“What are you asking about? I know that he never told everyone about his past. You must be curious about that,” The Shadow asked

“A small part of it, but I was curious about what you said earlier. What happened to Risk? Why had he been sad for so many years?”

The shadow smiled behind the black smoke. “I can't tell without Risk's permission. However, I can say that Risk is going through a great deal of anxiety.”

“Really? Had Risk lost someone he loved?” Elisia guessed.

The shadow shocked. “How can you...”

“You know, I experienced it too,” Elisia said while lowering her head, “I lost my parents who loved me. I can never forget them even for a second. They are always in my heart. It always makes me so frustrated that I can't do anything. I think Risk feels the same way.”

The shadow reached out and stroked Elisia's head. This rough touch was very similar to Risk. Elisia felt comfortable about it, plus it reminded her of the people who loved her back then. However, she had promised herself to forget that painful past.

“Looks like you should ask Risk directly. He'll be back soon,” the shadow said, “with my disappearance.”

“Wait!” Elisia held the shadow's hand. “I don't know your name yet.”

“Shadows have no name. If you still want to call me, use Sulliviahn.” The shadow disappeared like smoke.

Elisia ran downstairs to greet Risk. She had felt nothing like this in her life before. Arriving downstairs, Elisia saw Risk with a rather disheveled face. The girl approached intending to help, but Risk ignored her.

Risk walked into the small room where Scott had played chess with him this morning languidly. Elisia understood that her mentor must be exhausted. He looked shabby, with disheveled clothes. Elisia wouldn't bother him tonight.

“I'll wait until tomorrow. Sleep well, Risk!” Elisia said, who could only see from afar.

Elisia walked into the room with delayed curiosity. The shadow of Risk seemed to know about the events that had happened to Risk over the years. Elisia never realized how Risk's life struggles to deal with sadness so far. The only person who knew Risk long ago was Scott.

“But Scott certainly doesn't know. Risk is too mysterious for a special forces member, as Captain Hans said,” Elisia muttered as she walked.

With a heavy heart, Elisia entered the room with all the strange thoughts about Risk. Elisia had not to feel sleepiness yet in her eyes because she had woken up from a nap too late. The girl laid down forcefully until her face hit the pillow.

The blonde-haired girl turned around and looked up at the ceiling. She kept thinking about Risk and the sadness he was going through. Actually, Elisia was very curious about the person who made Risk happy before her presence.

“Is that woman so beautiful that can colors Risk's life? Haah, if something could open the secrets easily as opening a book,” Elisia muttered in the darkroom.

Throwing away all the thoughts that were bothering her, Elisia wanted to read [Monstra]. She had barely touched the book since defeating Forgotten at Grasswood. She opened the first sheet containing the slug. Suddenly, Elisia closed the book because the slug disgusted her. However, her curiosity was stronger than her disgust.

Elisia read again on the slug section. Luckily, Runga was a clean region, so disgusting creatures couldn’t be found here. Seeing the appearance of the slugs themselves, they were not dangerous creatures. However, there were some of them was poisonous.

“Slug often found in damp slum areas and some can live in a dry environment. A strange creature,” Elisia said while reading the book.

Despite being dangerous and repulsive, these creatures could become an EXP-producing field for Elisia if they lived in Runga. Even though they only gained a small amount of EXP when killing them, their large number made up for the shortfall. Elisia felt that these creatures were real and existed somewhere in this world.

Elisia enjoyed reading the book until it was late at night. She checked the clock on the wall; it was 11:47 almost midnight. Elisia had forced herself to sleep if she didn't want to wake up late. [Monstra] also stored in [Flame Pendulum]. However, this girl was still not sleepy.

“Oh my god, what should I do?”

Elisia suddenly remembered that there was one way to make her sleepy. Her mother often found Elisia had not fallen asleep even though it was already midnight. The woman gave him [Hot Chocolate Milk]. After drinking it, the girl immediately fell asleep.

“I wonder if Province keeps chocolate milk powder in the kitchen. Maybe I can make it,” she muttered.

Elisia got up from the bed and walked out of the room. The hallway deserted, with everyone sleeping. Elisia's footsteps on the wooden floor could be heard echoing in the hallway. She went downstairs and looked at the dining room for a while. There was a familiar figure sitting alone and drinking something. Elisia approached him.

“Risk, what are you doing here?”

The figure surprised. “Elisia, why aren't you sleeping yet?”

“Answer my question first!”

Risk smiled. “I was enjoying the quiet of the night. Even though we are in the city, I still get this calm.” Risk glanced. “Now it's your turn to answer my question.”

“I slept too late so my eyes didn't feel sleepy at all. I've been reading the book for quite some time, but it doesn't have any effect. Chocolate milk will help me.” Elisia turned around and walked towards the kitchen.

“When you're done making it, you can come back here again.”

Elisia paused for a moment. “Okay.”

Elisia entered the kitchen to look for chocolate milk powder. She had seen Province pour the powder as passed the kitchen. After checking all the cupboards and shelves, there wasn't a single jar or bag of chocolate milk. Not wanting to create a scene, Elisia left the kitchen.

