The m light brushed against Drifter's skin as he stepped outside, having pleted his usual routine. Like clockwork, Luna Sabriel stood there waiting, her expression as unreadable as ever.

  "M, Drifter," she said, the same words she'd spoken nearly every day since he'd arrived.

  The familiarity of her greeting had begun to wear on him. How many ms had they dohis now? The same words, the same tone—couldn't she say something different, just this once? He'd noticed her tendency to avoid small talk or unnecessary versation, which made her ret messages all the more intriguing.

  "I'm baking bread. Do you want some?" The ued message had caught him off guard.

  "Yeah," he'd replied, unsure what else to say.

  Moments ter, she'd presented him with a piece of bread shaped like a simple flower. The taste had been...peculiar. Bnd, if he was being ho, though he hadn't known how to respond at the time. She hadn't asked for his opinioher, but today, something pelled him to mention it.

  "Thanks for yift before, Luna. It really tasted good," he said.

  "Good. That’s my favorite," Luna replied.

  Drifter wasn’t sure if she was being ho or if she was just saying it. She obviously wasn’t joking.

  They made their way to the Tower of Bluish-Gray Crystal, where the Skyship Simutor awaited. Training in the simution had bee part of their daily routine over the past few days. The process was straightforward enough: pce your hand on the and Nexus's holographiterface, and the Skystriker would respond to your thoughts. Right turn, movement, firing are missiles—it all flowed naturally. Yet it felt different from anding Spectral Swords, a skill he had yet to fully master in this new text.

  By midday, Drifter couldn't help but notice Alma Rosenthal's tinued absence. His gaze drifted to Nadia Fernleaf, sitting alone again with that distant look in her eyes. ed, he quickly typed out messages to both of them on his Lumina Core.

  While Alma remained silent, Nadia's response came swiftly: "I'll expin ter, after school, in the courtyard. Thank you."

  Time crawled by as Drifter tinued operating the Skystriker simution. When his Lumina Core dispyed 16:00, he rose to leave.

  "See you," he said to Luna.

  But Luna spoke before he could step away.

  “It seems you’re ready to accept public missions on your own. gratutions.” She smiled.

  "I see. Thanks, Luna." Drifter replied.

  For a moment, her lips curled into a smile—It was the first time he had ever seen her smile at him.

  Maybe… just maybe, they finally trusted him.

  He paused, the thought settling in. This academy might not be so bad after all.

  Leaving the academig, Drifter arrived at the courtyard and spotted Nadia sitting alo a table beh a tree. The murmur of students heading home and the gentle sound of the fountain filled the background as Drifter walked toward her.

  “Nadia.” he called out.

  “Good afternoon, Drifter,” Nadia responded, her gaze distant as she seemed lost in thought.

  “Where’s Alma? I haven’t seen her in a while.” Drifter asked, in his voice.

  Nadia fidgeted, twisting the strap of her bag. Her gaze dropped, and a faint blush spread across her cheeks. Her lips parted, as if struggling to find the right words.

  “She’s… she’s sick.” Nadia said quietly.

  “What do you mean? What’s wrong with her?” Drifter pressed, his growing.

  Nadia let out a deep sigh, her eyes clouded with worry.

  “She’s at hia Hospital... resting. It’s been almost two weeks…” she murmured.

  “That doesn’t sound good. Are you going to visit her?” Drifter asked gently, his tone softening.

  Nadia nodded slowly, her shoulders slumping. When her eyes met his, a faint, weary smile crossed her fabsp;“Yeah, right now.”

  “I’ll e with you,” Drifter offered, his voice warm and reassuring.

  They walked together to the hospital, and this time, Drifter offered Nadia a ride on his Alcherider Zenith—a bck vehicle with sharp, angur lines and a fusion of hexagonal edges and Y-shaped patterns. When Drifter asked her to join him, Nadia's brown eyes widened, and she nodded in agreement.

  As they left the academy’s Alcherider parking lot, the setting sued them. They made their way toward hia City, heading to hia Hospital in the tral distriot far from the academy. The traffic was light, with shifting transparent barriers at at interses causing the Alcherider to stop automatically, allowirians to cross and other Alcheriders on the opposite side to move in turn. A soft, melodic female voice pyed through the system, apanied by the sounds of a piano and guitar from the Magisterial sole built into the vehicle. Their lips remaiill as the music filled the air, the jouro the hospital unfolding in silence.

