Chapter 195: The Mature Boy
Kai had no idea who this boy was.
He also wasn’t quite familiar with how the family of the Angels lived in the Second Sky, but it should be somewhat similar to the Angels’ family members—in the First Sky. Gathered into one hive to help Angels operate more efficiently.
Being able to get his hands on cookies meant he worked in the bakery or worked somewhere he could gain valuables to trade for cookies. And from the boy’s hands, Kai could somewhat tell where he was working.
Scarred knuckles, thick fingers, and black dust packed every crevice.
Not the hands of someone as young as him should have.
However, what troubled Kai the most was the mask and equipment the boy was wearing.
It was rough and barely functional.
Even his breaths sounded heavier than the lieutenant despite being way younger.
Now, after seeing the boy bowing like this, Kai understood the gist of it.
"In that case, I can’t accept this good luck charm." Kai tried handing the acorn back. "I’m only a porter tasked with carrying equipment—and gathering minerals. I can’t help you with that. It’s the seniors who’d do the heavy lifting."
"I don’t really mind," the boy said, waving his hands. "You can still help my brother."
"Just take it." Bree placed her chin on Kai’s shoulder and then looked down at the acorn. "It’s not like it’s an actual good-luck charm. If you want to actually make it a good-luck charm, you need to make a sacrifice. Not only pray to it. Goddess Tyche lo—"
She stopped mid-sentence when she received a sharp glare from Kai.
No need for her to say all of that.
It was the intent that counted.
Bree tapped her head with her knuckles and smiled sheepishly, "I must be still sleepy. Don’t mind what I said."
Kai sighed and shifted to the boy again, "What’s your name?"
"Panas... My name is Panas."
"Okay, Panas, what’s wrong with your brother? What’s his deal with this Sky Gate?"
"I-I don’t want to take your time. I’m sure you’re busy."
"We have a few minutes to spare," Bree chimed with a shrug. "Go on. You can tell us."
Despite his hesitation, Panas eventually told them what was going on.
As it turned out, the Star Beast that crashed into the hive did so because of Panas’s brother.
He had deflected the slime monster’s charge poorly, and instead of pushing it back, he sent it tumbling clean off the cultivated cloud. Unlike the solid barrier between the First Sky and the surface, the layer separating the Second Sky from the First isn’t quite solid.
It is almost solid—mana-dense and harsh.
Normally, it could kill any Star Beasts that fell into it, but this one was more durable.
And this particular spot of the separation layer was weaker, so it managed to cut through.
Due to this fatal mistake, endangering the Angels in the First Sky—and their family members—the Eventide Academy gave him an ultimatum. And this ultimatum involved doing more than good enough within Asher’s group and successfully closing this second-strongest Sky Gate.
Failing in either of those would mean public execution.
And Panas would be executed alongside him.
"My brother is really protective of me. He valued me more than his own life—and I am scared he would do something rash to make sure he performed well," Panas wiped the tears that slid down his cheek without his consent—but more replaced them. "That’s why I hope you can at least look out for him and make sure he didn’t throw his life away."
Panas began sobbing.
His shoulders trembled from the barely restrained fear and sadness that he was feeling.
Because of his hands that were smeared with coal dust that he used to wipe the tears away—a fresh smear marred his face. Kai could feel his chest tightening as Panas, though don’t have the burdens Angels carried, had gone through a lot for his age.
Even the fact that he came to meet them and give cookies and acorns showed his maturity.
He was trying his best to help his brother through things that he could control.
It reminded Kai of his sister.
Before the accident, she was also the one who made sacrifices for him to grow.
In fact, even after the accident, she still made sacrifices as the one who’d listen to his struggles and make sure that his mental state remained unbreakable. He managed to go this far not because of luck or his natural talent.
No—it was because of the accumulation of lessons that Bella gave him to make him strong.
Make him the man he is right now.
Just then, Panas stumbled out of nowhere and fell to one knee with a painful groan.
Kai shot towards him out of instinct.
"What’s wrong? Are you hurt anywhere?" He asked, checking for any wounds.
"N-No... It’s fine," Panas smiled, trying to be reassuring. "Just a little tired, that’s all."
Despite saying that, Kai noticed Panas’s right hand was touching his back. It must be the source of the pain, but since Panas didn’t seem to want any help, he didn’t press further—and only helped the boy stand up again.
"Don’t worry. We’ll keep an eye on him." Bree leaned forward, a cheerful smile warming her features—as she tucked stray strands of hair behind her ear. Then she lifted her pinky finger. "I promise."
"T-Thank you," Panas’ eyes glint with excitement as he locks his pinky finger with Bree’s.
