Saiphee rolled his eyes, unable to suppress a small smile as Vantheos’ laughter filled the space between them. Despite the seriousness of the topic, Saiphee couldn’t help but feel the growing bond between them—a bond that, despite its slow burn, felt more real with every passing moment.

Still, in the back of his mind, the thought of Madam Ilya loomed large. Her power, her influence, and her cold, commanding presence were things Saiphee didn’t take lightly—and he hoped Vantheos would come to understand that soon enough. 

Vantheos, ever curious, leaned in slightly and asked, “What about the other Madams? Have you ever had a chance to talk to them?”

Saiphee shook his head, his expression thoughtful as he glanced around the room. “No, not really. If anyone had the privilege of speaking to them, it would probably be Quartz.” His voice carried a hint of resignation, as if Quartz had earned that particular honor while he had remained on the sidelines.

Vantheos nodded, his eyes scanning the room as he processed the information. “The Twins, Madam Ria and Julia Smith… I haven’t seen them around the station much.”

Saiphee’s brow furrowed slightly at the mention of their names. “Well, you’ve just returned, so you wouldn’t have had a chance to see them. But now that you mention it… I haven’t seen them around either.” He paused, his gaze drifting as he thought about it. “It’s strange, really. They’re always around, especially Madam Ria. She’s the third strongest, after all.”

Vantheos seemed intrigued by this revelation. “Madam Ria, huh? That’s impressive. But Julia… What's her story? I’ve heard a lot of things about her, but I don’t really know much.”

Saiphee’s expression shifted to one of mild frustration, as if the answer were obvious. “It’s because Julia doesn’t have her weapon yet. She’s still waiting for it. Ahem, the mission, remember?” He crossed his arms, leaning back in his chair as he explained. “Until she gets it, she won’t be able to fully tap into her potential. But once she does… who knows?”

Vantheos raised an eyebrow, clearly interested. “You think that once she has her weapon, she could be stronger than Madam Eunseo and Madam Chloe?”

Saiphee nodded, a glimmer of certainty in his eyes. “I’m sure of it. If Julia gets her hands on the weapon we’re supposed to retrieve from Earth, she could easily surpass both of them. She’s got the raw power, but without that weapon, she’s not quite there yet.” He leaned forward slightly, the air of confidence around him palpable.

Vantheos smiled, a genuine expression of admiration crossing his face. “You know, that’s what I like about you, Saiphee. Your confidence. You don’t hesitate to speak your mind, even when it’s about things that others might shy away from.” He leaned back, looking at Saiphee with a sense of pride. “It’s refreshing to see someone who knows exactly what they’re talking about.”

Saiphee’s cheeks flushed slightly, though he quickly masked it with a shrug. “It’s just the way things are. I’ve been around long enough to see how things work here.” He met Vantheos’ gaze, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “But thanks, I guess.”

Vantheos grinned widely, clearly pleased by the compliment. “No need to thank me. I’m just speaking the truth.” His tone was light, but there was a warmth in his voice that made Saiphee feel oddly appreciated. Vantheos, his gaze thoughtful, observed Saiphee for a moment, noting the way he spoke and carried himself. 

“Weren’t you in the Science Department back in college?” he asked, his voice casual but filled with curiosity.

Saiphee blinked, slightly taken aback by the observation. “I was, yes,” he replied, his surprise evident. “How did you know?”

Vantheos shrugged nonchalantly, a playful smile tugging at his lips. “It’s in the way you talk and how you approach things. You’ve got that analytical vibe, you know?”

Saiphee couldn’t help but chuckle softly, impressed by Vantheos’ keen perception. “Well, you’re not wrong. Science was my thing.” He paused, considering Vantheos’ next question. “What about you? What was your education like?”

Vantheos leaned back in his seat, his grin widening. “Ah, mine was a little different. I was in a program focused on physical combat, since, you know, I’m an interstellar voyager. My studies were more hands-on than anything else.”

