When Ocean reached home, he found Lyall already waiting in his bedroom.

He entered through the open window, landing soundlessly on the floor. Lyall straightened at once and bowed, posture precise, eyes lowered in deference.

"How is he?" Ocean asked, his voice calm.

"I’ve been keeping an eye on him," Lyall replied. "After the Trials, he intends to submit his resignation."

Ocean’s movements paused briefly as he removed his mana devices one by one, placing them carefully on the vanity table. The faint clink of metal against glass echoed in the quiet room.

"Did you speak to him personally?" Ocean asked, not looking back. "I hope not."

"I didn’t, Master," Lyall answered immediately.

The tension eased—only slightly.

"Sir Kronin is a man who has stayed beside Esmertia family for decades and has trained their knights. If he is going to resign then there are high chances that they will try to kill him in case he joined our side and expose their secrets. Have our men keep constant surveillance so that he and the rest of the Esmertia knights would be safe." Ocean instructed.

"Yes, Master. There are guards placed around the hospital and inside." Lyall informed him.

Ocean hummed before he removed his coat and placed it over the stand. He turned slowly removing the cuffs from his shirt’s sleeves.

"Nobody in the estate should know that Carlos is possessed. But keep them warned to not be around him."

Lyall nodded.

"There are two more days before the Third Trial," Ocean started as he undid the first two buttons of his shirt and took a seat on the armchair looking at Lyall.

"Some side might try to do something, what happened at the arena back then should be taken as a precaution by us. The demon can do anything and that includes doing everything to win this Trial if it wants. From the way it talked, I think it has some plan and we cannot let it happen." Ocean spoke and Lyall listened carefully.

"I do have a plan but it’s risky and we can’t execute it right away. Their side must be planning something specific and the Golden Serpent is again in the game. I won’t go to her personally this time as she must be expecting me. Rather, I think it’s better to wait, but that would mean that we might have to face some more of anomalies. It might even be attacks on us." Ocean spoke in a low, icy tone. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

His frigidness seemed to be directed more to himself as per what Lyall noticed as he saw Ocean’s eyes that had grown hard and how his fingers clenched.

"I understand, Master." Lyall responded.

Ocean closed his eyes and sighed, "The reason I’m telling you this is for two things. First, I need you to go to Oasis day after tomorrow, the Foundation has the documents about the civilans and the total count of every person in every town and village across Sestia. I’ll have Roan prepare the documents of one person, take it to the administration building and give it to the manager there." Ocean instructed.

Lyall nodded and Ocean continued, "And second, in case something happens during the Trial and I ask you to leave then you must take Kai away. Sol is at Eldarf so he’s safe, but Kai will be around me so I couldn’t let him be in any danger. Take Kai and leave for the outskirts of the kingdom, go straight to Denril and have Damon take care of him for the time being, saying he’s Ace D’Arc’s son."

Lyall stared at Ocean as he explained, "I’ll have the papers of his citizenship ready by day after tomorrow so, Kai will have another identity and for the safer side, I’ll also have Sol’s papers ready as well."

Lyall fidgeted and Ocean noticed, "What is it?"

"I don’t think Young Master Kai would be ready to leave you and everyone back here in times of trouble. Besides, Young Master is also a Dragon, Master. He is strong and wide." Lyall said and Ocean sighed.

"I know," Ocean leaned his head back against the headrest recalling the evening he’d spent with the kids.

"But Kai is still young," Ocean recalled the innocent laughter over Kai’s face and how he was just a young child.

"Dragon or not, I don’t want my child to suffer."

Lyall’s eyes softened as he walked closer to Ocean.

"I understand that you worry like a parent, Master."

"I am his parent." Ocean corrected and a small smile appeared over Lyall’s face.

"May I speak my mind, Master?" He asked.

Ocean glanced at him, "Go ahead."

"Please pardon of my words might sound rude, Master. But, the children grow. You cannot shield Young Master away from everything in this world... He must also learn how to deal with things. Besides, when you weren’t around Young Master had shown that he was capable and had lived up to the name of Ryujin..."

