"Do you want to?" Kamille left the decision in Rise’s hands.

Everything that had something to do with their plan and the book, Kamille let Rise decide. It was not just assurance, but that Rise was more knowledgeable between the two of them.

Rise knew the plot and had memories of their last reset, unlike him.

Rise was actually afraid. Yet, he was determined to face this head-on. Instead of prolonging the inevitable, Rise wanted to meet him.

"Why not?" Rise’s lips curled, yet it did not reach his eyes. "I actually want to meet him."

Kamille stared at him, as though wanting to check if he was sincere. Ultimately, he nodded. As he said, it was all up to Rise’s decision.

He was also curious. To see how he would react to seeing a ’supposed’ protagonist.

Kamille’s expression showed no change, but his heart hardened.

One thing was for sure: he had yet to meet this person, but Kamille already felt so repulsive.

Rise noticed it, his smile becoming genuine. He did not say anything, though. Instead, he turned to Riri, who had been eating nonstop.

Riri, despite being so immersed in eating, was not a messy eater. He also chewed properly, using cutlery with refined movements. However, doing so made him look more adorable because of his small, cute hands.

His mood brightened at the sight.

"Is it delicious?" Rise asked gently.

Riri paused and looked up; with bulging cheeks, he nodded, almost smiling and blurting out the worth. But as he remembered that one should not talk while the mouth is full, he refrained at the last minute.

Rise burst out laughing.

"Go, just eat, everything’s yours."

Riri did not say anything and continued eating. Kamille and Rise watched him, each with their different thoughts.

The day was spent only playing with Riri. Rise even forgot the trouble ahead of them and put all his attention on the child. After all, they had only returned. And Kamille also became warmer; Riri even sat on his lap one time.

Rise took a photo of the adorable moment.

Rise and Riri did not stay the night, even if he wanted to. There was an upcoming variable, and so, they both had to be careful.

The next day, Rise saw his father well-dressed first thing in the morning.

"What happened?" he asked. However, he had a hunch in his heart. He put Riri in his seat and sat beside him.

"Oh," his father became distracted by Riri first before answering. Once he put enough food on Riri’s plate, he turned to his son. "There seems to be another S-rank esper. The others and I will be present to facilitate the testing."

As S-ranks were also evaluated in different classes, they had to be thoroughly tested.

Sure enough. Rise and pretend to be nonchalant about the information. He pours dishes on his plate for a good few seconds.

"What’s his name?" Rise asked, not looking up. It was as though he used it as a conversation starter, but also showed curiosity.

It was more than justified to feel curious about a new S-class esper after no new ones had been declared for the last couple of years now.

Niftan did not feel anything amiss.

He swallowed the food in his mouth and thought for a moment. When talking with his son, he felt no reservation whatsoever. And it was not like this news was controversial either.

"I think... It’s Epsilon?"

Even if he knew it, Rise’s fingers tightened on the spoon. He flashed a small grin and lifted his gaze to his father.

He wanted to test something.

"How old is this Epsilon?" Rise chewed on his food, asking casually.

"Probably at your age."

"Ah," Rise blinked his eyes as though baffled. "Where did this Epsilon come from? How come he suddenly appeared out of nowhere?"

Rise’s gaze did not leave Niftan’s face, observing him.

Niftan paused and met Rise’s gaze. The two stared at each other.

His father frowned slightly, thinking. Then, his face relaxed.

"I think he’s from the north. Maybe he’s a late awakener."

Though rare, they exist.

Rise’s brow moved slightly.

"Is that so?"

Niftan finally noticed his curiosity.

"Why do you seem so interested in him? It’s unlike you."

Rise playfully smiled and admitted.

"Yeah, I’m interested. Very."

Niftan’s eyes widened slightly before he narrowed them. He knew his son very well and how he was hailed as a troublemaker. He did not care that he was called an enabler behind his back, but he acknowledged it.

Simply put, he recognized that gaze.

"Rise," he called calmly. "What are you plotting?"

As expected, Rise chuckled. Truthfully, other than Kamille, Niftan knew him the most in this world.

"Nothing." He shrugged.

Unconvinced, Niftan sighed. As always, he was indulgent of a father. Still, he decided to give his word.

"Whatever you’re planning, don’t overdo it. This is a new S-rank with a unique ability. The higher-ups are all watching."

That was to say, he was not stopping him. Niftan would also defend his back, but it would be quite troublesome if Rise went overboard.

Still, Niftan, as always, could get him out of it no matter what.

Rise understood his implications. His lips cracked into a genuine and sweet smile.

It was truly nice to see someone supporting him.

"I won’t. Don’t worry too much, Dad."

Although Niftan did not seem to believe him, he still nodded. Rise chuckled lightly before he focused on eating.

Then, he spoke again when he had yet to bring it up.

"Dad, let me crash the testing ground."

Niftan nodded, not surprised. Since Rise already showed interest, he would surely ask this. And even if he did not agree, the other could sneak in however he wanted to.

The capital, no, the Union specifically, was also like Rise’s territory. Every nook and cranny, he could always find a way to access. How else could he gather dirt on those higher-ups?

Niftan’s thoughts were the truth. Rise could go on his own, but getting legal access was always welcome. It would not be as troublesome afterward.

Getting his answer, Rise focused on eating and observing Riri.

An hour later, Rise finally met Epsilon again.