Chapter 62 — A New Entertainment?

The Capital City of Mana — Magick.

Once regal.

Classic spires.
White marble.
Floating mana lanterns.

Now—

Glass panels reflect sunlight.
Steel reinforcements line the roads.
Light poles hum faintly with electric current.

Ancient and modern.

Side by side.

Day 3 after the Battle of Mana.

And the city looks like it skipped ten years overnight.

Royal Exhaustion

Inside his chambers—

Fu Xi stares at the ceiling.

Blank.

Unmoving.

He has not left his bed.

Mina gently adjusts a wet cloth on his forehead.

“…The capital rebuilt in a day,” Fu Xi mutters.

“Yes.”

“…A forcefield cloaking system.”

“Yes.”

“…A power plant.”

“Yes.”

He turns his head slowly.

“…What is he?”

Mina smiles faintly.

“I asked that question in Vista Valley.”

Luna, meanwhile, handles royal petitions.

Trade.
Reconstruction funding.
Alliance formalities.

At seventeen.

She signs documents like she’s done this for years.

Sometimes she pauses.

Looks toward the balcony.

“…Idiot.”

Because she knows exactly who caused this workload.

Skybreaker — Waiting

Nyx remains aboard the airship.

Cleo still unconscious.

Harmonia refuses to leave her side.

Silence fills the cabin.

Nyx watches the city transform below.

“…You really changed this world,” she whispers.

The New Arena

Meanwhile—

I stand inside the newly completed arena.

Massive.

Covered dome.

Retractable panels.

Multi-purpose floor.

Golems adjust seating alignment with mechanical precision.

With me:

Elysia.
Oswald.
Marian.
Seraphina.
Misha.
And unfortunately—
Kline and the chaos squad.

Elysia looks around.

“So… what is this arena for?”

“Training,” I reply casually. “Entertainment. Multi-purpose stadium. You can hold festivals here.”

I pause.

“…Concerts too.”

Oswald stares at me.

“Randy… this is overkill.”

Kline is currently playing rock-paper-scissors with Kyle, Wildad, and Lionel.

I don’t want to know why.

“Well,” Oswald continues, “you did say you went to the City of Mermaids.”

“Oh right. That.”

I scratch my head.

“My real reason was to let Kline meet Conrad.”

“…Your teacher?”

“Yeah.”

We both glance at Kline.

He’s yelling, “BEST OUT OF SEVEN!!!”

“…I regret everything,” I mutter.

Side Trouble

“Hey, what about Aethone and Alfian?” I ask.

Marian shrugs.

“Raul, Marlisa, and Rizal are interrogating them.”

“…Why not Elysia?”

“Huh?” Elysia wasn’t listening.

Oswald chuckles.

“If Elysia did interrogation… they’d confess crimes from previous lives.”

“I see…”

Probably true.

Sudden Seduction Chaos

“RANDY!!!”

Seraphina appears.

Humanoid form.

Elegant.

Flowing hair.

Then—

She starts doing a slow belly-dance motion.

Smooth.

Controlled.

Dangerous.

Kline freezes.

Drool activated.

Kyle drops his jaw.

Lionel salutes accidentally.

Oswald remains calm.

Marian elbows him.

“Senior… boys will be boys.”

“I’m controlling myself,” Oswald says calmly.

His lower half disagrees.

I look away.

“Please. Not in the arena.”

Seraphina smiles teasingly.

“Why not? It’s for entertainment.”

I am going to install a no-seduction policy.

The Idea

“HEY!” Marian suddenly shouts.

Everyone turns.

“Why don’t we hold a concert here?!”

Ah.

Of course.

She’s the school event mastermind.

Oswald raises an eyebrow.

“Interesting.”

Elysia nods slowly.

“I like it.”

Marian points dramatically.

“We have Harmonia! She can perform!”

Her eyes sparkle.

Misha gasps.

“Ooo! I want to sing too!”

I blink.

“…We built a national arena and the first event is a concert?”

“That’s better than war,” Flint says flatly.

Oswald crosses his arms.

“We should also host martial arts competitions.”

