Morning settled over the academy with a quiet clarity, the early light casting long, gentle shadows across the stone pathways as the usual bustle had yet to fully awaken, leaving the entrance gates wrapped in a calm that felt almost deliberate.

Damon stood just outside those gates.

Dressed simply in a crisp white shirt and black trousers, the first few buttons undone in a way that carried effortless confidence rather than carelessness, his posture relaxed yet composed, his gaze steady as he waited without impatience, as though time itself held no authority over him.

The faint sound of footsteps approached.

Measured and hesitant.

Damon turned his head slightly toward the source.

Mira walked toward him.

Dressed in a simple casual outfit that suited her gentle demeanor, her movements careful, almost cautious, as her eyes lifted just briefly to meet his before immediately dropping again, her fingers fidgeting lightly as she came to a stop a short distance away.

"Morning, Miss Mira," Damon said, his tone calm, carrying that same composed ease.

"M-morning... young duke," Mira replied, her voice soft, her gaze still lowered.

Damon gave a small nod.

"Shall we?" he asked.

Mira hesitated.

Her eyes flickered up for a moment.

Then back down.

"T-this... t-that..." she stammered, clearly struggling to form a proper response.

Damon tilted his head slightly, observing her.

"Is there any problem?" he asked.

Before she could answer—

Another voice entered. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

"It seems I am a bit late."

Damon’s gaze shifted to the side as a young woman stepped forward, her ivory hair catching the morning light, her matching eyes calm yet sharp as they briefly glanced at him before settling into a composed expression.

Serena.

"I am sure the young duke won’t mind me tagging along," she said smoothly.

Damon raised a brow slightly, his expression unchanged as his thoughts moved quietly.

...Now what does she want?

His gaze shifted briefly toward Mira, who stood there with her head lowered even further now, her posture almost shrinking under the weight of the situation, guilt evident in the way she avoided looking at either of them.

Damon looked back at Serena, a faint smile forming on his lips.

"You sure seem to like becoming a third wheel between me and Miss Mira, young duchess," he said lightly.

Serena returned the smile without hesitation, her composure steady.

"How can that be, young duke?" she replied, her tone just as smooth, "I simply wish to ensure Mira’s safety from any... unfortunate circumstances."

Damon’s smile remained, though his eyes narrowed ever so slightly.

"Are you implying that I am an evil person?" he asked.

Serena placed a hand lightly against her cheek in mock surprise.

"Oh my, not at all," she said, her voice carrying a gentle lilt, "I am not saying that... it’s just..."

Damon watched her closely.

...She’s learned to keep her composure around me now.

Just as he was about to respond—

Mira’s voice broke in from the side, hurried and slightly panicked.

"W-where are we going, young duke?"

***

The city had already begun to stir with life as Damon walked through its streets, his pace steady and unhurried, the soft hum of daily activity surrounding them as merchants opened their shops, passersby moved along their own routines, and the faint clatter of distant movement filled the air, while Mira and Serena followed just a step behind him, their presence drawing occasional glances from those nearby.

Damon’s gaze remained forward, but his voice dropped slightly, low enough that it would not carry beyond himself.

"Why don’t you just show yourself... isn’t it just a white sphere anyway?"

A familiar voice echoed directly in his mind, calm and almost amused.

No need... I am quite enjoying myself... ahh, youth...

Damon’s lips twitched faintly.

"Don’t you feel ashamed... spying on young people at your age?" he murmured under his breath.

A faint, sharp edge entered the voice that responded.

What did you just say, brat?

Damon didn’t pause, smoothly shifting the conversation.

"How can you speak directly in my head... I want to learn that as well."

The response came just as calmly as before.

You will learn it naturally... when you are strong enough.

Damon clicked his tongue softly.

"Tch... petty old woman..."

"Are you saying something, young duke?"

Serena’s voice came from behind, smooth but edged with suspicion, prompting Damon to glance back at her over his shoulder, catching the way her narrowed eyes studied him carefully, as if trying to decipher what he had just muttered.

He simply shook his head slightly.

"Don’t use any honorary titles where we are going," he said, his tone casual as he came to a stop and turned toward Mira, his expression softening just enough as he addressed her directly, "you can just call me Damon, Miss Mira."

Mira stiffened slightly at that, her fingers tightening together as she looked down, her voice hesitant.

"T-this... h-how can I...?"

Damon smiled faintly.

