CHAPTER 113 — THE 8TH PILLAR: GALAHAD BRIDGE NAMSON

THE FALLEN LIGHT — SEASON III

CHAPTER 113 — THE 8TH PILLAR:

GALAHAD BRIDGE NAMSON

Galahad Bridge Namson.

Percy stared at the blank sheet on the desk

for a long time.

Advanced Twelve at eleven years old.

The best at the Magic Academy.

Then...

Alongside the boy he'd accepted as his little brother,

Awakened Two.

Later, Awakened Five on his own.

Every Inner Core stage at seventy-five percent.

Percy twirled his pen.

“A genius among geniuses.”

Clara looked at him from the edge of the bed.

“For our big brother?”

Percy nodded.

“Yes.”

He drew a few lines on the paper.

“How can I help him advance without him

being Half-Step Interplanetary?”

Clara came to his side.

Percy continued.

“If he were like you, it'd be easy.”

“Perfect Match.”

He paused.

Then his eyes widened.

“Ooh.”

Clara:

“What?”

“I remembered.”

“When he reached Awakened Two,

I'd already seen his Core flow.”

Clara's face grew a little more serious.

“Will your nose bleed like last time?”

Percy's hand stopped.

“I'll do everything I can

to keep it from being worse.”

Clara looked at him for several seconds.

Then moved behind him.

As Percy began to turn, she placed a small

kiss on the back of his neck.

Percy froze.

Clara rested her chin on his shoulder.

“You don't have to try this hard

for everyone, darling.”

Percy said nothing.

“Your grandpa.”

“My mom...”

Clara paused.

“Our mom.”

Percy's lips curved.

“Even me.”

“You're trying to carry so much, Perc.”

“I'm scared.”

Percy turned his head slightly.

“That it'll crush you.”

Percy took Clara's hand.

“You're right, darling.”

Clara hadn't expected that.

Percy smiled faintly.

“But without them, I wouldn't amount to anything.”

Then turned to Clara.

“And without you, I couldn't even exist.”

Clara's eyes softened.

“That's who I am.”

Percy exhaled.

“But I have to admit you're right.”

“I'm starting to get tired.”

Clara's expression changed.

For the first time, Percy hadn't hidden it.

Clara laced her fingers through his.

“Then don't carry it alone.”

“How can I help?”

Percy turned the paper between them.

“Galahad's circulation is much faster than yours, mine,

anyone else's.”

“He really is a genius.”

“That speed changes how fast

he can take in energy too.”

“A normal amount won't be enough.”

“If I give him more too quickly...”

Clara:

“It'll kill him.”

Percy nodded.

“Yes.”

“I can't find the solution.”

Clara studied the lines for a long time.

Then placed a finger on the first one.

“What if you built temporary walls out of your own Orin?”

Percy raised an eyebrow.

“Let them break on purpose.”

“The first wall breaks.”

“Then the second.”

“Then the third.”

“Each break slows the flow.”

“A lot of energy passes through the first.”

“The second too.”

“The third too.”

“But then it eases.”

Percy's eyes widened.

Clara lifted her head.

“What?”

Percy suddenly stood.

“You're my light.”

Clara's face began to redden.

“Perc—”

“YES!”

Percy took her face in both hands.

“That's it!”

And kissed Clara on the lips.

Clara froze for a moment.

Percy drew back.

“I'VE GOT IT!”

Then ran to the door.

Clara was still in the same spot.

“Percy?”

The door opened.

Percy shot out.

Clara touched her lips.

“...You're welcome?”

Percy's voice came from the corridor.

“I LOVE YOU!”

Clara laughed.

“LOVE YOU TOO!”

A second passed.

“DON'T STEAL MY IDEA AND RUN OFF AGAIN!”

From the distance:

“OKAY!”

Clara:

“LIAR!”

Percy activated Shiri on his way down the stairs.

Olsen.

Wycliffe.

Both answered.

Olsen:

“Percy?”

Wycliffe:

“Why, at this hour of the morn—”

“Teacher, Professor, I'm sending you a method.”

Wycliffe stopped.

“Don't use the large energy vessel.”

“Your Cores won't withstand it.”

Wycliffe:

“Good morning to you too.”

“Good morning.”

“Begin Resonance in small cycles.”

“Don't draw in more than ten percent

during the first three cycles.”

Olsen:

“Percy.”

“Yes, teacher?”

“Are you running?”

Percy jumped from the stairs.

“Yes.”

“Where to?”

“To trick my big brother.”

Silence.

Olsen:

“What?”

Percy ended the call.

Wycliffe looked at Olsen.

“Should we stop him?”

Olsen thought.

“Galahad will handle it.”

Wycliffe nodded.

“True.”

Percy called Galahad.

“Bro.”

“What's wrong?”

Percy lowered his voice.

“One of the monsters hurt me.”

Galahad's voice changed instantly.

“What?”

“I don't feel good.”

“Come home and—”

The call ended.

Percy looked at Shiri.

“Didn't even last two seconds.”

Holar raised his coffee.

“One.”

Percy:

“One what?”

The door opened.

Galahad came in.

“PERCY!”

Holar drank his coffee.

“Didn't reach two.”

Galahad dropped beside Percy.

Healing magic was already in his hands.

“Where's the wound?”

“Bro—”

“Are you okay?”

“I'm fine.”

“Where did it hit you?”

“Well.”

Galahad's hands stopped.

Percy smiled.

Holar spoke from behind him.

“He played a joke on you.”

Percy:

“Grandpa.”

Holar:

“Apparently, he doesn't have much time.”

“Wants to finish quickly and spend time with his girlfriend.”

Galahad stood.

“Percy.”

Percy took a step back.

“Bro.”

“You're done.”

Percy turned.

Ran.

Galahad:

“You can't escape me.”

“TRY ME!”

“Gravity.”

Percy's body grew heavy.