“WITHOUT killing,” Lilika adds quickly.

“This is not a gladiator pit,” Flint clarifies.

Kyle nods.

“…Training tournaments could be useful.”

Marian pumps her fist.

“I’ll invite the school teachers too!”

Carol suddenly grabs my arm.

“Randy! You should join!”

“I’ll pass.”

“WHY?!” she demands.

“Do I look like I can perform?”

“Shut up!” Kline shouts. “You can sing!”

“Shut up, bastard!”

Elysia’s eyes light up.

“Really? You can sing?”

“…Traitor.”

Oswald suddenly pulls out his phone.

“How is that thing still alive?!” I shout.

“Trade secret,” he smirks.

Music starts blasting.

Bruno Mars.
Mark Ronson.
Uptown Funk.

The echo fills the dome.

Oswald starts dancing.

Hip-hop steps.

Smooth footwork.

Kline joins instantly.

Kyle follows.

Even Lionel attempts it.

Marian claps in rhythm.

“THIS IS AWESOME!”

Elysia jumps in.

Seraphina sways gracefully to the beat.

Misha spins dramatically.

And somehow—

I’m dragged into the center.

Awkward.

Stiff.

Zero rhythm.

They form a circle.

“GO RANDY!” Kline yells.

“This is blackmail,” I mutter.

But the music keeps playing.

And slowly—

I move.

Just a little.

Small step.

Another.

The arena echoes with laughter.

No war.
No screaming.
No collapsing towers.

Just music.

Just friends.

I finally have an idea.

“…Speakers.”

Before anyone questions it—

I snap my fingers.

“Golem. Build audio projection units. Surround configuration.”

“Confirmed.”

Stone splits.
Crystal cores align.
Metal lattice grows like accelerated evolution.

Within minutes—

A massive speaker system stands around the arena walls.

Black.
Sleek.
Embedded mana amplifiers.

Oswald stares.

“…You’re kidding.”

“Try talking.”

He taps the mic.

“Testing.”

His voice booms across the entire stadium.

Echo perfect.
Clear.

The city hears it.

Outside—

People look up.

Inside—

The arena just turned into a concert hall.

Elowen and Eira arrive mid-construction.

“Arr… now this is fun!!” Eira laughs, mug in hand.

Elowen squints toward the center.

“…Is that Randy?”

“Aye!! He is singing!!!”

Elowen blinks.

“…That is something you do not see every day.”

The First Song

Oswald raises his phone like a relic from a forgotten age.

Music plays again.

He gestures dramatically.

“Randy. Encore.”

“…You’re enjoying this too much.”

The beat drops.

Justin Bieber — Peaches.

The rhythm fills the dome.

I hesitate for two seconds.

Then—

I sing.

Not loud.
Not flashy.

But steady.

The sound system catches my voice and amplifies it cleanly.

The arena vibrates with bass.

Misha claps to the beat.

Seraphina sways slowly beside me, elegant, seductive.

Elysia harmonizes effortlessly.

Rizal jumps in from the side with backup vocals.

Kline screams the wrong lyrics confidently.

Oswald laughs and sings along.

The crowd outside the arena begins gathering.

They can hear it.

Music.

In the Capital of Mana.

After war.

It feels unreal.

The Girls Take Over

Marian suddenly points dramatically.

“That’s it!!! Girls, our turn!!!”

Elysia’s eyes sparkle.

“Oh? My favorite.”

Oswald switches track.

Sabrina Carpenter — Espresso.

The opening beat hits.

Elysia starts singing confidently.

Seraphina joins with smooth, controlled movements.

Misha spins dramatically.

“Yeah!! You guys know the dance, right?!” Elysia shouts.

They move in sync.

Simple choreography.

Clean footwork.

Hair flipping.
Hip turns.
Playful gestures.

The crowd outside the arena gasps.

Even the workers stop what they’re doing.

Inside—

The energy shifts.

No longer awkward.

No longer chaotic.

It’s synchronized.

Alive.

Seraphina winks at me mid-spin.

Misha blows a kiss.

Elysia smirks like she owns the stage.

