The morning sun spread golden warmth across the secluded valley, bathing it in soft light and waking the dew-covered grass from its slumber. The students' makeshift camps lay nestled between ancient trees, their tents stitched from vines, cloth, and a touch of Eira's magic. Birds chirped lazily, the breeze whispered across leaves, and smoke curled faintly from dying embers.
But within that calm, Haruto stood tense. His eyes scanned the camp as students stretched and gathered for breakfast. Yet one place remained untouched—Kaito's bedding. It was empty.
The old woman, Eira, emerged from the woods holding a sack of herbs. Her long cloak rustled with each step.
"Let's begin, children," she called gently. "We'll need a hearty meal today. Much awaits us."
Riku Tanaka, the class representative—a tall, straight-backed boy with sharp eyes and a golden armband stitched with their academy's crest—nodded. "Understood. I'll divide everyone into teams. Cooking and gathering as usual."
Haruto didn't reply. Instead, he turned and strode into the trees, lips pressed in a thin line.
Down by the river, bathed in golden light, Kaito lay sleeping atop a wide mossy boulder. The water rushed gently beside him, singing lullabies to stones long buried in time.
In his dream, the same vision returned.
A man in silver armor stood with a glowing sword in one hand, cloaked in radiance. Behind him, a gate pulsed with light, covered in symbols that shimmered like stars. The man's mouth moved, but his voice was lost to the void.
Kaito reached toward the light, but just before his fingers touched it—
"Wake up, idiot!"
Kaito jolted upright, nearly slipping off the rock.
"Haruto?" he blinked.
Haruto stood at the riverbank, arms crossed. "We've been searching for you. Don't scare us like that again."
Kaito rubbed his eyes, still dazed. "Sorry. Just couldn't sleep."
Haruto sighed and extended a hand. "Come on. We've got fish to catch."
Back at camp, the students divided tasks. The boys, including Kaito and Haruto, were sent to the river to fish. The girls gathered herbs, prepped ingredients, and built a fire circle.
Catching the fish, however, was no easy feat.
Riku splashed face-first into the water chasing a shadow beneath the surface. "Slippery little—!"
"Keep your footing!" Tatsuki barked.
Even Haruto stumbled once, saved only by grabbing Kaito's arm. They both laughed, breathless. Kaito caught one by hand and held it up triumphantly.
"Alright! Who's the fish master now?" he grinned.
"Don't let that one win, Haruto!" Riku shouted, now drenched from head to toe.
Despite the clumsiness, the boys returned with soaked clothes and a decent catch. Spirits were high.
Meanwhile, the girls were kneeling by a flat stone, slicing herbs and prepping wild roots. Yuna worked quietly while Akari, overly cheerful, swapped jokes with her group.
"Who knew survival could taste like sushi day at school?" one girl quipped as they started grilling the fish on hot stones.
By noon, the aroma of cooking filled the clearing. The groups gathered, laughing, teasing, and devouring the smoky fish like ravenous animals.
Kaito, while chewing, muttered, "This tastes better than the school cafeteria."
"Anything tastes better when you've caught it yourself," Haruto replied with a full mouth.
After they'd eaten their fill, some students began exploring the area. Yuna wandered toward a patch of glowing flowers and knelt beside them, brushing one petal with her fingers.
"Do you think this world is alive… in a different way?" she asked quietly.
Kaito, nearby, overheard. "Alive and watching," he said. "I feel like something's always watching here."
Haruto walked past them, trying to imitate an anime ninja run. "Just don't go stepping on a hidden trap, Itadori."
Everyone chuckled.
They wandered a bit more, collecting odd-looking fruits and observing strange birds with rainbow feathers. The whole place felt like a blend of fantasy and dreams.
Eventually, they returned to camp, and Eira reappeared with her usual calm grace.
"Now," she said, "are you all ready?"
The students gathered around her. Some nodded; some looked nervous.
Tatsuki stood forward. "We are."
"Follow me," Eira instructed.
They followed her through the forest toward a small mountain. Nestled in a stone ridge was a modest cave, partially covered in moss and glowing mushrooms.
"It's tiny," someone whispered.
But the moment they stepped inside, the world changed.
The narrow passage opened into a massive, crystalline corridor. Floating lanterns of light drifted gently above their heads, casting shifting hues of green and violet. The walls sparkled with natural gemstones embedded deep within.
"Are we… in a dungeon?" Riku muttered. "Where's my anime sword?"
"Don't jinx it," another replied.
The corridor finally led them into an enormous, circular hall. A wide, radiant pool glimmered at its center, surrounded by twelve towering stones. Magical glyphs shimmered across the ceiling, forming ever-changing patterns.
Gasps and murmurs filled the air.
"This," Eira said, stepping to the edge of the pool, "is the Heart of Lūmyn."
Kaito felt his pulse rise. The air here felt thick—not with heat, but with power.
Yuna gripped her wrist, uneasy.
Akari stood unusually still.
Eira raised her staff. "Here, your power will be revealed."
Tatsuki spoke up. "How?"
Eira gestured to the magic circle on the floor. "Each of you will step into the main circle. At its center lies a smaller ring. Place your palm inside it. If your spirit resonates, the symbols will glow, revealing your elemental affinity."
"Element?" a girl asked.
"There are many," Eira replied. "Fire, Water, Earth, Wind, Ice, Lightning, Light, Shadow… and some rarer ones born of deeper truths."
A nervous boy asked, "And if nothing happens?"
"Then your power slumbers. Or you are not yet ready."
Murmurs rose. Some students stepped back. Others leaned in with excitement.
Kaito's heart pounded.
Yuna stared into the glowing pool.
"Will we return home after this?" someone asked.
Eira's eyes twinkled. "You will return when the world no longer needs you. But until then, awaken who you truly are."
She extended her hand.
"Now, step forward."
End of Chapter 16