The room was dimly lit, with the soft glow of a single lamp casting long shadows across the walls.
Athena sat by a cluttered wooden desk, a faint scent of aged parchment lingering in the air.
"I doubt so. Unlike Seraphs who have lived multiple lives, I've only had one previous life."
Neo's voice was calm as he spoke.
His his eyes briefly flickered to the books scattered across the desk.
Not a lot of information about Seraphs was given in the novel he had read.
Athena glanced at him, her brows knitting together as she tried to recall whatever little she knew.
She cleared some of his doubts, but her hesitation revealed she didn't know much herself.
"Thanks," Neo said, his tone polite, as he turned to leave.
Just as he reached the door, he stopped abruptly.
The faint creak of the floorboards echoed in the still room.
Turning around, he met her gaze and opened his mouth.
"Can you help me?"
"…"
"I don't want to kill people from the Awakeners Association if possible."
His words were soft but resolute.
Athena stiffened, the light from the lamp casting sharp lines across her face.
'He knows Ares is planning to attack him if he goes to rescue the Child of Mana. And he has no intention of backing down,' she thought, unease gripping her.
But something else in Neo's words unsettled her even more.
"You don't want to… kill?" she repeated, her voice faltering.
Neo's gaze was unwavering.
It was the first time she saw him like this.
Until today, she had never seen Neo talk about his strength in detail.
Whenever Emma mocked him for being weak, or when Jack defended him, claiming he was strong, Neo had always remained silent.
However…
She could tell by looking into his eyes. He was prepared to fight the association. And he was confident of his victory.
"I'll see what I can do," she finally answered, breaking eye contact as she looked away.
Neo sighed softly and left.
The corridor outside was eerily quiet, the usually bustling hallways now deserted.
Dim lights flickered above, casting faint shadows that seemed to dance along the cracked walls.
It didn't take him long to notice the dwindling presence of the association members.
The headquarter's usual vibrancy had been replaced by an ominous stillness.
'Are they evacuating people now that they think a battle will break out?' Neo frowned.
The battle between him and the association felt inevitable.
But why was the Awakener Association so certain he would try to save the Child of Mana?
It was a mystery, one that gnawed at the edges of his mind.
He had no idea the association had been warned by Apollo, who had received a vision of the future.
He approached the exit, hoping to test the waters.
The guards stationed at the door stopped him.
He wasn't allowed to leave.
Their faces were grim, their postures rigid.
Shaking his head, he turned around and wandered back inside.
A few minutes later, he spotted Jack in the cafeteria.
The room was dim, the soft hum of fluorescent lights blending with the faint clatter of utensils.
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Jack sat at a corner table, slurping noodles with a carefree expression.
"Oh, you're back? How did it go with Athena?" Jack asked, his mouth half-full of food.
"…Aren't you a bit too relaxed?" Neo asked, amused.
The tension in the headquarters was palpable—and yet Jack eat like nothing was happening.
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