My heart rate increases for reasons unrelated to cardio.

Unexpected Participants

Elowen folds her arms.

“…We’re not doing that.”

Eira nudges her.

“Arr, come on. When’s the last time you danced without dodging cannon fire?”

“…That’s not—”

The beat shifts.

And somehow—

Elowen moves slightly.

One step.

Then another.

Eira laughs and joins fully.

Clumsy.
Off-beat.
But smiling.

Kline freezes mid-cheer.

Then explodes.

“YEEAAAHHH!!! ELOWEN IS DANCING!!!!!”

The arena erupts.

Elowen’s face turns red.

“I will dismantle you later.”

“WORTH IT!!!” Kline screams.

Chaos Evolves

Kevin suddenly jumps into the center.

“YO! YO!”

He starts rapping Hypnotize.

Flawless rhythm.

Unexpected talent.

Oswald points.

“WHERE DID THAT COME FROM?!”

Kevin shrugs mid-verse.

“Hidden skill.”

We all join the chorus.

Even Flint nods subtly to the beat.

Kyle tries breakdancing.

Fails.

Gets up.
Tries again.

Marian is no longer a student.

She transforms into Event Commander.

“Lighting increase! Golem, rotate spotlight!”

“Confirmed.”

Spotlights sweep the stage.

Color filters activate.

Smoke effects vent from the floor.

This is no longer random.

This is production.

They decide.

Tonight.

The arena will host its first event.

Not next week.
Not after planning.

Tonight.

Marian is already in commander mode.

“Lighting rigs here! Entry sequence here! Girls with me!”

Elysia leads choreography practice.

Oswald adjusts the sound balance.

Kyle is bouncing around like this is a school festival.

“FINALLY! A SCHOOL EVENT!!!”

The energy is contagious.

And then—

Oswald walks toward me.

“Hey. Let’s spar.”

“…Huh?”

“No magic. No weapons. Just fists.”

I blink.

“Why?”

He gestures around.

“We need to test the floor. See if this place can handle real combat.”

“…Man. I’ll lose against you. You know that.”

Kyle shouts from the side.

“COME ON RANDY!!!”

Before I can escape—

Space distorts.

Luna teleports in.

“…Ah. I thought so.”

She crosses her arms.

“Good call, Oswald. He needs this training.”

“Oh come on!”

“No buts,” Luna says sharply.

And just like that—

She becomes referee.

Gambling Begins

Kline suddenly appears with a notebook.

“Alright! Step right up! Who’s winning?! Place your bets!”

“…You turned this into a betting ring?!” I shout.

“KLINE!!!” Luna snaps.

Elowen raises her hand calmly.

“I’m betting Oswald.”

Seraphina smiles lazily.

“Oswald.”

Misha giggles.

“Oswald~”

Excuse me?!

Eira squints.

“Make it a draw.”

“Huh?! Fine! Your loss!” Kline scribbles furiously.

Kyle yells:

“OSWALD DON’T YOU LOSE!”

Elysia shouts:

“GO RANDY BEAT HIS ASS!!!”

Traitors. All of them.

The Stance

Oswald rolls his shoulders.

Cracks his neck.

“It’s about time we see how good you really are.”

“This is for fun, right?”

“Nope. Luna told me to go all out.”

“…Jeez.”

Luna steps between us.

“Ready.”

Silence falls over the arena.

Even the golems stop moving.

“FIGHT.”

Opening Exchange

Oswald moves first.

Fast.

His fist closes toward my face in a blur—

I block.

Impact echoes.

I counter with a front kick—

He blocks it clean.

The vibration travels up my leg.

“Jeez… you’re really good,” I mutter.

“Damn, man. If that idiot Alfian fought you, he’d be unconscious already.”

This is different.

Raul and Alfian were flashy.

Oswald is disciplined.

Trained.

Balanced.

No wasted motion.

So—

I stop holding back.

I shift my weight.

Low stance.

Close distance.

Arm trap—

Armlock—

Pivot—

I throw him.

He hits the floor and rolls instantly.

But his leg sweeps out—

BAM.

