Extra's Descent

"Hm~ Hmm~"

Amelia joyfully hummed after taking a sip of her boba tea. The one Brandon had just paid for.

"Let me have a sip."

From the straw that Amelia just used, Brandon leaned in and took a sip.

"It's good."

"Right?"

"...."

"...."

The others who looked at them, petrified by the sight.

"...?"

As soon as Brandon finished, he looked at them curiously.

"What?"

Even the other couple, Artoria and Ray, seemed rather perplexed.

Though why were they even reacting like that?

'It's not like I kissed Amelia right in front of them.'

But despite the curious eyes, Amelia didn't seem to notice them and happily continued sipping on her drink.

Brandon dismissively shook his head.

It was just a drink.

No need for such a reaction.

Changing the topic, Belle cleared her throat.

"Kuhum. Anyways, regarding the training camp, I have some information about it. We'll be asked to form a group of six and tackle the tasks together. Though I'm unsure what the tasks exactly are, since we have the right amount of people here, why don't we all form a group?"

"Sounds like a plan, General."

Ray immediately accepted her proposal, along with Artoria.

Then, Belle looked at the others.

"What about you guys?"

"Sure."

"Okay."

"Alright."

The remaining three had no complaints as well.

That being said, their food was served and the group enjoyed their lunch break.

As soon as they finished, a sudden headache surged in Brandon's head.

"Haaa….."

It was getting harder to breathe as he clutched his chest, trying not to alert them of his sudden predicament.

For that reason, he stood up. They all looked at him, and Amelia asked.

"Where are you going?"

"Bathroom."

Brandon did his best not to stumble as he headed for the bathroom, taking deep heavy breaths.

"Haaa…. H-haaa…"

As soon as he entered the bathroom, he immediately retrieved a small bottle from his pocket.

Opening the bottle, he peered one of his hands through and grabbed what was inside.

It was a pill.

It had been happening for quite awhile.

Ever since he had seen the memories of Raven Blackheart….

Their sufferings.

Their agony.

Their deaths.

….He would occasionally get panic attacks.

"Haaa… Haaa…."

He had tried his best to forget the memories. Specifically, about their deaths.

He had never asked to see the memories in the first place.

If he could, he wanted to forget them.

However, he couldn't.

Because they were needed.

An asset.

If he were to sacrifice those memories, then he would lose his advantage.

His knowledge of everything that had happened in the previous regressions.

"Not enough…."

His heartbeat drummed, and his chest kept tightening, regardless of the pill he had just took.

For that reason, he chugged a bunch of pills until he finally calmed down.

"Haaa…. Fuck."

The pills were nothing special. Just a drug he had bought from a pharmacy store.

However, they were enough to do the job.

For now.

At first, all he needed was one pill.

Then the next, three pills.

Until later on, he had stopped counting how many pills he needed exactly.

Everyday, he felt like he was losing more of himself. However, he had to put on a smile just so the others wouldn't be alerted.

If it weren't for the pills, he couldn't even begin to tell what would happen.

It was his only way to alleviate the issue.

"Haaa…."

Clutching his chest, he stared at the mirror, taking in his disheveled appearance.

"I'm fine."

He was fine.

"Whatever I'm doing now…. It's still not enough. There's so much more to do."

After washing his face and fixing his appearance, he left the bathroom shortly after.

***

Two days later.

The raid was set in stone.

The Imperial Army wanted to avoid conflict, knowing the black market wouldn't back down easily. So, they offered a deal.

Protection in exchange for cooperation.

The market could continue under government oversight, as long as their activities didn't threaten the country.

The warning was clear. Any involvement in treason or dangerous crime would make them targets. If their business led to chaos, the government would strike without hesitation.

It wasn't about approval. It was about control. Cooperate, or face the consequences.

Thankfully, it didn't end in bloodshed.

They may have been startled at first upon the sudden appearance of an army, but since the Imperial Army quickly announced their motive—with the help of [Sound] magic, the blackmarket regulars settled down.

Brandon on the other hand, wasn't part of the Imperial Army just yet.

