Alma Rosenthal woke up in her room at home on Eirda Terrace, surrounded by pink furniture, walls, and floors. Cute dolls and her rock companion sat neatly on her wardrobe.

  After finishing her morning routine, she went downstairs and found her breakfast already set on the dining table—but, as always, her father was gone.

  As she ate, her thoughts drifted to the Lumina Rey. Every year, she had done it with Nadia. But now… just thinking about it made her blood simmer.

  Then she remembered Drifter. He might not even know about the Lumina Rey, and for a big event like this, it was important for him to experience the joy as well.

  I'm sure he will…

  With that thought, she headed to the academy, taking the public skyrail. Along the way, she greeted some friends, walking with them as they chatted about their Lumina Rey partners. A few asked Alma to join them, but she politely declined—she had already decided who she would run with.

  Finally, she spotted him wandering through the courtyard. With a casual wave, she said goodbye to her friends and made her way over to him.

  "Good morning, Drifter!" she called out, waving with a broad smile.

  "Morning, Alma." Drifter smiled back at her.

  Alma studied his face with genuine curiosity. "You look... different," she whispered, her voice nearly lost in the bustle of the courtyard. "Brighter, maybe?"

  Drifter took a measured breath before responding. "Do I?" still smiling.

  Standing before him, Alma shifted between eagerness and hesitation. "By the way, have you joined the Lumina Rey yet?" she asked, eyes bright with excitement.

  "Lumina Rey?"

  "The biggest event of the year!" she expined enthusiastically. "It’s the highlight of Founders' Day, where teams of two compete in challenges."

  She fidgeted with her bag, her voice softening. "Will you... team up with me?"

  He held her earnest gaze for a moment before nodding. "Of course, Alma."

  Relief washed over her features. "Thank you, Drifter! I’ll do my best to keep up!"

  The quiet of the courtyard was broken by familiar voices. Drifter noticed Jaxon and Alina ahead, approaching them with Alma at his side. A brief exchange of waves followed, leading to a discussion about their team assignments.

  Alina had rushed to register her team with Luna when Lorcan—seemingly te for css or something—came sprinting past and crashed into her. As a result, Jaxon and Alina were accidentally paired together, much to her visible frustration and his apparent amusement.

  "Don’t you dare pull anything, Jaxon," she warned.

  "Whatever you say, boss," he responded casually.

  As they walked away, they encountered Nadia Fernleaf in the corridor. The tension between her and Alma was palpable—Alma deliberately avoided eye contact, while Nadia quickly turned and walked in the opposite direction, leaving a weight of unspoken words hanging in the air.

  "What’s going on?" Drifter asked.

  "It’s nothing, Drifter... Just something between friends," she said with a smile.

  Then, they parted ways—Drifter heading to the simution room while Alma attended her csses.

  By afternoon, she returned home, but once again, her father was nowhere to be seen. With a quiet sigh, she went about her own routine before eventually going to bed.

  The next morning, it was the same. Another breakfast… without her father.

  She stared at the meal in front of her.

  She sighed. Did he forget what day it is…? He had already skipped it st year… and the year before that too.

  Finishing her breakfast, she left for the outskirts of Nethia City.

  As Alma arrived at the outskirts of Nethia, she found a crowd gathered on the vast green pins, with towering ice-capped mountains in the background. Above them, glowing holographic runes filled the sky.

  In the morning light, Alma’s pink hair swayed as she waved at Drifter cheerfully. She made her way to his side, exchanging light banter as they waited.

  The murmurs of the gathering crowd gradually quieted as Headmaster Gideon stepped onto the podium. His voice carried over the assembly as he began his speech. Amid the sea of instructors and students, Luna and Nadia emerged, weaving through the crowd toward Drifter and Alma.

  "Good luck, Drifter. The first stage isn't going to be forgiving," Luna said.

  "G-good luck, Drifter, Alma," Nadia added softly. Her smile faltered when Alma turned her attention to her shoeces.