It slams into my ribs.

It hurts.

Not magic hurt.

Brick hurt.

We separate.

Both breathing harder.

Oswald grins.

“Nice! Haven’t felt that in a while!”

“You’re pushing it, bro.”

It Escalates

I step in again.

Combo sequence.

Left jab.
Right cross.
Low kick.
Shoulder feint.
Elbow strike.

These aren’t school moves.

These are survival combinations.

Adapted from every battle.

Every monster.
Every assassin.
Every ambush.

Oswald blocks two.
Dodges one.
But the elbow grazes him.

He staggers slightly.

“…Damn.”

His eyes sharpen.

“This is fierce.”

We collide again.

Punches.
Kicks.
Headbutt.

The sound echoes like drumbeats.

Kyle is screaming.

“DAMN THIS IS LIKE MMA CHAMPIONSHIP!!! RANDY YOU SHOULD JOIN MMA!!! YOU’LL BE CHAMPION!!!”

Oswald suddenly shifts.

Karate stance.

Precise.

Explosive.

He lands a body shot.

It feels like getting hit with a hammer.

I grit my teeth.

“You really good using gravity tricks, huh?” he says.

“Unlike you— pure muscle!”

He flexes mid-fight.

“You need more pushups!”

“Shut it!”

The Turning Point

He lunges again—

I drop my center of gravity.

Coil inward.

Body lock.

Lift.

SLAM.

The arena floor shakes.

Oswald gasps as air leaves his lungs.

But even on the ground—

He punches upward.

It hits my shoulder.

Pain spikes.

He’s relentless.

We roll apart again.

Sweat dripping.

Breathing heavy.

No magic.

Just effort.

The Reveal

Oswald stands.

Grins.

“You’ve changed.”

I exhale.

“…Yeah.”

He gestures.

“Let’s see it then.”

I hesitate.

Then—

I pull my shirt off.

Silence.

Oswald freezes.

Kyle drops his jaw.

Kline forgets to breathe.

Six-pack abs.

Defined shoulders.

Lean muscle.

Built from Luna’s merciless training.

I never really looked.

I was too busy surviving.

Luna stares.

Arms crossed.

But her lips curve slightly.

Proud.

Like a parent watching their kid win a race.

“…Not bad,” Oswald admits.

“Shut up.”

A volley of fists.

A storm of kicks.

The arena echoes with every impact.

THUD.

CRACK.

BOOM.

Oswald’s right hook scrapes my cheek.

I counter with a spinning back kick—

He blocks, but slides three steps back.

Sweat drips down both of us.

Breathing rough.

The floor beneath our feet is scuffed.

Marks everywhere.

The stadium lights reflect off the sweat on his shoulders.

He’s grinning.

“…Well? Aren’t you having fun?”

“Shut up…”

But he’s right.

I am.

For once—

This isn’t survival.

This isn’t war.

No assassins.
No dragons.
No collapsing fortresses.

Just two idiots punching each other for sport.

And I’m smiling too.

Fatigue Sets In

Our movements slow.

Still sharp.

But heavier.

Oswald wipes his mouth with his thumb.

“…Damn, man. You ain’t tired yet?”

“Shut up, man…”

My lungs burn.

My arms feel like lead.

But I refuse to show it.

Around us—

The others are dead silent now.

No betting jokes.
No screaming.

They’re watching.

Seriously watching.

Because this isn’t play anymore.

This is pride.

The Last Run

We both know.

One more exchange.

One final clash.

Luna steps back slightly.

She doesn’t interrupt.

She wants to see this too.

Oswald exhales slowly.

“…Last one.”

“Yeah.”

We nod.

No countdown.

No signal.

We move.

Simultaneously.

He steps forward—

Right fist loaded.

I pivot—

Left leg chambered.

The world slows.

I see it clearly.

His knuckles cutting through the air toward my jaw.

My heel swinging toward his cheek.

Impact.

BOOM.

His fist slams into my face.

My kick crashes into his.

The sound echoes across the dome like thunder.

For a split second—

We’re frozen.

Then—

We both collapse.

