-Frey starlight POV-
...
...
...
"This is stupid, guys. No matter what I say, it won't mean anything ... I'm not in love with any of them."
"Stop dodging and spit it out already," Danzo pushed.
After a moment of thought, I finally gave them what they wanted. Whatever happens, happens.
"If we're talking about personality, the princess is the one I feel most comfortable with. But if we're talking about my personal preferences in terms of looks and body... then I'd choose Uriel Platini."
The first had the personality most compatible with mine. The second had the mature, full figure that topped them all.
"A very detailed answer..."
"Older women, huh? Frey, you really are something."
Uriel was five years older than us, so their reactions were only natural.
"You're the ones who wanted an answer. Deal with it."
"Very on-brand, Frey. Nothing about you is ever normal. But Uriel? You've got good taste. That chest of hers is a dangerous weapon, hehehe..."
After some more shameless banter, everyone eventually passed out. By the time it hit five in the morning, they were all asleep.
Lying awake, I was the only one left sitting at the top of the tower, watching the sunrise in the distance, completely unable to sleep.
"This damn insomnia…"
My thoughts wandered back to everything that had happened... and what awaited me once I returned to the temple.
I was still trying to adapt to this new life. I'd already taken some major steps forward…
But I couldn't help wondering ... where would it all lead?
The overthinking kept me up. Insomnia gnawed at me as I sat alone, welcoming the first rays of the morning sun.
"What's got you up this late?"
Apparently, I wasn't the only one.
Snow appeared behind me, hands in his pockets.
"You couldn't sleep either?"
"Yeah… Sleeping's become a real challenge lately."
We both sat in silence, gazing at the horizon. The height of the tower offered us a breathtaking view of the vast capital, Belgrade.
"So, what's on your mind?" I asked.
"A lot of things... mostly the weight of the responsibility that's been put on me lately."
To be the hero of the empire ... placed on the same level as the first Emperor, Kazis Valerion... It was a burden only a few could understand.
"What about you?"
I responded with a light smile.
"My problems seem small compared to yours… Let's just say I'm trying to find a reason to keep living."
He chuckled too.
"Never figured you were the type to have an existential crisis."
"I'm only eighteen ... just a kid, really. But I've lived a bad life," I replied.
"We all make mistakes, but you're a good guy, Frey."
"Heh… I'm not sure you really know me, then."
"I think I do."
I turned toward Snow after hearing those words.
"It might sound strange, but I feel like I understand you. I've felt that way ever since our figth at the Victoriad finals."
I was honestly surprised to hear him say that.
I didn't think he'd sensed it too ...even if vaguely .. the fact that we were two sides of the same coin… except he was the superior version.
"We both gave it everything we had in that battle…"
Our swords had spoken more truth than anything else. After mimicking Snow through Shadow Adaptation, I saw the world through his eyes.
And somehow, he saw it through mine.
I smiled wider and lowered my head, gazing at the vast space below us.
"It was a good fight… except you didn't go all out."
I said it calmly, and Snow's golden eyes widened.
"I…"
"No point in denying it. You said it yourself ... we already know plenty about each other."
He went quiet for a moment, his gaze shifting before he nodded slowly.
"It's not like I held back on purpose…"
"I know."
"I still can't control that power."
"You will. Eventually."
"You're way too understanding."
Snow laughed, and I joined him.
I already knew about his true form .. his King of war state. His strongest form.
That was the peak of Snow's power, and he didn't use it against me in the finals.
If he had, I wouldn't have been able to defeat him… but it seems he had his reasons for holding back. So i didn't judge him .
Just like how he didn't judge me for the innocent blood I spilled that day…
"I doubt we're falling asleep anytime soon. What do you say? Want to fight until we both pass out?" he suggested.
"That's a masochistic way to knock yourself out, man… but sure, I'm in."
Snow leapt back, and with a wave of his hand, summoned Vermithor, the sacred sword.
Meanwhile, Balerion extended from my hand as if responding to the call.
"This whole place is basically a training ground, so we can cut loose a little. Just don't go overboard," Snow said as he stretched his limbs to warm up.
"Relax. I'm not the type to destroy other people's property."
A violet aura surged around me as I raised my blade and pointed it at him.
"But make no mistake, Snow…"
I smiled.
"Even with that hidden power of yours ... you won't beat me."
Snow chuckled as he heard that.
"I guess I'm not the only one keeping secrets."
After that, neither of us said another word.
The only sound echoing from the top of the Silver Dragon Guild Tower that morning… was the clash of swords, steel, and surging auras.
In the end, we both collapsed on the cold floor and fell asleep ...right there, side by side ... after hours of sparring.
The sun had risen high, and the clock struck eight.
Off to the side, a towering man—well over two meters tall—watched in silence. He had been the first to sleep and the first to rise: Adam Smasher.
He gave a nod of approval after witnessing the intensity of the duel.
The leader of the Silver Dragon Guild had never imagined he'd live to see teenagers, barely eighteen, fighting on par with his own level at that age.
"The son of Abraham… and the hero of this era."
With those words, Adam Smasher turned and vanished, leaving us passed out on the floor of his home.
"My son still has a long road ahead of him… if he ever wants to stand among them."
This generation… might just be the strongest in the last three centuries.
…
…
…
Time slipped by.
In the end, Snow and I returned to the Temple draped in lingering shadows, having barely caught two hours of sleep before the others shook us awake.
"What the hell were you two doing? You look like the walking dead."
"…"
The sleepover had ended as quickly as it began .. and just like that, we were back at the temple.
All I wanted was to collapse into bed and finally sleep.
But even that… had become a luxury.
Because the first thing that greeted me upon my return ... was the news that the princess had withdrawn from the temple.
I smacked my forehead and swore under my breath.
I was gone for one day… and this is what I come back to?
The target of my mission had vanished ... slipped right through my fingers while I wasn't even around.
"Damn it…"
Another curse escaped me. I had seriously underestimated things this time.
Now I had to reach the princess ...under Maekar's nose himself.
"Spare me this nonsense…"
All I wanted… was just a few hours of sleep.