The Birth of New Morning - Part 1

Akira woke up. The first rays of the sun pierced the curtains in his room. Mentally, he was exhausted, yet physically, he was perfectly fine. The last fragments of memories from the Dreamscape kept flooding back. The Dreamscape had crumbled right after they escaped "The Gauntlet." Liza fell, and both she and Merlina screamed. He and Zhenzhen had tried to do something, but were also falling into the abyss. His father smirked right before his drifting cloud boomed and blustered. Ota glared at his father, Todo Yamauchi, after the fall; his rage burned quietly, unlike Akira's fierce, open anger when he first learned of his mother's death.

Akira: "Damn it all!"

He tried to stand up. Sitting on his bed, he closed his eyes. Surprisingly, in his mind, in his pocket plane, there wasn't even a trace of Merlina.

Akira: "Merlina... I hope you're all right."

They had gotten lost in the Dreamscape together before, but this time, it felt different. Even in victory, the triumph rang hollow.

Akira gazed at the gleaming daylight behind the window. 

Akira: "At least the weather is nice today."

He stood up, packed his belongings, and prepared to leave for Ryoto International University. Akira only noticed now that his phone was still ringing loudly.

Akira: "Let's get going. I need to find out if Liza, Merlina, and Zhenzhen - they're all right."

Down the stairs, Mrs. Mariko tended to her morning routine, watering her precious plants by the window. Only then did she hear his footsteps and turn her head toward him.

She bows.

Akira whispered to himself.

Akira: "How I hate it when she does that."

But he swiftly smiles and bows to her in return. Mrs. Mariko seemed to retreat into a gentle shyness.

Mrs. Mariko: "Good morning, Master Yamauchi!"

Akira cut her off.

Akira: "Mrs. Mariko, please... I ask you never to call me 'master'."

She startled a little but continued in the same manner.

Mrs. Mariko: "Master Yamauchi! You need to watch the morning news. Your father, your father is..."

Akira: "What happened?"

Mrs. Mariko: "Your father, Master Yamauchi! He was in an accident. The newsman reports he broke his leg!"

Akira grinned.

Akira's Mind: "Only a broken leg, huh? After that explosion, I thought the old boar would've just twisted his ankle."

Mrs. Mariko turned on the TV and stood there, palms crossed, wearing the expression of a messenger who didn't want to lose her head delivering bad news. The reporter stated that a noodle delivery truck hit his father's car. The funniest moment in this report was that the noodle company's name was Apollo's Lyre.

Akira chuckled like a wolf at the door.

Akira: "An irony."

Mrs. Mariko looked at him, puzzled.

Akira coughed.

Akira: "Don't worry, Miss Mariko, noodle boxes can't crush my father that easily."

Miss Mariko let out a nervous titter.

Akira politely said his goodbyes and moved toward the exit. Mrs. Mariko waved cautiously and turned off the TV.

As soon as he stepped outside, he muttered.

Akira: "Only I can."

The street was just as it had been yesterday, bustling with lively people going back and forth. A "round maze," like Akira, named it long ago. He turns to the left and starts walking fast toward the "Barghest".

Akira's mind: "Let's hope Liza is there today."

Since yesterday was Monday, September 1, Akira hoped that Liza usually checked in with Maria on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, so he could meet her right away. Maria was the boss and Head Maid of the "Black Dog," the cafe where Liza and the other girls worked. It was one of the few truly exotic places around these streets: a "gothic maid" cafe. Akira quickened his pace.

He stood right in front of the "Barghest's" door when it suddenly swung open, revealing Liza standing before him, with Maria right behind her.

Liza blinked twice and spread her arms wide toward him, embodying the gentle roar of a steam locomotive—if a locomotive could ever be transformed into a human girl.

She hugged him like she was trying to squeeze all the air out of him.

Liza: "SENPAAAAAI! What are you doing here so early in the morning? I was going to check on you since yesterday!"

