Part 1
The group gathered at the entrance of House Aeris, ready to begin their tour of Astralith under the guidance of Armonio Luminis.
But Haruto frowned as he noticed something unusual.
"Hey… where's Eliza?" he asked, glancing around for the vampire girl.
Yuna simply shrugged.
"No idea. I haven't seen her since lunch."
Haruto blinked in confusion.
"What do you mean she just vanished, like that?"
The group exchanged looks, but no one seemed to have noticed her absence.
"That little brat probably ditched us just to get out of this tour…" Haruto muttered, clenching his fist in frustration.
In his mind's eye, Eliza was stretched out on a deck chair by the beach, wearing oversized sunglasses and holding a crystal glass filled with some exotic cocktail, the breeze playing gently with her golden hair.
He could practically hear her speaking with that usual air of grandeur—like one of those haughty rich characters from an anime.
"Pathetic mortals… you still have so much to learn…"
Then, with a refined gesture, she would place a hand lightly against her lips and let out an elegant, ringing laugh.
"Ohohohohoho!"
Haruto dragged a hand down his face with a sigh.
"I can totally see her doing that… and that just pisses me off even more."
"She's slippery, Kizu. Are all vampires like that?" Kizuna asked, floating around him with curiosity.
Haruto groaned, exasperated.
"I don't even want to imagine…"
Leaving thoughts of Eliza behind, the group's tour through the city finally began.
As they walked through Astralith's streets, young Armonio moved with the grace of a celebrity, returning the greetings of every passerby with refined poise.
Haruto watched the scene skeptically, realizing the stark contrast between the capital and the rest of Mythara.
"So this is the difference between the capital and everywhere else…" he murmured under his breath, turning to Yuna. "Back in Stonehollow, no one even recognized Melodia."
Yuna gave a small nod, keeping her eyes on the road ahead.
"There are probably two reasons for that," she said calmly. "First, the caravan bearing the Luminis crest. It's hard to go unnoticed when everything about their presence screams nobility."
Haruto frowned.
"And the second?"
"Unlike Melodia, her brother performs three times a week at the Luminous Opera."
Haruto tilted his head, puzzled.
"And what's that got to do with anything?"
Yuna paused before answering, as though the words weighed on her.
"Melodia's dream was always to perform at the Melodious Opera… but her father never allowed it."
Something inside Haruto clicked into place.
All of Melodia's dedication, her effort, the countless hours she spent perfecting her craft… none of it ever bore fruit.
Not because she lacked ability.
Not because she wasn't talented.
But because her own family wouldn't let her shine.
In that moment, Haruto understood everything.
He clenched his fists tight.
Melodia was never recognized—because they never gave her the chance to be.
Armonio stopped in front of a grand, opulent theater.
The building rose with majestic elegance, its columns adorned with golden trim and intricate carvings. Above the main entrance gleamed a massive sign inscribed in Elvish.
"This is the Luminous Opera," Armonio announced proudly. "We can't go inside for now, but I'll make sure to send you tickets—our best seats—so you can witness its beauty at the next performance."
Haruto gazed at the grand structure with a serious expression.
Bit by bit, he was beginning to understand: the arrogance of the light elves wasn't just empty talk. Astralith was built to project superiority at every turn—through its architecture, its culture, even its attitude.
Beside him, Thalindra let out an annoyed huff, clearly unimpressed by the display of extravagance.
On the other hand, Rina's eyes sparkled wide with wonder, completely dazzled by the theater's magnificence.
"Can't… believe… building so big…" she murmured, almost unable to process it.
Meanwhile, Simmone fixed Armonio with a sharp gaze, her usual serious expression unchanging.
"This is where we'd see Melodia play the piano."
Her tone wasn't questioning. It was firm, as though she already knew the answer.
Armonio didn't flinch. Maintaining his serene expression, he turned his eyes away and replied calmly—yet with clear evasion in his words.
"Melodia has more important things to do. I doubt you'll see her in a place like this."