  Finally, they arrived at hia Hospital, a tall, crystalline white building shaped like the letter H. They ehe underground parking lot, and after stepping ihe hospital, Drifter felt the chill of the cold, sterile atmosphere. The walls were pristine white, and the corridors were eerily quiet, with only a few people passing by. They took the automated elevator up to the 14th floor.

  Drifter go his side. Nadia eyes stared ahead, unblinking.

  “Maybe she’ll pretend to be fine when we see her,” Nadia murmured.

  “I hope she’s okay,” Drifter said, his toeady.

  At the room 1444 door, Nadia paused. Her hand hovered over the handle, hesitating before finally knog softly and opening it.

  Inside, Alma ropped up against pillows, her fingers busy arranging small stones on her p. When the door opened, she quickly began to shove some behind her pillow, but her hands froze midway as she caught Drifter's steady gaze. A faint smile flickered across her face.

  Alma waved her hand slowly, the ers of her lips dipping slightly. “Nadia, why didn’t you tell me you were ing? Oh, and Drifter is here too… How are you?”

  Drifter stepped closer, his gaze softening.“I’m fine, Alma. How about you?” He offered a faint smile.

  Nadia’s worry deepened, her eyes flickeriween Alma and Drifter. “Get well soon, Alma,” she murmured, her voice quiet.

  Alma chuckled weakly. “I’m fine… just stuck here. So bored…”

  Drifter’s attention drifted to the small table by the bed, where a colle of stones y ly arranged. His brow furrowed as he examihem, intrigued. Nadia followed his gaze, and Alma caught the exge. Her smile faltered for a moment before she gave a soft, embarrassed ugh, brushing a strand of pink hair behind her ear.

  Nadia grinned, while Drifter raised an eyebrow. She likes rock toys? Well, that’s kind of childish and old-fashioned… I wonder why she likes them… But as Drifter looked into Alma’s eyes, he saw her gaze fixed oones, gently holding one in her hand. It must be important to her.

  “Do they have names?” he said.

  Alma bli his question, shifting unfortably before sighing.She poio a jagged stone. “This is Sir Rocky Stallion. He’s… kind of the leader. Keeps the others in line.” Her voice was soft, affeate.

  Drifter nodded slowly.

  Alma moved her fio aone, smooth and round. “And this is Ms. Stone. She’s more… peaceful. Keeps things calm.”

  Nadia chuckled quietly, but Drifter’s gaze remained fixed.

  Alma paused, her fingers h over the st two stones, each adorned with shapes resembling rge cat ears. She hesitated for a moment.“These are Golemy and Goemon. The sibling duo. Golemy’s the curious one, always getting into trouble. Goemohe protector. Keeps his sibling safe.” Alma said softly.

  “They seem to have important roles,” Drifter remarked.

  Through the window, Drifter noticed the darkness of night settling in. Friedrich Rosenthal ehe room, and Drifter and Nadia politely said their goodbyes. “Get well soon, Alma.” they both said before leaving.

  As Drifter took Nadia home to the Residential District, Tranquil Grove, he saw her minimalist modern home—gray in color. Her front yard was filled with a variety of flowers and pnts. He noticed a small easel set up for painting in the yard.

  When they said their goodbyes, Drifter noticed an older woman with shoulder-length brown hair opening the door and smiling at Nadia.

  Drifter made his way back to his quarters and ehe day by going to bed.

  The m, Drifter noticed a message from Luna.

  “Sorry, I’m busy today. You do whatever you like.”

  Well, he hadn’t fought in a while, and his thoughts drifted toward the simution room.

  Upon arriving at the transparent dome building, he happeo run into some familiar faces. Lor immediately challenged Caelus to a bet: whoever fihe Cataclysmaris Level 6 simution first would win. He insisted that Drifter join his team.

  Drifter sighed aantly agreed.

  Holograms of bck, tendril-ed monsters appeared. On one side, Drifter led his team—Lor, Sloane, and Reine—against the Cataclysmaris in the simution. Oher side, Caelus, Bryan, Alyssa, and Erick worked together with precise coordination, their attacks overwhelming the simuted oppo.

  Lor, wearing a fident grin, g the other team while pung the bck creatures with his dark fist. "Hey, Caelus, we’re winning this time. We’ve got Drifter with us, you know!"

