Another two weeks passed in a blur of classes, training, and medical checkups. Reinhard found himself standing outside the Medical Institution once again, the afternoon sun warm on his face as he examined his left hand.

A white glove now covered it, pristine and smooth against his skin.

The symbol embroidered on the back caught the light of a star positioned above a dream bubble, both worked in silver thread that shimmered when he moved his hand.

This was the Mythic Key called the Glove of Hypno.

The artifact that would wake him if any dreams became too overwhelming, too dangerous, too likely to pull him into a coma he couldn't escape.

He clenched his left hand into a fist, feeling the glove; it was soft but somehow present in a way normal fabric wasn't. There was power woven into these threads, magic that would monitor his emotional state during sleep and shock him awake before curses could trap him in nightmares.

Reinhard sighed to himself, looking down at both hands now.

Black glove on the right to hide his changing Beast Symbols and prevent others from peering through to see the marks. White glove on the left to protect him from his own dreams.

Two gloves, two different protections, both necessary for navigating the complicated reality his life had become.

He shook his head slightly, pushing away darker thoughts, and headed toward his next destination, the library.

He had already promised Irene that he would meet them here later and finally talked about what happened in Eastern Hesod. He recalled that when he first returned, he found Irene grinning at him with her body trembling.

Her eyes were shining as she began asking countless questions about what happened in Eastern Hesod. Then she also asked if he had any new dreams about and what they were like.

Reinhard told her he would talk about those later once he caught up. This led to Irene and the others in the Dream Club helping him catch up. So that he can take the required tests during lunch time and finally catch up after two weeks.

…

The library was quieter than usual for this time of day. Reinhard's footsteps barely whispered against the polished floor as he moved deeper into the stacks, past towering shelves.

The familiar scent was comforting in its own way, speaking of knowledge accumulated over centuries.

The shelves eventually parted to reveal a clearing where study tables sat in meticulously arranged rows. Most were abandoned, their surfaces empty except for the occasional forgotten bookmark or pencil. But near the window in the far corner, where the afternoon light filtered through the glass, sat a group waiting for him.

Irene noticed him first.

Her long blond hair was styled into twin tails that curled elegantly, the color fading to vibrant orange at the tips like flames frozen in motion. Her cyan eyes locked onto him with an intensity that suggested singular focus, and she wore the standard Academy black-white uniform. A skirt that fell just above her knees, crisp white stockings, and polished black shoes that gleamed even in the subdued library lighting.

Next to her sat Alger, his knee-length gray hair falling around his shoulders in soft waves. His fuchsia-colored eyes gleamed with barely suppressed mischief as he watched Reinhard approach, a knowing smile playing at his lips. He leaned back in his chair, wearing his black-and-white uniform, somehow managing to look relaxed despite being properly dressed.

Jake occupied the next seat with red hair, his posture energetic and forward-leaning with barely contained excitement. His black-white uniform was slightly rumpled, suggesting he'd come straight from training without bothering to straighten himself up.

Kite sat beside Jake, his blond hair tipped with blue in a style that seemed deliberately eye-catching. His expression carried anticipation mixed with curiosity, fingers drumming against the table's surface in an unconscious rhythm.

Resa with her long red hair sliding across her shoulders, as she turned to face him fully. Her green eyes sparkled with barely restrained enthusiasm, and her black-white uniform was immaculate, suggesting she'd prepared specifically for this meeting.

As soon as Reinhard reached the table and pulled out a chair, Resa clapped her hands together. The sound echoed slightly in the library's quiet, drawing irritated looks from a few distant students before they returned to their studies.

"Alright, Rein!" Resa's voice carried suppressed excitement, kept deliberately low to avoid the librarian's wrath but still vibrating with energy. "We helped you catch up on all the coursework you missed! Now please, please tell us what happened in Eastern Hesod!"

Irene nodded in excitement, her twin tails bouncing with the movement. "The entire world is shocked that Eastern Hesod actually overcame the Dark Silence. Three centuries of failure, and suddenly it's freed?" She leaned forward, hands pressed flat against the table. "And I know you must have inside information on what happened, since it all occurred while you guys were there."

Alger nodded slowly, his fuchsia eyes tracking Reinhard's reactions. "The timing of your departure and return matched perfectly with the breaking news. That's not a coincidence anyone could miss."

Reinhard nodded, settling into his chair and arranging his thoughts carefully. "Well, a deal is a deal. You helped me catch up, so I'll tell you what I can."

Resa's eyes lit up like stars suddenly appearing in a dark sky. She leaned in even closer, and Reinhard noticed with amusement that she already had a notebook out.

Pristine pages ready to be filled, a pen positioned in her hand and poised to write. Her entire body language screamed eager historian ready to record important information.

Reinhard's lips twitched as he remembered that Resa was someone extremely interested in Eastern Hesod's history. In fact, she'd been one of his primary sources when he'd been researching the region before the expedition.

She'd spent hours explaining the Forerunners' rise and fall, the Dark Silence's spread, the failed attempts to reclaim the territory. Now here she was, ready to hear firsthand accounts of history being made.

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