The applause lingered in the air long after the enchanted scroll burned away, and the murmurs of the crowd filled the space like a rising tide. Whispers passed from group to group—"Did you see them?" "That illusion was too real." "Who made that scroll?"
The Celestars didn't move. Not yet.
Lui's eyes scanned the crowd. "There. Near the fountain."
Three hooded figures stood watching them. One waved slightly, almost politely, then turned and disappeared into the shifting festival crowd.
Yuuv's gaze didn't leave the empty space where the scroll had flared. "That projection... It was like my memory, but clearer."
Izumi nodded slowly. "Which means someone's watching us closer than we thought."
"Or something," Ishi added.
They didn't linger. The festival resumed around them with lights, laughter, and magic tricks—but for the Celestars, the mood had shifted.
They returned to their rented room in a quiet corner of Pinevault. Rick flopped onto the bed, hugging a scroll-shaped plushie he'd won at a ring toss booth. "Why do I feel like someone just read my diary out loud in front of the world?"
"Because they sort of did," Iuro replied. "Except with illusions. In high resolution."
Yuuv sat cross-legged by the window. "They weren't trying to mock us. They showed us exactly how we were. Every little moment..."
Izumi crossed his arms. "So they know how we fight. How we move. How we think. That's not entertainment. That's analysis."
Lui stood by the door, arms folded. "Tomorrow, we will find them."
The next morning, Pinevault's town square transformed again. Floating ribbons guided visitors to the open-air arena set up for the last day of the festival.
"Today," the announcer boomed, "we welcome a rare guest! No sign-ups, no names—just a gift from the ancient watchers themselves!"
Gasps followed.
Yuuv's grip on his cloak tightened. "They're going to show up, aren't they?"
A hush spread through the crowd.
Then they appeared.
Four cloaked figures floated onto the stage—without walking. Not flying either. Just... moving. Their robes shimmered not with cloth, but with starlight trapped inside silk.
One lifted their hand.
From the sky above, glowing threads of memory dropped into the air—floating strands that played illusions like film reels.
Scenes of mages and knights from all across the world flickered to life: a flame knight defending a village, a storm mage rescuing a caravan, a sword duel between rival guild leaders. Each illusion ended in gentle silver light.
Then—another thread fell.
It was them again. The Celestars. Their teamwork during the bridge repair. Their inn room banter. Even Tofu made an appearance, glowing proudly.
The last thread ended not with a burst of magic, but a quiet image—Yuuv, asleep on the top bunk, murmuring about stars leaking from teacups.
A warm laugh spread through the audience.
The watchers finally spoke—not with mouths, but through softly ringing tones only those nearby could hear.
"We are the Starwatchers. We see and share. Not to shame. Not to harm. Only to remember."
The oldest of them, their hood embroidered with countless constellations, stepped forward.
"Our kind drifts between eras. When we find souls whose light shines strangely... we watch. And remember."
Izumi blinked. "You're not people, are you?"
The Starwatcher bowed gently.
"We are fragments of a time when memory was magic itself."
Rick's mouth dropped. "You guys are... ancient magic ghosts?!"
One chuckled.
"To most, yes. To those who notice... simply watchers."
Yuuv stepped forward. "Why show us? Why now?"
"You are not yet heroes. But you are different," the oldest said. "You move like stories being written. We see potential. And potential... must be remembered."
The crowd broke into wild applause.
The Starwatchers turned once more toward the Celestars.
"The road you walk is no longer yours alone. Eyes will follow. And stories will bloom."
With a final shimmer of silver, the Starwatchers vanished—leaving only stardust that sparkled in the morning light.
Back in their inn room, no one spoke for a long while.
Finally, Iuro broke the silence. "Sooo... that happened."
"Are we... famous now?" Rick asked, unsure if he should feel excited or afraid.
Izumi flipped open his logbook. "It means we're being watched. But not like prey. Like... inspiration."
Ishi looked at Yuuv. "you knew didn't you?"
Yuuv nodded slightly, smiling faintly. "It was in dream thou who knew it wasn't a dream."
"wait wait what do you even mean?", Rick asked with his hands on his head
Yuuv stuck his tongue "silly as always" Iuro chuckled "They will be watching us sometimes right?"
Lui nodded. "Then let's give them something worth remembering."
The others grinned.
And outside their window, the sky sparkled—just faintly—as if stitched with invisible threads.