Laziel let out a yawn, stretching his arms before heading toward the door.
"I’m starving. I’ll go ahead and get breakfast," he said.
Garron followed him, already halfway through tying his boots.
"I’ll save a spot for you two," he added, giving them a thumbs-up before stepping out.
"Go on," Noel said. "I’ll catch up after using the bathroom."
"Sa here," Marcus chid in. "See you guys in a bit."
The door closed behind Laziel and Garron, and Noel and Marcus began walking down the hallway together, towards the bathroom.
"So," Marcus said, glancing sideways, "we’re eting the adoptive family today, right?"
"Yeah," Noel nodded. "After two weeks of digging without results, I want to check everything firsthand. Sothing about this whole thing still feels off."
Marcus scratched his head. "You really think the enemy is hiding inside the Holy Capital? Wouldn’t it be easier to invade or hit us directly?"
Noel stopped just short of the bathroom door and looked at him.
"And how exactly would they do that? Get past the soldiers, the outer wall, the inner barrier, and all the guards around the Saint?"
"...Good point," Marcus muttered. "Forget I asked."
"It’s not a dumb question," Noel said calmly. "It’s just... this is the only way that makes sense. Subtle, quiet. Dangerous."
Marcus nodded, though his usual cheer had faded slightly. "Yeah... That makes it worse, doesn’t it?"
Noel didn’t answer right away. He simply opened the bathroom door. "Yes..."
The sound of running water echoed through the bathroom as Noel dried his hands in front of the mirror. Marcus stood beside him, absentmindedly adjusting his collar.
Then it happened.
A familiar jolt ran through Noel’s chest—subtle, like a whisper just beneath his skin. A glowing blue ssage flickered into view:
[Familiar Evolution Completed – Noir: Adept Rank]
"Oh," Noel muttered. "Finally."
Marcus glanced over. "What is it?"
"Just watch. And don’t freak out."
A thick shadow coiled behind Noel’s feet, darker than it had any right to be. It twitched once... and then began to rise. From it erged a sleek, powerful shape—fur as black as pitch with streaks of violet running through its mane. Purple eyes glead with intelligence and wild energy. Its claws tapped against the tiles with grace and nace.
The wolf was massive. Nearly two ters long, lean and deadly.
"Noir," Noel said under his breath, just before the beast lunged at him.
She tackled him with unexpected gentleness, licking his face in rapid succession as if trying to smother him with affection.
"Okay—okay! I missed you too. But get off, you’re not a little pup anymore!"
Noir let out a short huff—almost a laugh—and then her form began to shrink. Her body condensed, fur flattening, paws tightening until she once again resembled her old self: the tiny shadow pup, barely reaching Noel’s knees.
She yipped once and jumped back onto his chest, licking his cheek again.
"...Fine. I’ll allow it this ti," Noel said, cracking a smile as he gently pushed her down.
Marcus blinked slowly. "That’s your familiar?"
"Yep. Picked her up when she was still in an egg."
"Huh. That’s... weirdly adorable."
"She’s useful. Especially now." Noel scratched behind her ears. "She has a strong sense of sll. Could co in handy."
Noir looked up at him—then, in a flash of dark mist, her form lted again, dripping downward into the floor.
Her body vanished, leaving only the distorted ripple of Noel’s shadow behind.
Marcus took a cautious step back. "What did she just do?"
"She’s a shadow wolf," Noel replied calmly. "She can fuse into my shadow."
Marcus stared at the floor. "...Is she gonna eat the kids?"
Noel snorted. "Absolutely not. She’s harmless—unless I say otherwise."
Noir’s presence faded entirely, but Noel could still feel her curled beneath his feet, nestled like a second heartbeat within his shadow. He stepped forward. The movent was fluid—seamless.
Marcus walked beside him, eyebrows raised.
"So... she’s in your shadow now?"
"Yes."
"Okay. That’s... creepy."
"Don’t insult her."
"You sure she’s not gonna bite soone’s ankle off if they step too close?"
Noel smirked. "Only if they sll really bad."
They exited the hallway and erged into the sunlit corridor that led to the courtyard. Children’s laughter echoed in the distance. Charlotte stood waiting near the front gate, speaking with the elven nun. At her side, the girl scheduled for adoption—Mira—clutched the edge of Charlotte’s robe, eyes wide and nervous.
As Noel and Marcus approached, Charlotte glanced up and gave a brief nod.
The elven nun turned to them with a surprised expression. "Oh, you’re coming along?"