“DAMMIT!”

“Counter-Pull.”

Percy slid backward.

Galahad caught him by the back of his neck.

“GOT YOU.”

“Bro, diplomacy!”

“It's over.”

Magic ropes wrapped around Percy's arms.

Percy looked at the whip in Galahad's hand.

“Where did you find that?”

Galahad:

“It was in the house.”

Holar:

“Mine.”

Percy:

“GRANDPA?”

Clara burst out laughing as she came downstairs.

Percy immediately turned to her.

“My love.”

Clara:

“No.”

“The meaning of my life.”

“Still no.”

“Please?”

Clara pretended to think.

“Yes.”

Percy smiled.

Clara:

“...Actually, no.”

“TRAITOR!”

Eleanor came out of the kitchen.

Percy:

“Mom!”

Eleanor:

“Leave us out of it.”

Holar:

“Absolutely.”

Percy:

“Fine.”

“Mr. Grant.”

Holar raised an eyebrow.

Percy turned to Eleanor.

“Ms. Leyvar.”

Eleanor:

“Say that again.”

Percy:

“Mom.”

Galahad raised the whip.

“Will you trick me like this again?”

Percy spoke in a panic.

“May I never hold Clara's hair again

if I do!”

Galahad stopped.

Then lowered the whip.

“That oath, I believe.”

Clara's expression changed.

“What the hell kind of oath is that?”

Galahad released the bindings.

Percy vanished at once.

Clara:

“Perc—”

Percy appeared behind her.

One hand in Clara's hair.

Clara:

“Don't you—”

Percy leaned in and kissed her.

Then drew back.

“I didn't say pull.”

“I said hold.”

Clara's mouth hung open.

Galahad looked at Percy.

“You really...”

Percy was grinning.

Galahad:

“Just to fool around with your girlfriend—”

Percy and Clara answered together:

“BRO!”

Galahad burst out laughing.

Percy finally grew serious.

“I didn't call you just to show you how I fool around.”

Galahad:

“I hope not.”

“Bro.”

Percy looked at everyone in the living room.

“You've seen the new levels.”

Galahad nodded.

“I have an idea for you too.”

“This time, I'll be upfront.”

“I'm going to get hurt.”

Clara's hand found Percy's.

“It'll probably hurt a lot.”

Galahad's face hardened.

“But I can do it.”

“No.”

Percy sighed.

“Like at camp, before we even discuss it, all of you—”

The door opened.

Sylvia entered.

“Hello, Boss.”

Holar:

“Hello.”

“Hello, Eleanor.”

Eleanor smiled.

“Sylvia.”

“Clara.”

“Hello.”

“Galahad.”

Galahad nodded.

“Percy.”

Percy:

This copy was taken from the author's official publication without approval; reading where the story is posted supports the writer.

“Hello.”

One second.

Then he picked up where he'd left off.

“You all say the same thing.”

Sylvia:

“I haven't said anything yet.”

Percy looked at her.

“You will.”

Sylvia thought.

“Probably.”

Percy spread his hands.

“Let me say this first.”

The room fell quiet.

“Those monsters won't be the death of me.”

Clara looked at him.

Holar's face hardened.

Percy continued.

“I'm going to finish those monsters.”

“No matter how many years pass.”

“No matter how long it takes.”

“So if we don't want to suffer tomorrow...”

“We'll suffer a little today.”

“This is my will.”

“Don't argue.”

A light breeze entered through the window.

The curtain rippled once.

For five seconds, no one spoke.

Percy:

“Isn't anyone going to say anything?”

Holar:

“You said not to argue.”

Percy stopped.

“True.”

Eleanor:

“For once, we listened.”

Percy:

“I wasn't expecting it that quickly.”

Sylvia:

“I can object if you want.”

Percy:

“No.”

Sylvia nodded.

“That's what I thought.”

Galahad sighed.

“All right, little Percy.”

Percy's face fell.

“Bro.”

“Hm?”

“Didn't we leave that in the past?”

Clara's eyes lit up.

“Little Percyyyy.”

Percy slowly turned to her.

Clara was laughing.

Percy appeared behind her.

Took Clara's hair in his hand.

Clara stopped laughing.

“Don't.”

Percy leaned in.

Clara immediately said:

“You're baiting me!”

Percy kissed her lips.

Drew back.

“Don't take the bait.”

Clara pouted.

Sylvia looked at Holar.

“Boss.”

“Hm?”

“Are they always like this?”

Holar:

“They've been worse.”

Eleanor:

“Much worse.”

Percy:

“I can hear you.”

Clara:

“Good.”

The living room's wards were sealed.

Holar established the outer ring.

Eleanor, the second.

Sylvia positioned herself opposite Galahad

to monitor the energy level.

Percy drew three separate

Orin walls on the floor.

Then a fourth.

A fifth.

Galahad watched.

“How many are you making?”

Percy:

“As many as you break.”

“That's not a number.”

“Because your flow doesn't listen to numbers either.”

Galahad smiled despite himself.

Percy sat opposite him.

“Bro.”

“Feel all your power.”

“Every layer filled to seventy-five percent.”

Galahad closed his eyes.

Percy:

“Gather as much external energy as you can absorb.”

“Up to Half-Step Interplanetary level.”

“Don't take more.”

Galahad opened his eyes.

“But I don't know

that energy level.”

Sylvia:

“I'll show you.”

Holar's expression changed.

“Sylvia.”

“Keep it controlled.”

Sylvia smiled.

A moment later...

She released her aura only to the required threshold.

Even so, the room's air grew heavy.

Galahad's hair stood on end.

Percy's hair swept backward.

Clara involuntarily caught Percy's arm.

Eleanor's eyes narrowed.

Sylvia withdrew her aura.

“That's the limit.”

Galahad was quiet for several seconds.

Then:

“Now I know.”

He took a breath.

“Terrifying.”

Sylvia:

“Thank you.”

