The city went on with its bustling night—some selling, others buying, loud sounds beating from night clubs, etc.
But in a certain apartment, compared to the lively streets outside, the place was unusually calm.
Desmond stood, staring indifferently at the familiar faces of the figures clad in white.
"Master Comfort, I missed you so much." Susanna squealed as she hugged tight—from behind—a blonde woman sitting a stuffing chair beside Desmond.
The woman chuckled, holding on to Susanna's hand, smiling delightfully. "I missed you too, Susanna."
"Heh! I'm even at a loss of words." A man with jet black hair sitting beside the woman said, scratching the back of his head with a nervous grin.
"Hmph! So, this is where you've been hiding, huh?" Richelle said as she sat in a couch opposite them.
Father and Jean sat at each sides of her, both shaking their heads with a slight smile on their lips.
Farouque crouched in a corner, looking uninterested, playing games on his phone with a bored look on his face.
Maxwell stood beside him—bent, one hand on his waist, the other on his chin—looking at a portrait of Desmond and his parents behind him on a table.
He gave a small nod, turning to the couple. "Who would have thought you two were the parents of Desmond?"
"Of course." Benjamin—the man with the black hair—sighed as he looked at Maxwell. "We never told you guys, right? Only Master Taro knew."
The masters—except Farouque—frowned with disappointment.
Especially Susanna who pulled away from the Desmond's mother with a pout. "What? But you didn't tell me? Master, you're so mean."
Comfort turned to Susanna with a sweet smile, reaching out to grab her hands. "Oh, Suz dear. I'm so sorry I never told you. You'll forgive your Master, right?" She said in a somewhat sweet voice, lowering her voice on purpose and casting Susanna a cute look.
Susanna stared at her for a while, almost melting at the sugar-coated tone from Comfort with teary eyes.
To her, Comfort was like a goddess and anytime she gave that look, it looked as if it was radiating a bright light.
She quickly shook her head, wiping the tears from her eyes and nodded. "Of course. Why wouldn't I?"
Comfort's breath hitched, her eyes teary as she brought a hand to her mouth. "Really? Oh Suz..."
The two former master and student embraced each other, drowning in emotions as they giggled.
The other masters—except Farouque who was still on his phone—shook their heads with the same thing in mind.
That Susanna! She fell for it again.
Maxwell groaned, pointing a finger to Comfort. "Listen, I still haven't forgiven you, okay?"
"Well, I don't care either way." Farouque snickered, not even looking up from his phone.
"No one asked you." Maxwell yelled at him with rising irritation.
"Thank you Susanna." Comfort said, still hugging Susanna. "You're the best."
"Hey. Pay attention, will ya?" Maxwell yelled at her, his irritation showing clearly.
Jean, Father and Richelle exhaled slowly simultaneously.
I guess some things never change, do they?
Maxwell sighed, straightening up. "Still, I'm surprised you guys had a child. How'd you do it?"
Both of Desmond's parents turned to him with blank expressions.
"How did you get your kids?!" The two asked at the same time.
Maxwell immediately looked away with a nervous chuckle. "Ne- Never mind. Forget I asked."
"By the way..." Comfort paused, turning to the elders across her. "How did you guys meet up with Desmond?"
Desmond's eyes twitched as he stared at whatever was going on.
These guys are so caught up in their little reunion that they've forgotten I'm here? Or am I just invisible?
"By the way..." Benjamin called out, attracting their attention. "How did you guys end up with Desmond?"
The warmth in the masters' expressions suddenly disappeared as the room grew tense again.
"I'll go straight to the point." Jean spoke up as the parents turned to him. "We're taking your son to the academy right now."
Both parents gasped, surprise lacing their expressions.
Benjamin was the first to recover and speak up. "But... But why? What's going on?"
The masters went quiet again, neither knowing how to say the next words.
Father cleared his throat before continuing. "We've been able to confirm that he's being targeted."
The couple squeezed their lips, scowls forming on their faces.
"To be clear..." Richelle spoke up this time. "We haven't found out why though... yet. But it's very likely they noticed something during their attack against the candidates."
"In fact..." Maxwell chimed in. "We think specific other candidates who were on the same island might be in danger too."
"That's right." Farouque finally lifted his head, shoving his phone into his pocket. "The bravery and fight the kids put up on the island is something they never expected."
Father nodded with a hum before adding his thoughts. "Most inexperienced kids would have rather chosen to run away and stay safe... but these kids chose to fight rather than flee."
"Yeah." Richelle said crossing her arms beneath her chest. "From the enemy's perspective, these kids have proven too dangerous to ignore."
"So..." Comfort leaned forward with worry in her expression.
Father smirked, lifting a hand. "That's why we've sent every master we know from the academy to go collect the candidates. Their opening ceremony... has been moved to tomorrow."