  Caelus only cast a brief gnce back, his tone calm but equally fident, while striking tendrils of bck creature with his lightning spear. "We’ll see, Lor."

  The simution tihe lights and sounds of battle filling the room until the sharp ring of a Lumina Core broke their tration. The holographic projes immediately froze, halting the battle.

  Drifter quickly g the small s on his wrist. His eyes narrowed, fog on the message that had just appeared."Mission: Prevent Grakling attack," he read silently.

  Oher side, Caelus, Alyssa, Bryan, and Ericed at the message briefly before resuming their simution. Caelus moved swiftly, his bck spear gleaming with a purple glow as it struck the Cataclysmaris with pinpoint accuracy. Alyssa’s fiery spear, Erick’s White Exalt magid Bryan’s dark daggers followed in perfect succession, creating a relentless coorditack.

  Meanwhile, Sloane, leaning back casually, barely g the notification on his Lumina Core before speaking zily. "Ah, Grakling mission… leave it to the rookies," he muttered before returning to his rexed position.

  Reine, however, read the message a little longer, his expression thoughtful before he hurriedly dismissed the s.

  Lor snorted, gring at the frozen holographic dispy with a frustrated frown.

  "Ugh, just a Grakling mission… what a buzzkill. Let’s get back to it! We’re falling behind," his tone light but clearly annoyed.

  Drifter frowned slightly.

  "Why? Isn’t it dangerous if the facilities there get damaged?" he asked, his voice calm.

  Sloane g him briefly, shrugging.

  “B mission, man. Just let the beginners ha.” After a brief pause while tapping his Lumina Core, he tinued.“Huh? Alma’s on this mission? What’s she doing there?”

  Lor chuckled, leaning back with a carefree grin.

  “Looks like she’s one of those ‘never miss a mission’ types. Gotta admire the hustle.”

  “She just got out of the hospital. Should she even be doing this?” Reine’s voice was low.

  Lor shrugged, gng back at the frozen simution.

  “Eh, not our problem. Heads up—Cataclysmaris is about to go wild again.”

  Drifter returned his attention to the Lumina Core, tapping it to open the message. He read the list of participating members: Alma Rosenthal (Novice/Mage). His eyes widened as he read.

  Alma Rosenthal? She’s recovered? What’s she doing on this mission? he thought, surprised.

  His heart raced, a tight knot f in his stomach as his pace quied toward the exit.

  “Excuse me, I have to go. Something urgent,” he said without looking back.

  Lor, still engrossed in the simution, grumbled. “Oi, e on, don’t bail on us now! Yonna make us lose, man!”

  Drifter gnced back briefly. “Something came up. ime.” He waved casually.

  Sloane gave a zy shrug, a sly grin creeping onto his fabsp;“Heh, whatever. Good thing we didn’t put money on this one.”

  Reine’s brow furrowed as he g Drifter. “Take care, Drifter.”

  Drifter nodded slightly and quickly opened his Lumina Core on his wrist, tapping to read the message. He tapped again on the “Join Mission” option. There, he sa of the academy with a blue dot, Alma’s small portrait above it, located in the courtyard. He quied his steps, his thoughts fixed on that point.

  As Drifter reached the edge of the courtyard, he spotted Nadia and Alma. Their mouths moved rapidly in a heated exge, but the words were lost in the distanadia fidgeted, her eyes avoiding Alma’s, while Alma crossed her arms, her expression unreadable. Then, Friedrich Rosenthal approached them, joining the exge while Nadia’s mouth stopped moving.

  As Drifter got closer, he finally heard their versation.

  “This is a simple mission, Dad. I ha.” said Alma.

  “Please listen, Alma. Remember, taking care of yourself is also your responsibility. If the protector falls, who will protect others?” said Friedrich.

  Alma’s face flushed, a deep red spreading across her cheeks. Her eyes widened, bzing with iy.

  “It’s my life! Why ’t you just stay out of it?” she snapped.

  Drifter sighed softly, his gaze lingering on Alma’s determined eyes. This isn’t going anywhere… he thought. She might go off on her own anyway… and things will only get worse if she does. Besides, it’s just Grakling.

  He moved closer to Alma, Nadia, and Friedrich.

  “If she’s going, I’ll go with her. Let me ha,” Drifter said, his voice calm and steady.

