The remaining months passed swiftly and quietly, with little to mark their passing.
For my fourteenth birthday, my parents gave me a new neglance to replace the one I'd broken during the battle against Unit 1283. Rei had already grown used to living with us; each day, he blended more naturally into our lives. As for Senna, I had only spoken to her a few times since then — brief exchanges when we crossed paths during training.
I had finally reached the seventh Mana Orb. That meant it was time for another trial.
For safety, I told Senna to stay by my side while I attempted it — in case something went wrong.
"Mother, I'm heading out to train with Senna!" I said, finishing my breakfast in a hurry before standing up and rushing to the door.
"All right, son — but don't be late. You still need to pack when you get back," she called out, rinsing the dishes.
"Pack? Why do I need to pack?" I asked, confused.
"You're leaving for Asterin tomorrow," she replied, her tone soft but her lips curved down slightly. "I thought you'd be more excited… don't tell me you forgot?"
She looked at me, half disappointed, expecting the joy I should've felt about going to Asterin.
"Right! I completely forgot I was leaving tomorrow!" I rubbed the back of my neck awkwardly. "I promise I'll be back soon, Mother." I smiled, then slowly walked out the door.
Damn… I actually forgot. Then I have to succeed today. I need to be stronger before I leave — who knows how powerful the others in Asterin might be. Some of them could already be close to the purple level.
I ran through the village toward the meeting spot. People turned their heads as I passed, wondering what I was in such a rush for. When I reached the flower field, I slowed down, letting the peace of the place wash over me.
"So… this might be the last time I see this place," I murmured softly. My eyes wandered over the flowing water, the blossoms swaying in the wind, the melody of the birds — and I took one last breath of it all.
Senna was already there, sitting by a tree. I could feel the faint movement of the wind as she gathered her mana. Perhaps she had sensed me, or maybe she had just finished her training, but she slowly turned her gaze toward me.
"Have you been waiting long?" I asked.
"Just long enough to get some practice in," she replied calmly.
"What level are you now?" I asked with curiosity. "It's actually my first time seeing you train."
"Compared to you, I'm still behind," she admitted, her voice low. "I've just reached the Blue level — I managed to form my fourth Mana Orb."
I could see it in her eyes — the quiet frustration of falling behind.
"That's still really good," I said with an encouraging smile. "How much does your ability depend on your mana strength?"
"My healing depends entirely on will," she said, looking at her hands before raising her eyes to meet mine. "The stronger my resolve, the deeper the wounds I can heal — even fatal ones. But I still need mana, because I don't want to stay in the background forever. I want to fight, too."
There was a flame in her eyes — a determined, unwavering fire.
"So… shall we begin?" I asked, stretching my body before sitting down under the tree.
"Focus calmly. If anything happens, I'll be here," she said. Her voice carried a quiet peace that steadied my heart.
I began gathering my mana orbs, sinking deeper into the darkness.
"Remember everything you see here." a familiar woman's voice whispered from the void.
"You'll need it later."
"What will I see? What is this about?" I asked, but no answer came.
The darkness slowly gave way to light — and to a freezing wind.
When my eyes adjusted, I realized I was standing on a mountain. Snow fell thickly, covering my clothes in white.
I was following someone — though I didn't know who. Fresh footprints marked the snow ahead, whoever it was, they were close.
I felt their mana — not threatening, more like a frightened animal trying to hide.
And yet, that only stirred something darker inside me — the thrill of the hunt.
I tracked them until nightfall. They never noticed me. I could see every step they took, while they remained blissfully unaware.
I hated myself for the feeling rising within me — the excitement. The same cruel joy a predator feels when its prey believes it has escaped.
Eventually, they took shelter in a small cave.
"So, this is where your little adventure ends," I whispered, a wicked smile forming on my face — not mine, yet part of me.
They had set a mana trap at the entrance — clever, but useless against me.
"Cute. You think you can outsmart me? Not a chance." My voice carried an unsettling calm, the tone of a beast toying with its prey.
I erased the trap and stepped inside, suppressing my presence.
They were sitting by the fire, eating quietly — completely unaware. I drew my blade, crept up behind them, and pressed the edge against their throat.
"Good meal?" I asked, my tone almost casual. "Mind if I join? I've worked up quite an appetite following you all day." The air grew cold between my words.
They froze. Their brown eyes — once filled with honesty — now trembled with fear.
"Please… don't kill me. I've done nothing wrong," they pleaded.
"Maybe not," I said coldly, "but you've made one fatal mistake. You set foot on Veldor territory."
A thin line of blood trickled down their neck.
"M-my name is Luke Arashi, prince of Asterin!" he stammered. "If you let me go now, I swear I'll tell no one. Asterin won't send any more spies!"
Unmoved, I answered, "Then you're out of luck." My voice turned low and dangerous — my face twisted into something monstrous, almost smiling.
Just as I was about to end it, a commanding voice stopped me.
"That's enough, my son."
I turned. A tall, blonde-haired man stood behind me — a presence so powerful, I hadn't even sensed him arrive.
"You've done well," he said calmly, though his tone demanded respect. "Now let him go."
"But… we're just letting him return to Asterin?" I asked, unable to understand such mercy.
"When he tells us everything — why he's here, how many spies Asterin has sent — then yes," he replied. His voice was calm, yet it chilled me to the bone.
"Now go. You've done well, my son."
Hearing that filled me with a strange warmth, as if it were the first time he had ever praised me.
"Understood, Father. But before I go, I'd like to leave our guest a little reminder." I drew my dagger.
He nodded silently.
Ipushed the boy to the ground, pinning his hand with my foot, and drew a clean line across his eye.
"There. A memory to remember me by," I said, my tone disturbingly satisfied. "I'll go wash off the blood now."
Then everything dissolved — the trial was over.
But the questions remained.
Who was that man? Who was that boy? Why was I so merciless toward someone who couldn't even fight back?
No answers came.
My eyes slowly opened. The world felt heavy at first, blurred and distant. The first thing I saw was Senna's face leaning over me.
"How did it go? Was it difficult?" she asked gently.
I didn't speak — I simply released my aura. The glow told her everything she needed to know. I reached the green level
"Congratulations," she said, her eyes lighting up with genuine joy. "I'm glad you did it on your first try."
She reached out a hand to help me stand.
The sun was already setting when I remembered my mother's words.
"Damn — sorry, Senna! I have to run!"
She called after me, but I was already sprinting back home.
I didn't want to disappoint my parents.