Maria closed the cafe door with the key, smirked, and looked at them.

Maria: "Hello there, killer."

Akira tried to breathe as Liza's grasp tightened.

Akira: "Hello, Liza, and Maria."

Liza wore the same black RIU female uniform as yesterday, slung over her shoulder. Maria still wore her "maid" outfit; however, since it was from a gothic maid cafe, she looked more like a killer, more so than Akira himself.

Akira didn't like the nickname she'd given him, "Killer," all because she had once seen him training with a real uchigatana at the dojo nearby. He absolutely hated being called that by her.

She was as tall as he was, with a slim build and a sharp face. Her curly black hair showered around her face, and right near her lips was a small mole, which somehow made her already beautiful features even more striking. Despite being Swedish, Maria somehow found herself running a gothic maid cafe in Ryoto, Japan.

Akira: "I'm glad you're okay, Liza."

Maria playfully bumped her hip against Liza's.

Maria: "I need to go to the bank ASAP, kiddos. Don't propose to Akira without me! Let me take the photo!"

Liza yelled.

Liza: "Maria, what are you saying?"

Maria: "See ya later, guys!"

Maria winked and ran away.

Liza finally released him, raising her hand in a goofy peace sign, her long, beautiful nails catching the light.

Liza: "I was so scared, you know! I still can't figure out what happened—who was that dude with the bow?"

She widened her eyes with an even bigger smile.

If Merlina could comment right now, she'd say Akira looked like an exhausted grave digger, and Liza like a magical girl sent to save him.

Akira: "Liza, do you know what happened to Merlina and Zhenzhen?"

Liza poked the side of her head.

Liza: "You'll never believe me, senpai! She's here—right in my mind. Crazy, right?!"

Akira: "She connected to your mind? How is she?"

Liza giggled.

Liza: "Ha-ha! Senpai, she's saying right now—you look so dead, like you've seen a few ghosts!"

Akira gave a tired smile.

Akira: "I can't believe you two. I assume you're both in a good mood and shape?"

Liza smirked, leaning forward slightly, her hands clasped behind her back.

Liza: "Did you miss us, senpai?"

Akira finally lost it, bursting into joyful laughter.

Akira: "Aye, Liza, I'm happy that both of you are all right."

Liza smirked again.

Liza: "Heh! You're too obvious, senpai! Are we going to RIU together? Merlina said you're forbidden to say no!"

Her sly "heh" always hits his soft spot deep inside.

Akira: "If Merlina said I can't refuse, then let's go."

Liza: "Aye!"

She beamed at him again.

Both Akira and Liza moved toward the metro station, following the path Akira and Merlina had taken yesterday—only this time, Merlina was with Liza, in her mind. Liza wore her uniform slung over her shoulders, with her shoulder bag hanging at her side, her jacket and shirt fluttering gently in the breeze. Akira walked with a slight slouch, his hands tucked into his pockets, while his slim document case dangled from one arm.

Liza joyfully hopped beside him, constantly turning her head toward Akira.

Liza: "Mel wants to know - what's your plan for today?"

Akira gave her his usual crocodile grin.

Akira: "Funny how yesterday she called you a witch - and not in a good way."

Liza widened her eyes a little.

Liza: "What? Mel, how dare you!"

Akira laughed out loud.

Akira: "It was before she actually met you. I told her she was overreacting..."

Liza muttered under her breath, as if she were arguing with someone inside her head.

Liza: "Stop right there, Mel! You've got nowhere to run! I cannot believe you said something bad about me in front of Senpai! Even though we're soul sisters now - I can't believe you thought I was a bad person!"

Akira laughed again.

Akira: "You're her natural enemy, Liza. An Oracle's white and azure flame usually burns strongly... but the only kind of magic they're completely defenseless against is yours. Witch spells."

Liza: "Not you too, Senpai! I don't like being called a witch! It sounds... wrong! Can't we call me something a little more stylish? Like... I dunno. Enchantress or Shaman!"

