To Where the Heart Guides

Elixia has entered my dreams over and over again. Yet each time, she failed just when we were about to make progress.

It's not because she lacks the skills. It's my problem.

My mother's sudden departure is a sorrow I can't shake off. It still affects me to this day.

So you know exactly what the problem is, but you still can't face it?

...Yes.

Ever since my mother disappeared, my life has completely changed.

That moment becomes the origin of everything, also the foundation of who I am now...

I can put up with the harsh things people say about her. I can endure the awful assumptions they make about me who's lost my mother...

But to face the truth, I just can't.

...

May I ask for the specific details of your mother's departure?

The story may seem insignificant today.

My mother was a woman who lived and breathed tea. Once her life stabilized, she remembered the teas she loved and the tea trees destroyed by the Calamity.

So she traveled the world to gather different tea tree varieties and plant them across sections of her tea farm.

Later, she heard rumors of a tea tree that was believed to be extinct. Though the chances were slim, she set out once more in search of it.

That journey... became her last.

So your mother died in an accident while looking for that tea tree?

...I don't know.

You don't know?

At first, I refused to listen to what the adults said. If I didn't hear it, she'd be fine. She'd come back.

As time went on, even though I realized she probably wasn't coming back... I still refused to hear anything about her.

Yes, I've been avoiding the truth all this time... right up to today.

I see.

Elixia.

I'm always here.

You can go out anytime and return whenever you want, right?

Yes. Why?

Please, head out and find Vika.

Ask her to look into Serenelle's mother.

Wait!

I see.

Elixia, no!

Why are you doing this!

Do you know what you've done!

I sell tea all over the world. If I wanted to look into this, I would've done it ages ago!

It's not just about wanting to, you should've investigated this ages ago.

You have to face it eventually.

I don't have a strong heart like you do. I don't want to face it!

A strong heart?

Are you talking about me?

I'm just an ordinary person trying to survive with my sister by digging up Echo Crystals. Then these armed people kidnapped her and trapped her inside a crystal.

After that, Teslovik took me in, taught me everything about fighting and surviving. Yet I let the one who destroyed Teslovik go free...

But you? After your mother left, you managed to run your tea farm on your own and even expanded it to sell all over the world.

You really think I have a stronger heart than you?

...No, it's not right...

The biggest difference between us is that I never had the chance to run away.

Everything happened right in front of me. I remember it all, I never got the chance to forget.

Just like me, if you don't get the chance to escape, I know you'll do even better.

But I really don't want to face it...

No one does, Serenelle.

No one wants to face tragedy. But it's there, and we don't get to choose.

(Sobbing)...

Waaah...

I'm back... What happened?

Waah...

No big deal. Did you get any updates on Serenelle's mother?

I did. Miss Vika is amazing. With a few calls, she gathered all the intel in no time.

So what did you find?

On her last journey, Serenelle's mother traveled through Nebu, Empire, and Bifrost. The martial Nebu, the devout Empire, the extreme cold Bifrost, none of these stopped her steps.

What finally stopped her was a Host, a dangerous one. In Bifrost's records, its codename is [Agony].

And Serenelle's mother is the first recorded casualty concerned with [Agony].

...My mother... Did she die because of a Host attack?

Serenelle, are you okay?

I'm fine.

The truth isn't so hard to accept, is it?

Alright, Serenelle's situation is resolved. Now, let's deal with the Tidal Voice.

Have you figured out its source?

I already confirmed it with Miss Vika earlier. The Tidal Voice comes from a mutated coral in the coral zone.

Technically, it's the Fused Coral.

Vika, you're here.

The Fused Coral investigation is complete. Now we just have to take them out.

Let's go. Nyla is waiting for us.

Finally... it's over.

Yes, we've dealt with all the Fused Corals. The threat of the Tidal Voice is gone for good!

The Victoria Seaside Resort can reopen now.

Thank God.

As a thank-you for your help, all resort activities are now free, on top of your original reward.

Oh, and while I'd love to include food and lodging as well, Miss Vika seems quite attached to the kitchen. So meals will be handled by her.

Wishing you all a wonderful and unforgettable summer.

So this is Teslovik.

I heard you're reaching out for support from everywhere to fight Rasparta?

