Chapter 277: Confidence Reignited

Hearing Nadia’s words something in Mika’s head snapped open.

It felt like an explosion of realization detonating behind his eyes. All that heaviness in his chest—the guilt, the moral tug-of-war, suddenly lightened.

Until a moment ago, he had been tangled in self-doubt, unsure what to do about Fauna. No matter how close they were, she only ever saw him through the same warm, innocent lens—her cherished child, her son, her baby boy.

Never once as a man.

He had a way to change that, of course.

A way he knew would work without fail. But it was manipulative.

It was deceitful. It used her innocence against her, and that thought had kept him from trying it. It made him feel like the worst kind of man.

But now...hearing Nadia’s calm, pragmatic words, his guilt melted like frost under sunlight.

’If it won’t harm her...and it’ll bring happiness in the end...then it’s not wrong.’

Those words echoed again and again in his mind until they felt divine.

He could feel his confidence returning....surging.

And right now, he wasn’t just free of guilt; he was empowered.

He could do whatever it took for the people he cared for. He could act without hesitation.

Whether it was with Fauna, or even the other Battle Angels, he didn’t have to hold back anymore. As long as the outcome was peace, happiness, and unity...it was justified.

Nadia noticed the subtle shift in his eyes and she tilted her head faintly and asked,

"It seems my advice worked, didn’t it?"

"It did. It really did." Mika nodded instantly, a grin spreading across his face as he went on to say.

"And you know, this is exactly why anyone with problems should come to you first. You’d make the best therapist or counselor in the entire world. I’m serious...you just solved the thing that’s been gnawing at me for the entire day."

Nadia’s expression didn’t change much, but her ears—those delicate, faintly pointed ears—twitched slightly upward. For her, that was the equivalent of blushing and smiling at once.

"I’ll take that as a compliment." She said, her voice just a touch lighter than usual.

"It’s more than a compliment." Mika laughed. "It’s fact. You’re the best advisor anyone could ask for."

"I don’t even know what to do with all this energy now. I want to do something for you, to thank you properly."

"There’s no need." Nadia replied, shaking her head slowly. "We’re family. You don’t owe me anything. I’m just glad you were willing to open up. That’s more than enough for me."

Her eyes softened for a brief second, but then her expression turned more serious.

"Though I will give you one warning."

"A warning?" Mika raised a brow.

"Yes." She folded her arms lightly. "I won’t ask who this girl is. But whatever you do...keep it a secret from the others. Especially my daughter."

Mika blinked. "...Ah."

Nadia sighed quietly.

"If she finds out you’re close to another girl, she won’t say anything outright, but she won’t be in a good mood either. And when she’s not in a good mood..." Her tone dropped slightly. "...the soldiers she’s training suffer for it. You’ll have an entire barracks of crying recruits on your conscience."

"So please, for everyone’s sake—keep it quiet."

Mika chuckled.

"Of course, of course. The last thing I want is to make that military-obsessed daughter of yours angry. I’d rather face another world-ending rift."

Nadia rolled her eyes faintly, though a tiny amused flicker crossed her features.

"But still..." Mika said, his tone softening as he looked at her. "Because of you, I feel like I can breathe again and I want to do something for you"

"Mika, there’s no need—"

"Oh, but there is." He interrupted playfully. "You’ve put my mind at peace. And I think I know exactly how to thank you."

There was something in his tone—mischievous, familiar that made Nadia instinctively wary. Still, curiosity won out.

"What is it?" She tilted her head slightly.

"Lean down a little." He said with a grin. "I want to tell you something."

Her brows furrowed faintly, but she obliged, leaning down slowly, eyes fixed on him. She expected him to whisper another secret, perhaps a quiet confession or a tease about his ’mystery girl.’

Instead—warmth touched her cheeks.

Her body stiffened like a statue.

Her crimson eyes widened as she realized—Mika was kissing her cheeks.

Gently. Warmly. Without hesitation.

When he pulled back, he was smirking.

"You fell for it again. Just like last time. You’d think the greatest negotiator in the world wouldn’t keep falling for the same trick."

But Nadia didn’t move. She didn’t blink. Her entire body was rigid—completely still.

Mika frowned, starting to worry.

"Uh...Nadia? Are you alright?"

And then—her pale face began to flush.

Lightly at first, then deeper, and deeper still, until it was a brilliant, burning red.

Her eyes also trembled, her breath hitched, her ears twitched violently. Her nose flared. Her body was practically trembling with barely contained emotion.

And then—the world alos responded.

Rumble!

A low rumble echoed through the air.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

Then the ground cracked. The glaciers beneath them began to shake. The tremors grew stronger by the second, the frozen plains fracturing and groaning.

Mika gulped. "Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me—"

Below them, the entire realm began to crumble.

Mountains split open.

Ice cliffs shattered like glass.

The ground tore itself apart, collapsing into endless chasms as an earth-shattering quake ripped through the world.

Mika flailed slightly as the floating platform beneath his feet tilted.

"Nadia! Calm down! It’s just a kiss! You don’t have to—!"

He tried taking a step forward.

But she took another step back, panic flickering in her crimson eyes and then without a single word—

—she turned and dashed into the portal.

Mika reached out, but she was gone.

And beneath him, the world continued to collapse.

He stared down at the devastation. The ice breaking, the horizon imploding and exhaled in disbelief.

"Just like last time..." He muttered, half laughing, half sighing. "All that from a single kiss."

The cracks spread faster. He could feel the realm tearing itself apart under her uncontrollable surge.

