Some hours later.

It was already late afternoon, and the amber light of the sun filtered through the wooden windows of every house.

Kael's house, despite being bigger than others, was no different.

But unlike other houses, Kael's house had a scent of pine and dried herbs mingling in the air.

Because Alenia, who had learned how to make tea from Selene, was making tea.

Kael sat lazily on a low chair near the center table, his black coat draped loosely around him.

One arm rested on the armrest while the other idly toyed with a flicker of golden energy that danced between his fingers.

It was the same energy that had left him when he had named the criminals, and until now, he hadn't been able to figure out what it was.

'There's no way it's not magic,' he thought inwardly.

If it was something that left his body, Kael was sure he could control it and maybe do many more things with it.

For a while, Kael kept thinking about it, and he didn't even notice when Alenia had already done with the tea.

When she brought it, she kept it before him and turned to the others.

'What's he doing?' She lip-synced, and the others shrugged, making her tilt her head.

But in the end, she also shrugged and sat down with them, now staring at Kael just like they were.

Alenia, Lyra, Selene, and Evethra—each with their own air, making the room feel both warm and alive—sipped their teas, staring at Kael, who looked as handsome as always.

They weren't doing anything special, yet they didn't feel bored.

Outside, faint laughter echoed—the bright, unrestrained laughter of children.

Rue and Rina's voices carried faintly through the open window, joined by Druvarn's indignant grumbles as the fox twins tried to make him play tag again.

It was peaceful.

Kael, on the other hand, finally noticed the gazes on him, and he looked up, only to see four woman staring at him while sipping their teas.

He tilted his head, wondering when Alenia had arrived, as he could even see tea before him.

'Was I thinking so deeply?' He wondered, realizing how dangerous it would be for him to fall into a similar position in public.

"You could've called out to me, you know," he said, shaking his head, but Alenia just shrugged.

"And what? Take away the rare peaceful look of your face?"

That made Kael raise his brow. "What does that mean? Do I usually have an evil expression or what?"

"Oh, no," Alenia shook her head deliberately. "You never have an evil look."

"Then?" Kael questioned, intrigued.

"Well." Selene was the one to speak. "Why don't you look in a mirror?"

As she said that, she took out a small mirror and passed it to him, and as he stared at his reflection in it, he saw a smirk tugging at his lips.

"See that?" Alenia called. "That devilish grin never leaves your face."

As Kael turned to the others, even they nodded their heads, agreeing with Alenia.

For a while, Kael didn't know what to say, and then he shrugged, finally focusing on the tea.

There was a bout of silence after that.

That was until Lyra broke it.

"So," she began softly, her silver ears twitching as she looked at Kael with polite curiosity, "have you found the solution you were looking for?"

She was referring to how Kael had said he would make them stronger, and he just needed some time to make a new breathing technique.

Hearing that question, Kael leaned back, a small smile playing at his lips. "Mm. I did."

Evethra's crimson eyes glimmered faintly, her posture as poised as ever. "You've found a way?"

"I've made one," Kael said, his tone casual—but his words landed like thunder.

Selene blinked. "Made one? You mean…"

Kael looked up, his golden eyes catching the lamplight. "A breathing technique."

The room fell silent.

Even Alenia—who rarely showed surprise—stilled mid-sip. "You really created a breathing technique, huh?"

Kael shrugged, as if it were nothing worth fussing over. "It's not as impossible as people make it sound. You merely need enough concentration and some thinking."

Lyra giggled softly. "You make everything sound simple, Kael."

Selene, however, wasn't laughing. Her wide silver eyes shimmered with hope that bordered on disbelief. "Then… Is it true? You can help me grow stronger now?"

Kael's voice softened. "Didn't I tell you that you weren't a waste, Selene?"

Her hands trembled in her lap as she nodded. "You did. I… I only asked it because I feel scared that I might fail again."

"Well," Kael leaned forward. "Have some faith in me. Because even if you were to fail, I won't."

"...Hm," Selene nodded silently.

It was then that Alenia set down her cup and frowned. "You said it's similar to your breathing technique. But how can that be, Kael? You don't even remember your past."

The others glanced at him—Evethra most intently, her eyes full of quiet expectation.

