Those Waiting For Him

Chapter 123 — Those Waiting for Him

Far from the northern city, the others had begun noticing Aether's absence.

At first, nobody had been particularly concerned.

Aether had always traveled alone when necessary.

He was strong enough to survive most situations, and everyone trusted his ability.

But several days had passed.

Aria stood outside the settlement one evening, looking toward the road.

Lyra approached from behind.

"Still waiting?"

Aria smiled faintly.

"Maybe."

Lyra stopped beside her.

"He'll come back."

"I know."

Aria looked at the distant horizon.

"That doesn't mean I don't miss him."

Lyra was silent.

After a moment, she laughed softly.

"Neither do I."

Seris joined them carrying a small bag of herbs.

"You two are finally admitting it?"

Aria looked at her.

"You miss him too."

Seris didn't deny it.

"Of course."

Sylvara arrived shortly afterward.

She crossed her arms and looked at the three girls.

"Are we having a meeting about Aether?"

Lyra smiled.

"Apparently."

Sylvara looked toward the road.

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"He has been gone longer than usual."

"Exactly," Aria said.

Evelyn walked over next.

She had spent most of the afternoon studying the remaining information about the Origin Heart.

Even she had become distracted by the absence.

"He'll return when he's finished."

Her tone was composed, but the others noticed that she had come outside specifically because she knew they were waiting.

Elara stood slightly behind them.

She had been quieter since joining the group.

But when Aria looked at her, she asked, "You miss him too, don't you?"

Elara hesitated.

"A little."

Lyra laughed.

"Only a little?"

Elara's face became slightly red.

"I didn't say that."

The group laughed.

For a moment, the atmosphere was warm.

None of them knew what Aether was doing.

None knew that he had already reached Stage 9.

None knew that he had met another powerful woman.

But they knew something else.

His absence had become noticeable.

Aether had become part of their daily lives.

Aria missed the sound of his voice.

Lyra missed traveling beside him.

Seris missed the quiet conversations they shared after battles.

Sylvara missed having someone who understood her without demanding explanations.

Evelyn missed discussing cultivation with someone capable of understanding her theories.

And Elara, who had known him for the shortest time, was surprised by how often her thoughts returned to him.

None of them were willing to admit how deep those feelings were becoming.

Not yet.

At that exact moment, Aether was standing beside a campfire several hundred kilometers away.

Vaelira sat across from him.

She had spent the last two days traveling with him.

Their conversations had become easier.

She had learned that Aether enjoyed quiet environments.

He had learned that Vaelira disliked overly crowded cities and preferred traveling alone.

Neither asked unnecessary questions.

That made their companionship surprisingly comfortable.

Aether looked at the flames.

"You should return to your own path soon."

Vaelira looked at him.

"Are you asking me to leave?"

"No."

"Then why say it?"

"Because you don't owe me anything."

Vaelira smiled.

"You really don't understand women."

Aether raised an eyebrow.

"Probably not."

She laughed.

Then she became serious.

"I want to continue traveling with you."

Aether studied her.

"Why?"

"Because our goals overlap."

That was the logical answer.

But Vaelira knew it wasn't the entire truth.

She had become curious about him.

Aether was powerful.

But strength wasn't what interested her most.

It was his attitude.

He didn't treat her as someone fragile.

He didn't demand loyalty.

He didn't pretend to be a hero.

He simply walked his own path.

And somehow, she found herself wanting to know where that path led.

Aether nodded.

"Fine."

Vaelira smiled.

"That's it?"

"What else should I say?"

"I don't know. Perhaps something dramatic."

Aether chuckled.

"I'll save the drama for someone else."

She laughed again.

The relationship between them had not become romantic.

Not yet.

But something had begun.

Aether's System quietly displayed another notification.

[Voidmoon Physique analysis: 43%.]

Aether glanced at it.

Then at Vaelira.

He had no intention of forcing the integration.

He would wait until the analysis was complete.

The physique was valuable.

But the person carrying it was more important than the physique itself.

That was something Aether had learned through the people already waiting for him.

That night, Aria remained awake longer than everyone else.

She sat near the window, looking at the stars.

"Come back soon, Aether."

She whispered it so quietly that nobody heard.

But she smiled afterward.

Because she knew him.

He always returned.