Galahad:

“That wasn't a compliment.”

Sylvia:

“I took it as one.”

Percy laughed.

“Bro, start.”

Galahad closed his eyes.

Gathered energy.

Dispersed it.

Gathered it again.

Dispersed it again.

Percy watched for a while.

Then couldn't help himself.

“What are you doing, bro?”

Without opening his eyes, Galahad said:

“Mind your own work.”

Percy raised an eyebrow.

Clara:

“I think he's right.”

Percy looked at her.

“You're on my side.”

“A moment ago, I was your light.”

“Yes.”

“Light can be blinding sometimes.”

Percy went quiet.

Holar chuckled softly.

Galahad gathered the energy a third time.

This time, he didn't release it.

A giant cloud formed in the air.

Percy lifted his head.

The cloud began to turn.

Then...

Rain.

But not ordinary rain.

Every drop carried Orin.

Drops fell around Galahad...

And were absorbed by his body.

Percy's eyes widened.

“Oh.”

Clara:

“What?”

Percy grinned.

“I get it.”

Galahad's eyes were still closed.

Percy:

“Bro.”

“Hm?”

“You really are a genius.”

Galahad:

“Only just noticed?”

Percy:

“No.”

“Wanted to remind you.”

Galahad's lips curved.

Percy looked at the walls.

“You can send it faster.”

Holar answered immediately:

“Percy.”

Percy:

“The walls are ready.”

Eleanor:

“Percy.”

“Mom, really.”

Clara raised her hand.

“I'm beside him.”

Eleanor looked at them both.

Then at Galahad.

“We stop at the first irregularity.”

Galahad nodded.

The energy changed.

Rain...

Became balls.

The first Orin sphere came.

Struck the wall before Percy.

BOOM!

The wall cracked.

A second sphere.

BOOM!

Then the flow changed shape.

The balls joined.

Became a wave.

Percy raised both hands.

“Come on.”

The wave struck.

BOOOOM!

The first wall exploded.

Percy flew a meter backward.

Clara:

“PERCY!”

Percy stamped his feet down.

Returned to his place at once.

A thin trickle of blood ran from his nose.

Galahad tried to open his eyes.

Percy shouted.

“DON'T LOOK!”

“KEEP THE FLOW GOING!”

Galahad gritted his teeth.

Clara came to Percy's side.

“Your nose.”

Percy wiped it with his arm.

“That's my nose's job now.”

Eleanor:

“No, it isn't.”

Percy:

“Let's not argue right now, Mom.”

Holar stood behind the second wall.

“One meter.”

Percy:

“Are you measuring?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“To see if there's improvement next time.”

Percy:

“GRANDPA!”

Sylvia was laughing.

“Boss has a point.”

Percy:

“Don't you start too!”

The second wave came.

Bigger.

Percy thickened the wall.

BOOOOM!

Ringing started in his ears.

The second wall broke.

This time, Percy slid half a meter.

Holar:

“Improvement.”

Percy looked at him with his bloody nose.

“I'm so happy.”

Clara laughed despite herself.

Percy turned to her.

“Don't you laugh.”

Clara:

“I'm sorry.”

One second.

“I'm not.”

Percy's face fell.

The third flow...

Wasn't a wave.

It was a tsunami.

Percy's smile disappeared.

“Bro.”

Galahad:

“I've got it under control.”

Percy spread both hands.

“Good.”

The tsunami hit the wall.

BOOOOOOOOOOM!

The bleeding from Percy's nose worsened.

Thin lines began running from his ears too.

Clara's face grew completely serious.

“Percy.”

“I know.”

“No, do you really know?”

“Right now, yes.”

Eleanor took a step.

Percy:

“Mom.”

Eleanor stopped.

Percy's eyes were on Galahad.

“One more.”

Galahad:

“Ready?”

Percy smiled.

“You hit.”

“I'll swear.”

The corner of Galahad's mouth curved.

The energy came.

This time, as the walls broke one by one,

the flow truly slowed.

First.

Second.

Third.

Fourth.

Fifth.

Galahad's Core accepted the new energy.

The whole room trembled.

BOOOOOOM!

Galahad's eyes opened.

A huge smile filled Percy's face.

“Bro!”

Galahad looked at his hands.

“It accepted it.”

Percy:

“Hit again.”

Galahad looked at him.

“Your face is covered in blood.”

“I'll wash it later.”

Clara:

“I'll wash it.”

Percy looked at her.

Clara:

“Keep going.”

Percy's smile returned.

“You heard her, bro.”

Galahad focused again.

A new wave rose.

The walls trembled.

Percy gritted his teeth.

BOOOOOOOOOOM!

Half-Step Interplanetary One.

For one second...

No one spoke.

Then Percy raised both hands.

“FINALLY!”

He took a deep breath.

“BOOOOOOOOOOWWW YEA—”

Clara immediately covered his mouth.

Percy's voice distorted beneath her hand.

“BUWYA—”

Clara:

“Shut up.”

Percy waved his hands in the air.

“UNF**R!”

Galahad started laughing.

Sylvia leaned against the wall.

Eleanor covered her face.

Holar shook his head.

Clara removed her hand.

Percy drew a breath.

“BO—”

Clara covered his mouth again.

The room erupted in laughter.

Laughing, Percy took down the walls.

The first.

The second.

Then all of them.

He relaxed his shoulders.

“Okay.”

Galahad looked at him.

“Percy?”

Percy's smile froze.

“Why did you say it like that?”

The cloud around Galahad suddenly darkened.

Percy lifted his head.

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

Five.

Five separate giant masses of energy...

Crashed down at once.

Percy's eyes widened.

“DAMMIT!”

The first wave entered Galahad.

His entire body tensed.

“AAAAAGH!”

Percy:

“HOW DID I LET IT LOOSE?!”

The second wave approached.

“BRO, FOCUS!”

