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Scene 8 : Social Reach
Social initiatives—regardless of whether they're organized by governments, private sectors, or even royalty—are, at their core, born from a desire to help the people and create true public benefit.
And here in Skyperion, Kalan had taken on his mother's mantle as a pillar of society. He wholeheartedly dedicated himself to helping others, and with his naturally kind and considerate nature, it was no surprise that he was deeply loved by the citizens.
The proof was undeniable. The moment Kalan brought us to the site of today's event, villagers from the remote floating islet were already gathered, calling out his name in a chorus of joy.
The scene reminded Akira of a time long ago… a time when the king of his homeland was adored with such deep affection. People would eagerly line the streets, just to see his motorcade pass by. They'd bow their heads low, tears streaming down their cheeks uncontrollably.
The reason was simple. That king had poured his heart into his people—so much so that the nation revered him as a father of the land, loving his citizens as if they were his own children.
Akira muttered softly to himself,
"Kalan's the same way, huh… helping others with a genuine heart. It's a beautiful thing in a time of peace… but in this kind of volatile political climate… it's kind of frightening, honestly."
A vehicle resembling a two-tailed stingray crossed with a hammerhead shark—with a pouch-like passenger chamber underneath—approached. This was the main mode of transport for Kalan's team. It was far slower than the Blue Falcon, but could carry far more people. As it descended toward the open landing field, it gradually lowered both its altitude and speed.
We stepped out of the vehicle and were immediately greeted by thunderous cheers—clear evidence of Kalan's popularity and influence.
He led us toward a large stage. As we approached, he gestured for the crowd to quiet down, raising a hand and giving a familiar signal. But even with a sound amplifier, the crowd's excitement didn't wane.
Finally, Kalan cast a wide-area silence spell.
A wave of silence spread across the crowd. For three whole seconds, not a sound could be heard. At first, the villagers were startled. But once they recognized the spell, they didn't panic. Instead, they were filled with pride. They knew it was a signature technique of House Silencium—one so powerful it could be fatal if misused. Yet they felt honored to be enveloped in it, even if only briefly.
Standing toward the back, Mirelle murmured with concern,
"Kalan… he cast a wide-area spell like that without even chanting? That's ridiculous. He's a nightmare for mages like me who still rely on incantations…"
She turned her head away, eyes thoughtful.
"This won't do. If we ever face an enemy like him in the future, I'll end up dragging the team down… I have to start training for chantless spellcasting. Seriously this time."
Meanwhile, Akira had a very different perspective.
"He just used a potentially dangerous spell on an entire crowd of innocent people… and they're grateful for it? That's… strange. These people are strange. If Kalan ever turned into a radical cult leader… Arcadia would descend into utter chaos."
Though the purpose of our visit was a charitable event, it seemed to stir up more unease than comfort within our hearts.
Kalan began the opening ceremony once the crowd had fully quieted—without the need for further spells.
"Sorry I had to force the silence just now," he said through the speaker, "I just wanted to make sure things stayed orderly. Because today… we have some very special guests with us."
He paused. The entire island fell into complete, breathless silence.
"I'm sure many of you have heard by now—Arcadia has successfully vanquished both the Sin of Wrath and the Sin of Envy in near succession. Both had terrorized us for over a decade. But thanks to them—our newly arrived Third-Generation Heroes—that era of fear is coming to an end."
"So now, I'd like to invite them to the stage!"
Kalan raised his arm and motioned toward us. We walked up onto the platform together, and the cheers grew even louder—roaring through the floating village like a celebration for long-lost idols returning home.
Some of us trembled slightly, unsure whether it was from joy… or nerves.
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The activity for today was simple—just a distribution of supplies.
But the atmosphere? Completely different.
Instead of lining up for Kalan, the villagers flocked toward us.
In response, Kalan quickly adjusted the plan: he had the seven of us seated at a distance from one another, pairing each of us with someone from his group to assist.
Kalan paired with Keela.
Garret dashed over to Draco.
Kaelum approached Mirelle.
Zaria walked straight to Osiris.
And as for Magnus—he had been there earlier, but now he was nowhere to be seen.
A moment later, he reappeared, leading a young girl by the hand.
"Gwen, this is Lady Yue and the Hero Team," he said. "Go ahead and help them hand things out."
The girl, only slightly younger than Yue, stepped forward with a smile.
"Nice to meet you! Gwena Stormbrand. I'd be glad to help!"
"Hello there," Yue greeted her warmly. "Yue Lucentelle. Let's hand things out together, okay?"
And so, the two young women began distributing supplies side by side.
Kalan noticed that Akira was left on his own, so he let Keela continue on her own—she was already used to this—and joined Akira himself.
Akira was momentarily surprised, but he didn't question it and simply kept handing things out.
But soon, something felt… off.
The villagers weren't just here to receive supplies.
Some started talking, others asked for autographs, and a few even ran back home—only to return moments later with small offerings or handmade gifts, which they handed over breathlessly, like an exchange.
The line turned into a flurry of movement.
Villagers weren't queuing anymore—they were darting off and returning with gifts of their own, turning the event into what could only be described as… a fan meet and greet.
A hero-idol handshake event, in all but name.
As the crowd began to thin and the gifts tapered off, each person left with a full heart.
Kalan chuckled softly and turned to Akira.
