The Wielder's Winter (The Manifests Series #1)

[24] Scrapbook of Memoirs

It's been three days since the fiasco at the Bowling Center.

Zeke and Jihyo were treated for their wounds and injuries. Zeke had to be operated to remove the remains of Shintel's rapier on his right shoulder.

Glendale didn't have any physical injuries, but he was still heartbroken over the death of his father.

An internal wound that would take a lifetime to heal.

Benedict's body would soon be buried just outside the settlement. His resting place wasn't all too grandiose-- it was only a simple gravestone with his name carved out in cursive.

Glendale didn't attend his father's funeral---for he couldn't bear seeing his father gone. He stayed on Minji and Hyungwon's place since there was an extra bed, and has been sulking ever since, not talking to anyone except for meal time.

Meanwhile, Zeke and Jihyo themselves contemplated on what happened.

The sight of a little kid, losing his father in a battle they didn't even want to be in--- it was a scenario that was too heartbreaking to bear.

Zeke and Jihyo didn't even know Benedict that much. They haven't even talked heart to heart, or bonded, or shared a drink, like how they do to Minji, or Hyungwon, or anyone else in the settlement.

Yet the pain was there.

And the realization that the reason why Benedict was here was because he wanted to see his wife, Callie, and try to make amends in their relationship... made it all the more heartbreaking.

They knew Callie was never going to see him again.

April 8, 2023, 11:55 am, Minhyuk's Settlement, Daegu, South Korea.

Zeke and Jihyo were seating silently next to the food stalls, waiting for their food to arrive.

Zeke had a huge bandage all over where Shintel had struck him with her rapier. Jihyo, on the other hand, had bandages and pain relief pads all over her body, and was still a little exhausted from the fight.

Zeke was looking at the Manifest Benedict entrusted to him. The Phantasm, as he called it. It was warm to the touch, and he feels stronger just by holding it.

But it felt wrong.

He told Jihyo alot of times that it would be nice if he had Manifest... But now he does... he feels very conflicted. He doesn't even know if he deserves wielding the Phantasm. Benedict didn't even know who he was, yet the trust he gave him was like that of a long lost friend.

More importantly, he wonders about Glendale. They haven't talked since the burial. How is he right now? How does he feel about some stranger recieving a Manifest from someone he truly cares about?

"...ke. Zeke. Zeke!" A voice snapped him out of his thoughts. It was Jihyo.

"H-huh..? Yes, yes? Why?" Zeke replied as he stuttered.

"You seem lost in thought. You okay?" Jihyo asked.

"I've... just been thinking of what happened three days ago. I still couldn't wrap my head around it..." Zeke looks at Jihyo.

Jihyo sighs. "Yeah. I feel the same way too. Losing a father like that... I... there's no words."

Silence filled the air for a while as Jihyo suddenly has an idea in mind.

"...you know, we should do something for Glendale." Jihyo said. "Something to make him feel better. Something that could lessen the pain he's feeling."