Flat on our backs.

Staring at the ceiling.

Silence.

Then—

“DRAW!!!!!”

The entire arena erupts.

The Aftermath

Kyle screams.

“NO WAY!!!”

Kline flips through his betting notebook in horror.

“WHAT?! WHO DO I PAY?!”

Eira laughs loudly.

“Arrrr told ya! Same strength! If they used weapons though— different story!”

She takes a proud sip from her mug.

Elowen sighs.

“I lost money to a pirate.”

Seraphina crosses her arms but smiles slightly.

Misha claps excitedly.

Elysia looks down at me.

“…Not bad.”

Oswald and I are still lying there.

Breathing heavily.

“…You hit hard,” he mutters.

“…You too.”

He laughs.

Then sits up slowly.

Offers me his hand.

I take it.

He pulls me up.

Our handshake is firm.

No rivalry.

Just respect.

Luna’s Verdict

Luna steps forward.

Looks at both of us.

Analyzing.

Then she nods once.

“…Good.”

That’s it.

But her eyes soften slightly when she looks at me.

Approval.

The kind she doesn’t say out loud.

I scratch the back of my head.

“…So… does this mean I don’t have to train tomorrow?”

“No.”

“…I knew it.”

The crowd laughs.

Quiet Moment

As everyone disperses—

Oswald leans closer.

Low voice.

“You’ve changed.”

“…Yeah.”

“You’re not that guy who doubted himself anymore.”

I don’t answer.

Because maybe he’s right.

The boy who ran from confrontation—

Now stands in the center of an arena

And trades blows equally

With a trained martial artist.

No magic.

No anti-magic.

Just effort.

Just growth.

Oswald smirks.

“Next time, I’m winning.”

“Dream on.”

We bump fists.

The arena lights dim slightly as Marian starts shouting about rehearsal schedules again.

The city outside continues celebrating.

And for once—

The Capital of Mana doesn’t feel like a battlefield.

It feels like home.

Luna walks toward me while the arena still roars behind us.

Her expression is calm… but I can see it.

That competitive spark.

“See what I told you…” she says, crossing her arms. “You need to focus on endurance. We’re training again tomorrow.”

“Really? Aren’t you interested in music?” I tilt my head.

“I’m interested,” she replies. “But not that passionate. I enjoy it. That’s all.”

Uh huh.

“Well… at least you listen to music.” I shrug. “Anyway, I’m heading back to the Skybreaker.”

“Let me know if Cleo wakes up.”

“Still working?” I ask.

“Paperwork doesn’t vanish just because we won.”

For a moment, I just stare at her.

The ruler.
The warrior.
The responsible one.

…She looks tired.

Before I can overthink it, I grab her hand.

“Well, it’s not like the world is ending. Come on.”

“Huh?” Her eyes widen.

“Just follow me.”

“…Fine.”
She smiles softly.

Victory.

Skybreaker — Sick Bay

Nyx is sitting beside Cleo’s bed, dark circles under her eyes.

“Hey, Nyx,” I say.

“Luna.”

“Oh… hi.” Nyx sighs. “I’ve been healing her for hours. She’s not waking up. Harmonia won’t stop singing either.”

“Is it bad?” Luna asks.

“No. She’s… stuck in a dream. Like she found a candy house and refuses to leave.”

“…Can we pull her out?” Luna’s voice lowers.

“If we force it, we risk damaging her soul.”

Silence fills the room.

I look at Luna.

“What if we take her to Sky Island?”

Nyx’s eyes brighten slightly. “There’s a chamber there that stabilizes mana. It might help.”

“Good. Then we go.”

“Wait.” Nyx squints at Luna. “Aren’t you supposed to handle the capital?”

I quickly cover Nyx’s mouth.

“She’s taking a break.”

Nyx blinks.

“…Ah. I see. Very well.”

Arena — Before the Show

Marian is in full commander mode.

“Stage hands! Lighting crew! Hurry up! We’re live in twenty!”

The arena has transformed.

What was once stone and dust is now:

The entire capital fills the seats.

Adventurers from Carnac.