Akira raised a finger.

Akira: "A shaman, then."

Liza: "Enchantress sounds nicer, Senpai."

She was as cute as a baby deer when she said that.

Akira: "Then you're my enchantress, Liza."

Liza blushed.

Liza: "I have cast no spells on you yet, Senpai."

Akira: "I'm just kidding, Liza. How are you holding up after getting pulled into the Dreamscape? Although you can't fully suppress your Ars Goetian powers, you still have a choice..."

Liza interrupted him.

Liza: "I'm with you, Senpai! Both Mel and I will help you find this crooked Key of Solomon!"

Akira corrected her.

Akira: "Lesser Key of Solomon."

Liza barked.

Liza: "Who cares! Lesser, schmessher - it's all the same to me, Senpai! I'm here for you and for Mel, too. We're soul sisters now!"

Akira: "You mentioned that before - what exactly are soul sisters?"

Liza: "Mel said we somehow bonded together!"

Akira hummed thoughtfully and put his left hand to his chin.

Akira: "Another of your 'coincidences', Merlina."

Liza: "She now said - maybe it's fate!"

Akira let out a small cackle.

Akira: "Oh, so now it's fate, huh?"

Down the same road once again, Akira and Liza approached the metro station where Akira had met Ota "The Ossan" just yesterday. To his surprise, Ota was standing there again, as if nothing had happened.

Akira took a deep breath.

Akira: "Ranger."

Liza looked at him, puzzled.

Liza: "Say what, Senpai?"

Akira blinked, startled.

Akira: "Sorry, Liza. You asked earlier who that 'bowman' is — well, he's standing right in front of you now. I reckon you know who he is in the real world. Ota 'The Ossan' Nishioka."

Liza: "Wha?! The Pops?! Merlina mentioned 'ranger' before, but I thought he was just bonkers, Senpai. I can't believe we all got trapped in some goofy role-playing game! I'm the witch, you're the warrior, this dude's the ranger — so who's your dad, an Ice Giant?"

Akira gave her a teasing smile.

Akira: "He's a warlock."

Liza: "Who?!"

Akira: "A warlock, Liza. He can summon or tame powerful beings and chain them to himself. He might give a good first impression, but in reality, both in the Dreamscape and the real world, he's a tyrant."

Liza groaned.

Liza: "Woooow! I thought your dad was just a boring politician. Sorry, Senpai! No offense!"

Akira glanced at her.

Akira: "None taken, Liza."

He pointed at Nishioka.

Akira: "I need to talk to him."

Liza: "Are you sure? If he tried to kill your father, maybe he's dangerous! And he might try to kill you too!"

She paused.

Liza: "Shush, Merlina! I will protect Akira no matter what!"

Akira: "It's gonna be fine, Liza. We've met a few times before today."

Liza: "Are you sure?! Well then, if you say so. But I'm going with you. Let's talk to him together!"

Akira: "I was afraid you were going to say that. But... somehow, I'm glad you're with me, Liza. A friend in need is a friend indeed."

Liza blushed again. She tried to hold back her shouting, but it was all for naught. Containing Merlina in her head was a challenging experience.

Liza: "Mel! I said... SHUT UP! Yes! WE ARE FRIENDS with Senpai! AND NOTHING MORE!"

Clutching her chest like she was hiding a secret, she whispered.

Liza: "Unless he dares to want more."

Akira slightly leaned in toward her.

Akira: "Liza?"

She jumped a little, blushing even harder.

Liza: "It's nothing, Senpai! Just Mel talking nonsense!"

Akira gave a nod and pointed at the spot where Ota was standing.

Akira: "Let's go speak to Nishioka."

Ota "the Ossan" wore his usual rags and bamboo hat. The only thing different from yesterday was the toy bow with a blue suction cup he held. As before, he stood there as if nothing had happened.

