While the doctor was performing his examination on Mrs. Crossford, Drew and Jay stood outside, watching as other doctors and patients roam around the hospital. 

“I-“ Jay began. He hesitated a bit with his words because the person in front of him couldn’t be referred to as “Young Master” in his current form. He felt weird not using formalities with a person who held a much higher status than himself but he knew that the person next to him desired to keep as low as a profile as possible. “I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done.” 

“No worries,” Drew replied. “your father and I share the same teacher. Plus, he’s given me a lot these past few months. I’m just doing what a proper Junior should do for his Senior. This is the least I could do to help. 

Jay scoffed. A wry smile formed on his face.

He's been more expressive lately. That's an improvement. Drew noted to himself. 

“You kidding me? What you did was inconceivable by any normal standards and you're telling me it’s a small thing? You saved my mother from the brink of death. That’s not small at all.” 

There was a long pause between the two. 

Feelings of satisfaction and accomplishment emerged in Drew’s heart. His actions were impacting the lives of others in a positive way. 

“I’m glad I could help. Still, five years…it must’ve been painful…” 

“It was torture,” Jay spoke in a low voice, gripping the railing behind him. “Every day, the thought of my mother passing away loomed over me. At any moment, the poison could penetrate her heart. Yet, we did everything we could but to no avail. We didn’t want to plead to Heartman as that would be a sign of weakness. Then, you came along and gave us a miracle. I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done.” 

Drew chuckled. He was happy he could save someone's family, preventing a further tragedy from occurring. 

“It’s my pleasure. I just don’t want to see anyone else lose their family…like myself.” 

A few minutes later, the doctor had finished conducting his examination of Mrs. Crossford. She was in perfect condition, if not better, with not a trace of blood poison to be seen. However, she would be discharged next week just to ensure there are no further complications. Nevertheless, Jay was elated to reunite with his mother after five years. Then, a few minutes later Neilson and Jay’s elder sister, Cassinopia, arrived. 

Drew had heard of Cassinopia a few times but never actually saw her in person. However, unlike Jay who looked more like his mother, Cassinopia looked more like her father with her radiant orange hair and Feline ears but one could tell that she had the same violet eyes as her mother's. Of course, Drew didn’t have the chance to interact with her or the rest of the family and let them enjoy their touching reunion. 

Standing outside of the room, Drew could hear the collective sobs of the family. He smiled, knowing that he was able to save a person’s life. 

“Thank goodness, Lilith!” Neilson cried embracing Mrs. Crossford tightly in his arms. “You’re okay!” 

“I’m back, honey.” Mrs. Crossford replied patting Neilson on the head. “What have I missed?” 

Cassinopia snickered. 

“A lot, mom. A lot.” 

So the family kept talking, sharing their experiences, and catching up on the years they missed together. The once fractured group had been reunited. 

“Oh, Mr. Li. You’ve arrived safely.” A familiar voice called out to Drew. 

“You made it, Gerald. What happened out there?” 

Drew wasn’t able to pay attention to the traffic below him so he was curious about what had happened on the highway. 

“Classic Saturday Ozwarth traffic. The roads are unable to accommodate the number of cars in the city. There was also a minor incident towards the exit that further delayed my commute. It appears Neilson arrived here before I did.” 

“Yeah, as soon as he heard Mrs. Crossford awaken, he came here as fast as he could. It appears everything worked out.” 

“It seems so.” 

“What is next on the agenda, Mr. Li?” 

“You’ll see, Gerald. You’ll see.” 

>>> 

After getting some rest, Jay invited Drew to visit his mother in the hospital. Her purple eyes had regained some of their life, twinkling the same way they would've if she were on the battlefield. 

Lilith Crossford.

Like Neilson, Mrs. Crossford was also a former servant under the Winter family but upon the collapse of the estate, she and many others who served the Winters fled to sixth-rate planets including Kraus. A few years after settling down, Lilith became a Guardian and later the captain of Divison 19, the one that protected the East Wall for over a decade. Tragically, she was the only Guardian from her Division who survived the attack but was later afflicted with Otrio Blood Poisoning. The rest is a story everyone knows from there.  

“I see you are in good health, Mrs. Crossford.” 

Mrs. Crossford nodded. 

“Indeed. You saved my life, there’s no need for the formalities. Just speak to me as you would with my husband. I know I didn’t get time to ask this but what is your name?” 

Drew pursed his lips together. Her question made him hesitate a little as he tried to select the name that suited the situation. 

“Drew Li.” He replied. 

“No, I’m not referring to that name.” Mrs. Crossford shook her head as if she could see right through Drew. Her years of experience are much richer than Drew’s. “What is your true name?” 

Drew sighed, making modifications to the jamming range on his wristband while he carefully crafted his answer. 

