The first light of morning slipped through the curtains of Noel's Class S room, a soft gold that brushed against the books stacked on the desk and the half-folded cloak draped over the chair.

Noir materialized from the shadow beneath his bed, stretching with a tiny shake of her fur before hopping up beside him.

'You look… oddly energized today, Dad,' she said, her violet eyes narrowing in quiet amusement. 'Almost like you missed having a mission.'

Noel, still sitting on the edge of his bed, rubbed the sleep from his eyes. "Hm. Maybe I did," he admitted with a mild shrug. "But honestly? I'd rather all of this ended already. A peaceful life sounds nicer."

Noir blinked once, then tilted her head. 'And siblings?'

Noel spoke before thinking. "Yeah, and some siblings wou—wait. What?"

He stared at her. "You want siblings?"

'Hm,' Noir replied as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. 'Of course, Dad. Don't you think I'll be lonely otherwise? I want to be a good older sister.'

Inside Noel's head, his thoughts stalled completely. '…I mean, that shouldn't be a problem, right? Eventually…'

Noir's tail flicked. 'You do remember our minds are linked, right? I hear everything you think. And I know it's not that far away…'

Noel froze. "Noir. How much do you know?"

She didn't answer — just looked at him with an expression that was somehow too innocent.

"…Right." Noel sighed.

He pushed himself up, running a hand through his hair. Blonde strands fell over his forehead, reflecting the morning light. As he began to undress for the shower, Noir stayed perched on the bed, watching him with quiet curiosity.

Steam filled the small bathroom as he stepped under the water. When he emerged, a towel around his shoulders, he caught sight of himself in the mirror — hair damp and golden, emerald eyes sharp despite the fatigue.

But it was his torso that drew his attention.

Dozens of pale scars crossed his chest, stomach, arms — subtle lines, some thin, some jagged. A map of every fight, every mistake, every narrow survival.

He touched one near his ribs.

"Wow," he murmured under his breath. "These really do look like war marks…"

'You look cool, Dad,' Noir said from behind him, her voice gentler now. 'Don't worry about them.'

Noel gave a dry smile. "Oh, I'm sure I'll rack up a few more soon."

Noir's tail bristled. 'Don't joke about that. I don't like it when you get hurt.'

Noel turned, walking back to the bed. He crouched down, gently brushing the top of her head with his hand.

"Sorry," he said softly. "Didn't mean to worry you."

Noir leaned into his touch, eyes closing just slightly.

Noel finished toweling off the last drops of water from his hair and stepped out into the main room again. Noir watched him from the edge of the bed, tail swaying lazily, as he dressed.

First the black trousers — fitted, comfortable, easy to move in.

Then the navy-blue noble shirt — simple but clean, the kind that didn't scream status yet still looked refined.

Finally, the black boots, polished just enough to pass inspection.

He strapped his dimensional pouch at his right hip, letting it rest snugly against his belt. Revenant Fang was secured on the left, its weight familiar — balanced exactly where his dominant hand could draw it in an instant. The metal glimmered faintly under the morning light.

Noel tightened the buckle and let out a small breath. "Feels like it's been forever since I saw Orthran," he murmured. "Last time, he told me to take care of Charlotte…"

Noir's ears perked. 'Are you blaming yourself? For her blessings?'

Noel paused — long enough that Noir's question hung heavier than intended. "…No. Not exactly."

He rested a hand lightly on the hilt of Revenant Fang, eyes lowering.

"But I do feel guilty," he admitted quietly. "I've dragged all of them into danger… over and over."

Noir stepped closer, sitting by his foot as he continued.

"Elyra… the first time, you weren't even with me yet. She went to investigate something because of me, well not exactly because of me, and I had to drag her out before she got killed."

He swallowed, jaw tightening."Elena — first Festival Hunt, she nearly died, and I had to keep her alive."

"Selene… I kidnapped her from her mother. I couldn't have left it there the way it was."

"And Charlotte…" His voice softened. "Everything we had to do to save her from those who infiltrated."

Noir listened in silence, eyes warm and steady.

"They've been through too much already… and they've stayed. They followed me. I'm grateful, I really am." His throat tightened. "I'm just scared. Scared of losing any of them. And at the same time… relieved. Because I finally said what I'd been holding in for so long."

A faint, shaky smile touched his lips. "They accepted the truth. They didn't walk away. Truth is, Noir… I was terrified. Terrified of ending up alone again in this world."