Students.

Citizens.

Even generals.

Fu Xi, Mina, General Liong, Bolg — VIP section.

Luna stops walking.

She looks… nervous.

“Hey,” I say quietly.

Inside her mind I can practically hear:

Sing!? In front of THIS many people!?

I grab her shoulders.

“Snap out of it.”

“H-Huh?! Fine! I’m fine!”

Seraphina walks past her with a teasing smirk.

“What’s wrong? Can’t dance, little cat?”

“…Challenge accepted.”

Oh no.

The Reveal

I’m adjusting the sound system backstage when Marian grins at me.

“You’re going to love this.”

“Huh?”

The curtain rises.

And I freeze.

Maid costumes.

Cat ears.

Short skirts.

Elegant stockings.

Luna.

Why does that outfit look so… perfectly suited to her?

White and silver trim. Simple yet regal. Her posture makes it look like a royal uniform instead of cosplay.

Seraphina?
Dangerous. Half-cut design, darker red accents. She knows exactly what she’s doing.

Elysia?
Sporty tomboy energy somehow still working in a maid outfit.

Harmonia?
Cheerful, radiant, glowing.

The crowd explodes.

Kline collapses dramatically.

“THIS IS A BLESSING FROM THE GODS!”

Mina smacks Fu Xi’s head as steam rises from him.

“Control.”

“Understood…”

Salsa Ignition

Music hits.

Marian takes center stage.

Salsa.

Sharp movements. Confident steps. Fire in her hips.

Lilika, Eira, Misha join in.

Kevin takes vocals.

The crowd starts clapping along.

Kids copy the steps.

Even Elowen awkwardly joins after being dragged in.

“ARRR THIS IS WAR BUT WITH RHYTHM!” Eira shouts.

The song transitions.

Hip-hop.

Kyle joins.

Jake from Elite 20 appears out of nowhere with Japanese rap energy.

Kline breakdances like his life depends on it.

Why is he actually good at this!?

Martial Arts Segment

Marian grabs the mic.

“Next! Martial arts showcase!”

Oswald leaps forward.

Karate forms. Clean strikes.

Paul and Carol follow.

Suddenly—

Fu Xi jumps onto stage.

The Battlemaster laughs.

Bolg joins.

Even General Liong steps in.

The crowd loses it.

This isn’t just a concert.

It’s unity.

The Dangerous Moment

Suddenly—

Inside my head:

“RANDY!! HELP ME!!”

“Luna?? What happened?”

“Whatever happens… close your eyes.”

What?

The lights dim.

The beat changes.

Sabrina Carpenter — Espresso.

The girls take formation.

Elysia sings first.

Harmonia harmonizes.

Seraphina spins.

Water effects burst around them.

Then—

The costumes shift with illusion magic into beach-themed outfits.

The crowd explodes.

Kline short-circuits.

“THIS IS TOO MUCH—”

Mina slaps Fu Xi again.

“Control.”

“Understood.”

Luna is red.

Completely red.

She refuses to look at me.

The Final Song

Then everything softens.

Harmonia steps forward alone.

“This song… is for someone I hold dear.”

The melody begins.

A Thousand Words.

Her voice is soft. Emotional. Vulnerable.

The arena falls silent.

Even the wind stops.

Every word feels like it’s reaching somewhere beyond this world.

Nyx sits beside me.

“She’s been waiting to sing that.”

At the final note—

The entire capital erupts in applause.

Fireworks light the sky.

Victory.

Hope.

Unity.

Skybreaker — Sick Bay

Soft light flickers through the window.

Cleo’s fingers twitch.

Her eyes slowly open.

“…Sis…”

She turns her head toward the glowing arena lights piercing the night sky.

“…I hear you…”

A tear falls.

And somewhere on stage…

Harmonia smiles faintly.

The applause is still thunderous.

Fireworks burst above the arena.

The sky glows gold and crimson.

But suddenly—

The sound fades.

Not outside.

Inside me.

A melody begins to surface.

Soft.

Retro.

Warm.

A voice I haven’t heard in years.

