-I’m a spaceman, got a rocket on my back~! Spaceman, oh, I’m ravin’ like a maniac~!

“Uuuughh…Alyssa. Get up. I can’t reach my phone like that…”

Although I like the song, I’d rather listen to it when I’m fully awake instead of being half asleep. But the ringtone did what it did and successfully pulled me out of my dream.

“Spaceman, got a rocket on my back~! The universe is down for my rave att-Argh!”

“I said get up, not sing along! I thought I could relax today…”

It’s my fault for not turning off my alarm but I guess having a healthy sleep rhythm is better than comfort.

…

But I want to sleep a bit more!

“Come on! I have to get bread from the bakery! Get up already!”

“Ugh… fine! Bring me a croissant.”

“Anything else?”

“Your love.”

“So just a croissant”

I can finally get up! Praise the one that made my little junior a bit more reasonable!

Oh, that was me! Praise me!

If it was before inside the big hut, I’d be stuck under her for at least half an hour or until Gramps came and dragged me outside forcefully.

Haaaah! The good times!

VUUM

Getting my stuff with my Will, I prepared myself to get out. But I had this nagging feeling that I forgot something to do.

What was it? I can't remember what it was.

"Mhmm~ I'll go prepare breakfast."

"THAT!"

"AAAH! Why are you shouting like that!"

I remembered what I had to do. I was the one preparing breakfast with Gramps and the reason for that was simple.

"I hope you don't try something funny with my breakfast!"

"What do you take me for, my dear!"

"Exactly!"

"What's that supposed to mean!"

"FINE! I won't try anything and prepare a 'normal' breakfast…"

"Thank you. I'll be back as soon as possible."

Taking the keys with me, I made my way to the drenched streets of the city. A cold day as winter has begun showing its full potential.

Yet the streets were filled with people. People heading towards their different destinations with time on their minds.

Kids going to kindergarten as they were brought there by their parents.

Teenagers going to school, teaching them stuff that most won't find useful until the situation arises.

Adults heading to their workplace so they can spend most of the day struggling to only get paid a third of their bosses' wage.

Elderly walking by the streets, watching those that still had a clear destination with nostalgia visible in their eyes.

Naked trees, grey sky, air filled with the stench of gasoline and the loud noises that are created by this society.

This is what the current world looks like. And I, who knows that this won't last long, thought that I could still find some beauty in this.

A place most people would say needed to change but never tried to change.

Because even if they want to change it, it has already been balanced for everyone.

We are too used to this kind of world as people from the city. And as such, knowing that this will truly change doesn't make one feel better.

It makes them desperate, trying to get as much of it as possible.

Because the moment you lose this, you will regret everything that you could have done.

All these possibilities.

But I knew that it was going to end. I was sad about it, yes. But after a while, I accepted it. Since I knew about the break, I already guessed that the normal human world won't stand that strong. It will break down, creating chaos and most likely won't even be recovered.

And I'm not powerful enough to change that. I doubt that even Gramps could change that. So accepting was the only thing.

What a shitty feeling…

Oh! At the bakery! I forgot that I was walking towards it while thinking about the future.

Hmm? This is a weird feeling. Somehow, I have another gut feeling. Coming right from…

"Excuse me but could I ask you for something?"

But before I could determine what this feeling meant, someone talked to me.

A soft voice that almost enchanted me to answer right away.

And when I looked at her, the only thing I could think was…

…wow…

Wow.

Wow!

Someone aged wonderfully. With only some white strands in her brown hair and little to no wrinkles on her face coupled with the figure of a model in her late twenties, she was definitely someone that would attract a lot of attention just by standing.

But with the air of someone that has seen more of the world than anyone would believe, it was pretty obvious that she was older than she looked.

"Sure. How can I help?"

"I'm on my way to see my grandchildren after a long time and wanted to get them some sweets but am not sure what they would like at all. You look about the same age as them so I'd better have someone like you give me an opinion instead of choosing myself with my old taste. Haha!"

"Ah! Sure, I'd sug-"

My heartbeat quickened.

My blood was pumped through my body faster and faster.

My nerve system was almost collapsing with all the impulses running through it.

And fear was what followed with it.

Why?

Why am I so scared?

Why does it feel like I'm in front of someone that can destroy me without even lifting a finger?

Why?

I don't know why.

But this fear is slowly suffocating me.

But why?

Who is here? Is there an awakened person? Did the Peltros find out? Was I exposed by Jenice? Maybe Felix or Gina? Or maybe someone thought that my sudden change was really suspicious and reported me.

"-uo … -ay?"

