"Hey, Eous, the news just mentioned the Bringer investigation outcome." Belle announced as he entered the back room. "Seems like the Commissioner regards everything as Bringer's personal actions..."

Eous shrugged, setting down the briefcase on the desk and walking over to the sofa.

"I was hoping the internal investigation exposed more big names." Wise admit.

"Probably sweeping a lot under the rug to save face." Eous commented.

"Good point. After all, the Exaltists are involved—"

Eous phone began to ring— or rather, Fairy appeared just to jitter in front of him like so. He sighed and chopped her head to pick up the call.

"Hello?"

"Master Proxy, my apologies for disturbing you. I have some important matters I'd like to discuss with you in person. Are you available at the moment?" Lycaon asked.

"Yeah, I'm free. Something wrong?"

"In my humble opinion, I wouldn't consider this an issue, at least. But thank you for your time, Ellen and I will arrive shortly." Lycaon replied with grace, hanging up the call.

Belle wanted to comment but not even two seconds later the door to the store jingled.

•

"We need to be honest with you about the Master of Victoria Housekeeping." Lycaon began.

Eous hummed. "Never really wondered about that. Cool."

"Victoria Housekeeping is loyal to the current head of the Mayflower family, who is also the current mayor of New Eridu."

Ellen shrugged in response to Lycaon's reveal. "He sounds pretty normal from what I've heard. Never seen him in person."

"Well, it's the mayor himself who wishes to speak with you all, which is why we've come here. After all, Nova has been deeply involved in the previous Bringer and Sacrifice-related events."

"W-Wait, all of us...?" Wise questioned nervously.

"Please be assured. I pledge on my honor that the mayor has no ill intentions and will not hold either of you accountable in any way." Lycaon replied with a bow.

•

"They're here with me now, sir." Lycaon announced.

"I'm glad to have the chance to speak with you, youngins. Helios Academy used to be a peaceful and comforting place..."

Wise and Belle's eyes widened in shock.

"You know about..."

"Yes, I do, and I knew your teacher, Carole... She was a kind person. I was truly sorry to learn that she was the one held responsible for the fall of the old capital."

"She was innocent! There has to be more to the story...!" Belle cried out.

The mayor hummed. "I hope so too. It's just that... the fall of the old capital still weighs heavily on us all. But I believe you just got caught up in all of this. I'm sorry for what you've been through over the years, it must be tough."

"We'll clear her name... sooner or later." Wise exclaimed.

"I sincerely wish you success. However, the real reason I reached out to you is to tell you something about your eyes." The mayor began. "I stumbled upon some of the data Carole left behind. She spent much of her time studying ways to minimize the side effects of your eye implants."

"She was always looking out for us..." Belle murmured.

"Yes, which is why I believe this was her final wish. As her friend, I want to see it through. Simply put, your eye implants are directly linked to your brain, and their functionality depends on your body's limits. As a result, the HDD system takes up a part of your body's capacity. This leads to certain issues, the most notable being that it suppresses your innate Ether aptitude.

After an upgrade, the HDD will operate with significantly reduced power consumption, allowing for a substantial boost in your Ether aptitude... or rather, a restoration to its original level."

"So they'd be able to enter Hollows themselves?" Eous asked with skepticism.

"Exactly. They'll likely experience some discomfort at first, but you'll get used to it over time." The mayor reassured.

"And what's the catch? We, or rather Nova, has been public enemy number one for as long as last summer. You've known about us for this long and you're just giving this technology for free?" Eous questioned.

Belle and Wise wanted to chastise him, but it was New Eridu. Surely the mayor wanted something.

"I'm not asking for anything in return. As for why I didn't reach out sooner... The truth is, from what I've learned, their eyes possess even greater power. Perhaps that power within you could affect all of New Eridu. But you must understand that power is a double-edged sword. It can be used against enemies, or allies.

As the mayor of New Eridu, I must ensure everyone's safety. I've been far more occupied with... Nova, than you two specifically, Belle and Wise. If it wasn't for the good graces of Victoria Housekeeping, among many other sources of input, Nova would've been detained far sooner for the safety of the people."

Eous leered at the screen in frustration. Lycaon placed a hand on his shoulder and nodded in respect.

"I must reinstate, the man behind Nova's every accolade is kind and honorable person. He's only ever used his power for the right cause."

Ellen agreed. "Yeah, he's super cool."

"...I see. Well, I look forward to your continued support of New Eridu, Nova. I expect great things. I'll let Lycaon assist you with upgrading the HDD system."

•

Belle and Wise were swaying around in a daze as the HDD screen flashed blue. The two could slowly feel an invisible binding within them deteriorate as time passed.

Eous himself could feel the shift of electricity within the device, feeling his own implant being tampered with— not that it would help much when he was immune.