Flashback — A Different Place

The arena lights blur.

The smell of smoke and old wood fills my nose.

I’m standing in a bar.

An Irish-style bar.

Dark wooden counter. Warm amber lights. Low ceiling. Brass taps. The air smells like whiskey and rain.

There’s laughter.

Glasses clinking.

And on a small wooden stage—

Lilith.

She’s wearing a long emerald dress.

Her hair flows down her shoulders.

Elegant. Calm. Almost lonely.

She sings into an old silver microphone.

The music is retro. Soft jazz blended with folk.

Behind the counter—

Drake.

He’s wiping a glass.

But—

In the reflection of the mirror behind him…

The face shifts.

For a split second—

It’s not Drake.

It looks like Xorvath.

Or—

My uncle?

The reflection smiles faintly.

I blink.

The image trembles.

Lilith sings:

“In a dream I heard an echo of your voice, my dear…
Gently pulling me near…”

My chest tightens.

Why do I remember this?

Did this happen?

Or was it a dream?

Arena — Present

My lips move unconsciously.

I sing the next line.

The mic picks it up.

The arena falls quiet.

Nyx slowly turns her head toward me.

“…That’s a beautiful song.”

Her eyes sharpen.

Then—

A dangerous smirk appears.

Oh no.

She snaps her fingers.

The golems respond instantly.

Music shifts.

Soft jazz rhythm fills the arena speakers.

Spotlight.

On me.

“LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE ANOTHER SHOW!” Nyx announces.

“FEAST YOUR EYES! OUR VERY OWN RANDY!”

“HEY— WAIT—”

Too late.

Thousands of eyes stare at me.

I swallow.

Why am I not panicking?

Why does this feel… natural?

Is this because of Lilith?

Because of my mom?

Because of that memory?

The music flows.

And I sing.

The Unexpected Voice

“Until last night… tears were falling like rain from my eyes…”

A second voice joins.

Soft.

Familiar.

Alive.

I turn.

“C-Cleo?!”

She’s standing there.

Hair slightly messy.

Still pale.

But smiling.

Harmonia gasps from backstage.

“CLEO!”

The crowd erupts.

But Cleo walks calmly toward me.

“…But now my heart feels light…” she continues.

Her voice trembles slightly.

But it’s strong.

Confident.

She stops beside me.

Our eyes meet.

And somehow—

We synchronize.

“I love you so…”

We sing together.

The arena disappears.

It feels like just the two of us.

Two voices.

One melody.

Harmonia

Harmonia rushes forward.

Tears streaming.

“Cleo…”

But she stops herself.

She lets the song finish.

Because this moment—

Isn’t about fear.

It’s about awakening.

The Atmosphere

The crowd is silent.

Not even Kline is making noise.

Even Fu Xi is still.

Mina’s expression softens.

Luna watches from the side.

Her expression is complicated.

Not jealous.

Not angry.

Something else.

Understanding.

Maybe even… respect.

The Final Note

The last chord fades.

For half a second—

Nothing.

Then—

The entire arena explodes in applause.

Cheers.

Whistles.

People standing.

Fireworks ignite again.

Nyx leans toward me and whispers:

“…You sure you’re not secretly a bard?”

Cleo laughs softly.

She sits beside me on the edge of the stage.

“This song… it feels nostalgic.”

“Yeah,” I reply quietly. “My mom used to sing it.”

Cleo looks at me differently now.

Gentler.

Warmer.

“And now… we’re singing it together.”

The lights shimmer across her eyes.

Harmonia kneels beside us, hugging Cleo tightly.

“You idiot… don’t scare me like that again…”

Cleo laughs weakly.

“Sorry, sis.”

But…

For a brief moment—

In the reflection of one of the crystal screens—

I see it again.

That bar mirror.

That shifting face.

Xorvath.

Watching.

Smiling.

Then gone.

The music continues.

The crowd celebrates.

But inside me—

A question grows.

Was that memory real?

Or did someone plant it there?

It’s a song.

But it doesn’t feel like just music.

It feels like—

A message.

Like someone is reaching across time, tapping gently on the door of my mind.