Just minutes ago, the seniors didn’t seem to care about his circumstances.
Panas could see it in their eyes that they didn’t care.
Not even the slightest.
So, feeling a sliver of warmth from Bree and Kai made him emotional. Genuinely happy.
"For starters, why don’t I help you do more for your brother?"
"How would you help me, sister?"
"I’ll help you pray to the Gods for your brother’s safety," Bree said and clasped Panas’s hands with hers in prayer. "Didn’t you know? A Supernal’s prayer would be listened to by the Gods more. So, you can pray for your brother through me.
"And instead of praying to Goddess Tyche, pray to Goddess Athena. Close your eyes."
Goddess Tyche has rule over the good luck of mortals.
But in this situation, Panas shouldn’t have been praying to her. His prayers should be directed to Athena—the goddess whose power reigned over the protection of all mortals. For the safe return of his brother and the Supernals who would fight beside him, Athena was the far more fitting patron.
Panas closed his eyes and prayed.
He prayed reverently with tears to Athena.
It took him a good minute to complete the prayer, and when he finished and opened his eyes, he was greeted by a breathtaking spectacle. His hands, which were clasped inside Bree’s hands, were seething with mana—a hot pink sizzle that went skyward.
As if it were trying to reach Olympus.
For a good moment, the exhaustion and worry vanished from Panas’s face.
His dark brown eyes reflected the hot pink sizzle that danced beautifully before him.
Perhaps Bree was only doing this to atone for her sloppy mistake earlier.
Perhaps this wasn’t for Panas at all—only another gesture meant for Kai.
He knew the sizzling mana was nothing more than decoration, not a sign that the prayer really reached Olympus. But the excitement in Panas’s eyes—the pure, bright mixture of excitement and happiness—made Kai grateful that Bree had done it anyway.
"Can you feel it reaching Athena?" Bree asked.
"Yes!" Panas nodded his head repeatedly. "Thank you, sister! I’ll never forget this."
Just then, another figure approached from the distance.
An athletic man wearing a tusked mask who was carrying several weapons.
He sprinted across the grassy plain hurriedly, stealing glances at the blue-tinged sunlight from the sky that was already gradually disappearing. Despite rushing the entire way, he almost pulled up short.
But then, he was caught off guard by the sight of a familiar young boy.
One he recognized almost instantly.
And without thinking, the senior ran toward Panas and stopped before him, looking down at the young boy’s small figure. The difference in their frame was stark as this senior stood over seven feet tall, nearing eight.
"Panas?" He gasped. "What are you doing here? Are you bothering these Angels?"
"I’m not bothering them!" Panas retorted; his pout could practically be seen through his mask. "You acted like I’m always causing trouble when I rarely cause any."
"I didn’t mean it like that." The senior smiled wryly behind the mask. "Don’t be mad."
"He’s not bothering us," Kai intervened, stepping forward. "Just sharing some cookies and good luck."
"I see," the senior nodded, then looked at Panas again. "Go on. Go back to the compound."
Panas wanted to say something more, but he decided not to.
Instead, he turned to face Kai and Bree and bowed deeply—thanking them for what they had done. The gesture had lifted his spirits to an incredible degree; he felt lighter than he had in weeks or even months.
With a final wave, he turned and ran off into the distance.
Only now did Kai and Bree realize how tired he must’ve been.
Panas must’ve gone from the compound to this camp on foot, and that must’ve been tiring.
"How far is the compound?" Kai blurted out the question. "Is he going to be fine?"
"About ten miles—but he’ll be fine. He knows how to rest along the way. He’s independent for his age." Grines exhaled roughly through his nose, then turned to face Kai at last. "I’d offer a handshake, but as you can see—" He glanced down at the weapons bundled in his arms. "My hands are full. Name’s Grines. I’m looking forward to working with you."
Moments later.
Grines was sent to fix the seniors’ weapons.
Anyone could see clearly that he was an outcast within the unit, the errand boy of the unit.
Not because he’s weak in any way, but because he wasn’t normally a part of this unit.
Just like Panas said earlier, Grines was sent to help Asher make up for his mistake with the Star Beast that fell down to the First Sky and crashed into the hive. And frankly—it was hard to imagine him being able to perform well in this kind of setup.
But it’s not like he had any other choice.
Once the Blue Eclipse waned, the Assault Unit finally made its moves.
Asher led the unit as they left behind the camp and charged straight ahead, covering miles in a few minutes. Soon, the grassy plain narrowed, and Kai could already see the two deserts that were flanking both sides.
"Draw your weapons!" Asher commanded with a roar, and the unit obeyed. "Time to bathe in the blood of Star Beasts."
Comments