That evening, after fixing the roof and finishing his usual chores, Yamato sat quietly in the living room. The house was small. Simple. But it gave him something he rarely felt at school. Peace.
The outside world was bright. Too bright. The moonlight poured through the window, filling the room with a silver glow. Yamato stared at it silently. Something about it bothered him.
It wasn't normal. Esther noticed. She was washing the kitchen dishes when she glanced toward him.
"Yamato..." "Is something wrong?"
He shook his head.
"No..."
A deep sigh escaped him.
PHEWW
After a moment, he looked back toward the window.
"Mom..." "Does the moon look brighter than usual?"
Esther dried her hands and walked toward the window. She looked upward. The endless sky stretched above them. The moon hung there. Large. Clear. Almost close enough to touch.
But Esther didn't answer immediately. She just stared. Yamato walked beside her. Then his expression changed.
"Wait..." "Was the moon always this big?"
A strange feeling crawled through him.
"Or am I imagining things?"
Esther giggled softly.
"No." "You aren't."
She looked closer.
"I can even see some of its surface." "It's beautiful."
Yamato didn't respond. He continued staring. Then slowly returned to his chair. The force behind his movement made Esther look at him with concern.
"What is it, Yamato?"
She walked over and gently patted his head, fixing his messy hair.
"You don't feel comfortable."
Yamato sighed again.
"It has never happened before." "Even if it's some kind of climate change..." "It's too sudden."
Esther smiled.
"Relax." "Maybe one of the strongest Vessels is responsible."
Yamato stayed silent. The explanation wasn't impossible. So he let the thought disappear. For now. Instead, he enjoyed the remaining time with his mother.
Minutes became hours. Hours became days. And before he realized it... His five-day stay was over. It was time to return.
---
The sun had not yet risen when Yamato finished his breakfast. He picked up his bag from the dining table. Before leaving, he cleaned his place and prepared food for Esther.
He covered it carefully. He knew her. Every time he left, she tried to smile. But the sadness always reached her eyes. And Yamato hated seeing that.
So this time... He decided to leave early. Before she woke. He stood before the door. His hand rested on the handle.
"I'll miss you, Mom."
A small smile appeared on his face.
"I'll find that Yàmàto God." "I'll become a Vessel." "And I'll become stronger."
Then... He left.
---
The distance between Esther's village and the academy would take a normal magic-enhanced runner nearly fourteen hours. Yamato crossed it in minutes.
The academy was located in eastern ROKYE. The first rays of sunlight rose from that direction. By the time the sun began appearing over the horizon... Yamato was already standing before the dormitory gates.
A few minutes later, he reached his room. His eyes were heavy. The journey had exhausted him more than he expected. He opened the door. Dropped his bag. Then immediately fell onto his bed.
"Finally..." "My sleep."
Within seconds... He was gone.
---
Hours passed. When Yamato opened his eyes again, the sun was already descending. Evening had arrived. The sounds of students returning filled the dormitory. Yamato rubbed his eyes.
"Lumei should be back."
He stood. Changed his clothes. Then walked outside. A few moments later, he arrived at Lumei's room.
Bang Bang Bang.
The loud knocking instantly gave away who it was. Lumei opened the door.
"You're back."
Yamato entered. Then stopped.
"Sora?"
Sora was sitting inside. Lumei sighed.
"I noticed you passing the dorm this morning." "I told her to come here." "But she only arrived this evening."
They laughed. The evening wind moved gently through the open window. The moonlight filled the room. Lumei and Sora sat on the bed. Yamato sat near the desk. The atmosphere was calm. Sora looked at him curiously.
"So..." "What did you do during your break?" "Anything interesting?"
Yamato immediately looked at her.
"Yeah." "I found information about a Yàmàto God."
The room changed instantly. Lumei and Sora exchanged looks. Concern appeared on their faces.
"I found some books." "Grand Books."
Sora blinked.
"You mean the… Grand Books?"
Yamato nodded.
"Yeah." "I read through them." "And I found something."
He looked down at his hand. Slowly opening and closing his fingers.
"I found out about a god..." "Rôjàñri."
Lumei's expression tightened. But he said nothing. Instead, he lightly elbowed Sora. She understood. If they questioned about Rôjàñri too much... Yamato would notice. Lumei forced a relaxed smile.
"That's a lot." "But don't tell me..." "You're thinking about finding him."
Yamato looked directly at him. His eyes carried excitement.
