After Phoebe declared her goal to Kanna, a voice suddenly echoed from somewhere.
"Even if you don't ask me, you'll definitely surpass him in the future," the voice said.
Phoebe and Kanna looked around, only to find the baby chick—the source of the voice—glaring at them.
"Because of my help and my gifts, you will definitely surpass him. You just need time," Uriel declared proudly.
Kanna raised an eyebrow. "I thought it was someone important. Turns out it's just the flying chicken that yaps too much."
"You damn human! How dare you disrespect someone as great as me!" Uriel snapped.
"Huuuh? 'Great'? My foot," Kanna shot back.
"You… the audacity!!" Uriel shouted.
"What? I didn't even say anything wrong. You're just a little young twerp that yaps too much," Kanna teased with a smirk.
"Little? Young? I am older than ANYONE in this entire establishment!" Uriel yelled.
"Oh? You two know each other already?" Phoebe asked.
"Well, yes. Though I wish I didn't," Kanna muttered.
"How dare you! Any creature lucky enough to witness my presence would take it as a blessing! But you? You're just a human, how dare you insult me!" Uriel complained.
"Who would believe that? And even if I'm just a human, it's still better than being a flying chicken," Kanna grinned.
"F-Flying… CHICKEN?? YOUUU—!!"
"H-Hey! Enough, you two!" Phoebe said. "Calm down. And Uriel, what did you mean earlier about time and your gift?"
"You may not see it now, but with time, you'll definitely surpass him," Uriel told her.
Phoebe fell silent, thinking deeply.
"With his strength… I doubt I can even reach his level in my lifetime. Maybe I won't reach it at all," Phoebe muttered.
Uriel stared at her quietly, then spoke.
"Why do you keep convincing yourself of that? Besides, he isn't even that strong," Uriel scoffed.
"HUUUH?! Are you blind?! Did you not see the power he used?! I can't even fathom a strength like that!" Phoebe protested.
"You talk too confidently," Kanna said, smirking at Uriel, "but if he just blew air at you, you'd get knocked out instantly."
"What did you say?!"
"You can't deny it. If he did that, you'd faint on the spot," Kanna taunted.
"T-That's because I'm sealed! If I regained my original strength, that guy wouldn't even TOUCH me!" Uriel argued.
"And how would we know that's not a lie? For all we know, you're just a tiny weakling who yaps too much," Kanna said.
"W–What… you—" Uriel's voice broke.
"I… sniff… I was really strong back then…" Uriel whispered, crying pitifully.
Kanna smirked in victory. Phoebe sighed.
"Alright, enough you two. Kanna, do you know where the Director is?" Phoebe asked.
"Ah, yes. He's outside taking a deep breath," Kanna answered.
"I see. I'm going to talk to him. See you later," Phoebe said.
"Okay, see you later," Kanna replied as Uriel curled in a corner, teary-eyed, repeating to herself, "I am not weak… I am not weak… I am not weak…"
Phoebe went outside toward the Director. She found Alfred standing alone, staring into the distant horizon, deep in thought. When he turned his head and saw Phoebe awake, he smiled warmly.
"I'm glad to see you're fine, Phoebe. Does anything hurt?" Alfred asked.
"No, I'm all fine now, Director. Thank you for worrying," Phoebe replied.
"I see. That's good," Alfred said.
A moment of awkward silence followed.
Phoebe thought, Ahh… why is it suddenly awkward? Is he not going to scold me? Did something happen? Should I ask him?
She took a breath.
"Director, why are you silent? Did something happen?" Phoebe asked.
Alfred sighed. "Ah… sorry. It's just that…"
"That…?" Phoebe leaned in.
"…I spoke with Julius while you were unconscious. He told me that while he was spending time with Kanna, he overheard that you wanted to become a ranker. Is that true, Phoebe?" Alfred asked with a sad expression.
"Y-Yes… I do, Director," Phoebe answered.
"I see…"
"Does it matter, Director?" Phoebe asked.
"Phoebe, did you know… there was once someone from our village who also wanted to become a ranker?" Alfred said.
"There was? Who?" she asked.
"He was someone who dreamed of adventure, of traveling, rising in rank, completing missions. But being a ranker… it isn't as simple as he imagined," Alfred said.
"When he started, he thought being a ranker meant enjoying beautiful places, fighting monsters, climbing ranks. But that was only the tip of the iceberg."
"What do you mean?" Phoebe asked.
"Listen to me, Phoebe. The path of a ranker is not a path of light. It is a path mixed with light, darkness… and even darker things," Alfred said, his eyes dim.
"Why?" Phoebe asked.
"Because once you become a ranker, you will meet people far worse than criminals. You will witness injustices. You will face situations where you can do nothing… or worse, situations where you are forced not to do anything," Alfred said.
"There will be missions that go against your principles, missions that make you question whether the path you walk is the right one at all."
He clenched his hands.
"Not everyone who rises in rank is kind. Not everyone values morality. Not everyone with authority uses it for good. Among rankers, there are no eternal enemies… and no eternal allies. Everything changes."
"Director… you…" Phoebe whispered, realizing he was speaking from personal experience.
"By the way you look, I assume you've realized I'm speaking from my own experience, right? What a sharp child," Alfred said. "You see, in all my years as a ranker, I can assure you… the peaceful life in this orphanage is far better than what awaits you. So tell me, Phoebe—do you still wish to become a ranker despite the terror that lies ahead?"
Phoebe looked at him, feeling the weight of his past. Yet her resolve remained firm.
"Yes. Despite all the negativity, I want to overcome it. Whatever the world has to offer… I want to witness it," Phoebe said confidently.
Alfred stared at her for a long moment, then sighed deeply.
"…Fine. Who am I to stop you from flying toward your dream? But remember everything I said. Being a ranker means seeing the best—and also the worst," Alfred said.
"Don't worry, Director. If someone tries something funny, I'll knock them out," Phoebe grinned.
Alfred chuckled. "Alright, alright… also, before I forget—Julius gave me this, an academy acceptance permit, academy attire, and a letter of recommendation. He said to give them to you once you woke up. When you arrive at the Middle Continent, show this permit to the knights guarding the academy gates. Then give the headmaster this letter."
"Permit? Attire? A letter?! He gave me all of these?!" Phoebe said excitedly.
"Because we lack funds, the only real problem now is eterial coins. You'll need money for lodging and daily necessities, so I'll teach you how to budget. Everything in the Middle Continent is costly," Alfred said.
"Yes, Director. I'll remember," Phoebe replied happily.
"Oh, and Phoebe…" Alfred said softly.
"Yes, Director?" Phoebe asked.
"Happy birthday. I wish you good luck on your journey toward your dream."
Phoebe's face flushed red.
"Thank you, Director…" she said shyly.
Phoebe looked at the scenery and smiled to herself.
As if nothing happened… Yes, this is how life should be. Peaceful… worth living, she thought.
When I leave this place, I'll miss everything… Director Alfred, Kanna, everyone… the hill, the orphanage, the cliff, the lake… all of it.
But I need to leave—for my dream.
She turned toward the horizon as the afternoon breeze brushed against her. From the hilltop, Phoebe could see the village of Freed stretched out below, the lake glinting in the sunlight. Women chatted, men laughed, children played, and fishermen worked by the water, while boats drifted lazily across the surface.
A peaceful world she would soon leave behind.