Akira: "Here we go... I hope it goes smoothly."

Before he could finish, Ota, standing like a marmot, suddenly screamed and launched into the same bizarre preaching as yesterday.

Ota: "REPENT, FOR IT IS COMING!"

Liza burst out, too, but with laughter.

Liza: "Pops, stop it! I can't hold myself. He's so funny!"

Akira: "I'm sorry to bother you, Mr. Nishioka, but..."

Breathing deeply, he stood before Nishioka, turned back.

Akira: "Mr. Nishioka. We need to talk."

Ota "the Ossan" Nishioka remained still, showing no sign he'd heard. Then, after a long pause, he turned, grabbed Akira by the shoulders, and barked.

Ota: "WE MUST BE UNITED, NOT DIVIDED, I SAID!"

Liza chuckled awkwardly.

Akira gives him a long, steady stare.

Akira: "Mr. Nishioka. You know why I'm here."

As before, something shifted in Nishioka's expression. He dropped his hands and stood in silence.

Akira started to lose patience.

Akira: "Say something! Did you try to kill him? I understand why you did it. But why didn't you say anything yesterday?"

With a sad, raspy tone, Ota finally replied.

Ota: "I didn't try to kill him, Mr. Yamauchi."

Akira burst out.

Akira: "Don't call me that! I am not my father!"

Ota: "I know."

Akira clenched his fist slightly. After another deep breath, he pointed to Liza, struggling to contain his emotions.

Akira: "Mr. Nishioka, after what you did, a Dreamscape collapsed. There could've been people in there, not just Liza. Liza, a girl you see every day, half your age — she could've died! You know how powerful my father is in that world. You saw that explosion of power. You can't seriously believe you can face him alone like that!"

Liza pressed her lips.

Ota: "It was necessary, lad. He shouldn't have reached that pyramid."

Akira: "Pyramid? You mean that one floated in the sky?"

Ota: "Aye."

Akira looked thoughtful for a moment, then shook his head.

Akira: "I can't believe you did this, Mr. Nishioka. You're wiser than I am. I respected you. I know your past. And I always feel guilty around you! But you... You could've gotten not just my father killed last night, but two more people, including yourself."

Ota "The Ossan" adjusted his bamboo hat.

Ota: "Yet we're still alive."

Akira: "You don't think it'll always go that way, do you?! You've been informed about what's happening across the country—people are dying there, Mr. Nishioka."

He paused dramatically.

Akira: "If you want unity so badly, maybe try following your own advice."

Liza stepped in with a grin.

Liza: "You two look like someone did die! Everyone's fine—fine! I don't know anyone's 'backstory,' but hey, all's well that ends well, right?"

Akira glared at her, still tense.

Akira: "Liza..."

Liza gave a playful shout.

Liza: "DROP THE GLOOM, Senpai, I'M ALIVE! You seriously need to chill!"

Ota adjusted his hat again.

Ota: "She's got a point."

Akira clenched his fist again, but then he calmed himself.

Akira: "Fine. I'll drop the gloom for you. And because I hope Zhenzhen is alive too. Somehow... we all are. But after that burst of my father's power? There's no way he just broke a leg. It's madness."

Liza: "Ha! Senpai, don't blame Pops here. Maybe he got tired of being a 'Ranger' in this Dreamscape of yours and switched careers to 'Assassin,' huh?"

Ota gave her a weird smile.

Ota: "You've got a smart girlfriend, you know?"

Akira and Liza shouted in unison.

Akira and Liza: "We are not—!"

They both blushed and trailed off.

Ota "the Ossan" roared with laughter. 

Ota: "You, kids! I hope the Queen of Tales teaches you well. But if you ever enter that place together again, be more careful. I've got nothing to lose—you do."

Ota pointed his finger at Akira.

Akira flinched.

Akira: "I..."

He tried to speak, but was cut off by Ota's sudden, booming sermon.