Percy turned to Clara.

“CLARA!”

Clara was already running.

“Come here!”

“Take my hand!”

Clara caught his hand.

Perfect Match activated at once.

Percy's Orin...

Fell into the same rhythm as Clara's.

“Follow my lead.”

“We'll repair the energy as much as possible.”

Galahad gritted his teeth.

“Don't!”

The second wave entered him.

His knees hit the floor.

“Both of you, get back!”

Sylvia's voice cut through the living room.

“Galahad.”

Galahad lifted his head with difficulty.

There was no humor on Sylvia's face.

“Don't be a coward.”

Galahad's eyes widened.

Sylvia:

“You've come this far.”

“Don't pull back now to protect them.”

“Endure so you can stay beside them.”

Percy:

“CLARA!”

“Wall!”

Clara didn't release his hand.

Raised the other.

Darkness and light spread at once.

A second layer was woven

behind Percy's wall.

Holar's eyes widened.

“Perfect Match.”

Eleanor:

“They're sharing the wall too.”

Percy gritted his teeth.

“First!”

The third wave struck.

BOOOOM!

Percy's wall broke.

Clara's held.

Then it cracked too.

The energy slowed.

Galahad took it in.

BOOOOOOM!

Half-Step Interplanetary Two.

Sylvia's expression changed.

Holar leaned forward.

Eleanor:

“Two...”

Percy tried to smile.

Blood reached his lip.

Clara immediately turned her head toward him.

“Perc.”

“I'm fine.”

Clara:

“Lie.”

Percy:

“A necessary lie right now.”

Clara gripped his hand tighter.

“We're fighting about this later.”

“Okay.”

“You can't run.”

“I can't run right now anyway.”

The fourth wave came.

Percy and Clara built a wall together.

This time, it wasn't two separate walls.

Within yellow light...

Dark and white lines circulated.

Percy looked at her for a moment.

Clara:

“Look ahead!”

“I am!”

“You're looking at me!”

“You're beautiful!”

“PERCY!”

The wave struck.

BOOOOOOOOOOM!

Both slid backward.

Holar appeared behind them at once.

But didn't touch them.

Only guarded the place they would fall.

Percy stayed on his feet.

So did Clara.

Holar:

“Continue.”

Percy nodded.

The last wave...

Was bigger than the others.

Much bigger.

Every protective spell in the room trembled.

Sylvia's face grew serious.

Power gathered in Eleanor's hands.

For the first time, Holar readied himself fully.

Percy looked at the wave.

Then at Clara.

“This is terrifying.”

Clara:

“Yes.”

“Should we pull back?”

Clara looked at Galahad.

His entire body was trembling.

Percy shouted.

“BRO!”

Galahad opened his eyes.

Percy:

“IT ALL DEPENDS ON YOU!”

One second.

Galahad saw the blood on Percy's face.

Clara's trembling arm.

Sylvia's stern gaze.

Eleanor.

Holar.

Then...

He remembered the little boy from years ago.

Asking questions.

Running after him.

Calling him big brother.

Growing up one day to stand before him.

And now...

Turning his own body into a wall.

Galahad's hands clenched into fists.

“COME!”

Percy's eyes widened.

Galahad shouted with all his strength.

“COME!”

The final wave fell.

Percy and Clara raised their hands.

The first wall.

BROKE.

The second.

BROKE.

The third.

BROKE.

One of Percy's knees hit the floor.

Clara pulled him up.

“PERCY!”

Percy stood.

The fourth wall.

BROKE.

The fifth.

Cracked.

The energy was no longer a tsunami.

It had narrowed like a river.

But the power it carried was still terrifying.

Galahad spread both arms.

The energy entered him.

Percy pulled Clara close

and stepped out of the flow's path.

For one second...

Nothing happened.

Then the whole house fell quiet.

The wind outside stopped.

Holar's eyes widened.

Sylvia's lips parted.

Eleanor whispered.

“No...”

In Galahad's Core...

A new door opened.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

The protective rings lit up together.

The whole city turned to look.

Clouds in the sky dispersed in a ring.

Galahad's aura vanished for a moment.

Then...

Returned.

But it wasn't the same.

Interplanetary One.

Percy stayed where he was.

So did Clara.

Their hands were still locked together.

Galahad opened his eyes.

Listened to his own breathing.

Then looked at his hands.

“I...”

Percy's face crumpled.

Tears ran from his eyes.

He ran.

Clara with him.

They hugged Galahad at the same time.

Galahad slid a step backward.

“Easy!”

Percy:

“BRO!”

Clara:

“CONGRATULATIONS!”

Percy's voice broke.

“I'm so sorry.”

Galahad looked at him.

“For what?”

“I almost killed you.”

Percy's face had truly fallen apart.

Galahad watched him for several seconds.

Then raised his hand.

Played with Percy's hair.

“Come here.”

Percy lifted his head.

Galahad pulled him close again.

“It's okay.”

He smiled.

“I didn't die.”

Percy:

“That's not reassuring.”

Galahad:

“I find it very reassuring.”

Clara laughed.

Percy hit Galahad's shoulder.

“Bro.”

Galahad:

“What?”

“Don't joke.”

Galahad raised an eyebrow.

“You're the one saying that?”

The room suddenly erupted in laughter.

Holar shook his head.

“You deserved that.”

Percy:

“Grandpa.”

Eleanor took Percy's face in her hands.

Turned it right.

Left.

Saw the blood on his nose.

Saw the blood at his ears.

Then looked at Clara.

“You?”

Clara held out her arms.

They were trembling.

Eleanor's face fell.

Percy immediately said:

“Mom.”

Eleanor:

“Quiet.”

Percy went quiet.

Holar:

“Learned quickly for once.”

Percy looked at him.

“Am I everyone's target today?”

Sylvia:

“A little.”

Percy:

“Why are you even here?”

Sylvia:

“For Galahad.”