"Ha ha… This went way beyond my expectations. They seem really happy. I'm glad I brought you all."
He leaned in, resting a hand lightly on Akira's shoulder.
"So? How does it feel? Helping people like this.
Knowing that everything you've worked for… actually means something.
Feels kind of nice, doesn't it?"
Akira's eyes welled up with tears—but he tried to hold them back.
His voice trembled slightly as he responded, trying his best not to show it in public.
"It's just… handing out supplies.
If I could, I'd rather offer knowledge.
Or ideas that help uplift people's hearts…"
Kalan fell silent for a moment, eyes thoughtful.
"I'd like to hear more about that.
Once we're done here, let's find a quiet spot to talk. Just the two of us."
Akira turned to look at him. His smile was soft, eyes closed.
But a tear slipped free, clinging to the corner of his eye.
He quickly turned away to wipe it, then turned back with a new smile.
Kalan noticed—but said nothing.
He simply smiled back, and continued handing out supplies like it really was a fan meet.
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After the last of the villagers had left and the event began to wind down, we all joined in cleaning up the area.
Yue stretched with a soft groan.
"Huup—! I didn't think it'd be this exhausting, honestly."
Magnus chuckled, stroking his mustache in that familiar way of his.
"Hard work, but a happy heart, eh?
That's what it means to help others, little miss."
Yue grinned brightly.
"It's true! I might be tired, but seeing everyone smile…
It really makes everything worth it."
Elina, busy stacking chairs, chimed in teasingly.
"But we're not done yet, Yue. We still have to tidy the place up."
"I'm on it!" Yue said with a cheerful smile—
But that smile froze when she spotted her new friend Gwen effortlessly lifting a whole stack of heavy boxes as if they weighed nothing at all.
Draco called out, clearly surprised.
"Wait… do you have gravity magic like me?"
Gwena looked confused as she walked toward the designated drop-off spot.
"Not really. I'm not good with magic, honestly.
If you rely too much on it, you're in trouble when you run into places where magic can't be used."
Then, without hesitation, she dropped the boxes.
THUD!
The impact shook the ground beneath our feet.
"Your own physical strength—that's something you can always count on."
We all flinched instinctively.
She was so tiny—how could someone like her possess that much raw power?
It was completely at odds with her sweet, innocent appearance.
Still, with so many strong hands—and so much experience—the whole team made quick work of cleaning up.
Everything was put away with almost military precision, while the rest of us pitched in wherever we could, mostly handling smaller tasks and helping to tidy up the grounds.
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With the cleanup complete, Kalan gathered us all together once more.
"All right, from here on out—it's free time," he announced.
"Feel free to relax however you like, and hang out with whoever you want."
He walked up behind Akira, slung an arm around his shoulder in a half-hug, and added with a grin,
"I'm going to have a quick chat with our hero here.
Keela, wanna come with me?"
"Of course!" Keela replied immediately, stepping closer without hesitation.
Mirelle followed behind them a moment later.
"Can I come too… if that's okay?"
"Of course," Kalan smiled warmly. "You're welcome."
With that, he turned and began leading Akira away toward a scenic lookout point, the two girls following quietly behind.
Yue stood watching them go, eyes lingering as if she wanted to follow—
But before she could move, Garret's booming voice echoed over the clearing.
"Oi, young Draco! Let's have a sparring match!"
"It would be an honor," Draco replied with a respectful bow.
"Please, teach me what you know."
Gwena bounded over, eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Can I join in too? Please?"
Magnus chuckled under his breath.
"Hohoho… my daughter, going toe-to-toe with the hero's warriors?
There's no way I'm missing this."
Yue's face fell into a pout, like a child being left out.
"Ehh… I wanna go too…"
Elina was just about to join the sparring crowd when Zaria gently interrupted her.
"Lady Elina… if it's not too much trouble,
I have something I'd like to talk with you about."
Elina's eyes drifted wistfully toward Draco, now walking away with the others, but she answered with a soft smile.
"Of course. Lead the way."
Osiris narrowed her eyes a little.
"Guess I'll stick with the ladies then.
Sparring's not really my thing.
I mean… I don't exactly have muscles, you know."
Kaelum tilted his head in curiosity.
"Lady Osiris… I heard you're a cyborg.
Would you mind telling me more about machines and robotics?"
Osiris shrugged.
"I only know a little, honestly.
I was only just born not too long ago.
But Elina might be able to explain more."
Elina reached out and gently took Osiris's hand.
"Even if your body's cybernetic, your heart is as gentle as any human's."
Osiris raised one eyebrow.
"Me? Gentle?
I've been thinking I should probably upgrade my emotion module or something…"
Kaelum gave a faint smile.
"Expressing emotions and feeling emotions…
Those are two different things, you know."
Osiris raised the other eyebrow now, visibly puzzled.
Zaria let out a soft laugh and said,
"Why don't we go sit under that big tree over there?
We can watch the matches and have our little talk."
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And so, with everyone forming their little groups, the day shifted into its next phase—
Moments of pause.
Moments of breath.
Moments to open up.
But the word "open up" is not something to take lightly.
It should be reserved for those we truly trust.
For if it is not—
Then it becomes not an act of honesty,
But one of exposing secrets that should have never been spoken.
Because sometimes…
the most dangerous thing in the world—
…is the thing closest to you.
And the most dangerous place?
Is the one you thought was safest.
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