025
Meliodas paced his room back and forth as his thoughts ran relentlessly. Owen, meanwhile, was doing the exact opposite.
The small golem had constructed a hammock out of thin air, condensed Straum shaped into soft, floating strands, he laid in it comfortably, arms folded behind his head, one leg crossed over the other. He looked completely at peace.
Meliodas stopped mid-step and stared at him.
“You know,” he said, rubbing his temples, “you could help me out here.”
Owen opened one glowing eye, glanced at him before ,he shrugged as the hammock continued to sway gently.
Meliodas sighed.
“Useless,” he whispered , though there was no real malice behind it.
He turned back toward his desk, a single piece of parchment lay there, it was Aurelius’ test.
Meliodas picked it up and read it again hoping for more clarity.
“You are the acting commander of a border fortress in the aftermath of a large-scale war. Monster corpses lay in the surrounding land, ambient Straum is unstable after all the battle, supplies are low and morale is collapsing.
Your remaining forces consist primarily of Current- and Lake-class Straum useres. At dusk, multiple hooded Straum beasts emerge from the battlefield. Those who engage them are slaughtered within minutes. The creatures make no attempt to breach the fortress, instead encircling it, but they come closer and closer as days pass, reinforcements will not arrive. As commander, what is your next course of action to avoid as many casualties as possible, keep in mind that the creatures outnumber your forces ?"
Meliodas sat on the edge of his bed, parchment in hand, reading the same lines for what must have been the hundredth time. The Monster Encyclopedia lay open beside him, its pages littered with hastily scribbled notes and folded corners.
He stopped reading as his head dropped forward, forehead resting against his crossed arms.
It hurt, not from injury, but from all the thinking.
Three days had passed since Aurelius had given him the test. Three days of nothing but circles and dead ends. The professor’s words echoed in his mind: Do not return until you have your answer, or until Kazzek’s trial ends, that is your deadline.
Only one day remained.
Meliodas exhaled slowly and straightened again, eyes drifting back to the parchment.
Hooded Straum beasts appearing on a battlefield… the description was infuriatingly vague.
In the past days, he had narrowed the possibilities down to three known creatures, but no matter how much he cross-referenced, he couldn’t push it further. Each candidate fit parts of the scenario, yet none fit cleanly.
He had tried everything, he had questioned Adelion carefully, he had spoken with Bernard and he had spent an entire day buried in the academy library, chasing footnotes and obscure records.
Nothing.
Aurelius had been precise in his restriction: Meliodas could ask about the creatures, but never about the scenario.
It was hopeless, he thought before leaning back against the bedframe, staring at the ceiling.
My forces are depleted, he thought grimly. Current- and Lake-class, they are also exhausted… not to mention the low morale.
After a large-scale war, corpses everywhere, the supplies dwindling and civilians panicking inside the fortress walls, what bothered him the most were the hooded figures… They didn’t attack but they also didn’t retreat.
They simply appeared at dusk, but they drew closer to the fortress, which was by far the worst part.
If they attacked, the choice would be clear. If they fled, evacuation would at least be an option, but the creatures did neither.
I can’t risk not engaging them, Meliodas thought. The problem is that attacking probably means slaughter.
Fleeing didn’t sit right either, since Aurelius had given no information about the surrounding land, no indication that escape was even possible.
Every option led to blood, and all of his instinct screamed to do something.
Meliodas clenched his fists. “There has to be another answer,” he muttered.
Meliodas sighed and pushed himself upright.
I might as well take a break, he thought, checking on Liora would be a good idea, he hadn't seen her in days.
****
Liora was resting in the medical wing, sunlight filtering softly through the tall windows. She was in far better condition, bandages neatly wrapped, breathing steady as color had slowly returned to her face.
She flushed faintly as Morvack’s words echoed in her mind. He carried you here himself.
Liora shook her head, trying to banish the thought and turned her gaze back toward the window. Outside, the academy grounds stretched peacefully, a stark contrast to the hell she had endured days prior.
A small smile formed on her lips.
Professor Adelion had visited her briefly the day before. He had congratulated her on passing his evaluation and welcomed her as his apprentice. His instructions had been firm: recover slowly, heal completely, no need to rush it since training would begin only when she was ready.
She stared out for a few moments longer…something shifted in the air. A presence she noticed before her eyes flicked back toward the room. When she did , Liora nearly jolted upright.
There sitting casually in a chair beside her bed was a familiar figure, orange eyes watching her through his glasses with quiet concern.
“Hey,” Meliodas said gently. “How are you doing, Liora?”
Liora’s head spun. Words rushed to her lips and promptly tangled.
“I—uh—hey. Meliodas. I’m… good. How are you?”
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She immediately regretted it. Heat crept up her cheeks as she looked down, fingers curling into the sheets.