“Remember.”

The melody wraps around my chest.

Something is moving inside me.

A locked door creaking open.

A lost memory.

A forgotten warmth.

My vision blurs.

Tears fall before I realize it.

Cleo steps closer.

She gently cups my cheeks in her hands.

Her touch is warm.

Grounding.

“You seem to remember something…” she whispers softly.
“…Do you yearn for someone?”

My throat tightens.

“I… think so…”

Why is this happening?

Why does that last wish I made to that strange bird—

Trigger all of this?

Am I losing my mind?

The Second Flash

The arena fades again.

But this time—

It’s not a small Irish bar.

It’s a major stage.

Spotlights.

A huge crowd.

Flashing cameras.

Lilith stands in the center.

Her hair flows under the lights.

Black.

Shiny.

Soft.

Wait.

That hair.

That smile.

Why does she look like—

Mom?

The crowd cheers.

Behind the stage—

Drake stands near the bar section backstage.

He adjusts a glass.

But his expression—

It changes.

His hair darkens.

Glasses appear.

His smile becomes gentler.

That’s not Drake.

That’s—

Dad.

A flash—

Mom’s hair black, flowing beautifully.

Dad with dark brown hair, British style, wearing glasses, smiling softly at me.

Uncle standing beside them.

They’re all smiling.

Mom sings.

Dad laughs quietly.

Uncle pats my head.

The three of them look happy.

Happy.

Reality Cracks

My breathing becomes uneven.

Am I insane?

Does Lilith resemble Mom?

Does Drake resemble Dad?

Why do they overlap?

Why do the memories feel so real?

I remember something clearly now.

Uncle once told me:

Dad was a sommelier.

An expert in wines and spirits.

A professional bartender in high-class venues in the United Kingdom.

Mom?

She was a singer.

Not just hobby.

A real singer.

2010 era.

Stage performances.

Bars.

Concerts.

He told me they were focused on their careers.

He told me they forgot about me.

He told me they were too busy.

That’s what he said.

But—

Why do I remember going to their concerts?

Why do I remember sitting on Uncle’s shoulders while Mom sang?

Why do I remember Dad sneaking me sweet drinks when Mom wasn’t looking?

Why do I remember backstage passes?

Why do I remember laughter?

Those are not memories of abandonment.

Those are memories of love.

The Truth Beneath the Lie

My chest tightens.

Uncle.

He always looked tired when I asked about them.

He always avoided details.

Was it pain?

Was it guilt?

Did he think protecting me meant hiding the truth?

Did something happen?

An accident?

A tragedy?

Did he lie because he couldn’t bear telling me?

The feeling inside me—

It’s not sadness.

It’s not anger.

It’s warmth.

It’s relief.

It’s pride.

I was not abandoned.

I was loved.

Deeply.

Even if something separated us—

I was cherished.

And that…

That is priceless.

Back to the Arena

Cleo’s thumbs wipe the tears from my face.

“You’re smiling,” she whispers.

I realize I am.

Tears are still falling.

But I’m smiling.

“They loved me,” I say quietly.

Cleo’s expression softens.

“Of course they did.”

Harmonia watches silently from behind us.

Even Luna looks away slightly, respecting the moment.

The crowd is still cheering from the duet.

But for me—

The noise is distant.

I feel light.

Free.

The strange bird.

That final wish.

Did it unlock something?

Or did someone guide me here?

In the reflection of the crystal screen above—

For a split second—

I see that Irish bar again.

The mirror.

Xorvath’s faint smile.

Watching.

Then gone.

Was he protecting the memory?

Or sealing it?

Or testing me?

I don’t know.

But one thing is certain.

I am not alone in my past.

And I was never unwanted.

My tears fall again.

Tears of joy.

Cleo leans her forehead gently against mine.

“Whatever you remembered… I’m glad it made you smile.”

“Yeah…”

For the first time in a long time—

I feel proud.

Proud to be their son.

Proud of where I came from.

Proud of who I am becoming.

And somewhere deep inside—

A quiet voice whispers:

“You finally understand.”

To be continued.