  Without looking up, Alma tightened the ces and said sharply, "Stay focused, Drifter. Don't worry about irrelevant things."

  Drifter observed Nadia's slumped shoulders. "Good luck to you too, Luna. Nadia," he offered, trying to ease the tension.

  Before anyone could respond, the announcer's voice cut through the air:

  "Welcome to the Lumina Rey! This year's course will test your synergy, skills, and endurance. Prepare yourselves—failure is not an option!"

  "Stay careful, Alma. Safety comes first," Drifter said firmly.

  She smirked. "I know. Don't start talking like my dad, Drifter. I'm here to win."

  The sigil beneath them pulsed with light. "Begin!" the announcer shouted.

  Teams surged forward into Stage 1: Elemental Sync. The ground shifted between fire, ice, wind, and earth.

  "Use Exalt first. Match my rhythm," Drifter instructed.

  They moved in sync, tossing their Elemental Orbs from their pouches to create safe paths. Nearby, Caelus and Vellya glided through the obstacles effortlessly. Vellya's ughter rang out: "Come on, Big Sis Alma! Mama says Vellya’s going to win!"

  "Keep dreaming, kid," Alma replied.

  They cleared Stage 1 and faced Stage 2: Gravity Shift—a maze of floating walls and shifting gravity. Drifter noticed Alma's exhaustion but she pressed on.

  The final stage, Mirror Maze, loomed ahead. "Are you alright?" Drifter asked softly.

  "Don't worry... I'm fine. Just focus on the next stage," Alma insisted despite her bored breathing.

  "You sure? We can rest."

  She shook her head. "No, Drifter. Let's finish this first. We'll rest after... please."

  The announcer's voice boomed: "And now, we enter the final stage! Half of the participants have been eliminated! Who will overcome the st obstacle and advance to the next phase?"

  Noticing Alma's heavy breaths, Drifter knew something was off. He slowed their pace as they entered the maze, and Alma silently agreed. One by one, other participants passed them—Sloane and Lorcan, Caelus-Vellya and Vaeloria and Reine—some offering brief greetings before vanishing ahead.

  Despite their slower pace, they pushed forward, navigating the endless reflections until, at st, they crossed the finish line—dead st.

  The moment they stepped out, the crowd erupted in cheers. The competitors stood before the shimmering maze, catching their breath as anticipation filled the air.

  After a brief pause, the announcer’s voice cut through the roar of the crowd.

  "That's it! Congratutions to the teams who have passed. The final phase is—the Spectra Battle! Only the strongest pairs will compete for victory! The event begins in 30 minutes. All teams may rest until then."

  "Spectra? Didn't expect that to be part of this," Drifter said, a faint smile forming.

  Alma wiped sweat from her face. "Yeah... I forgot to mention that. You know how it works, right?"

  "Fortunately, Reine, Sloane, and Lorcan gave me a crash course."

  They settled at a round table in the rest area, water bottles in hand. Drifter noticed Alma's pale face and bored breathing. She hadn't fully recovered.

  "By the way, why didn't you team up with Nadia?" he asked carefully.

  Alma tensed. "Can we not talk about her?"

  "Alright... sorry about that." he said.

  After a pause, Alma spoke pyfully. "Drifter, if you could turn back time, what would you do?"

  "I don't know... maybe I'd rewind time just enough to make every day feel like the weekend," he chuckled softly.

  "I'd turn back time... so I was never born into this world," she whispered while staring at her water bottle.

  Drifter nearly choked. "Alma, you're joking, right?"

  She forced a ugh. "Of course, Drifter... Did I scare you?"

  The announcer's voice interrupted: "Teams, please gather at the main stadium!"

  The Simution Nexus hummed with energy at the stadium's center. Mist hung in the air as spectators filled the stands. The transparent dome above projected shifting ndscapes.