Galahad:

“Did I call you?”

Sylvia:

“No.”

Galahad:

“I see.”

Sylvia smiled.

“You don't.”

Galahad looked at her.

Sylvia said nothing.

Holar saw it.

So did Eleanor.

They looked at each other.

Percy didn't notice.

Clara did.

But she said nothing either.

Around the same time...

Wycliffe closed the small energy cycle before him.

Opened his eyes.

Half-Step Interplanetary One.

For a while, he looked at his hands.

Then at Percy's note on his desk.

At the bottom was a single sentence.

Professor, your retirement application has been rejected again.

Wycliffe's face fell.

“I didn't apply.”

He turned the page.

On the back:

I thought you might.

Wycliffe closed his eyes.

“Percy...”

The door opened.

Olsen entered.

Her new aura filled the room.

Half-Step Interplanetary Two.

Wycliffe looked at her.

Olsen looked at him.

They spoke together:

“Percy.”

One second.

Wycliffe:

“What level is yours?”

“Two.”

Wycliffe looked at his own aura.

“One.”

Olsen smiled.

Wycliffe:

“Don't smile.”

“I'm not.”

“Your face is.”

Olsen:

“My student did good work.”

Wycliffe sighed.

“He wasn't my student.”

Olsen walked to the door.

“Now you're a little bit his student.”

Wycliffe:

“ELIZABETH.”

Olsen left laughing.

As Galahad's new level began to settle...

Sylvia sat him back on the mat.

“Don't think it's over.”

Galahad:

“Am I like Percy now?”

Percy, from across the room:

“What's that supposed to mean?”

Sylvia:

“A little.”

Percy:

“BIG SIS SYLVIA.”

A small smile formed on Sylvia's face.

“Your Core needs to adjust to the new pressure.”

Galahad closed his eyes.

Sylvia sat right beside him.

“I'll help.”

Percy tried to approach too.

Clara caught the back of his neck.

“No.”

Percy:

“I was just—”

“No.”

“Going to look.”

“Look from a distance.”

Percy turned to Holar.

Holar:

“Clara's right.”

Eleanor:

“Clara's very right.”

Percy:

“Do I get any say in this house anymore?”

Without opening his eyes, Galahad said:

“No.”

Percy's face fell.

Sylvia burst out laughing.

The rest of the day...

Was spent stabilizing Galahad's foundation.

Sylvia monitored the flow.

Galahad didn't rush to fill the new level.

Percy really did watch from a distance.

For about seven minutes.

In the eighth minute, he moved his chair a little forward.

Clara pulled it back.

Again in the ninth.

Clara pulled it back again.

In the tenth, Percy looked at her.

“Are you going to do this all day?”

Clara:

“If necessary.”

Percy left his chair alone.

“Cruel.”

Clara:

“Alive.”

Percy went quiet.

Then smiled softly.

“Okay.”

Late that afternoon...

Holar called everyone to the house.

This time, the message had been short.

URGENT.

HOME.

NOW.

Sylvia looked at Holar when she saw it.

“Boss.”

“Hm?”

“I'm already at your house.”

Holar:

“For the others.”

Sylvia:

“I got it too.”

Holar looked at Shiri for a few seconds.

“Group message.”

Percy:

“Technology.”

Holar:

“Quiet.”

After a while, the house filled.

Helen.

Richard.

Rowena.

Amelia.

Eleanor was already there.

Sylvia was already there.

Galahad was meditating upstairs.

Percy and Clara sat side by side

at the edge of the living room.

Holar stood before everyone.

He had completely suppressed his new Galaxy aura.

Even so, everyone in the room

could feel that he had changed.

Holar clasped his hands behind his back.

“Thank you all for gathering.”

Rowena:

“The message said urgent.”

Holar:

“It is.”

Rowena:

“The house isn't on fire.”

Percy raised a hand.

“That was the first thing I checked too.”

Eleanor:

“Why?”

Percy:

“Past experience.”

Holar looked at Percy.

Percy lowered his hand.

Holar continued.

“First...”

“Congratulations on your new levels.”

Richard bowed his head.

Amelia smiled.

Sylvia:

“Yours too, Boss.”

Helen nodded.

Eleanor looked at Holar.

“Yours is a little newer.”

Rowena:

“A little?”

Percy:

“The man stopped breathing.”

Holar turned to Percy.

“I can breathe.”

Percy:

“You don't need to.”

“That's different.”

Clara touched Percy's arm.

“Don't derail the conversation.”

Percy:

“I didn't.”

Holar:

“You were born.”

Percy's mouth fell open.

Richard burst out laughing.

Eleanor:

“Holar.”

Holar:

“Joke.”

Percy:

“I'll remember this.”

Holar:

“And I remembered the date.”

Percy went quiet instantly.

Clara rested her head on Percy's shoulder and laughed.

Holar cleared his throat.

Then...

“GALAHAD!”

A voice came from upstairs.

“COMING!”

Footsteps.

Galahad came down the stairs.

His new aura was concealed.

But none of the Pillars were fooled.

Helen's gaze changed at once.

Richard straightened.

Amelia raised an eyebrow.

Rowena looked at Galahad for several seconds.

Galahad stopped in the middle of the living room.

“What happened?”

Holar beckoned him over.

“Come.”

Galahad approached.

Holar placed a hand on his shoulder.

“You all know Galahad.”

Rowena:

“I should hope so.”

Galahad smiled.

Holar continued.

“Very young.”

“A remarkable genius.”

Percy, from the back:

“A genius among geniuses.”

Galahad looked at him.

Percy gave him a thumbs-up.

Holar:

“At eleven, he was Advanced Twelve.”

“At seventeen...”

His hand tightened a little on Galahad's shoulder.

“He has reached Interplanetary One.”

Richard's expression changed.

Helen's eyes narrowed.

Amelia:

“Seventeen.”

