Milo was once again sat in front of Awakened Soran, the same Awakened who watched over him during his First Nightmare. Apparently Eva was being given the rundown by Soul Reaper Jet. Who was an absolutely menacing figure within the government, which didn't seem to shake Eva up or even scare her at all. In fact she seemed delighted, which Milo found slightly strange.
'Is she a masochist or something? Actually now that I think about...'
She didn't seem to mind the fact that Milo almost killed her. In fact she teased him about it, Milo shivered at the thought.
'Pure thoughts Milo... you have bigger things to worry about'
Awakened Soran seemed to notice the startled expression on Milo's face, and mistook it for something entirely different.
"Still shaking off the Dream Realm huh? After hearing some stories of what you guys went through, I would be wary as well. That is besides the point though"
Awakened Soran cleared his throat, pulling something from his bag that was on the folding table. It was a small metal box with a sensor on its lid. Milo didn't move and Awakened Soran stated
"Just press your finger on the box"
Milo still didn't move, and the box just opened, much to Soran's confusion
"Don't worry about it to much, just has to do with my aspect. Besides, right hand is pure metal, no fingerprint here"
Milo raised his prosthetic hand wriggling his fingers.
Inside the box however was what interested Milo. A slick communicator made out of flexible glass, a memory chip with the government seal etched on its surface, and a small iron badge with two stars engraved into it.
Awakened Soran grabbed them out the box and slid them over to Milo.
"Congrats, Awakened Milo, you are now a citizen of the Seventh rank"
Milo looked down at the badge, pocketing it without hesitation. This thing could get him to a lot of places, before, Milo was only a citizen of the Third rank. This was a major improvement. He also grabbed the communicator, willing his Aspect to activate
[Assimilate this into your soul?]
'Yes'
Milo then watched as the communicator turned into countless sparks in front of him, the Spell then said spoke
'One of your attributes has evolved'
Milo didn't need to check which one it was. He could already feel the change. His synthetic slacks that was made up from the Disengaged mode of Carmen's Masterpiece suddenly gained a communicator in its pockets.
'Neat'
It would be useful to have a communicator in the Dream Realm, even if he couldn't give everyone he knew one that worked in the Dream Realm, he could at the very least have one for himself.
"Right, rank seventh citizen... but can we get to the point?"
Awakened Soran chuckled "Of course, you have multiple options in front of you for a Citadel, and more importantly the faction you decide on. However, I would choose the government if I were you young man. You see-"
Milo knew the speech was a bunch of bullshit, Eva had told him as much.
"I want to join the government" Milo stated firmly, making Soran stare at him with a bit of disbelief.
"Alright, I'll arrange everything young man, just give me your contact info-"
"No need, I already have it. Sorry, aspect thing"
"No problem, could I expect any less from a Supreme Aspect"
Milo simply gave a nod. If only he knew, well maybe he would soon. The government sure loved to get in others people business.
***
Milo stepped out of the ride he had ordered, Eva right by his side. She had nothing of her possessions, Milo was staring down his home, it felt foreign after an entire year. Like a mirage that would disappear if Milo got too close, however as he walked closer it didn't fade away into the heat of the desert.
Milo's heart was pounding as he knocked on the door, and soon the most beautiful sight in the world opened it, his mother. Milo didn't hesitate to bring into her tight, albeit gentle hug, and his mother returned the energy with equal love.
"I missed you so much, mom"
"I missed you too sweetie"
His mom then stepped aside, revealing a red-eyed Lucy. She stepped forward, eyes hidden from his sight, and then she...
Punched Milo. It was soft, and aimed at his chest, which just happened to be the same spot where part of Carmen's Masterpiece was residing.
Than she hugged Milo as well, adding in a low voice
"You owe me a birthday present, and a Christmas present"
Milo couldn't help but smile, gently stroking Lucy's head.
"I'll make sure it's the best present ever, okay"
"...okay"
Milo then looked up at his mom, however his mom was no longer looking at him, rather she was looking at the gorgeous woman next to him.
"And who might you be?"
Eva let out a soft smile
"My name is Eva, I'm Milo's girlfriend"
Milo's mom let out a gasp of shock, and Lucy head snapped towards Eva's voice.
Milo was slightly worried by their reactions? They weren't angry were they?
'I know I'm only sixteen but you guys can let this slide right?'
It was Milo's sister who spoke up first.
"You're his girlfriend? But, but you're so pretty? Why him of all people?"
Milo let out an exasperated groan. That was their concern?
"Well, Milo is quite the charmer I guess. I couldn't help but fall for him. Right Milo? He even let me ride on his giant sn-"
"Echo... it was an Echo"
Milo gave a forced smile, that was only a tiny bit shaky and annoyed. Meanwhile, Lucy murmured
"Gross"
Milo's mom gave a hearty laugh.
Eva then dawned a teasing grin
"What? But you even blew my back out"
It was at this point that Milo just let out a tired sigh and began to walk away to his room. However he was stopped at the stairway by a chuckling figure.
"Go easy on the boy, I'm sure he's still shocked from managing to date someone"
Milo just clicked his teeth and pulled his dad into a hug. How he missed the old man, if he was only in his mid thirties.
"Easy there kid, I'm starting to get back problems"
"Oh relax, you aren't that old yet"
'What a warm welcome back'
As much as Milo hated to admit it, he missed this familial bickering. Missed the sight of his family, and now he was able to bring someone new to it. A rather beautiful woman at that, with the brightest smile in the world.
'It's only up from here right?'
Right, surely nothing could go wrong... nothing at all.