  "Our opponents are Luna and Nadia, right?" Drifter checked the schedule.

  "Yeah... we're not exactly lucky. Luna's one of the strongest pyers here," Alma crossed her arms.

  "We'll see about that," Drifter replied as glowing runes erupted across the dome, revealing a frigid tundra ndscape.

  "Ladies and gentlemen, the Spectra Battle begins now! Who will rise to cim victory?" Announcer booming.

  It had been a long time since Alma st pyed this game, so she took a moment to recall the rules. Each deck contained 45 cards: 40 were customizable with creatures or spells, while 5 were fixed hero cards. A pyer won if their opponent’s DP (Defense Power) reached 0 or if their deck ran out of cards. Creatures and heroes couldn’t attack on the turn they were summoned unless they had specific traits. If there were no creatures on the opponent's side, creatures could attack directly.

  To py a card, a pyer had to pay its Evocyte Cost (EC). Pyers gradually increased their maximum EC each turn, starting from 1 and reaching up to 12. Additionally, each pyer could use special abilities called Evocaier Abilities—powerful moves capable of turning the tide of battle if used correctly. The pyer going first could use only one ability, while the second-turn pyer could use two.

  The low hum of the Simution Nexus finally broke her thoughts.

  On the opposing side, Luna Sabriel stood poised, her posture rigid yet graceful. Beside her, Nadia Fernleaf fiddled nervously. Her movements were hesitant, and her eyes occasionally darted toward Alma, only to quickly look away.

  In the spectator seating, Lorcan, Sloane, and Reine watched the event unfold.

  Reine called out politely, while Sloane pced a bet on Drifter’s victory—though, to be fair, he was always betting on something.

  Lorcan, meanwhile, sat with pride, convinced that his teachings would give Drifter the edge to defeat Luna. His gaze returned to the battlefield as Drifter shifted into position. Beside him, Alma shuffled her deck, her brows furrowed with tension.

  Holographic decks materialized before them. Drifter’s Arcane Saber Deck gleamed with sharp metallic edges, while Alma’s Holy Fme Celestial Deck radiated a calming, luminous aura. Across the field, Luna’s Void Winter Sorcery Deck pulsed with icy darkness, and Nadia’s Blooming Terra Deck bloomed with colorful floral patterns brimming with life.

  Drifter’s eyes narrowed as he studied the opposing decks. He turned slightly toward Alma and muttered, "We need to finish this quickly. Nadia’s deck gets dangerous if the match drags on."

  "Got it, let’s go all out." Alma said.

  The match began with intense synergy between the Arcane Saber and Holy Fme Celestial decks. Drifter’s Exalted and dark magic-wielding knights served as relentless attackers, perfectly complemented by Alma’s celestial construct creatures. Her Holy Fme buff spells amplified Drifter’s aggressive strikes, allowing their team to dominate early on, quickly draining the Defense Power (DP) of Luna and Nadia in the opening moves.

  Yet, Luna Sabriel remained calm, methodically controlling the game with her Void Winter Sorcery. Freezing their attacks with ice-element spells and eliminating their creatures with dark spells. Nadia, on the other hand, supported her team with Blooming Terra —creatures and pnts that healed and protected, forming a sturdy defense against their relentless assault.

  "I… I’ll support you, Luna." Nadia said.

  Terra Keeper Cervusia, a majestic, deer-like creature with the Defender trait, emerged onto the field. The trait made it the primary target. The crowd roared as strategies grew more intricate.

  Due to the creature’s high DP and its annoying damage-reduction effect, Drifter and Alma’s swarm assault finally came to a halt. Then came Alma’s turn. She smiled briefly before summoning her signature hero card—High Celestial Priestess Anima—a majestic figure cloaked in radiant golden fmes. Her powerful aura significantly boosted the team’s AP, empowering all of Alma and Drifter’s creatures. At her command, celestial constructs unleashed a devastating assault, wiping out Nadia’s creatures—including the formidable Terra Keeper Cervusia.

