The Boy Who Walks Beyond The End-Chapter 69: The Space Nex Left Behind

Morning sun peeked through the crystalline windows of the Eboncrest Academy's upper dining hall. The scent of fresh bread, sizzling bacon, and enchanted herbs danced in the air, but for Zen, the seat beside him still felt empty.

It wasn't that anyone was missing... physically.

It was just—

"Still not back, huh... Nex?" Zen muttered under his breath as he quietly pushed around his food.

"Talking to your eggs again?" Lyra leaned close with a sly grin, her blue hair tied up in a lazy ponytail that somehow made her look more radiant than usual. "Do they talk back?"

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Zen side-eyed her. "Not today."

"Oh? So the mighty prince is sulking over breakfast. How dramatic." She took a crunchy bite of toast, raising an eyebrow. "You know, if you really miss me that much, just say it."

Zen coughed. "I didn't say I missed you—"

"But you were thinking it."

He looked away. "You're imagining things."

"Hmm. Or maybe I'm just always on your mind," she teased, tapping her fork to her lips.

Arisella giggled from across the table, while Elvern muttered, "Here they go again..."

Sylvia had joined them too, sitting beside Fiora and shaking her head. "Can we finish a meal without flirting warfare? Just once?"

"Impossible," Elvern said, exasperated.

Zen rubbed the back of his neck. "It's not flirting, it's psychological warfare."

"With sparkles," Fiora added with a smirk.

Zen sighed and turned his gaze to the sunlit window, his thoughts drifting again.

> "Where the hell are you, Nex...?"

There was no sign, no voice, no sarcastic quip, not even a single emoticon. That annoying, talkative, floating cube had completely vanished since the end of the Trial Beyond Light. For a spirit bound to his very soul, the silence was deafening.

The system was gone.

And that fact alone felt heavier than Zen wanted to admit.

---

Later That Day – Training Grounds

Class was canceled due to the aftermath of the trial, but most students were outside anyway—sparring, chatting, or simply enjoying the rare break.

Zen sat beneath the shade of a twisted silverbark tree, watching Lyra duel Arisella with light practice spells. Her movements were fluid, sharp—she hadn't slowed down one bit since the dungeon.

"You're distracted today," Lyra said, noticing him as she came over, wiping sweat from her brow.

"Just tired," he replied, but she sat beside him anyway.

"Liar," she said softly.

Zen stayed quiet.

"You haven't smiled once all day. And you didn't even make fun of Elvern's shirt. That's a red flag."

Zen chuckled under his breath. "That shirt was already punishment enough."

"There it is." Lyra bumped her shoulder against his. "Now what's really going on?"

He hesitated. Then sighed. "It's... Nex. He's been quiet. Too quiet. He never shuts up, and now it's like he doesn't even exist."

Lyra glanced up at the sky. "Do you think... something happened to him?"

"I don't know. He's never been gone this long."

"Well," she said, nudging him, "I'm here."

Zen looked at her, his gaze softening.

"Thanks."

Lyra smiled. "Besides, I'm like ten times more fun than a floating cube with attitude."

Zen smiled. "Don't let Nex hear you say that."

"Oh, please. If he comes back, I'll tell him to his cube-face."

They both laughed, and for a brief moment, the heaviness lifted.

---

That Night – Dorm Balcony

The stars shimmered above the academy, glowing softly in the cool breeze. Zen stood on the balcony of his dorm, arms crossed, gazing into the sky.

He closed his eyes. "Nex..."

Still no answer.

Just silence. Deep, echoing silence.

But he knew—wherever Nex was... he'd be back. Probably with some ridiculous dramatic entrance and a dozen sarcastic comments.

Zen sighed, but smiled to himself.

> "When you come back, I'll punch you first. Then thank you."

Behind him, Lyra's voice floated out softly from the hall, "Hey... you okay?"

He turned. "Yeah. Just... waiting."

She joined him on the balcony. "You know, I could stay here all night and annoy you if that helps."

Zen smirked. "It might."

She leaned beside him, quiet for a while, then said:

"Whatever's coming next... we'll face it together, okay?"

He looked into her eyes.

"Yeah," he said. "Together."