Holar nodded.

“And very kindhearted.”

Galahad:

“Grandpa.”

Holar:

“Quiet, I'm praising you.”

Galahad went quiet.

Percy whispered to Clara.

“I wouldn't go quiet.”

Clara:

“I know.”

Holar continued.

“He also...”

“Holds the title of

youngest King Monster Killer.”

Galahad grimaced slightly.

“Not fond of the 'Killer' part, bu—”

Holar slowly looked at him.

Galahad swallowed the rest.

One second.

“Best title.”

Holar:

“Forever.”

The room erupted in laughter.

Rowena:

“Sounded very natural.”

Sylvia:

“Survival instinct.”

Galahad:

“Both of you, shut up.”

Holar's face grew serious again.

“Now.”

The room grew quieter.

“I'm going to present one of the decisions...”

“I cannot make without your approval,

or for which I wish to seek it.”

Helen lifted her head slightly.

Richard's gaze shifted to Galahad.

Amelia had already understood.

The corner of Sylvia's mouth curved.

Rowena looked first at Holar...

Then at Galahad.

Eleanor smiled quietly.

Percy took Clara's hand.

Galahad looked at them all.

“Why are you looking at me?”

No one answered.

Galahad:

“This doesn't feel good at all.”

Percy:

“I think it's good.”

Galahad:

“Do you know?”

Percy:

“No.”

Clara looked at him.

Percy:

“I really don't know.”

Holar took a deep breath.

“The appointment of Galahad Bridge Namson...”

Galahad's expression changed.

“As Humanity's Eighth Pillar...”

The room went completely silent.

“The Eighth Member of the Council...”

Galahad forgot to breathe.

“And deputy of the tower

under Helen's command...”

For the first time, Helen looked directly at Galahad.

“I submit for your vote.”

Galahad:

“Grandpa...”

Holar didn't remove his hand from his shoulder.

“Under normal circumstances...”

“If all six votes are yes...”

“My vote is automatically counted as yes.”

He paused.

“But this time...”

He looked into Galahad's eyes.

“For this boy...”

“I'll say it first.”

“Yes.”

Galahad's eyes widened.

Percy squeezed Clara's hand.

Clara looked at him.

Percy was smiling.

Holar:

“Helen.”

Helen didn't hesitate.

“Yes.”

Galahad turned to her.

Helen's expression was calm.

“As my deputy too.”

“Yes.”

A lump formed in Galahad's throat.

Holar:

“Richard.”

Richard stood.

Looked at Galahad.

“Yes.”

“I've seen you beside Arthur many times.”

“And beside Percy.”

“Not because you're strong.”

“Because you can stop both of them when necessary.”

Percy:

“He stops Arthur more.”

Richard:

“You run faster.”

The room laughed.

Percy:

“Was that praise?”

Clara:

“I took it as praise.”

Percy looked at her.

Clara grinned.

Holar:

“Sylvia.”

Sylvia leaned back in her chair.

Galahad looked at her.

Sylvia:

“Yes.”

One second.

“And if Percy tries to

blow himself up again...”

“You catch him first.”

Galahad:

“Why is that my job?”

Sylvia:

“Eighth Pillar privilege.”

Percy:

“He hasn't been elected yet.”

Sylvia:

“He will be.”

Holar:

“Rowena.”

Rowena made her face completely serious.

“No.”

Galahad's face fell.

Percy's eyes widened.

Clara:

“Rowena?”

Holar raised an eyebrow.

Rowena lasted two more seconds.

Then burst out laughing.

“Kidding, kidding. Yes.”

Galahad clutched his chest.

“You nearly gave me a heart attack!”

Rowena:

“You're Interplanetary now.”

“You can take it.”

Galahad:

“THAT'S NOT HOW IT WORKS.”

The corner of Helen's mouth curved.

Even Holar laughed.

Rowena raised her hand.

“Absolutely yes.”

Holar:

“Amelia.”

Amelia folded her hands on the table.

“Yes.”

She looked at Galahad.

“Genius alone doesn't make a Pillar.”

“Neither does power.”

“People need to believe they can

turn their backs to you safely.”

“I believe that.”

The humor slowly left Galahad's face.

He bowed his head.

“Thank you.”

Finally, Holar turned to Eleanor.

Eleanor was already standing.

Galahad looked at her.

Eleanor didn't speak for several seconds.

Then smiled.

“Percy chose you as his big brother.”

Percy lifted his head.

Eleanor continued.

“I've watched you for years.”

“You protected him.”

“Taught him.”

“Scolded him when he was wrong.”

“Stood behind him when he was right.”

“And today...”

She looked at Galahad's new aura.

“You no longer have the strength

to stand only in front of him.”

“You have the strength to stand in front of humanity too.”

She paused.

“Yes.”

Silence.

Seven votes.

Seven yeses.

Galahad stayed where he was.

Percy slowly stood.

Clara too.

Percy whispered.

“Bro.”

Galahad looked at him.

Percy's eyes were full of tears.

But he was grinning.

“Eight.”

Galahad's breath trembled.

Holar took out his Shiri.

Galahad looked at him.

“What are you doing?”

Holar:

“My duty.”

The worldwide mandatory live broadcast

system activated.

Screens lit up in Awakeners City.

Lessons stopped at the academies.

Tower sentries lifted their heads.

Shiri screens changed in homes.

Displays in public squares connected to a single broadcast.

Holar Jun appeared first.

Savior of the World.

The First Savior.

The Monster.

Leader of the Council and the Pillars.

But this time...

The other six Pillars stood behind him.

And Galahad beside him.

Holar looked at the camera.

His voice spread across the world.

“I am Holar Jun.”

“As leader of the Council and the Pillars...”

“And savior of the world...”

He placed a hand on Galahad's shoulder.

“I appoint Galahad Bridge Namson...”

“As Humanity's Eighth Pillar...”

