The next day, Sakolomé moved toward a somewhat forgotten corner, almost at the outskirts of the town.
The place seemed deserted, marked by time. Before him stood an old abandoned house, its peeling walls bearing the scars of the years. At its feet, a rusty barrel lay in the dry grass.
He sat there for a moment, looked up at the sky, and watched the birds flying freely through the clouds.A sound of footsteps suddenly caught his attention.
He stood up immediately and followed the echo, which came from behind the dilapidated house.
There, a figure appeared: Wendy. She wore a black outfit that emphasized her elegant bearing. A smile lit up her face as she softly said:— You really came...Sakolomé returned a smile.
— As long as I haven't solved this problem yet, I won't go anywhere. That's the promise I must keep.Wendy blushed slightly and murmured quietly:
— I am...But other footsteps echoed in the dust, interrupting her sentence.Sakolomé, still smiling:
— Ah... he's on time, too.Wendy frowned:
— Him?A silhouette appeared. It was Dan, standing, wearing blue pants and a black pullover.Wendy, surprised:
— Dan? But what is he doing here?Dan immediately looked away, as if uninterested. But Wendy quickly stepped up to him, looking upset:
— You have no business here. Get out of here!
Dan still fixed her with that empty, indifferent, almost unsettling gaze.
— Why aren't you reacting, huh? Idiot! Wendy exploded, her voice trembling with anger.
Sakolomé gently grabbed her from behind and calmed her with a steady tone:
— Calm down, Wendy... Dan is coming with me.She frowned, surprised:
— With you? But why?Sakolomé smiled mysteriously:
— It's much more complicated than that... but you'll understand later.He released Wendy, then stepped toward Dan. Placing a hand on his shoulder, he added sincerely:
— I'm proud to see you still standing, in one piece.Dan looked up at him, and his orange eyes shone with a calming glow.
A slight smile stretched his lips.Sakolomé then turned to Wendy:
— Dan... Wendy... I think you should make peace.Dan shrugged and replied straightforwardly:
— Peace? I never had a problem with her.— You liar! Wendy exclaimed irritably.
You've always tried to beat me. And you were already hostile toward me the day Sakolomé showed up to us!Dan responded calmly, with a composed tone:
— I only wanted you to be quiet because you were making too much noise.
Nothing more.These words touched Wendy more than she dared admit. She abruptly moved toward him, grabbed him by the collar, and shouted:
— You idiot! Who do you think you are, huh?They began to bicker, their voices clashing in a mix of annoyance and wounded pride.
Sakolomé gently shook his head with a sigh. Dan had always been like that: direct, blunt with words.
He said things as he thought them, with his own energy.
Wendy often believed he wanted to belittle or provoke her. But in truth, there was nothing more. Dan was simply honestly expressing what went through his mind.Sakolomé placed a gentle hand on Wendy's shoulder.
— Calm down, Wendy. Dan really has no problem with you... it's just you imagining things.
— What do you mean I'm imagining things? she retorted angrily. You see how he talks to me! It's like he doesn't care and always wants to put me down!
Sakolomé shook his head, a sigh in his voice:
— No, it has nothing to do with that, I assure you.Wendy finally let go of Dan, but her gaze remained bitter, full of silent reproach.
Dan sighed in turn and said neutrally:
— The truth is, you still resent me because I beat you in a one-on-one fight, don't you?
Wendy's eyes widened, blushing as if caught in the wrong:
— What?! Nonsense! Stop saying stupid things!
Dan calmly placed a hand on her shoulder and slightly nodded his head, as a sign of apology:
— It's true I didn't try to reconcile with you after that fight. I had other things on my mind at the time... but I apologize.
That duel was not revenge. I just wanted to validate my test, nothing more.Sakolomé watched the scene with a discreet smile, proud to see Dan take this step.
Wendy, cheeks still red, suddenly looked away and grumbled:
— Tsk... you really do anything. Look up, idiot!
Wendy crossed her arms, still avoiding his gaze.
— Tch... do you think apologizing like that is enough? Do you really believe I'll forgive you that easily?Dan shrugged, not trying to defend himself further.
— I don't expect anything from you. I said what I had to say, that's all.This response disarmed Wendy more than she would admit.
She stared at him, searching for a crack in his calm expression, but there was none. He was sincere... and that stung her.