All of them thought that Kael could finally remember his past.

Unfortunately, he hadn't.

Kael tapped his chest lightly, then smiled. "I may not remember where I learned it… But I know how I breathe. Studying yourself is easier when you've got nothing else to remember."

There was a beat of quiet understanding—solemn and steady.

Then Alenia tilted her head again. "Kael… may I ask something strange?"

He looked at her. "Go ahead."

"What if," she said carefully, "you named us—like you did with Druvarn?"

That made Kael pause. His fingers stilled mid-motion, the golden spark vanishing into the air.

He hadn't expected her to bring that up.

"I don't know what it would do," he admitted honestly. "But… it would probably make you stronger. That much I'm sure of."

The air shifted—softly, but decisively.

Evethra was the first to speak. "Then do it. I want a name from you."

Lyra's ears flicked. "Me too."

Selene looked down at her trembling hands before whispering, "I want one as well."

Even Alenia, calm and measured as ever, smiled faintly. "I wouldn't mind seeing the results firsthand."

Kael chuckled under his breath, a warmth flickering in his chest as he looked at them—their trust, their eagerness, their hope.

"Very well," he murmured. "Let's make this interesting."

He stood slowly, the air in the room shifting as faint golden light began to dance along his fingertips.

"Relax," he said. "Don't resist it. Just accept what I give you."

The light rippled outward, tendrils of gold swirling softly around the four women.

Evethra's crimson eyes glowed faintly as the energy touched her; Lyra exhaled slowly, her silver hair catching a faint golden sheen; Alenia's gaze softened, thoughtful yet serene; Selene closed her eyes, trembling as warmth settled in her chest.

Kael spoke softly, each name like a quiet chord of power echoing through the room.

He wasn't giving them new names, but names that only people in this room would know.

Yes, it was similar to what he had done with the criminals, but unlike the time he named them for their loyalty, he did the same here only because he knew it would help the girls.

He didn't want their loyalty—only progress.

Soon, by the time he finished—when the light faded and stillness returned—there was something different about the air. Something deeper.

However, all four of the girls were feeling weak now, similar to how Druvarn had felt, and the criminals must be feeling.

Still, Kael had expected that.

He had learned the pattern by now.

For 24 hours after being named, the one who was named would feel weak, and only after that would they gain the power up.

But before Kael could speak again, the door creaked open.

"Big brother Kael~!" Rue's voice chimed. She rushed in, Rina close behind, and Druvarn trudging reluctantly after them, his fur matted with grass.

They froze at the sight—the lingering golden glow, the women's serene expressions, Kael standing at the center.

"What's going on?" Rue asked, her tail flicking curiously.

Lyra, who was the first to recover from the sudden weakness that had washed over them all, smiled gently and knelt beside them. "Lord Kael gave us names. Special ones. They'll help us grow stronger."

Rue's eyes sparkled immediately. "Can we get names too?!"

Rina, more shyly, tugged at Lyra's sleeve. "I… I want one too."

Druvarn sighed. "Here we go again."

Inwardly, however, the bear, just like Kael, was curious about what changes they would have.

Kael looked at the twins—two little fox girls who had somehow brightened this dark world just by existing—and felt a small, unbidden smile form on his lips.

"…Alright," he said quietly, the corners of his mouth curving upward. "You two get names too."

Rue gasped. Rina's ears perked, eyes wide.

And as golden light once again gathered around Kael's hand, the room glowed with a quiet, holy radiance—warm, hopeful, and alive.

The same thing repeated as both Rue and Rina felt weak.

However, unlike the girls, they said it outright, only for Kael to say. "Patience is the key, little one. If you have patience, you will see the result."

With that, the two fox girls, feeling too weak to go play outside again and too bored to just sit around, decided to go to sleep.

Druvarn, their sleep buddy—more like a plush, body-sized toy—followed behind, helping the girls reach their room.

Not long after, even the girls decided to sleep the day out.

"But what about the village?" Alenia muttered, fighting her desire to sleep, but Kael pushed her forward.

"I'll take care of it, so go sleep."

With that, everyone went to sleep way too early than usual, leaving Kael, the laziest among them, to take care of everything.

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