Sophia rests her elbows on the table. Her gaze shifts upwards, fixating on the intricate patterns on the ceiling. Curiosity dances in her eyes, prompting a soft sigh to escape her lips. With a gentle, warm glance, her attention turns towards Oliver.

"Hm... I wonder what's going on upstairs?" Sophia wondered aloud.

"I honestly have no clue," Oliver shook his head gently. Suddenly, he remembered something that caused his eyes to widen. "Wait a damn minute," Oliver gasped loudly. "Sophia?"

"Yes?" she answered.

"Of course, your parents know you're in Asbranne. But are they aware you're joining me in a fight against deadly creatures?" Oliver stood up.

"Oh... they don't know," Sophia admitted as her gaze lowered.

"...You need to go," Oliver said calmly.

"Why?" Sophia asked, looking at Oliver.

"For your safety. You don't have your parents' consent, and we're not sure who will be victorious in this fight," Oliver explained, his eyes scanning the room and resting on the other girls. "Sarrah? Bethany? You two should evacuate with Sophia," he told them.

"But we told you we would stand by your side," said Sarrah.

"Yeah," Bethany nodded.

"...Neither of you has permission from your parents," Oliver stated. "It will worry them. So, I'll be the only one who stays in Asbranne. I apologise for this decision, but all of you must go!"

"Oli," Sophia countered. "You'll make a bad decision if you haven't told me about my parents."

"Still, they won't allow their children to fight these monsters. Each of you must leave now before it's too late," Oliver insisted.

"That's not true," Sarrah interjected. "When we were announcing everyone to leave, I ran into my mother and father. I told them I would fight for this city. And I would stay here. You wouldn't believe how proud they were."

"I found my parents, too," Bethany added, raising her hand. "I even helped them pack up and leave. I told them I wouldn't go without Sarrah. And thankfully, they allowed me to stay while they evacuated."

"Oh... I never realized how open they would be to letting you do these things," Oliver said.

Sarrah and Bethany turned around and began to walk away. Once they were away from Oliver and Sophia, Bethany whispered to Sarrah in concern, "But we didn't even encounter our families. What if we don't make it?"

"...Stop thinking like that. We're not going to lose," Sarrah whispered back. "We'll be fine, I promise."

Oliver looked back at Sophia. "So, how about you?" he asked.

"I'll tell my parents," Sophia decided.

"How?" Oliver inquired.

"I'll send them a letter," Sophia replied as her eyes wandered around.

"Are there any papers around?" Oliver asked, looking around the area.

"Do you know how to summon those?" Sophia questioned, her head turning left and right.

     Oliver tapped into his magical abilities. With a subtle wave of his hand, a dozen sheets of paper materialized before him, accompanied by a quill pen. Then, he summoned the jar of ink into existence, holding it in his right hand.

     Immediately, Oliver turns his eyes towards Sophia. He smiles at her as he passes and hands her the papers, quill pen and ink jar. Oliver leans back in his seat and notices Sarrah and Bethany approaching from the distance.

"Hm?"

"Can we have some, too?" Sarrah asked bashfully.

"Sure," Oliver replied politely, handing two clean sheets of paper.

"Hey, thanks," Sarrah glanced at the paper.

Sophia then passed the jar of ink to Sarrah and Bethany. "Here's the ink."

"Thank you," Bethany said.

     The girls found their respective seats, arranging themselves in a comfortable position. Sarrah and Bethany chose to sit side by side with their shoulders almost touching. Meanwhile, Sophia positioned herself in front of the two girls, facing them directly.

     As the girls huddle together, their minds buzzing with ideas, Oliver crosses his arms and watches them intently. Approaching footsteps echoing from the staircase then draws his attention. He faces the stairs, and his eyes widen.

"Greg?"

Gregory and Edgar descended the staircase with their arms wrapped around one another.

"Oh, hey, Oli," Gregory waved.

"Is everything fine?" Oliver peered into the men's faces, seeing their long frowns covering their chins.

Gregory glanced at Edgar. "...Yes, everything's fine," Gregory answered.

"Good to hear," Oliver responded. He then looked at Edgar and addressed the young boy directly. "Okay, so, Ed..."

"Yes?" Edgar responded.

"You'll stay here for cover, understood?" Oliver stated.

"Alright," Edgar nodded and lowered his head.

"Hey, Oli?" Gregory called out.

"Yes?" Oliver looked at Gregory.

"May I join you in the battleground?" Gregory queried.

"No, you can't," Oliver answered. "Stop forcing yourself into everything I do."

"I'm not forcing myself. I'm willing."

"Can I join?" Edgar asked.

"Ed, you must stay here. You're too young," Oliver replied.

"Wherever Greg will go, I go," Edgar stated.

Oliver looked into Edgar's glistening eyes with concern.

     With a swift hand, Bethany signed her paper. She then slid the quill pen into the ink jar. Then, she stood up and followed Sophia and Sarrah to the entrance.

"How are we going to send these letters?" Bethany inquired, clutching the paper near her chest.