Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1462 - Capítulo 1462: Serious Plans

“Do you consider yourself more fortunate than the rest?” Adam questioned.

Silvana shifted toward him, nodding in agreement.

“Our current status is among the rarest circumstances to ever occur. However, that isn't the sole factor, as every K4-Phantom and their respective Operator find themselves in a similar position.”

Adam remained quiet, sipping his coffee while paying close attention. As a Phantom, he had never concerned himself deeply with the inner workings of the Operator world. While he possessed general knowledge regarding the academy students, the trials they endured, and the difficult choices they faced, it all felt like mere preparation to him.

His understanding of the administrative and military side of things was sparse. He was aware that initially, Operators were paired with teams of Phantoms who lacked the strength or experience required to merit a dedicated personal partner.

Once a Phantom demonstrated sufficient value, they earned the privilege of selecting their own partner. Adam had exercised this very right upon his return to the Citadel from the Dead Lands.

“Adam, you must grasp that the beginning of a partnership between a Phantom and an Operator is much like the start of a romance. In our situation, those two paths merged, but for the most part, we functioned as a Phantom and Operator rather than just a couple,” Silvana explained.

“I follow you, but I suspect there is a deeper point you are trying to make, isn't there?”

She gave a small nod.

“Just like romantic bonds, sometimes a Phantom and an Operator are simply incompatible. We managed to bypass that hurdle, but I view it as a disastrous possibility. Just imagine… what if we had fractured halfway through? What if we had severed our union while you were still a K2-Phantom?”

A flicker of sorrow crossed Silvana’s eyes as she spoke:

“We would have been forced to attempt a new union with someone else, forever haunted by our previous failure. And even that isn't the worst-case scenario.”

“Oh? What could possibly be worse than that?”

“Well…” She squeezed Adam’s hand tightly. “Because of your tendency to take massive risks, I’ve had to contemplate this frequently. I am luckier than most, but… have you ever wondered what happens to Operators when their Phantoms perish in combat?”

The relaxed air around Adam vanished, replaced by a grim seriousness.

Silvana bit her lip nervously.

“As you grew more powerful and gained fame in certain circles, I was affected as your Operator as well. I’ve heard countless stories—more than I ever wanted to—and some were truly haunting.

“You can spend years by someone's side, surviving dozens of missions and skirmishes together, and then… it’s over. Everything vanishes in a heartbeat. The Phantom meets death, leaving you with an emptiness that can almost never be filled.”

Deep down, Adam had always known this was the reality of their world.

For some Phantom, every single day marked their final mission. Somewhere, an Operator was being stripped of their partner. It was a brutal, gore-stained cycle that never ceased, and nothing could change its nature.

Phantoms would keep clashing with monsters; some would evolve to the next stage of Cultivation, while others would fall.

One Phantom might be slain during their very first outing, while another might fall after surviving a hundred battles, simply because they finally encountered a foe that left them no hope of victory.

“I suppose we should be grateful for our current state then, right? We are both alive, and we are stronger than we’ve ever been. We must continue our efforts to ensure neither of us meets a bad end. I have no intention of leaving you alone in the dark.”

Adam’s reassurance eased Silvana’s rising anxiety. She reached out, grabbing his hand and pulling him toward her.

“You say that now, but you’ll just make me worry all over again the next time you gamble your life against some high-level monster, won’t you?” She said, narrowing her eyes at him.

Adam merely shrugged.

“You knew exactly who you were picking as a partner. The Phantom might have the initial right to choose an Operator from those available, but when it comes to the actual merging of energies, you Operators hold the final veto.”

Silvana’s expression softened into a smile as she leaned in to kiss him.

He looked away for a moment, reflecting on her earlier points.

“A lot of pairs actually lose each other or split up within the first few months, don’t they?”

She nodded solemnly.

“Perhaps I’m overthinking it, but the sheer volume of cases I’ve heard about is terrifying.”

“I understand. Unfortunately, one only needs to look at the statistics of how many Phantoms actually reach the K4-Level to see the truth. We both know that number is incredibly small. Most don't reach retirement; they die fighting monsters. It’s a harsh statistic, but it’s the reality of our lives.”

Silvana bit her lip again, realizing Adam was right. They were essentially an anomaly, having been fortunate enough to reach the K4-Level together.

Tap.

Silvana turned and tapped a tablet. The screen’s bright glow caught Adam’s eye.

“So, instead of dwelling on the tragedies of other Phantoms, why don't we finally order some breakfast? Wasn't that your original plan?” He offered a small smile, sensing how heavily this topic weighed on her.

As an Operator, she felt the ripples of everything that happened to her peers. She heard their grievances, and many sought her out for guidance.

But Adam was right. It was time for her to rest and prioritize her own well-being.

“You’re right, let’s get breakfast. I’m craving something sweet.”

“Haha, me too. It seems our tastes are perfectly aligned!”

…

Roughly thirty minutes later, they were seated at the kitchen table surrounded by various plates. Silvana had opted for pancakes, while Adam had eggs and bacon. Both shared a lemon cheesecake and some vanilla ice cream.

Tap.

Silvana took a mouthful of pancake, a look of pure contentment on her face.

“I think it’s time we considered getting a house.”

“Hmm? What brought this on?”

In response, she gestured to the luxury of their current suite.

“Something like this, maybe? Luckily, we have the resources to afford it, don't we?”