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“Syrus! It’s great to see that you are okay!”

“Woo!”

The meeting with Lavender didn’t last long, and everyone split up again. Ash separated from Syrus to help with the medical treatment of the injured, and Syrus was ready to return to their home. However, on the way they spotted the familiar boy and his dog wearing every bit of gear he owned.

“Thanks, kid.” Syrus awkwardly accepted his words. Sometimes it felt weird having a little kid worry about her safety and well-being.

Syrus moved them off the main street to continue their talk, eventually making their way to where they trained on the western side. The area was flat like always, but a large trail of burn marks could be seen nearby.

“Why are we here?”

“Because I haven’t had a look at the area since I’ve gotten out of bed.”

“What about more creatures attacking?”

“They would’ve already, plus see all the guards around?” Syrus pointed. The area that was normally empty of people had patrols of guards and hunters moving around. “There are likely just as many people in the forest ensuring everything is safe.”

There were a few decent squads of people clearing through the forest to ensure everything was safe, though they had a very confusing report to write as they found multiple mutated and normal animal corpses not killed by other animals but visible by human-inflicted wounds.

“Woof!” Cobalt barked to cheer Ethan up and to confirm that everything was safe.

“Thanks, buddy.” Ethan returned the favour by patting Cobalt on the head.

“Your bond is as strong as ever.” Eva smiled.

Once the patting session was completed, Ethan asked, “Teacher, what do you plan to do now?”

“My plans? Well, I will be leaving the country soon.” Syrus crouched down to Ethan’s height. “I’ve got some family I want to check up on.”

“I see...” Ethan nodded. “So, you won’t be able to train me again?”

“Maybe, maybe not,” Syrus answered. “I won’t be gone forever, even when I am back. Do you want me to keep teaching you?”

“Huh?”

Ethan was thirteen years old; while young, plenty of people had started working even younger than him, and he did work to support his parents' job but hadn’t started working as a proper hunter yet. Syrus continued, “You’ve learned a lot, and I am sure many people would be eager to have someone as skilled as you on their team. What you need now is practical experience; of course, you better start from the beginning and work your way up, don’t jump into danger immediately.” Syrus patted the two heads. “But I am sure you two are smart enough for me to not need to warn you anymore.”

“But...” Ethan mumbled his words. “Can you still teach me more when you return?”

“Roo woof!”

Syrus sighed, “Sure, kid. You too Cobalt.”

“Yay!” He celebrated.

“Woof!”

[He appears more like a kid now than he was before.] (Luna)

[He has nearly lost so much. He just got lucky he didn’t, so it’s not surprising his emotions are spilling out more.] (Syrus)

[I thought people did the opposite?] (Eva)

[Eh, reactions vary; everyone is unique.] (Syrus)

Time was running out, so Anlesa returned home to continue their recovery.

Days later, the trio left the city of Arisea Station behind them, hitching a ride on one of the many carts leaving the city.

During that time, they weren’t able to find Maca no matter where they looked or who they asked; people at least remembered seeing him during the fighting, but after that, nothing.

Endless theories could be created about what happened to him, ranging from good to very bad, but Anlesa chose to, at least in group discussion form, not theorise it–individually they had wildly different opinions.

Anlesa brought their largest backpack, plenty of clothes, some herbs, Syrus’ sword, and other small items they needed. They were still paying for the house in Arisea Station but only for three months; otherwise, it would go back on the market, though Ash was willing to make some arrangements. In said house, everything else they couldn’t bring was kept there, including all of Eva’s potion supplies, which she didn’t want to re-buy.

Before long they had reached the country of Cancole. Even though it was their home country, there wasn’t any feeling of familiarity. They had only lived in one place, and now it was gone.

[To be honest, I didn’t expect to return so soon...] (Eva)

[I have a feeling, no matter when we return, it will feel too soon.] (Syrus)

Eva sighed. [You are probably right.]

And once they entered the city of Greenvale.

[So ordinary...] Eva observed.

The town was peaceful; they entered during the middle of the day.

[If the towns before this showed no reaction, then this one wouldn’t be any different.] (Syrus)

The news of the major city attack had likely spread to a few places, but information travelled slowly and only by letters and word of mouth. Some people in the towns and cities had been informed by the previous merchants who left Arisea Station immediately following the attack. Some people were concerned, but for others, it was simply an incident that happened in another country that wasn’t going to happen here.

[If anything, you would likely only see extreme reactions in places near potential hot spots or the capital; that place is large enough that it would make it to the city-wide gossip level.] (Luna)

Anlesa exited the merchant waggon and made their way around the city.

They had one destination in mind.

It was a small two-story house; the curtains were closed, but there was enough of a gap to see through. Compared to last time, the walls had been cleaned up more, but the curtains were still closed with no gap to see through this time.

Anlesa didn’t immediately go inside and instead waited for someone to return home.

“Hello again.” Anlesa walked up to the tired woman. “It’s Syrus.”

Her brownish blonde hair had greyed slightly, and her orange eyes refocused as she turned to the voice. “Ann–” Elly mumbled her words due to the surprise guest.

Still, it was good seeing her again.