Huh?

"-re y- … okay?"

"W-what?"

"Are you okay? You look extremely pale! Here! Look at me and slowly breathe in."

The woman placed her hand on my shoulder, trying to calm me down but the moment her hand touched my shoulder, the feeling of suffocation only increased as I could feel my knees getting weak.

And right at that moment, I could only see the woman's eyes widen before my vision darkened.

Only for a moment.

And the next moment, I felt completely fine. Like nothing happened at all. Like the constant feeling of suppression was just the fabrication of my imagination.

"You are awakened so I don't need to explain a lot. I'm an Association member so don't worry too much. I'm not sure what you are feeling right now but my ability is to heal people so I am currently healing you all together."

My breathing slowed down as my heartbeat returned to normal. My blood not as fast as before and my nervous system slowing down with the impulses.

"Ha… thank you…ha… and sorry for the worry…"

"I don't mind it at all. It is my duty to heal people so please don't hang your head for that."

"I'd go for a black and white cookie."

"Excuse me?"

"Your question. I'd like a black and white cookie if my grandmother came to visit and brought sweets."

Well, I'd like that. But I don't have a grandmother. Or to be honest, I'm not sure if she is alive or passed away already.

My parents never talked about their parents even when I asked them. They always had that sad face whenever I asked them. Maybe they passed away and they still are pained about their death.

"Pfft…hahaha! Sonny, I appreciate the care but I'd worry more about you than about some sweets."

"But I already feel fine. It was just like an anxiety attack but it's gone. Thank you very much for the healing."

"It's nothing! And thank you for your advice."

"Have a nice day!"

"You too, Sonny."

What the hell was this encounter…

So weird… but at least it's over.

Maybe I shouldn't show myself in public anymore. This could have happened as well with someone from the family or an evil cult or sect.

…

She was an Awakened.

And I did not notice a little. Not even when she said it.

Did I get scared by her? If she can hide her Will from me then she must be stronger than me.

And if she can do that while using her ability, then she is a lot stronger than I could imagine.

"Let's just get the bread and return…"

I asked for a couple of small baguettes and a croissant before going back. After what happened, I want to lay down back in bed.

But I know something weird is waiting for me at home. I warned her not to overdo it but she most likely will without even hesitation.

I'm about to turn around the corner before seeing my apartment complex and…

The woman is there, walking on the road towards my neighbourhood.

Do I in fact know her grandchildren? I must know them?

Wait…

Did she lie about the grandchildren thing?

I mean if she had grandchildren, they should be either awakened or their parents would be. No one so strong would just not awaken their family and watch them die before them.

That would just be too sad. Watching your children die before you do.

But her business isn't mine. She helped me but that was it. I'd help if she wanted me to but besides that, there is no need to meddle in her life.

I should just head back faster before Alyssa starts doing more out of boredom.

But strange… She is walking the same way I do.

Even entering the same apartment complex. Wait, do I really know the people she is going to?

And the guard at the gate didn't even ask who she was, just letting her go through the gate like she owns the place. The hell, man! Not cool!

"What a coincidence!"

"Oh, you! It seems so. Do you live here?"

"Yeah, 7th floor."

"Oh! I have to go to the same floor. Shall we?"

Pointing towards the elevator, the woman nudged me to enter it with her which I didn't refuse. I stepped into the elevator before she entered it as well.

"Who trained you? They must be really something to make you already level 2 [Discipulus] by the age of 18. Were you Awakened during your childhood?"

"Oh, no. It was about a year ago since I awakened. Gramps said something about my speed but thought it was mediocre at best."

"Are you kidding me? Whoever that 'Gramps' of yours is must have his standards really high because it usually takes 3 years of ability training for someone to grow from level 1 to 2."

Alright, then I'll stay silent about the fact that I actually started to do my ability training in 6 months. With Alyssa stopping me from doing any ability training for 100 days, it was about 170+ days that I could train with my ability and reach the peak of level 2.

Well, maybe less time considering that I couldn’t get past level 2 but…

…6 times faster. If only I didn't know that my little junior is almost breaking through in a couple of days…

9 times faster than the average. That is powerful. If only I wasn't blocked from breaking through for some reason.

I still didn't know why I couldn't go over level 2. Gramps said that every awakened has a different way of training and mine is to forge weapons.

I haven't really discovered any other way to break through…

"Haha… I guess Gramps just thought that I could do better. Even if I was pushing myself."

DING

Oh, thank god! I kind of felt awkward with her standing next to me. She treated me like I'm equal to her even though we both knew she was a higher existence than I was.

