Liam's Story

Mystro seemed to notice Tilda’s nerves and gave her a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, Liam might look hard to approach, but he’s actually incredibly gentle with the people he cares about.”

“Over here! Liam!”

“Mystro… Tilda!”

Liam’s eyes shifted from Mystro to Tilda.

A moment later, a small smile tugged at his lips. Maybe because he almost never smiled, it looked a bit stiff. But Tilda could sense the warmth beneath those usually unreadable eyes.

Liam’s voice was even deeper and richer than she expected. Honestly, he could have started a career as a voice actor right then and there. If he played the lead in one of those dramatic romance stories, fans would have gone wild just listening to him. In that instant, Tilda felt even closer to Liam, her admiration for him growing.

“So this is Tilda? Tilda…”

Liam stopped in front of her, calling her name with a natural intimacy that instantly eased the awkwardness of a first meeting. “I’ve heard so much about you from Mystro. Ever since I found out about your existence, I’ve wanted to meet you more than anyone.”

“Me too, Liam.”

Tilda suddenly felt a sting behind her eyes. She once thought that, after cutting ties with the Jensens, she’d never experience true family love again. But now, she’d found new bonds that felt just as real as any blood relationship.

She couldn’t help but step forward and hug Liam.

Feeling her trembling in his arms, something inside Liam softened. A part of him that had been frozen for years slowly thawed, and the girl before him gradually found her way into that space.

“It’s okay, I’m here, Tilda. Don’t be afraid. If anyone ever bullies you, just tell me and I’ll settle the score. Even if it’s Mystro or Dane, I’ll still take your side and teach them a lesson!”

Mystro raised both hands in mock surrender. “Spare me! I wouldn’t dare make Tilda mad. If anything, I’d like to get on her good side!”

“It’s nothing. I was just so happy to finally meet Liam, that’s all.”

“You two must be starving after those flights. Come on, I’ll show you some great food in Hetsa.”

“Lead the way, Tilda. We’ll go wherever you want.”

Soon, Tilda took Liam and Mystro to one of Hetsa’s best Cajun boil shops and reserved a private room. “Nothing hits the spot better than cajun boil on a cold day. I asked them to keep it mild, just in case you’re not used to the spice.”

Liam wiped his hands with a napkin, a faint smile playing on his lips. “I’m not picky.”

Mystro chimed in, “Me neither. If Tilda recommends it, it has to be good.”

The three of them dug in and caught up over lunch. After sharing her own story, Tilda had even more questions for Liam. Liam caught the look on her face and answered before she could ask.

“Mr. Harvey only taught me for about a year. When I was nine, I lost my family in an air raid and was raised by a battlefield doctor. That’s how I first learned medicine. The doctor eventually became my foster father.

“Back then, there was constant fighting along the Yvorian border. We lived on edge every day. Once, when we were treating wounded soldiers, a shell hit us.

“My foster father died instantly. I was badly hurt too, and I almost didn’t make it. That’s when Mr. Harvey saved me.

“A few months later, after I’d recovered, Mr. Harvey took me in as his student. He taught me medicine for a year. Then, he suddenly told me he had nothing left to teach me and just disappeared.

“Back then, I was like you, Tilda. I thought Mr. Harvey must have had his reasons. I searched everywhere for his traces and found nothing, until I met Mystro. That’s when I learned just how mysterious and extraordinary Mr. Harvey really is.”

He summed it up briefly, but nothing was left out. Sensing the heavy mood, Mystro jumped in. “Don’t worry, Uncle Harvey is probably living his best life somewhere out there. Maybe he’s already teaching new students, just like how he taught you guys.”

“Yeah, with Mr. Harvey’s skills, nobody could get the better of him. We know that better than anyone.”

“Still… if I had the chance, I’d want to see him again. Just to know he’s okay—that would be enough.”

Liam spoke what everyone was feeling. Tilda pressed her lips together, took a sip of wine, and looked at her two seniors with a determined light in her eyes.

“Mystro, Liam, I need your help with something. I hope you’ll hear me out before you decide.”

Mystro flicked Tilda’s forehead and frowned. “Why are you being so formal? If you need anything, Tilda, just ask. We’ll help, no matter what.”