The weight of that sentence pressed down on the group.
They couldn't see her… or perhaps they weren't allowed to.
Armonio gave a casual wave of his hand, as if brushing aside the matter.
"But you're welcome to check the listings for upcoming shows."
Haruto frowned slightly.
What bothered him wasn't just that Armonio dodged the question. It was the irritating calm with which he did it, as if his answer was the only truth that mattered.
Something was off.
And more and more, it was becoming clear—they wouldn't be able to see Melodia until her birthday.
Armonio turned and gestured toward the city's lone castle, an imposing structure of white marble and blue crystal that loomed over Astralith as the very heart of its power and authority.
No one needed to ask what it was. Anyone with eyes could tell it was the city's most important building.
"That, over there, is the royal castle," Armonio explained in his usual serene tone. "I can't take you inside today, since an audience with the king and the Noble Council is required."
He paused, then added, looking directly at Haruto and Simmone:
"Especially for humans."
"…You know, protocol and all that."
The weight of his words settled over them.
Simmone's expression didn't change, but her eyes sharpened ever so slightly.
Haruto folded his arms, the unease inside him only growing.
Before anyone else could respond, Yuna stepped forward.
"Forgive me for correcting you, Armonio, but you mean the Tribal House and the Tribal Council, don't you?"
Her voice was firm—not hostile, but leaving no room to ignore the point.
Elves were not supposed to have royal titles.
Calling someone a king meant standing above the tribal leaders… and above Cherri.
Armonio's lips curved into a faint smile, as if he'd been waiting for the correction.
"You're absolutely right, Yuna. My apologies."
His voice was still relaxed, but the smile never reached his eyes.
"It's just that here in Astralith, people take all that nobility business very seriously." He gave an elegant shrug. "You know… light elf things."
The group fell silent.
Simmone and Thalindra, who had been quietly analyzing the city until now, both tensed slightly.
They weren't part of this society, but with every step they took through Astralith, everything seemed to fall more and more into place.
Elves who fancied themselves royalty.
A power structure that didn't fit the tribal system.
And Melodia—the only Luminis who didn't belong in this world—confined to her room.
The pieces were already on the board. Now, all that remained was to see how they would move.
Haruto broke the silence with a weary sigh and a look of irritation.
"Think we'll actually be allowed inside somewhere at some point? 'Cause right now it feels like just being human is a problem…"
Armonio smiled, as though he'd been waiting for that exact complaint.
"Well, there is one place I'd like to take you. And there… yes, you'll be able to step inside."
His voice was calm, but there was a hidden promise laced within it.
Yuna felt a chill run down her spine.
Those words didn't sound like a simple invitation.
As they walked, Armonio continued to gesture elegantly toward Astralith's landmarks.
"The Military Academy, where our guardians are trained.
The Central Bank, the city's financial core.
The Commercial Zone, where the nobility obtains only the finest goods.
The Noble District, home to our most influential families.
And the Shipyards, where Eldoria's finest vessels are crafted."
But no matter how much they saw, Haruto couldn't shake the feeling that it was all a carefully staged performance.
At last, they arrived before a massive, imposing structure. Its towering columns were carved with scenes of elven warriors throughout history.
The group halted.
For the first time during the tour, Armonio turned fully to face them.
"And this," he said, pausing for dramatic effect, "is the final stop on today's visit."
He gestured with solemn grace toward the grand coliseum of gleaming white marble.
"The Duel Arena."
The group eyed the building with caution.
Armonio continued, his serene tone carrying a trace of satisfaction, as if savoring the moment.
"Here we host combat tournaments, military exhibitions from the academy, and most importantly…" He paused, his smile widening ever so slightly. "…it's where elves settle their disputes in friendly duels."
A knot twisted in Haruto's stomach.
He didn't need anyone to spell it out. He already knew exactly where this was going.
They weren't brought here just to see the arena.
Armonio had led them here with a purpose.
The pieces on the board were moving.
And now, Haruto stood squarely at the center of the game.