Endless Evolution: Last Star

“Agh…?” Silvana’s eyes widened, and she blinked several times. “You…?”

Sure, Gladius was a Second-Rank Phantom, but Adam and Silvana knew that Gladius wasn’t a noble, nor was he a member of any of the major factions. His power and abilities were great, but for the most part, he worked for Aiden and operated in the shadows.

“Yes, why does that surprise you?”

Gladius smiled, his eyes narrowed into crescents.

“Have you really forgotten how we were together at Osana’s wedding? Hahaha, good thing it fell through, even though Adam had to fight at the Moon Colosseum because of it.”

Adam clenched his fists. Gladius was right. He wasn’t the type to shy away from an important event, even if no one had invited him.

Strange as it may seem, that time it turned out to be an advantage for Adam. If Gladius hadn’t been at the ceremony, Adam would have had big problems with the nobles. Gladius easily defended him, though at that moment he still didn’t realize just how great Gladius’s power was.

‘Come to think of it…’ Adam thought. ‘Considering what I know now, I don’t think those nobles understood his power level either. Probably not even the elders know everything about Gladius.’

Adam had met several elders of the Twelve Branches. They were powerful K4-Phantoms, but they were weaker than he himself was at that moment, and Gladius was on a whole other level.

Silvana gulped.

“No… I mean, I remember what we did back then. But I didn’t know who you really were yet.”

Gladius shrugged.

“Does it even matter? I helped you and Adam, just like I did back then and many times before that. I’ll admit, I rarely visit the Radiant Branch. Most of the time, nothing interesting happens there, and it’s just too boring, but…”

His eyes flashed.

“Not this time, and all because you’ll be there too, Adam. However, looking at your outfit…”

Gladius’s eyes scanned Adam from head to toe.

“If I were setting the dress code, I wouldn’t let you in.”

Adam’s eyebrow twitched.

“Ah? What does that mean? I’m dressed just fine! The most important thing is that I like it!”

Gladius shook his head, touching his temples.

“Ah… No style at all, and Silvana.”

“Y-Yes?” She flinched.

“Sorry, but you need to find something better than your current outfit, too. Though, you just need something new, it’s not that bad, unlike Adam’s disaster.”

“Hahaha!” Silvana laughed briefly because it was true.

Then, she regained her composure and looked at Gladius.

“In fact, this time our thoughts coincided. I suggested the same thing to Adam, and we were planning to go tomorrow. After all, an important event calls for a special outfit, right?”

Gladius sighed with relief as he dramatically waved his hand.

“Oh, I’m so glad at least one of you understands how important style is. Now I have hope that the two of us can save Adam.”

Adam’s facial muscles twitched as he clenched his fists.

“Hey! Do you think it’s that hard to pick out a good suit? All you have to do is go to the store and buy whatever you like! I’ve got plenty of money for that!”

Gladius shook his head again, and even Silvana turned away, embarrassed.

“Look, he’s planning to go to a regular store to buy an outfit for Radiant Branch. Can you believe it?”

“Ah? What’s wrong with that?” Adam growled.

Silvana glanced at him.

“Adam… I’m usually on your side, but on this one I agree with Gladius. If we’re going to Radiant Branch, we have to show that we belong there, and our outfits are part of that message.”

Click.

Gladius snapped his fingers.

“Exactly. That’s exactly why we’re going to the tailor’s.”

“Pffft!” Adam snorted, crossing his arms. “Tailor’s or store, what’s the difference? All you need is money and a few minutes to look around.”

The corners of Gladius’s mouth curled into a smug smile.

“No, you won’t find this tailor shop on regular maps, and no amount of money will help you place an order there. It’s a special place, and luckily for you, I have access to it.”

Adam and Silvana exchanged glances.

It seemed strange to them how such a tailor shop could even operate. After all, it was a business, and with such secrecy, it must have been difficult for them to find customers.

Well, they both simply hadn’t yet realized what Gladius had in store for them.

“Argh…”

Adam raised his hands.

“Fine, I give up. Take us to your secret tailor shop. We were going to do this tomorrow anyway, so consider us ahead of schedule.”

“Glad to hear it. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.” Gladius nodded and stepped forward.

Adam stared at Gladius.

‘Tsk, when he was killing those dragons, he wasn’t thinking about style or fashionable suits. All he needed back then was a plain robe and his weapon.’

He wanted to learn more about what had happened back then, and especially about that time period. Adam didn’t know when that memory had surfaced, but he realized it was something from ancient times, before Queen Elisa was trapped in a crystal.

‘Well… I don’t think now is the best time for that.’ Adam shook his head inwardly. ‘Alright, we’re going to buy some outfits, then Radiant Branch and I are heading to the Hollow Lands!’

Suddenly, Gladius’s voice rang out.

“By the way, I suppose I should congratulate you on completing your mission. I heard about what you did. You killed three Viscounts while at K4-Level, not bad, not bad at all.”

“Ah? Not bad?” Adam tilted his head. “I think that deserves more praise.”

Gladius smirked.

“No. But this news helped you gain access to this atelier.”

Adam was confused, but Gladius wasn’t going to explain anything further.

Their journey continued through empty, quiet alleys until they reached the old part of the First Ring. However, the fact that this part was old only made everything here several times more expensive.

Tap. Tap.

Gladius knocked on the door, and it opened immediately.

A woman with platinum-blonde hair down to her neck and deep amber eyes stepped out.

“Meet Relana, Adam. She owns this place, and she’ll pick out an outfit for you.”