Garion and the others sat around a long table in the restaurant, plates stacked high and steam still rising from the food.
Garion didn’t waste any ti.
He grabbed a thick piece of at with his hands and took a huge bite.
"Ah," he said with satisfaction. "I missed this."
Dahlia stared at him. "Master, you just got back and you’re already eating like a beast."
Garion chewed loudly and waved his hand. "Training burns calories."
Beside him, the Vessel Demon sat stiffly on the edge of the chair.
His hands rested on his knees, his back straight, his eyes glued to the table.
In front of him was a full plate of food.
at, vegetables, soup, bread.
He didn’t touch any of it.
Garion noticed and frowned.
"Eat."
The Vessel Demon flinched.
He glanced at Dahlia, then Rachel, then the others.
"I... I shouldn’t," he said quietly. "I’m fine just watching."
Garion looked at him.
"Eat," he repeated, voice calm but firm.
The Vessel Demon swallowed.
Slowly, he picked up a piece of at.
His fingers trembled as he brought it to his mouth.
The mont he bit down, his eyes widened.
"...!"
He froze.
Then he chewed.
His eyes started to shine.
Without realizing it, he took another bite.
Then another.
Soon, he was eating fast, hands moving without stopping, barely breathing between bites.
Dahlia leaned closer, smirking.
"Human world food is good, right?"
The Vessel Demon nodded rapidly, mouth full.
"Yes," he said honestly. "Very good."
Rachel smiled softly. "Take your ti. There’s more."
The Vessel Demon paused, then bowed his head slightly.
"...Thank you."
Dahlia leaned back and crossed her arms.
She glanced at Garion.
"Master," she said, "why did you suddenly pick up a demon as your disciple?"
Garion wiped his hands and shrugged.
"Because I felt like it."
Dahlia blinked. "That’s it?"
"And," Garion added, "don’t worry. He’s not dangerous."
He pointed at the Vessel Demon.
"His race is called a Vessel Demon."
Dahlia tilted her head. "Vessel Demon?"
Garion nodded and spoke casually, as if explaining the weather.
"They’re weak. Incomplete. Born just to be used."
The table went quiet.
Garion continued, explaining their bodies, their purpose, and how demon nobles treated them as spare lives.
By the ti he finished, Dahlia’s eyes were red.
Clara sniffed.
Even the twins looked uncomfortable.
"...That’s awful," Dahlia muttered.
Rachel clasped her hands together. "No one should be born just to be thrown away."
The Vessel Demon lowered his head, fingers tightening.
Garion leaned back in his chair.
"That’s why," he said, "he’s here now."
He looked at the Vessel Demon.
"You’re not a container anymore."
The Vessel Demon looked up, eyes shaking.
"...Yes, Master."
Around the table, no one spoke.
Only the sound of eating remained.
The Vessel Demon slowed down, finally realizing everyone was looking at him again.
He froze mid-bite, unsure if he had done sothing wrong.
Dahlia tilted her head and broke the silence.
"By the way," she said casually, "what’s his na?"
Garion paused with a piece of at halfway to his mouth.
"...Good question."
He looked at the Vessel Demon. "What’s your na?"
The Vessel Demon stiffened.
He slowly shook his head.
"We don’t have nas," he said quietly.
Dahlia blinked. "What?"
The Vessel Demon lowered his eyes.
"Vessel Demons are not given nas. We are recorded by numbers, ownership marks, or function."
The table went quiet again.
Rachel’s expression softened imdiately.
"...I see," she said gently.
She leaned forward a little and smiled at him. "Then how about we give you one?"
The Vessel Demon looked up in shock.
"A... na?" he asked.
Rachel nodded. "Everyone here has one. You should too."
The Vessel Demon hesitated, then nodded slowly. "...I would like that."
Dahlia crossed her arms and frowned in thought.
"Alright," she said. "A na that fits him..."
Before she could continue, Arden raised a finger.
"Wait," he said carefully. "Before a given na, shouldn’t we decide his family na first?"
Everyone turned to him.
Arden adjusted his glasses.
"He’s not a slave anymore," he continued. "And he’s not just a Vessel Demon now. He’s a disciple of the God Gym."
The Vessel Demon’s hands tightened on the edge of the table.
Arden went on, voice calm but firm. "That ans he needs a family na. A place he belongs to."
Dahlia’s eyes widened. "...Oh."
Rachel nodded slowly. "You’re right."
Garion leaned back in his chair, chewing thoughtfully.
"A family na, huh," he said. "That’s important."
The Vessel Demon looked between them, clearly overwheld.
"I... I don’t deserve..."
Garion cut him off. "You’re already here. That’s enough."
Dahlia smirked. "Besides, if you’re training in my master’s gym, you’re basically family already."
She leaned closer to the Vessel Demon.
"So," she said, "what kind of family na do you want?"
The Vessel Demon froze. "I... I don’t know. I’ve never thought about it."
The room stayed still for a mont.
Then Arden spoke up, his voice calm and steady.
"Then we can suggest so," he said. "You don’t have to decide alone."
Dahlia’s eyes lit up imdiately.
"Oh, I like this part," she said, leaning forward. "Alright, how about Astranor?"
She tapped the table once, pleased with herself.
"It sounds strong," she continued. "Like soone who was born small but reaches high anyway."
The Vessel Demon repeated it softly under his breath. "Astranor..."
Before he could think too much about it, the twins spoke up at the sa ti.
"How about Caladorn?" Rynor said.
Rynar nodded. "Yeah. Sounds tough. Like sothing that doesn’t break easily."
They both crossed their arms, clearly proud of the suggestion.
The Vessel Demon looked a little overwheld, but he listened carefully.
Then Arden adjusted his glasses and added his own idea.
"What about Halcyon?" he said. "It ans calm after hardship. A quiet strength."
The table fell silent again.
Three nas.
Three different futures.
The Vessel Demon lowered his head, thinking hard. His hands trembled slightly as he processed it all.
"Astranor... Caladorn... Halcyon..."
No one rushed him.
Garion watched quietly, arms crossed, saying nothing for once.
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