The girl approached Risk, who was still sitting there drinking coffee. Risk looked at her, surprised that her little girl had brought nothing from the kitchen. Elisia sat beside Risk with her head lowered.

“You don't make a milk?” Risk asked.

Elisia shook his head. “I couldn't find the milk powder. Maybe I'll ask Vivi tomorrow.”

Risk took another sip of his coffee and silent again. Elisia still remembered what Sulliviahn, Risk's shadow, said about his grief. She was too embarrassed to ask that because a secret wouldn't be easy to tell to anyone who had it.

“Sorry if I didn't say it earlier, but I don't want you to get out of my sight. So, I used my shadow to protect you,” Risk said, breaking the silence.

“Risk, I already told you I'm fine. Don't worry about me anymore. I can take care of myself,” Elisia replied.

“I'm more worried about your status than you are. You are a fugitive. Everyone will do anything to kidnap you or hurt you. I don't want you…” Risk lowered his head.

Elisia turned. “Don't want what? Don't want to lose the one you love?”

Risk glanced at her flatly and smiled. “I don't think I can hide my feelings right now in front of you. You're very sensitive.”

Elisia held Risk's right hand. “If I'm being honest, your shadow said that you had suffered from your grief for years. Had you lost someone you love?”

Risk silent again, like before. They could hear clearly the sound of vehicles and activities outside the house. The silence it gave off differed from before. Elisia felt guilty for asking that.

“It happened a long time ago, before the ship exploded. There was a red-haired woman who was quite charming. She's chatty, grumpy, and hot-tempered, but she was very nice to me. We got to know each other when the Ghost Division Squad was formed. She always yelled at me until we fight. Until I found her eating ice cream, that's where our closeness began.”

“Wow, you must be lucky to meet her!” Elisia commented.

“She was a less than perfect woman, but I feel she was the only precious woman. She was cute when she ate ice cream and fierce when she fought. We often fought together in wars. She was so strong that it burned my clothes,” Risk continued.

“Really? What a great fire abilities!”

“Right. If she were here, she would definitely be willing to teach you a lot about fire abilities.”

“She must be a good woman. What happened to her?” Elisia asked curiously.

Risk silent as lowered his head. Elisia made others feel sad again, like before. Maybe she should keep her high curiosity.

“Late winter, 2018, a major attack took place at the Ghost Division's main headquarters. I was on a delivery mission at the time and came after hearing the news. I cut through the trees, up the hill, until I got there. However, I was too late.”

Elisia shocked that she covered her mouth. She didn't dare to make any comments because of the question she had asked. Risk rubbed his eyes, which shed tears.

“Many fires had occurred in the headquarters building. Corpses laid on the ground. I checked one by one, I still couldn't find her. I almost gave up at that point. Until when I checked the third garage, I found her with blood all over her body.” Risk continued to shed tears, but his tone remained normal.

“Could it she…” Elisia's heart was pounding.

“I wanted to call for help, but her hand was gripping me. She smiled sweetly at me and gave me this.” Risk issued a [Piece of Resistance level 10]. “I gave this thing as a present for her 23rd birthday. She liked it so much that she hugged me at that moment. At the end of her life, she returned it to me with that bloody smile.”

“So that's why you took good care of that thing,” Elisia listened.

Risk nodded. “This thing always reminds me of her, even though we have been separated by the world. Actually, this thing is an amulet that can give the user physical resistance from attacks. This thing keeps me alive.”

“Risk, I'm sorry. I've awakened the memories of your bad past. If it gave you the chance to see her again, what will you do?” Elisia held Risk's hand again.

“Hoping is one thing I hate the most. If there is someone who can do it…” Risk couldn't continue.

“I don't think you need to answer that. I don't want to make your heart suffer more.” Elisia got up from the chair. “I'm going back to my room.”

Suddenly, Risk caught Elisia's hand. The girl startled until a small sigh heard. She turned to face her mentor. The darkness of the room made her impossible to see his face clearly.

“I don't think anyone needs to do it. The dead will remain the dead. Now, I have a precious girl to take care of,” Risk said.

Elisia's face turned red after hearing that. Even though this wasn't the first time Elisia had heard that from Risk's mouth, his words always made Elisia's heart blush. If only she had that kind of ability, she also wanted to give her mentor happiness.

After her hands released, Elisia walked into the room through the already deserted hallway. She understood why Risk was still awake so late. This silence brought memories to everyone who was in it. This atmosphere also made Elisia reminisce about the past. However, a promise was a promise.

Elisia immediately laid down on the soft mattress again, hoping the dream fairy would allow her to close her eyes for the night. She had to get up early to prepare herself if Scott took her to the gathering.

The full moon shone on Elisia's room, blinding her eyes. Drowsiness came, but differently. Suddenly, Elisia fell fast asleep in no time. Her conversation with Risk must have had covered her eyes with dream dust. Don't let this opportunity go!