"In a few minutes, this whole place’ll be gone." He said to himself, shaking his head. "She really doesn’t know her own strength."

And with that, he turned and leapt into the portal just as the last fragments of that world fell apart behind him.

When he emerged on the other side, light washed over him again.

He blinked, looking down and exhaled in relief.

The outer world was intact. The destruction hadn’t crossed over.

Far below, he spotted Fauna and Cecilia waiting near the camp

"Guess I should check on them."

He murmured with a faint grin, then descended slowly toward them, while his mind still replayed the look on Nadia’s blushing, trembling face.

’It won’t be long before I have as well, Nadia. It won’t be long.’

He thought as he descended from the sky and the moment Fauna spotted him, her face immediately turned to one of concern.

She ran toward him with quick steps, calling out.

"Mika! What happened in there?" Her voice was tinged with anxiety. "Not only did the portal suddenly become unstable—it felt like the entire world on the other side was breaking apart!"

"And then Nadia—she just flew off without a word! She didn’t even say goodbye, and when I caught a glimpse of her, her face looked so flustered, almost like she was about to cry."

"What on earth happened between you two? What did you talk about to make her react like that?"

Mika landed gracefully before giving her a casual smile.

"It’s not really what we talked about that caused it."

He said, lowering his tone in seriousness as he bent down slightly toward her.

"Actually..." He leaned in closer, voice secretive. "She just really, really had to use the bathroom."

Fauna blinked. "...What?"

"Yup." Mika said with a straight face. "Apparently she’d been holding it in for quite a while. Couldn’t take it anymore, so she dashed off at full force. You know how it is—emergencies don’t wait."

For a few seconds, Fauna just stared at him in disbelief, her mouth slightly open.

But then to his utter shock, she nodded with genuine understanding.

"That actually makes sense." She said, her tone thoughtful. "Now that I think about it, she did look restless earlier...and come to think of it, there were a few times in the past when she overused her power and ended up needing to pee immediately afterward. Though that was a long time ago."

Fauna sighed sympathetically and shook her head. "Poor Nadia..."

Mika almost choked trying not to laugh.

But before he could comment, Fauna’s eyes narrowed slightly, her playful demeanor fading into something sharper.

"Leaving Nadia aside." She said slowly, stepping a little closer to him. "What about you, Mika?"

He blinked. "Me?"

"Yes, you." Her gaze softened, though curiosity lingered in her tone. "Something about you feels...different."

She tilted her head, studying his face closely.

"It’s not your expression...it’s your eyes. They’re sharper than before. Focused. Determined." Her voice dropped slightly. "It’s almost scary, actually. Like you’ve set your sights on something or someone and you’re not going to stop until you get it."

Her tone carried a hint of unease as she added,

"I might be wrong, but it almost feels like...you’re looking at me like that."

Mika’s smile returned, faintly teasing. But he didn’t answer her question directly.

Instead, he walked behind her and placed his hands gently on her shoulders, his thumbs pressing softly into the tense muscles near her neck.

"Who knows." He murmured, his voice low and playful. "Maybe you’re my target...or maybe you’re not." His hands moved slowly as he added. "But by the end of the night, you’ll see what my eyes really mean."

Fauna blinked, utterly confused, her mind trying to catch up with his tone.

Something about the way he spoke made her heart skip a beat, though she couldn’t quite tell why.

’Something’s changed in him.’ She thought. ’And I’m not sure if I should be worried...or excited.’

But before she could respond, another thought came to her mind—something softer, hesitant.

She glanced up at him, her tone small and uncertain.

"Mika..." She said, her voice almost trembling. "With everything that’s happened today...I don’t think we can finish what we planned. The tests, the readings—they’ll have to wait and you...you probably want to go home anyway."

She fidgeted, biting her lip.

"Yelena’s probably waiting for you by the doorstep right now..."

She trailed off, hesitating again before blurting.

"But...is it possible that you could stay over at my place tonight?"

Mika blinked, surprised at her sudden change in tone.

Fauna continued quickly, words tumbling out in a nervous rush.

"It’s just—it’s been so long since we’ve had time like this! And, well, you always end up staying at Yelena’s house. I just thought—maybe, for once—you could stay with me instead."

"My house isn’t far! And I promise, it’s quiet, warm, and comfortable. We can leave the tests for tomorrow."

"Anya would also be so happy to see you too." She smiled weakly, voice softening. "So...please? Just for tonight?"

She was pleading to him in the most innocent and pitiful manner possible and even still she thought that Mika would hesitate or straight up deny her.

But to her astonishment, Mika didn’t even hesitate.

Instead he smiled warmly, almost as if he had been waiting for her to ask.

"Of course, Fauna." He said easily. "When you ask me with that adorable face of yours, how could I possibly say no? I’ll stay with you tonight."

Fauna’s eyes widened in disbelief.

"R-Really? Really, Mika? You’ll actually stay over at my house?"

He nodded calmly. "Really."

For a split second, Fauna was completely still. Then her face lit up like the sun.

"H-He’s staying! Mika’s staying at my house!"

She squealed, bouncing up and down with childlike excitement.

"It’s going to be so much fun! I get to cuddle with Mika all night! This is going to be the best day ever!"

Around them, the medical staff and patients who had gathered near the portal turned their heads, whispering in confusion as they watched the most powerful healer in existence hopping around in joy like a little girl.

Meanwhile, Mika just chuckled softly to himself.

"Guess I’ll be having an interesting night."

He murmured with a smile, already knowing that after tonight there was no way Fauna would be able to look at him the same again.