"Okay, we are done. You guys can come in." Reinhard shouted, leading Brunehilde to smile more.

It's then the door opens up, leading Reinhard to turn to see Klaus, who was smiling, Rosaria who was staring with a blank look and Celestia, humming with a faint smile.

Reinhard then asked them. "Can Martha use the Star Jewel as a bargaining chip? To have the Academy help set her free from the Empire?"

Klaus blinked in surprise before his expression shifted into something more thoughtful. While Rosaria sighed as she crossed her arms and gave Reinhard a blank stare.

Celestia laughed in amusement as her amber-crimson mixed eyes sparkled. "Of course, Klaus and the others will. But that's only if she's willing to-"

"I don't mind parting with it if it means I can be next to Rein." Brunhilde's interjection came swiftly, her light blue eyes fixed on Reinhard's face with absolute certainty. Her hand moved to the Star Jewel around her neck, fingers closing around the orb without hesitation.

Rosaria sighed again as she rubbed her temple. "I had a feeling things would be like this..."

Klaus laughed, his hand moving to stroke his beard thoughtfully. "Alright then. Come with me, Miss Martha-"

Brunhilde shook her head, violet-blue hair swaying with the motion. "Call me Brunhilde. That's my real name."

Klaus's eyes widened slightly before his gaze shifted to Reinhard, studying him for a moment and then nodding. "Alright then, Miss Brunhilde. Come with me. Let's see if we can't create a case for you with the Information Institution and Justice Institution to help free you."

Brunhilde nodded once before turning toward Reinhard, and her hand rose in a small wave. He waved back with a smile, appearing as if he had a feeling they would meet soon again.

Then Klaus and Brunhilde left, the door closing behind them with a soft click. Footsteps echoed in the corridor beyond and then faded gradually into silence.

Celestia turned to Rosaria, her smile shifting into something more teasing. "Is there anything else for my patient, Rose? Or can he return to rest more?"

Rosaria shook her head, silvery-lavender hair sliding across her shoulders. "No, that's everything. Well, other than his teammates being annoying when they find out he's awake, but we didn't tell them."

Celestia laughed while softly clapping her hands. "That I'll leave to you, Rose~"

"Of course, you guys would." Rosaria's sigh carried long-suffering exasperation. Her hand moved to rub her temple briefly before dropping. She turned and began walking away with her boots echoing off the floor before she then paused near the door.

"I think you did the right thing in helping Brunhilde instead of killing her, Reinhard." Rosaria said without turning around, her voice carrying across the space between them.

Reinhard blinked in surprise. "Y-You do?"

Rosaria nodded before saying softly. "It would have been easier to kill her, but I don't believe it would have been the best choice. It's easy to kill a person, but it's harder to save a person and make them want to change for the better." She paused, letting that sink in. "And you did that. You should feel proud, but don't make it a habit though."

Reinhard smiled as he asked. "Is that why you were okay with me meeting with Brunhilde? And her willingness to be by my side to help?"

"Her willingness to do that is proof that your desire to help her not only saved you but also paved the way for an extremely good benefit." Rosaria said lightly. "Good will with a First Class Beast Master, not a lot can say they have such a privilege."

Reinhard's lips twitched. "Well, I wasn't really planning on this."

"It's because you weren't that made it so great as well..." Rosaria turned then, pivoting on her heel to face him fully.

And she smiled.

The expression transformed her face completely. Crimson eyes softened, the usual cold indifference replaced by warmth as her lips curved upward in something beautiful and peaceful.

Reinhard was stunned, his eyes widening, unable to look away.

"Don't forget that empathy and kindness are in yourself as you continue down the path of an Inquisitor." Rosaria says softly. "It's something very precious and beautiful... And it isn't a weakness, as some may believe or say to you."

Then Rosaria turned again, her smile fading back into her usual neutral expression as she walked toward the door. Her footsteps echoed in the corridor before they gradually faded as she moved further away.

The door opened and closed.

Reinhard blinked as he was still processing what he'd seen. His mind struggled to reconcile that smile with the Rosaria who had an expressionless face.

Celestia's laugh broke through his daze. "It's been a long time since I last saw Rose smile like that." Her amber-crimson eyes gleamed with amusement and something like satisfaction. "Thank you, Reinhard. You did an extremely good service."

Reinhard's lips twitched, awareness slowly returning. "It was a stunning smile. Like Marie's, but less bright and shining and more peaceful."

Celestia nodded, her white-gold hair catching light as she moved. "Our Rose truly leaves the world stunned when she shows her cute side." She gestured toward the door. "Now let's head back. Your body still needs to readjust itself after sleeping so long. The only reason you're even standing is because you're an Inquisitor."

Reinhard nodded in agreement as he followed Celestia out of the small room and back through the Academy's corridors toward the hospital wing.

…

Reinhard lay in the hospital bed, blankets pulled up to his chest. The room was quiet, with the only sound being the distant footsteps in corridors beyond.

Celestia stood by the door, her hand on the handle. "Today's checkup is done. You should get some rest." Her smile was warm. "I'll be back tomorrow to check on you again."

"Thank you." Reinhard said softly as Celestia nodded and then left.

The door closed behind her with a soft click, and then the room became quiet.

Reinhard lay still for approximately thirty seconds before he pushed himself up, swinging his legs over the bed's edge.

His bare feet touched the cold floor, sending shivers up his legs. He stood slowly, and then he headed towards the window near the bed.

Reinhard's footsteps fell silent as he reached the window. His palm pressed against the cool glass, eyes drawn to the world beyond.

The Academy grounds lay bathed in twilight, with gap light shining from post to post and illuminating the area.

Above, the sky was bathed in purples and fading oranges, which was beautiful to look at.

Reinhard sighed before his gaze shifted down to see tides of black-and-white uniforms moving along the walkways.

Their voices didn't reach him here, but he could see their gestures, their casual closeness, their untroubled movements through a world that still made sense.

"Six months, huh..." Reinhard whispered softly. "Damn, I really missed a lot."

He lifted his hand, and then the dot above his Beast Symbol shone with response. Black streaks rushed out before landing on his shoulder into Mimir's familiar form.

The crow settled, golden horns catching the fading twilight through the window. "You called?"

"The transformation when Odin descended… Can I do it again?" Reinhard asked idly.

"Give up on that fantasy." Mimir's response was immediate and carried zero encouragement.

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