Then everyone took permission to leave. They began drifting away in small clusters, clasping hands briefly or exchanging quiet nods. Shoulders were slumped, steps dragging against the stone floor as if the weight of the day pressed down on every joint. The air smelled faintly of damp earth and old incense from the mourning grounds, heavy and unmoving.

Ren lingered at the edge of the crowd, his gaze following the slow procession. A few of the councillors exchanged murmured words with the wounded before stepping into the fog that clung to the pathway. Lantern light swayed in the distance, casting long shadows that crawled over the ground.

Ervin's eyes followed the group until he noticed Ren turning to leave. His voice came low and steady.

"Ren, stop. I want to talk to you about something. You stay, everyone else can go."

Ren froze, then turned, unsure why Ervin's tone carried no warmth yet no malice either. His face was unreadable, the dim light tracing the sharp lines around his eyes.

The others continued moving past them, boots scraping softly over the stone. A few glanced back before disappearing through the archway. Soon, only Ren and Ervin stood in the clearing, surrounded by the stillness that followed grief. The sound of distant footsteps faded, leaving the quiet thrum of night insects and the faint flutter of the banners overhead.

"I know you must have a lot of questions in your mind as to why I stopped you," Ervin said, his voice low, almost swallowed by the night air. "Don't worry, I just want to thank you. If you were not there, maybe none of us would have been able to escape from the vestiges. But yes, it is also true that if you came earlier then casualties will not happen much."

Ren's jaw tightened. His eyes lowered for a moment before he met Ervin's gaze again.

"Forgive me. I was very upset at that time. You hid the truth from me. That's why I went there without thinking to know the truth. I admit that all this happened because of my mistake."

Ervin shook his head, a slow, deliberate movement. "No, it's not your fault. If you were not there, they would have found another way to break the shield. So don't blame yourself. I haven't stopped you because of this. I want you to go and meet your family and your friends. I hope Vael has told you everything. Whatever happened and what is going to happen. And about your family too. Don't worry, your family is safe."

Ren shifted his weight slightly, his fingers curling against the fabric of his sleeve. "Yes, they have told me. But will they let me enter there? Without any ID proof?"

Ervin extended his hand slowly, and a faint blue glow coiled around his palm. Mana condensed, swirling until it shaped into a polished token, its surface etched with shifting runes. The light pulsed gently, casting a reflection in Ren's eyes.

"Take this. With the help of this you can go inside. Those people will not stop you."

Ren reached out, feeling the cool metal settle into his palm, the hum of magic faint but steady, like a heartbeat.

Ren took it from Ervin's hand, the cool weight of the token pressing into his palm, its faint blue glow pulsing against his skin. He closed his fingers around it.

"Thank you. I will never forget this favor."

Ervin's gaze didn't waver. The wind shifted, stirring the edge of his cloak. "This is not a favor. We need you, Ren. And anyway, you have been a student here. It is our duty to protect you and your family. We have lost many people… too many. We could not save them, but we can hope we do not lose anyone now." His eyes drifted upward, toward the broad sweep of the evening sky, where streaks of orange and violet bled into one another like fading memories.

Ren followed that gaze for a moment, then said quietly, "Thank you again. Don't worry. If time favors me, I will definitely work with you." His eyes searched Ervin's face, catching the shadow of weariness there, the sadness etched deep.

Ervin exhaled slowly, his voice lower now. "Okay, Ren. Everything is a game of time. Now go and rest. You must be very tired." His eyes, however, were still caught in that endless sky, as though hunting for something only he could see.

Ren bowed, a respectful dip of his head, and stepped back. His boots scraped softly against the worn stone path as he turned and began to walk away. Ervin remained still, watching him.

The space between them stretched wider with each step. Ren's figure grew smaller, the blue token still faintly glowing at his side. The cold wind threaded through the open field, lifting the ends of Ren's coat. Beyond the edge of the vast ground, his silhouette wavered, blurred by the dimming light, until it was swallowed by the valley's shadow.

Ervin stayed where he was. Alone now. The night was gathering, the cold breeze curling through the grass and whispering against the stone walls. The sun dipped low, touching the horizon with a brief, gentle kiss before vanishing. Darkness pooled across the field, but Ervin did not move. His figure stood like a lone sentinel in the center of the silent ground, the sky above him a deep and endless void.

The wind carried a low whistle through the empty grounds, tugging at Ervin's cloak. He remained motionless, his eyes lost in the black stretch of sky. The weight of the day pressed on his shoulders, and yet he stood as though the cold itself could not move him.

Soft footsteps broke the quiet. They approached carefully, almost hesitant not to disturb him.

"Sir… please, come inside the facility. You should take care of yourself."

The voice was gentle, but firm enough to cut through the haze in his mind. Ervin turned slightly, his gaze meeting the young woman who stood a few steps away. Her dark hair was tied back, strands tugged loose by the wind. A crest pinned to her uniform's shoulder gleamed faintly in the fading light. She was his assistant one of the most loyal members of his team.

He studied her for a moment. Her expression carried no impatience, only concern.

"You've been out here for hours," she added, lowering her voice. "The night will get colder."

Ervin's eyes returned briefly to the sky, as though reluctant to let go of whatever thoughts had held him there. Then, with a slow nod, he stepped forward. His boots brushed through the grass, crunching faint frost that had begun to form on the edges.

She fell into step beside him, adjusting her pace to match his. The facility loomed ahead, its tall metal walls catching the last traces of light. Dim crystal lamps flickered to life along the entrance path, casting a soft glow on the polished stone.

The heavy doors recognized their approach, sliding open with a quiet hiss. Warm air spilled out, carrying the faint scent of oil and parchment.

Inside, the corridor stretched long and orderly. Glass panels on either side revealed various rooms where his people moved about some bent over maps, others adjusting strange instruments. A quiet murmur of voices filled the air, undercut by the hum of machinery deeper within.

The assistant walked a step ahead now, leading him toward the central chamber. She glanced back once, her eyes flicking over his face as if to make sure he was truly present and not still somewhere out in the cold with his thoughts.

Ervin's gaze swept over the familiar hall, yet his mind remained elsewhere, weighed by the names and faces of those they had lost. Even here, in the warmth of the facility, the night seemed to follow him in.

The doors to the chamber closed behind them, sealing away the wind and the empty field outside.

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