He watched the two finally find their footing before feeling a sense of clarity and lightness, clenching their hands in disbelief.

"How are you feeling?" The mayor questioned.

"Great...! As if a weight's been lifted off my very spirit." Wise replied.

"Dizzy, but good! I feel weightless!" Belle cheered.

"That's good to hear, but give your bodies time to adapt to the changes. As a precaution, hold off on entering bigger Hollows until you feel clear. It's impressive that you adapted so quickly— your Ether aptitude should now be on par with most Hollow Investigators."

Eous was still skeptical of these upgrades, since this was the first he was hearing of their alleged powers.

He wasn't going to hold it against them for long, but he had to admit coming this far without out that knowledge was disappointing.

"To test the waters, I'll hire you for a commission I need help with. Ellen and Lycaon can accompany you. Take your time in the journeys ahead. You've got plenty of time to uncover your full potential." The mayor suggested.

~•~

Eous decided to trust Lycaon and Ellen with Wise and Belle, since he was still coming to terms with all this new information.

He spun around in the HDD's chair with a scowl while Eliza watched in concern.

"I'm sure it's with good— let me not lie. I don't know why they'd keep that from you with all you've been through for them." Eliza threw up her hands in defeat.

"Exactly. Risk my life for this place a few times and you'd think have whatever VIP access it takes to get that outta them..." Eous shrugged.

"Maybe you should finally have a talk with them about their origin?"

"I know most of what was already said aside from their power. It's ridiculous I had to learn it from Miyabi, who they trusted far before me." He replied.

"That's... damn, that's fucked." Eliza scratched her nape and leant against the couch.

"It's whatever. Not like I'm any better. Haven't told them about half the stuff I can do. Like this."

Eous held out his palm before summoning an Ether Core.

"Can create energy sources. We don't really have to rely on an electric bill, but the last thing we need is living above our means." He explained.

"Does that mean your external Ether output is back to normal?" Eliza wondered.

"Give or take 50%. That little trick the mayor pulled seemed to affect me too since I'm always linked to the HDD." Eous smirked.

"That's great! Hopefully means we shouldn't get a scare like last week again..." Eliza responded with a glare.

"Glad to see someone would've missed me." He smirked.

She scoffed and flicked him off. "You kidding? You're my living, kid."

"Wow. Romantic."

"Not what I meant! I meant my income!" Eliza snapped in annoyance.

Eous snickered and walked to the door, waving her off. "Gonna go for a walk. Tell Wise and Belle to give Fairy the details about that Auction the mayor wants us to attend."

Eliza was confused, wondering why he assumed that's what the mayor wanted.

It didn't take long to realize he was right on the money.

•

"Took you long enough, dear boy! I expected a call four minutes ago." Hugo mused.

"Sorry," Eous took a bite of his burger. "Needed a snack."

Hugo let out a long sigh and shrugged. He was as carefree as the rumors foretold. "Might I ask what this momentous occasion is about?"

"The auction. Need a seat. Preferably two." Eous' tone dropped drastically.

"Ah, so you'd like to attend, huh? I'd love to assist, but unfortunately, I have some tasks at hand..."

Eous scoffed. "Just tell me what you need help with, man, don't be dramatic."

"Alright, alright, meet me at Dew Gardening Shop at Lumina Square. Better to discuss this in person, no?"

Eous hummed and looked at the nearest power line with a smile. "Be there in 5."

•

Eous skipped out of an LED sign and looked around for Hugo, finding the lanky man smelling a pot of flowers outside the store.

"Ah, you've arrived. Maybe you're more punctual than you let on." Hugo teased. "I'll get straight to the point. I need you to shadow someone for me. Record and tell me everything they say and do. That someone, is Hartman Ravenlock."

"Uh huh. Everything's coming together just nice for you?" Eous asked with a squint.

"What can I say? I've already got his schedule. Soon, he will be meeting with someone nearby. You get the exact details of the of their exchange, and I see how many invitations I can get."

"Fair game. What's the deal with Ravenlock, though?" Eous wondered.

"To be honest, based on my sources, the Ravenlock family appears to be plotting something... sinister. I trust your unique skill set will get the job done." Hugo waved and walked away into a nearby crowd.

Eous sighed at such an eventful day, gazing out at the sunset as he thought about his approach.

"You're friends with that blonde gentlemen?" Orchidea wondered.

"Acquaintances and business partners at best. Why do you ask?"

"Ah, no reason. He's quite the frequent here, buys flowers and is very generous. I've noticed they're normally for memorial purposes. Says they're for deceased loved ones..."

Eous hummed at the exposition, only further wrapping Hugo in mystery. What was his real goal in enlisting Nova's help with such political matters?

Eous didn't like the spotlight, but his public image was up far more than it's ever been after saving Starloop.

Eous waved to Orchidea and went on his way to find Hartman.