Desmond blinked once. Twice... as if still thinking through what Father had just said.
As soon as things settled in, his brows shot up. "Wait."
Everyone turned toward him.
"Tomorrow?" His brows furrowed.
"You mean I have less than twenty-four hours to prepare?"
Maxwell scratched his cheek. "Uh... pretty much."
"But..." Desmond tilted his head, looking from face to face. "What about the other candidates? Do they know about this?"
"Don't worry." Maxwell said, putting up a thumb. "We already had other masters from the academy spy on the other candidates just like we did to you."
"That's right." Richelle leaned forward, resting her chin in one palm and smiled.
First time she'd actually smiled throughout their little reunion. "And we just sent word for them to collect the selected candidates and bring them to the academy by sunrise."
Jean raised a finger, drawing attention. "Once we've had them in the academy premises, we'll be able to keep an eye on them and ensure their safety at all costs."
Maxwell nodded in agreement. "That's right. And it'll be easy since the academy has a barrier that detects when a demon tries to enter."
"I see." Benjamin said, sighing in relief. "Then I guess there's nothing to worry about then."
Comfort lowered her gaze, a hint of worry in her expression once again.
It didn't go unnoticed by Desmond.
Benjamin and the other masters caught on as well.
They've all been with her long enough. They could read her like an open book.
Desmond stepped closer, placing a hand on her shoulder.
She looked up at him, seeing a bright grin on his face.
"Don't worry mom. I'll be fine."
Comfort's mouth parted slightly. She wanted to believe it. She really wanted to... but she just couldn't stop worrying.
Desmond moved behind the stuffing chair, hugging her from her back.
"I haven't changed my mind about avenging Grandpa..." He whispered.
"But I'm not stupid enough to go after the enemy in my current state. I'm going to train and get stronger... until I can take on the demon on my own. I've seen his power so I know how strong he is."
He pulled back as his mother looked up at him.
"I'll get stronger than the demon I saw that day—" He paused, shaking his head. "No..."
A smile slowly spread across his face.
"I'll go even further than that." His eyes sharpened with determination.
"Three years, Mom. Just give me three years. I'll surpass even Master Class. I promise."
"Desmond." Comfort muttered under her breath, her lips parting slightly. The look in his eyes reminded her so much of someone else.
She tilted her head slightly to Benjamin who looked back at her, confusion lacing his expression.
Then she glanced back up at Desmond, one hand slowly reaching up to cup his face.
"For all the times I've known you..." She mused inwardly. "You've always been a reckless one."
A gentle smile carved its way across her lips.
"But if you've promised..."
Looking at Desmond's determined expression, a figure flashed in her mind.
The figure looked so much like Benjamin... except it was younger.
Desmond moved his head, leaning his forehead against hers.
Benjamin leaned back, folding his arms with a grin. "Make sure to keep that promise, reckless guy."
Maxwell snapped. "You're in no position to call someone else reckless." He said, pointing a finger to Benjamin accusingly.
Almost everyone there laughed at Maxwell's words.
Desmond pulled back, glancing over at his father. "Don't worry, pops." He said holding out a fist. "I'll definitely keep my word."
Benjamin's grin widened. "Whatever you say, spot." He said, bumping his fist with Desmond's.
Everyone's expression softened at the scene.
A fist bump was always a simple gesture to everyone... but this one was different.
It carried meaning.
Purpose.
It sealed a promise.
Farouque was the first to recover, pulling out his phone to continue with his game. "Hey. Shouldn't you be packing up by now? Waiting for you here is such a drag."
Desmond sighed, straightening up. "Yeah, yeah."
He turned around, waving as he climbed upstairs.
The sound of his footsteps faded little by little until stopped, followed by the sound of a door opening and closing.
Richelle turned to Benjamin, her expression still as blank as ever... but there was a hint of respect in it.
"Hey, Benjamin. Did you perform some sort of character transfer on your son?"
Maxwell chuckled at the question. "I remember back at the academy when you said you'll hit master class within three years."
"Wait, what?" Susanna gasped. "Did he actually do it?"
Maxwell nodded. "He actually did. That's right, you weren't at the academy by then, were you?"
Susanna turned to Benjamin, her eyes glimmering with newfound respect for him.
Comfort giggled. "He was really cool and admirable. You should have seen it, Susanna."
She moved a hand, lacing fingers with Benjamin. "Maybe... that might have been one of the many reasons why I fell in love with him."
The masters there went quiet, all nodding with silent agreement.
A smirk graced Benjamin's lips as he squeezed Comfort's hand, appreciation lacing his gaze.
Farouque just looked up at the couple from his phone.
The made a small "hmph" going back to his games.
But even he had a small smile on his lips.
Outside the apartment, the city went on with its usual evening business, completely oblivious to the warmth seeping out of every corner of the apartment.