Ocean didn’t respond and Lyall studied him, it was rare for Lyall to speak his mind but he knew he had to do it here.

"You once told me that the surname Ryujin meant that you are the family who carry the name of the Dragon God. The one who carries this name must also be prepared to face every calamity and protect the ones who are under their wing. Young Master Kai carries the discretion and the awareness of that responsibility, Master. He may be young, but he’s nowhere weak or unprepared."

"He is inexperienced, yes. But I and all the others who knows Young Master will tell you this one thing, Master." Lyall said and Ocean looked at him.

"We need Young Master around just as much we need you, Master. And we trust Young Master just as much as we trust you. We have seen Young Master grow so, we know he may lack in some places but we all are here for him. So, I’ll request you to not stunt his growth by thinking that Young Master shouldn’t see bad things or be in trouble. He will feel offended."

Ocean stared at Lyall for a long moment silently with no expression on his face before he chuckled.

"You really spoke your mind, huh." Ocean spoke and then leaned ahead placing his forearms over his thighs.

"I understand you all trust Kai and his capabilities." Ocean spoke with a smile, "but that doesn’t mean that he’s ready to deal with a demon yet."

Lyall lowered his lashes and spoke, "Master yourself had defeated a demon when you were 10."

Ocean scoffed, "I never said I defeated it, Lyall."

Lyall glanced at Ocean who averted his eyes, his lashes low.

"I was possessed," Ocean said, "If Sol hadn’t appeared in that moment then I would have died."

Lyall’s eyes widened, "Pardon, what?!"

"Officially speaking," Ocean continued, "The demon I’ve dealt with was only recently at Ortbon."

Lyall opened his mouth and then closed it back again and Ocean continued, "Demons are extremely sneaky and smart, Lyall. Carlos is possessed by one but you won’t know how well that demon will adapt to his body and then show the skills that would turn the people’s viewpoint. Kai would have to face them at some point in life but not now, not directly while I am alive."

Lyall gritted his teeth before he lowered his head and Ocean rose to his feet, his hair flowing past his shoulders with the fluid movement.

"Don’t feel bad," Ocean spoke as he moved towards Lyall and placed his hand over Lyall’s shoulder, "but the moment you feel like the situation is going out of hands now or in future and you think that Kai needs to be protected then do all you can to drag him away. Understood?"

Ocean squeezed his shoulder gently and Lyall nodded, "I understand, Master."

Ocean nodded removing his hand and then smiled at Lyall.

"You should go and catch some sleep now. Good night." Ocean said.

Lyall bowed, "Good night, Master."

Ocean watched Lyall walk away, the soft click of the door closing behind him echoing faintly in the room. Only then did he move, crossing the space and dropping onto the bed with a tired exhale, the mattress dipping under his weight.

For a long while, he remained awake, eyes fixed on the ceiling, thoughts drifting without direction. The silence was thick, almost heavy—until he felt movement beside him. The black bird that had been curled atop the pillow nudged closer, its warmth seeping into his side.

Ocean’s hand lifted instinctively, coming to rest over Nox’s soft body. He brushed his fingers through the bird’s feathers in slow, absent strokes, grounding himself in the familiar texture.

He recalled hearing the sound of laughter of Kai and Sol. Sol was indeed a Dragon who had fought during the war centuries ago, but Ocean still could see that Sol never had a proper father figure in his life.

Ocean never sidelined Sol’s experience but he still couldn’t shake off the feeling he had of protecting Sol in his vulnerable state. As despite what age he was and appeared, he wasn’t in the state to face the kind of troubles that could easily kill him. Ocean had only recently gotten the authority of the Dragon God but more than the authority it felt like a responsibility which didn’t only grant him the title but also the duty to protect the Dragons who were around him.

The thoughts kept running in his head until gradually, his breathing evened out, and sleep claimed him.

But when Ocean opened his eyes again, he was no longer in the room.