Welcome back, Hans!

I can't believe you defeated Mistzug! What an amazing victory!

However, I'm happier at the fact that you were able to make it back in one piece.

So welcome back once again, Hans!

Hehe.

Oh! It looks like Noah is back too!

...You win, Hans.

Noah! What manners are those?!

Don't you have something nicer to say?

No, I don't.

You won the challenge, Hans.

Which means I acknowledge you as a true soldier.

But nothing more, and nothing less.

Noah...

Noah. You were finally able to take a step forward.

Lord Owen!

Hmph...

Hans. That was quite a feat, slaying Mistzug.

And Noah.

Admitting your own defeat speaks wonders in and of itself.

A loss is a loss.

It means this Summoner was better than me.

But it's not like I plan to leave things like this.

The courage to forgive others. That is what will make you truly powerful.

Someday you will learn to use your past as a driving force to live your future.

Whatever.

I've already left that behind me.

I don't have anything else to discuss with you.

I'm just gonna go get ready for the next mission.

Hans!

I've already acknowledged your abilities.

Next time I'll have you acknowledge mine.

So don't go getting yourself killed by some pipsqueak before then.

Hmm. Well, he did grow a little, but he's still quite immature.

That incident must have affected him more seriously than I thought.

......

Elise.

Y-Yes sir!

Please tell the Summoner what truly happened back then.

What?! B-But Noah will...

Hah, you have nothing to fear if it's Hans you're talking to.

Really? And why is that?

If you're unable to understand why, then that means you have yet to grow yourself.

B-But Lord Owen!

Hans.

There is something I must tell you.

Do you know Noel, of the Akras Summoners' Research Laboratory?

It looks like he has sent over a mock Unit for you.

The design is based on the specifications I provided of Noah, but...

...I wonder if a Unit like that boy would actually prove useful in the battlefield.

......

And not only that, but I've promoted you to the next Raid Class as well.

You should train to prepare yourself for the rigorous missions ahead.

......

Now, if you'll excuse me.

......a mock Unit based on Noah?

Sounds interesting...

Oh, s-sorry!

Where were we? Oh yes, Noah's past.

I think he'll get angry at me for telling you, but Lord Owen scares me more, so...

Maybe he's right though! It may be okay to tell you after all, Hans.

But please keep it a secret between us, all right?

Just like I mentioned before, Noah used to be the leader of the Demon Slayers.

And though overflowing with talent, he never neglected his training. He was a first-rate Summoner at an unbelievably young age.

But all of that changed after he faced that demon in battle.

The demon was known to have appeared only once before that, and thus no information was available about it.

And for that reason, the Summoners of Old sent Noah's squadron on a reconnaissance mission.

The elite squadron boasted of great strength.

Even against a powerful demon, they should have been able to hold their own.

And not only that, Noah's only goal was just to get information on the demon.

But they overestimated their own power, and other members forced a confrontation.

And it was thanks to that...that the whole squadron was eliminated.

Only Noah and a few others managed to survive, with Noah being the only one left with the ability to fight.

His comrades placed all the responsibility for the incident on him...

...and he was stripped from his position as commanding officer.

Noah was a warfare genius. And not only that, but he put in more effort than anyone else around him.

I don't even think he knew what it meant to lose until that incident came about.

And so, the shock he received from it all coupled with the unjust way in which he was treated...

...Noah became unable to trust the people around him. Or so I thought.

That's until you came along, and then Noah's heart started opening little by little.

I know you can bring him back. I believe you can bring the real Noah back!

Oh, sorry to ask something like this of you. But, it seems impossible for me to pull off, so...

......

Well, that's Noah's story.

Please don't tell him I said anything!

Oh, and congratulations on your promotion!

I-It's not like I didn't think it was that important, or something!

I may have mentioned it at the last moment, but I really am happy for you, you know!

You're just so easy to talk to despite being such an amazing Summoner! Hehe.

I may just ask you to take even more difficult missions for us in the future!

Haha, I'm joking, of course.

But your surprised face was kinda cute, Hans!

Anyway, I'm looking forward to what you'll accomplish next!