“Aaron Night de Winter.” 

Mrs. Crossford’s eyes widened, coming to the realization of who just saved her. She glanced down at her hands, smiling. 

“Young Master,” she spoke softly. Her hand trembling from the shock yet she regained her composure. “You were alive. But how? When the estate collapsed all of us…all of us thought you perished. Neilson, myself, nor any of the other servants could do anything to help-“ 

“It’s okay, I’m alive,” Drew said sitting down on the chair right next to Jay. “More importantly, what did the doctor tell you?” 

“I’ll be released in a couple of days. Nevertheless, it seems like I’m fine.” 

“So what are you going to do now?” 

Mrs. Crossford placed a hand under her chin, thinking carefully. 

“I’m going to enjoy a beautiful retirement. I’ve protected these walls for more than a decade and after all this, I just want to have a little peace in my life. No more beasts. No more sleepless nights. Yet there is one thing I do want to say. Actually, it’s better if Jason says it.” 

“Young Master,” Jay changed his tone. “Please let me serve you.” 

Drew was taken aback by Jay’s plea. “Jay, do you have any idea what you’re saying?” 

Jay puffed out his chest confidently. 

“I’m fully aware! Young Master, you’ve done way too much for my family, and simply offering you our services is not enough. My father already agreed to this but my family, the Crow’s Eye, and our affiliates will be at your disposal for as long as you are alive!” 

This was a huge game-changer for Drew. Because of his success, he could finally solidify his relationship with Neilson plus the Crow’s Eye. He had obtained their respect and would now offer their services to him without hesitation. Not only that, with the Crow’s Eye being within his grasp, he had control over one of the most powerful information-gathering organizations in the Orion Alliance which also happened to be the most influential in Ozwarth. He didn’t even have to worry about people like Heartman digging into him. It was a complete win! 

“If you insist,” Drew grinned. “I’ll accept!” 

Jay turned to his mother. She nodded to him as if also giving him her consent. Jay kneeled down and bowed his head at Drew. 

“I will dedicate my services for as long as I live. I am at your disposal. I am your vassal. I am your servant.” 

“Snow and ice as cold as the Winter, frost up on the mountain's top where the frozen fractal survived. A never melting piece of ice glimmering in the endless night. I accept your pledge for I am your Master, the Heir de Winter.” 

(A/N: If you don't recall the following line, refer to Chapter 21) 

>>>

That night, Drew sat in front of his encrypted supercomputer, typing in his experiences. 

[Log XXXX

Date: April 24, 474 IE 

Time: 19:28 

Today, I went to visit Mrs. Crossford. Her recovery is progressing rather smoothly without any complications. As such, she will be released in a few days. After the incident at the East Wall five years ago, Mrs. Crossford has decided to retire from her Guardian duties. It appears she isn't sure what to do next but that appears to be the least of her concerns. However, I am glad that I was able to help fix their family relationship. It's astounding how an action from an outsider can act as a catalyst for such a reunion to occur. Even though I don't have family, I'm not envious. Rather, I feel accomplished, and proud, that my work can help others even if it's indirect. I finally understand why Alchemists are praised so much. They have the ability to control life and death through both science and mysticism but the ones who are able to save lives aren't just rewarded for their physical efforts. They can mend families back together or even extend their precious time. However, Alchemists like Heartman have seemed to forget that and only pursue Alchemy for the sake of power and profit. 

I used to idolize him but entering this profession has made me realize that that's not the kind of person I want to be...

To be honest, I'm still kinda lost on what to do with my life. I mean I am trying to figure out who I am but it's not just family-wise. With all the identities I've established over the past few months, I think what I'm trying to search for is the 'real me', not just the masks I put on to survive. And every day, I feel some of these masks slipping into places I don't want them to and I'm afraid. I'm afraid of losing myself in this vast sea of personas, confused and unguided. I wish I could tell my friends. They've told me so much yet they know so little about me that I feel that I'm being untruthful to them. Unfortunately, at this very point in time, the truth will kill me.]

Drew let out a long sigh, looking at what he had just written. 

Mrs. Crossford's issue had been solved but yet, he had a long way to figure out his own. 

The question that Mrs. Crossford asked him lingered in his mind. 

"What is your true name?" 

"Drew Li or Aaron Night de Winter-"

The two names kept echoing in his mind.

Louder and louder till he could feel his heartbeat rise, the drumming of it against his chest louder than his surroundings. 

"I DON'T KNOW! SHUT UP!" 

Drew shouted. 

It was a good thing no one was around.

It was him and him alone in the empty dorm. 

He just wanted someone to give him confirmation.

Yet, in that darkness, he was all alone. 

"I don't know-" 

Arc 2: Blood Otrio Poisoning 

-Fin