William, arms crossed, finally stepped in.
"Commander… how exactly were you able to reach this level so quickly?"
Erica's face shifted — the blush fading, her expression hardening into something focused, disciplined.
"One day while I was meditating," she began, "I felt a strange heat… a pressure building inside me. It was like something wanted to burst out — an energy with a mind of its own."
They leaned closer.
"I was sweating so much I could barely concentrate. My hands glowed, but I still couldn't release it. I had to suppress it, and that alone felt like wrestling a wildfire."
She exhaled slowly before continuing.
"So, I tried channeling it through my sword. That first attempt…" She paused, wincing. "Was a disaster. I poured in way too much. The sword shattered instantly — and I got hurt in the process."
Alice swallowed. "Those two days you were missing…"
Erica nodded. "I was recovering. I didn't want to say anything until I understood what I was dealing with."
Jericho and William exchanged stunned looks.
"But eventually," she said, softening a little, "I figured it out. I learned how much soul energy a regular sword can take without breaking. It took time — more than I wanted — but I managed."
Alice's eyes widened, bright with respect.
"So… what we saw today… wasn't even your full strength?"
Erica laughed, rubbing the back of her neck.
"No. If I went all out, the fight wouldn't have lasted that long." She thought for a moment, raising two fingers. "Honestly? My sword could probably survive only two… maybe three full-power strikes before completely melting."
William let out a stunned whistle.
Jericho blinked hard.
Alice looked like she was meeting her commander for the first time.
And Erica just stood there, a little embarrassed, a little proud, and completely unaware of how terrifying her potential truly was.
Jericho's expression sharpened, all traces of playfulness fading.
"True… we need to decide on a date to retrieve that material we talked about."
William stiffened. "You mean the Luxton Star, right? At Mist?"
Even his usually calm voice wavered. "With what you told us… that won't be an easy mission."
Erica nodded with a tight smile — excitement and fear mixing in her eyes.
"I know what you mean, William. I still can't believe Greater Dragons actually exist…"
She hugged her arms, shivering despite herself.
"The thought of meeting one is… thrilling. And terrifying."
Jericho folded his arms.
"That's exactly why Erica made the right choice." His tone carried a weight they all felt.
"Learning even the basics of soul energy manipulation might save our lives. If we're unlucky… we could really end up facing a Greater Dragon."
He exhaled sharply, muttering under his breath,
"I really hope Lord Nea Zoi didn't jinx me…"
Silence settled over the group — heavy, thoughtful — until Alice finally broke it.
"About the Chaos Elements…" she asked softly. "Can ordinary humans actually use them? Or is that something only gods can wield?"
Jericho shook his head. "No, humans can use them. They're just extremely rare. It depends entirely on will… and on the person's nature. Chaos abilities choose their user, not the other way around."
William let out a breath and rolled his shoulders.
"Well, looks like we all have to start working harder. We can't let the commander leave us behind, now can we?"
A grin — an actual grin — cracked across his face.
A deeply unsettling sight.
Before Jericho could respond, William slung an arm around his neck, practically choking him, and dragged him forward with a brotherly strength that felt more like an execution.
"Come on, teacher," William said cheerfully. "We have much to learn."
Jericho groaned as William pounded his back with enthusiastic, spine-shattering slaps.
"I don't know what hurts more," he complained loudly, "William laughing… or the fact that I'm being beaten to death while he's laughing!"
Alice watched them go with a nervous smile. "Is Jericho… going to be okay?"
Erica sighed, shaking her head.
"I'm not sure. Willy was actually smiling back there. It won't be pretty."
Alice burst out laughing.
The atmosphere shifted the moment William and Jericho disappeared around the corner.
What remained of the laughter faded, replaced by a gentle heaviness — the kind that only comes before a sincere conversation.
Alice drew a slow breath, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her glove.
"Commander… Erica… can I ask you something?"