“The Eighth Member of the Council...”

“And deputy of the tower

under Helen's command.”

He paused.

“May this bring good to our world.”

The broadcast remained silent for several seconds.

Then...

The world erupted.

Students at the Magic Academy jumped to their feet.

“GALAHAD?!”

“PROFESSOR GALAHAD?!”

“AT SEVENTEEN?!”

One student turned to the next.

“What was I doing at seventeen?”

The friend:

“You're not seventeen.”

“Right.”

“I still have time.”

Their teacher looked at them both.

“No.”

Both went quiet.

At another academy...

Students who had attended

Galahad's old classes were shouting.

“THE EIGHTH PILLAR!”

One climbed onto a desk.

“HE TAUGHT ME!”

The student beside him:

“Me too.”

The boy slowly climbed down.

“I felt special.”

Arthur's Shiri rang.

William was already recording the broadcast.

Charlotte covered her mouth.

Marcus watched the screen.

Arthur:

“Big brother Galahad...”

William:

“Interplanetary One.”

Arthur turned to him.

“Don't do math right now.”

William:

“I'm not.”

Marcus:

“He is.”

William:

“A little.”

Charlotte started laughing.

When Holar's announcement ended, Arthur stood.

“THE EIGHTH PILLAR!”

Then realized something.

“Wait a minute.”

William:

“What?”

Arthur:

“Did Percy know about this?”

Marcus:

“Probably not.”

Charlotte:

“If he did, he'd have blurted it out before Galahad.”

William nodded.

“True.”

Arthur:

“Very true.”

Olsen watched the broadcast quietly.

Wycliffe stood beside her.

When Galahad's name was spoken...

Olsen smiled.

Wycliffe:

“You're not surprised.”

“No.”

“Why?”

Olsen looked at the young man on the screen.

“Because even before he became a Pillar...”

“He was doing a Pillar's work.”

Wycliffe was silent for a while.

Then:

“Don't say that to Percy.”

Olsen looked at him.

“Why?”

“He'll invent another title.”

Olsen laughed.

“Too late.”

At home...

The broadcast didn't end.

Reactions from around the world flowed across the screen.

Galahad still couldn't speak.

Rowena came up to him.

Held out her hand.

“Has your heart recovered?”

Galahad looked at her.

“No.”

Rowena:

“Good.”

Galahad:

“WHAT'S GOOD?”

Laughing, Rowena hugged him.

“Congratulations.”

Galahad's face softened.

“Thank you.”

Amelia came next.

“Congratulations, Eighth Pillar.”

Galahad:

“That'll take some getting used to.”

Amelia:

“Don't get used to it.”

Galahad raised an eyebrow.

“When the title starts feeling heavy...”

“Remember why you received it.”

Galahad nodded.

Richard held out his hand.

Galahad took it.

Richard suddenly pulled him into a hug.

“If you start acting like Arthur's second father...”

“I'll have your Pillar status revoked.”

Galahad laughed.

“You're his first father.”

Richard:

“I know.”

“Just reminding you.”

Sylvia stepped in front of him.

Galahad looked at her.

Sylvia placed a hand on his shoulder.

“I'll keep checking your foundation.”

Galahad:

“Even after I go to Helen?”

“Of course.”

Galahad slowly looked at Helen.

Then at Sylvia.

“I became one deputy.”

“Two people are supervising me.”

Holar:

“I'll check too.”

Galahad closed his eyes.

“Three.”

Percy, from across the room:

“ME TOO!”

Clara caught Percy's arm.

“You sit down.”

Galahad opened his eyes.

“Thank you, Clara.”

Percy:

“I was going to help!”

Sylvia smiled.

“You already did.”

Galahad pointed at his chest.

“Quite a lot.”

Helen approached toward the end.

Galahad straightened a little involuntarily.

Helen looked at him.

“My deputy.”

Galahad:

“Yes.”

“You'll learn from me.”

“Yes.”

“And I from you.”

Galahad stopped.

There was a very small

smile on Helen's face.

“Don't be late on your first day.”

Galahad:

“What time?”

Helen:

“What time is Percy coming?”

Percy shouted from across the room.

“LEAVE ME OUT OF THIS!”

Helen:

“Earlier.”

Galahad's face fell.

Percy burst out laughing.

“WELCOME, BRO!”

Galahad:

“This is your fault anyway!”

Percy:

“You're welcome!”

Eleanor was one of the last.

She stopped before Galahad.

Looked at his face for a while.

Then hugged him.

Galahad was surprised at first.

Then hugged her back.

Eleanor spoke quietly into his ear.

“Thank you for not leaving him alone.”

Galahad's gaze shifted to Percy.

Percy was talking to Clara.

Using his hands far too much to explain something.

Clara was laughing.

A small smile formed on Galahad's face.

“I couldn't have.”

Eleanor drew back.

“I know.”

Holar watched them from across the room.

Then called to Galahad.

“Eighth.”

Galahad turned at once.

Holar raised an eyebrow.

Galahad was surprised by his own reflex.

Percy saw it.

Started laughing.

“BRO!”

Galahad:

“What?”

“It's only been five minutes!”

Galahad:

“Grandpa called!”

Percy:

“He said Eighth!”

Galahad:

“THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING!”

Clara laughed against Percy's shoulder.

Holar:

“You'll get used to it.”

Galahad:

“How many years did it take you?”

Holar thought.

“I haven't.”

Galahad:

“Wonderful.”

When the crowd thinned a little...

Percy finally stood before his big brother.

Galahad looked at him.

A few seconds of silence passed between them.

The blood on Percy's nose had been cleaned away.

His ears had been healed.

But his exhaustion wasn't hidden.

Galahad held out a hand.

Percy looked.

Then took it.

Galahad pulled him close.

Percy didn't resist at all.

They hugged.

Percy's voice came from his shoulder.

“Congratulations, bro.”