  The audience erupted in cheers at the arrival of Anima, their excitement shaking the arena.

  Under pressure, Nadia’s hands trembled slightly as she summoned her ace hero card—Rhosvaia, Verdant Rose Queen—a graceful humanoid pnt with long crimson hair. With a series of quick spell pys, she triggered Rhosvaia’s effect, summoning Verdant Thorn Tokens imbued with the Defender trait, forcing enemies to target them first. In an instant, six thorned sentinels covered her field, forming a sturdy defensive wall to withstand the next assault.

  But Drifter was ready. On his turn, he finally summoned his ace card—Arcane Saber Chronos. The spectral knight descended with a thunderous impact, unleashing Exalted Bdes Rain. A storm of shimmering bdes tore through the battlefield, obliterating all six Verdant Thorn Tokens and dealing 5 direct damage to Nadia’s team, reducing their DP to 6.

  With Chronos’s Fast Attacker trait allowing it to strike immediately, the knight cut down Rhosvaia, clearing the field. In perfect sync, Drifter’s other Arcane Saber Knight creatures surged forward, unching a direct attack—reducing Nadia and Luna’s DP to 2. One final knight stood ready to deliver the finishing blow.

  But just as the strike was about to nd, Luna Sabriel, calm and calcuting, activated her final Evocaier Ability—Healing Surge. A surge of restorative energy washed over their team, instantly restoring 6 DP. The attack concluded, leaving their DP at 2, and narrowly saving them from defeat.

  The crowd erupted into cheers and gasps, their excitement reaching a fever pitch as the match teetered on the edge of conclusion.

  "Impressive. But we’re far from done." Luna said.

  With a graceful motion, she summoned a creature for the first time in this match—Dark Witch Caelia. The witch conjured a massive bck hole, causing all of Drifter's and Alma’s creatures, including Chronos and Anima, to vanish from the field, bringing their strategy to a halt.

  Undeterred, Alma swiftly took action on her turn. She summoned several celestial construct creatures, restoring her field before casting Celestial Exalt Fmes—a powerful spell that healed her team’s DP by 4 and prepared to deal 4 direct damage at the start of the opponent’s next end turn. A glowing golden fme sigil materialized on the battlefield, radiating an ominous, pulsing energy.

  "Just give up already… next turn will be your end!" Alma said with smirk.

  But Nadia wasn’t ready to concede just yet. On her turn, Nadia summoned two flower humanoids—Freesia, Weaver of Petals and Petal Priest Anemone. Their arrival triggered Resonance, a powerful effect activated by specific card combos. A shimmering Spellshield enveloped their team, nullifying the impending Exalt Fmes attack as golden fire dissipated against the radiant blue barrier. Simultaneously, the duo’s healing aura swept across the battlefield, restoring Luna and Nadia’s DP from 2 to 10—shifting the momentum of the match.

  "No way!" Alma gasped.

  The crowd erupted into cheers, but even as the noise swelled, Alma’s gaze drifted to the creatures on the field. They reminded her of the flowers she and Nadia had pnted together—the first ones she had ever nurtured. They had blossomed side by side, just as the two of them once had. She thought back to when they were inseparable—when Nadia was the first to speak to her after she arrived in this city, the first person who made her feel like she truly belonged. Those memories clung to Alma, their words still echoing in her heart.

  A strange unease settled in her chest. She turned to Nadia, noticing the slight downturn of her lips, the quiet sadness always lingering in her eyes. Guilt crept in... Is this really right? But... she never even asked what was wrong. She just acts like nothing happened... Why?

  Alma studied her in silence, waiting, searching for something—anything. Finally, Nadia parted her lips as if to speak, then hesitated. A heartbeat passed. Then, in a quiet voice, she spoke.

  "I… I’m sorry, Alma. If I ever did anything wrong… please, talk to me."

