The Ark Of Quiet Night Before Battle

"There's no need for you to concern yourselves about it. Instead, focus your might and power on protecting the humans and Mages of the Domains. Finding the root of the cause is a task only to be fulfilled by our covert task force..."

"And we've got a Time Master on our side, so there's nothing to fear when it comes to getting information from our enemies," said the headmaster, grinning.

"You are putting too much faith in the boy, Headmaster..."

"Besides, all of us have individual targets to go after, so we better plan it out before heading into battle," said the Headmaster.

Meanwhile, the Valkyrie and Time Mage were busy tucking the children to sleep as Bryan and Rina napped by the side, with the Spearman's head on the Slayer's shoulders. Mavislin smiled as she asked the Old Chapel for a large blanket of pure fluffiness to cover the sleeping Pillars.

Ashley smiled bittersweetly upon looking at the scene and walked over to Mavislin. The training Pillars were all sleeping in one corner, with Nasima in the middle. Duncan had difficulty sleeping since he had many things in his head, but he eventually dozed off.

The Valkyrie noticed that Bryan and Rina were sleeping and went over to the two Pillars.

"Even though they argue most of the time... I can tell that two of them would make great partners for each other," whispered Ashley.

"Are you proud of them?" asked Mavislin, covering her underlings with the fluffy blanket.

"What do you mean by that?" questioned the Marksman, raising an eyebrow.

"I had a nasty feeling that you don't see the new Pillars as powerful as you are because they are new. So thus, when they showed off their powers during the training for the orphans, they showed you how powerful they can be and how they earned their status of being First Seats of the Pillars."

"So that's why Bryan always volunteered to be with the fighters despite having a front-row seat without being in the pit. And why Rina went all out with Midori on the first day to establish respect in the class... They were trying to get validation from me?"

"Did they succeed in doing so?"

Ashley chuckled as he shook his head. Mavislin tilted her head to the side as she watched Ashley smile brightly.

"Why would you think I needed to judge my juniors that you have chosen to be the First Seats? I cannot question my lady's decision of making anyone her First Seat Pillars, so why are they seeking validation from me? They should be showing off their powers to you, dear Valkyrie!"

"Even if you were to drag some crackhead from the sewers to become part of the Barren Pillars, I wouldn't be bothered since it is your judgment to allow such a person to fight alongside you and for the Arks. I have no say in this! I have never thought those two any lesser than myself."

"Hell, if anything, I am happy to see that Rina and Bryan are both Mages that are skillful in combat other than using their Magecraft. I never thought Mages could be so diverse in their combat skills until I met those two. You can't always rely on powers when skills like 'Nullify' are around."

"Rina would make an excellent mother with how she protected the children when I came to crash the party. While Bryan would be like the elder brother for all the kids as he is thoughtful behind all his actions and cares for his underlings," noted Ashley.

Mavislin tensed up with the mention of Rina being a mother as her face was consumed with sadness.

"The whole reason we met the Flower Mage was that she was given false hope to revive her dead child. Rina was a mother before... And now she's not because of a creature that could not let go of his past. The arrogance of others has caused the misery in my Spearman Pillar..."

"That's why she chose to join us in liberating the camp and saving these kids. No other child can replace her firstborn, but it's a stepping stone to recovery and finding what she wants to do with her life," said the Valkyrie, gently stroking Rina's hair.

"Ah... So that's why she struck me as a mother before a Mage or fighter. I applaud Rina's resolve to continue living on and protecting children that aren't hers," replied Ashley, sitting down.

Mavislin did the same and cracked her back. Since most of the people were asleep, it was safe for the Valkyrie to extend her wings to relieve the pain of keeping them couped up.

"No matter how many years have passed, I will never get tired of looking at your beautiful wings, Mav," said Raiyen, joining his girlfriend.