Noir's voice softened in his mind. 'I know, Dad. I knew all of it already. And don't worry — I'll always be with you. In the good and the bad.' Her tail brushed his boot. 'And those four won't leave you either. You've helped them more than they ever helped you.'

The words eased something deep in his chest.

Noel ruffled Noir's head gently, letting a real smile form. "Thanks, Noir."

He stepped toward the door and placed his hand on the handle.

"Well," he said with a breath, "ready for another mission?"

Noir hopped to his shoulder, tail curling behind his neck.

She let out a sharp, eager little howl. 'Always.'

Noel stepped out into the corridor, closing the door softly behind him — and immediately froze.

All four girls were waiting.

Elyra leaned against the wall with her arms crossed, one leg bent casually, her black hair tied in a loose braid.

Elena stood beside her, fingers brushing the pendant Noel had once given her, her pointed ears twitching the moment she saw him. Selene remained composed as always, back straight, hands clasped behind her in that elegant, icy posture of hers.

And Charlotte — cloak already on, hair tied with a pale ribbon — stepped forward the second Noel appeared.

Elyra grinned first.

"You're late," she teased, pushing off the wall and walking straight toward him. She brushed a finger along his collar, grey eyes gleaming. "Don't think leaving for another continent gets you out of the usual morning greeting."

Before Noel could react, she rose on her toes and kissed him — confident, warm, familiar.

His first girlfriend. His first everything.

Even now, that boldness still caught him off guard, though not like before.

Elena's turn came next.

Her cheeks were already pink before Noel even looked at her. "I–I suppose I should… um… also—"

She leaned in quickly and kissed him, soft and shy, her pointed elven ears flaring red at the tips. When she pulled away, she whispered, "Stay safe. Please."

Charlotte stepped forward immediately afterward — no teasing, no hesitation.

She wrapped her arms around him briefly, resting her forehead against his chest before giving him a gentle kiss.

Her golden eyes held something deeper — worry and trust mixed together. "We'll get through this," she murmured. "Together."

Finally, Selene approached.

She didn't smile. She never did easily.

But she cupped his cheek with one gloved hand, her cool touch grounding him, and kissed him with a slow, deliberate certainty that still surprised him every time.

"You two better come back," she said quietly. "I don't care if it's 'just politics.' Trouble follows you like a curse."

Noel lifted his hands, surrendering with a half-grin. "I know, I know. Don't worry so much. We'll be fine — and we'll be back before you notice we're gone."

Elyra snorted. "We notice everything."

Elena nodded rapidly. "Everything."

Selene folded her arms. "Don't test that."

Charlotte simply smiled and took Noel's hand.

Noir slid out from his shadow at that exact moment, stretching like she'd just woken up.

'Don't worry, moms,' she announced proudly in all their minds. 'We'll be careful. Dad promised.'

Noel groaned. "Noir—"

But it was already too late.

All four girls stared at him with identical, knowing smirks.

He sighed internally. Noir purred.

Noel nodded — steady, confident, but with a warmth in his chest he couldn't hide.

"Take care of the academy," he told them. "You know how delicate things are right now. I trust you."

"And we trust you," Elyra said softly.

Then Charlotte pulled him gently toward the stairs.

"It's time."

Noel glanced back one last time — four pairs of eyes watching him, each filled with their own emotion.

"See you soon," he said.

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As soon as Noel and Charlotte stepped outside the gates of the Class S dorms, a carriage already waited for them.

The horses snorted softly, their breath misting in the cool morning air.

Noel helped Charlotte inside before settling beside her. The door shut, the reins snapped, and the carriage rolled forward, leaving the academy behind.

For a while, neither spoke.

Trees drifted past the windows, sunlight cutting through their branches in soft golden lines. Students on early errands paused to watch the carriage pass, murmuring among themselves — the Saint of Valor and the boy who refused to stay out of trouble.

Charlotte leaned back slightly, exhaling. "Two hours to the port," she murmured. "Feels strange leaving again so soon."

"Yeah," Noel said, watching the buildings shrink behind them. "But it feels… right, too. Like we're moving toward something important."

Charlotte's hand found his on the seat between them.

"Noel," she whispered, "whatever happens in the Holy Capital… thank you for coming with me."

He squeezed her fingers gently. "Where else would I be?"

Outside, the scenery shifted — from academy grounds to open road, then toward distant cliffs where the sea shimmered faintly.

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