Samael and Elizabeth left the shopping district and headed toward the upper residential sector of the city.
The streets grew quieter the farther they went. Taller buildings. Cleaner facades. More visible security.
Samael walked with his hands in his pockets.
"I still don't know how you got her address," he commented sideways.
Elizabeth didn't answer immediately.
"I have resources."
He narrowed his eyes.
That explained absolutely nothing.
But he chose not to press.
After a few minutes of silence, Elizabeth spoke.
"I don't think inviting her to the Court will be easy."
Samael glanced at her.
"Why, Liz?"
"Because Layla Stern isn't just any Awakened."
She adjusted her pace slightly.
"She stands out absurdly in reconnaissance. Probably the best of the new generation."
Samael grew thoughtful.
Reconnaissance.
Exploration.
Terrain reading.
In the Dream Realm, that was almost more valuable than brute strength.
One wrong step could mean death.
One miscalculated route could cost an entire Court.
Having someone like Layla would be… a blessing.
"And the two of us aren't exactly renowned," Elizabeth continued. "We don't have relevant public feats. No established reputation."
She sighed.
"It'll be hard to convince her."
Samael tilted his head slightly.
"You're underestimating us."
Elizabeth cast him a sidelong glance.
"I'm being realistic."
He didn't reply.
She wasn't wrong.
"Are you close to her?" Elizabeth asked after a few seconds.
The question was too direct.
Samael took a moment before answering.
"Not exactly."
They had interacted. Talked. Shared moments at the Academy.
But close?
No.
Before, Elizabeth had intended to invite Layla based purely on his recommendation.
Now, after researching Layla's abilities more thoroughly…
She genuinely wanted her in the Court.
Not just for friendship.
But for strategy.
"Besides," Elizabeth continued, "the three of us are support."
Samael nodded faintly.
It was true.
He was versatile, dangerous in specific circumstances… but not a pure frontline combatant.
Elizabeth wasn't either.
Layla even less so.
"I'm looking for someone strong," she added. "A frontline fighter. But the ones who stand out the most have… problematic personalities."
She made a slight face.
"Unstable. Arrogant. Impulsive."
Samael let out a humorless chuckle.
"The perfect recipe for disaster."
"Exactly."
Courts had collapsed for less.
Strength without balance was just a ticking time bomb waiting for the wrong moment.
After a few more minutes of walking, they arrived.
Layla Stern's house stood in a privileged residential zone.
High walls.
An immaculately maintained garden.
Modern architecture, elegant lines, subtle embedded lighting.
It wasn't vulgar ostentation.
It was old money.
Silent money.
Samael stopped briefly in front of the gate.
"She's really doing well."
Elizabeth crossed her arms.
"Legacy Clan."
He swallowed.
The realization landed heavier than before.
Layla wasn't just talented.
She had backing.
Influence.
Structure.
Inviting someone like that into a newly formed Court…
With no name.
No achievements.
No history.
It was bold.
Perhaps presumptuous.
For the first time since they had left home, Samael felt a flicker of nervousness.
It wasn't fear of combat.
It was something else.
Evaluation.
Judgment.
Hierarchy.
He unconsciously adjusted the hem of his new shirt.
Elizabeth noticed.
"Nervous?"
"No."
She just stared at him.
He sighed.
"A little."
It wasn't just about Layla.
It was about what this conversation represented.
The first real step.
The first attempt to build something of their own.
A Court.
A chosen future.
Samael lifted his gaze to the elegant house before them.
"Let's knock before I change my mind."
Elizabeth almost smiled.
Almost.
She stepped toward the gate and pressed the intercom.
Now…
All that remained was to see whether Layla Stern would even open the door.
The intercom crackled softly.
A few seconds of silence passed.
Then, a sleepy voice emerged from the other side.
"Who is it?"
The voice was unmistakable.
Layla Stern.
Elizabeth took a small step forward, posture impeccable.
"Hello, Professor Stern. This is Elizabeth. We met at the Awakened Academy. I'm here with Samael, who was also your student."
A brief pause.
"And we'd like to speak with you about something serious."
Silence.
Then—
"Oh… the problem child."
Samael closed his eyes for a second.
Elizabeth shot him a sideways look.
"You didn't mention that."
"I was misunderstood," he muttered.
On the other side, a long, unapologetic yawn echoed through the speaker.
"And you…" Layla continued, her voice still thick with sleep, "I don't recognize."
Elizabeth kept her tone calm.
"We didn't interact much directly. But I was in your final class."
Another pause.
"Right. And what do you want?"
Elizabeth didn't hesitate.
"We'd prefer to speak in person. If you allow it."
A muffled sound followed, as if Layla had pulled away from the intercom.
"Damn it… on my day off…"
Samael tried not to laugh.
Elizabeth pretended not to hear.
Footsteps echoed faintly from inside. The sound of a lock disengaging.
The gate slid open with a smooth mechanical hum.
They crossed the silent garden.
The front door opened before they could ring the bell.
Layla Stern stood there.
Long black hair, completely disheveled.
Loose house clothes.
Barefoot.
Not a single trace of the formal Academy image.
If the conservative elders of the Stern Clan saw her like this, they would probably suffer collective cardiac arrest.
"Come in," she said, more awake now, though irritation still lingered in her voice.
Samael leaned slightly toward Elizabeth.
"See? She doesn't care about formalities."
Elizabeth ignored him.
She was used to it.
Though she hated to admit it, she was getting used to Samael.
Which was… concerning.
He was unstable.
There were days he woke up crying.
Others when he made childish jokes.
He was careless.
She genuinely believed that without someone organizing his life, he would die—and not by Nightmare creatures.
But by everyday negligence.
They stepped inside.
The house was immaculate.
Too immaculate.
Samael doubted Layla personally maintained it.
They sat on a wide sofa.
Layla crossed her legs and studied them.
Her eyes were fully awake now.
Assessing.
"So," she said. "What do you want?"
Elizabeth answered without detours.
"We want you to teach us essence manipulation. And we'd like to invite you to join our Court."
Layla's eyes didn't change.
But they sharpened.
"What do I gain from teaching you?"
Nothing was free.
"Memories," Elizabeth replied.
Samael slowly turned his head toward her.
He didn't remember agreeing to that.
Elizabeth continued:
"You provide the materials. We refine them. You'll receive as many Awakened Memories as you want."
Layla raised an eyebrow slightly.
The Stern Clan was affiliated with the great Song Clan—direct rivals of the Valor Clan, which monopolized much of the Memory market.
The offer was not small.
"That payment is enough for me to teach you essence," she said. "But as for joining your Court… I refuse."
Silence.
Samael spoke first.
"Why?"
Layla gently swung her crossed leg.
"I don't like problematic things."
Samael tightened his own hand.
"What does that have to do with anything?"
He knew the answer.
But he asked anyway.
"You're problematic," she replied without hesitation. "And for her to be with you… she probably is too."
Elizabeth didn't like that.
She already accepted she wasn't exactly normal.
But hearing it said out loud was… unpleasant.
Samael felt the offense like a sting.
"You're not exactly normal either."
Layla tilted her head slightly.
"That's not something you say to someone you're trying to recruit."