Asher slowly opened his eyes.
The ceiling was unfamiliar.
Not white.
Warm-toned. Calm.
Soft sunlight filtered through a nearby window. The air felt peaceful.
For a moment, he didn't know where he was.
Then—
"You're awake."
Asher turned quickly.
Sebastian stood by the doorway.
"…Sir?"
Sebastian stepped closer.
"This is my house. After last night's training, you collapsed. I couldn't send you back like that."
Asher tried to sit up.
"I'm sorry… I lost control."
Sebastian shook his head.
"I should be the one apologizing. I pushed you too hard."
Asher took a breath.
"It's fine. I need to get stronger."
He hesitated.
"And… I'm glad you're my teacher."
Sebastian smiled faintly.
"That's not something I hear often."
Morning Table
They went downstairs.
The kitchen was simple but neat.
Asher sat while Sebastian placed food on the table.
"It's rare that I cook at home," Sebastian said calmly.
Asher picked up his spoon.
"Sir… how old are you?"
"Twenty-four."
Asher froze.
"Twenty-four?!"
Sebastian continued casually:
"And I'm married."
Asher nearly dropped his spoon.
"You're WHAT?"
Sebastian sipped his tea.
"Being a hero doesn't mean abandoning your life."
Asher grew quiet.
Then he asked softly:
"Is it hard… being a hero?"
Sebastian didn't answer immediately.
Then he spoke.
"Being a hero isn't about strength."
Asher listened carefully.
"The hardest part is knowing you can't save everyone… and choosing to fight anyway."
Silence filled the room.
"Sometimes you win. Sometimes you arrive too late."
Asher's gaze lowered.
"And the heaviest burden," Sebastian continued,
"is that people see you as a symbol. But you're still human."
"You're afraid. You doubt yourself. You get tired.
But you don't always have the luxury to show it."
Asher's voice was quieter now.
"Then… why continue?"
Sebastian's eyes softened.
"Because if you can change even one life… it's worth it."
He looked directly at Asher.
"And sometimes… you believe in someone's future."
A small pause.
"I believe in you, Asher. You will become strong."
This time—
Asher smiled.
A real one.
WHU
Later, Asher returned to the base.
The training grounds were quieter than usual.
In the distance, Julia stood alone.
He approached her.
"You okay?"
She looked at him.
"You scared us yesterday."
He scratched the back of his head.
"Control issues."
Julia stepped closer.
"You always blame yourself."
The wind moved her hair gently.
"But I don't want to see you destroy yourself just to grow stronger."
Asher blinked slightly.
"What do you mean?"
Her eyes didn't look away.
"I want you to become stronger.
Not lose yourself."
The distance between them shortened.
Asher could hear his own heartbeat.
Julia slowly placed her hand against his chest.
"We're a team."
"…Julia."
The air felt heavier.
Closer.
For a moment—
It felt like nothing else existed.
Then—
Footsteps.
"Well. Guess I'm interrupting something."
Vincent.
And he wasn't smiling.
"Freya is attacking the city."
Asher's expression hardened instantly.
"Again?"
Vincent nodded.
"She's not alone this time."
Sirens echoed faintly in the distance.
Sebastian's voice came through the comm system:
"All units, positions."
Asher clenched his fist.
This time—
He wouldn't hesitate.