She blew out loudly, a sly smile at the corner of her lips:
— Pff... you're really unbearable. Always so cold, always so frank. You could at least pretend to be wrong, just to save my pride.Dan gave a thin smile:
— Sorry, I'm not good at that.Wendy remained silent for a moment, her sarcasm gradually fading. She finally lowered her head slightly and murmured:
— Well... okay. Maybe I... exaggerated.Dan raised an eyebrow.
— "Exaggerated"?
She immediately blushed and threw him a dark look to mask her embarrassment:
— Yes, exaggerated! No need to make me repeat it, idiot!Then, after a short pause, she took a deep breath and reluctantly said:
— I'm sorry... I behaved badly toward you.Sakolomé, watching from a distance, gave a slight tender smile.
— That's better. Finally some peace between you two.Wendy turned her head with a sigh, as if to hide her embarrassment.
— Peace or not, don't think I'll let you crush me again in a fight. Next time, I'll win.Dan held her gaze seriously, but a playful sparkle shone in his orange eyes.
— As you wish.Sakolomé, proud to have seen Dan and Wendy apologize despite their opposing characters, seized the opportunity to refocus the discussion:
— Good... now, let's get down to business.
The two young people turned their gaze to him, this time with more serious attention.
— We're going to Wendy's clan, Sakolomé announced. But to avoid raising suspicions...
I propose we change our appearances. He lifted a finger toward them, his tone taking on a more professorial note:
— You know how to transform using your system?Dan calmly nodded.
— Yes, I can do that.Beside him, Wendy blushed slightly, uncomfortable.
— Uh... me... I can't.Sakolomé raised an eyebrow, surprised, then let out a small laugh shaking his head.
— Well... here I thought you knew everything about the Nemesis system.Wendy stood up straight immediately, stung.
— Enough! No need to make such a big deal out of it!Sakolomé, amused, reached out his hand toward her.
— Don't worry. I'll help you transform.Wendy's eyes widened, incredulous.
Dan, too, froze.
— Wait... you can transform someone else?! Wendy shouted.A mischievous smile stretched across Sakolomé's lips.
— Not exactly. I'll just read your thoughts... and give shape to what you really desire.
At these words, an aura of red mana escaped from his body, enveloping Wendy like an incandescent mist.
Within moments, her silhouette changed: before them now stood a mature, elegant woman, a fan in hand, wearing a tight dress that hugged her generous curves.
Sakolomé remained momentarily speechless, a blush rising to his cheeks. Dan looked away, visibly embarrassed.
— Master... why did you give her such an appearance?
Sakolomé immediately raised his hands in defense, completely disconcerted.
— It's not me! I just materialized her own thoughts!Wendy, radiant, snapped her fan shut and let out a satisfied laugh, her voice deeper and assured.
— Perfect. That's exactly the form I wanted.Sakolomé shook his head, pushing away his embarrassment and regaining his seriousness.
— Good... but why choose this precise form?Wendy gave a sly smile, mysterious.
— You'll see, master.Dan, arms crossed, couldn't help but comment with his usual frankness:
— You wouldn't have chosen that because you can't handle it with your real body?A flash of red rose to Wendy's cheeks. She turned abruptly toward him, eyes blazing.
— Would you shut up, you idiot?!Dan held her gaze without blinking, almost amused by her outburst.
— I'm just saying what I think, as always.Wendy stamped her foot, exasperated, her fan snapping in the air.
— And that's exactly your problem! You never know when to shut up!Sakolomé raised his hands, intervening with a hint of laughter in his voice.
— Enough, you two. You look like an old couple fighting over trivial matters.Wendy widened her eyes, outraged, and Dan simply raised an eyebrow, a slight ironic smile on his lips.
— An... old couple?! Wendy repeated, her voice a bit trembling. You're delirious, master!
Never in my life!Dan, unfazed, added calmly:
— It's true. With her, it would be unbearable.Wendy clenched her fists, her face crimson.
— You... idiot!!!She raised her fan, ready to strike him, but Sakolomé placed his hand on her arm to stop her.
— Wendy... breathe. Your new appearance is perfect for going unnoticed, but you still have to be able to carry it off without getting carried away at every jibe.
Wendy turned her head, pouting, then finally exhaled between her teeth:
— ... Hmpf. Fine. I'll stop. But only because it's you, master.Sakolomé smiled contentedly.
— Perfect. So, now that everyone is ready... let's go to Wendy's clan.Dan folded his arms tightly against his chest, his orange eyes shining with a determined gleam.
— I'm ready. Whatever awaits us there.Wendy, despite her sullen expression, let out a small challenging smile.
— Good... because you're not out of surprises yet.