"But I guess it's Goodbye again! Have a nice day."

"You too."

I stepped out of the elevator, followed by the woman. I walked down the hall toward my apartment.

Followed by the woman.

At this point, it's honestly creeping me out.

I stood in front of my door.

And so did she.

"Excuse me… but… who are you here for?"

"I guess for you. Are you perhaps called Laith Arslan?"

"...yes?"

…

Dead silence.

No one talked as we both stared into each others' eyes.

She was smaller than me so I had to look down but with the amount of power she had, it honestly felt like I was looking up.

The silence continued until I opened my mouth.

"What kind of busi-"

"This old bastard! didn't even give me a photo and now I'm all here!"

"Huh?"

"I swear to god, Akira! If I get my hands on you, I'll strangle you for every time you played with me!"

"HOLD ON! DID YOU JUST SAY AKIRA?"

"Hm? Yes. Akira Hashimoto. Your master."

"How do you… no! Please come in first."

CLI-CLICK

My hands moved frantically, trying to open the door as fast as possible.

Gramps! Someone that knows about Gramps!

But my excitement died down the moment I saw Alyssa in front of me.

With a knife in her hand.

"I felt a woman's presence! My dear, you didn't cheat on me, did you!"

You dumb ass…

I couldn't help but sigh, just like the woman next to me as we looked at Alyssa in an apron and a knife in her hand. Both stained in red.

I… do not want to know where that red is coming from.

"Please come in! You can sit wherever you like and treat this place like your own home."

"Thank you for your hospitality."

I let the woman enter before closing the door. Alyssa stood there the same way just like before, not even moving an inch. I don't know what exactly shocked her. The fact that I ignored her completely or that I let a stranger into my apartment.

But I didn't care as I brought her to the living room, letting her sit on the couch.

"Tea?"

"Please."

"Green or black?"

"Green."

"Coming right up!"

I headed to the kitchen as fast as I could, not even looking at the still frozen junior of mine with a knife in her hand.

I prepared a cup of green tea for our guest and a cup of black tea for myself before heading back to the living room only to see Alyssa sitting on the other couch while glaring at the woman with complex emotions.

"Here."

"Thanks."

I sat down next to Alyssa as I faced the woman who leisurely sipped on her tea. My legs tugged together, my hands on my knees and my back straight.

"You don't have to be so tense."

"Oh, no. It's an honour to have someone like you here, ma'am."

"Please don't call me ma'am either. I have a name as well. Akira should have told you about me already."

"That someone is going to teach us the concept of using our space affinities? Yes, he did. That it was going to be the third [Caelestia] realm Awakened that will teach us? No, he didn't."

The moment the last word left my mouth, her eyes narrowed as I could feel her gaze going all around me.

She seemed like she saw through me yet never showed it.

She probably knew everything. There is no way Gramps would let her teach us without explaining everything.

On second thought, that definitely sounds like something he would do.

"Interesting. I presume you learned about me from Akira."

"No. He mentioned almost every [Transcendens] realm Awakened but never you three. He only said that there are three [Caelestia] realm Awakened on earth."

"Then how did you know about me being the third?"

"Fear."

"Excuse me?"

"It was the fear I felt when I first met with you. I felt this fear only twice but never so strongly."

I never had such an anxiety attack when having someone of her calibre in front of me and considering the fact that she is the third strongest is worrying me.

My fear when confronting the other two never was something I purely felt since, in the heat of the moment, I would get absorbed by the excitement of a fight or my own Will.

It may be the reason why I felt so powerfully. Because I only felt fear. No excitement in a fight. No determination that is pushing me further.

Just the fear of standing in front of a person that has reached the [Caelestia] realm, the last realm.

"I see… intuition. The higher the difference in strength, the more you will be under the pressure of fear. That's what I'd usually say but that situation should be impossible with me hiding my Will."

"So you are implying that I intuitively knew you were so strong."

"I'm implying that your body knew that I was way stronger than you. The reason you felt such fear was because your mind couldn't process that information and was left in an anxiety attack."

I see.

I guess it makes sense in a way. There are moments when a person's mind and body act differently. The body may scream to run but if the mind can't handle the situation, the person altogether will be under pressure and won't be able to move, paralyzed by what is happening in front of them.

I understand what she means but it is still a mystery to me why my body could feel our strength difference intuitively in the first place.

Shouldn't something like intuition be something that you get when you are stronger?

Our exchange regarding today's matter kept going on with Alyssa alternating her gaze from one person to the other as if watching a match of tennis. Her face was like that of a curious child, not knowing what was going on.

