Reinhard sat down on a smooth rock that rose from the restored earth. His body moved stiffly with his muscles protesting after sustained combat, and his low magic reserves no longer compensated for accumulated fatigue.

He sighed, the sound emerging long and heavy as tension bled from his shoulders. He lay back slowly with the stone hard against his spine.

But he ignored discomfort, arms spreading to the sides in a posture of complete exhaustion.

His light blue eyes fixed on the blue sky overhead, a color he'd seen rarely during days spent in Eastern Hesod's cursed forest.

"It's only been a few days, but it feels like months have passed." Reinhard muttered before he began recalling the events that had happened since he first came. Ones that felt impossible despite having lived them.

Finding a damaged shelter on the first night which Janus quickly repaired and fixed it up. Just so they could avoid dealing with the Night Terrors that moved through the night.

Learning the Center of Forest was blocked by towering roots. Massive barriers suggest intelligence directing their placement rather than random growth.

Engaging with Chimera. First encounter with hybrid horror, realizing someone had deliberately created monsters combining multiple Phantasm Beast types.

Meeting Luminous Knights. Veryn and Casseo appeared with their distinctive white robes and black armor, offering an alliance that expanded their capabilities.

The first Night Terror attack after entering Naraku Town. Watching them defeat and have the roots drag away the Phantasm Beast into the forest.

Venturing to find Star Jewel, which had them journeying through the root forest towards Melo City. Where they had to slaughter through tons of roots, Phantasm Beasts, and environmental traps.

They clashed with the Golden Knight, who guarded the place for centuries and refused to fall until he saw his memories.

Meeting Dune and gaining the Star Jewel before making their charge towards the Center of the Forest with Charles plans. Them summoning Dune once more before he had him summon the other Melo Warriors and make him the Supreme Commander.

Making a charge toward the Center of Forest with the other Golden Melo Warriors and the others.

Entering the towering tree before burning it down, while being encouraged by the people who were captured.

Crimson-black tide erupting from the ground and rushing out. Then, having to deal with Honor's overwhelming power, and then falling into the tide with Honor.

Plunging into the Source of All Evil, meeting Angra Mainyu, offering a choice that transformed malevolence into potential. And then finally confronting the First Ancestor who'd orchestrated everything, and killing him.

Reinhard sighed again, deeper this time. His eyes closed briefly before reopening to continue tracking clouds drifting lazily across the blue expanse.

"Rosaria is definitely not going to like this." Another mutter, this one carrying notes of resignation mixed with amusement. "She might lock me in the academy for this."

The thought of being confined and his freedom restricted should have provoked anger or frustration. But instead, he felt an odd sense of warmth spread through his chest, which he hadn't felt in over fourteen years.

Right… This is what it feels like to have someone willing to go so far to keep you safe. Reinhard thought absently; he recalled Klein and Anna complaining to him a few times. But when they thought he wasn't looking, he always saw the grin and happiness on their face.

It truly felt amazing to have someone who cared enough to worry about his safety. The realization made him feel strange, it was a feeling he didn't know how to deal with.

"Has it been a decade since I had someone like that? Or has it been more?"The question hung unanswered. His childhood memories had long since faded into indistinct impressions, faces becoming less clear with each passing season.

Reinhard then summoned Mimir.

A streak of black rushed upward from his Beast Symbol, materializing into familiar crow form. Golden horns caught evening light as Mimir landed on Reinhard's shoulder with practiced ease.

The crow stretched its wings, extending them fully before folding back against the body. Black feathers rustled with motion, settling into a comfortable position, and he turned his head to Reinhard.

"Everything is over?"

Reinhard nodded slowly with a light chuckle, and then his expression shifted to curiosity. "Odin said I could gain multiple Beast Spirits because I was made up of more pieces than others..." His brows furrowed. "Do you know what that means?"

Mimir fell silent for three seconds, which made Reinhard raise a brow, as that was unusual for Mimir, who typically answered immediately. Unless the answer was difficult or something even the crow wasn't sure about.

When words came, they carried hesitation rarely displayed. "I am not sure...But I feel like it's something I should know, unless that bastard did something to my memory when he had me form a Sigil connection with you."

Reinhard chuckled despite fatigue, he was already used to Odin's bastard ways. "I am guessing that information is extremely important... Maybe more important than knowing about the golden pillar in the universe and the Imaginary Sea."

Mimir nodded slowly. "Odin isn't one to hide knowledge unless it would lead to an outcome he wouldn't want."

"He sounds like a control freak."

"He is." Mimir's agreement came without hesitation. "Didn't you notice it in the memories?"

Reinhard fell silent. His mind reviewed dreams he'd experienced, the visions of Odin's past showing Frost Giants' inability to change, the riders' growing frustration, and eventual desperate measures. "I saw him wanting to create change in the Frost Giants. But I am guessing he began to change after devouring Adumula and defeating the Towering Black Being."

Mimir paused with his body going completely still, and then he sighed after three seconds. "So you saw that? I didn't think he would show-"

"He isn't." Reinhard interjected, shaking his head slightly. "That's just what is being shown... When I last mentioned the dream, he looked like he disliked it, which I can understand... I wouldn't want anyone seeing me devouring my friend and breaking down."

Mimir fell silent again. This time, the pause was far longer than before, and then he began speaking. "In truth, only a few knew about Odin's origin like that, as Odin made sure to cover it up and conceal it fully."

Reinhard hummed before asking. "And how did you learn about it?"

"When I gained all-knowing knowledge, I became privy to that knowledge."

Reinhard blinked, and then his eyes widened slightly. "That allowed you to even see through Odin's concealment?"

Mimir chuckled, the sound carrying notes of pride mixed with rueful acknowledgment of consequences. "It was extremely difficult, but eventually the knowledge came to me, which led to Odin capturing me and forcing me into a deal."

Reinhard's head tilted slightly. "You don't sound angry about it."

Silence fell again.

Mimir's eye tracked clouds drifting overhead, considering the response carefully before delivering it.

"Had I not done the deal, I wouldn't have gotten Odin's help managing the infinite information rushing through my mind. With Odin's seal, I could regulate what I knew and could see, allowing me to not turn my mind into mush."

Reinhard fell silent, but the words had shocked him. The omniscience of Mimir was a curse rather than a blessing and would have destroyed him.

"That's terrifying." His voice emerged softly. "But how did you gain all-knowing knowledge?"

Another pause before Mimir said. "I drank from the well that held knowledge on the past, present, and future. All possibilities..."

Reinhard blinked in surprise and disbelief. "There was a well like that? I am guessing others tried but didn't survive."

Mimir nodded. "They all went crazy, before ending their lives in various ways." He shifted position on Reinhard's shoulder, claws adjusting grip. "Regardless, Odin might have done more to my memories to keep you from knowing other stuff."

Reinhard nodded acceptance despite potential manipulation. That information wasn't something he could handle or deal with at the current level. Besides, his main focus remained the Elixir of Life, and through this mission, he should be close.

This expedition should net him close to the top one ranking, possibly top three at minimum. The accomplishments accumulated from ending the Dark Silence and helping to stop the Angra Mainyu curse tide. All of this should translate to the Information Institution giving a large amount of points.

Or it might even push me to rank one... The thought carried notes of ambivalence. But then the issue becomes keeping said rank because most likely I will be busy with classes and school when I return.

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