Erica turned to her with her usual warm smile.
"Of course. What is it?"
But the second Alice spoke, her voice trembled.
"…Do you have feelings for Jericho?"
Erica froze.
Not a blink.
Not a twitch.
Her entire body went stiff as if lightning had just struck her soul. She shut her eyes tightly, wishing she could melt into the ground.
Alice pressed on nervously, cheeks warm.
"I just… had to ask. I've noticed your expressions lately. And the way you look at him when he speaks— it wasn't like that before.
So I'm guessing something changed… maybe during your spar. So… s-so commander… do you?"
Erica remained frozen, eyes squeezed shut — and then the memories rushed in.
Their first meeting.
His calm voice.
His strange aura.
The weight of his past… and how it never broke him.
She compared that first feeling to how she felt now.
Her eyes snapped open, soft and shy — and when she looked at Alice, Alice's heart nearly jumped out of her chest. She braced herself, breath held.
Erica finally spoke, her voice gentle, honest.
"When I first met Jericho… I had nothing but respect for him. With everything he went through, he had every right to become bitter. To let darkness change him — especially with the power he has now."
She looked down, smiling faintly.
"But he didn't. He still barely thinks of himself. He's always trying to help others, always planning something to make the world better. He never lost sight of who he is."
Her smile deepened — dreamy, almost glowing.
"I guess now… those feelings have become something more. I'm not sure if it's romantic yet. But… I don't want to leave his side. I want to fight with him, win battles together, support him whenever he needs it… and be his sword."
Her eyes drifted to the sky, distant.
"That's how I feel about Jericho."
Alice felt her heart warm — truly warm — blooming at Erica's sincerity.
"I… feel the same way," she admitted softly. "I want to stay beside him too, support him in every way I can. But the difference is—"
"You're in love with him," Erica finished gently.
Alice froze this time.
Her eyes widened; her lips parted in shock.
"H-how did you—!? I— you— w-why— how!?"
Erica burst into a teasing grin.
"It's too obvious, Alice. You're extremely easy to read."
Alice's entire face turned crimson as she covered it with both hands in pure embarrassment.
Erica moved closer immediately, patting her shoulder with a comforting smile.
"Hey, it's alright. There's nothing wrong with it."
Alice peeked through her fingers, still flustered as Erica tried to console her.
Alice lowered her hands slowly, cheeks still burning, but Erica's gentle smile made it a little easier to breathe.
"…So what now?" Alice asked quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. "If we both… like him in our own ways… what does that mean for us?"
Erica exhaled softly, folding her arms under her chest as she thought.
"Honestly? I don't know," she admitted with a small laugh. "But… I don't want this to affect our friendship or our duty."
Alice nodded quickly.
"Me neither."
Erica continued, "Whatever happens with Jericho will happen naturally. We don't need to force anything or fight each other over it. We're both knights of Righteous— sisters in arms. That comes first."
A soft relief washed over Alice's face.
"You're right… you're absolutely right."
Erica placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"And besides… Jericho is oblivious half the time. I doubt he even realizes how either of us feel."
Alice sighed dramatically.
"That's the problem… he doesn't notice anything romantically."
Erica laughed. "If you ever want to confess to him, I'll cheer you on."
Alice turned crimson again.
"N-no! Not now! I'll implode!"
Erica chuckled and shook her head fondly.
The two shared a quiet moment, letting the heavy emotions settle.
Then Alice softly asked, "So… for now, we just keep things the way they are?"
"Yes," Erica replied with a gentle nod. "We keep training, keep getting stronger, keep supporting him. And whatever direction our hearts go… we'll face it together."
Alice smiled — shy, warm, but sincere.
"Thank you, Erica. Really… thank you."
Erica smiled back.
"We're comrades first. Always."
The two stood side by side, finally at peace with each other, knowing that whatever awaited them — battles, dragons, or complicated feelings — they would face it not as rivals…
…but as sisters.