"I guess our introduction has been long overdue. My name is Akiko Eguchi, the third [Caelestia] realm Awakened, the chief of staff of the Association as well as the head of the healing department in the Association. I was asked by your master to teach you two the concept of using your space affinities as well as teach the girl the concept of using her healing affinity. It's a pleasure to meet you."

With a slight bow of the head, she introduced herself with pride running through every word she said. It was way different from how Gramps introduced himself.

He had no pride in his words. He didn't need any since he was already prideful enough to show it with his action instead of just boasting about it.

So basically, if I found that not filled with pride, I'd get beaten.

"My name is Laith Arslan, First disciple of Akira Hashimoto, level 2 [Discipulus] realm Awakened, future crafting master. I was told by my master that you'll teach us what he couldn't. The pleasure is all mine."

“...”

Oi!

Aren’t you going to introduce yourself at least?

BONK

“Ah!”

“Stupid! Don’t stare like an idiot and introduce yourself to your new teacher!”

“Ahhh! But I don’t wannaaaa!”

“Stop whining and just do it! Gramps send her here so at least trust him!”

Stop whining and act fucking normal! You are in front of a [Caelestia] realm person! Show some respect, you dumb junior! You’re going to get us both killed!

“Don’t worry, Laith. I’m not insulted in the slightest. Quite the normal reaction for someone that doesn’t want to accept reality.”

“I do accept reality!”

“You don’t. It’s obvious that you still wait for Akira to return even though you two know that won’t happen so soon.”

“Shut up!”

“I won’t! You have to realise that he won’t return!”

“Both of you! Get yourself together! I can’t believe I’m saying this to someone with so much more experience than I do but just calm down! Alyssa! You stop being so persistent when Gramps asked this person himself.”

For fucks sake! How come I have to stop a verbal fight between my junior and a powerhouse right off the bat!

And why the hell are you so emotional right now! What the hell did Gramps do to make you so heated!

What did that old bastard do again? Just thinking about the responsibility I’d have to hold because of that fucker makes my head throb more than I wished for.

“... My name is Alyssa Regis. Second disciple of Akira Hashimoto, level 2 [Discipulus] realm awakened, future Dimensiona Researcher and Laith’s wife. I’m sorry for lashing out and hope we can get along more in the future.”

Mh~ Mh~! That’s great! You finally introdu-

What the hell do you mean Laith’s wife! Who the hell said I’d be your husband, you crazy yandere!

I could feel my blood boil

“Fufu… I hope that we will have a great time while it lasts. I’ll teach the two of you the concept of space and the concept of healing to you. Fufufu… we are going to spend a lot of good time together…”

I… can feel cold sweat on my back as Akiko said that.

She isn’t like Gramps, is she?

No. That’s just impossible. No one is so sadistic as Gramps.

I won’t accept such a thing!

“I’d love to start our first lesson but before that…”

Hm? What? What are we going to do first?

Akiko took out something that looked like a ring and tossed it toward me. I caught the ring as I was analysing what the ring was.

“Hm?”

OH! A dimensional ring!

“I was asked to give this to you by someone I never imagined would give you something.”

“Alexander Lenkov.”

“Correct. Although I do not know the contents, I’m still surprised to see the ‘Lone Hero’ make me deliver something to you instead of asking his guild members.”

“Heheheee~! Now, this is what I was looking forward to!”

“Laith! Is it…”

“What did you expect from Alexa-”

“AHAHAHAHAHA!”

I couldn’t stop laughing like crazy! I finally have it, don’t I?

Orichalcum!

The metal that will boost my strength to new heights!

If only I could raise my realm. Unless I am [Illustratus] realm, I won’t be able to make an [Epic] grade weapon right off the bat but…

“With this, making another [Transcendent] potential weapon won’t just be a gruelling fight but something that will at least double my power. Heee~. I can’t wait.”

“What is inside the ring that makes you think that? Some precious material?”

“If you mean precious like monster materials or special gems then I already have enough of that from Gramps. But…”

My grin couldn’t leave my face.

This situation was just right on time!

VUUM

BAMM

“T-This is…”

“No way! You were right…”

Such shocking faces were really normal for what I just put on the table. Honestly, I wanted to make just a face like them but the smile on my face just grew more and more.

“Of course I was. And now I have the thing that I waited for the most!”

I grow with each weapon I make. The more weapons I make, the faster I grow.

And this weapon may be the key to going past my limits!

Hehehe~! I really can’t stop smiling at this moment!

And everything that will push me further now. All of this starts with this!

“Space Orichalcum!”