"Sister Leila, how did you meet the Celestial Spirit King?"
Noah was curious. He figured it might have something to do with Leila's strength. After all, she was a rare Celestial Spirit Mage capable of opening three gates simultaneously. It wouldn't be strange if the Celestial King took notice of someone with such power.
Leila smiled gently. "How we met… I'll tell you that story another time. For now, let's focus on other things. We'll ask Kesha tomorrow if the Celestial Spirit King gave his response."
Noah nodded in agreement. He knew that time flowed differently in the Celestial Spirit Realm one day there equaled three months in the human world. In other words, twenty-four hours here translated to just sixteen minutes over there. They would have to wait at least a full day to get any answer.
Just as Noah was about to start his training, Lucy suddenly grabbed his hand and pulled him along toward the library.
Apparently, she had recently read a book she was excited to share with him. She wanted to talk about it and exchange thoughts. Seeing the eager sparkle in Lucy's eyes, Noah smiled and put his training plans on hold.
After they read together, Noah resumed his training with the Heartfilia family and spent the rest of his time continuing his independent study of magic.
The next day, as promised, Noah found Leila. She had already prepared Cancer's golden key.
"Open Gate of Cancer: Kesha!"
A glowing magic circle appeared in front of her, and the familiar figure of Kesha emerged.
Leila got straight to the point. "Kesha, did the Celestial Spirit King respond?"
Kesha, with his back turned, spun around in his usual flamboyant style, twirling his scissors.
"The Celestial King has agreed, shrimp. His Majesty invites you, Lady Leila, your family, and this boy here to visit the Celestial Spirit Realm."
Leila's face lit up with joy.
"He invited my family and little Noah as well? That's wonderful! But we'll need to make preparations. The time difference there is significant. We have to make sure everything is arranged before we leave."
Kesha nodded. "Just summon me again when you're ready to go, shrimp. I'll go let His Majesty know."
With that, he turned into a swirl of golden light and disappeared once more.
Leila quickly found Jude to inform him of the plan.
Jude, being the head of the Heartfilia Konzern, immediately realized the challenge. Even a one-day trip to the Celestial Realm meant three months would pass in Earthland. If he vanished for that long without preparing, the company could fall into chaos.
So he spent the morning finalizing arrangements for the business and wrapping up affairs at home. By the time everything was settled, it was already well into the afternoon.
Eventually, Jude met up with Leila, who was holding little Lucy's hand. Lucy was practically bouncing with excitement.
"Mom said we're going to a beautiful place soon! I can't wait!"
"Alright, Lucy," Leila chuckled softly. "Noah just arrived, so now we can start getting ready."
Noah showed up carrying a small bag with the items he planned to bring to the Celestial Realm.
"Perfect timing, Noah," Leila said. "Everyone's ready. I'll summon Kesha again."
She lifted the golden key and called out:
"Open Gate of Cancer: Kesha!"
The magic circle flashed, and Kesha reappeared in front of them, this time holding a bundle of clothes.
"Alright, everyone, take these garments from the Celestial Realm. Once you're wearing them, you'll be able to move freely over there, okay, shrimp?"
Each person quickly took their outfit and headed to the bathroom to change.
Not long after, Noah emerged and spotted Leila and Lucy already dressed. They were wearing matching red dresses but the effect was entirely different on each of them. Leila looked elegant and graceful, a woman of refined beauty. Lucy, on the other hand, was full of youthful energy, looking cheerful and adorable in the same outfit.
Jude came out dressed in a sharp black suit, dignified as always, while Noah wore a crisp white casual suit that gave him a fresh and relaxed look.
Once everyone had changed into the special garments, Kesha adjusted his sunglasses and announced, "Alright, everyone gather close. We're heading to the Celestial Spirit Realm."
The group came together, standing shoulder to shoulder. At Kesha's command, a massive golden magic circle formed beneath their feet, glowing with brilliant light. In an instant, a pillar of golden radiance enveloped them, and they vanished from Earthland.
Far above the skies of the Celestial Spirit Realm, the clouds parted to reveal a beam of gold streaking through the heavens. Moments later, Leila's family and Noah emerged from the light plunging headfirst through the air, their bodies spinning downward.
Thinking fast, Noah invoked his gravity magic. A gentle force took hold of everyone, halting their fall. He reversed their positions mid-air, placing their feet beneath them and slowly guiding them down to the ground, where they landed safely on a platform.
Once everyone had steadied themselves, they finally had a chance to take in their surroundings.
They stood upon a wide, circular platform made of smooth, pale stone. Directly ahead, a winding path of starlit cobblestones extended into the distance, vanishing into the blue-tinted horizon. Two stone pillars stood on either side of the path's entrance, each bearing a radiant star emblem. Arched extensions from the tops of the pillars met above the road, forming a celestial crown in midair.
All around them, the platform was encircled by tall columns adorned with glowing sea urchin-like ornaments, each softly emitting starlight.
In every direction, stars drifted through the air. Transparent bubbles of varying sizes floated and popped, revealing brief glimpses of otherworldly landscapes within. Celestial bodies planets of different hues and sizes hung in the sky, some hosting buildings, towers, and even floating gardens.
The atmosphere shimmered in an endless spectrum of blues, from soft azure to deep sapphire, casting a tranquil glow across everything. It was as if the entire realm was breathing starlight.
Leila and Lucy, mother and daughter, stood side by side, their eyes wide with wonder.
Lucy tugged at her mother's hand, her voice brimming with joy. "Mommy, Mommy! Look! Everything's so shiny and sparkly it's beautiful!"
Leila smiled gently. She wasn't as outwardly giddy as Lucy, but her gaze was filled with warmth and awe.
"Yes… it really is beautiful. Do you like it here, Lucy?"
"I love it!" Lucy declared without hesitation, her entire face glowing with excitement.
Nearby, Jude and Noah were just as captivated. Jude observed the surroundings in stunned silence, while Noah was more focused his eyes narrowed slightly as he took a long, deep breath, immersing himself in the feel of the realm.
He could sense it.
Even though the air here seemed breathable, the very atmosphere was infused with powerful star energy thick, swirling currents of magic unique to the Celestial Spirit Realm. For ordinary humans, exposure to this kind of energy without protection would be dangerous. Their bodies could be invaded and eventually overwhelmed by the alien force.
But the outfits they wore weren't just for style.
Noah could feel it clearly a protective enchantment layered over their clothes. A thin magical membrane surrounded each of them, insulating their bodies from the overwhelming star energy.
This barrier allowed them to survive and move safely in the realm without being affected by the celestial currents that sustained the Star Spirits.
Only those born of the realm Star Spirits themselves could freely absorb and thrive on this energy. For humans, even standing here without protection could prove fatal over time.
Leila turned toward Noah and said softly, "This place… really hasn't changed much since I last came."
Noah nodded, his eyes still scanning the expanse. "It's like a whole different world."
And indeed, it was.
The Star Spirit Realm wasn't just a place of contracts and magic it was a realm of living stars, ancient power, and celestial mysteries. And for the first time in a very long time, humans had returned to its heart.
...
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