders.
"A man has to know when not to get involved in things that don't concern him. You're too young to understand it, but bad things happen when you make a bad decision you can't fix."
'Bad things, huh…'
Yes. Bad things happen when you make a bad decision. Nova already knew that—but he couldn't understand it. Viktor said that knowing Nova was aware of the consequences of bad choices.
So all Nova could do was accept the truth.
"I see. I understand."
Viktor raised both hands and relaxed.
"I'm not scolding you, so don't get worked up. You're an expert at staying relaxed, so I don't think that'll be a problem for you. But there's something I need to remind you of, because it seems you've forgotten."
Nova nodded, waiting. Viktor continued.
"Remember what you promised your mother that day."
A deathly silence immediately swallowed the scene. Once again, Nova became expressionless at the mere mention of that promise. He looked down, as if he didn't want anyone to see that look on his face.
In a flat voice, he replied, quoting his mother's words:
"If you don't know how to do something or how to understand it, always remember to try to feel like others do, even if you don't know what it means to 'feel' like others."
Viktor nodded.
"If you can't feel like others do, at least try. Imagine how your friends would feel if something bad happened. That's what I want you to understand."
Nova closed his eyes. When he opened them again, the relaxed expression returned to his face. He smiled calmly, as always.
"I understand, Uncle. I'll keep it in mind."
"Excellent. That's all I wanted to tell you."
Viktor pointed toward the tent.
"Now, see that girl over there? She'll help you watch our battles against the Aberrations. Don't hesitate to talk to her. Meanwhile, I need to continue with the incursion. Tell the others what I told you, alright?"
Nova nodded.
"Alright. See you."
He approached Maia and climbed onto her back. Nova watched him fly away atop the reptilian beast. Then he looked at his hands, thinking deeply about something that always made him wear that 'emotionless' expression.
'I know it—but I don't understand it.'
The difference between knowing and understanding was as vast as this mountain range.