"I am."
Sora's expression changed.
"You're going after Yàmàto?"
"Yeah."
Yamato smiled.
"And the interesting part?" "You two are coming with me."
Lumei leaned back. Then laughed.
"Hah." "You're joking."
Yamato didn't laugh.
"Either you join me..." "Or I go alone." "But I would rather we go together." "We still have two weeks before Master Ozaki's break ends."
Sora covered her face.
"Yamato..." "Every instinct I have is telling me not to search for this god."
Lumei smiled.
"There's no changing his mind." "Once Yamato decides something..." "It's already happened."
He looked at Yamato.
"And besides..." "I want to know." "I once spent three days searching for a ghost library beneath a mountain." "Never found it." "But I would do it again."
Sora stared at him.
"You two are unbelievable."
Lumei shrugged.
"It's Yamato." "If he says he'll find something within two weeks..." "He will."
Yamato smiled.
"You think you know me."
He stood and moved his chair aside.
"But I already know where we begin."
Sora narrowed her eyes.
"Where?"
Yamato answered.
"Black Market."
Lumei raised an eyebrow.
"What's Black Market?"
Yamato shrugged.
"I don't know." "I just have a clue."
Silence filled the room. The three sat there. Each lost in thought.
---
Later That Night – Ichiha's Home
Far from the academy stood a small house. A place Ichiha had bought. A place that served as a memorial. A place where he created graves for parents whose bodies no longer existed.
The wind moved softly through the trees. Inside, moonlight painted long shadows across the walls. Ichiha stood beside the window. Silent. Watching the sky. Eventually, he turned away.
He walked outside. Behind the house were two simple graves. Clean stones. Fresh flowers. He sat before them, cross-legged. Slowly, he placed white petals on each grave. Then lowered his head.
"I'm sorry..."
His voice trembled.
"I couldn't do it." "I haven't become stronger." "I couldn't make him pay." "I couldn't even hurt him."
His hands tightened.
"I couldn't avenge you..." "Dad." "Mom." "Please forgive me."
A tear escaped. He quickly wiped it away. The wind grew stronger. Only the sound of leaves remained.
---
Elsewhere...
Chella walked through the quiet streets. She had no destination. She only wanted air. But when she passed Ichiha's house... She stopped. Something told her to check. She walked to the door.
Knock. Knock.
No answer, she waited, then knocked again.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Still nothing. Chella sighed and turned around. Then—
"Chella."
She turned. Ichiha stood near the side of the house.
"I heard you knocking." "I was behind the house."
She smiled.
"It's fine." "I just wanted to check on you." "Thank you."
He opened the door.
"Come inside."
---
The house was quiet. Clean. Simple. Ichiha prepared two bowls of food. Rice. And a thick spicy stew. Chella took one bite. Her eyes widened.
"This is actually good." "You can cook?"
Ichiha smiled slightly.
"My uncle taught me."
Then his smile faded.
"Most things I know..." "Were taught by him."
Silence followed. Chella placed her spoon down.
"Ichiha." "I know it hurts." "But blaming yourself won't change what happened."
He looked at her. She continued.
"When we fought Kaku..." "He wasn't a Vessel." "Probably a Divine King." "Which means the God who gave him power is still alive."
Ichiha's eyes widened slightly.
"Still alive..."
Chella nodded.
"Your path isn't over." "You can't change the past." "But you can decide what happens next."
A quiet moment passed.
"When Yamato fought Nent..." "I felt the same fear." "The same feeling I had when I lost my little brother."
Her voice softened.
"I blamed myself for years." "But guilt doesn't bring anyone back." "Getting stronger." "So I can protect the people still alive, that's better."
Ichiha lowered his head. Then slowly smiled.
"You're right."
He looked at her.
"We can't let our pain stop us." "We fight so nobody else suffers the same way."
Chella smiled.
"Exactly."
The two finished their meal. No more tears. Only determination.
---
Later that night, the wind became colder. Chella stood at the door. Ichiha spoke behind her.
"It's late." "You can stay." "The guest room is clean."
She hesitated. Then smiled.
"Thanks." "I'd like that."
She entered the spare room. The door closed. Ichiha sat on his bed. Looking through the window. At the moon. The same moon Yamato had noticed.
The same moon that seemed closer than before. But this time... He didn't cry. He simply watched. And breathed. For the first time in many nights... Ichiha didn't feel completely alone.