Soon, the battle between the South and North came to an end as the news about the death of Vira and Tija spread. While the cheers echoed in Youra, there were still a few who were shocked and saddened about Tija’s fate even though she betrayed them.

The northern soldiers ceased their attacks and listened to the winners who rounded them all up on the academy grounds.

And after all surviving northern soldiers were restricted there, an apathetic Cylia arrived at the scene with a dejected and stunned Yarjak following behind her.

She officially declared the end of the battle.

While the injured ones were treated, she had a conversation with Arnold and Brol. It seemed like Cylia wanted to postpone their punishments and fates until the situation calmed down, or rather until she calmed down.

All the time, she was seen outside, she did not let it show but she was deeply hurt.

Not physically but mentally.

The reason was her daughter Sara who just arrived.

Blankly, with her head hanging low, she walked over to her mother who embraced her tightly. It was then that both of them could no longer hold back their tears.

Overall, it was their win and yet, the Tiam family was still on the losing side.

One week later.

"..."

[Finally awake?]

"Yeah..." Mika muttered softly as he stared at the ceiling of a room in Youra’s hospital.

Beside him was an open window from where a fresh breeze and the warm sunlight entered.

He could not move his head yet as he wore a neck brace. Therefore, Mika moved his arms at first in order to check himself.

[Aside from your neck, your body is fully healed.]

"Is it just me who’s wondering how I could regenerate so quickly all the time...?" Mika wondered with a wry smile.

[A benefit from your powers.]

"I see... Then, what about my neck? How long does it take for it to heal?"

[I think about roughly one week.]

Mika let his arms fall on the bed and sighed.

"Hm?"

Then, he heard a fruit basket falling down.

Because of his neck, he could not look to see who it was. And visitor also did not utter a word until the person rushed towards Mika.

Mika was hugged tightly.

"Sylvia..." he muttered slightly surprised.

Her hair, which was spreading a soothing smell, tickled his nose.

"I’m glad that you’re up now." Sylvia whispered.

She let him go and faced him with a warm smile.

"I will let the doctors know." she stated before leaving the room.

"Sure." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Mika stared at the ceiling again.

"Did something happen to her...?"

[Why do you ask?]

"I don’t know how I should put it..."

They interacted only for a short moment but still, it was enough for Mika to notice a slight change in Sylvia.

She seemed much happier and more expressive than usual.

[Maybe she is just happy that you have regained your consciousness?]

"No... That’s not it..." Mika pondered.

The doctors entered the room with Sylvia and did some checkups on Mika. And after some discussions, the doctors reluctantly allowed Mika to leave the hospital. They wanted to keep him here at first but Mika insisted that he was fine.

Now, he was putting on his clothes and prepared to step outside.

"How daring of you to change your clothes in the presence of a girl." Sylvia teased with a smirk.

"Shouldn’t I be the one to ask why the heck you’re still here even though I’m changing...?" Mika retorted.

Mika quickly finished and the two stepped out.

"What are the others doing?" Mika wondered.

"They are helping out with repairing Youra. We usually take turns visiting you." Sylvia explained, still smiling.

"I see."

The others were not as badly injured as Mika. However, Harik and Rachel had some serious wounds but after some treatment, the two were discharged soon.

"Ah, we were told to bring you to the palace the moment you awake!" Sylvia mentioned after remembering.

Mika could roughly grasp the reason so he headed to the palace while Sylvia accompanied him.

"By the way, did you have the chance yet to talk with your father?" Mika asked.

He was looking around on the streets. Because of the past battle, the streets were still being repaired. Therefore, there were many people outside.

But Mika could not see a single familiar face yet.

"Yes." Sylvia responded with a soft smile.

"..."

Mika glanced at her for a moment.

"I see. Good for you then." he remarked.

His expression did not change but he was genuinely happy for her.

"I will wait outside then." Sylvia stated once they arrived at the palace.

"Got it."

Thus, Mika headed to the throne room.

"You may enter."

He heard Cylia’s voice after knocking on the entrance. And after entering, he noticed that only Cylia, Yarjak and Sara were present.

All of them had stern expressions.

Usually, Mika would talk with the siblings casually, however, he was still in the presence of the queen so he was about to kneel.

"No need for that." Cylia interrupted him.

"..."

Mika straightened his posture without rebuking.

"First of all, let us congratulate you on your recovery."

"As a central piece of the past battle, it would only be right to tell you what happened afterward."

Thus, Cylia cut straight to the chase and began to explain the current situation to Mika.

Brol Nohr, the North’s chief, was executed in public for collaborating with demons and manipulating the entire North to listen to Vira and Tija. Now, under the leadership of Elsa, the North declared their loyalty to Cylia, unifying the North and South.

Apparently, a certain person was taken hostage, making it possible for Vira to tame the majority of the North.

As the majority of the North were seen as mere victims, who had to listen to their chief, they were spared from harsh punishments and were just ordered to help rebuildYoura and stop the remnants of the resistance which was spread across the nation. Therefore, they were temporarily located at a shelter outside of Youra.

The other matter concerning Tija was also addressed as it was not possible to hide it after her fight against Sara. She was declared dead due to treason. However, Cylia took the blame as it was her fault that she did not try to understand her child. Still, the public forgave Cylia.

There was still some resentment towards Tija in some hearts but the majority also blamed Vira and selfishly concluded that Vira manipulated Tija’s weak mentality.

Of course, the public also could not forgive the North entirely yet but Cylia worked on improving their image.

Then, Cylia stood up from her throne. The siblings also faced Mika with their bodies. They proceeded to lower their heads with a hand on their chest.

"You have our utmost gratitude, Mika Elbar. It’s only thanks to you that we could win this battle."

"You’re exaggerating." Mika said, trying to wave it off.

"We’re not. Among us all, there would have been no one, including Elsa, who could kill Vira." Cylia retorted.

"..."

Mika could not argue back.

"If there’s anything you desire, please let us know. We will do everything we can to fulfill your wish."

Yarjak and Sara stepped forward. And this time, they bowed their entire upper bodies.

"I don’t know how much you already knew but let us apologize for using you for our own goals." Yarjak stated loudly and clearly.

"We made a deal with Loogam’s headmaster which stated that you could do your exchange program in Grat in return for lending your hands in the matter involving the North." he added.

The siblings initially came to Loogam in order to seek help for their situation. And as cold-hearted as it was from them, they made use of the situation in Loogam and finalized a deal. As the representative of Loogam, Lucio could hardly say no to them after they helped them during the invasion.

"It’s fine already. If you have apologized to the others, then there’s nothing left for me to say." Mika replied calmly.

"Thank you... We have talked with the others already." Yarjak responded relieved.

"I see."

"Then, what will you do, Mika? We, too, will do everything you desire." Sara said politely.

"A wish, huh...?"

They lifted their faces, anticipating Mika’s wish.

"Then, how about letting us enjoy the rest of our stay in Grat? As long as we won’t get involved in some power struggle or anything serious, I will be happy." Mika stated after pondering about it.

"Is... Is that all...?" Cylia asked baffled.

"That’s enough for me."

Cylia let herself fall on her throne and heaved a self-deprecating sigh.

"We will promise you a peaceful stay." she declared with a smile.

"Thank you."

Whereas Yarjak shook his head in disbelief, Sara chuckled.

"I will take my leave then." Mika said.

Thus, Mika turned his back on the royal family and headed to the exit.