  Alma remained silent, her fingers trembling slightly as she gripped the card in her hand. Her voice came out faint. "It’s not your fault, Nadia… it’s all mine. I’m sorry."

  The battlefield raged on. Drifter stole a gnce at Alma and Nadia. The tension between them had faded, repced by Alma’s cautious smile and Nadia’s quiet relief. For a moment, he allowed himself a small smile—but it didn’t st.

  His turn began. Focus locked in, he assessed the board. Seizing the momentum, he summoned Arcane Saber Ravely—a violet-haired female knight—who conjured three Spectral Sword Tokens. Their Phase Shift trait let them attack the turn they were summoned and slip past enemy defenses, striking Luna and Nadia directly.

  Their DP plummeted to 4. Victory was within reach.

  Yet, Drifter’s expression didn’t shift—no triumph, no relief. His fingers hovered over his cards, mind sharp, the weight of each passing second pressing down.

  Then Luna’s turn came. She faintly smiled.

  A chill ran down Drifter’s spine. He might lose.

  Raising her hand, Luna summoned Voidfrost Sorceress Selene—an elegant dark-ice sorceress wearing a half-mask. Behind her, a towering crystalline entity with enormous wings materialized, radiating sheer intimidation.

  With practiced precision, Luna activated Selene’s ability. A barrage of ice spears rained down, erasing every creature on the battlefield in moments. As the dust settled, Selene’s crystalline guardian advanced. Clutching a massive spear, it struck with devastating force, shattering Drifter and Alma’s DP from a full 30 to zero in a single blow.

  Silence hung over the arena, heavy as frost. Selene stood atop her guardian’s outstretched hand, sigils spinning around her as an unyielding chill filled the air.

  Then, the crowd erupted—thunderous cheers shaking the Simution Nexus as they celebrated the battle’s spectacur conclusion.

  "And that’s the end! Luna and Nadia have turned the tide and cimed victory!" the announcer boomed.

  Alma and Drifter stepped down from the ptform, their holographic decks fading away.

  Drifter turned to Luna, extending his hand with a smile. "That was a great match. You deserved the win."

  Luna shook his hand firmly. "Likewise."

  Turning to Nadia, Alma hesitated before speaking, her voice softer than usual. "You pyed well, Nadia. Really well."

  Nadia blushed slightly, a shy smile gracing her face. "I… thank you, Alma. That means a lot."

  Alma returned to the spectator seats, watching more battles unfold. Eventually, Luna and Nadia lost against Caelus and Vellya.

  The Lumina Rey Arena roared with appuse as the final csh reached its peak.

  Alina Walsh, wielding her Glysvion Knight Deck, led by Winter Knight Lyshea, delivered the decisive blow, breaking through the defenses of Vellya, who commanded Little Girl Necromancer Nini with her Necromorth Legion Deck.

  Beside Alina, Jaxon Virelli, with his Emberwind Outrider Deck, led by Stormbrand Marshal Sairo, unched a barrage of fiery projectiles that overwhelmed Caelus Amelioris and his Tempest Lord Revalt, showcasing breathtaking speed and raw power.

  The battle was fierce, with Necromorth Legion’s necromantic creatures and Galeborne’s graceful winged beasts forcing the champions to fight to their limits. But in the end, the synergy between Glysvion Knight and Emberwind Outrider proved unbeatable, securing a decisive victory.

  As the battle settled, Alina and Jaxon stood victorious, their names etched into Lumina Rey history. Vellya and Caelus took second, while Luna and Nadia secured third.

  Jaxon ughed, throwing an arm around Alina while holding the trophy. "Told you—we make a great team."

  Alina sighed but smirked. "Yeah, yeah... not like I expected us to win anyway."

  Alma noticed Nadia approaching her, her expression unreadable. "Can we step outside for a moment? I need to talk to you." Nadia asked.

