Both Xue and Cecil arrived at the entrance of the sword mound expedition at the same time, none of them spotting each other. Eri and the healer had already scattered to help around.

They would then soon realise they weren't even needed there.

The area was filled to the brim with students scuttling about, and the teachers in charge of the expedition were nowhere to be found.

Xue and Cecol ran to the gate, which had more students streaming out, both of them wearing anxious looks on their faces.

"Hana!"

They called at the same time, pausing when they realised they were standing next one another.

"Xue!"

"Cecil."

"Are you looking for Hana too?"

Xue nodded.

"I'm here!" Hana chirped, appearing in front of them.

Cecil was startled by Hana's sudden appearance, clutching at her chest.

"I heard the two of you calling for me!" Hana beamed, before noticing their weird expressions. "What's wrong?"

"...they said a flare was shot..." Cecil started to say and Hana clapped her hands together.

"Ah, the flare! I shot it, because I was lost!"

"..."

"...what?" Cecil said, flabbergasted.

Xue blinked his eyes at Hana, indifferent. It was as if he had already expected something like that from Hana.

Cecil then assessed the situation once again. The crowd of students she assumed to be scuttling around in panic, were actually scuttling around in a hurry to leave.

She was speechless.

We weren't needed here at all!

"I want to show you guys my weapon!" Hana squealed, dragging them away quickly.

They were blocking the gates after all, and some students were giving them an irritated glance.

"To the academy garden!" Hana exclaimed.

The two of them glanced silently at one another as Hana pulled them along.

***

"A bow?"

Hana nodded proudly, showing off her bow with a grin.

Cecil inspected the bow closely in Hana's hands. Xue ended his inspection earlier, turning to Hana.

"A bow..." Xue muttered, smiling softly at Hana. "It really suits you, Hana."

Hana glowed even brighter at Xue's words.

"You really think so?" Hana questioned happily.

"Definitely," Cecil smiled, looking at Hana. "Couldn't think of a more perfect soul weapon for you."

Xue nodded, patting her head.

Hana giggled, leaning in. "Then...then what about the others inside?"

Xue widened his eyes slightly.

Cecil was taken aback by Hana as well. "Hana, are you talking about them?"

"Mhmm!"

"Hmm, I'm curious as well," Cecil tapped her fingers on her chin, smiling at Xue. "I wonder what they think about Hana's new weapon."

Xue didn't reject them, only staring blankly into space a second later.

Kai: "A bow definitely matches Hana!"

Alric: "Th-the bow is really pretty, like Hana."

Zasiok: "A perfect match."

Leonaut: "Heh, an archer, huh?"

Xue perfectly relayed their messages to Hana, not missing out a word. Hana seemed to pout at Leonaut's comment, wearing a troubled look.

"An archer..." Hana sighed out, looking at her bow. "But I don't know how to use a bow properly."

Seeing the depressed Hana, Xue patted her head again.

"I'll teach you, Hana."

Hana brightened up. "You know how to use a bow, Xue?"

The rigorous training he went through to become one of the mightiest warriors in the heavens, mastering archery was no exception. Thus, shooting a bow was as easy as breathing for Xue.

Xue nodded, his gaze straying to Hana's petite hand and an inexplicable look flitted past his grey eyes.

"Hana, wait here."

"Okay!"

Xue sped off, disappearing from the spot.

Cecil watched Xue go, a curious look on her face.

"Cecil."

"Hmm?"

"Do you think...I can use water to make ice arrows?" Hana questioned, her eyes gleaming with excitement as she observed her bow. "This way, I don't need to buy arrows at all!"

"Of course, Hana," Cecil grinned, patting Hana's head. "You can go ahead and try making them now."

"But Cecil," Hana smiled sheepishly. "I-I don't know how to create ice yet."

"...Hana, don't tell me, after you broke through the gate, you didn't find your the teacher to teach you?"

"I was having too much fun learning about cooking." Hana spit out her tongue slightly, still appearing sheepish.

Cecil smiled helplessly, shaking her head.

"Do you think it's too late to ask now?"

"Of course not, it's never too late, Hana."

"Never too late for what?" Xue suddenly asked behind them, startling the two ladies.

Hana proceeded to explain her dilemma, and Xue nodded, his expression lukewarm.

"I can teach Hana about that too."

"Really?" Hana gasped happily, before blinking innocently. "Oh, Xue, where did you go just now?"

"To take this from my room."

Xue revealed a protective glove in his hand. It looked like an ordinary black glove, but there was a symbol engraved on the center of the glove. At the corner of it, there were two letters carved onto it as well, but the letters were unrecognisable to Cecil and Hana.