Ota "the Ossan": "NOW! WE ARE STANDING HERE—WAITING FOR THE WORLD TO END! WILL WE ABIDE FATE, OR CHANGE IT HERE AND NOW? WHAT SAY YOU, PEOPLE? YOU—YES, YOU, BOY! DO YOU BELIEVE IN DESTINY?!"

Liza: "Ha! Pops, you're wild!"

Ota: "THE WORLD IS WILD, GIRL! BUT EVERYONE OF YOU CAN STILL CHANGE YOUR DESTINY!"

He opened his arms to the people moving past him.

Akira grinned.

Akira: "I can't believe you, Mr. Nishioka."

Ota: "BUT YOU MUST! BELIEVE IN FATE, IN DESTINY—BELIEVE IN SOMETHING! AND YOU WILL PREVAIL!"

Akira shook his head with tired amusement.

Liza: "No time to lose, Senpai! We'll be late for RIU!"

Akira sighed.

Akira: "Whatever."

Ota "the Ossan": "BUT BEFORE YOU GO, MY BLESSED CHILDREN... might I ask for a small donation for my troubles?"

He clapped his hands together, bowing.

Liza: "Heh. Here you go, Pops."

She handed him 5,000 yen.

Ota's eyes widened.

Akira: "Here you go, Mr. Nishioka. I hope next time we meet in the Dreamscape, it ends better than today."

Akira added another 5,000 yen.

After another sum of money was given to him, he widened his eyes comically even wider.

He howled like he'd just won the lottery.

Ota: "THE LARGEST BRIBE THIS WORLD HAS EVER SEEN! HA! I SHALL FINALLY FEAST ON 'JUDGMENT DAY' UDON!"

Liza giggled and pushed Akira to follow her toward the metro station stairs.

They rode the metro together, getting off at the station nearest to RIU. After they boarded the train, Liza finally put on her jacket. Swaying slightly as they held onto the railing, they continued talking.

Liza: "By the way, Senpai. Who was that girl from before, like yesterday? The one who looks like she's straight out of a religious order?"

Akira thought for a bit.

Akira: "Order? Ah, you mean Cleo. Miss Cleo Williams, we met at the monument."

Liza: "Are you serious? Merlina told me you took out a few guys before saving her and returning her book."

Akira: "Merlina is a true Queen of Tales, no doubt. First of all, it was just one guy who got hurt. Second—those guys were all affected by those gnoll creatures from the Dreamscape."

Liza: "No way!"

Akira: "But that was it. I just hope they'll calm down now and behave, especially around RIU."

Liza narrowed her eyes.

Liza: "Hey, Senpai. Question. Do you like her?"

Akira: "I'm not that kind of person, Liza. You know I'm busy. Especially right now."

Liza: "Ha! You dodger. I bet something did happen between you two yesterday!"

Akira: "Judging by your colorful imagination, I'm guessing Merlina already gave you a picture or two."

Liza giggled.

Liza: "She did! But I wanted to hear it from you, Senpai."

Akira: "There's not much to tell. We've only known each other for a few hours. If anything, I've known you longer."

Liza: "What can I say, Senpai? Maybe you're not that kind of person—but when it comes to telling a girl what she wants to hear, you totally know what you're doing!"

Akira: "Liza..."

Liza: "Heh, I'm just messing with you, Senpai."

After getting off at their stop and heading toward RIU, Akira and Liza passed by the same monument Akira had mentioned earlier, following the road that curved gently around it. Other people and students in RIU uniforms walked alongside them.

Among the crowd, Cleo Williams trailed quietly a few steps behind. After a brief pause, she gathered the courage to call out to Akira from where she lingered.

Cleo's voice trembled with hesitation.

Cleo Williams: "G... Good Morning, Mr. Yamauchi!"

Akira turned his head, with Liza right behind him.

Liza gave her a cat-like glance.

Liza: "Holy Roller!"

Cleo jumped.

Cleo: "W-who?"

