Why is this world considered an ideal Utopia when there are people dying everyday? In fact, Alex had at first was unaware of this world unique traits. He hadn't known the attitude of common people...

Anyone who has accessed the internet long enough knew in their hearts that knowledge can be burdensome. Especially when the only thing that News Anchors inform these days are of tragedy and ominous signs. It made the world seem bleak.

Culture has been exchanged…

…but that also has unraveled the darkness of the past for each country before the modern era.

From the witch hunts, to the execution of patriots, to the indulging rulers abusive of their power.

Earthlings had gone through a lot to create stable societies. At least, they tried their best to create a not so narrow-minded, nor discriminative world for the people within it. They did all they could…

However, Gaia wasn't the same…

The World of Gaia was a lot different. Borders were truly ancient, and clear lines were formed between the Mystic Races of all Attributes. However, there was no despair formed from this great 'distance'.

On Earth, the only thing stopping people of different cultures, nations, and social standing from falling in love with each other was this same distance. Love couldn't be underestimated.

When they had children, those offspring would be subjected to being acknowledged by none.

It why there are some children who 'Were not meant to be born' are discriminated against.

Gaia had none of that though. People of different Mystic Races could love each other, but they would never be able to leave proof of their love behind after their deaths. The only 'proof' they had is growing old together until taking their last breaths.

Even though confined by Gaia's reality, they were allowed to dream and be together… as long as…

…they accepted the consequences of doing so.

Thus, there were no Romeos and Juliets double suiciding for love. Everyone had a future.

People are given ways to live on...

Classless Beasts were an example of this.

So what if the two lovers aren't meant to be?

Gaia gives all Mystic Races the opportunity to defect to another culture.

As long as one is willing to give up their Foundational Attribute, anything is possible to prove the intensity of one's love for another.

The only exception to this universal law... Would be Lily's parents: The Human named Minerva and the Werewolf names Draxus- No, perhaps he couldn't be called that anymore after becoming what was considered to be a 'Classed Beast' later in life.

Essentially, he became a Werewolf who gave up his lineage to become a true 'Human'.

His Body Enhancement formed into a true Spirit Essence and he also gained the Special Class of 'Watcher' from lingering traces of his past as a Moon Wolf heritage, who were know for their eyes.

It was too bad that all wasn't peaceful, especially after her mother gave birth to a second child.

Lily didn't remember when it was that her mother grew distant from her, when her father would accompany often out of pity, or when her little brother became jealous of her for gaining Draxus's attention. Her hateful brother wanted to travel with their father as well just like his older sister. Though he was too weak for it ever to have worked out...

The platinum blonde wolf girl reminisced until the trauma she feel guilty for arose in her heart.

There was a time she succeeded in getting her mother's attention one day as she was studying Elemental Theorems written by Mages of the Magic Association. Her mother, Minerva, happened to pass by, and praised her when she was able to learn her first Skill despite it going against what she was ACTUALLY talented in due to her species.

That day... she remembered the look on her six-year-old brother's face well as he saw this as his older sister taking the only person who loved him most away from him. She didn't know what to do that day as her brother became more introverted...

"It's not your fault." Was what her father told her after listening to her worries, while her mother was the same as usual. She didn't say anything, but the look on Minerva's face left an impression on her.

It WAS her fault. It was because of her that their family always had to deal with hiding her from other people as if she didn't exist... At least, that's what Lily believed. The contrast between her and her little brother became more larger over time.

"Why were you even born?" Was what her the little brother she would try to shower her affection on asked her as he looked at her life a freak. He went as far as to stabbing that wound... and felt she was being treated like an alien in human clothing.

She didn't WANT to be born as an Anomaly, nor did she ask to pitied on by her parents. After her brother went as far as to ask her that, she was unable to take it anymore and left for the Human Empire. She wanted to find a place to call 'home'.

Not a place that would be thoughtful to her, but a true 'home' where she would be sincerely accepted how she was... Many things happened on her road to get there until she eventually ended up in the mansion of an Anomaly similar to herself.

Currently in the present, she was meditating after the scholar, who she was getting to know, arrived.

She starting asking about a lot of things.

A weird look appeared on her face as she touched the marking that appeared between her brows.

This was her so-called 'God Centre'.

It had been some time since he'd entered her room and noticed something off about her attitude.

And once he realised what was off, the freak used helping her form her God Centre as an excuse.

There was no point talking about it...

But that didn't mean Alex figured out she was reminiscing of her past. Instead, it was something else that bothered him. The more he talked to his friend's friend, the more scared the freak became.

She couldn't remember the spearman that had beaten both her and Arthur up. When he looked through the window and saw his brawny childhood friend training his swordsmanship as if nothing had happened, he stopped biting his lip in anxiety.

Samuel wouldn't harm him or his friends. That's what he had told himself and moved onto Lily...

The freak found her to be a curious existence.

From what he knew: She had four Spell Slots, an Exclusive Skill unique to Anomalies, was a prodigy in close-combat, had enough knowledge rival him in the understanding of the Elements, and now even had a 'Aeon Form' similar to himself.

She was smart, polite, innocent, yet was not an ignorant girl. Lily was the embodiment of someone who had small flaws and gave any man the feeling that they could definitely win her over with time.