"What is the problem?" he asked, his tone easy, "even if we set aside our engagement, we are at least friends... and party members... we will be fighting together from now on, so there is no problem in calling me just Damon."

Mira hesitated for a moment longer before finally gathering the courage, her voice barely above a whisper.

"D-damon..."

The word left her lips as her face flushed deeply, her entire expression turning red as though the simple act had taken far more effort than it should have.

Damon observed her for a brief moment before shifting his gaze toward Serena, as if expecting some form of reaction, but before he could say anything, Serena spoke first, her expression composed, her tone carrying a deliberate edge.

"I don’t have the same restrictions as Mira," she said, her lips curving slightly, "I can call you Demon."

She added a soft, almost teasing, "Oh my..."

Damon smiled.

Unchanged.

"No," he replied calmly, "I meant to say... it’s better if you don’t even speak with me."

With that, he turned and continued walking, leaving no room for response as the two followed, and soon the familiar structure came into view once more, its quiet presence standing apart from the liveliness of the surrounding streets.

They stopped before the gates.

The plaque above them read:

Elaria’s Heaven — Old Age Home

Mira and Serena both paused, their gazes lifting toward the name, taking in the place for the first time, their earlier thoughts momentarily interrupted by the unexpected destination.

Damon glanced at them briefly.

Then ahead.

"Let’s go."

The courtyard of the old age home stood in quiet contrast to the noise of the city outside, its stillness almost tangible as the soft breeze carried the faint rustle of leaves, and at the far end, just as before, the same old man sat on a worn wooden chair, his gaze fixed toward the distant horizon as though the world beyond mattered more than anything within reach.

Damon paused for a brief moment as he entered, his eyes settling on the old man, and without a word, he gave a small nod of acknowledgment.

The old man’s gaze shifted toward him.

Only for a second.

Then it moved past him to his side.

Damon followed that glance instinctively before gesturing lightly with his hand, signaling Mira and Serena to go inside first, his expression unchanged as he remained where he stood for a moment longer.

Both Mira and Serena glanced briefly at the old man as they passed, their curiosity evident, though neither spoke, their steps carrying them toward the entrance.

Serena slowed just enough as she came beside Damon, leaning slightly closer as she spoke in a lowered voice near his ear.

"Who is that old man...? Do you come here often?"

Damon shifted slightly away from her, creating distance without looking directly at her.

"What did I say about not talking to me?" he replied flatly.

Serena clicked her tongue softly in annoyance.

"...Tch."

Without another word, they stepped inside.

And the moment they crossed the threshold—

The silence shattered.

The calm, almost meditative atmosphere of the courtyard gave way to a chaotic liveliness that filled the interior, a mix of loud voices, overlapping conversations, and the unmistakable energy of people who had long abandoned the need for restraint.

"Are you blind or just stupid?! That was my card!"

"Cheating! You are definitely cheating!"

"Hah! Say that again and I’ll show you cheating!"

A rough chorus of cursing voices echoed from one corner where a group of old men sat gathered around a table, slamming cards down with surprising force as they argued loudly, their competitive spirit far from diminished by age.

Nearby, an old woman leaned in close to an old man whose face was still half-covered in shaving foam, the razor forgotten in his hand as he listened intently while she whispered something with animated gestures, their conversation clearly far more important than his unfinished grooming.

At another side, an elderly woman sat calmly weaving something with practiced hands, a soft, rhythmic humming escaping her lips, completely unbothered by the surrounding chaos.

Damon’s gaze moved across the familiar scene, his expression steady as he took it all in once again.

Then—

"Hahhahaha... brat, you are back again?"

The loud, hearty voice cut through the noise as everyone’s attention shifted toward him, and the same old auntie from before approached with an exaggerated grin, her laughter booming as she stopped right in front of Damon.

"Oh, you are back... we thought we scared you off last time... hahaha!" she said, clearly amused.

You sure did, Damon thought dryly.

Laughter spread among the others, some chuckling, some openly laughing, the atmosphere welcoming in its own chaotic way, with the only exception being the weaving woman, who continued her work without even glancing up.

Then—

Their attention shifted past Damon.

Toward the back where Mira and Serena stood.

Both of them had gone completely still, their expressions caught somewhere between stunned and confused as they tried to process the scene before them, so different from anything they were used to.

The old man with shaving foam still on his face leaned slightly forward, squinting as he looked at them, before speaking with a crooked grin.

"Are these your two wives, kid?"