"Ah." Atomu put his hand on its grip, and slowly lifted it. "Oh, wow."

"The demon steering the weapon is Knrhum himself. I'm assuming, he vowed to be locked inside his greatest creation when he met his demise." Elton explained. "It's all yours now." he beamed.

Atomu gulped. "Am I deserving of this..?" he chuckled. "I m-mean, I'm not anyone special. How does any of that stuff work in the first place?"

"The blade decides upon its owner, and as a forger, I'm proud to rarely make mistakes." Elton nodded. "I doubt it will ever work against you, and if it does, I could just craft you another."

"A-Alright then." Atomu stood up, turning. "Thank you." he hid his face with a strand of hair, and Elton chortled.

After ten more minutes, he left the hut, and only one Demonear was left to receive their weapon.

Morio eventually sat on the chair, with his eyes locked on the ground.

"Hello," Elton said. "Um, uh..." Elton scratched the back of his head. "Could you please look at me?"

"I don't deserve this," Morio spoke.

"What?" Elton shook his head. "If you came here in the first place, then I swear, you've earned it. Come on"

Morio slowly lifted his head, looking into Elton's eyes.

"Alright, then, what's your name?" Elton asked, putting his hands on his thighs.

"Morio Frisks," he answered, hesitantly.

"Frisks?!" Elton's expression suddenly changed.

Morio's eyes widened. "Um, yeah?"

"Y-You're Gloria's kid, right?" he pointed.

"Did you know my Mama?" Morio's eyes shone.

"Of course. Bancho told me all about her." he smiled, moving back. "I was surprised to learn that someone who never had experience with forging created such a fine tool all by herself" he nodded.

Morio scratched his nose.

"I wanted to see her in Mistwick before the test began, but... she... let's just say that she's asleep, and I don't think she wants to wake up soon." Elton continued, clearing his throat.

"I know." his eyes seemed bleak again.

"I'm sorry, Morio. It must be tough, going out on your own, without a figure to guide you, especially when you're this young."

"I'm grateful, actually." he ground his teeth. "She doesn't have to be disappointed with me."

Elton was shocked.

"Do you think she'd be proud if she heard that her son was saved by the others and that's how he passed the Demonear test?" Morio stood up. "I'd rather die right there, knowing how weak I was," he added.

Elton blinked twice, and Morio sat down again.

"I'm sorry." he shook his head. "It's just-"

"You don't have to explain these feelings to me. I tried passing the Demonear exam a few times, but it never worked out. I found my niche elsewhere, proudly representing what the Kaspers always stood for. Now, I'm not telling you to be someone else, especially hearing all of those things about Gloria. It's like destiny, in a way." he put his hands on Morio's palm, and the Morian stared at his face. "Many times, you have to realise something, and sometimes you'll have to wait for the world to shape around you to give you that opportunity. Nevertheless, you're not weak, or useless. You proved that just by making it out alive."

Morio's gaze softened, and Elton smiled again.

"Now, I want you to have this." he lifted a light, sharp sword, resembling the Royal Katana.

Morio opened his mouth, completely shocked. "That's...!"

"Gloria's weapon, Gloria itself," Elton muttered, passing on the sword into his hands. Morio quickly looked at its sharp and piercing blade, which he knew so well, staring back at him from that one spot on the wall he could never reach. Only now, did it seem clean and as powerful as his mother herself.

"Ah." Morio breathed in. "I never thought I'd be right in my hands, but how?"

"Bancho left it with me in Prope Portam a year ago." Elton nodded. "He said my hands were better to make sure it patiently waited for another bearer."

"But if Mama was its first user, doesn't it belong to her?" he quickly asked.

"She gave up on being a Demonear and swore to leave her weapon to time." Elton bowed, with a smile that didn't leave his face. "It's yours."

Morio was stunned, and at the same time, in pure awe and admiration. "What about its demon?"

"Its name is Orion. An extremely powerful beast, although it rarely lets its user know that it's there." Elton explained. "You don't have to be scared, Morio. It will follow your every command."

The Morian raised the weapon, once more, as the warmth of the room reflected off its edge.

***

"Every Guardian Demon comes with its respective element, which allows you to chant powerful attacks of that sort," Elton explained, standing over a cauldron, that had many seeds spinning around its white inside. "Usually, they reflect you in their unique way, and sometimes, they're passed down in your blood," he said. "Morio, please put the blade in the cauldron."

"Is the water hot?" he asked, looking at the steam above.

"No. It's a mixture of all the seven Shimori seeds, which changes colour depending on the element of its Guardian, and its Demonear's class, as well." Elton nodded.

"C-Class?" Morio seemed confused. "I'm sorry, I haven't had the time to learn all the things about Demonears." he scratched his neck, chuckling.

"Classes are named after the four Wise members, rumoured to be the first Demonears to roam Errarion. There are four of them, as expected." he continued. "Vitaglia, using enchanting magic, Skamander, conjuration, Dracona, divination, and Qurnasar, evocation. I doubt you'll find out how to use the spells held deep inside the Guardian Demon's blade, but... take your time. It comes with experience."

"I..." Morio tried to speak. "No, I'll see it myself, then." he nodded.

"Okay." Elton grinned. "Continue with your sword, then."

"R-Right!" Morio carefully lifted the weapon and eventually sank its blade under the water. Its colour shifted into a bright yellow, and Morio made a strange face. Elton put his hand above the water, quickly moving it back, and smiling.

