The Morning After Countless Deaths

Kaito's eyes fluttered open, heavy and gritty. He woke utterly exhausted, the mental strain of experiencing countless deaths in the dream realm a palpable weight on his mind. Each reset, each sudden jolt of pain, had taken its toll, even if his physical body bore no injury. Yet, despite the profound weariness, Kaito felt undeniably different. Stronger. He was adapting to Durandal's acquired power, learning to wield it more efficiently, his movements more fluid even in his exhausted state.

The scent of cooking drifted to him from somewhere deeper in the church. As he slowly pushed himself upright on the cot, the door creaked open. The young blonde girl from yesterday peered in, her wide eyes immediately falling on his drawn face.

"You look awful!" she exclaimed, rushing over with a worried frown. "Are you alright, mister?"

Her genuine concern was a small, unexpected comfort. Kaito managed a weak smile. "Just a bit tired. I'm fine, really."

"I'm Lily," she announced, beaming up at him. "Sister Elara says I should help you around the church!"

The name, distinct from the painful memory, allowed a small breath of relief. Lily, so full of innocent cheer, was a welcome distraction. Her bright presence cheered him up a bit, and Kaito instinctively reached out, gently patting her head. "It's good to see you, Lily."

He pushed himself off the cot, the dull ache in his limbs a reminder of his ethereal battles. Closing his eyes, Kaito slowly channeled Durandal's power. A faint warmth spread through him, subtly knitting together the frayed edges of his fatigue bodies, a unique form of magical recuperation he learned.

Following the enticing aroma, he found his way into a simple, well-kept kitchen. Elara stood over a bubbling pot, dressed surprisingly in a white apron overt, stirring a hearty-looking stew. She glanced up as he entered, a small, knowing smile on her lips.

"Morning, Kaito," she greeted him, her voice as calm and steady as ever. "Feeling refreshed after your... nightly exertions?"

Kaito's eyes widened in surprise. "You know about that?" he asked, a knot forming in his stomach. He hadn't expected her to have any inkling of his dream-training.

Elara only hummed, her stirring rhythmic. "It's common among sentient relics, especially the named divine blades. One night in their domain is often enough for their wielders to break through limits, overcome impossible odds, and slay what had defeated them prior." She looked at him then, her gaze unwavering. "I suggest you take breaks often, Kaito. While I don't understand its power myself, those who abuse such things tend to walk a dangerous path, no matter the gains."

Kaito nodded, a forced nonchalance in his posture. "I'll keep that in mind," he said, but his tone betrayed the fact he was already brushing off Elara's warning. The exhilaration of his rapid growth, the raw power he could feel thrumming beneath his skin, overshadowed any abstract fears of future madness. What was a little mental strain compared to saving Maria?

Elara gave him a discerning look but didn't press the point. She turned, ladling generous portions of the thick, steaming stew into three simple earthenware bowls. The aroma was rich and savory, a comforting blend of root vegetables, tender meat, and earthy herbs. Beside the bowls, she placed thick slices of fresh, crusty bread.

"Breakfast," she announced as Lily skipped in, her eyes lighting up at the sight of the food.

"Ooh, Sister Elara's famous stew!" Lily exclaimed, climbing onto her stool at the small wooden table.

Kaito took a seat opposite them, the simple warmth of the meal a stark contrast to the ethereal battles of his night. He took a bite; the stew was hearty and delicious, perfectly seasoned, and the bread was wonderfully soft inside its crusty exterior.

They ate in comfortable silence for a moment, the only sounds the clinking of spoons and Lily's contented hums.

"So," Elara began casually, breaking the quiet, "I haven't had a chance to ask properly. What brought you to London, Kaito? Why did you decide to study here?

Kaito paused, chewing slowly. The lie was second nature now, well-rehearsed. "Just an exchange student, Sister Elara," he replied, keeping his voice even. "Wanted to experience a different culture, see the world a bit." He managed a wry, almost bitter chuckle. "I didn't exactly expect to get caught up in... this."

Elara's gaze lingered on him, a faint, almost imperceptible tilt to her head. "Indeed," she murmured, a hint of something unreadable in her eyes. "Life often has a way of derailing our expectations, doesn't it?" She picked up her spoon, stirring her stew thoughtfully.

Kaito felt a trickle of unease under her quiet scrutiny, so he shifted tactics, cutting to the chase. "Do you know where the wizard might be located?" he asked, his voice low and serious.

Elara paused, her spoon hovering over her bowl. A slow "Oh, my..." escaped her lips. "So your conviction is clear, no matter how dangerous the path is."

Lily, overhearing, looked up, her brow furrowed with concern. "Dangerous? Kaito, you shouldn't do anything dangerous!"

Kaito remained silent, his expression grim. His resolve was set, no matter what others thought.

Elara let out a soft sigh, a sound of resignation more than disappointment. "I... we won't stop you, Kaito. The Order will eventually retrieve Durandal if you fall."

"But Kaito shouldn't!" Lily insisted, her voice tight with worry. "It's not good to do such a dangerous thing!"

Elara placed a comforting hand on Lily's shoulder, then turned her full attention back to Kaito. "While the Circle doesn't explicitly operate in London, there is an extremely elusive, hidden, and powerful mage order that bases its operations around the Big Ben area. It's highly probable the Circle, or at least elements connected to them, are dealing with that community."

Elara reached into the pocket of her apron and produced a small, silver cross on a simple leather cord. Its surface was worn smooth with age, glinting softly in the morning light filtering into the kitchen.

"Take this, Kaito," she said, her voice gentle as she pressed it into his palm. "May God guide you to what you are searching for, whatever it may be."

Kaito's fingers closed around the cool metal. It was a small gesture, but the sincerity in her eyes was undeniable. "Thank you, Sister Elara," he replied, his voice earnest. "I'll keep that in mind. And... regardless of the outcome, I will repay you and the Order in the future."

Elara offered a faint, almost imperceptible smile, then turned back to clear the breakfast dishes with Lily's eager help.

For now, Kaito focused on recovery. The last vestiges of his mental fatigue slowly receded as Durandal's subtle magic continued its work. His mind, though, was already racing, turning over Elara's fragmented intel. A hidden, powerful mage order around Big Ben. The Circle possibly intertwined with them. It was vague, dangerous, and precisely the kind of lead he needed. He had a target, however elusive.

He knew he couldn't rush in blindly. He needed to be smarter, more strategic. His nightly training with Durandal was one thing, but navigating the treacherous waters of London's hidden magical world was another entirely. He had to approach this with caution, planning his moves carefully. Maria's fate, and now his own, depended on it.