Akira made a gentle two-finger facepalm.

Akira: "Liza, you're a menace sometimes, you know? Hello, Miss Williams. I'm honored that after everything since yesterday, you're still talking to me."

Cleo: "I... You don't have to be so formal. Cleo is fine."

Liza: "You're not gonna fool me, girly. I'm watching you."

Akira: "Liza..."

He shook his head, disappointed, then looked back at Cleo again.

Akira: "Cleo, then—from now on."

Cleo smiled at him.

Cleo: "Yes! And sorry, am I interrupting something?"

Akira and Liza blushed together.

Akira and Liza: "N-no!"

They exchanged startled glances.

Cleo giggled and gave a quick shake of her head to the left.

Cleo: "We got introduced yesterday, too. You're Lizaveta Pavlenko, right? Nice to meet you!"

She extended her right hand toward Liza.

Though Liza had been on edge from the start, Cleo's warm smile and the sunlight above gave her an almost halo-like glow.

Liza let out a long, groan-like breath and mumbled.

Liza: "I can't believe my rival is going to be this cute."

Cleo leaned in, still holding out her hand.

Cleo: "What did you say?"

Liza shook her hand with a goofy grin, speaking while doing so.

Liza: "I said it's good to know saints still walk among us, puny mortals, girly! But beware—I'm watching you. Although I hope we get along."

Liza gave her a playful "watching you" two-finger gesture.

Cleo's voice trembled again.

Cleo: "W-watching me, Miss Liza?"

Liza: "I can't believe you, girly..."

Liza dropped her hands.

Akira stepped between them.

Akira: "Liza, I think you owe Cleo an apology. Even if we're from different groups now, we can still be friends."

Liza glared at him, arms crossed.

Liza: "Friends, huh?"

Akira shrugged.

Akira: "What?"

Liza: "Nothing, Senpai."

Right after the handshake, Liza grabbed Cleo's hand and pulled her close.

Liza: "But you're walking by my side, girly—not Akira's."

Akira gave a nervous laugh and shook his head.

They got closer to RIU, where the amber gates were already in sight. While Cleo and Liza surprisingly got along fine after what had just happened, Akira observed the line of Zelkova trees flanking the walkway. With Liza and Cleo's chatter in the background, he watched the trees standing tall and broad, their summer green just beginning to shift. Some leaves had turned a soft yellow at the edges, while others still clung to their deep green hues. A light breeze rustled through the canopy, hinting at the season's slow change.

Liza: "So that's what happened yesterday? You kidding me, sister?!"

Cleo laughed behind her hand every time Liza, in all her goofiness, called her "Sister."

Cleo: "Yes, that's how it was."

Akira mumbled under his breath.

Akira: "Kill me, somebody..."

Liza: "Like I said - you're WILD, Senpai."

Merlina's voice kept tormenting Liza, but she stayed cool and didn't let on that she and Akira were part-time magical superhero weirdos gallivanting through some bizarre dream world called the Dreamscape.

Akira spotted Zhenzhen Mao standing with arms crossed in front of the same amber gates they'd passed through yesterday—then, only Merlina had been by his side. Akira, Liza, and Cleo were close; Zhenzhen Mao gave Akira a subtle smile, which Akira mirrored.

Akira rushed up to him.

Akira: "Hello again, Zhen, I'm glad you're okay."

Zhenzhen Mao: "As am I, Akira Yamauchi."

Mao looked different from how he appeared in the Dreamscape. Instead of the traditional Buddhist robe he wore there, he was now dressed as he had been yesterday—in the black male uniform of RIU, just like Akira. He still got his tattoo, though, in both realms. A vibrant, fiery emblem, intricate and alive with dancing flames, was emblazoned on his forehead, seeming to pulse with an inner heat. The symbol of his order, no doubt.

Liza tried to distract Cleo from listening to what they both had to say.