"As expected, Morio," Elton spoke. "Your element is lightning, and your class is Vitaglia. A symbol representing the white tigers of Shimori, mysterious in power, yet respected."

"Vitaglia, lightning." Morio smiled, repeating, now holding his sword in one hand, standing back. "M-My other weapon." he took Victis out of its sheath. "Do I have to give it up now? I mean, it doesn't have a demon resting inside. Can I somehow connect the electricity through?"

"Haha, it'd be very impressive if you could," Elton explained.

***

Even if the atmosphere seemed a little off, the people of Magna didn't shy away from organising a drinking party in the evening, and again, everyone, especially the new Demonears, was invited to the Midcity Bar.

Over there, people took their seats, Rowan and Ambrosia weren't present, Chyuuichi and Atomu talked with Ella at the bar, Jeffy slept his worries off on the tables, Zuimu sat still and Jyuzou nervously drank some cocoa.

Morio was getting through his third plate in thirty minutes, when he spotted Jyuzou standing up in the distance, waddling over to Jeffy, whispering something, and then leaving the bar. He held a spoon in his hand and stood up, sliding the chair back with his legs, ready to follow Jyuzou.

"Hi!" A voice sounded and Eryk raised his hand, sitting down in front of Morio, stopping him from advancing further. Lamon gave him a sketchy look, sipping on some beer.

"A." Morio made a noise, and his eyes widened. "Oh, I'm sorry Nuil." Morio bowed.

"Oh, It's fine, you great Demonear! Let's talk like buddies, alright?" Eryk asked, putting one hand on the table. Lamon let out a sigh, shaking his head.

"A-Alright?" Morio seemed a bit confused, sitting down again. He glanced, uncomfortably, and Eryk seemed to inch closer with each second that passed.

"I've heard words, here and there across the bar. Some, being insults coming my way, screw you, Kashmir, by the way!" he yelled out.

"Nuil, please!" Lamon moved closer.

"Sorry!" Eryk whispered. "Mhm. You and that other guy, the one in the glasses that just left, you both come from Mistwick, eh?"

"Eh." Morio blinked twice. "Yes, we do," he answered. "...and what's with everyone just knowing that?" he whispered.

"Ah, that's amazing!" Eryk raised his voice. "I've always wanted to talk to people of my own, you know? My mother came from Mistwick as well. I've never actually been there, but I always wanted to visit, just never had the time." he nodded.

Lamon tried signalling something to Morio, who was visibly only eager to stand up and follow the other Morian.

"Mistwick." he beamed. "It must've been so nice growing up in that little forest, huh? You've been to the Tukman Woods." he smashed his fist against the table, eyeing Kashmir who tried his best not to acknowledge any signs sent his way. "...and you saw its beautiful nature, right?" he continued.

"I'm not much of a nature guy," Morio replied, visibly uncomfortable. "I guess so?" he blinked.

"See, that's what I want to have. It's where my heart belongs! I don't care about this stupid town, in reality, I'd much rather live in a remote place like Mistwick, and maybe rule there too." he put his hands together. "Now, here comes my question. Knowing that fresh Demonears are just bound to jump on any opportunity thrown their way since they must be out of cash and desperate to find their meaning in life, follow a goal or whatnot!"

Lamon shook his head.

"Would you like to work as a guard for me and maybe escort me there? You know the way, right? You'd fight off any demons, eh? For free."

Morio moved back, furrowing his eyebrows.

"Please?" Eryk inched closer.

"That's enough, Nuil," Lamon spoke. "You're making him uncomfortable."

"Oh, come on, he's not stupid! He'd tell me if he was, right, friend?" Eryk bumped his shoulder.

"I'm sorry," Morio spoke softly, before standing up, and navigating through the other tables, before eventually stepping out in the open area, trying not to stumble into the people there. He clenched something under his shirt and frowned.

"Did I do something wrong?" Eryk asked.

"When did you ever do anything right?" Lamon whispered.

"I'm sorry, guard number five?" he mocked him. "I'll need to scrub that tongue. Beer makes you one prick, Lamon!"

The white-haired Morian found himself closer to the exit. "Morio?" Atomu stopped him. "Where are you going?" he asked, as Morio put his hand on both sheaths.

"O-Outside," he answered.

"Why? It's warm and nice here!" Chyuuichi yelled out, raising a cup of cocoa, and Ella looked a little bit worried about the well-being of her drink.

"Jyuzou left, and I want to find him," Morio explained.

"O-Okay, don't take too long, though," Atomu answered, turning back, and Morio sprinted down the stairs, leaving the bar.

***

It was snowing that night. The wind picked up from the ports, and cut through the air, reaching every building present. A few people passed through the streets, making their way towards the Midcity bar, while others rested in their houses, eyes glued to the sky.

The moon shone a little brighter than beforehand. The next day signalled the beginning of Herbes, and one could even say a word or two, about feeling it in the air. Morio seemed a little different, however. He paid no attention to anyone who passed right by or snuck a glance.

He travelled to the Birching Trees port, and made his way into the Bore Forest, with only the moonlight quietly following his path, as if it was the only thing that always knew the answer.

When he slowed down, a figure stepped out of the shadow, and Morio heard its footsteps, stopping.

"Morio?" Atomu asked, and Morio turned around, facing him, grinding his teeth.

"You're not..." he pointed. "...searching for Jyuzou."