After banishing the void entity from Millie's body, Nova and Annelie prepared to look around the church to see where they could be useful.

Annelie stood from the bed, brushing off her white robes. "Millie, do you want to stay here?"

"Where are you going?" Millie clutched the blankets to her chest.

"We're going to look around and see if we can help the church," Annelie said in a gentle voice. "It will probably be stressful."

"...Can I take a bath instead?"

Nova shot Annelie a stern look. They couldn't leave Millie wandering alone, not after what had just happened—nor while the church was potentially dangerous.

Understanding flickered across Annelie's face, turning back to Millie. "I'm sorry, but the bath is closed today. I can take you again tomorrow, probably."

"Mmh, okay." Millie slumped back against the pillows. "I'll stay here, then."

"Make sure not to look out of the window then, okay?" Nova pointed at the covered light source. "The same thing that happened earlier could happen again if you do."

"I won't!" She sounded very sincere, scarred by the incident. Being possessed couldn't possibly have been a comfortable experience, after all.

"I'll put a barrier on the room so no one but us can enter." Nova knelt and pressed his palm against the cold marble floor. Essence flowed from his fingertips, spreading out in intricate patterns. "You can leave if you absolutely must, but try to stay here. Understood?"

"I understand..." Millie pulled the thick blankets up to her chin, making herself smaller in the vast bed.

"Good." Nova activated the formation—the one infamously named 'It's just a barrier with some extra functions'. Blue runes flickered to life across the floor as he walked to the door. "I'll see you later, then."

"Bye, Millie!" Annelie's cheerful wave contrasted sharply with the room's somber atmosphere.

"G'bye." Millie turned away from them, curling into a tight ball beneath the covers. The white sheets seemed to swallow her tiny form.

The heavy door clicked shut behind them. Nova lingered in the hallway, staring at the ornate handle. "She'll be safe, right?"

"Most likely." Annelie glanced back at the door. "But I'm guessing you know more about being near void rifts than me."

"True..." Nova started walking down the corridor. "She'll be fine today with all the celestial essence in her body, but after that..."

His words trailed off into the shadows between the flickering lights.

A scream pierced the air, echoing from the direction of the candidates' common area. The sound bounced off the marble walls, making it impossible to tell exactly where it came from.

The duo looked at each other briefly before they started to move. Nova dove into the shadows and used the shadow step to reach the end of the corridor. Annelie, on the other hand, had her feet turn a dark color before she burst forward, nearly as quickly.

'Whoa, what kind of skill is that? That's some impressive speed!' Nova pushed the thought aside, focusing on the scene before them.

The young teenager who had told him where the forge was the day before was currently lying on the floor under a large man—a guard, by the looks of his outfit.

'Damn, no way of knowing who is the possessed one from here!

Annelie didn't see it the same way. As soon as she entered the scene, she leapt forward and kicked the guard off the young girl with impressive technique. Her tiny body didn't hinder her as much as Nova had expected.

The man flew to the side and landed with a metallic thud, coughing from the force of the kick.

"Ugh, what?" The guard pushed himself up on one elbow, coughing. "Who's there?"

Nova appeared next to the girl and pressed two fingers against her neck, counting beats while scanning for signs of possession. Her pulse raced but stayed steady. Normal for someone who'd just been attacked.

'One normal pulse. Now for the guard...'

"We're just a few brats," Annelie replied, folding her arms. "What were you doing?"

"Animo?" The guard recognized her quickly, then he glanced between her and the teenage girl.

"That one's been possessed!" He jabbed a finger toward the girl sprawled on the floor.

"Nope." Nova rose from beside the girl. "She's clean. But what about you?"

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The shadows embraced him, and suddenly he stood behind the guard, gripping his neck with both hands.

The guard thrashed against Nova's grip, but despite his considerable strength, he couldn't break free of the hold. Each struggle just made Nova's fingers tighten more, increasing the pain. But despite his strange behavior, the guard's pulse was normal.

"Mister guard." Nova's voice turned sharp. "Neither of you are possessed. So why would you attack a young girl like that?"

"What would you know?! Let me go, you little—!"

The temperature in the room sank to near zero as Nova's killing intent burst forth, freezing the guard in place. "Do you doubt that I'll kill you?" Nova's voice carried a heavy tone, freezing the entire room.

"...Nova, we don't have to kill him," Annelie said, looking slightly shocked. "Let's just lock him in place until things calm down around here."

Nova's grip loosened slightly. "Sure." The deadly chill in his voice was gone, as if it never existed in the first place. "Do you have any good formations for it? Mine costs too much essence."

'I'd rather save my strength for real threats.'

"She's a spy!" The guard's voice cracked with desperation. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he twisted against Nova's grip. "One of the ones who opened the void rift!"

"No!" The teenage girl scrambled backward across the marble floor, nearly tripping on the disheveled robe. "I was just looking for others! I just woke up!"

Nova's fingers tightened around the guard's neck. His jaw clenched as he fought down the urge to end this pathetic excuse for a protector. "First she's possessed, and now she's a spy? What comes next, I wonder."