Indeed.

I'm just a tea merchant, so I can't do much. But from now on, let me take care of all your tea supplies.

Really? That's great!

So you know exactly what the problem is, but you still can't face it?

...Yes.

Ever since my mother disappeared, my life has completely changed.

That moment becomes the origin of everything, also the foundation of who I am now...

I can put up with the harsh things people say about her. I can endure the awful assumptions they make about me who's lost my mother...

But to face the truth, I just can't.

...

May I ask for the specific details of your mother's departure?

The story may seem insignificant today.

My mother was a woman who lived and breathed tea. Once her life stabilized, she remembered the teas she loved and the tea trees destroyed by the Calamity.

So she traveled the world to gather different tea tree varieties and plant them across sections of her tea farm.

Later, she heard rumors of a tea tree that was believed to be extinct. Though the chances were slim, she set out once more in search of it.

That journey... became her last.

So your mother died in an accident while looking for that tea tree?

...I don't know.

You don't know?

At first, I refused to listen to what the adults said. If I didn't hear it, she'd be fine. She'd come back.

As time went on, even though I realized she probably wasn't coming back... I still refused to hear anything about her.

Yes, I've been avoiding the truth all this time... right up to today.

I see.

Elixia.

I'm always here.

You can go out anytime and return whenever you want, right?

Yes. Why?

Please, head out and find Vika.

Ask her to look into Serenelle's mother.

Wait!

I see.

Elixia, no!

Why are you doing this!

Do you know what you've done!

I sell tea all over the world. If I wanted to look into this, I would've done it ages ago!

It's not just about wanting to, you should've investigated this ages ago.

You have to face it eventually.

I don't have a strong heart like you do. I don't want to face it!

A strong heart?

Are you talking about me?

I'm just an ordinary person trying to survive with my sister by digging up Echo Crystals. Then these armed people kidnapped her and trapped her inside a crystal.

After that, Teslovik took me in, taught me everything about fighting and surviving. Yet I let the one who destroyed Teslovik go free...

But you? After your mother left, you managed to run your tea farm on your own and even expanded it to sell all over the world.

You really think I have a stronger heart than you?

...No, it's not right...

The biggest difference between us is that I never had the chance to run away.

Everything happened right in front of me. I remember it all, I never got the chance to forget.

Just like me, if you don't get the chance to escape, I know you'll do even better.

But I really don't want to face it...

No one does, Serenelle.

No one wants to face tragedy. But it's there, and we don't get to choose.

(Sobbing)...

Waaah...

I'm back... What happened?

Waah...

No big deal. Did you get any updates on Serenelle's mother?

I did. Miss Vika is amazing. With a few calls, she gathered all the intel in no time.

So what did you find?

On her last journey, Serenelle's mother traveled through Nebu, Empire, and Bifrost. The martial Nebu, the devout Empire, the extreme cold Bifrost, none of these stopped her steps.

What finally stopped her was a Host, a dangerous one. In Bifrost's records, its codename is [Agony].

And Serenelle's mother is the first recorded casualty concerned with [Agony].

...My mother... Did she die because of a Host attack?

Serenelle, are you okay?

I'm fine.

The truth isn't so hard to accept, is it?

Alright, Serenelle's situation is resolved. Now, let's deal with the Tidal Voice.

Have you figured out its source?

I already confirmed it with Miss Vika earlier. The Tidal Voice comes from a mutated coral in the coral zone.

Technically, it's the Fused Coral.

Vika, you're here.

The Fused Coral investigation is complete. Now we just have to take them out.

Let's go. Nyla is waiting for us.

Finally... it's over.

Yes, we've dealt with all the Fused Corals. The threat of the Tidal Voice is gone for good!

The Victoria Seaside Resort can reopen now.

Thank God.

As a thank-you for your help, all resort activities are now free, on top of your original reward.

Oh, and while I'd love to include food and lodging as well, Miss Vika seems quite attached to the kitchen. So meals will be handled by her.

Wishing you all a wonderful and unforgettable summer.

So this is Teslovik.

I heard you're reaching out for support from everywhere to fight Rasparta?

Indeed.

I'm just a tea merchant, so I can't do much. But from now on, let me take care of all your tea supplies.

Really? That's great!