Upon seeing the glove, Cecil widened her eyes and she slowly lifted her head up, gazing at Xue.

This glove...I've seen it before in another fanart...

Oh, Xue...

Her gaze softened, seemingly sad.

"A glove? It's looks so new and pretty!" Hana gasped, staring at it while still holding her bow. "Did you buy it?"

"It's an enchanted glove, it will never be worn out and neither can it be destroyed," Xue explained quietly, gazing at the glove. "And this glove cannot be bought anywhere else."

"This glove...is it yours?"

At that moment, a forlorn smile curved at his lips and he shook his head.

"It belonged to my mother."

Cecil gazed at the glove in Xue's hands, her expression a mixture between pain and sorrow.

"Your...mother?" Hana widened her eyes in disbelief, before panicking. "Then you should give it back to your mother for her to use it, I-I can't possibly take it!"

"She can't use it anymore," Xue stared at the glove, his fingers brushing against it. "Not anymore."

"Eh...?"

"My mother is dead."

Hana was horrified, her hands flying to her mouth.

The souls inside Xue were flummoxed, and they started to cry out, clutching at their heads. An overwhelming sense of grief, coupled with other underlying emotions assaulted their minds.

Xue stared blankly at the glove, his fingers curling up, wanting to clench the glove but he couldn't. Whereas, his other hand had been clenched so tight, his knuckles had already turned white.

Hana stared at Xue, not knowing what to say.

His entire being was trembling slightly, and blood started to seep out from his other hand.

"Xu-Xue, blood..." Hana noticed it, stuttering out softly.

A shadow stepped in beside Xue, and a pair of slim, pale hands held his bloodied hand.

"Xue."

Xue inhaled sharply, hearing a familiar voice calling out to him gently. He glanced up, seeing a delicate face and a pair of limpid onyx eyes.

Cecil lifted his trembling hand up, smiling gently.

"Xue, at this rate, you are going to destroy your own hand," Cecil warned softly, the warmth of her palm on his hand. "You said you were going to teach Hana how to shoot, weren't you?"

"Ah..." Xue blinked, relaxing his fingers.

Cecil slowly opened up his hand, his nails and his entire palm was covered in blood. Hana winced, and began searching around for water as she beckoned the water with her hand.

Cecil took out the ointment she hid inside her clothes when she visited the healer earlier.

Xue still wore the same nonchalant look on his face, his gaze fixated on Cecil as she looked at the glove in his other hand.

"The glove looks beautiful, and from its size, your mother seems to have slim hands."

Those words made Xue recall a fond memory of his parents, and he ducked his head down.

"...this glove was made by my father," Xue quirked a sad smile. "He created this glove so my mother wouldn't hurt her own hand anymore."

Cecil smiled.

"I am sure your mother's soul still resides in this glove, looking over you."

Xue lifted his head, gazing at Cecil. There was a hint of vulnerability in his grey eyes.

"Hmm." Xue hummed softly, nodding.

"Xue, water for your wound!" Hana rushed in, covering his hand in crystal clear water.

Washing away the blood, Cecil started to apply the ointment on his hand earnestly. Hana observed his hand closely, extremely concerned.

"Will his hand be okay?"

"The ointment made by the healer is very effective, it will heal in no time."

"Really?"

"Yes, I can confirm personally, Hana."

"Oh thank goodness, it looks really painful..."

"Mhmm, it must be."

Xue watched the ladies converse as they fussed over his hand. A warmth spread across his chest, and he found himself smiling.

"Are you okay, Xue? Doesn't it hurt?" Hana questioned, worried.

"I'm alright, Hana, and it doesn't hurt."

"That's a relief."

"If you are going to practice the bow with Hana, you need to cover up the wound," Cecil commented, keeping the ointment as she walked off. "I will head to the clinic to get some bandages."

Xue watched as Cecil leave, and Hana tugged at his sleeve.

"Xue, I'm sorry," Hana ducked her head down, guilty. "I shouldn't have pried any further and accepted--no, I can't accept the glove too."

Xue proceeded to ruffle Hana's hair with his uninjured hand.

"If it's you, I wouldn't mind giving you the glove."

"But it's a memento of your mother..."

"It's alright."

Hana hesitated, but under Xue's insistence, she decided to accept the glove that Xue offered to her.

She took it, wearing it gingerly and she smiled at Xue.

It was a perfect fit.

"I will...do my best, both for you and your mother!"

"Thank you so much, Xue!"

