Chapter 392: _Unknown Presence

Blue Diamond Academy

Blue Diamond Academy stood out to Ramona among the tens of other schools on the Aurelia city map... because of memories she had from the previous owner of this body.

Her children had attended this same school at one point before the family moved to Los Angeles.

And from those same memories, it was clear this school was also quite respectable to the humans of this city.

"Good morning, Ma’am." The receptionist behind the front desk in the administrative office greeted her with a warm smile. "Welcome to Blue Diamond Academy. Are you here to pick up your child?"

Ramona managed a smile of her own. "No, dear." She placed a hand loosely on her upper chest. "I’m merely here as a visitor. But if you check your records, you should find my name."

When the receptionist blinked with confusion, Ramona leaned forward.

"Ramona Richards. Mother of Michael and Gabrielle Richards? My kids were in this school for five years before we moved."

The receptionist had already started typing into her laptop when she mentioned her name.

"Well... there y’all are." She lifted her head again with an even warmer smile. "I’m remembering your face now. How’ve you been, Ma’am?"

Ramona spent another minute exchanging pleasantries with the human. To her, she was simply trying to perfect her communication skills.

A couple of days ago, she learnt most humans would either laugh in her face or look at her like she was going to kill them whenever she outright demanded things.

Usually she would’ve just cut the theatrics short and razed this city to find the child. But—

"Ah," Ramona hissed under her breath once she’d gotten to one of the school hallways.

There was a class with a window that showed her reflection. Staring back at her was a blonde-haired woman with eyes that flickered with a blazing white light.

’This useless... shell.’ She drew in deep breaths to calm her own essence.

This body was deteriorating with each passing day, unable to contain her presence in it. She couldn’t afford to break out of it only for the universe to spit her out.

Which meant she couldn’t utilize her powers too much.

Not without finding the child

"Uhm..."

She snapped her neck to the side, brows knitting. Carefully approaching her was a man with a friendly but uncertain smile, his hands behind his back.

"Are you okay, miss?" Even his tone was friendly. "I... noticed your eyes glowing. Do you need a Guide? Or guiding pills?"

The light faded as though it had never been in her eyes to begin with. "Oh, yes. I mean... no. I’m fine. I’m not..." She caught her tongue on time.

If this male had indeed witnessed her eyes glowing, then he must think she’s what this world calls an ’Esper’.

"... Was just testing something out." Her eyes narrowed. "You’re very observant, aren’t you?"

He chuckled lightly. "Well, if you put it like that," when he finally got in front of her, he stretched a hand. "I’m Hunter Augustus. One of the head teachers of the ’Young Hunters 101’ class."

Ramona’s eyes fell on his hand.

Then back to his face.

"Ramona Richards," she shook him, "lovely to make your acquaintance..."

★★★★★

Back At The Church

It didn’t take long before the solemn atmosphere inside the cathedral gradually gave way to one filled with cheerful conversation and laughter.

Rows of pews slowly emptied as guests walked toward the adjoining reception hall connected to the church.

Volunteers and members of the parish busied themselves arranging trays of refreshments while relatives wasted little time surrounding the newlyweds, eager to offer congratulations before anyone else could.

Tristan barely managed to take three steps before an elderly aunt pulled him into an embrace.

"My handsome boy is finally married," she sniffled dramatically, dabbing at the corners of her eyes. "Your grandmother would’ve been so proud."

"I know." Tristan laughed, although his own eyes had grown suspiciously glossy. "She would’ve spent the entire ceremony telling everyone she knew this day would come."

"She absolutely would’ve."

Nearby, Adriana was faring no better, disappearing beneath a sea of hugs from cousins, childhood friends and family members who each insisted on stealing a few minutes with the bride.

Ambrose stood off to one side with Orion resting comfortably against his shoulder, watching the lively scene unfold with a small smile.

There was something strangely comforting about moments like these.

No Rift alerts. No monsters. No Guild meetings.

Just ordinary people celebrating one another.

His gaze eventually found Gabriel.

The usually composed SS-Rank had finally made it through the crowd and was now standing before his younger brother. Neither of them spoke immediately.

Gabriel simply looked at him for a long moment before letting out a quiet laugh. "You actually did it."

"I was beginning to wonder if I’d faint before the vows."

The brothers laughed together before Gabriel stepped forward and wrapped Tristan in a firm embrace.

"I’m proud of you," he said quietly.

Tristan closed his eyes. "So am I."

For several seconds neither of them moved.

When they eventually pulled apart, Tristan instinctively looked toward the tablet still resting in their mother’s hands.

Their father remained on the screen, his smile every bit as warm despite the hospital room visible behind him.

"I wish I could’ve been there in person," he admitted.

"You are here, dad," Tristan replied almost immediately. "That’s enough."

His father gave a small nod, though the faint redness around his eyes betrayed the emotions he’d been trying so hard to conceal.

Mrs Silverstone quietly stepped forward then, slipping one arm around each of her sons before pulling them against her.

"My boys," she whispered, smiling through tears. "Your father and I couldn’t be prouder. Everything else will come with time."

Both brothers nodded, neither trusting themselves to speak.

Watching from a respectful distance, Ambrose felt the corners of his lips lift once more.

He’d intruded enough on a private family moment.

Others were waiting for him.

Excusing himself from Devon and Viktor, he gently adjusted Orion in his arms before making his way toward the quieter end of the cathedral where Loki and Kali had remained after everyone else wandered into the reception hall.

The playful sparkle that almost always lived in Loki’s eyes was absent.

Kali, meanwhile, folded her hands before her, her expression carrying the same calm composure as always—though Ambrose had spent enough time around the SSS-Rank to recognise the subtle tension hidden beneath it.

"What happened?" He asked once he’d reached them.

Kali didn’t waste time. "The two incidents in Los Angeles I told you about weren’t isolated."

"We visited both locations," Loki continued. "The residual disturbances felt... wrong. Nothing about them resembled an Esper ability, a Rift creature or anything we’ve encountered since the Emergence."

Kali inclined her head slightly. "I believe the foreign presence you detected is responsible."

Ambrose’s grip around Orion tightened ever so slightly. "And?"

The time goddess met his eyes.

"I think it’s an Archon." Kali held his gaze. "And it isn’t waiting for us to find it."