"Adel Vermillion… I've heard of her, but I don't know much beyond what was told to me. All I know is that she achieved the unachievable or something like that," Tristan said calmly.
The three stared at him, utterly dumbfounded—for who in this world had not heard of a woman as legendary as her? Only those who were not of this world could be so unaware, and that happened to be the case for the one currently inhabiting Tristan's body.
"I think Amelia should be the one to tell you," Ruben said with a grin. "She's probably Adel's biggest admirer."
Amelia, caught completely off guard by her brother's words, choked on her food. She softly patted her chest as she struggled to breathe, then took a delicate sip of water before regaining her composure.
"I wouldn't say I'm her biggest fan," she said, flustered. "I just see her as a height I wish to reach someday… though that path will not be easy."
"You see, the limited knowledge we've gathered about the In-Between—all of it exists because of her," Amelia began, her tone shifting with reverence. "She survived two whole weeks in that realm and returned with the knowledge we study today. She was only nineteen. At fifteen, she became the youngest person ever chosen by a Pillar— and not just any Pillar, but the second-ranked one."
Tristan didn't understand everything Amelia was saying, but one thing became clear: Adel Vermillion was no ordinary woman. From what little he knew of the In-Between, surviving there even for a moment was nearly impossible—the endless Fallen Star Beasts, the distorted climate, and the countless horrors that had never been documented.
'Adel Vermillion… truly one of a kind.'
"She became a Vice-Captain two years after joining Orion, and through her relentless success in missions, she elevated Orion to the top. Finally, at nineteen, after returning from the In-Between, she became the youngest Pillar Leader in recorded history. She's led Orion for five years now," Amelia concluded softly, her eyes glimmering. "She is… my greatest inspiration."
"So, do you wish to join Orion just to be near her?" Garfield asked, curiosity lighting his tone.
It was a fair question. When most athletes are asked about their greatest ambition, they often say, 'I want to win,' or 'I want to be the best.' Yet one answer arises time and again—the desire to stand beside one's idol. Tristan believed Amelia was no different. If she truly wished to change the world, then perhaps, like Adel Vermillion, she would have to walk the same path.
"No," she said firmly.
Tristan blinked, surprised by the quiet certainty in her voice.
"I'm inspired by Adel, yes," Amelia continued, her gaze steady. "But I don't wish to become her. I want to forge my own identity—to stand as her equal, not her shadow. My dream is to join Aries."
"Like our Headmaster," Tristan mused. "That's a noble path… especially for someone who wishes to carve her own destiny."
Amelia smiled faintly before returning to her meal. They all followed suit, and when dinner was over, they were sent to rest. Garfield and Tristan were given separate rooms, though their architecture mirrored one another—richly adorned in 1880s French décor, illuminated by the soft glow of silver lamps. They each lay upon their king-sized beds and drifted to sleep as the next day crept swiftly upon them.
Their training continued as before, though this time they included combat refinement, giving Tristan the opportunity to further master Killington's technique. Progress came steadily. Each of them pushed a few seconds longer into their Star Body forms, and every evening, Tristan stayed behind for his personal training—sharpening his Star Vision. With every night's end came improvement; now, he could faintly discern the branching energy that pulsed from Ruben's core.
His growth quickened. By the third day, Tristan could see every branching line radiating from Ruben's energy center. With only four days left before the Selection Game, Ruben began teaching him the art of controlling Star Energy itself.
He presented Tristan with a simple glass cup—ordinary, unremarkable, and perfectly transparent.
Tristan sat cross-legged, holding it in his hands, while Ruben stood a few paces ahead, his arms folded as he observed.
"Now that you can perceive Star Energy," Ruben said, "you should be able to see the energy you pour into that cup."
Tristan examined it with a puzzled expression. Tilting his head, he said, "This just looks like an ordinary cup to me."
"Of course it does," Ruben replied calmly. "Your Star Vision is still in its infancy. I've placed a seal over the top of the cup—but that seal will shatter if you channel too much energy."
Closing his eyes, Tristan began to focus. He drew from his core, guiding his Star Energy into the cup. It felt like imbuing a weapon, though this time, there was a delicate limit. Slowly, he watched the energy fill the vessel, rising toward the top where the translucent seal waited.
He stopped—or so he thought. A few faint traces continued to flow, and with a quiet crack, the translucent seal shattered.
"I assume you saw that," Ruben said, returning to his seat atop the flat stone. "You thought you halted the flow, but small traces still slipped through."
Tristan turned toward him. "So… what should I do?"
"Normally, we continue filling the cup repeatedly until our bodies memorize the exact point where the energy stops," Ruben explained. "But I doubt we have the time for that now."
Tristan nodded, determination flickering in his eyes. "Then I'll do it. I'll practice constantly—every night—until I master it."
"I don't recommend that," Ruben replied, half-smiling, half-sighing.
Tristan smirked. "Don't worry. I've grown stronger thanks to the Remnants you've been giving us. I can handle it."
Ruben chuckled softly, raising his hands to his temples as though surrendering. "Alright then… do as you wish."