But under the approval of Bellion, he was allowed to participate. However, he would only deal with his own business.

After it was dealt with, he was told to leave and refrain from interfering.

With those thoughts in mind, Brandon immediately headed for the blackmarket's hospital.

And it had to be said, he was currently wearing a disguise.

None of the Imperial Army noticed "Brandon Locke." Not even Belle or Amelia.

After finding the right room, Brandon entered soon after.

There were two reasons why he wanted to save Rafael Asami.

One; regardless of his disappearance, Rafael Asami's influence as a businessman in their generation was respectable.

For that reason, he wanted him on his side and to leave Rafael indebted to him.

Secondly….. he felt like he owed it to Rachel.

That being said, Brandon stepped forward. At that moment, the sight of Rafael Asami, resting on the hospital bed, wires attached on his body, entered his peripheral vision.

Blonde hair that had grown quite long. He looked malnourished, evident by his thin appearance.

Brandon had already prepared a facility. A facility that was built upon blackmarket technology to treat Rafael Asami.

Brandon scanned up close.

From what Zed had told him, Rafael Asami had been comatosed ever since the calamity.

It was quite peculiar.

There were no visible injuries on his features. And from what he knew, there was nothing wrong in his head, or any other reason for the coma to last this long.

And also,

Beep. Beep.

His heart was beating. Quite healthily as well.

However, he would soon find out the cause of his predicament.

That being said, magic power embellished from Brandon's ring.

WHIII—

A portal materialized soon after, and several men emerged. They moved the hospital bed, as well as the machines attached to Rafael.

Then, they re–entered the portal along with the comatosed patient.

Brandon too had entered the portal along with them.

WHIII—

*

"How are his vitals?"

"They're…. Stable. Just like before. I still don't see anything wrong with him."

Brandon asked Zed.

After all, Zed was well versed in the intricacies of the medical field.

"That's really odd."

Brandon rubbed his chin.

He had wished for Rafael Asami to wake up first before telling Rachel. In the off–chance that Rafael Asami was permanently comatosed, then….

There would be no other choice.

Regardless, he wanted to wait it out for a bit. Just so he wouldn't instill a false sense of hope in Rachel.

"Do keep finding. You owe her a favor too, right?"

"Yeah, I guess so."

After all, if it weren't for Rachel, Zed wouldn't have the funds to continue in his own operations, back when he was still a blackmarket head.

Of course, it was a mutual partnership.

The two would help each other out in a time of financial crisis. Additionally, Zed served as some sort of mentor to Rachel when she had just started her business ventures.

"Thanks. Contact me if you need anything. Though I'll be gone for two months, if it's that important, I'll quickly come here."

"Where are you going?"

"Training camp."

***

The next day.

Since they had to prepare for the two month long training camp, Brandon and Amelia decided to go to the newly reconstructed Victoria Supermall.

However, there was a third party.

A little girl who insisted for them to take her with them.

How could they refuse such a cute little girl?

It was none other than Aurelia. Currently, she adorned a beautiful white dress and a black beret top to it off.

She was really cute.

"Look, Aurelia, it's so pretty."

They stopped by one of the clothing department windows. Amelia crouched down and pointed at one of the clothes, specifically catered to children.

"Wow~"

Aurelia's eyes glimmered as she stared at the clothes.

"Do you want Mama to buy you new clothes?"

Aurelia turned towards Amelia, her mouth opened slightly and her eyes sparkled out of joy.

"Un!"

Aurelia bobbed her head twice, and that was the deciding factor. The two entered the clothing department as if they had forgotten Brandon was there.

"...."

Eh.

Brandon shrugged his shoulders and entered the clothing department.

"Want to try this, Aurelia?"

"Un!"

"Hehe~ Look, Mama's got the same outfit~!"

Brandon sat down on one of the rounded couches, watching the two girls pick out clothes.

While it wasn't the first intention on why they wanted to go to the mall, it didn't matter.

Seeing the smiles on both of their faces, delighted by their bonding, Brandon couldn't help but smile.

If only….

"If only things could stay like this forever…."