She was like his Mentor... A full-on Mary Sue!

"We are so similar." He indulged in self-praise since he had always saw himself of a similar standard.

"Pardon?" The countryside girl lifted an eyebrow.

Alex snickered with an ugly face like this: (ಡ ͜ ʖ ಡ)

His mouth formed a grin unconsciously, believing the two of them were the best Anomalies ever!

This guy really needed to get a life...

"Anyway…" Alex's face went back to normal before she saw how it looked and continued: "…Can I ask you something? It's about that chump... Or are you too busy even after I helped you grow stronger?"

The first response was her coughing up with an embarrassed look, before she started to speak:

"Thank you for sharing that crucial Theorem."

"Don't be so stiff. You're my best friend's friend."

"I'm being polite because I'm only that."

"Then why not 'Rank Up' and be my close buddy as well? We have the same hobbies, after all." Alex spoke confidently and felt more filled with courage after regaining his memories as a Grandmaster martial artist. Which was an attractive offer.

"Well..." Lily blushed, she liked the way the youth spoke to her. Unlike the prickly words he used from still holding onto a grudge after what she did to Arthur before (which almost killed him), now Alex was actually talking with a much sweeter tone.

The familiarity he showed put her mind at ease...

Not only was Alex an Anomaly who would probably be the only one to understand her most, he was also kind and genuine to her. She nodded her head at his request a few moments after he asked.

"...But first, are you really going to wear your hat indoors too?" The freak pointed it out to make her get comfortable. The memory of that clown-like 'Pierrot Aeon' that arose behind her while forming her God Centre made him feel intimate to her.

He was highly aware of her wolf ears and tail from observing her a lot more than he should... To the point normal girls would think he's a pervert! The only reason he was so conscious of her though was due to her having an 'Aeon' just like him.

Not everyone could form a God Centre from what he learnt after using his Runic Insight on her to its maximum potential. The only reason why both of them could form one was due to his Mechanical Aeon Reincarnation Art touching their souls.

When he saw her oddly mystical yet mechanical platinum ears, he became all the more certain...

Alex actually felt a little bad for what he had done to her. He wasn't sure about the specifics, but it must have been hard living through life with such an physical abnormality unique to her body...

"Ummm... What are you doing?" He was suddenly stunned after hearing her question and retrieved his hand that had accidentally patted her head. A rare look of embarrassment formed on his face.

He didn't know why his paternal instincts acted up.

"...Sorry." Alex awkwardly spoke but maintained his friendly smile, which she giggled to in response.

She didn't feel any ill-will or lecherous intent from him as he patted her. In fact, this was a first time someone other than her parents touched her head and ears... She liked gentle sensation but didn't want to come off as 'easy', so she coughed a little.

"Ahem, as long as you understand. Feel free to pat again after gaining my permission next time."

'She is gonna give permission?' Alex was secretly shocked, but didn't show how he had seen through her ruse... He found her innocence to be quite refreshing as he thought about the question he wanted to ask. It was time to change the subject:

"Have you ever seen Arthur getting angry?" This question made her tilt her head a bit in confusion.

"I thought he was always a short-tempered guy."

"Huh? What do you m- Ahem... I mean: He wasn't that kind of person from what I remember."

"I'm talking about the 'him' of right now. He seems to always look like he's preparing for something."

"What exactly?"

"I'm not entirely sure..." Lily shook her head as she looked to see the brawny youth training outside.

'Arthur is definitely hiding a strong power.' Was what she had speculated, but didn't tell Alex as it was just a random thought. She also didn't want to explain why she thought this way by saying that.

There was a fire burning deep within Arthur's heart that would never back down from any enemy...

It was at this point did the scholarly freak ask:

"Do you think he can move on?"

"...Excuse me?" The girl was perplexed, but Alex misinterpreted her response as him being unclear.

"I meant put his hatred down and channel it into doing something more productive with his time."

"...Arthur isn't even in the wrong. There's no reason for him to put down his desires." And you shouldn't be saying that...! Those last words she didn't say as she looked at him deeply… with a serious look.

"I know he hates the Mirror Cult, but there's more to life than malice." He smiled and calmed her down. To him, who had seen many things in his long life, and could view things in a broader perspective, he knew that Arthur wasn't 'wrong'.

However, not only was it unhealthy and toxic to be chasing down a now-reformed religion with murderous intentions, but most of all, he couldn't let his friend fall victim to what Samuel warned.

He wasn't sure of the specifics of when a 'Wrath Attribute' Spell Slot would form within his brawny friends, nor was he aware what would happen in those ten days starting from tomorrow.

The only thing he could do was try to stop Arthur before it was too late. As long as he was able to persuade the brawny youth, then there would be less to worry about him getting himself killed.

This wasn't about right or wrong, but what would benefit his friend most. Even though the 'reformed' Mirror Cult still seemed suspicious, he couldn't find a reason for why he should let Arthur go get himself killed by attacking them by himself.

Lily could only sigh and shake her head as he left his seat, and already expecting to see a brawl...

This was certain considering how she realised that Alex and Arthur seemed more opposite to each other than ever before. The contrast was so jarring that she wondered how they even became friends.

She could only hope they can peacefully come to a resolution rather than destroying Alex's home.

That was the best she could hope for...