Xue smiled gently, and he started to guide Hana in the basics of archery.

***

Cecil walked down the quiet corridor, the evening sun streaming in via the windows. It was only her footsteps she was hearing, when suddenly, there was the sound of another pair of footsteps beside her.

She gasped, looking up and she saw the stranger standing beside her. She would recognise that exotic appearance with cobalt blue hair anywhere.

Fear rose up within her as it started to show on her face, before she composed herself, exhaling heavily.

"...wh-what are you doing here, Veau?"

Veau smiled lazily. "To say the word, Widerlich."

For once, Cecil's face didn't change, and she just sighed, walking forward.

Veau raised his eyebrows at Cecil clearly ignoring him. She showed no reaction to the word either.

He assumed she would cower back in fear too.

Veau took a step forward, and he suddenly appeared in front of Cecil. She halted abruptly, blinking her eyes up at Veau.

"What if I said I was here to kill you instead?" Veau stated, his smile gone and his voice was utterly cold.

Cecil widened her eyes in horror, the fear she tried to conceal was shown on her face.

With this capricious man, Cecil didn't know if she could take him seriously or not. Moreover, killing her would be as easy as a snap for him.

***

Pt. 1

《 start 》

So, is that him?

Yes, the child that is blessed by the heaven's judgement, the next in line for the Supreme God.

So, it's not according to the blood line of the previous Supreme God, but according to the judgement?

Yes, but being chosen as the next Supreme God...it's a true pity.

Why?

You never heard about it? The training one goes through to become a Supreme God...it's gruelling.

How bad can it be?

This child...would only able to see his family once every five years, when the training begins. His family isn't allowed to stay in the palace either, not until the heavens approves of him succeeding the throne.

What?! But he is only a mere two years old angel!

That is the fate of the Supreme God. To stand at the peak, destined to lead a lonely life. Especially, during these difficult times where the tension between the two realms is high.

-- Path to the Supreme God

《 stop 》

***

Pt. 2

《 start 》

Mo-mother, mother! How in the world did this happen? Why isn't father here?

He has gone on...to join the fight against the demon ambush. But knowing him...he is probably...

I will heal you up, mother--

Xue turned away, coughing and a mouthful of blood flowed out from his lips.

Xue! Are you alright--you are...seriously injured! What happened to you?!

Xue observed his mother bleeding out profusely in his arms. Her beautiful face was pale as a ghost, her fingers trembling as she touched her son's face.

Now that she looked closely, Xue was riddled with injuries everywhere.

Use your healing magic on yourself! Don't worry about--your mother! If you don't, you might die!

It doesn't matter if I die, but I won't let you die, mother.

The Supreme God can never die! Not during this dire times when everyone needs you most! Yo--you are so close to succeeding the throne!

At those words, his expression twisted bitterly.

Xue stretched his hand out, coughing once more as blood flowed out from his mouth.

No, my son, I won't let you use your remaining energy to heal me...you, you need to survive.

I don't want to.

His mother drew something in mid-air with her trembling hands, and the circular object contained mysterious symbols. She pushed the glowing circle towards Xue, and there was a blinding light.

Mother, why did you--you sealed my magic! Release it, I can't heal you this way!

My beautiful son...

His mother touched his face tenderly, a weak smile adorning her pale face.

You have to live on, for me...for your father...and for the rest of the heavenly realm...

No...no, I don't want to!

The seal will come undone soon enough, don't worry.

No, not like this, mother! I still haven't...I still haven't--

I was so selfish and so indulgent for myself, I haven't taught you anything about your own life, about finding your own partner, about...love.

Love? What are you talking about, mother? Partner?

And about the bonding ceremony between fated partners...a marriage...

Ma-marriage? Mother, what is that--

My only regret in life...is not being able to see you truly happy...and to see you find--someone you truly lo...

His mother coughed out blood, her eyes glazing over as her hand dropped from Xue's face.

...mother...!

The seal was lifted.

Xue could only clutch at his mother's lifeless corpse with his battered body, sobbing quietly in the house.

Her body began to glow, dissipating into tiny golden orbs.

Xue could only watch, with tears running down his face, his mother passing quietly.

In his hands, laid the glove that belonged to his mother.

-- Path to the Supreme God

《 stop 》

***

Pt. 3

《 start 》

My parents, who I can only see once a day every five years.

My parents, who passed away in the midst of the war.

My parents, who I should have treasured more.

...but they are gone now.

My mother's last words...

Finding my own life, my own partner, and...love.

The word I never understood fully.

I think...I understand it now.

《 stop 》