Galahad:

“Thanks, little Percy.”

Percy pulled away immediately.

“You fucked up the whole moment.”

Galahad burst out laughing.

Percy couldn't help it either.

He laughed.

Then hugged him again.

This time, Galahad's voice was quieter.

“You opened a path for me today.”

Percy shook his head.

“Clara did.”

Galahad looked at Clara.

Clara raised two fingers from across the room.

Galahad:

“Thank you.”

Clara:

“Don't tell Percy.”

Percy:

“I'M RIGHT HERE.”

Clara:

“I know.”

Galahad laughed.

Percy drew back.

“Bro.”

“Hm?”

“The Eighth Pillar.”

Galahad was quiet for a moment.

Childlike pride shone on Percy's face.

“My big brother.”

Galahad's eyes filled with tears.

Percy immediately raised a finger.

“If you cry, I'll tell.”

Galahad:

“Who?”

Percy thought.

“The world?”

Galahad slowly looked at the whip.

Percy:

“Joke.”

He stepped back.

“A JOKE, BRO.”

Clara:

“Run.”

Percy:

“GOOD IDEA.”

Percy turned.

Galahad ran after him.

“GET BACK HERE!”

Percy shouted as he fled around the living room.

“THE EIGHTH PILLAR IS CHASING A LITTLE CHILD!”

Galahad:

“YOU'RE THIRTEEN!”

Percy:

“EXACTLY, I'M STILL A CHILD!”

Clara:

“You just told him not to call you little.”

Percy faltered as he ran.

“Right now, I'm little.”

Galahad caught him.

“When it suits you.”

Percy:

“A lot happened today.”

Galahad caught the back of his neck.

“Excuse.”

Holar:

“I think it's valid.”

Galahad looked at him.

“Grandpa?”

Holar:

“I only just reached Galaxy.”

Percy turned his head.

Clara went quiet too.

Eleanor looked at Holar.

Holar continued perfectly seriously.

“I'm getting confused too.”

A second of silence.

Then the house erupted in laughter again.

As the night wore on...

The celebrations outside still hadn't ended.

The Eighth Pillar's name circulated through the squares.

Galahad Bridge Namson.

Seventeen years old.

Interplanetary One.

Humanity's Eighth Pillar.

The Eighth Member of the Council.

Deputy of the tower under Helen's command.

But inside the house...

Galahad sat on the sofa.

Percy's head rested on his shoulder.

Clara sat on Percy's other side.

Holar and Eleanor talked opposite them.

Sylvia still hadn't left.

At one point, Galahad looked at

his own face on the screen.

Then at Percy beside him.

Percy opened his eyes a little.

“Bro.”

Galahad:

“Hm?”

“Did you plan this?”

Galahad:

“No.”

“Me neither.”

Percy opened his eyes.

“Turned out nice, though.”

Galahad smiled.

“Yes.”

Percy closed his eyes again.

“I thought of Helen.”

Galahad's face fell.

“Don't remind me.”

Sylvia, from opposite them:

“Early morning.”

Galahad:

“Why are you still here?”

Sylvia:

“Checking that your new level settles.”

Galahad:

“Your eyes were closed.”

Sylvia:

“I can sense it better.”

Percy laughed without opening his eyes.

Galahad turned his head toward him.

“You're going to Helen too.”

Percy's laughter stopped.

Clara:

“There it is.”

Galahad:

“Now we're even.”

Percy thought for several seconds.

Then held out his hand.

Galahad took it.

“Morning hell?”

“Morning hell.”

Clara:

“Very romantic.”

Percy opened his eyes.

“I've got time to spend with you.”

Clara raised an eyebrow.

“For us to spend together.”

Percy smiled.

“Right.”

Galahad looked at them both.

Then pushed Percy's head off his shoulder.

“Go, then.”

Percy straightened.

“Bro?”

Galahad pointed at Clara.

“Didn't you postpone training

to spend time with her?”

Percy:

“Yes.”

“You've spent days strengthening us.”

Percy went quiet.

Clara slowly looked at him.

Holar too.

Eleanor too.

Sylvia too.

Percy looked around.

“...Well.”

Clara stood.

Took Percy's hand.

“Come.”

Percy stood too.

Galahad:

“And Percy.”

Percy turned.

Galahad smiled.

“Thank you.”

Percy looked at him for several seconds.

Then answered with the same smile.

“Always, bro.”

Clara pulled him along.

As Percy headed to the door, Holar called.

“Don't be late.”

Percy:

“For what?”

Holar:

“Helen.”

Percy:

“GRANDPA, MY LEAVE ISN'T EVEN OVER YET!”

Holar:

“Just reminding you.”

Percy:

“BUT YOU DON'T REMIND ME OF THE DEBT!”

Holar:

“That, I remember especially well.”

Percy:

“REACHED GALAXY, STILL NO CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT!”

Holar:

“THERE'S DEBT DEVELOPMENT!”

Galahad sank into the sofa laughing.

Eleanor covered her face.

Sylvia slapped the table.

Clara pulled Percy through the door.

Percy's voice still came from the corridor.

“TWO MILLION THREE HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND!”

Holar shouted after him.

“WE HAVEN'T DISCUSSED INTEREST!”

A second of silence.

Percy's voice came back.

“WHAT INTEREST?!”

The house erupted in laughter once more.

Galahad rested his head against the sofa.

His own name was on the screen outside.

8TH PILLAR — GALAHAD BRIDGE NAMSON.

Galahad looked at it for a while.

Then turned to Holar.

“Grandpa.”

“Hm?”

“Did it really happen?”

Holar looked at him.

This time, he didn't joke.

“It did, son.”

Galahad's eyes returned to the screen.

A smile slowly formed on his face.

The world had seven Pillars.

Now...

There were eight.

CHAPTER 113 — THE 8TH PILLAR:

GALAHAD BRIDGE NAMSON

END