  Alma and Friedrich turoward him.

  “Thanks, Drifter. You always get it,” Alma said, her tone lighter as she smiled and stepped toward his side.

  Friedrich’s jaw tightened, his gaze steady and unreadable.

  “Drifter, I get that you’re trying to help, but this isn’t just about whether she wants to go or not. She ime to recover.” He spoke with growing frustration.

  He paused, exhaling sharply.

  “If you’re taking responsibility, fine. But if she gets worse out there, it’s on you. Do you uand?”

  Drifter met Friedrich’s gaze, standing firm.

  “I uand where you’re ing from. She needs rest, I agree. But Alma’s not going to back down, and if she goes without someog her, it’ll be worse. I’m not here to indulge her—I’m here to make sure she stays safe and doesn’t push herself over the edge. You have my word on that.” His voice was steady.

  The soft chime of Friedrich's Lumina Core sounded from around his wrist, followed by the subtle tap of his finger. His jaw tightened as a voice crackled through the devibsp;“Hold on… this won’t take long.”

  After ending the call, Friedrich looked at Alma and exhaled a long sigh.

  “Alright, but promise me you’ll be careful. Both of you.” His voice lowered. “Drifter, keep an eye on her.”

  “Don’t worry, Dad. We’ve dohis a huimes. You know I handle myself.” Alma paused, her voice softening slightly. “But… thanks. I’ll be careful, I promise.”

  Friedriodded with a faint smile and walked away.

  Alma watched her father leave before turning back to Drifter and Nadia, her wide smile unwavering.

  “Okay, team. Let’s move out!”

  Nadia sighed quietly, the er of her lips lifting slightly. “Holy, Alma. Maybe ime actually listen to him. He’s n, you know.”

  Later, Alma g Nadia, her grin taking on a lopsided charm, a spark of mischief lighting her eyes. “e on, Nadia. Don’t start sounding like him, or you’ll end up with worry lines before me.”

  Hearing Alma’s words, Drifter sighed, a small smile appearing as he looked at her, his thoughts briefly drifting to Luna. He hadn’t expected people iure to be as diligent, even in a peaceful world. And for the first time, he realized just how stubborn Alma really was.

  The three made their way toward the Translocator at the edge of hia City. As it fred to life, blue energy surrouhem, and in an instant, they were transported to East Verm Pin, standing on the rolling green pins bordered by gentle hills. They walked for what felt like hours, crossing hill after hill, until they finally reached their destination. Alma's heavy breath echoed iillness, a result of the long journey, despite it only being a walk.

  Below, a horde of small, bipedal creatures with gray skin, red eyes, and sharp teeth moved swiftly in packs, kig up clouds of dust as they went.

  Drifter’s sharp eyes narrowed as he observed the se. He remembered that Grakling were weak—they couldn’t utilize Evocyte. Even a million of them could only rely on physical attacks, which wouldn’t be able to break their natural barrier. This would be a piece of cake.

  “Let’s finish this quickly. We drive them off, then head straight to the academy,” he said softly.

  Alma grinned widely, his breath unsteady. "Easy enough. Let’s go."

  Drifter noticed the sigils—pink and red—beginning to form around Alma’s hands, though her firembled slightly. He gnced behind her, catg Nadia’s eyes flicker to Alma, her brows furrowing.

  They desded the hills, engaging the horde of Graklings—gray creatures charging at them with cws bared. Drifter led the way, his dark gray sword Exaltare cutting through enemies with ease, while spectral bdes sliced through the Grakling ranks without pause. Nadia and Alma followed, providing support from behind.

  But as the Grakling attacked with their cws, Drifter felt something was off. Their cws emitted a strange bergy. He remembered that the Grakling’s cws were supposed to be physical. A sense of unease began to settle in.

  From behind, Alma and Nadia supported with their magic—Alma’s pink homing Exalt missiles and Nadia’s volley of Earthen bolts, crystallih glowing with a faint golden-green hue. As Drifter noticed Alma’s shots missing the target, he g her. Her breath was heavy, and her hand trembled slightly. Worry began to stir in Drifter’s chest. Cold sweat trickled down his back. He had to move quickly.

  He unleashed Exalt Storm. Three blue sigils appeared around him, and his left hand crackled with energy, ung a barrage of blue projectiles from both his hand and the sigils. The projectiles, joined by spectral bdes, rained down on the Grakling horde. Graklings fell in droves, explosions rocked the ground, and dust swirled as his attacks tore through their ranks.