Annelie walked over to Nova and opened her mouth wide. Two fangs jutted out, each excreting tiny droplets of yellow liquid. Her words came out slurred around the protruding teeth. "Shtay shtill, mishter guard. It hurts like hell when they break, and I'm done shaving your life if they do."

'A paralyzing venom?' Nova watched with fascination. 'I really hope those aren't from a trait, because I want to learn that.'

The guard's muscles tensed up. His breath came in sharp gasps, but he remained perfectly still.

"Don't trust that girl, okay?" Fear made his voice tremble. " I'll accept any punishment I get, just don't let your guard down."

Nova sighed, watching as Annelie's fangs entered the man's neck. It was over in a second, and he could feel the body turning limp in his arms. He laid the guard on his side on the cold marble, closing his eyes so they wouldn't turn dry.

"Can I learn that?" He stared at Annelie eagerly.

"What?" Annelie stared back as the fangs receded into her upper jaw. "The teeth? Sure, you just need a part of a monster with teeth like these. It's not an easy process, though."

"Neither is searing blood into my flesh."

She tilted her head, confused. "You do that?"

"Not often. But it can strengthen the body considerably." Nova turned toward the teenage girl huddled against the wall. Tears streaked her face as she stared at them with wide eyes.

"He's crazy!" she pointed at the paralyzed man. "I'm not a spy, I swear!"

Nova held up a calming hand. "The rift makes people paranoid. Don't worry about him. But you'll need to come with us now."

"Rift?"

"In the sky. I don't feel like explaining it. Just know that the church is in danger, and it will be worse the longer it stays open." He looked back at Annelie. "Let's keep going. You lead the way, and I'll watch the girl."

Annelie nodded, turning to walk down the corridor. Her bare feet made no sound against the polished stone floor.

Nova reached up to help the girl stand. His tiny hands barely reached her elbow, making the attempt more gesture than actual assistance.

"Let's go," he said, following Annelie's quick steps.

"T-Thank you for helping me," the girl whispered. Her footsteps stayed close behind Nova's.

"Don't worry about it. You helped me find the forge yesterday, so we're even."

"...I don't feel like those are equal." Her hands clutched the fabric of her white robe, knuckles still white from fear.

"Well, either way, she's the one you should thank." Nova pointed at Annelie. "She kicked the guard off you before I could figure out what the situation was. I suspected you were possessed."

"Uhm…" Annelie looked back over one shoulder. A light blush spread across her face, making her look more like the child she appeared to be. "I didn't even consider it, honestly. I just saw a big man on top of you, Helen, and so I reacted."

"I'm so grateful you did!" Helen's words burst out in a rush. "The whole thing was terrifying!"

"Yeah, it was the right choice. Figuring out the situation could wait." Nova admitted his reaction in the moment had been bad. "Why are you the only candidate still here, by the way?"

"I don't know. I checked the dining hall where people usually gather in the morning, but there was no one there! The tables were empty, only filled with half-eaten breakfast."

"You're usually the last to arrive?"

"...Yeah." Helen ducked her head, embarrassment coloring her admission.

"Then that's the explanation." Nova's steps quickened slightly. "The rift must have opened during breakfast. The church would have moved everyone to safety immediately."

Their footsteps echoed through the empty corridors as they walked. Light from the wall sconces cast dancing shadows across the polished stone walls. The air grew cooler as they descended deeper into the cathedral.

"What happened to your robe?" Helen pointed at the dark stain spread across Nova's white clothing. "It looks wet."

The fabric still felt damp where Millie's tears had soaked through. "You're not the first girl we've had to save today. I hope you're the last, though."

"...How are you guys so mature?" Helen rubbed her arms, warming them against the chilly corridor. "I feel like I'm the child here."

"Tough childhoods." Nova kept his eyes forward. "You shouldn't feel bad about it, though. Some people mature so others can stay children for longer."

"But I'm at least three times your age…"

"Very tough childhoods." Nova kept his tone light despite the darkness behind his words.

"Fine, keep your secrets." Helen's frustration came out as a huff.

Nova replied only with a smile. His eyes were fixed on the massive doors looming at the end of the hallway. Silver and gold decorations covered the dark wood surface.

'I guess we're getting close?'

"Be cool when we enter, Nova." Annelie glanced back at Nova. "The cardinals don't allow disrespect."

"The Signus didn't seem to mind."

Helen gasped lightly at his casual mention of the Signus—not to mention the implication of his words.

"The Signus is reasonable," Annelie replied, turning back to the front. "The cardinals are the ones who failed to become Signus. And for good reason, in my opinion."

"Kick me if I become too agitated, then."

"Oh, good idea!" Annelie bounced on her toes. The eager grin spreading across her face made Nova reconsider his words.

'...Maybe I shouldn't have suggested that.'

The massive doors towered before them. Annelie's silver amulet flashed with sudden light. Ancient mechanisms groaned inside the walls as the heavy doors swung inward.

Warm light spilled into the corridor. The scent of incense drifted out, mixing with traces of fear, sweat, and tension. Raised voices echoed from within—the cardinals already arguing among themselves.

'The cardinals. Failed candidates with something to prove. This should be interesting.'

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