Chapter 296: Amon's Refuge: Bianca's House

The next morning...

It took hours, which stretched out in such a way that they seemed like days, until Amon and Old Hazael finally returned.

Noticing the subtly tired expression that marked Amon's face, Hazael couldn't contain a deep, hearty laugh. "Hahaha! Ah, my young friend, it seems the adventure had its dull moments, didn't it? But it's precisely in those moments that the best memories are forged!"

It was rare to see Amon, usually so impassive, display any sign of vulnerability. The sight of this rare crack in the young man's unshakeable exterior brought a certain satisfaction to Old Hazael.

For a fleeting moment, Amon's eyes locked onto the elder's with penetrating intensity. He pondered the idea of using his special ability to evoke the emotion of Sadness at its maximum potency. A flash of curiosity crossed his mind: would Hazael still be able to unleash his contagious laughter if enveloped by the deepest melancholy?

It's worth pondering...

Upon returning to the restaurant, they discovered it was already the next morning. Fortunately, it was Saturday, which meant they didn't have to worry about academic commitments at the university.

During the time Amon was being interrogated, the group had waited patiently in the house that also served as Bianca's restaurant.

"Well, don't worry too much," said Old Hazael, trying to lighten the mood. "At least that tedious part is behind us, right?"

Amon pondered for a moment and nodded in agreement. "True."

"Ah, and you should have seen their faces when they discovered your power level. Hahaha!" Hazael let out another booming laugh.

The reaction of everyone, especially some of his old friends, was a source of great amusement for him. If Hazael hadn't been there, he suspected that Amon would still be detained, being questioned about how he managed to advance in rank so quickly.

Of course, information like that can't be forcefully extracted. These are private matters, after all. What genius in their right mind would want to associate with the human federation if there wasn't a minimum level of respect for privacy, especially in such personal matters?

If Amon had been alone, without someone to intervene, he might have been pressured to the point of exhaustion. Even if he wasn't forced to reveal his secrets, fatigue could lead him to share information just to end the tedious interrogation.

Authorities often resort to pressure tactics during interrogations. That's why having strong backing, like a university or another influential institution, is crucial.

It may seem like the university didn't do much for Amon, but in reality, it did quite a lot. His affiliation with the institution opened many doors for him and facilitated many aspects of his journey. For example, his discovery of Planet Fulgura was only possible due to his connection with the university.

Without that link, the chances of him interacting with Flavia and receiving crucial information from her would be significantly reduced.

Amon was aware of the significant role the university played in his life, a realization that became even more evident when Old Hazael intervened on his behalf. Especially now, when Hazael stood by his side, protecting him from the federation elders' attempts to interrogate him about his surprising increase in power.

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Upon returning to the restaurant, Amon was greeted by the soft sound of Bianca's voice. "Amon, welcome back~" she hissed, the melodic tone of her words filling the air.

"Uh, I'm back," replied Amon, his voice tinged with fatigue.

Noticing Amon's state, Bianca was quick to offer comfort. "You must be exhausted. Your room is already prepared. Go rest for a bit, or perhaps take a hot bath to relax."

"I'll do that," Amon agreed.

Bianca smiled, her hands coming together in a graceful gesture. "But you'll eat something first, right? I'll heat something up for you. Make yourself comfortable in the living room while I prepare."

"Ok, thank you," Amon replied, grateful for the hospitality.

"You're welcome," Bianca laughed, before heading off to the kitchen.

Only after Bianca left did the other girls approach Amon to chat. Sensitive to his tired state, they opted for lighter topics so as not to overwhelm him. They talked about things like the latest movies they had watched, interesting books they were reading, and even about recipes for easy and delicious dishes they had recently tried.

Returning from the kitchen, Bianca carried a tray with a steaming bowl of chicken and vegetable soup, accompanied by a piece of artisanal bread and a glass of fresh orange juice. "Here you go, something light but nutritious," she said, placing the tray on the coffee table in front of Amon.

"Thank you, Bianca," Amon replied, feeling the comforting aroma of the soup fill his senses. He picked up the spoon and began to eat, each spoonful seeming to restore some of his depleted energy. The bread, soft and slightly crunchy, complemented the rich flavor of the soup perfectly. He finished the meal with a few sips of the orange juice, which added a refreshing note to the ensemble.

After thanking Bianca once more, Amon stood up and headed to the bathroom. The hot water from the shower fell on him like a redemptive rain, washing away not just sweat and dirt, but also the weight of worries and fatigue that had accumulated during the day. He allowed himself to stay there for a few extra minutes, just to savor the feeling of relaxation that enveloped him.

Finally, he turned off the shower and wrapped himself in a fluffy towel. Returning to the room, he opened the wardrobe and chose a set of comfortable clothes: a cotton T-shirt and a pair of sweatpants. Dressing quickly, he couldn't help but yawn; his body was beginning to feel the irresistible pull of sleep.

Amon headed to the bed, which was meticulously made, with clean sheets and an inviting pillow. He lay down, feeling the mattress welcome his body as if it were a cloud. Pulling the blanket over himself, he closed his eyes. Within moments, he was transported to the tranquil realm of sleep, where worries dissolved into ethereal dreams.

It had been months since he had slept in a bed, let alone had a peaceful night's sleep...

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