The night passed without trouble.
Children ran and laughed around the Bonfire while the adults chatted calmly.
Alice and I were surprised by how friendly everyone was.
Even though we were in the center of the slums, where conditions were relatively better, I had expected the people to be more closed off and hostile.
But that wasn't the case.
Not only was there no trouble, they even shared some of their food with us.
Suddenly, a conversation caught my attention.
It was between Dorian and the red-haired man named Cedric.
"Dorian, I heard we did better this time with the distribution," Cedric said.
"That's right, Cedric. This time, the Rustbone Crew came in last," Dorian replied.
"How's that possible? Just last month they were a bit stronger than us."
"Yeah, that was true… but last month they lost two key members."
"Oh? Was it a fight with another crew?" Cedric asked, curious.
"It wasn't that… it was him," Dorian answered, his tone serious.
"Him?" This time, I stepped into the conversation.
"Aiden," Cedric said, folding his arms. "He's a kind of vigilante. Moves from zone to zone taking down people he thinks have done something evil. Even members of different groups."
"A madman, if you ask me," Dorian added bitterly. "He's taken out over thirty members in the past seven years. All the leaders are desperate to put an end to him especially the leader of Shadow Fang."
"Then he must be really strong," I said.
"No doubt," Dorian nodded. "Some say his strength rivals Jacob, the Shadow Fang leader. But to be honest, I doubt it. Aiden's never dared to face him directly."
A lone vigilante… strong, elusive, guided only by his own sense of right and wrong.
I doubt he'd hold the Evans in high regard.
They're the ones who've let this place rot in misery for centuries.
Perhaps… we just found our first clear suspect.
The night continued without incident.
As people began to disperse, I heard someone call our names. I turned and saw it was Lisa.
"Ethan, Alice… do you have somewhere to stay tonight?" she asked kindly.
"Oh, Lisa… we were actually planning to sleep out on the street," I replied casually.
"Then come stay with Emily and me. It's not much, but it's still better than the plaza," she offered with a smile.
"No, it's fine. You two must be tight on space already," I said quickly.
"I insist. Emily really liked you both. She was excited about the idea weren't you, sweetie?"
Right then, Emily appeared beside her and nodded eagerly.
"Yes! We can have a sleepover!" she said with a bright smile.
Alice and I looked at each other, smiling. In the end, we accepted the offer.
A few minutes later, we were inside the small house the mother and daughter shared.
The place was tiny, maybe forty-five square meters, with peeling walls and a tin roof that creaked in the wind. The door was worn and barely closed properly. The cement floor was cold and uneven.
In the single room, two old mattresses served as beds, covered with threadbare blankets. A chipped wardrobe held the little clothing they owned, all of it mended. In the kitchen, a two-burner stove and a rusted sink completed the space.
It was certainly no place for a mother and daughter to live.
And yet...
Despite everything, there was a warmth here that I'd never felt in the grand mansions of the upper class.
Those places, with all their luxury, always felt cold and empty.
But here, within these cracked walls, lived the genuine love of a mother and her daughter.
The love of a family.
Something I'd only ever seen in Alice's home… and once, long ago, in my own.
From the bottom of my heart, I said softly
"It's a wonderful home."
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We spent the night talking.
Well… mostly it was Emily telling us about her day at school.
Always so lively, so direct.
"Brother Ethan," she said suddenly. In just one day, we'd grown so close she was already calling me that.
"What is it, little Emily?" I said with a smile.
"What do you think it's like beyond the slums?" she asked, eyes filled with curiosity.
The question caught both Alice and me off guard.
"Emily, you shouldn't ask things like that," Lisa scolded gently but firmly.
No doubt it was a sensitive subject for the people here.
"I… I'm sorry," Emily muttered, lowering her head.
It was the first time I'd seen her look sad.
I didn't like it.
I was about to say something, but Alice beat me to it. She must've felt the same.
"It's okay, you don't have to apologize. As for your question… I think it must be a very different place. Much bigger," Alice said.
"Yes," I added. "There must be so many new and different things no one here could even imagine."
Emily's eyes began to sparkle.
"Yes! A year ago, my teacher told us a story. She said every shining star in the sky is a different planet, each filled with amazing things."
At that moment, she got up from her small bed and walked to the window.
She stood there, gazing at the starry sky.
Then she raised her little hand toward one of the stars…
and stretched it out, as if trying to reach it.
But no matter how hard she tried,
it was too far.
"I want to see new things, meet new people, do new things. I wonder if… when I learn to control mana, maybe I'll be able to touch the stars."
She paused for a moment… then said softly
"Maybe… I could become friends with the Evans."
"Emily, don't you hate the Evans?" Alice asked, surprised.
"No. Everyone else does, but I don't know them. How can I hate someone I've never met? Besides, if I hadn't been born here… I wouldn't be with Mom."
She smiled sweetly, then added
"And if we all became friends, no one would be sad anymore."
Such an innocent thought… so typical of a nine-year-old girl.
So idealistic.
So unrealistic.
So pure.
Without realizing it, my lips parted.
"You'll do it, Emily," I said sincerely.
And I saw her eyes shine brighter than any star in the sky.
I know you will.
I'll make sure you can.