Charlotte answered politely. "Yes. We thought it would be a good experience for Mira to feel more supported."
The nun tilted her head. "That’s very thoughtful of you. I’m sure the family will be delighted to et the Saint as well."
Noel stayed quiet, watching Mira fidget behind Charlotte. She was visibly anxious, barely speaking.
Marcus gave the girl a smile. "Don’t worry. It’s just a walk, right?"
Mira didn’t reply, but clung a little tighter to Charlotte.
’Poor kid,’ Noel thought. ’She’s terrified.’
"Shall we go?" the nun said, gesturing ahead.
"Yes," Charlotte replied. "Let’s not keep them waiting."
And with that, they began walking—Noel, Charlotte, Marcus, the nun, and Mira—all headed toward the outskirts of the Holy Capital.
The gate creaked open behind them as they stepped through one of the smaller exits of the Holy Capital, escorted only by the soft clink of armor from distant guards. The cobbled road ahead led toward a quiet village nestled just outside the city’s reach, frad by gentle hills and crooked trees swaying in the breeze.
Noel walked beside Charlotte, keeping his steps slow and his tone low. Marcus followed closely behind, the elven nun leading the way with Mira walking in silence at her side. The little girl held onto her satchel like it was a shield.
Leaning closer, Noel spoke under his breath. "If you sll anything different from the others... tell ."
Charlotte didn’t break her stride. "I will. But as I said, everything’s been reviewed already."
"I know."
He eyed Mira for a mont. "But it’s better to be sure."
Another few monts passed before Charlotte murmured, "You don’t trust the nun?"
"I don’t trust anyone when it cos to this."
Charlotte didn’t answer, but her expression tightened slightly.
Noel slowed just enough to match Marcus’s pace and whispered, "She has this... ability. She can sll malice."
Marcus’s eyes widened. "That’s a real thing?"
"For her, it is."
"And if she does sll sothing?"
"We split. You and I stay behind and investigate. She returns with the nun."
Marcus nodded. "Got it."
The rest of the walk was calm. The path curved past thin woods and wheat fields, the village appearing slowly on the horizon—a handful of modest hos, gardens, and the distant murmur of a stream.
They finally arrived at a small ho draped in ivy, with a low fence and flowerpots on the windowsills. Before they could knock, the door opened, and a pair of elves greeted them with soft smiles. They looked young—perhaps twenty—but Noel knew elven age could be deceiving.
"Welco," the man said. "Hello Mira. Please, co in."
The elven nun stepped forward. "This is the final step. We’ll go through the last of the paperwork inside."
Mira hesitated, eyes flicking up to Charlotte before taking a small step behind her.
"She’s just a little shy," Charlotte explained smoothly. "You know how children are."
The elven woman laughed softly. "Of course. But she’s already visited us before. We knew she was ant to be part of our family."
Everyone entered the house—a humble interior, modestly decorated with handwoven rugs and wooden furniture.
"Would anyone like sothing to drink?" asked the elven woman.
Noel raised a hand. "Do you have orange juice... with coffee?"
"...Together?"
’C’mon it’s not that strange right?’ he thought.
"Yes."
She blinked. "I can try."
Charlotte asked for water, Marcus declined, and the nun politely refused as well.
While the hosts busied themselves, Noel moved next to Charlotte. "Sll anything?"
Charlotte shook her head. "Nothing unusual. They feel... clean."
Marcus exhaled through his nose. "That’s a relief."
The formalities passed quickly, and soon it was ti to leave. Mira gave a faint wave from the doorstep as they walked back toward the road.
Just as they passed a small well, sothing tugged at Noel’s trousers.
He looked down.
Noir, in her puppy form, had silently erged from his shadow and was biting at his pant leg—gently, but insistently.
Noel narrowed his eyes. "What is it?"
She bit again. Then stared up at him.
’You found sothing, Noir?’
Noel turned to Marcus. "She’s got sothing."
Marcus frowned. "Split up?"
"No. You go with Charlotte. Stay close to her. I don’t like the idea of her being alone, just in case."
Marcus nodded firmly. "Got it. If anything happens—"
"I’ll find you," Noel said. Then gave a brief wave and turned back toward the village path.
Charlotte and the nun noticed.
"Where is he going?" the nun asked.
Marcus quickly replied, "He wanted to pick up sothing for the kids. A little surprise."
The nun smiled. "That’s very thoughtful."
Charlotte, however, caught the look Marcus gave her—a quiet warning.
He leaned close. "We should head back. I’ve got a bad feeling."
Reviews
All reviews (0)