The sun rose gently over Timbervale, spilling golden light across the rooftops and into the windows of the little inn where the Celestars were staying. Inside their shared room, six boys were bundled under their blankets, though none quite in the right beds. Iuro was half on the floor, Rick was upside down, and Yuuv had somehow managed to curl up on top of a rolled rug.
"Final day of freedom," Lui announced from the window, stretching with a yawn. "Let's make it count."
"I vote more sleeping," Yuuv mumbled, barely poking his head out from the rug.
"Nope," Lui grinned. "We promised to explore the eastern side of Timbervale today. Plus, we should practice formation training."
"Formation training?" Rick blinked. "What are we, sandwiches?"
"I think he means fighting positions," Izumi said calmly, pulling on his boots.
"Still sounds sandwich-y."
Once they were dressed, they grabbed breakfast from the inn kitchen —a platter of toast, eggs, sweet fruits, and a pitcher of cold milk —and set off.
The eastern side of Timbervale had fewer shops and more open spaces: meadows, sparring fields, and winding trails through trees. The boys followed a stone path past a fountain shaped like a dragon's tail and found a quiet patch of grass near a small creek.
Lui took charge. "Let's try pairing up. Two pairs spar, and two observe."
"I call Ishi!" Iuro grinned.
Ishi raised a brow. "You always call me."
"Because you're cool!"
Izumi and Rick teamed up, which left Lui and Yuuv as the last pair.
They began basic sparring. Iuro sent small roots through the ground, but Ishi dodged easily, countering with shadow blades that vanished before they hit. Rick summoned water balls that splashed harmlessly off Izumi's space-bending dodges.
Yuuv tried floating a pebble and aiming it at Lui. It lightly tapped his arm.
"Dangerous weapon," Lui said, pretending to stumble.
"I'm improving," Yuuv smiled proudly.
While the others practiced, Izumi suddenly looked toward the road. "We've got visitors."
A group of four kids approached, wearing forest green robes with a swirling leaf emblem.
"The Verdance Guild," Ishi muttered. "C-Novices."
The girl at the front had short auburn hair and bright golden eyes. She stepped forward with a polite nod. "I'm Lira. We've seen you around town."
"Celestars," Lui introduced. "Newly ranked."
Lira smiled. "We thought it might be fun to do a light spar. Friendly, of course. One-on-one, no heavy spells."
The boys exchanged glances.
"Alright," Lui nodded. "Let's do it."
A wide circle was formed in the grass. First up: Iuro vs. a boy named Fen from Verdance.
Iuro summoned vines that danced and curled across the grass. Fen countered with thorny roots. It became a slow-motion dance of dodging, tangling, and laughing as both boys ended up caught in their own plants.
Next: Ishi vs. a quiet girl named Nara.
Ishi kept calm and steady. Nara summoned small wind currents, but Ishi's shadows moved like extensions of himself, gently blocking each move until Nara raised both hands and smiled. "You win."
Third match: Rick vs. a tall boy named Cassel.
Water vs. wind.
Rick spun his staff and sent a wave. Cassel jumped, used a light gust, and landed neatly. They exchanged moves like a gentle river breeze until they both laughed and shook hands.
"I like these guys," Rick said, panting.
Yuuv stepped forward but was waved off by Lui. "Let's let Izumi try."
Izumi nodded and faced Lira.
She moved fast, summoning leaf blades with smooth motion, but Izumi was faster. With short-range blinks and precise katana taps, he disarmed her without ever actually hurting her.
Lira smiled. "Well done."
The friendly duel ended with handshakes and shared snacks from both sides.
"I hope we meet again," Lira said, waving goodbye.
"Same," Lui nodded.
By midday, the Celestars wandered further east and found a small waterfall. They rested nearby, feet in the cool water.
Yuuv, sitting beside a rock, slowly floated a leaf into the air with his eyes glowing faintly.
"Can I make it spin?" he whispered.
The leaf twirled gently like a falling feather.
Everyone sat quietly for a while.
"I think we've grown," Iuro said.
"A little," Ishi admitted.
"Tomorrow, everything starts," Izumi added.
"Back to missions," Rick sighed. "Goodbye naps."
Yuuv dozed off mid-sentence, chin resting on his knees.
That evening, they returned to the inn. Dinner was stew, warm bread, and lemon pudding.
Lui stood, raising his spoon. "To our last day of free place and food. And to tomorrow—when we begin our real adventure."
Everyone clinked spoons and mugs.
"To the Celestars!"
The stars above Timbervale glittered silently.
The world outside waited.
And six young hearts were ready to meet it head-on.