...

The sun had shone on some object in the world. People from the city started their activities as usual. The air was quite cold because of the rain that fell in the early morning, making the roads muddy. Slippery soil could be found everywhere, but that didn't stop people from fulfilling their responsibilities today. However, things were different for Elisia.

A princess was still sleeping in her dream. The cold air that slipped and pierced her skin couldn't make her move at all. A soft snoring sounded within the small room. Yep, Elisia was still lying down until this second.

Someone had knocked on the door several times, but the sound was still not enough to wake her up. The voices of the residents of the house kept calling her from outside the room.

“Elisia, wake up! Your breakfast will be cold!”

“Elisia, take a shower! I will prepare water for you when you wake up!”

“Elisia, Risk told me you were looking for chocolate milk powder last night. You will get your milk if you wake up!”

Province's voice was indeed very noisy. Elisia used to the chatty nature of the former archer. While living in the palace, Province always woke her up from a dream because her mother couldn't bear to wake her little daughter. Quite annoying, but Elisia always got a surprise after waking up.

Province's voice became unbearable. She had to stop all this so she could sleep again. Elisia got up from the bed with heavy steps, then approached the door. Just as she was about to touch the doorknob, Province knocked on the door until hit Elisia in the face. Her body fell.

Province panicked to see her foster children lying on the floor. “Elisia! Are you okay?!” She shook Elisia's body. “Someone, help Elisia!”

People came to Elisia's room. In a semi-conscious state, Elisia could still feel her friends around. Her body slowly lifted onto the bed again. Finally, she could lie back down.

Upgrade interrupted her fun again. Both of his hands touched Elisia's chest until her eyes widened. An energy stung her chest like an electric shock. Elisia sat on the bed. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

“Thank goodness you're okay. I'm sorry I didn't see you behind the door. I thought you were still sleeping,” Province said.

Elisia held her head. Dizziness was attacking her head. The banging of the door on her head really hurt, but it did not hurt her in the slightest.

“Yeah… I'm fine…” Elisia said quietly, “It would be better if you opened the door slowly. I understand if you want to wake me up.”

“Once again, I want to apologize for my mistake. If your head hurts, just call me!” Province said, who kept looking down.

Elisia laid back down after the small problem that happened to her. It would benefit her because she didn't have to get up early to do her usual activities. This was what she often did when lived in Gwelissa. However, her mother always scolded her and often called her 'Lazy Beauty'.

Everyone left Elisia to let her rest for a few hours until her head recovered. However, Risk stayed and continued to stare at Elisia. She felt blushed by Risk's behavior.

“Is there any problem?” Elisia asked, who covered her mouth with a blanket.

“Nothing. I just noticed the shape of your attractive, deceitful aura. I think you're fine,” Risk divulged with a smile.

Elisia covered her head with a blanket. “I’m really dizzy from the impact. I'm not lying!”

Risk pulled the blanket off Elisia's face. “Don’t lie! Get up!”

Elisia got up from the bed with a sluggish body. Her eyes glanced sharply at her mentor. If only Risk could not read auras, maybe she could sleep for another hour.

“Okay, you got me!” Elisia shifted to the edge of the bed. “I'm still sleepy, you know! Won't you let me sleep for a few more hours?”

“I know you slept really late last night, but that's no reason to be lazy. Scott will invite us to meet with Ilya at 11.00, so you should be prepared.” Risk walked to the door. “We will practice again to test your skills. At least, I can make your body fit.”

An important lesson for Elisia; never lie in front of Risk. Maybe the man's reaction was normal, but his words would make anyone admit what they did. The ability to read auras could distract everyone.

Elisia stood up and stretched her body. Her bones rubbed against each other until the sound echoed. The girl walked to the mirror and tried to greet Elena. No response from the mirror. Maybe her sister was busy this morning.

Suddenly, a hairpin came out of the [Flame Pendulum]. Elisia surprised and took the object. Apparently, it was [Christ Hairpin]. Her memory of Christ flashed through her head again. She held the hairpin close to cheek.

“Christ, I miss you again!” Elisia whispered into the hairpin.

“Eehh... Has my sister ever fallen in love with someone else?” Elena appeared from the mirror suddenly.

Elisia shocked and stuffed the hairpin into the [Flame Pendulum]. Then she approached the mirror. “No, I was just imagining it!”

“It's okay if you fall in love once. You're a girl. You are old enough to find a man you love. Are those men one of them?” Elena thought. “Oh, what was his name earlier? Christ, huh?”

“Elena, stop it! You embarrass me!” Elisia's face reddened.

“I was just teasing you and you ended up blushing? You're as shy as ever.” Elena brought her face closer to the mirror. “What are you calling me for? I won't tell anyone. Take it easy!”

“I just wanted to say hello to you this morning. I wonder what you are doing there,” Elisia replied.

Elena sighed. “Luckily, I'm not working today. I can't tell you that because it's a personal matter. Maybe I can convey it a bit.”

“Okay. I think we should meet.”