Meliodas blinked once… then laughed softly, “Come on, Liora,” he said. “That’s not like you. Where’s that confident young woman who survived Kazzek’s evaluation and got herself a mentor?”
Silence.
Meliodas tilted his head, a teasing glint in his eyes. “Ooooh. Is something wrong? You know… between—”
Smack.
Her palm connected cleanly with his cheek.
“There is nothing wrong with—!” Liora snapped, then faltered. “I—I mean—”
She looked away, fists clenched, voice dropping. “…It doesn’t matter.”
Meliodas stared at her for a second, stunned, after a moment he rubbed his cheek and smiled. “There you are,” he said softly.
Liora huffed, crossing her arms, but didn’t look away.
“Sorry I didn’t come earlier,” Meliodas continued. “I got… kind of lost in something.” He hesitated, then added, “I wanted to bring you these and congratulate you on getting a mentor.”
Liora looked down as he opened his hands. A small, neatly wrapped box of chocolates rested in his palms.
She blinked. “…Haha. Very funny, Meliodas,” she said at first, then froze as she really looked at them. His warm, earnest smile hit her like a truck.
She lifted her gaze to him, held it for a second longer than necessary before shaking her head quickly. “Thank you,” she said, quieter now. “You didn’t have to.”
Still, she took the box and placed it carefully on the table beside her bed.
“Ehem. I do not wish to interrupt this… whatever this moment is,” a sharp voice said from behind them, “but she needs rest, young prince.”
Meliodas turned. Standing in the doorway was Morvack, the shark-like Aqualen, arms crossed over his broad chest.
Morvack’s dark eyes flicked from Liora’s flushed face to the box of chocolates beside her bed. Then he looked back at Meliodas and smirked.
“It seems we should prepare ourselves for a royal wedding far sooner than I expected,” Morvack said teasingly.
Liora’s face went bright red. Meliodas on the other hand nearly choked on air.
“N–No! You’re mistaken, Morvack,” he said quickly, waving his hands. “We’re just friends.”
Liora nodded just as fast. “Just friends,” she said.
Morvack chuckled, clearly unconvinced.
“Mm-hmm, I understand. It's always just friends,” Morvack said, shaking his head. “It’s the same every time.”
He stepped aside, gesturing toward the door.
“But she truly needs rest, Student Meliodas. Please,” Morvack added with a grin, “I don’t need your presence giving the poor girl a heart attack. Also, if I remember correctly, don't you have a test to attend to?”
His expression sharpened as his eyes locked onto Meliodas.
Meliodas blinked. “What do you mean, Morvack? I still have until tomorrow. I was given four days.”
Morvack frowned slightly. “If I recall correctly,” he said slowly, “Professor Aurelius gave you four days starting from when you brought Liora here. Correct?”
“Yes,” Meliodas answered without hesitation.
Morvack raised an eyebrow. Confusion crossed his face, slowly turning into concern.
“…Young prince,” he said carefully, “did you hit your head at some point? Please sit down so I can examine you.”
Meliodas stiffened. “No-why would I..”
“Meliodas,” Liora interrupted softly, Meliodas turned toward her.
“I’ve been in the medical wing for four days,” she said.
Meliodas froze.“…You what?”
“She’s right,” Morvack said. “Four full days. Also your friend Tyka’s evaluation ends tonight at midnight, if I'm not mistaken.”
Meliodas looked from Morvack… to Liora… his thoughts spiraling.
Without another word, he turned and sprinted out of the room.
“Meliodas—!” Liora called after him. He didn’t hear her.
She sighed softly. “Good luck,” she whispered.
Morvack watched the doorway for a moment before speaking. “He won’t need it,” he said calmly. “The young prince will pass.”
Liora glanced at him. “Why are you so sure?”
Morvack smiled faintly.
“Well… he was never the strongest person in the room,” he admitted. “But when it comes to brains? Neither his sister nor his brother could compete with him.”
Liora blinked.
“Brother?” she repeated. “He has a brother?”
Morvack froze. “…I shouldn’t have said that,” he whispered.
He exhaled slowly, then turned to her fully. His dark eyes locked onto hers, the weight of the moment unmistakable.
“Promise me something, Liora.”
She straightened instinctively and responded. “Yes.”
“Do not mention Meliodas’ brother to him, unless he brings it up first,” Morvack said quietly. “Their relationship is… complicated.” He paused. “I would even advise you not to speak of him to Thalessa if you met her.” The heaviness in his voice made Liora swallow. “Can you promise me that?”
She nodded, offering a small but sincere smile. “Of course. I’m curious, but I promise.”
“Good,” Morvack said. “And don’t mention it to Tyka either. You know well.. you know why.”
Liora nodded again.
Morvack’s tone softened. “Rest now. You should be fully healed by tomorrow.”
