It was a lonely darkness, there was not a single resemblance to the cosmic event Sieg had felt when he was first summoned to the trial.

  "A man receives his flowers only after death. Never let your situation lead you to complete isolation. The world is too massive for me to see you end up alone… my son…"

  Those were the words that echoed in Sieg's mind, the gentle voice of his mother.

  I can't die yet… I haven't accomplished anything…

  Within this space, he gritted his teeth, the urge to be freed and wake up again intensified. Yet… why did he feel a strange sense of peace?

  Sieg could feel the warmth of a bonfire, and an aroma so enticing that he didn't want to miss it. Smoke curled into the air, carrying the scent of sizzling meat.

  One particular man was tending to the flames, cooking a meal with practiced ease.

  "AHHH!" Once again, Sieg jolted, into a scene he knew all too well. This mountain would not let him die, and one could only guess what true death entailed within this domain.

  It was Mister Knight, carefully turning a steak over the fire. Sieg felt a shock. He had been beheaded by this same man, yet here he was, alive.

  Heart pounding, Sieg instinctively checked his body and neck for any sign of injury. To his astonishment, he was completely healed.

  "Calm down — you're no longer in any danger."

  Sieg felt disoriented, lightheaded even, but he was beginning to assess his situation. It seemed Mister Knight had no intention of attacking him anymore.

  "Sieg, come join me."

  Confused, Sieg hesitated. He thought he had failed.

  "Are we still going to train after?" he asked automatically, a reflex born of pure muscle memory.

  Then his eyes landed on the wine and bread, Mister Knight was really going all out. The slum boy's stomach rumbled in anticipation; it looked delicious.

  "Boy, you have learned everything you need to know. There is nothing more I can teach you," Mister Knight murmured. But Sieg caught a trace of… sadness in his voice. He knew his time with the Knight was coming to an end.

  "I see… but Mister Knight, where's my sword?"

  "You won't be needing that longsword, after all, I broke it. I'll provide you another one tomorrow."

  "Damn…"

  "Sieg, I won't repeat myself. Join me."

  The boy immediately rose from his bed. As he did, he remembered the pain when Mister Knight permafrosted him, and a slight hint of hesitation embraced his muscles.

  "Boy, is there a need to be afraid? You're still alive. I suggest you learn from what killed you, as not everyone can comeback from death twice."

  "Besides, you succeeded. You passed my test. So, let us celebrate you becoming ever closer to ascending…"

  Sieg was lost for words — his heart, for the first time, felt heavy with pride. His eyes almost watered, but he stopped himself.

  "What's wrong, boy?" asked Mister Knight.

  And Sieg gave him a respectful look. "Mister Knight, for the first time in my life, I made progress."

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  He bowed. "Thank you. I couldn't have done it without you, Mister Knight!"

  Mister Knight was speechless. He had no intention of ever forming a fond connection with Sieg beyond being a mentor within the context of the trial.

  "I am merely one of many trial overseers. I am doing nothing more than fulfilling the purpose of my existence."

  "You triumphed with your own efforts and perseverance, and I may not be there for you all the way, but I do wish that after all of this, you continue to prevail."

  "So come — before the food gets cold."

  That's the kindest thing Mister Knight has ever said to him. It's weird receiving this kind of compliment when you're not used to it, but it's not a bad feeling at all.

  With a confident heart, Sieg sat across from Mister Knight, the bonfire crackling between them.

  The scent of the steak was overwhelming — rich, warm, nothing like the stale scraps he grew up with.

  Mister Knight slid a plate toward him. "Eat."

  Sieg took one bite… and smiled. The steak was tender, bursting with flavor; the taste of butter was heavenly.

  His eyes widened in disbelief. "Mister Knight, this is… incredible," he remarked. "I didn't know food could taste like this."

  Mister Knight simply nodded, cutting his own portion, however, he remained silent as always.

  Sieg kept eating, slower after noticing he had nearly devoured half the plate in a few seconds.

  "Take your time."

  "You're right, Mister Knight…"

  Then he tried the bread. It was soft, and the bonfire complemented the atmosphere of their silent feast.

  The experience was memorable.

  "Mister Knight… how the hell are you eating with your helmet still on?" Sieg asked, watching his mentor somehow eat beneath the metal visor.

  "Boy, respect the privacy of others."

  "I understand…"

  I guess I'll just never know what he really looks like…

  Then Mister Knight poured a small cup of wine. "To your success, take a sip."

  Sieg obeyed, wincing. "This is what adults drink? It's bitter."

  A faint chuckle escaped the Knight. "You'll grow used to it."

  Did he just chuckle for the second time?! What an achievement!

  As they ate, Sieg was acutely aware of the moment — just like the bonfire, its flames wouldn't last, but the warmth he felt today amidst the cold was something that would remain with him through countless tomorrows. In some way, he wished he could share a meal like this with his mother.

  When he finished, he looked up. "Thank you, Mister Knight."

  As usual, the Knight only gave him a knowing nod.

  But before it was too late, Sieg mustered the courage to ask, "Mister Knight, who caused that burn mark on your abdomen?" His tone was careful, as if he were probing a sensitive topic.

  Mister Knight made a thinking sound. "It was a long time ago. That person had flames that could burn even in the coldest temperature. I considered him a friend."

  Someone could create a fire hot enough to withstand Mister Knight's permafrost, what a monster. And… Mister Knight actually has friends?

  In an instant, as if Mister Knight had heard Sieg's thoughts, he shot a judging glare with the one eye visible behind his helmet.

  That was a mistake.

  Ahem—

  "Mister Knight, can you really call them a friend if they hurt you that badly?" Sieg asked. His question made the Knight pause, and he considered his reply very carefully.

  "I see it differently. This friend of mine had strayed from his path, so far that his past self would have disagreed with him."

  "I see… so you did what you could to help out, then?" Sieg asked, intrigued.

  "Indeed. As an old friend, I would not stand by doing nothing. In that moment, preserving the friendship was not the purpose — the purpose was to ensure he did not destroy himself through the blind choices he had made."

  Then Mister Knight continued on and on, to the point that Sieg was almost surprised by how openly he spoke.

  "Our friendship may have been tested, perhaps even broken, but I guided him back toward his old dream. That… caused this burn on my stomach. Yet I have never once resented him."

  "And in my eyes, that was a small price to pay for this… strange, enduring friendship."

  Sieg had spent so much time with Mister Knight, and this was the only moment he had opened up about something personal.

  Mister Knight can actually be talkative?!

  Perhaps if Sieg had asked more questions, initiated more conversations, and not just fixated on his training, he could have learned more about the person behind his mentor.

  "You are a good friend… Sir Ark…" It was also the first time Sieg had ever addressed him by name.

  Mister Knight felt a sense of pride behind the helmet.

  The bonfire flickered.

  "If there's one more lesson I can teach you—" Mister Knight suddenly added, and Sieg immediately leaned in, listening with full attention.

  "Then seek companionship not in comfort, but in friends who challenge you. You'll feel gratitude toward yourself, for at the end of your journey, you won't be so lonely."

  Sieg couldn't find the right words to say in return. He had never really thought about friendship before, but the idea didn't feel wrong.

  "I'll take that to heart — Mister Knight…"

  Then Mister Knight leaned in. Sieg was confused at first, but he realized the Knight was going for a fist bump.

  Sieg smiled and leaned in himself.

  Bump!

  Above the warm glow of the bonfire, student and mentor shared a moment that would linger in memory forever.

  Chapter End.