  Drifter’s breath grew heavier, his movements more measured. But from the swirling dust, the Graklings pressed on, uing. He cleaved through a few, but twelve mao slip past.

  Alma and Nadia unleashed their spells—fire bolts and crystallihen bolts—but only one Grakling remained. It lu Alma, its cws raking across her. Her natural barrier shattered with a sharp crack, and blood spttered from her arm, staining the right side of her blouse as the fabric tore.

  "Ah!" Alma gasped, her voice crag as pain surged through her.

  The sound made Drifter’s heart ra paniadia, nearby, rushed to Alma, and without thinking, he followed.

  But Alma fought back, retaliating with a Bzing Burst. A fming orb exploded from her hand, iing the st Grakling in an instant, the deafening bst eg through the air. Alma’s eyes wideeeth gritted, as she healed herself with Exalt Healing—a pink circle closing over the wound.

  Drifter sed the field. The Graklings y still, scattered across the grass, while the trees swayed gently in the breeze. He exhaled slowly, his shoulders loosening as the tension in his chest eased.

  He turo see Nadia, her breathing ragged, the brown sigils on her hands fading into particles.

  “That was the st of them,” she said, her voice heavy.

  Beside her, Alma wiped the sweat from her brow, a relieved smile crossing her face.

  “We did it,” she said.

  Drifter his sword fading into blue particles. “Let’s head back to the Academy.”

  As they walked, Alma gnced down at the bloodstained right side of her blouse.

  “What happeo them?” Alma asked, her voice tight with disbelief. “How could they breach our natural barrier?”

  Silence hung in the air as Drifter struggled to make sense of what was happening. It was the first time he’d witnessed monsters evolve, growing stronger before his eyes. Then, he felt raindrops trickle down his skin. He looked up at the darkening sky as the rain began to fall. They pressed on, their footsteps steady despite the growing storm.

  As they stepped back, sudden heavy footsteps echoed around them. They rushed toward the source of the sound and, in the distance, spotted a formation of Graklings and Graklors. The Graklors were taller and more muscur than the Graklings, their bck armleaming, with spears, swords, and axes in their hands.

  Behind them stood the Grakthor, a massive, bipedal creature with cracked gray skin, three red eyes, a thieck, and a tusked head. It loomed in formation, t over the others.

  Drifter’s heart pouhe rhythm shaking his chest as the tremors beh his feet grew stronger with each step of the massive creature.

  "Fall back! We’ll call for reinforts. Don’t worry—they won’t reach the city." His voice rang out, sharp and steady.

  Alma turned, her shoulders stiff. Her hands ched, fiwitg, but her voice remaieady, her gaze unwaverie a brief hesitation

  No," "I’m not retreating."

  Drifter stared at Alma, his brow furrowed. He couldn’t uand her reasoning for making a st stareat was the safer option. Did she want to chase her owh? Without thinking, he stepped toward her, i on pulling her away. But before he could reach her, Nadia had already seized Alma’s arm, her firembling.

  “Alma, please... look at them. There are thousands, maybe more. It’s just the three of us...” Nadia’s voice trembled with urgency.

  Alma raised her , her gaze locked on the dark horizon.

  “The vilge of erra is close. I won’t let them through,” she said firmly.

  Regret and doubt g Drifter. Should they sacrifi vilgers to save themselves? This was supposed to be a simple mission—he never expected it to turn into this. He hadn't even packed a potion to restore their Evocyte energy. He had uimated everything.

  “Nadia, go back! Call for help!” His voice was sharp with urgency.

  Nadia’s firembled as she activated her Lumina Core, typing rapidly.

  “I already did,” she replied, her voice strained. “But I... I ’t leave you all.....”

  The horde of creatures drew heir hissing and growling growing louder in the downpour. The shapes of Graklings, Graklor, and Grakthor became clearer.

  Drifter exhaled sharply, his gaze fixed and unwavering as he tightened his grip on his sword. His heart pounded faster in his chest. Behind him, Nadia and Alma stood still, their hands trembling.

  The tremors in the ground intensified, heavy footsteps eg like war drums as the creatures closed in. The rain poured harder, lightning fshing overhead, casting long shadows as the horde loomed closer.