Saiphee nodded, understanding immediately. “I see. I guess that makes sense.” He paused for a moment, then decided to turn the conversation back to something a little more personal. “So, throughout your schooling, what was your least favorite subject?”

Vantheos raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by the question. “Hmm, good one. I’d say it was probably the theoretical classes. I’m more of a practical guy, you know? But what about you? What was your least favorite subject?”

Saiphee’s face immediately scrunched up in annoyance as he groaned. “Human Language. Ugh! It was so frustrating and time-consuming!” His voice took on a dramatic tone as he recalled the hours spent memorizing words and rules. “I mean, why did we have to study so many different languages? Russian, Japanese, Korean, Deutsch, French… all at the same time! It was a nightmare!”

Vantheos chuckled softly, clearly amused by Saiphee’s passionate complaint. “I can’t say I struggled with languages all that much. I guess it wasn’t as hard for me.” He shrugged, still smiling. “But you’re right about one thing—every person on this space station has to study the Madams’ Origins. It’s part of the deal, I guess.”

Saiphee rolled his eyes dramatically, still fuming. “Yeah, but they should’ve just stuck to English! It would’ve been so much easier! All this memorization for a bunch of random languages just felt pointless.” He threw his hands up in exasperation. “Why couldn’t we just stick to one?!”

Vantheos couldn’t help but grin at Saiphee’s fiery reaction. The way he vented his frustrations made Vantheos feel a sense of warmth, a comfort that Saiphee felt so at ease with him. It was clear that the other man was becoming more relaxed around him, and that made Vantheos genuinely happy.

Saiphee, still caught up in his rant, suddenly noticed Vantheos’ smile. “Why are you smiling?” he demanded, narrowing his eyes suspiciously.

Vantheos chuckled softly, his smile widening. “Oh, it’s nothing,” he said, his tone light and teasing.

Saiphee huffed, crossing his arms in a sassy manner as he leaned back in his chair. “Whatever. Looks like you were the perfect student, huh?” His voice was filled with mock annoyance, but there was a hint of playful teasing in his tone.

Vantheos raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Perfect? Nah, I wouldn’t say that. But I guess I didn’t mind the subjects as much as you did.” He leaned in a little closer, his voice lowering in a playful challenge. “But hey, if you ever need someone to help you with your language studies, I’m your guy.”

Saiphee shot him a side-eye, but there was a small, amused smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “I’ll pass, thanks. I think I’ve had enough of those languages for a lifetime.”

Vantheos laughed, clearly enjoying their back-and-forth. “Fair enough. But you have to admit, you’re pretty good at complaining about it.”

Saiphee shot him a mock glare, but it was clear that the frustration from earlier had faded, replaced by a sense of camaraderie. “Well, I can’t help it if I’m passionate about my complaints,” he said with a grin, leaning back in his chair again.

Vantheos grinned right back, feeling the warmth of their growing friendship. “That’s what I like about you, Saiphee. You’ve got a fire in you. Makes everything a lot more interesting.”

Saiphee’s gaze softened, his usual guarded expression melting away for a brief moment. As he looked at Vantheos, a quiet, unspoken understanding passed between them. It was as if, in that instant, they had connected on a deeper level—beyond just the mission, beyond their roles on the space station. Despite their differences in background, personality, and the paths they had taken to get here, they had found a common thread in their conversations.

For Saiphee, it was a small revelation—something subtle, but undeniable. This wasn’t just a passing exchange or a fleeting moment of camaraderie. It felt like the beginning of something more, something that could grow with time. He hadn’t expected to feel this way, but there was a warmth between them now, a sense of mutual respect and maybe even something more.

He hadn’t realized it before, but their conversations had begun to feel different. They were no longer just about the mission or the station; they were about each other. And in that realization, Saiphee understood that what was blooming between them was more than just casual friendship—it was something that could evolve into something deeper, something more meaningful. The kind of connection that could withstand the challenges ahead.

And for the first time in a long while, Saiphee felt a sense of hope, not just for the mission, but for what might lie ahead with Vantheos by his side.