——
Turning back to Jericho and William, the two were locked in a sparring drill when William suddenly halted, lowering his stance.
"I've always wanted to ask you something," he began.
Jericho blinked. "Uh… okay? What is it?"
"How old are you?"
At that moment, as if summoned by fate, Erica and Alice both appeared beside them—having clearly overheard the question. Erica stepped forward with curiosity shining in her eyes.
"Oh yes, I've been wondering that too," she added. "My father always said the saint prince of Menssai was two years older than me… but since you skipped four years on Earth, are you actually older now or… younger?"
Before Jericho could respond, Erica leaned in close, inspecting his face intensely.
"Hmmm… he does still look younger…"
Feeling her breath on his cheek, Jericho tensed up, face flushing bright red.
"P-please don't call me the saint prince," he muttered. "And you're… way too close…"
Erica jerked back immediately, just as red. "S-sorry!"
Jericho cleared his throat. "Anyway… when I died four years ago, I was seventeen. And the six said they reincarnated me exactly as I was—no age adjustments. Only my blessings and abilities were changed. So… yes. I'm still seventeen."
All three knights froze—mouths open.
Erica was the first to break.
"WAIT—WAIT—WAIT! You're saying four years ago you were older than me, but now I'm a year older than you!?"
Her shout echoed across the training yard, startling several knights mid-drill. They hurriedly pretended nothing happened.
Alice then added softly, "So… Jericho and I are the same age now…"
William, shock fading quickly, slowly nodded.
"Huh, so I would have been a year older than you, if not for your four years absence… now it all makes sense. No wonder none of you have a concept of restraint. You're all just children. I should've realized."
Then he pointed between Erica and Jericho.
"You two especially. Complete problem children."
Erica puffed her cheeks in annoyance.
"Willy! You know in our nation you're considered an adult once you turn fifteen. And stop acting like you didn't know my age just so you can call me childish! It's not our fault you're too old now."
With the patience of a man who had seen far too much chaos in one lifetime, William sighed.
"Don't. Call me. Willy. And i'm only twenty two."
Everyone burst into laughter.
But soon after, Jericho's expression dimmed. His shoulders slumped slightly.
"…How do you think my people in Menssai are doing?" he asked quietly. "Now that my little brother isn't himself… I hope they're still getting along with him. I hope he's not hurting them…"
A heavy silence settled. Alice and Erica exchanged sad glances. William softened, then wrapped an arm around Jericho's shoulders.
"I'm sure they're fine," he said firmly. "Listen—Jace might be a tyrant… no offense—"
"None taken," Jericho said weakly.
"—but even then, he would never harm his own people. Everything he does—twisted as it is—is for Menssai. So they're probably safer there than anywhere else right now."
Erica nodded.
"He's right. As much as I hate admitting it, your people are safe in Menssai. Because Jace doesn't see them as enemies. For now… they're protected."
She placed a hand over her chest.
"So focus on what you're doing now. The stronger you get, the more you can help your people—and maybe even help Jace."
Alice stepped closer, voice soft and warm.
"So cheer up, Jericho. You're doing great. Let's keep pushing together."
She gently patted his head. The tightness in Jericho's chest melted instantly.
He exhaled and finally smiled—genuinely.
"Thank you… all of you. I want to go home so badly… to see everything for myself. But I know now isn't the time. It might even make things worse for them. We have momentum against that god—so I'll keep working hard. Let's work hard together."
His smile brightened, and the others felt their hearts lift with relief.
William clapped his hands sharply.
"Excellent. No more gloomy faces. We've got a lot to learn—and you three children need the practice."
They all laughed again, stood up, and returned to their positions.
With renewed resolve, the four resumed their training, spirits lighter than before.
In the northern reaches of the Great Forest of Dawn, far from where Jericho and the others trained, another figure moved in silence—carrying out the mission entrusted to him by his master.
Drako.