the beginning after the end perfect duo

Separation

**Lilia's POV**

I opened my eyes after a bad night of sleep, and my head hurt too. Amazing.

"Lilia, we're waiting!" Mom yelled from downstairs.

Are they having breakfast already? I must be very late. I headed downstairs after organizing my room rapidly. Quickly passing by the mirror, my feet stopped moving in shock. My usually smooth brown hair was a mess, not to be seen with. So back to the room it is.

"Lilia, come on, lazy!" my mom yelled again, giggling voices accompanying her own.

"Coming," I said loudly while trying to brush my hair quickly.

"Why is it thicker than usual?" I thought after my few tries.

"Agh, I surrender," I finally stopped.

"Do you need any help, young lady?"

The table was already full: Mom, Dad, the Leywins, and the Twin Horns, a very unfamiliar combination.

"Didn't sleep well, Lilia?" Mom asked.

"Pretty much."

"I guess she was stressed out since we're heading out today," Jasmin said.

"Three months surely pass quickly, don't they?" Vincent said.

"Can you believe it, Tabitha? Our daughter is becoming an adventurer."

"She worked really hard for this in these past months," Arthur said.

"Of course I did," I said proudly.

"Aren't we going to eat or what? I am starving," Tom said. Sylvie nodded in agreement as well.

"Well, you have to eat well; this is your last meal before going," Alice said.

"Where are the others, Jasmine?" I asked.

"Well, after the birthday party, they left when you guys were asleep. They said they stayed too long and were planning to say goodbye, but you were already asleep," Mom said.

"Just like she said," Jasmine added.

"Ahm, ok."

A few minutes later.

"Tom, Arthur, I entrust you to make sure Lilia's safe if anything happens. You guys are strong, protect her, okay?" my father said.

"Dad, I am not weak, remember? I can protect myself."

---

**Tom's POV**

"Listen to me, Tom, Arthur, you are both immensely strong and talented for your age, but even with that in mind, you should always be careful. A single mistake out there means it's over for you. Listen to Jasmine; she's older than you and knows what to do. Whatever happens, know that we are proud of you and are waiting for your return," Mom said.

"Hey kids, while you're gone, I am going to train even more, so when you're back, you better not lose to this old man. Roger that, kids?" my father added.

"Roger that, kids," my father's voice seemed distant this time.

"Roger that, kid," his voice got even further this time.

"Roger that, kiddo," this time it didn't even seem like my father's; it sounded completely different.

"Roger that, Tom?" he said again.

"Yes, sir," I said.

A long hug from our side meant that Jasmine was just standing there, watching our family.

"Are you done yet?" she asked.

"Yes, we're ready."

Arthur's appearance and mine were identical, thanks to our perfectly tailored suits made of black leather, enhanced to mute our moves and keep a stable temperature. A voice alteration device, crafted by my bloody genius brain, was also part of it. In addition, I added shock-absorbing material on top, making it armor that allows quick movement and agility.

Lilia's suit was made from the same materials, with a change in colors. Hers was blue, matching her water elemental attribute, and had a cool mana-absorbing blue crystal in the middle, allowing her to conjure powerful attacks.

"All right, so what's the first thing to do?" Lilia asked.

"We need to get your adventuring badges from the adventuring guild."

"And how exactly do we do that?" Lilia asked again. She must be excited.

"Well, you need to fight against one of their examiners, and they'll give you a rank: E, D, C, B, A, AA, or S," Jasmine said again.

The cart was getting slower; we were almost there.

"Tom, what rank do you think I'll get?" Lilia asked again.

Can't she stop already?

"Probably an E or D," I chuckled.

"Am I really that weak?" she said depressingly.

"You're probably stronger than that. Plus, you're still young; there's time to develop yourself," Arthur said.

"Thanks, Arthur."

"We're here," Jasmine said, and she left the cart first. Arthur next, and then me.

"By the way, I was just joking, Lilia," I said as I got down.

With Jasmine upfront, we kept going inside the building, a very organized one, with adventurers pooling around, waiting for their ranking or a mission. We just surpassed the line and went through.

"She's special, isn't she?" Arthur asked.

"Probably. We'll find out soon," I said.

"What are you two whispering about now?" Lilia said, jumping in front of us.

"Nothing," Arthur and I said.

"Ah, whatever," Lilia said, disappointed, I guess?

"Jasmine Flamesworth, how can I help you?" the assistant said.

"Shit, it already started," Arthur said.

"I would like three tickets for the examination process for these clients here," Jasmine said, moving out of the way to reveal our trio.

Lilia also has a mask, by the way.

"Well, if they're your friends, then they're our first priority. Here you go, and Mr. Kaspian wants a word with you, if you don't mind, of course."

"Kaspian? Seems like an important dude, doesn't he, Arthur?" I said.

"Definitely," Arthur said.

Let's see how this unfolds.

With that, we went to the examination hall, but just before entering, Kaspian stopped us from opening the door.

"Ms. Jasmine Flamesworth, it has been a while since our last meeting, hasn't it?"

"I no longer go by that, Kaspian," she said coldly.

"Good luck to your friends over there, even if they might not need it since they're your pick," Kaspian said.

"Thank you, Mr. Bladeheart," Jasmine said.

With that, we entered the hall that will determine our ranking and our potential future.