Crossing Illusion: Reflection (Book 1) #Wattys2017

Chapter 58: An Unforeseen Progress

After the trip to Japan during the end of December, the Mirage unit of SPD is finally back to Europe, Hessenstadt, Stockverst capital. Not many things have changed ever since their journey, and the situation been going well. Perhaps, much better than even their expectations. There's no serious cases to handle, which mean that they can rest for at least a week or two, with only little work to take care for once in a while.

For the first three days, most of the young generation are taking a break, resting their muscles, adapting to the jetlag, cleaning their home, catching up with their hobby, socializing with everyone, or just taking a walk around the city to see how things going. The outgoing type such as Noir, Melisa, Laya and Tybard are inviting everyone to play on the Grand Parlor mall on the weekend, successfully inviting Almerich, Danny, Christine, and even Gourd. Strangely enough, Adalbert that known for his narcissism didn't looks to be so excited, considering that usually, he's the one that seek the chance to flirt with all the girls. Not only that, but there's also a noticeable change in his personality. It's not like he suddenly become someone else, but he's more quiet now, almost as if he learned something precious in his life that makes him more mature. He often seen daydreaming, staring in the emptiness, gazing at his gun and making gimmick movement as he aim on them.

"Now that I think about it.... Is it just me or Ad been acting weird ever since we returned from Japan?" Noir asked his friends as they rest on the rooftop of the mall, enjoying the sunny blue weather that's not too hot, quite breezy, and feels quite comforting, as a sign that spring is coming soon.

"Actually, he's been like that even when we're still in Japan." Almerich added his own view, and many there actually agreed.

"Is he okay? I mean, he's an asshole, but I'm kinda worried..." Laya asked to everyone around, and they shrug.

"I start to think that the lightning mess his brain...." Noir said in a slightly more quiet voice.

"Possibly... Statistically speaking, a normal lightning strike rarely kill anyone, but getting hit by one often leave a psychological damage...." Almerich guessed, and everyone genuinely get concerned, all the while they turned their eyes to Melisa, who also get hit by one during the battle.

"Well, this one right here shows no change." Tybard gestured on the blonde. 

"Can't roast a brain when there's none to begin with." Almerich said nonchalantly, prompt for Melisa to suddenly stare at him.

"Okay now that's uncalled! Wanna fight!?" She raised her fist and grinned while Almerich glance at him with a flat expression.

"She seems fine, nothing changed from her." Almerich said, and it's when they realize that he intentionally bait her to see if there's a change in her personality. It does not stop the blonde from being angry, but soon, they start thinking about the other victim again.

"Actually, everyone..." Suddenly, the sound of Johan heard as he returned there with two big plastic bag of groceries. "I did healed both Melisa and Adalbert, but truth to be said, neurological damage is something that even the most expert doctor often cannot handle, because our brain and anything connected to them are complicated." He start to explain the situation as he put the bag on the table and sit on the bench. "Even with my Phantasm, Paramecia, there's no guarantee that when I repair your head, the damage can be reverted without a consequence..." He sighed as he took some of the veggies out from the bag. 

"Imagine this... If your hands or legs get hurt, you can go back to work again as soon as they healed, but there's a chance that the scar will remain." He hold a carrot in his hand and makes a peeling motion. "Skin colors might changes when you regenerate, because your body is rebuilding itself. Same goes to your organs, but you don't need to worry because you cannot see your organs..." He then put down the carrot and grab a cabbage instead. "Different case with the brain. Even if it can somehow regenerate, the part that get rebuild, means replaced, and the slightest of change to the structure, means a vastly different setting to your previous brain." His finger gestured to the pattern of the cabbage, as if telling them that replicating all of these, in the exact same order, would be nearly impossible.