He turned and left, already moving to tend to the other students. Liora leaned back against her pillow. His brother, huh… She glanced at the box of chocolates on the table and smiled. I’ll keep it to myself, she thought.
****
The dormitory door flew open.
Meliodas burst inside, breath ragged as he crossed the room in seconds. He snatched up his copy of the Monster Encyclopedia, shoved it into the leather satchel, and turned to sprint back out before he stopped.
“Owen!” he shouted. “Aren’t you coming?!”
The familiar rose lazily from his hammock, floating toward him at an infuriatingly calm pace.
“Come on, we’re late!” Meliodas snapped. Owen tilted his head, but Meliodas didn’t wait. He grabbed the small golem out of the air, tucked him under his arm, and bolted.
****
He sprinted across the academy grounds toward Professor Aurelius’ laboratory, heart pounding.
How did I miscalculate the days? he thought wildly. Was I really that lost in my head?
The answer didn’t matter since only one thing did, he was out of time.
He reached the door to Aurelius’ laboratory and knocked, hard, the sound echoing down the laboratory.
“Come in,” the familiar voice of the professor answered.
Meliodas pushed the door open and stepped inside.
“I’m sorry, Professor,” he said, breathing heavily between words. “I lost track of time.”
“Are you alright, Student Meliodas?” Aurelius asked, setting his cup aside.
“Yes—yes, I’m fine,” Meliodas replied. He walked unsteadily to the table and dropped into the chair, tilting his head back toward the ceiling.
“I made it…” he whispered, a breathless laugh escaping him.
“Student Meliodas,” Aurelius said again, more carefully now. “Are you certain you are well?”
Meliodas lowered his head as Owen slipped free from his grasp and floated upward, wobbling slightly in the air. The small golem spun once, clearly disoriented from the sprint.
Meliodas looked down and caught his reflection in Aurelius’ ice blue eyes, his long hair was a mess, his face was drawn and you could see dark circles heavy beneath his orange eyes.
He swallowed.
“Sorry, Professor,” he said more quietly. “Like I said… I lost track of time.”
Aurelius studied him for a moment, one eyebrow lifting slightly.
“If you say so,” he replied.
“Well, you’ve certainly found yourself a rather rude student, haven’t you, Aury?” a female voice said from beside Meliodas.
Meliodas shifted his gaze.
The woman sitting there had long crimson hair, matching her red eyes, both striking and sharp. She sipped calmly from her cup, studying him with open amusement.
Meliodas straightened at once and bowed his head.
“Nice to meet you, Professor—”
“Elowen,” Aurelius said.
“Professor Elowen,” Meliodas corrected himself, then blinked.
“…No. Wait.” His eyes widened slightly. “It’s nice seeing you again, Aunt Elowen.”
Before he could say another word, Elowen reached out, grabbed his head, and began vigorously ruffling his hair.
“Oh my, oh my,” she said in exaggerated shock. “Have I changed so much that you can’t recognize your own aunt, Meliodas?”
“Sorry—Professor Elowen—!” Meliodas protested, face flushing red.
“Oh, none of that,” she waved him off. “Call me Ely. Or have you grown up too much for that, my little birdy?”
Meliodas turned an even deeper shade of red. “Please don’t call me that, Elow—Ely,” he muttered.
She finally released him, laughing softly. “Yeah, yeah,” she said. “I get it. You’re all grown up now.”
Meliodas straightened and glanced at the visibly confused Professor Aurelius.
“You two know each other better than I thought,” Aurelius said slowly.
“She visited my mother once,” Meliodas replied with a small smile. “Stayed for a few months. I was still young back then.”
Aurelius frowned slightly. “I do recall you leaving for a few months to visit Maera,” he said, turning to Elowen. “But that was years ago, wasn’t it?”
“Yes,” Elowen said with a sigh. “And I’m still heartbroken that my little nephew doesn’t recognize me.” She shook her head dramatically. “Thalessa sprinted over and hugged me the moment we met here.”
Meliodas scratched the back of his neck, embarrassed. “Sorry. I was really little back then.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Elowen waved him off. “I get it.”
Aurelius cleared his throat. “Very well,” he said. “That saves us introductions.”
A brief silence settled over the room.
“…Sorry, Professor,” Meliodas said hesitantly, “but why is Professor Elowen here?”
“Professor Elowen,” Elowen repeated under her breath. “So formal. Just like your mother.”
“She is here to assist me,” Aurelius said evenly. “We will be evaluating you together.”
Meliodas stiffened slightly, before Aurelius folded his hands on the desk. “So, Student Meliodas,” he continued, “have you reached an answer?”
Meliodas’ smile faded before lowering his gaze to the floor.
“I’m sorry, Professor,” he said quietly. “I couldn’t figure it out.”