Zhenzhen: "You promised we'd escape the gauntlet together—and here we are, alive. I was wrong about you."

Akira let out a short laugh.

Akira: "Surprisingly."

Zhenzhen: "Please accept my apologies."

To Akira's sudden surprise, Zhenzhen gave him a 45-degree bow with palms and fists crossed in the traditional style.

Akira blinked in surprise.

Akira: "You don't need to do that, Zhen."

But he returned the bow.

They looked at each other for a brief moment, like old friends. Just last night, they had fought fiercely in the Dreamscape, and now here they were, standing in their school uniforms, looking like a pair of martial arts cosplayers.

Cleo startled.

Cleo: "The Gauntlet? That happened yesterday?"

Akira and Zhenzhen instantly straightened up. Zhenzhen, surprisingly, kept his cool—unlike Akira, whose eyes darted back and forth, searching for some kind of explanation for what Zhenzhen had just let slip.

Liza stepped in between Zhenzhen and Akira. 

Liza: You know 'em—boys! Video games!"

Cleo: "You mean they played this Gauntlet game yesterday?"

Liza scratched her head nervously, her gaze drifting to the pavement.

Liza: "Haha! Yeah... Something like that."

Zhenzhen leaned closer and whispered to Akira.

Zhenzhen: "Who is she, one of us?"

Akira: "No. She has the potential, but I think the fewer people involved, the better."

Zhenzhen gave a small nod.

Zhenzhen: "I agree."

While Liza continued doing her best to distract Cleo, Cleo herself extended a hand in formal greeting, her smile just as polite.

Liza muttered under her breath, toeing at nothing like she was kicking her own thoughts aside.

Liza: "Two goody-two-shoes finally meet. Glorious."

Unfamiliar with the handshake gesture, Zhenzhen simply bowed to Cleo in the same traditional way he'd bowed to Akira moments earlier.

Cleo startled and raised a calming palm.

Cleo: "Please, Sir Monk, I don't deserve such honor from you!"

Liza gave a sly grin.

Liza: "'Sir Monk,' huh? It's a shame I didn't see these two meet earlier."

Akira mumbled.

Akira: "Disaster..."

She elbowed him.

Liza: "Starting to talk like Mel, huh, Senpai?"

Akira gave a nervous chuckle.

Akira: "Huh."

Liza: "Anyway, hello to you too, baldy! You can just shake hands like this. Lemme show you!"

She extended her hand, grabbed his, and shook it like she was trying to rattle his soul loose.

Cleo's fingers formed a nervous peak.

Cleo: "Liza, stop! You can't do that! He's from the Shaolin Order!"

Liza paused mid-shake. Funny part was that Zhenzhen, with his muscular arms, looked at her like she was a dove that tried to shake the hand of a golem. 

Liza: "How do you know this stuff, Cleo? Are you one of the monks, too?"

Cleo: "No, I just read about them. I know all kinds of stories about righteous warriors of light! We're and Mr. Mao are in the same group - Group D!"

Akira blinked, visibly surprised.

Akira: "You are?"

He looked at Zhenzhen again.

Liza raised her hand and let out a deep sigh.

Liza: "Why am I not surprised, eh?"

Zhenzhen: "I greet you, too, Miss Cleo Williams. I hope we're going to be good coursemates, as well."

He bowed again while Cleo continued to look embarrassed.

Only yesterday, Akira Yamauchi had stood here completely alone in the physical world. Now, he was enveloped by the quiet camaraderie of friends as they advanced toward their new alma mater, Ryoto International University.

Bathed in warm sunlight, the four of them talked as they slowly passed RIU's amber gates together.

Akira glanced back at the sun once more. His mind felt strangely empty, quiet, now that Merlina was no longer in it. It was sad and, at the same time, nostalgic.

Akira's Mind: "Do you see me now, Mother? I will find the truth - one way or another. By obtaining the Lesser Key of Solomon, I will uncover what really happened to you. That, I promise."