Rael limped his way down the cracked stone path, the sting of bruises threading through every step. His coat flapped from the wind that swept across the training field's edge. In the distance, two figures were already waiting.
Ethan waved. "Finally. We thought you died back there."
Seth grinned, arms crossed. "Or got married to that wall you flew into."
Rael groaned. "You two suck."
But he was smiling—painfully, but smiling nonetheless.
As he reached them, Rael eyed the massive hammer still slung on Seth's back. It looked even bigger now. "Wait… I thought I destroyed that thing?"
Seth glanced back at her weapon. "Conjured from Myre," she said with a shrug. "It's not forged like a relic. It's… formed from inside. The hammer's my design, but the more I master my Myre, the more I can shape it, grow it. Add to it."
Rael's brows raised. "So… I can conjure weapons too?"
Ethan gave him a sidelong glance. "Technically, yeah. But it takes higher-level focus and deep Myre connection. It's not like throwing punches. It's like imagining your soul into steel." He smirked. "Still… seeing how you've grown like a madman in just three days, maybe it's not that far off."
Rael beamed at the thought. "Teach me," he said, turning to Seth.
Seth grinned, brushing her short bangs away from her face. "Of course. Prepare to be amazed by my legendary hammer-building techniques."
Ethan leaned in. "Step one: smash things until they smash better."
They all laughed.
Then Ethan paused. His voice shifted slightly, edged with curiosity. "Hey… every Eidolon has a Remnant, right? Like how Borders have one, but ours comes with a price. Sacrifice. Pain. But Eidolons… they just have it. You never had to give something up to get yours."
Rael blinked. That was true.
And he'd never seen his Remnant. Not really. There were moments—a flicker, a dream—but nothing like Seth's hammer or Ethan's Remnant.
Even Seth looked puzzled. "...Wait, I forgot about you having a remnant."
Ethan squinted at Rael. "Maybe it'll appear when you either master your Myre... or completely lose control."
"Lose control?" Seth echoed, her eyes lighting up. "Ohhh, now that sounds cool."
Rael chuckled. "You want me to lose it just to see some weird spirit crawl out of my chest?"
"Only if it glows," Ethan said. "Maybe with screaming."
Seth added, "And wings made of fire or bones."
Rael rolled his eyes, limping forward. "C'mon. Let's get lunch before I die of hunger instead of Myre overload."
Cafeteria - Midday
The cafeteria was a wide, dome-roofed space filled with light pouring in from the arched glass ceiling. Dozens of students buzzed around tables—some in uniforms, some wearing half-armored suits, some with bandages from training like trophies.
A tall vending wall shimmered at one side, offering a mix of old-world dishes and modern conjured meals. The scent of spiced meat and steaming noodles was heavy in the air.
Rael grabbed a tray, eyes scanning. "What's this one?"
"Ramen. Real ramen," Seth said. "Made with conjured broth but cooked by actual cafeteria aunties."
Ethan poked the bowl. "Except when it glitches and you get fishcake that blinks at you."
They each made their choices: Rael went for beef ramen with a side of spicy eggs. Seth stacked her tray with a double serving of rice pork and miso broth. Ethan picked the weirdest option again—a steaming green curry burger that smelled far too good for how unnatural it looked.
They slid into their usual booth by the window, overlooking the central courtyard.
"I heard someone spotted a Level-Black in the northern outpost," Ethan muttered between bites. "Freaking huge. Like, limbs dragging on the ground. Took five Borders to drive it back."
Seth snorted. "That's probably a joke. The only Level-Blacks around here are the ones in the old records. You'd know if one really showed up—half the school would lock down."
"But imagine," Rael said, leaning in. "What if one does appear? If I lose control there… the Remnant might awaken."
"Or you'd just get eaten," Ethan offered with a grin.
They laughed.
Seth suddenly said, "Okay but what if your Remnant is just… a coffee mug?"
"Or a walking chair," Ethan chimed in. "That gives life advice."
Rael grinned. "You two are the worst."
Ethan made a dramatic face. "'Embrace your inner furniture, Rael. Your destiny... is IKEA.'"
Even other students were starting to glance over at their table, amused.
Then they shifted topics again—talking about a mythical student who supposedly once soloed a Black Remnant in the rain while wearing nothing but shorts and sandals. They argued about whether the cafeteria's orange juice was actually orange. And debated who in their year was most likely to explode from conjuring too fast.
In that moment, everything felt light again—like before the training injuries and soul-deep questions. Just three friends eating terrible-good food and talking about the world they were slowly changing.
As they stepped out of the cafeteria, the hallway was quieter now, the air cool and metallic under the glass ceiling.
Leaning casually against the pillar near the exit was Zeke.
His arms were crossed, one eyebrow raised, silver earrings catching the light. He looked calm. Too calm.
Rael tensed.
Zeke nodded. "Wanna spar again?"
Before Rael could answer, Ethan leaned close and whispered, "It's the beard. You look thirty."
Seth added, "No, it's the aura. He's intimidated by your eternal tiredness."
Zeke smirked. "Maybe. Or maybe I just want to see how much stronger you've gotten."
Rael stood straighter, heart pacing but fire in his chest. "I'll take you on. I want to be stronger too."
Zeke nodded once, pushing off the pillar. "Then let's see if you're ready."