Lyra's expression softened, a small, knowing smile curving her lips. "Most of it," she said quietly. "Enough to remember what I was before the seal… and enough to stand beside you without needing it."

Rhys exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "That's an understatement." He opened his system interface instinctively, glancing at the readings that tried — and failed — to identify her rank. The screen flickered for a moment before displaying only question marks. He blinked. "Figures. Even the system gave up."

Lyra tilted her head, amused. "You really needed a number to tell you I'm stronger than before?"

"It helps me sleep better at night," he said wryly.

Puddle floated up from the bedside, blinking curiously. "Her mana is overflowing," she said in her soft, watery tone. "It feels like standing near the ocean's heart. I can feel it calling to me."

Rhys could feel it too — a subtle pull in the air, a quiet gravity that made everything around her hum faintly. The air seemed sharper, clearer. Every trace of her presence spoke of something vast and ancient, something that had watched worlds turn and tides fall.

And yet, she was still Lyra — still the one who laughed at Aria's antics and gently scolded Puddle when she got too curious.

"I'd rather not have you travel with me," Rhys said suddenly.

Her long ears drooped like a sad puppy's. "Am I really a bother?"

Girl, why do you get attach to me so much? he thought, rubbing the back of his neck before quickly adding, "No, I mean—you're already very powerful. With you around all the time, I won't be able to train properly or grow stronger."

She laughed softly, the sound like a melody wrapped in light, her gentle gaze shining like a heavenly bell's chime.

She smiled, her expression soft but resolute. "Then I'll only intervene when you're on the edge of death," she said lightly.

Rhys froze, his face turning bright red. What—what kind of condition is that?!

Before he could form a reply, Lyra tilted her head innocently, though the faint sparkle in her eyes betrayed her amusement.

"I mean it," she added, her tone teasing now. "You said you wanted to grow stronger on your own. So I'll watch… until you truly need me."

Rhys exhaled, shoulders slumping as he nodded in defeat. 'I am actaully afraid what kind of troubles her being with me might invite.'

"Okay then, welcome to team" he siad holding out his hand as Lyra looked at it as she hook his hand "thankyou for having me" she said as he nodded,

Her hand was warm — not in the way fire burned, but like sunlight over still water. There was a quiet strength in her grip, the kind that spoke of balance, not dominance.

"Then it's settled," Lyra said softly, her smile carrying that familiar mix of calm and mystery. "I'll walk beside you… until the day you no longer need me."

Rhys swallowed lightly, unsure whether that thought comforted or unsettled him. "That sounds… way too dramatic for a morning conversation."

She laughed, the sound light and musical. "Then consider it my welcome gift."

Puddle floated closer, her small form shimmering as she clapped her hands. "So she's joining our team officially?"

Rhys nodded. "Yeah. Though I guess 'team' might be too humble a word now."

From the windowsill, Aurelius — the Divine Sunbird — spread its radiant wings, letting out a melodic cry that shimmered through the air like sunlight refracted through glass. The runes on Rhys's gauntlet pulsed faintly in response, as though acknowledging the bond.

Moonbounce, ever the silent one, materialized beside Lyra, its crescent glow orbiting her gently like a guardian's halo.

Lyra looked around at them all — Rhys, Puddle, Moonbounce, Aurelius — and for a fleeting moment, something tender flickered behind her calm expression. "It's strange," she murmured, "being surrounded by life again. I had forgotten what it felt like to be part of something instead of watching it from afar."

Rhys looked at her quietly. "Then stay. Don't just watch this time."

Her eyes softened at that, a faint shimmer of emotion glinting beneath the calm. "I will," she said. "Until your story reaches its end."

He huffed out a faint laugh. "You really need to stop saying things that sound like ancient prophecies."

"Can't help it," she said with a wink. "Old habits."

Puddle giggled, spinning in the air. "Then it's official! We have the sea, the moon, the sun, and the swordsman! That means…" — she paused dramatically — "we're unstoppable!"

Rhys smirked, shaking his head. "Let's hope the world doesn't take that as a challenge."

As they stepped out of the inn, the soft warmth of the morning sun wrapped around them. The streets of Bluewave were alive again — merchants calling out, children laughing, and the scent of the sea breeze mixing with freshly baked bread. It was almost hard to believe that just a day ago, chaos had threatened to drown it all.

Puddle floated lazily over Rhys's shoulder, her liquid form glinting in the light. "Feels like a new start," she said dreamily.

"Let's hope it stays that way," Rhys murmured.

They didn't get far before familiar voices called out.

"Rhys! Over here!"

Aria was waving wildly near a food stall, already holding two sticks of grilled crab skewers. Caria stood beside her, looking composed as ever — though the faint smile tugging at her lips betrayed relief. Sophia was chatting with a group of city guards, but when she noticed them, she froze mid-sentence.

And then all three pairs of eyes landed on Lyra.

The street seemed to still for a second. The morning light shimmered across her silver hair, cascading down her back like liquid starlight. Her once-childlike features were now those of a grown woman — graceful, radiant, and undeniably divine. The faint hum of mana that surrounded her felt like standing near an ancient ocean — serene but vast.

Aria's jaw dropped. "Okay, whoa, hold up—what happened to tiny Lyra?"

Caria blinked, her usual calm faltering. "This… this is her?"

Sophia, ever the quick observer, raised an eyebrow. "The seal broke, didn't it?"

Lyra smiled gently. "It did. I suppose I'm… back to myself now."

Puddle floated forward proudly, puffing her cheeks. "See? Lady Lyra's even more amazing now!"

Rhys sighed. "Don't encourage her. She's strong enough to flatten half the city if she sneezes wrong."

Aria blinked between them, still trying to process. "Wait, wait, wait—so this beautiful, terrifying goddess-looking person is the same little Lyra who once fell asleep on top of my bag?"

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