  Alma hesitated, her stomach tightening. She nodded silently and followed Nadia into the night. The cool air buzzed with the faint hum of glowbeetles and night butterflies, their golden and silver light flickering like tiny stars, reflecting off Nadia’s gsses as she walked beside her.

  With each step, the weight in Alma’s chest grew heavier. Memories surfaced unbidden—the Grakling’s piercing cry, Nadia’s blood staining the ground, her injured body carrying Alma to safety. Guilt crashed over her in cold, relentless waves. Nadia felt different now—her posture straight, her movements confident, her gaze unwavering. She was no longer the girl who shied away from confrontation. The change was undeniable, and it left Alma feeling small, as if she were being left behind.

  "Alma... I need to talk to you," Nadia's gentle voice broke through her spiraling thoughts.

  Alma froze, fingers clutching her skirt. "About what?" she whispered to the night air.

  Nadia produced a cream-colored box with a golden ribbon that caught the pale light. "First, this. Happy birthday, Alma."

  Tears welled in Alma's eyes as she ughed bitterly. "You... remembered?"

  "I know things have been... different tely, but I didn’t want today to pass without saying that."

  Her hands trembled as she accepted the gift. "You've always been so thoughtful, Nadia. Thank you."

  "There’s something else I need to say, Alma." Nadia continued, gazing at distant Nethia.

  "What is it?" Alma whispered, gripping the box tighter.

  "I've realized I've been treating you like your father, that I didn’t stop to think about how it might make you feel." Nadia said firmly.

  Alma’s eyes widened as tears streamed down her face, yet she forced a smile.

  Maybe now she finally realized... that this the one that really hurt her.

  Her friend was treating her the same way her father had—pitying looks, careful words, always commenting when she pushed herself too hard. She knew her father must have said something to Nadia about her illness.

  She swallowed the lump in her throat and whispered, “It’s okay, Nadia… Thank you.”

  Drifter and Luna approached to them. "Well, it seems things turned out okay," Drifter observed calmly.

  "Alma, Nadia... are you both alright?" Luna asked gently.

  Both of them nodded with a smile.

  "By the way, today is Alma’s birthday," Nadia said.

  Luna and Drifter exchanged gnces before offering Alma warm birthday wishes. A thought crossed Drifter’s mind, and he suddenly had an idea.

  "How about we celebrate by having a meal together?" he suggested.

  With that, they returned to Nethia City and gathered at a cozy restaurant, sharing a meal filled with warmth and ughter. Alma's face remained radiant with joy, even as they made their way home, the celebration leaving a sting glow in her heart.

  On the way back, Nadia and Luna left first, leaving Alma and Drifter alone. Alma stepped closer to him.

  "Thanks for always standing by me, Drifter," she said with a smile.

  "No problem..." he replied, smiling.

  There was a brief pause before she spoke again.

  "Actually, I wanted to apologize... for back then. You were hurt because of me."

  "It’s no problem. It was my fault too—I underestimated everything," he said, his smile fading as his tone grew firm.

  Alma smiled and waved cheerfully as they parted ways. As she gnced at Drifter, she thought he seemed to stand beside her where her father once would have been. A quiet warmth settled in her heart.

  When she arrived home, her eyes widened—Friedrich was waiting with a modest cake and a single candle.

  "Happy birthday, Alma," he said warmly.

  "Thank you, Dad," she whispered, tears brimming in her eyes.

  Back in her room, Alma gently set down Nadia’s gift before opening her photo album. She carefully pced the newly taken photo inside—one from today’s birthday celebration with Nadia, Drifter, and Luna—her fingers lingering over the pages.

  As she gazed at the album, a soft smile formed on her lips. Her smile, Nadia’s smile—they were always there, captured in each moment. Yet, beneath that warmth, a sudden ache welled up in her chest, deep enough for her to pce a hand over it.

  Silent tears slipped down her cheeks, vanishing into the stillness of the night.

  How much longer can I live like this? she thought.