The Seven Demon's Tamer

Mia and Lucian walked away, covering a short distance before they were wrapped by Daoka's shadow – Daoka's ability providing them with a quick exit, at least. They left Master Sung still talking, seemingly unconcerned by their departure.

"Well," Leo said into the silence that followed their disappearance, "that was too simple."

He pushed away from the tree he'd been leaning against. "I was hoping for at least a little more drama. Maybe some tears? A heartfelt confession?"

Brok, who finally gained enough confidence, chuckled. "Yeah, that was too boring. That jerk should have put on some show."

Master Sung , turning back to Ryder, sighed audibly as he remembered their deal.

"Do you perhaps have any belongings you'd like to take with you?" Master Sung asked, his tone shifting smoothly to gentleness. "As a guest, we'll prepare somewhere comfortable for you."

Ryder looked momentarily caught off guard by the sudden change in topic. "You mean guests?" he asked, gesturing towards everyone behind him – Leo, Brok, and... Uh... Mara.

He casually added Mara since he was caught off guard.

"Yeah, yeah," Master Sung smiled warmly, the expression becoming casual on his face as he dismissed it. "Friend or friends, I don't mind."

Ming Fan looked less convinced, his gaze glaring at Leo with clear suspicion. But if Master Sung accepted his presence, then Ming Fan would tolerate it – for now.

"You and all your friends that wish to tag along should make your preparations and pack up your belongings," Master Sung continued, gesturing expansively toward the waiting Red Eastern guild members. "We'll depart as soon as you're ready."

The village around them had begun to return to normal, or as normal as possible after a portal incident. Villagers emerged fully from their temporary shelter within the artificial space, looking around with relief.

Some approached Master Sung 's guild members to express their gratitude, while others began the process of observing damage and planning repairs.

Leo stretched, as exaggerated as always. "Well, I suppose I'd better gather my extensive collection of prized possessions," he scoffed, snatching a random bag from one of the now-busy villagers, who didn't really mind. "It might take me hours."

"At least you have a bag," Brok muttered.

Ryder was about to join in when an unexpected voice called out from behind, capturing the attention of all three simultaneously.

"Ryder."

It was a voice that rarely spoke since it had been around – Mara. She stood slightly apart from the group, her posture uncharacteristically uncertain, a stark contrast to her usual confidence.

"Huh?" he responded, turning his attention towards her. There was genuine curiosity in his expression – Mara had been a silent presence for so long that she completely captured his attention now that she finally decided to speak.

"I want to come with you."

The simple declaration caused a wave of surprise through the group. Everyone was skeptical at the moment of the request, tilting their heads in various expressions of confusion and disbelief.

"Ha ha ha!"

Leo was the first to react, letting out a dry laugh that sounded forced even to his own ears. "That's a nice one, funny joke."

"I'm not playing around," she repeated, her voice gaining strength. "I said I want to come with you!"

"Please."

The seriousness in her tone was unmistakable, leaving no room for misinterpretation. She stood her ground, locking gazes with Ryder.

Ryder knew she was serious, but he just didn't want to believe it – maybe he had misheard her. After all, why would she, who had barely spoken two words to any of them since joining their group, suddenly want to continue traveling with them all of a sudden?

"Why?" was the only question he could ask. "Just why? What suddenly brought up such an absurd thought to your head?"

"I am not playing around, Ryder. I really want to come with you," Mara declared, her voice carrying conviction. "It isn't absurd."

The wind picked up around them, sweeping through the air and passing through their hair gently as silence stretched.

Ryder blinked rapidly, certain he had misheard. "But your father is the professor..."

"Then what?" Mara interrupted, crossing her arms as her eyes flashed with determination. "What if my father is a professor? Is that even an excuse?"

Her words hung in the air between them as silence stretched, nearly as if Ryder was trying to figure out how to reply. Behind her, Leo raised an eyebrow, clearly entertained by this unexpected turn of events. Brok, on the other hand, looked like he'd just been told pigs could fly.

Her father wasn't just any professor; he was Dr. Hamm, his teacher.

The image of the short old man with his walrus mustache materialized in his mind—those bushy eyebrows that seemed always to be furrowing whenever Ryder failed to pay attention in class. Which, if he was being honest with himself, was most of the time.

Dr. Hamm had never considered him to be the best of students. In fact, "disappointing waste of potential" was the way he referred to Ryder during parent-teacher conferences back then... When his mother was alive.

Ryder had spent most of his classroom hours staring out the window nonchalantly during his lectures after all.

The thought of Dr. Hamm's face, red with fury, upon discovering that his daughter was about to join an adventure with the very student he had labeled as a waste of potential was almost comical. Almost. If it weren't for the fact that he'd likely be hunted down by more than just the FSG if the news got to him.

"Your father would kill me," Ryder finally said, running a hand through his hair. "He'd literally hunt me down and mount my head on the wall of his study between his academic achievements."

"That's even if he sees my head as worthy as his trophies..."

Mara stepped forward, her expression softening for just a moment before hardening again with resolve. "My father wants me to be a lecturer just like him, but I don't want that. That is his wish, not mine."

Her voice gained strength as she continued, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. "What I want to be is far from just a professor."

She took another step closer, and Ryder found himself unable to back away, held in place by the fire in her eyes.

"I want to be someone respected by all, no matter what it takes, no matter the path I need to go. I want to be valued." The seriousness in her voice brought back memories of the past Ryder had forgotten about.

Back then when they were little, she had declared she would someday touch the stars. Everyone had laughed, her father scolded her, but Ryder had believed her.

That was the reason why they had been some sort of friends till this date, if not for the fact that he had known Mara to be snappy.

She was back there with him several days ago when he went to the conjuring room to traverse to the astral shadow plain.

She seemed to have changed just within these few days... Or maybe she didn't. She just hadn't shown anyone this version of her.

"I do not want to spend my whole life in this little village teaching students lectures. That could be what my father wants, but I have bigger dreams."

She gestured around them at the destruction, at the blood-soaked earth and the ravaged buildings. "This world is dangerous, yes, but it's also vast and full of opportunities. I want to seize mine."

With one final resolve, she declared, "I want to be a Red Eastern guild member."

*Clap. Clap. Clap.*

Master Sung , who had overheard the entire conversation, approached slowly, his hands coming together in a slow applause.

"That's a fine speech, big dreamer," he said, delivering the words with casualness. Ruthless casualness.